NOTE: The Moderate Voice from time to time runs Guest Voice posts by readers who don’t have their own websites or some people who who want to present their viewpoint or just another perspective to TMV’s highly diverse readership. Guest Voice columns do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. A question that often comes up during elections is: what do young … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: A Young Democrat’s Open Letter To Presidential Hopefuls
China & India: Now Their Soldiers March ‘Hand-in-Hand’
Indian and Chinese soldiers are at present playing war games in the Yunnan Province in the most southwest region of China (bordering the countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Burma), a first-ever such military exercise. Heralding a dramatic reversal in diplomatic relationship between the emerging two super powers that had fought a bloody war in 1962. This joint military exercise has … [Read more...] about China & India: Now Their Soldiers March ‘Hand-in-Hand’
Waterskiing Santa
RJ Matson, The New York Observer … [Read more...] about Waterskiing Santa
Guantanamo Inmates Sentenced in Paris
The latest feature at Watching America.com is a piece translated from French in Le Temps of Switzerland, Five Inmates of Guantanamo Sentenced in Paris The French have sentenced five out of six inmates for "criminal association in connection with a terrorist enterprise" These convictions are significant as, according to the New York Times, a month ago only ten inmates had … [Read more...] about Guantanamo Inmates Sentenced in Paris
It’s Huckabee Versus Romney In A Fierce Iowa Rumble
The raging political news has been the fierce battle between Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama in Iowa -- but now the ferocity of that battle is being matched by warring statehouse GOPers Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. And this battle royal of the elephants -- reflecting state and national polls that … [Read more...] about It’s Huckabee Versus Romney In A Fierce Iowa Rumble
Poll: Giuliani Loses National Lead In Republican Presidential Nomination Race
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani may be campaigning feverishly and systematically throughout the country but a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll has him tumbling so far down so fast that if the trending continues his candidacy will be in serious trouble. For months the feisty former New York Mayor had seemingly defied earlier predictions that his candidacy would never … [Read more...] about Poll: Giuliani Loses National Lead In Republican Presidential Nomination Race
The American CIA: ‘Defender of Humanity’
Has the CIA gotten a bad rap - especially in the Arab world? According to this op-ed article from Iraq's Kitabat newspaper, the agency has performed, 'noble and honorable works that have always been on behalf of the entire world and for the good of civilization, security and stability. It annihilated the Nazis, the communists, the Taliban and Saddam Hussein ... "I am … [Read more...] about The American CIA: ‘Defender of Humanity’
Huckabee Rally
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Huckabee Rally
Democrats Sow Confusion in Iowa
If you look carefully at the Hawkeye State, you can find polls showing (a) John Edwards is in the lead (b) Barack Obama is ahead (c) Hillary Clinton and Obama are tied or (d) after the "viability rule" excludes candidates with less than 15 percent of the vote, who knows? Iowans have a reputation for being contrary, but this year they have raised sowing confusion to an art … [Read more...] about Democrats Sow Confusion in Iowa
DIY Nukes
In-home nuclear reactors, anyone? … [Read more...] about DIY Nukes
Take a Peek
If you're a map-freak like me, or otherwise fascinated by "the intersection of politics and geography," you'll enjoy this relatively new site, launched about two months ago by Patrick Offenhof, an analyst for New Media Strategies. H/t Jonathan Martin. … [Read more...] about Take a Peek
Torture Entrepreneurs
Here's something interesting (via The Wall Street Journal's Informed Reader blog): Democracies generally might not torture as much as totalitarian regimes do, but they did invent a lot of torture’s modern incarnations, writes Darius Rejali, a professor of political science in Reed College in Portland, Oregon. Democracies’ open courts and free press discourage blatant … [Read more...] about Torture Entrepreneurs
Center of Attention
Assorted items from the past week, wherein the writers attempt to strike a balanced note on current affairs or challenge us to review and refine our own sense of balance, of what's right and wrong, fair and unfair, rational and not. -------------------------- Ed Morrissey praises a recent change to the Freedom of Information Act. As someone who has been, more than once, … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Yeah, It’s Been That Kind of a Year
Time magazine has named Vladimir "A Tsar is Born" Putin as its Man of the Year. More here. … [Read more...] about Yeah, It’s Been That Kind of a Year
Advice For Mitt Romney: Beware Of Too Much Crying
Vulnerability isn't a bad trait in a Presidential candidate. After all, Bill Clinton's emotional bite on the his lip didn't hurt him and President George Bush's eyes have misted up at times. But earlier this week former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney seemingly entered The Danger Zone by generating two reports in several days time about his eyes misting up on TV. Warning … [Read more...] about Advice For Mitt Romney: Beware Of Too Much Crying
Poll Says Clinton Suddenly Regains Big Lead In New Hampshire
The political poll see-saw in this topsy turvy election year continues -- this time with the latest poll out of New Hampshire. -- which is good news for New York Senator Hillary Clinton. The big news dominating media (and blog) coverage has been from Iowa, where the latest in a series of see-saw polls has former Senator John Edwards ahead on the Democratic side, and Governor … [Read more...] about Poll Says Clinton Suddenly Regains Big Lead In New Hampshire
Another Blow to Iraqi Reconciliation
Turkish gunship near Iraqi border The never ending road to reconciliation in Iraq is littered with many setbacks. The U.S. bears responsibility for two of the worst -- the foolish de-Baathification of the Iraqi army, which has had awful consequences, and a civil war now temporarily on hold while various sectarian interests inimical to reconciliation consolidate power in … [Read more...] about Another Blow to Iraqi Reconciliation
Review: ‘Neal Cassady: The Fast Life of A Beat Hero’ & The Dark Side of Fame
Like many a child of the Sixties, I exalted over the writings and the adventures of Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg and the other Beats, but it was a free spirit by the name of Neal Cassady who held a special attraction for me. For want of a better way of saying it, Cassady was the Beats' mascot. He was the catalyst for many of their writings and figured most … [Read more...] about Review: ‘Neal Cassady: The Fast Life of A Beat Hero’ & The Dark Side of Fame
Poetic Political Commentary: A Donkey At The Bat
Here's a special original 2008 presidential campaign poetic commentary by TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet. In this very odd caucus and primary season, we may soon have a folksy small state governor selected by the Republicans, and as this poem (in the style of "Casey At The Bat") suggests, perhaps even a Democratic nominee picked at a … [Read more...] about Poetic Political Commentary: A Donkey At The Bat
Lieberman Endorses McCain
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Lieberman Endorses McCain