Another poetic gem from TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet. POET'S NOTE: A few years back someone did a parody of Poe's poem, "The Raven," in the New York Times. It was called "The Maven" and was so good that out of respect I've held back from doing my own take-off of this poem. Now it's time to move on. And with that in mind, I offer "The … [Read more...] about Guest Poet: The Shaven
Why Dracula Should Fear China
The answer is HERE. (I better double check my mezuzah...) … [Read more...] about Why Dracula Should Fear China
Green Hot Air
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoon … [Read more...] about Green Hot Air
Bush’s Last Chance To Change His Image…& the World?
Venue: Annapolis, Maryland. Subject: Middle East Peace Conference. Major Participants: The USA, the Israelis, the Palestinians, the Syrians, and the Saudis. This week, beginning Tuesday, will see President George Bush make his first, and almost certainly his only, major attempt to bring an end to the world's most intractable conflict, reports The Independent. How … [Read more...] about Bush’s Last Chance To Change His Image…& the World?
True Spirit of Christmas
Brian Fairrington, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about True Spirit of Christmas
Once a Terrorist, Always a Terrorist?
I just finished reading a report about efforts by Indonesian authorities to "deradicalize" hard-core jihadi members of Jemaah Islamiya and other groups. This isn't the only place that such a thing has been tried -- similar programs have been instituted in countries like Singapore, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Britain. By using a variety of tactics, the aim of these programs is to … [Read more...] about Once a Terrorist, Always a Terrorist?
“Racism as Subjectification”: Draft Posted
You may have noticed a brief skip in my blogging these past few weeks. While there have been many reasons for this -- finals, applications, holidays -- the excuse I'm currently settling on is that I've been finishing up my latest article. And I am pleased to announce that I have just posted a completed draft of "Racism as Subjectification" online to the SSRN (you can download … [Read more...] about “Racism as Subjectification”: Draft Posted
Has Time Expired For Fred Thompson’s 2008 Republican Presidential Nomination Candidacy?
Actor and former Senator Fred Thompson's candidacy has always been one of the most interesting in the 2008 GOP Presidential nomination sweepstakes. You can't quite say he was drafted but there was a virtual clamor by some to get him in the race. After all, he was the perfect anti-Giuliani, the anti-Romney, the anti-McCain and reminded many in his plainspoken manner, with … [Read more...] about Has Time Expired For Fred Thompson’s 2008 Republican Presidential Nomination Candidacy?
Positive Campaign Commercials
They're trying something new in this political campaign--subtlety. The '08 candidates are using this unlikely weapon out of fear that voters may be turned off by the customary sledgehammer attack ads. So reports Howard Kurtz in the Washington Post, citing commercials that ooze with good feelings about themselves but hide embedded barbs for their rivals. A Romney ad … [Read more...] about Positive Campaign Commercials
Hillary, Obama Fight
Paresh Nath, National Herald, India … [Read more...] about Hillary, Obama Fight
Joni Mitchell Is a Goddess
One test of the greatness of a singer-songwriter is whether and how successfully their catalogue is covered by other musicians. By that token, Joni Mitchell is a goddess. But then we already knew that, didn't we? As I have traveled around the jazz radio webcast dial in recent weeks, I have heard selections from Mitchell's extraordinary songbook covered by Judy Niemack, … [Read more...] about Joni Mitchell Is a Goddess
Nawaz Sharif is Back Home!
On landing in Lahore after a long and forced exile in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif proclaimed that his objectives were to "rid the country of military rule and to strengthen democracy". But how? General Musharraf continues to have the full backing of the US administration...But Sharif may like to cash on the friendship he may have developed with … [Read more...] about Nawaz Sharif is Back Home!
Is CNN Sick? Or Merely Slick?
There is much to find fault with the cable television news networks, but it has puzzled me how many bloggers waste their time -- and bandwidth -- endlessly harping about the perceived shortcomings and biases of CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. God knows that they have plenty of both, but aside from occasionally giving CNN the back of my hand over its fascination with stories on … [Read more...] about Is CNN Sick? Or Merely Slick?
Nawaz Sharif’s Plane Takes Off: Saudi King Gifts Him Bullet Proof Cars
Nawaz Sharif, the exiled former prime minister of Pakistan, has boarded the plane in Saudi Arabia and should reach his country at 5.25 pm (about 1200 GMT), his nephew told news agencies. Meanwhile Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz has gifted to Sharif two bulletproof Mercedes cars and also lent a helicopter for use during the elections from his personal fleet. Well if … [Read more...] about Nawaz Sharif’s Plane Takes Off: Saudi King Gifts Him Bullet Proof Cars
Archbishop’s Views on American ‘Imperialism’ & Old British Imperialism
When the Archbishop of Canterbury says that "the United States wields its power in a way that is worse than Britain during its imperial heyday", let us pause and see who is this man and why is he saying that. There is no point in getting into a hysterical "for" or "against" mode about what Dr Rowan Williams stated in a magazine interview recently. The Archbishop of … [Read more...] about Archbishop’s Views on American ‘Imperialism’ & Old British Imperialism
Ian Smith: ‘A Great White Tribal Chief’ is Gone
Although non-Whites worldwide loved to hate him when he ruled Rhodesia (later renamed Zimbabwe), Ian Smith remained an enigmatic and powerful personality right up to his death. "The former Rhodesian prime minister, who made his unilateral declaration of independence from Britain in 1965 and fought a bitter rearguard action to prevent black majority rule, never lost the ability … [Read more...] about Ian Smith: ‘A Great White Tribal Chief’ is Gone
Dreadlocks are “Faddish”? Since When?
Should a three year old kid be suspended from school for wearing his hair in dreadlocks? … [Read more...] about Dreadlocks are “Faddish”? Since When?
India Scores a ‘Goal’ in Pakistan: Both Countries Win!
A history of sorts was made Friday when 'Goal' became the first Indian Bollywood movie to get simultaneous release in the cinema halls of India and Pakistan. 'Goal', a contemporary story of the Asian community in the UK, told through the dynamic prism of professional football, has already created a tremendous buzz in India. Pakistan and India share a common passion for … [Read more...] about India Scores a ‘Goal’ in Pakistan: Both Countries Win!
What To Make Of The Ron Paul Revolution
Much has been written about the rise in popularity of libertarian Republican Ron Paul's presidential campaign—both good and bad. Lew Rockwell's paleo-libertarian blog—notorious for his opposition toward both Democrats and Republicans and the State in general—has been perhaps the most ardent supporter of the Republican Congressman's presidential campaign while pro-war … [Read more...] about What To Make Of The Ron Paul Revolution
Will Americans Get the Message?
(Swaraaj earlier posted a great roundup on the sea change in Australian politics. Here's my take.) The winning candidate campaigned on a platform of new leadership to address voters' concerns about the environment, health and education. As one of his first acts as national leader he will push for the ratification of the Kyoto agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions … [Read more...] about Will Americans Get the Message?