Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about Bangladesh
Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas: Thankful for Family Elders… and Sobriety
"Just a moment ago we were children… Just a moment from now we awaken as elders…" ** Dear Brave Souls I am sitting here on a snowy night in the Rockies; there's a fire in the fireplace, it is darkest night out with a big yellow half-bellied moon hanging over the little lake we live on. I am thinking about all of you... and about thankfulness in these times we live … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas: Thankful for Family Elders… and Sobriety
Early is as Early Does
This report suggests we may effectively know the winner of the GOP nomination before we know the winner of the Super Bowl ... unless of course the age requirement in the Constitution is magically waived in the next couple of months, prompting Patriots QB Tom Brady to seek the Presidency as a Republican -- a mythical scenario that only St. Louis Rams fans (still perplexed by … [Read more...] about Early is as Early Does
“Here They Are Coming In To The Studio…”
I'm out of my league in commenting on the crisis in Georgia, but I wanted to pass along two video clips of the opposition TV station, Imedi, being shut down recently by Georgian security forces. (For more detailed coverage of events in Georgia, click over to Joshua Foust and Nathan Hamm's excellent blog, Registan.) Clip 1: This is the first clip in a two-part set. It's … [Read more...] about “Here They Are Coming In To The Studio…”
Europe acts on Burma
From the BBC: The European Union has formally adopted tighter sanctions against Burma following the violent suppression of recent pro-democracy protests. New measures include an embargo on imports of gemstones, timber and metal, and a wider visa ban against members of the Burmese military government. The EU already has a travel ban on top officials, an arms embargo … [Read more...] about Europe acts on Burma
New York Thanksgiving Day Parade
RJ Matson, The New York Observer … [Read more...] about New York Thanksgiving Day Parade
“We are going to follow him around and tell the true story of what happened on 9/11”
The "him" is Rudy Giuliani. And who is speaking? Who is telling the truth about 9/11? Some crazed left-wing lunatic with a particularly nasty grudge? A conspiracy theorist? No, it's Jim Riches, the deputy chief of the New York Fire Department. You've seen Rudy, like so many others, with an FDNY or NYPD cap, talking up the fire department and the police department and the … [Read more...] about “We are going to follow him around and tell the true story of what happened on 9/11”
Ron and the Racists Redux
For those just now tuning in, Ron Paul (the physician turned congressman turned presidential candidate) has been taking some flak for a donation to his campaign by Don Black, the ironically named white supremacist and former KKK leader. Dr. Paul's campaign site now offers a statement clarifying his views on racism, although Dale Franks wonders if that statement will have the … [Read more...] about Ron and the Racists Redux
Pistachio Wars
Israelis eat Persian pistachios imported from Turkey and the US is upset. Ynet: US asks Israel to stop importing pistachio from Iran Jerusalem Post: Iranian pistachio nuts sold in Israel … [Read more...] about Pistachio Wars
Obama Boomlet
As in Iowa, there are small signs of momentum for Barack Obama in New Hampshire. In a new CNN poll, he has narrowed the gap behind Hillary Clinton to 36-22 percent from 43-20, but more significantly, only 24 percent of likely voters tell pollsters they have made a choice. Another 29 percent are leaning toward one candidate, 47 percent are undecided. Now the campaign is … [Read more...] about Obama Boomlet
Hizballah’s Dangerous Gambit & Lebanon’s Fading Prospects for Stability
Lebanon’s parliament has again delayed a session to elect the next president, scheduling the vote (perhaps we should say tentatively) for Friday. The delays are the result of continuing conflict between Parliament’s anti-Syrian March 14 Alliance on the one hand, and pro-Syrian groups, including Hizballah and the Amal movement (also Shiite) on the other. The pro-Syrian groups … [Read more...] about Hizballah’s Dangerous Gambit & Lebanon’s Fading Prospects for Stability
TNR on Romney
Pray Tell by Jonathan Chait in The New Republic The wrong reason to hate Mitt Romney. The secularism that has generally prevailed since World War II is precisely what has allowed a Catholic to be elected president and a Jew to be nominated as vice president, among other ways that religious tolerance has expanded. Latter-Day Skeptics by Josh Patashnik in The New … [Read more...] about TNR on Romney
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 -------------------------- Before we drift off into Turkey-induced slumbers tomorrow, Randy Woodley encourages us to both celebrate the holiday's meaning and challenge our "dominant … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
‘Emperor’ Bush & Musharraf’s Uniform: May God Bless America!!!
Except for the US media (which too remains ineffective) the American citizens at large have yet to show any public concern over their "Emperor" Bush's strange utterings/actions. Do a majority of Americans (never mind the polls) still believe that their "ruler" may have chosen the correct path? After reading what President George Bush has to say about General Musharraf, I am now … [Read more...] about ‘Emperor’ Bush & Musharraf’s Uniform: May God Bless America!!!
Bush Reaffirms And Increases Verbal Support Of Pakistan’s Musharraf
For President George W. Bush it may now becoming down to "eeney meeney miney moe..." So whom does he decide to back in the tempestuous developments and political upheaval in Pakistan in South Asia? And how does he frame it? And now there's a sign: He's backing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as not just a bulwark against terrorism but as a champion … [Read more...] about Bush Reaffirms And Increases Verbal Support Of Pakistan’s Musharraf
Britain’s Major Data Security Crisis
This was waiting to happen in any part of the world...The British Government is now reeling under a major data security crisis. Two discs containing the details of all child benefit recipients, records for 25 million individuals and 7.25 million families have been lost. "The records included the recipient's name and those of their children, their addresses and dates of … [Read more...] about Britain’s Major Data Security Crisis
Scott McClellan: Awakening From A Mickey Finn?
Former Press Secretary Scott McClellan has penned a book called What Happened (due April 08). The book’s highly-regarded publisher, Public Affairs, released a brief excerpt today, one that may pour substantial salt into old wounds... Scott McClellan writes, "The most powerful leader in the world had called upon me to speak on his behalf and help restore credibility … [Read more...] about Scott McClellan: Awakening From A Mickey Finn?
Defense Budget Pardon
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about Defense Budget Pardon
Thanksgiving: More Americans Travel to Europe Despite the Weak Dollar
Reuters: Western Europe, which is the fourth most popular travel destination for Americans, has increased its share of Thanksgiving bookings this year by 9.5 percent, according to Travelocity data. Eastern Europe, where the dollar goes a bit farther than in cities like Paris and London, saw a 24.6 percent surge in its share of bookings, Travelocity said. U.S. airlines are … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving: More Americans Travel to Europe Despite the Weak Dollar
Idiotic Politics
The extent of polarization is apparent. Does POTUS Hear the Banging? The Senate's eerily empty pro forma sessions this week and next have raised an age old question, with a twist: If a gavel bangs in the Senate and no one is around to hear it, does it still bang? Yes, if you look at it from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's perspective. That gavel -- banged once to … [Read more...] about Idiotic Politics