Is Iran now confronting some blowback of its own, due to its intervention in Iraq since the U.S. invasion? According to this op-ed article from Iraq's Kitabat newspaper, 'Any Iraqi Shiite who doesn’t frankly and publicly reject Iran’s interference is an Iranian agent, a traitor and a coward.' “My Shiite brother, today it is your duty before Allah the Exalted One, before … [Read more...] about Iraqi Shiites! Stand Up and Reject Iran!
We Just Noticed This By A TMV Co-Blogger (LINK CORRECTED)
Someone sent us the link to this post by co-blogger Michael Grant we THANK MICHAEL for it. HYPER-LINK CORRECTED 12/29/2007 by Holly … [Read more...] about We Just Noticed This By A TMV Co-Blogger (LINK CORRECTED)
Guest Voice: Dr. Paul’s Glorious Drive For Freedom (UPDATED)
Bill Steigerwald is a columnist at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. His column is distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons. Dr. Paul’s Glorious Drive For Freedom by Bill Steigerwald It won't matter how high Ron Paul finishes in the Iowa caucuses this Thursday or in the New Hampshire primary Jan. 8 or anywhere else. He’s already won his prize. Despite the fact … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Dr. Paul’s Glorious Drive For Freedom (UPDATED)
Ballot Box
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about Ballot Box
Fire Away
Cross-posted to The Debate Link Earlier today, the co-chairman of "Veterans for Rudy in New Hampshire" made a rather impolitic remark on how Rudy was the guy who will "chase them [Muslims] back to their caves or in other words get rid of them."". Kind of indicative of the sort of fellow who supports Rudy Giuliani, but I figured that the story would take a predictable course: … [Read more...] about Fire Away
New Huckabee Gaffe Relates Pakistan To Border Fence
Friendly advice to Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee: The proper place for your foot is either on the ground or a few inches above it as you walk, not in your mouth. You don't want to see a story a day about you making some silly gaffe or statement your opponents can use against you. Something like this: Mike Huckabee used the volatile situation in Pakistan Friday to make … [Read more...] about New Huckabee Gaffe Relates Pakistan To Border Fence
US Presidential Election & Benazir Bhutto’s Death
Will Benazir Bhutto's murder impact US presidential election? If President Pervez Musharraf had nurtured any illusions that with the removal of his arch rival Benazir Bhutto he would live/rule happily ever after, the Pakistani dictator better get prepared for a gathering storm ahead. The recent assassination is likely to become a major issue in the US presidential election … [Read more...] about US Presidential Election & Benazir Bhutto’s Death
Poetic Political Commentary: Naming The New Politics
Here's a special original 2008 presidential campaign poetic commentary by TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet. A growing number of election races are "self-financed" -- a euphemism for rich folks buying public office. At the national level Ross Perot did it a few years back, Mitt Romney is doing it today, Mike Bloomberg may opt to do it next year. … [Read more...] about Poetic Political Commentary: Naming The New Politics
Letterman Settles With Writers
The New York Times: Letterman Makes Deal With Striking Writers The deal will allow David Letterman to resume his show next Wednesday with his team of writers on board. … [Read more...] about Letterman Settles With Writers
Evolution and the Candidates, Redux
And so we now find suggestive evidence that Ron Paul -- the Congressman from Texas, that brash and bold libertarian posing as a Republican running for president -- may not believe in evolution, causing both Andrew Sullivan and Ronald Bailey to flinch. When will candidates of a certain faith learn to answer this question intelligently? It's not that hard, to wit: Within the … [Read more...] about Evolution and the Candidates, Redux
Who Killed Benazir Bhutto…And What Next?
It is understandable that in the aftermath of the killing of Pakistan's opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, the needle of suspicion would swerve in several directions, including Islamic militants and the ruling Pakistani establishment led by President Pervez Musharraf himself. The US administration's role in this tragic and barbaric episode would also come under the spotlight for … [Read more...] about Who Killed Benazir Bhutto…And What Next?
Britain and Nepal: Tale of Two Monarchies
While an opinion poll in Britain shows that 80 per cent of citizens want the monarchy to continue in their country, Nepal's parliament voted Friday in favor of abolishing the centuries-old monarchy and turning this Himalayan nation into a republic. The BBC reports: "Some 78% of respondents agreed that Britain should still have a royal family and 19% disagreed. The Gfk NOP … [Read more...] about Britain and Nepal: Tale of Two Monarchies
The Serial Failures of U.S. Diplomacy
Having given President Bush a kick in the chops yesterday for being complicitous in the Benazir Bhutto assassination because of how he has coddled his favorite dictator and her implacable enemy, let's take a half a step back and address one of the administration's serial failures – its chronic inability to use diplomacy to advance America's interests abroad. The White House … [Read more...] about The Serial Failures of U.S. Diplomacy
The Incredible Shrinking Giuliani (Or IS He?)
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has launched yet another ad linking himself to 911 (relating it to World War II) but now some political analysts and Giuliani supporters wonder whether his camp made a fatal political mistake that makes it seem as if his candidacy is shrinking with each passing day. The mistake: bowing out of both the Iowa AND the New Hampshire primary early vote … [Read more...] about The Incredible Shrinking Giuliani (Or IS He?)
I Got a Crush on Obama!
Watching America has this article from Portugal, whose title says everything there is to say about this Portuguese writer's perspective on the U.S. presidential elections: I Got a Crush on Obama This writer thinks that Obama's genuineness, rhetoric and naturalness, are indeed everything they're cracked up to be, and that his election would be profound not just for the … [Read more...] about I Got a Crush on Obama!
Bhutto Memorial
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Bhutto Memorial
Prescribed Drugs: Effective & Safe?…Or Dangerous?
We all know how powerful and influential the pharmaceutical companies are worldwide. Often the question is asked whether enough research is being conducted to find out whether the drugs worth billions of rupees being consumed by the trusting public are safe and effective. The recent findings by government officials and a top medical institution has raised serious doubts on this … [Read more...] about Prescribed Drugs: Effective & Safe?…Or Dangerous?
Candidates Reactions To Bhutto Assassination: Some Foot In Mouth, Some Craven
An unforeseen event is the test of a President -- and an opportunity for a presidential candidate. But in responding to Pakistan opposition leader leader Benazir Bhutto's assassination, some candidates and their operatives displayed more foot-in-mouth and sheer ambition than thoughtful, policy-making brain power. To be sure, there were some thoughtful comments. But some … [Read more...] about Candidates Reactions To Bhutto Assassination: Some Foot In Mouth, Some Craven
Pakistan’s Ultimate Winner
Paresh Nath, National Herald, India THE MODERATE VOICE EDITOR'S SPECIAL NOTE: Just as words matter - people matter. Think about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Yes, it did change things: the removal of a personality, that personality's thoughts, words, physical presence and ability to shape things on the world stage and behind the scenes were all … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Ultimate Winner
Authoritarian Reformers
Toby Jones, assistant professor of history at Rutgers, criticizes the notion that the Saudis can be trusted to conduct their own internal reform: The suggestion that the Saudis know what pace of reform the "traffic will bear" is hard to take seriously. Authoritarian states regularly claim to be "reforming," a process that typically leads to a stronger authoritarianism in the … [Read more...] about Authoritarian Reformers