Sixty years after he was assassinated, Gandhi lives. Not just in textbooks and speeches but also through his autobiography The Story of My Experiments with Truth which continues to sell an incredible 200,000 copies a year, reports The Times of India. "As the world on Wednesday marks his 60th death anniversary and remembers the man who lived and died for his mantra of … [Read more...] about Gandhi’s Autobiography: Still A Best-seller In India
Random Thought of the Day
It is increasingly clear that Rudy G. will not win today, and some believe he might very well drop out of the race after all the Florida votes are counted. Does that, in turn, suggest January 29, 2008 should forever hence be known as "Goodbye Rudy Tuesday"? [With apologies to the Rolling Stones, plus anyone out there from whom I might have inadvertently plagiarized this … [Read more...] about Random Thought of the Day
Meanwhile, in Iraq…
There are two reports that have come out recently that shed some light on the poor state of national reconciliation. First, the Center for American Progress reviews the latest developments and finds that the Iraqi government has only met 3 of the 18 political benchmarks. Second, the International Center for Transnational Justice has a report on the De-Baathification law and, … [Read more...] about Meanwhile, in Iraq…
Do As I Say, Not As I Do: Europe’s Minority Policy
It's no secret that the EU is pushing Ankara hard to reform its policy towards minority groups. In Turkey, the Kurds and the Alevis, for example, are not officially recognized as minorities and have struggled, as a result, to maintain their respective identities. The Islamist AKP government, under European pressure, has made some limited changes. Kurds are now allowed to speak … [Read more...] about Do As I Say, Not As I Do: Europe’s Minority Policy
Hot Flash: N.Y. NOW Disses Ted Kennedy
In a press release that so perfectly plays to negative feminist stereotypes that I first thought it was a fake, the New York State chapter of the National Organization for Women excoriates Senator Ted Kennedy for endorsing Barack Obama. An excerpt: "We are repaid with his abandonment! He's picked the new guy over us. He's joined the list of progressive white men who … [Read more...] about Hot Flash: N.Y. NOW Disses Ted Kennedy
SOTU in 60 seconds
Thanks to this "tweet" on Twitter by Jason Calacanis, here's a 60 second version of President Bush's State of the Union from last night. … [Read more...] about SOTU in 60 seconds
Poll: McCain Widening Lead As Floridians Vote In Florida Presidential Primary
As Floridians go to the polls today to vote in the state's Presidential primary a new poll shows Senator John McCain widening his leading over Massachusetts former Gov. Mitt Romney -- and suggests news editors should have their political obituaries ready to run about former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani: Arizona Sen. John McCain’s lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt … [Read more...] about Poll: McCain Widening Lead As Floridians Vote In Florida Presidential Primary
Ask the GOP to support Campaign Finance Reform
David Donnelly, Director, Campaign Money Watch is inviting people to sign a petition to the Republican Candidates Once we collect signatures for this petition, we’ll fax the Republican presidential candidates a letter the day before Super Tuesday, February 5th, to urge them to support full public financing of elections. From big campaign contributions to the influence of … [Read more...] about Ask the GOP to support Campaign Finance Reform
Pakistan & Democracy: A Brave Woman’s Voice…
Challenges to return of democracy in Pakistan have multiplied after the assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister. For an independent woman, especially if she has a mind of her own, it still remains a herculean task to be heard in many countries of the world. In some countries it can become a matter of life and death. However, there are brave-hearts who … [Read more...] about Pakistan & Democracy: A Brave Woman’s Voice…
Niche debates for primary candidates?
If you peruse this list of policy initiatives provided by The White House in relation to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address last night (transcript is here; C-SPAN video is here), you may notice that two topics concern science and technology, two topics concern education and no topics concern the arts. [NB: The final topic on that list, about worldwide … [Read more...] about Niche debates for primary candidates?
Playing President
In last night's Theater of the Absurd, a Lame Duck is quacking at the podium while the ducklings-in-waiting look on, pretending to listen before they waddle out for their turn on the TV stage. You could have watched the President's last State of the Union address with the sound off and not turned it up as his would-be successors did their predictable soliloquies--Hillary … [Read more...] about Playing President
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
NOTE: Another in our series of special Election 2008 editions of our popular Around The Sphere link-fest where we offer readers links to weblogs of differing viewpoints -- and give you our comments on some of the political issues raised. This version will only contain election-related links. It will appear several times a week until Election Day. The Latino Vote Is Solidly … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
Pondering The President’s State Of The Union Address
Is the address itself a meaningful report or has it now evolved into something best described as "empty state?" The great Pennywit is now back online and he gives you his always well-considered thoughts HERE. … [Read more...] about Pondering The President’s State Of The Union Address
Watching Clinton & Obama Watch Bush as I Prepare to Cast My Vote
As far as I'm concerned, the two Democratic candidates really did steal the President's show, even though neither said a word. Truly, it was a treat to see both of them react to the President's speech, especially during his comments on health care. Hillary responded with averted eyes and slow clapping, while Obama just scratched his chin thoughtfully. Neither … [Read more...] about Watching Clinton & Obama Watch Bush as I Prepare to Cast My Vote
The Story of the George Bush Presidency: Unstable, Unfinished & Uncomprehending
Hard to believe, but I still can muster a modicum of sympathy for George Walker Bush. This is because it is apparent after the last seven long years that this son of the Texas oil patch really didn't know what hit him, still doesn't know what hit him and still won't know what hit him when he heads home one year hence to his ranch to search among the scrub brush for his … [Read more...] about The Story of the George Bush Presidency: Unstable, Unfinished & Uncomprehending
Definitively, Barack Obama is the Candidate of Europe …
Why are so many Europeans so hooked on Barack Obama? According to this op-ed article from Portugal's leading business daily, Diario Economico, 'Europe sees Barack Obama as the antithesis of George W. Bush. And confronted with the state of the world, this is something that makes all the difference. Seen from the Old Continent, Obama symbolizes the American spirit in the European … [Read more...] about Definitively, Barack Obama is the Candidate of Europe …
State Of The Union
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about State Of The Union
The State of the Union (Drinking Game)
Time to lighten things up. Hattip to a Twitter from SpiderWebWoman. I hereby present to you the political version of The Love Boat Drinking Game, now known as, The State of the Union Drinking Game. For history buffs, visit this page at C-SPAN for previous years' SOTUs and responses. You should be able to watch this year's SOTU live here. … [Read more...] about The State of the Union (Drinking Game)
Right On Obama
I recently posted here a story by the Spanish newspaper, El Diario Exterior, about how the European left is feeling somewhat threatened by the rise of the Obama star in the U.S., as his success could weaken one of their pet claims - that racial division prevents equality of opportunity etc. and that racial prejudice is still endemic - especially in "rightist America". … [Read more...] about Right On Obama
Europeans Worried by Republican Disarray
The Republican Party’s disarray heading into the Florida primary and the recent return to favor of John McCain in the polls is causing fear in some European quarters and relief in others. Most Europeans are against the Iraq war and they fear that McCain will prefer to score some kind of victory in Iraq rather than withdraw to cut losses, regardless of what happens on the … [Read more...] about Europeans Worried by Republican Disarray