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
War Crimes? Pffaww…
It's a good rule of thumb never to let the military conduct its own misconduct investigations. If you don't follow that advice, you'll end up with results like this one: The Israeli army on Monday said it will not press charges against officers who ordered the use of cluster bombs during last year's war in Lebanon, brushing off international criticism that the weapons … [Read more...] about War Crimes? Pffaww…
Jon Swift’s Best of 2007
Jon Swift has collected a "best of 2007" round-up, with every blogger contributing their own favorite post of the year. I ended up choosing The Chronicle of Madison's Tomb: Why "Roe Rage" has Nothing To Do With Legal Theory". I want to thank everyone who gave their input on my list of finalists -- it was a good year of blogging, if I do say so myself. But you should … [Read more...] about Jon Swift’s Best of 2007
Review: The Price of Whiteness
Eric L. Goldstein, The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race, and American Identity (Princeton: Princeton UP, 2006), 239 pages excluding index and endnotes. The book is about the shifting relationships Jews had with Whiteness, race, and Blacks. My review is in the classic law review sense of the term -- I use the book as an excuse to talk about what I want to talk about -- in this … [Read more...] about Review: The Price of Whiteness
Longtime Bhutto Adviser Blames Musharraf For Assassination
Today's MUST READ. … [Read more...] about Longtime Bhutto Adviser Blames Musharraf For Assassination
U.S. to Expand Military Presence in Pakistan
On the day of Bhutto's assassination, the Nation of Pakistan reports of the U.S.' military expansion in Pakistan. EARLY next year, US special forces are expected to vastly expand their presence in Pakistan, as part of an effort to train and support indigenous counter-insurgency forces and clandestine counter-terrorism units, according to American defence officials … [Read more...] about U.S. to Expand Military Presence in Pakistan
Giuliani Benefits?
Why in the face of a tragedy does silliness still rear its warty head? Benazir Bhutto is assassinated and some yahoos at MSNBC and Fox News start talking how Rudy Giuliani can benefit from this politically... Sickening. According to some punditry, "America's Mayor" will show Americans how dangerous the world is because of this assassination which will translate into … [Read more...] about Giuliani Benefits?
Centrists in Congress
Mark Statin's "Radical Middle" site has created a list of the Centrists in Congress. "There Is a Radical Middle in Congress, and Its Stars Are Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Rep. Rush Holt(D-NJ)" December 2007. This month we polled 21 leading radical centrist thinkers and activists to determine the "Best Radical Middle or Post-Partisan Members of Congress." They not … [Read more...] about Centrists in Congress
Football for All
I'm no fan of the NFL Network, for both professional and personal reasons. I work for one of the cable broadband companies that has refused to bend to the league's pressure tactics, and while I'm an avid fan, I think the idea of a 24/7 channel devoted to pro footbal is a waste of time. But even I have to give the NFL and Commish Goodell props for making the historic … [Read more...] about Football for All