I can't claim to know much about Mauritania, but I just read an extremely interesting article about the country in the latest edition of the Arab Reform Bulletin. In it, author Salma Waheedi demonstrates that not all news coming from the Arab world is bad news: Mauritania, an often-ignored country in the western periphery of the Arab world, surprised observers two years ago by … [Read more...] about In Mauritania, Reform, Change, And Even Democracy
What Role Should Religion Play in Politics?
What role should religion play in politics? That question has suggested itself for many reasons during the already too-long 2008 presidential campaign. It’s a question of particular interest to me because I’m a lifetime political junkie, a student of history, and a Lutheran pastor. There are, it seems to me, three main reasons we’re asking the question in a major way … [Read more...] about What Role Should Religion Play in Politics?
Huckabee Buys The Political Farm? His Seemingly-Nixonian Press Conference
Just when you thought American politics can't get more sleazy, ethically-smelly or...Rovian....on the final day of the year former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee holds a press conference that could go down in history as lowering the bar so low that it touches the floor. The scene: a press conference where Huckabee was supposed to unveil a new negative ad against former … [Read more...] about Huckabee Buys The Political Farm? His Seemingly-Nixonian Press Conference
The Capitol Steps’ – “Politics Takes a Holiday”
Listen to The Capitol Steps New Year's Eve 2007 Edition ONLINE or on these NPR stations. … [Read more...] about The Capitol Steps’ – “Politics Takes a Holiday”
Who Will Show Up Tomorrow? Fred Phelps? Cindy Sheehan?
Huckabee's got protesters already! Is it performance art? Civil disobedience? Street theater? Self-centeredness? Neither Fred nor Cindy is welcome in MY home. CNN Political Ticker: Anti-war protestors and Ron Paul supporters both kept Mike Huckabee from entering his Iowa campaign headquarters through the front door Monday. Three people who managed to break inside — … [Read more...] about Who Will Show Up Tomorrow? Fred Phelps? Cindy Sheehan?
Unhappy New Year
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Unhappy New Year
Bhutto’s Son Bilawal: “Democracy Is Best Revenge”
The Guardian has an interesting write-up on "Pakistan may not make it: The country's future now depends on a power struggle between the army and Bhutto's son". The article is written by Peter W Galbraith, a former US ambassador to Croatia, who is the author of "The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End". "Pakistan's army has long defined itself as … [Read more...] about Bhutto’s Son Bilawal: “Democracy Is Best Revenge”
Fred Thompson Makes Major Reaganesque Speech For Iowans : Too Late?
With polls in Iowa see-sawing faster than a see-saw in a playground used by hyperactive five-year-olds, a Republican candidate who has seemingly fallen off the media radar is getting some notice and even again being called Reaganesque: actor Fred Thompson. Yes, THE Fred Thompson who seemingly had an incredible moment in political history when GOPers were waiting for him to … [Read more...] about Fred Thompson Makes Major Reaganesque Speech For Iowans : Too Late?
Only Option for U.S.: Prepare for Musharraf’s ‘Inevitable Fall’
What should Washington do, now that its plans for restoring democracy in Pakistan appear to have unraveled? According the the editorial board of Mexico's La Jornada newspaper, the U.S. should, 'Prevent Musharraf from using the assassination of Bhutto and the violence it has unleashed to reinstall the state of emergency and postpone elections indefinitely; pressure him to carry … [Read more...] about Only Option for U.S.: Prepare for Musharraf’s ‘Inevitable Fall’
New Year’s Eve Roundup
I'm going back to Minnesota on New Year's Eve (that should be a fun plane trip), so this is it until 2008. Y'all are wonderful. Have a safe New Year's, and see you soon! … [Read more...] about New Year’s Eve Roundup
Guest Voice: The Top Ten Comedic News Stories of 2007
Will Durst is a political comedian who has performed around the world. He is a familiar pundit on television and radio. SPECIAL EDITOR's NOTE: We are editing out one reference to Pakistan since it was written before the events there. It is NOT a tasteless comment but it probably would not have gone into this excellent piece if it had been written after events there. The … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: The Top Ten Comedic News Stories of 2007
Iowa and USA Voters
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Iowa and USA Voters
Bloomberg Inches Yet Closer To Running As Centrist Independent
It now appears as if the public, the media and the political establishment are being prepared for an announcement that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will launch an independent run for President. Yesterday we ran THIS POST which noted Bloomberg's upcoming meeting with Unity 08, a high-powered bipartisan group that is on the brink of finding a candidate to back -- and to … [Read more...] about Bloomberg Inches Yet Closer To Running As Centrist Independent
In Betrayal, America Helps Turkey Commit State Terrorism …
In helping Turkey target Kurdish guerrillas in Northern Iraq, is America betraying the very people that helped them take down Saddam when Turkey refused to do so? According to this statement by the Kurdistan Democratic Alliance published in Norther Iraq's Kurdish Media, 'The U.S.-E.U. alliance with Turkey goes against human dignity, democracy, human Rights and social justice. … [Read more...] about In Betrayal, America Helps Turkey Commit State Terrorism …
Those Who Murdered Pearl and Massoud, Killed Bhutto as Well
Why did the terrorists want so badly to eliminate Benazir Bhutto? Because, according to one of France's leading writers and philosophers, Bernard Henry Levy, her very existence posed a threat to everything they stand for - including the proper place of a woman. “It is a woman, first of all, that they have killed. A beautiful woman. ... the exact opposite of those shamed … [Read more...] about Those Who Murdered Pearl and Massoud, Killed Bhutto as Well
Giuliani’s “New” Theme To Shore Up Support: 911
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani largely-skipped Iowa and was out of the media loop, got some bad publicity and has seen his poll numbers sag. So his strategists decided to roll out a NEW theme: 911. Haven't we heard that song before? But the Mayor & Co. (partially influenced by the turbulence and uncertainty in nuke-power Pakistan) are returning to pushing The Basic … [Read more...] about Giuliani’s “New” Theme To Shore Up Support: 911
A New Sports Blog For Chargers And Football Fans
By a young woman who loves football...CLICK HERE. … [Read more...] about A New Sports Blog For Chargers And Football Fans
Two Faces of Pervez
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Two Faces of Pervez
Is A Ron Paul Double-Digit Surprise In New Hampshire’s Future?
So far in actual polling numbers he has remained mostly in the single digits. He has raised whopping sums of money on the Internet and is the candidate with the most zealous and motivated supporters. Will he remain the passion of loyal followers -- or the biggest political surprise story of the year? Andrew Kline, editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader, … [Read more...] about Is A Ron Paul Double-Digit Surprise In New Hampshire’s Future?
Benazir Bhutto’s Successor is Her Son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Sunday chose her 19-year-old son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as her successor and appointed him as Chairman of the party. (Interestingly, Benazir Bhutto became chief of the PPP at the age of 31 following the assassination of her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto). While Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, was appointed co-chairman of … [Read more...] about Benazir Bhutto’s Successor is Her Son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari