Please excuse the quick pointer post, but I thought I'd mention that I've posted a fairly long National Intelligence Estimate round-up, along with some commentary, over at The Reaction. You might find it useful and/or interesting. Click here. … [Read more...] about NIE Reaction Round-Up
What Would the Founders Think?
Much food for thought from Andrew Sullivan: Maybe this isn't acknowledged enough, but it seems to me that the Founders would for the first time be pleased with how the United States has been adjusting policy and personnel in wartime this past year. I think when historians look back, they will note a few things. The first is that an untrammeled executive branch, high on its … [Read more...] about What Would the Founders Think?
Iran Report Renews Bush Credibility And Competency Issues
The news about the Iran intelligence report is proving to be a negative double-edged sword for President Bush. On one hand, it renews and continues to nurture growing credibility problems for the administration, which for many Americans now seems as trustworthy in official pronouncements as the administrations of Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson and Republican Richard M. … [Read more...] about Iran Report Renews Bush Credibility And Competency Issues
Romney Re-Launches
Just saw part of his speech HERE. Now he is being congratulated by George H. W. and Barbara Bush. Earlier this morning, I read excerpts from the speech he planned to give and concluded that Romney does not sufficiently respect the necessary separation of Church and State. MSNBC First Read comments on the excerpts. According to Political Wire, Robert Novak says Romney's … [Read more...] about Romney Re-Launches
John Edwards Channels Ralph Nader
John Edwards channels Ralph Nader and Nader isn't even dead. Perhaps Nader is John's choice for running mate (should John get that far). Bonus Quote of the Day -- Political Wire "And we can say as long as we get Democrats in, everything's gonna be O.K. It's a lie. It's not the truth. Do you really believe if we replace a crowd of corporate Republicans with a crowd of … [Read more...] about John Edwards Channels Ralph Nader
Scooter Libby: Gone But Not Forgotten
Once upon a time, when Iran supposedly still had a nuclear weapons program and there was a war in Iraq, there was a scandal involving Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the former vice presidential chief of staff whose conviction in March as a result of the Wilson-Plame affair was commuted by President Bush. Those halcyon days may seem like so much ancient history, but not for … [Read more...] about Scooter Libby: Gone But Not Forgotten
Following the Mob … from Iowa?
I understand the value of Iowa and New Hampshire, the up-close-and-personal politics they require. But really, folks, isn't it time to move on? Mob mentality is rarely, if ever, a good thing. Yet we continue to elect our Presidents largely on that basis. Why? Ben Smith has more. … [Read more...] about Following the Mob … from Iowa?
Santa in Trouble
Christo Komarnitski, Bulgaria … [Read more...] about Santa in Trouble
The Presidential Campaign & Mike Huckabee’s Essential Lightness of Being
What's not to like about Mike Huckabee? Aside from some differences between he and I on a few issues, very little. Except that he is a lightweight, and two developments this week should end any talk that he is presidential timber, let alone should be considered the hottest candidate in the GOP pack. First, the former Republican governor from Arkansas revealed, albeit … [Read more...] about The Presidential Campaign & Mike Huckabee’s Essential Lightness of Being
Another Rogue For Giuliani’s Gallery
Move over Bernard Kerik and Alan Placa. Make room for Hank Asher in the Rudy Giuliani rogues gallery. ABC News reports that Asher (photo), a former cocaine smugger as well as a former business partner and present "close friend" of Republican presidential wannabe Giuliani, takes a star turn in the recent indictment of Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona on bribery … [Read more...] about Another Rogue For Giuliani’s Gallery
Guest Film Review: Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
Here's another Guest film Review by Dan Schneider, who has this heavily-visited website and whose reviews for TMV have been highly popular. DVD Review Of Santa Claus Conquers The Martians Copyright © by Dan Schneider When is sweetness that thing that rescues the tart from bitterness, and when is it the thing that makes the already sweet sweeten to vomitus? I pondered … [Read more...] about Guest Film Review: Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
Disenchanted
RJ Matson, The New York Observer … [Read more...] about Disenchanted
Obama Muslim Smear Email Confirmed To Have Come From Hillary Clinton Camp
It's now getting close to the point where even people who sympathize with and admire certain attributes have to wonder if her campaign has "jumped the shark" -- when we learn that a campaign worker was involved with reprehensible bilge such as this: A day after the Hillary campaign hit the Obama camp for bullying voters in nasty phone calls, the Hillary crew has just … [Read more...] about Obama Muslim Smear Email Confirmed To Have Come From Hillary Clinton Camp
Rambo Bush
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Rambo Bush
“Going Postal” or Terrorism?
Remember when this used to be called "Going Postal" because the attacks were in post offices and by postal employees? MSNBC: Gunman opens fire at Omaha mall, killing 9 Police: Shooter committed suicide; at least 5 hospitalized with wounds … [Read more...] about “Going Postal” or Terrorism?
Is Dumond Huckabee’s Willie Horton?
Investigative reporter Murray Waas has dropped a bombshell into the campaign of Republican presidential wannabe Mike Huckabee. Waas reveals that then-Arkansas Governor Huckabee aggressively pushed for the early release of convicted rapist Wayne Dumond despite being warned by numerous women that the convict had sexually assaulted them or their family members, and would likely … [Read more...] about Is Dumond Huckabee’s Willie Horton?
NIE Report on Iran: An Additional Analysis
Matt Dupuis has an interesting follow-up post on the how of the recent NIE report. He also starts to consider the important question of why exactly Iran decided to halt its nuclear weapons program back in 2003. … [Read more...] about NIE Report on Iran: An Additional Analysis
The Beginning of the End for Chavez?
This week's defeat of a government-backed constitutional referendum in Venezuela was a huge blow for Hugo Chavez. Since taking power in 1999, the Venezuelan president has historically received broad support for his domestic agenda and he has won several overwhelming electoral mandates. Interestingly, though, his loss raises the possibility that Venezuelans are becoming … [Read more...] about The Beginning of the End for Chavez?
Center of Attention
Assorted writers who attempt to strike a balanced note on current affairs or improve our ability to find our own sense of balance by exposing us to new information and different points-of-view -------------------------- Joel Kotkin and Fred Siegel believe the Democrats have lost their historic focus on the concerns of middle-class Americans, an error-in-judgement about … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Damning the Mainstream Media
Alberto Gonzales, Monica Goodling and others of the Bush Brigade who worked so hard to subvert American freedoms are gone, but their mission is moving forward. After chipping away at our legal rights, next on the agenda is control of our minds through mass media. A House Committee will turn the spotlight today on FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, who has been busy trying to … [Read more...] about Damning the Mainstream Media