I'm not surprised that White Jena residents are beginning to push back against the narrative that the Jena Six is proof of racism. I am surprised that anybody is giving their wildly biased accounts even the remotest credibility. Anybody with even a passing knowledge of the history of the American South would recognize these pieces for what they are. Historically, White … [Read more...] about A Bright White Light
The Line: Open-Seat Advantage for House Dems?
Chris Cillizza's The Fix: washingtonpost.com's Politics Blog The Line: Open-Seat Advantage for House Dems? The retirements just keep coming for House Republicans. In the past month, five more Republican incumbents decided against seeking another term in 2008. Two hail from districts -- New Mexico's 1st and Ohio's 16th -- where Democrats will be even money bets (or … [Read more...] about The Line: Open-Seat Advantage for House Dems?
Celebrating IFA Week
A poem for Islamo-fascism awareness week. … [Read more...] about Celebrating IFA Week
Insanity at 1600: Secrets, lies, and the “public health benefits to climate change”
You want to know just how crazy the Bush White House is? Do you? I know, there's already an astonishing amount of evidence to back up that assessment, so much delusion, so much apparent insanity, but consider what White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said on Wednesday in response to allegations "the White House 'eviscerated' Center for Disease Control director Dr. Julie … [Read more...] about Insanity at 1600: Secrets, lies, and the “public health benefits to climate change”
An Offer You’d Probably Refuse
American officials are badly misunderstanding the reasons for Russian opposition to an Eastern European missile defense system, argues arms control guru Matt Dupuis. … [Read more...] about An Offer You’d Probably Refuse
Iran Shapes Up As Big Democratic And Republican Campaign Issue
In a sense, this is the political day everyone knew would finally dawn: the powder-keg issue of the Iraq War is now being joined by another powder-keg issue. The issue: what the United States should do, shouldn't do and might do with the thorny issue of Iran -- a nation intent on getting nukes and headed by a tolerance-challenged President: When it comes to presidential … [Read more...] about Iran Shapes Up As Big Democratic And Republican Campaign Issue
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. -------------------------- Andrew Sullivan is wary of the hate-speech police. (Earlier in the week, he considered … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Burma: The Robes With No Monks in Them
In Burma, I'm told Than Schwe's shame is that he orders soldiers raised as Buddhists to violate their vows to never hurt another sentient being. That Than Schwe not only lives out his evil ideals; in perverting Buddhism, he works hard to corrupt the young as well. Than Schwe has to bribe the young men to do his bidding. They do their grisly work not out of loyalty to Than … [Read more...] about Burma: The Robes With No Monks in Them
The U.S. Media’s Admiration of Chancellor Merkel is Suddenly Over
After her election as chancellor of Germany in November 2005, Angela Merkel received a lot of positive press coverage in the US. Her predecessor Gerhard Schroeder was blamed for the bitter transatlantic disagreements over the Iraq war. Merkel was supposed to be a pro-American and a strong reformer, who heals German-American relations and makes Germany more supportive of US … [Read more...] about The U.S. Media’s Admiration of Chancellor Merkel is Suddenly Over
Iraq & The Dirty Secret of the Surge
The self congratulation over the ongoing success of the Surge strategy – resulting in a welcome plunge in U.S. and Iraqi civilian deaths – has reached bacchanalian proportions with conservative commentators (and some moderate and left-of-center types, as well) high five-ing like so many drunken frat boys dancing around a keg of beer on a college homecoming weekend. But a … [Read more...] about Iraq & The Dirty Secret of the Surge
California Fires: Post-Trauma Recovery List
For the People of Southern California, San Diego and the Border Towns This is a Public Service Post, to release the complete protocol letter I use to train therapists and citizen-helpers to serve in post-trauma recovery at disaster sites. It is addressed to the inner circle of victims, survivors, eye-witnesses, their families, workers, helpers, rescuers, and other affected … [Read more...] about California Fires: Post-Trauma Recovery List
California Halloween
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about California Halloween
Monks, Women & Repressive Regimes
Recent times have witnessed women coming to the forefront taking on the might of the repressive regimes in their respective countries and not caring for the dangers inherent in taking such bold action. Interestingly, monks have also captured popular attention by stepping out from their monasteries to protest in public the excesses committed by their rulers. It seems that men … [Read more...] about Monks, Women & Repressive Regimes
Interview with Angela Campbell
[This is cross-posted at the talking dog. The interview below is with Angela Campbell, an attorney who has represented Guantanamo detainees. Interestingly, her clients have been “released†from Guantanamo, although one has left the frying pan of Guantanamo and gone into the fire of a maximum security prison facility under American control in Afghanistan; Ms. Campbell does … [Read more...] about Interview with Angela Campbell
Californians Get Small Breather As Fires Rage And Death Toll Rises
Rancho Cucamonga, CALIF. -- Southern Californians battered by fires that left $1 billion in damages and at least three dead seemed to be getting a small, limited "breather" today. Literally. It was a day when some kids could start to go out and play and some Southern Californians could go home -- if their homes were still there. At a school in this San Bernardino city … [Read more...] about Californians Get Small Breather As Fires Rage And Death Toll Rises
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Maryland Judge throws out case where a man was observed hitting his girlfriend in front of a gas station, arguing that "Sadomasochists sometimes like to get beat up." There was no proof that the woman was a sadomasochist (she disappeared and thus didn't testify). … [Read more...] about Hit Me Baby One More Time
Enhanced Video Of Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s Assassination Surfaces
It was a murder that rocked Israel, the Middle East and the power corridors in Washington - -and now a new video image brings it into focus more clearly than ever. This was the lead of the CNN report on Nov. 4, 1995: Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at a peace rally Saturday night in Tel Aviv's Kings Square, a top aide confirmed. He was reportedly … [Read more...] about Enhanced Video Of Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s Assassination Surfaces
Is The Washington Post As Crazy As Oxblog?
Hey, Oxblog's David Adesnik asked the question...we didn't. And here's why. (Our answer. Yours truly loves the Washington Post, which remains one the country's best-written, best-edited and best-reported newspapers. Oxblog, in turn, remains one of the Internet's most consistently-thoughtful, issue-oriented and independent-minded weblogs. The only pity is that its crew isn't … [Read more...] about Is The Washington Post As Crazy As Oxblog?
Asian Women Versus Asian Generals
It is an interesting (continuing) standoff between Asian women politicians and Asian military generals/dictators/junta in three countries bordering India -- Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan and Bangladesh. In view of the growing international pressure, the Myanmar military junta invited opposition leader Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with a special “minister for relationsâ€, … [Read more...] about Asian Women Versus Asian Generals
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: UNIVERSAL NATIONAL SERVICE
The Case for a Constitution "Bill of Responsibilities" Over the past few weeks, I've learned that almost everyone takes some time to absorb new ideas, especially a big one like a second Constitutional Convention. The hidebound nature of humanity, and the deep polarization that currently exists in American society, make most people inherently suspicious of any novel proposal. … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: UNIVERSAL NATIONAL SERVICE