General Pervez Musharraf has been described by some as a 'charming dictator'...but he is also known to become vicious when he feels offended. President George Bush and General Musharraf enjoy excellent rapport because both love steamroller approach to world's most ticklish issues. The similarities do not end there. Bush and Musharraf continue with their controversial … [Read more...] about Bush & Musharraf: “We Swim Together…”
Let’s Hope Democrats Put Bush Missile Shield on Ice
Is America's proposed missile shield in Europe of real strategic value, or just President Bush's 'absurd' reaction to the post-September 11th world? Whatever the motivation, according to this op-ed article from Germany's Frankfurter Rundschau, Europeans are hoping that a new Democratic administration in the U.S. will slam the brakes on the idea. "The entire project could … [Read more...] about Let’s Hope Democrats Put Bush Missile Shield on Ice
Around The Sphere Blogging Roundup Nov. 4, 2007
Our link-fest offering readers links to blog posts from websites of many different viewpoints. Linked posts do NOT necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. HAS A L.A. TIMES COLUMNIST "BORROWED" FROM A BLOG POST AND NOT ATTRIBUTED IT? Some think so. ARE BLACKS THE MOST ANTI-SEMITIC FOLKS IN AMERICA? Booker Rising sees some serious problems in a recent … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere Blogging Roundup Nov. 4, 2007
Barack Obama on Saturday Night Live
Always SMART politics: SNL still gets a very young and enthusiastic audience. He was also able to use satire in the sketch that was to his advantage. Plus...he showed again that he has stage presence and "it." PS: John McCain was a scream on SNL and showed he could quit politics and go into show biz. No joke. Look at THESE. … [Read more...] about Barack Obama on Saturday Night Live
The Other Gender Card
I'd be a lot more comfortable with the whining about Hillary Clinton "playing the gender card" if there was more recognition that every single male Presidential candidate in the history of the Republic has played the same card incessantly. Or can you tell me another function of the various hunting trips ("my gun's bigger"), baseball questions (why no questions about shoes or … [Read more...] about The Other Gender Card
Giuliani and Gun Control: He was for it before he was against it
It's among the most well-known and often-implemented strategies in the universe of presidential politics: appeal to the party's base during the primaries and tack back towards the center during the run-up to the general election. This process doesn't necessarily dictate that the presidential candidate "flip-flop" on any of his or her positions. He or she merely emphasizes one … [Read more...] about Giuliani and Gun Control: He was for it before he was against it
Is Health Care Unaffordable or do Millions of Americans Just Have Other Priorities?
Today N. Gregory Mankiw, professor of economics at Harvard, writes in the New York Times about "true but misleading statements about health care that politicians and pundits love to use to frighten the public." Two of those statements are often used by Europeans to criticize the United States. One is about the infant mortality rate and the other about the 47 million … [Read more...] about Is Health Care Unaffordable or do Millions of Americans Just Have Other Priorities?
