Chinese President Hu Jintao has left the world guessing as to his foreign policy beliefs by playing his cards very close to the chest at the 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist party. The Congress is the forum where the rulers of China gather to establish their pecking order and set policy guidelines for the next few years. His only visible move was to … [Read more...] about Hu Jintao is stronger and still a riddle
Spencer (And Other Critics) Respond
Robert Spencer, following the publication of my Brown Daily Herald article that criticized his comments during Islamofascism Week, has responded in a post over at his blog. Interestingly, a lot of the criticisms that I've gotten at Jihad Watch have to do with my alleged 'misreading' of the Quran. The Muslim holy book is much more violent than the Bible, many are suggesting, and … [Read more...] about Spencer (And Other Critics) Respond
Only in the U.S.A.
Andrew Sullivan says this video illustrates one of the reasons he loves America. I have to agree. … [Read more...] about Only in the U.S.A.
Paul W. Tibbets Jr. (1915-2007)
More here. … [Read more...] about Paul W. Tibbets Jr. (1915-2007)
Oh what a circus! Oh what a show!
(Sorry, I meant to post this earlier in the week. It's about Argentina's recent presidential election.) Instead of government we had a stage Instead of ideas, a prima donna's rage Instead of help we were given a crowd She didn't say much, but she said it loud -- from Evita ********** Imagine if Laura were taking over for George. Or if Cherie had stepped in and … [Read more...] about Oh what a circus! Oh what a show!
Supporting Obama as….
Anti-racist signaling, or the affirmative action vote. … [Read more...] about Supporting Obama as….
Bush Administration Caught In States’ Water Rights Dispute
At a time when some experts predict the United States could face a large water crisis, the Bush administration now finds itself caught in a tug-of-war between several states over crucial water rights: Three Southeastern governors who are in Washington to lobby for water rights amid a potentially catastrophic drought are likely to put the Bush administration on the … [Read more...] about Bush Administration Caught In States’ Water Rights Dispute
(UPDATE 2) TMV NOT Nominated For “Best Blog” In 2007 Weblog Awards
NOTE TO READERS: We were informed this morning by a blogger that TMV was nominated for Best Blog in the Weblog Awards. We went to the link and -- we were. But it turns out it was A MISTAKE. We've been informed by Wizbang that TMV is in the Best Top 250 and that they published this site's name in the WRONG category this morning. Mistakes do happen (for instance we did not … [Read more...] about (UPDATE 2) TMV NOT Nominated For “Best Blog” In 2007 Weblog Awards
Real or Censored?
Michael Totten responds to that question, in the context of what he was "allowed" to see in Iraq. And in so doing, he indirectly builds the case for ranking him among the most sensible, conscientious, and balanced war correspondents of our generation. … [Read more...] about Real or Censored?
U.S. Must Repair Iraq’s Infrastructure, Or Else …
If the United States pulls out of Iraq without repairing the damage that has been done by the war, what would be the consequences? According to this op-ed from Iraq's Azzaman newspaper, if America fails to "come through" in this regard, Washington can forget achieving what it claims its goal has been: Creating a strong ally at the heart of the troubled Middle East. "There is … [Read more...] about U.S. Must Repair Iraq’s Infrastructure, Or Else …
Insanity Over Iran
We're in recurring nightmare territory here. A Zogby poll shows more than half of voters would support a military strike to prevent Iran from producing a nuclear weapon and believe it likely the U.S. will do so before next year's election. On PBS' News Hour, normally an oasis of rationality in the TV news desert, we have a solemn debate about attacking Iran between Fareed … [Read more...] about Insanity Over Iran
Tiny Tim: Meet the Press and the undermining of American democracy
There's a fantastic piece by Paul Waldman at The American Prospect on Tim Russert -- who he is, what he stands for, and how the insider media culture he embodies is harming not just political discourse in America but America's very political process. Make sure to read the entire piece, but here are a few key passages: Last month, near the end of the Democratic presidential … [Read more...] about Tiny Tim: Meet the Press and the undermining of American democracy
Islamofascism Speaker Misses The Point
Note: This article was published today by the Brown Daily Herald. Originally a blog post, it was written in response to a recent speech by Robert Spencer who visited the Brown University campus for Islamofascism Week. As I outline here, I think it is a serious mistake to reference random passages in the Koran in order to paint Islam as inherently violent or oppressive. It's the … [Read more...] about Islamofascism Speaker Misses The Point
GOP Prez Wannabes: We Gots Dem Scheduling Conflict Blues Again, Mama
You have to pity the Republican presidential candidates for their "scheduling conflicts." In recent weeks these peripatetic wannabes have crisscrossed the country speaking to "Values Voters," Jewish voters, and even at a candidates' forum in Wyoming, a state where there are more elk than voters. But, faced again with having to appear in the same room with Negro . . . er, … [Read more...] about GOP Prez Wannabes: We Gots Dem Scheduling Conflict Blues Again, Mama
Center of Attention
A round up of recent commentary by assorted voices who either attempt to strike a balanced note on heated debates and controversial issues, or improve our ability to find our own sense of balance by exposing us to new information and different points-of-view. -------------------------- John Cole defends Hillary's response re: Gov. Spitzer and licenses for illegals. … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Is Clear Channel Communications Giving Their Listeners the Finger Again?
For a music head like myself, there is nothing quite as liberating as not having to listen to commercial radio – which more often than not means stations owned by Clear Channel Communications, a thuggishly monopolistic media conglomerate with a conservative political streak. Clear Channel owns over 1,100 AM, FM, and shortwave radio stations, 11 satellite radio channels and … [Read more...] about Is Clear Channel Communications Giving Their Listeners the Finger Again?
Another Update on the Torture Debate
By Senator Arlen Specter's calculus, the inextricably intertwined issues of the Bush administration's embrace of torture and whether Michael Mukasey should be confirmed as the successor to the attorney general who issued secret legal opinions endorsing its use comes down to this: If Mukasey says that waterboarding is torture and if torture is illegal then some CIA agents … [Read more...] about Another Update on the Torture Debate
Voice of Indian Muslims…
India's leading newspaper The Hindustan Times catches up with a community in transition, "with Muslims who are proud of being Muslims, and do not hesitate to go back to their religion to get ahead in life, make money, get educated and change their lot." For their profiles and how the Indian Muslims think please click here... Islam in India is the second-most practiced … [Read more...] about Voice of Indian Muslims…
Update on the Prez Sex Scandal Rumor
Like water trying to find its own level, or something, rumors that the Los Angeles Times is sitting on a sex scandal story about a certain presidential candidate that could blow the campaign wide open are percolating through the blogosphere. As noted here yesterday, PajamasMedia blogger Ron Rosenbaum did a pretty good job of airing out the outlines of the “story,†as … [Read more...] about Update on the Prez Sex Scandal Rumor
Vietnam & Iraq: The Bitter Lessons of Backing Right Horse In Wrong War
President Eisenhower with Ngo Dinh Diem Three weeks before the death of John F. Kennedy in November 1963, another assassination of a president occurred halfway around the world -- the CIA-backed murder of Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam. That assassination 44 years ago today is a mere historic footnote, but it helped propel the U.S. into a decade-long quagmire that took … [Read more...] about Vietnam & Iraq: The Bitter Lessons of Backing Right Horse In Wrong War