President Sarkozy gets a dozen standing ovations from Congress. And Chancellor Merkel gets to stay at Bush's ranch in Crawford, which is supposed to be some high honor bestowed upon only President Bush's very best allies. Will this charm offensive result in better transatlantic relations? I seriously doubt that Merkel feels all warm and fuzzy now, although that … [Read more...] about Better Transatlantic Relations in Style, not Substance
Benazir Bhutto’s Detention Drama: All Stage-Managed?
Is opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, a self-declared champion of democracy, in cahoots with General Musharraf, a military dictator who came to power by deposing an elected government? Some believe this. More here... Time Magazine notes: "Musharraf's closest foreign allies have long feared that those same military and intelligence bodies still include officials sympathetic to … [Read more...] about Benazir Bhutto’s Detention Drama: All Stage-Managed?
Afghanistan: ‘Costliest Ambush for US Forces in 2007″
The BBC reports: Six US soldiers and three Afghan troops have been killed in fighting in eastern Afghanistan, Nato officials have said. Eight US troops and 11 Afghans were also wounded, Isaf officials said. "The ambush is one of the costliest for US forces this year, already the deadliest for the US since it helped overthrow the Taleban in 2001. "Attacks have increased … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: ‘Costliest Ambush for US Forces in 2007″
Norman Mailer (1923-2007)
Norman Mailer, the combative, controversial and often outspoken novelist who loomed over American letters longer and larger than any writer of his generation, died today in New York. He was 84. More here. … [Read more...] about Norman Mailer (1923-2007)
GOP Prez Debates: On Second Thought, We Just Love Tacos
After repeatedly refusing to appear before black and Hispanic audiences, most of the Republican presidential candidates have now agreed to participate in Univision’s GOP Spanish-language debate on December 9 in Miami A similar Republican debate in September was canceled due to the leading candidates' non-participation, but the Miami Herald reports that Fred Thompson, Rudy … [Read more...] about GOP Prez Debates: On Second Thought, We Just Love Tacos
GOP II: When Clarity Begins at Home
A politician knows he has a problem when his own children warn him that they might vote against him. That is what happened to Representative Bob Inglis of South Carolina, who like President Bush and most of his Republican peers has been skeptical about global warming despite mounting evidence that the planet is in crisis because of rising carbon dioxide levels and … [Read more...] about GOP II: When Clarity Begins at Home
Veterans Day 2007: Our Brothers and Sisters On the Job
Here at the Iraq War Today website, there are some great "working" pictures of our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Afghanistan, very different from many 'news' pictures we see daily, especially those of soldiers ordered away from their real work and told to 'stand there' behind visiting dignitaries, as well as different from those pictures of soldiers acting egregiously with … [Read more...] about Veterans Day 2007: Our Brothers and Sisters On the Job
The Forgotten Ones: The Vets Who Wander Still, Veterans Day 2007
Homeless Women Veterans Excerpt from the statement of Vietnam Veterans of America submitted by Marsha Tansey Four, RN, Chair, Women Veterans Committee before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Committee on Veterans Affairs. "Approximately 3 to 4% of the 275,00 homeless veterans across this county are women. Homeless women veterans present different needs … [Read more...] about The Forgotten Ones: The Vets Who Wander Still, Veterans Day 2007
Veterans Day 2007
Guest Poet: Pain At The Bottom, Cream At The Top
Another poetic gem from TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: A Wall Street giant reported losses of $8 billion in the third quarter of this year. Its CEO lost his job, but got a reported $161 million severance package on the way out the door. What's wrong with this picture? Pain At The Bottom, Cream At The Top Profits may tumble, good jobs … [Read more...] about Guest Poet: Pain At The Bottom, Cream At The Top
Safe Tour
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about Safe Tour
Bill Clinton Defends Hillary Clinton Who Defends Him For Defending Her
The campaign of New York Senator Hillary Clinton is now displaying more defense than the San Diego Chargers football team. First, former President Bill Clinton went out on the hustings and defended his wife. That led to some criticism, so now she's defending him for defending her (and this site will probably have to defend itself for running a post about her defending him … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Defends Hillary Clinton Who Defends Him For Defending Her
PAKISTAN and the US
Patrick Chappatte, globecartoon.com … [Read more...] about PAKISTAN and the US
The Saudi Question
There's been a lot of discussion in the blogosphere, particularly since the publication of this London Times article, about American policy towards Saudi Arabia. Many commentators have expressed confusion about the right approach to dealing with the Saudis in the context of the war on terror - do we coddle, poke, or threaten them? Dave Schuler, at The Glittering Voice, grapples … [Read more...] about The Saudi Question
Around the world: Somalia, Georgia, and Burma
Over at The Reaction, I have a post up on recent developments in Somalia, Georgia, and Burma, the latest installment in our "Around the World" series. It's a bit long to cross-post here at TMV, so, if you're interested, click here. … [Read more...] about Around the world: Somalia, Georgia, and Burma
Sarkozy in America: Operation Seduction
Has French President Nicolas Sarkozy accomplished his mission to 'seduce' Americans? According to this editorial from France's Le Figaro newspaper, 'With his direct style, Nicolas Sarkozy worked at his message without flourishes, mobilizing all the myths of the American legend. ... This is what the Americans wanted to hear.' "The unanimous enthusiasm of Congress shows that … [Read more...] about Sarkozy in America: Operation Seduction
Just Can’t Get Enough
Please read this post, and then -- if you'd be so kind -- help me decide which qualifier best describes what that post reports. Would you go with "unbelievable" ... or "utterly unbelievable" .... or "(insert FCC-banned curse words here) unbelievable"? [H/t Andrew Sullivan.] … [Read more...] about Just Can’t Get Enough
14 Counts Kerik Indictment Becomes Giuliani’s Political And Pardon Problem
All presidential campaign front runners seemingly hit a kind of crisis bump as they take the lead in the polls -- and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has now hit a jarring speed bump in the case of his protege, aide and former police commissioner Bernie Kerik. Kerik surrendered today to arraignment on federal corruption charges. He was indicted on 14 counts "including … [Read more...] about 14 Counts Kerik Indictment Becomes Giuliani’s Political And Pardon Problem
American Heart Association: Going Off Food is Good
My grandpa was a health freak, a frugal eater, a moderate drinker and lived upto the ripe old age of 93, virtually without any serious disease troubling him. He would go off food whenever his body indicated symptoms of an ailment. So I was delighted to see the American Heart Association's recent report that fasting has heart-protective benefit. According to the report, … [Read more...] about American Heart Association: Going Off Food is Good
Aung San Suu Kyi: Some Hope in Burma?
Is there a thaw emerging between Burma's (Myanmar) Aung San Suu Kyi and the military Government? A latest news report says that detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed her readiness to work with the military Government in the process aimed at bringing political reconciliation. "In the interest of the nation, I stand ready to cooperate with the … [Read more...] about Aung San Suu Kyi: Some Hope in Burma?