Poll: Americans Want Change From Bush Direction And Agenda
A new poll shows Americans overwhelmingly want a change from what the Bush administration is giving American on several fronts -- and the desire cuts across party and non-party lines: One year out from the 2008 election, Americans are deeply pessimistic and eager for a change in direction from the agenda and priorities of President Bush, according to a new Washington … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans Want Change From Bush Direction And Agenda
You Can Call Me IRV
Those of you who have been on this planet 40-plus years will probably remember Bill Saluga. No, you might not remember his name, but I bet you remember his signature schtick as Raymond J. Johnson Jr. ... ya doesn't has to call me Johnson. You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, or you can call me Johnny ... Inspired by Mr. Saluga -- and recognizing that I'm just not, … [Read more...] about You Can Call Me IRV
Iron Fist
Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria … [Read more...] about Iron Fist
India’s Big Challenge: How To Stop Public from Relieving in the Open
If the neighbouring Pakistan is struggling to get rid of its military dictatorship, a democratic India is battling to ensure that its teeming millions start using the loo and stop defecating in the open. You see the the developing countries have to battle on many fronts...each demanding immediate action!!! The "loo" problem is so acute that New Delhi hosted World Toilet … [Read more...] about India’s Big Challenge: How To Stop Public from Relieving in the Open
Fear of the Year
Gays, pro-choicers and the liberal elite can relax. The Republicans have found their domestic target for '08 and, from all indications in New Hampshire, it is now illegal immigrants who are threatening the very fabric of American society. "It's becoming a litmus test of how conservative you are," according to a professor of political science quoted by the McClatchy … [Read more...] about Fear of the Year
The Logic of the Obama Plan…(Or, Why Security Guarantees Matter)
The New York Times ran a front-page article yesterday about Obama's plan to aggressively pursue diplomacy with Iran over the nuclear issue. In my opinion, the approach that Obama detailed is very logical: unconditional negotiations, better carrots, harsher punishment for non-compliance, and a reduced American presence in the Persian Gulf. Not everyone in the blogosphere had … [Read more...] about The Logic of the Obama Plan…(Or, Why Security Guarantees Matter)
Bhutto Recrafts Her Image
It's not exactly clear how she's done it, but Benazir Bhutto has effectively recast herself as Pakistan's "democratic savior." Interestingly, as The Hill reported not long ago, Bhutto has invested in a major PR campaign to give her image a makeover. To the tune of a quarter million dollars, she has hired the lobbying firm BKSH & Associates to obscure her poor record and … [Read more...] about Bhutto Recrafts Her Image
Gen. Musharraf Cracks The Whip: “Shut Up You Civilians”!
In declaring martial law, a besieged President General Pervez Musharraf has finally ripped asunder the pretensions of returning his volatile country to some form of democracy. Obviously, the General has come to believe that his powerful mentor and benefactors in the United States are not really serious when they proclaim that they are "deeply disturbed" that Pakistani … [Read more...] about Gen. Musharraf Cracks The Whip: “Shut Up You Civilians”!
New Profiles in Courage: Senators Schumer & Feinstein
Following the news and many opinions concerning Judge Mukasey and water-boarding, I came to the following conclusions: 1) We need an Attorney General 2) Judge Mukasey is likely to be a competent (if not an excellent) Attorney General 3) GWB will not put forth a "better" nominee than Judge Mukasey 4) The Senate should confirm Judge Mukasey so that he can clean-up the … [Read more...] about New Profiles in Courage: Senators Schumer & Feinstein
Transatlantic Comparisons For Scare-Mongering
There is a certain obsession with the United States in European debates, but there also seems to be a certain obsession with France in the US. Rudy Giuliani for instance recently campaigned with: If we are not careful and you don't elect me, this country will be to the left of France. Ezra Klein takes issue with that: We could elect Dennis Kucinich and 10 more Democratic … [Read more...] about Transatlantic Comparisons For Scare-Mongering
Are Republicans Really Scared of Hillary Clinton?
Taylor Marsh, who has her own popular blog, writes in the Huffington Post that, yes, Hillary Clinton IS being treated differently than the other Democratic candidates: It's interesting that when I write pieces about Clinton I'm attacked for being in her camp. But when there's an all-out attack, with most of the venom focused on her personally or she and her husband, it's … [Read more...] about Are Republicans Really Scared of Hillary Clinton?
Musharraf Declares Martial Law in Pakistan (UPDATE)
UPDATE: Musharraf Speaks on TV Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said he declared a state of emergency and martial law Saturday because Pakistan is at a "critical and dangerous juncture." The nation is going through "some very rapid changes," Musharraf said in a televised address to the nation after declaring martial law. Despite immediate condemnation from … [Read more...] about Musharraf Declares Martial Law in Pakistan (UPDATE)
Rudy & Dubya: Loyalty Trumps All
There are plenty of reasons why Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani would make a lousy president. Like personal turpitude and an anger-management problem, flip-flopping to suit the moment, an affection for using the stick before trying the carrot, and a simplistically shallow grasp of defense and foreign policy. But no reason is more troubling than the fact that like … [Read more...] about Rudy & Dubya: Loyalty Trumps All