With contradictory polls, a zillion weblogs, talking heads on TV who talk as if they know it all (New Hampshire suggested something else) where can go you for INSTANT and constantly revised clarity on who's up and who's down? Political scientist Steven Taylor's Toast-O-Meter. Taylor has a jewel of a blog called PoliBlog which focuses on the issues and seldom blasts any … [Read more...] about VITAL Tool For Election Year: The Toast-O-Meter
Guest Book Review: Betty Smith: Life of the Author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Valerie Raleigh Yow
This is another Guest Book Review by fiction writer Jessica Schneider who also writes for the highly-visited site Cosmoetica, is Book Editor for Monsters and Critics and is the only contributor to her own blog. Book Review: Betty Smith: Life of the Author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Valerie Raleigh Yow By Jessica Schneider “And without true modesty, I am a world … [Read more...] about Guest Book Review: Betty Smith: Life of the Author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Valerie Raleigh Yow
Take A Peek At Food Blogga
Take A Peek at...Foodblogga. Readers of politic blogs think politics is delicious, but when was food named after politicians? (Well, come to think of it baloney, ham and tongue sandwiches do sound as if they were.) But there ARE blogs beyond politics -- fine blogs. And food blogga makes you want to come back for seconds and thirds. Posts have such names as How to Talk … [Read more...] about Take A Peek At Food Blogga
Bush’s Peace Trip to Talk War
Too little (seven years) too late, say the Mexicans, for whom Bush's Mid-east trip is a little of the deja vu: This trip made by Bush to the Middle East, for which the President could not find time before, resembles a similar trip made by Vice-president Dick Cheney in 2002 when Washington was seeking support for the invasion of Iraq, while the Arabs were only interested … [Read more...] about Bush’s Peace Trip to Talk War
Dr. Phil
Tab, The Calgary Sun … [Read more...] about Dr. Phil
Unbound by Promises and Biased toward Israel
According to an op-ed in the Egyptian Arabic newspaper, Akhbar Elyom, translated as always by WatchingAmerica.com, the Arabs really, really don't like Bush, whose visit this last week is seen in the context of the betrayal of their very own Mubarak back in 2004, when Bush in a meeting with a Israel's Sharon went back on agreements made with Mubarak just 48 hrs earlier at … [Read more...] about Unbound by Promises and Biased toward Israel
Bush’s Propaganda in the Middle East?
A French Canadian, writing in Le Devoir isn't convinced about the Iranian motorboat story and sees that Bush is going about the Iranian situation in exactly the wrong way... and offers a suggestion or two... It seems that George Bush has not yet understood that we will never solve the great problems of the world through threats and force of arms. The only possible and … [Read more...] about Bush’s Propaganda in the Middle East?
If Barack Obama Becomes President …
The significance that Barack Obama has taken on in the rest of the world is enough to make even the most devoted Obama supporter blush. According to this op-ed article from France's Liberation, 'Disgraced today throughout the four corners of the globe, America would in a single leap, resume its lost grace, its capacity to inspire the imagination, that combination of myth and … [Read more...] about If Barack Obama Becomes President …
Congress Can’t Even Agree On LUNCH
According to MSNBC's First Read, Republicans are peeved because Democrats are picking the menu: Domenico Montanaro: Congressional food fight? From NBC’s Mike Viquiera The presidential race is not the only place where change is an issue. Members of Congress returning to the Capitol this week are being confronted by transformational happenings that have shaken the … [Read more...] about Congress Can’t Even Agree On LUNCH
Political Southpaw Predicts Republican Scenarios
Steve Benen -- one of my favorite politically left writers -- has given in to the siren's call and attempted to read the crystal ball on where the Republican primaries are headed. He offers four possible scenarios: * Republicans make their peace with McCain and he gets the nomination; * Republicans decide they just can’t live with McCain as the party’s leader, but they … [Read more...] about Political Southpaw Predicts Republican Scenarios
Making Change
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about Making Change
“Primary Colors II”
In the climactic scene of the movie from the (Anonymous) Joe Klein novel, John Travolta-Jack Stanton-Bill Clinton importunes a young, idealistic African-American young man, "We can do incredible things. We can change this country. I'm gonna win this thing. Look me in the eye, Henry, and tell me that you don't want to be a part of it." In the sequel, Henry has morphed into … [Read more...] about “Primary Colors II”
President Bush’s Visit To Middle East: The Purpose?
What is the purpose behind President George W. Bush's visit to West Asia? There are many theories. To build up a front against Shia Iran by rallying the Sunni world. Promote democracy in closed societies? Or just to sell American weapons? The Independent has this to say: "The difference between reality and the dream-world of the US government could hardly have been more … [Read more...] about President Bush’s Visit To Middle East: The Purpose?
Iraq and Colombia: Wars Just Aren’t the Same Anymore …
Is there something odd about one war [Iraq] in which the post-war claims more lives than the war itself, and another [Colombia] in which hostages are taken not for a quick exchange of ransom, but to be held for years simply to make a point? This op-ed from Guatemala's leading newspaper, Siglo Vientiuno, ponders the question of how the new millennium has altered humanity's most … [Read more...] about Iraq and Colombia: Wars Just Aren’t the Same Anymore …
Can a ‘Muslim-Born Negro’ Be America’s President? …
What do Arabs make of Senator Barack Obama's chances of 'ascending to the throne' of the U.S. presidency? This op-ed article from Egypt's Al Gomhuria asks, 'Is it possible that the psychological and demographic makeup of America would allow such a thing to take place? Will conservatives and Christian fundamentalist fanatics allow a Muslim-born Negro to occupy the highest office … [Read more...] about Can a ‘Muslim-Born Negro’ Be America’s President? …
Huckabee & A Tale of Two Prisoners
Parker (left) with Zen priest Would Frankie Parker still be alive if he had found Jesus and not Buddha? Only Mike Huckabee knows for sure. In a case with some similarities to but a very different outcome from that of Wayne Dumond, Parker was executed in 1996 when efforts to commute his death sentence because of his religious conversion were rejected by then-Governor … [Read more...] about Huckabee & A Tale of Two Prisoners
Five Lessons from Michigan
1. It's official: My perfect Iowa predictions were a fluke. Not only did I miss NH (like everyone else), I fumbled Michigan, big time. Accordingly, recognizing that I may very well be incapable of accurately guessing my own birthday, I have now eaten a slice of humble pie and will refrain from further primary predictions ... maybe. 2. Bemoan family/dynasty politics … [Read more...] about Five Lessons from Michigan
Why What Didn’t Happen in Michigan May Matter More Than What Did
What didn't happen in the Michigan primary yesterday may be more important than what did: * The mischief makers did not prevail. People who voted their convictions did. * The momentum that John McCain's revived campaign got in New Hampshire fizzled out as Mitt Romney scored a do-or-die win. * To the glee of Democrats, the Romney victory again denied a beleaguered … [Read more...] about Why What Didn’t Happen in Michigan May Matter More Than What Did
We’re Baaaaaaaaack!
TMV was down due to some big site issues. Due to the problems, our planned post on the Michigan primary is not on the site. Check back today for our take(s) on what happened and what it means. … [Read more...] about We’re Baaaaaaaaack!
Mike Huckabee: “Easier to change the Constitution”
So we've reached the point where Huckabee's emergence into "serious contender" territory has officially stopped being entertaining to me, however amusingly much it might annoy certain conservative pundits who pandered to the Christian right when it suited their perception of their interests to do so. Here's one of the reasons I'm not laughing: "[Some of my … [Read more...] about Mike Huckabee: “Easier to change the Constitution”