NOTE: This is one of many updates. It increasingly appears as if the photo did come from the Clinton camp: The Drudge Report's front page now has a screeching headline saying staffers from Hillary Clinton's campaign are circulating a photo of a "dressed" rival Barack Obama -- actually dressed in Kenyan dress -- that at first glance fits in with the "Obama as Muslim" motif … [Read more...] about Drudge Says Clinton Staffers Circulate “Dressed” Obama Photo (SECOND MAJOR UPDATE)
Tennessee Williams: An Appreciation
MARCH 1962 TIME MAGAZINE COVER PORTRAIT BY BERNARD SAFRAN It would have been a damned shame if Tennessee Williams couldn't write, because I can't think of any man of letters whose family and friends provided so much rich material. Williams, who was a gifted playwright and a not bad short story writer, drew long and hard from the deep well of tormented and eccentric souls … [Read more...] about Tennessee Williams: An Appreciation
Ms Rice: “Let Cubans Become Masters of Their Own Lives”
While the US administration's priority in Pakistan seems to be to safeguard the position of President Pervez Musharraf (unmindful of the fact that the ex-military dictator has been humiliated in the recent polls), it delivers a homily to a country in its backyard (with whom it has been at the 'original' unending 'war' for the past 50 years) about the virtues of democracy. There … [Read more...] about Ms Rice: “Let Cubans Become Masters of Their Own Lives”
Iraqi Kurdish MP Blames U.S. Occupation Forces for Turkish Invasion
With Turkish troops on the ground in northern Iraq, Iraq's al-Iraqi newspaper reported Saturday that a Kurdish member of Iraq's Parliament said he holds U.S. forces responsible for Turkey's invason of Iraq's sovereignty. According to the legislator, named Al-Atrushi, 'Everyone knows that since the Iraqi Army was dissolved in 2003, the task of America's occupation force in Iraq … [Read more...] about Iraqi Kurdish MP Blames U.S. Occupation Forces for Turkish Invasion
The Slow-Motion Implosion of Hillary Clinton’s Campaign: It Took a Village
It's not a good sign when the post-mortems are pouring in and you're not dead. But that is what is happening to Hillary Clinton although her latest and possibly last firewall -- the Texas and Ohio primaries -- is still eight days away and she still maintains the lead in some national polls. As it is, some bloggers, myself included, have noted for some time that Clinton … [Read more...] about The Slow-Motion Implosion of Hillary Clinton’s Campaign: It Took a Village
Obamacans
Obama campaign attracting disenchanted Republicans Ronald Reagan had his "Reagan Democrats." And now, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has turned the tables on the Republican Party with his "Obamacans," disaffected Republicans who are flocking to the Democratic presidential candidate the way disenchanted Democrats backed Reagan, though in smaller numbers. ..."For me, the … [Read more...] about Obamacans
Who Is the More Vile Endorser?
Who is the more vile endorser? Louis Farrakhan, who is backing Barack Obama? Or David Duke, who is backing Ron Paul? Just asking. … [Read more...] about Who Is the More Vile Endorser?
Bush’s African Tour: An Exercise in Distraction …
Was President Bush's recent tour of Africa just a convenient and thinly-disguised attempt to whitewash an otherwise dismal foreign policy record? Mohammad Jafar Ahmed of Al-Khaleej of the United Arab Emirates writes, 'By signing agreements and handing out donations to help combat disease at the end of his second term, Bush's tour appeared to be an attempt to instill memories … [Read more...] about Bush’s African Tour: An Exercise in Distraction …
What Men Need In A Men’s Magazine?
Acres of female flesh...or some cereberal material? Find out here... And here... … [Read more...] about What Men Need In A Men’s Magazine?
U.S. Elections are the World’s
Should there be any doubt that even the farthest corners of the world are taking close notice of the American election, here is a (very small) selection of truly global coverage: The Barack Obama Streak (Kenya) Change at the White House; No Change for Africa (Botswana) America's 2008 Elections: Lewinsky Again? (Sudan) And If Europe Finds Its Strength in America? … [Read more...] about U.S. Elections are the World’s
Marion Cottilard Gets Best Actress Oscar Award
The Oscar results are out. Marion Cotillard, who won the Oscar for best actress for her role in the Edith Piaf biopic "La Vie en Rose", is the first French woman to take home the best actress Oscar since Simone Signoret's win in 1960. Cotillard is a Greenpeace spokeswoman and was among the artists involved in "Dessins pour le climat," an album project that was released in … [Read more...] about Marion Cottilard Gets Best Actress Oscar Award
Next U.S. Government Will Negotiate with Syria and Iran
The German Daily, Die Zeit, benefits from having regular commentary by Germany's former Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer. I am always inclined to read pieces by former players on the world stage more closely than others, since where journalists have, in the final analysis, to guess about the dynamics of global politics, these players draw on an internalized … [Read more...] about Next U.S. Government Will Negotiate with Syria and Iran
Pervez Musharraf To Quit? May, If President Bush Says So!
Will he?...Will he not? The once mighty ex-general Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan has become a pathetic figure desperately trying to cling on to the presidential chair. Meanwhile the new democratically elected politicians and the Pakistani public seem adamant...and are sending a clear message that the military dictator should move out of the presidential palace. Yesterday I … [Read more...] about Pervez Musharraf To Quit? May, If President Bush Says So!
Louis Farrakhan Endorses Obama at “Saviours’ Day” Event in Chicago: A Tale of Who Shall Be King
The Associated Press reports today that Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan "says presidential candidate Barack Obama represents hope that the United States will change for the better." Seems a neutral enough statement. Farrakhan, 74 years old and recovering from prostate cancer, said he wasn't telling anyone who to vote for, but "praised Obama and took small jabs at … [Read more...] about Louis Farrakhan Endorses Obama at “Saviours’ Day” Event in Chicago: A Tale of Who Shall Be King
Hillary Clinton Mocks Obama: Political Masterstroke Or Mistake?
Some 10 days before pivotal Texas and Ohio primaries, and days before what could be a make-or-break Presidential debate in Ohio, Senator Hillary Clinton has sarcastically mocked her rival Senator Barack Obama at a political rally. This comes on the heels of yesterday's mini-furor between Clinton and Obama over two Obama mailers: Clinton angrily delivered her denunciation of … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Mocks Obama: Political Masterstroke Or Mistake?
Sex and Lobbyists
Last week, Shaun Mullen attempted to remind us that the McCain-NYT flap was less about sex, more about lobbyists and hypocrisy. Separately, Patrick Appel (filling in for Andrew Sullivan) noted: "... the sex scandal, if real, would sink [McCain]. Arguing about lobbyists is somewhat academic; a sex scandal any voter can understand." Despite the efforts of writers like Shaun … [Read more...] about Sex and Lobbyists
Ralph Nader Will Run For President Again But Faces Different Political Landscape
Onetime iconic consumer advocate Ralph Nader has announced yet another run for the White House -- but past-campaign political hubris plus a loss of a big chunk of his previous voting constituency is unlikely to make him a major factor. Even so: his presence in the race threatens to siphon some votes away from the Democratic Party's 2008 nominee. Several factors have … [Read more...] about Ralph Nader Will Run For President Again But Faces Different Political Landscape
Michelle Obama’s Pride
Those who were perplexed, annoyed and/or enraged by Mrs. Obama's statement that "for the first time in my adult life I'm proud of America" may want to take a look at HBO's contribution to Black History Month, a documentary about Joe Louis. Called, without irony, "a credit to his race," the heavyweight champion was exalted in 1938 for beating the exemplar of Nazi Germany, Max … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama’s Pride
The Idle Hands of Potential Predators
Thomas P.M. Barnett writes in Scripps Howard News about Foreign Direct Investment If you're America waging a long war against radical extremism, then helping to create those estimated 100 million new jobs in Middle East and North Africa over the next two decades is of paramount importance. Otherwise, there are a lot of "idle hands." Barnett, a national security expert, … [Read more...] about The Idle Hands of Potential Predators
Half of Bankruptcies due to Medical Bills
Cascade of losses doesn't end with death - Bankruptcies for medical reasons on the rise and expected to continue growing as economy dips. This is barbaric. My instructions to my wife are to not authorize any medical care for me that is not covered by insurance. I can't bare the thought that after the tragedy of declining health I would leave my wife persecuted by creditors … [Read more...] about Half of Bankruptcies due to Medical Bills