The Musharraf Mess should remind Presidential candidates and voters that we are not living in Bush World any more, where other countries are either allies or enemies, good or bad guys to whom we either send tons of money or bunker-busting bombs. Belatedly, the Administration is leaking word that they have doubts that Musharraf "can survive in office and have begun discussing … [Read more...] about Friends, Foes and Who Knows?
CBS’ Katie Couric Makes Fun Of Dan Rather
You Tube has the gem below of CBS anchor Katie Couric making fun of a video on You Tube that showed Dan Rather fussing with his overcoat. Couric & Co seem to be having fun and in great spirits (and she's as likeable on the video as on camera): And here's the (in)famous Rather video: When you watch this, you now realize what it meant that Rather was the (micro) … [Read more...] about CBS’ Katie Couric Makes Fun Of Dan Rather
The USA: Heading For Recession?
Recession in America looks increasingly likely. Can booming emerging markets save the world economy? asks The Economist. "IN 1929, days after the stockmarket crash, the Harvard Economic Society reassured its subscribers: 'A severe depression is outside the range of probability'. In a survey in March 2001, 95% of American economists said there would not be a recession, even … [Read more...] about The USA: Heading For Recession?
Technical Issues Limit Our Posts
A NOTE TO READERS: We've had some technical problems and as a result some posts that should be on TMV are not getting on. For instance, I couldn't get on last night to do my post and roundup on the debate. And a post I did this morning was lost. Some posts are getting on but some are going to be delayed or not get on. TMV may be down for a little bit during the day while … [Read more...] about Technical Issues Limit Our Posts
Terrorist Plot In India: Was Rahul Gandhi The Target?
Indian police said Friday they had foiled a plot by Islamic militants to kidnap a top politician reported to be Rahul Gandhi, scion of the country's famed Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, says AFP. "NDTV, one of India's leading news outlets, said the three militants planned to abduct the telegenic 37-year-old federal parliamentarian to bargain for the release of scores of … [Read more...] about Terrorist Plot In India: Was Rahul Gandhi The Target?
Benazir Bhutto: “New Pakistan Government Has Committed Treason”
Pakistani liberal opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, after being released from house arrest on Friday, rejected the caretaker government appointed by President Pervez Musharraf to hold general elections in January, says NDTV. '' 'We do not accept this government. It has committed treason by taking oath under Provincial Constitutional Order (PCO),' she told reporters hours … [Read more...] about Benazir Bhutto: “New Pakistan Government Has Committed Treason”
Arrogance, Apathy & Intransigence
Yes, Virginia, There Still Is a War When it comes to Iraq these days, an arrogant President Bush seems more out of touch than ever, the war seems to be fading from the consciousness of an increasingly apathetic American public faster than ever, and the whole reason for the surge – that improved security would create the breathing room for Iraqi factions to kiss and make up – … [Read more...] about Arrogance, Apathy & Intransigence
Airport Security
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Airport Security
Gender Card Definitely Being Played: CNN Democratic Debate
Look, she's on CNN tonight in the debates. What do you call it when a person talks about how strongly they've made things work legislatively, despite obstacles that men have put in their way? Wouldn't that be the Gender card? What do you call it, when a person complains when media comments on their age, face, hairdo, manner of dress? Gender card, no? What do you call … [Read more...] about Gender Card Definitely Being Played: CNN Democratic Debate
John McCain, Hillary Clinton: Media Trust and -itchiness
The story as it came down on air and on TV was this: Old woman said, How do we beat the bit--? McCain laughed. The actual story is different. And you can see the clip (several more are on YouTube) and other persons' ideas about what should and should not have happened here at Outside the Beltway Also here at Wonkette And, a transcript of the verbatim 'after' … [Read more...] about John McCain, Hillary Clinton: Media Trust and -itchiness
Santa’s “Ho Ho Ho” is Now a PC No No No In Australia
Didn't we know it would come to THIS? Brace yourself -- because this is not a satire news story: Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday. Sydney's Santa Clauses have instead been instructed to say "ha ha ha" instead, the Daily Telegraph … [Read more...] about Santa’s “Ho Ho Ho” is Now a PC No No No In Australia
A Ray of Hope for GOP
** Gasp ** Could it be true? Could the Republican Party save itself by divorcing the extremists and moving back to the center? Almost every time I've suggested such a ludicruous possibility, TMV readers have voiced doubts. And while the following small slice of politics doesn't prove me right and them wrong -- not by a long shot -- it is encouraging, fleeting or not. … [Read more...] about A Ray of Hope for GOP
Finding & Blogging Tonight’s Debate
Tonight's Debate is at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and is hosted by CNN and the Nevada Democratic Party. The moderator is CNN's Wolf Blitzer. The debate will be broadcast to the paying folks on CNN at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET) while non-paying folks like me might get to see it on C-SPAN in a day or two. Watch it online HERE. PRE-DEBATE ARTICLES: CNN AP … [Read more...] about Finding & Blogging Tonight’s Debate
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: ANOTHER PART OF THE BUSH LEGACY IN QUESTION?
Rhodes Cook on Party-building success through the lens of history: During his first term, George W. Bush was arguably the most successful party-building president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Like FDR, who fashioned a Democratic coalition that dominated American politics for a generation, Bush during his first four years in office helped the Republicans post gains in … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: ANOTHER PART OF THE BUSH LEGACY IN QUESTION?
Canaries or Wolf-Criers?
There are days when I think we political bloggers are canaries in coal mines, providing early warning to our readers that the oxygen is running low and poisonous gases are on the rise. Then there are days when I suspect we're more like the boys and girls who cried wolf, afraid of the shadows of threats that aren't there, or unconsciously making a topic sound worse than it is … [Read more...] about Canaries or Wolf-Criers?
Showdown At Las Vegas Debate For Hillary Clinton
The conventional wisdom has spoken: New York Senator Hillary Clinton is now a grazed candidate....not quite wounded...not reeling on the ropes. But, in the last debate, the armor of her perfectly-run campaign was pierced by the razor-edged issue of illegal aliens getting driver's licenses. And when that opening emerged, the swords dug deeper with several stories saying the … [Read more...] about Showdown At Las Vegas Debate For Hillary Clinton
The world of LARPing
(Sign of the Apolcalypse #52 at The Reaction.) We all have our fantasies, even our fantasy worlds, worlds that allow us to be true to ourselves, for good or bad, or neither. Put another way, we all have dreams, dreams about ourselves, ideal images of ourselves, self-constructs. Society requires one to be many things, to wear many masks, to play many roles, some fulfilling, … [Read more...] about The world of LARPing
Why Deterrence Isn’t Enough
A few days ago, I posted a clip from a widely-watched TV debate about Iran policy between Norman Podhoretz and Fareed Zakaria. Podhoretz, as per usual, called for more hawkish action; Zakaria, in contrast, argued that, if negotiations don't succeed, a strategy of deterrence is the obvious solution. I often agree with Zakaria on Middle Eastern policy issues because he's a … [Read more...] about Why Deterrence Isn’t Enough
OJ Trialaholics
Yaakov Kirschen, The Jerusalem Post, Dry Bones … [Read more...] about OJ Trialaholics
General Musharraf’s Moment of Truth Arrives
President General Pervez Musharraf's (or for that matter Pakistan's) D-Day has arrived. November 15 marks the end of the current Parliament's five-year term. Also, Musharraf's concurrent presidential mandate also expires Thursday, though he has extended it by calling the state of emergency that has cast Pakistan into a deep political crisis, reports Paul Haven, Associated Press … [Read more...] about General Musharraf’s Moment of Truth Arrives