Here is the latest...Pakistan's exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who recently made an abortive attempt to gain entry into his own country, is likely to be in Pakistan next month to stir the electoral pot along with another former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Sharif was arrested and deported to Saudi Arabia barely four hours after he returned to Pakistan on September … [Read more...] about Will Nawaz Sharif Stir Pakistan’s Electoral Pot?
Burma: Than Schwe’s Irrevocable Public Shame
Dear reader, I am loath to bring this to you. My stomach has shooting pains as I write this. That feeling of being at the edge of throwing up. Not from revulsion. From seeing the work of pure Evil. There are two images that have been smuggled out of Burma. The first is this one... of this poor dear soul, who is lying dead in a mortuary in Burma having been beaten to death … [Read more...] about Burma: Than Schwe’s Irrevocable Public Shame
GOP Prez Wannabes Tack to the Right
I have puzzled over why almost all of the Republican presidential wannabes are avidly-embracing a president who is one of the worst in history and has almost single-handedly marginalized their party, as well as a war that only a small number of voters support. Even the party's own pollsters say that it will take a miracle for the GOP to keep the White House, let alone regain … [Read more...] about GOP Prez Wannabes Tack to the Right
Around The Sphere Blogging Roundup October 27, 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. THE SAGA OF SCOTT BEAUCHAMP'S CONTROVERSIAL THE NEW REPUBLIC MILITARY DIARIES CONTINUES. Did he recant and say they were false or not? A lot of what is stated as certainty in one place is said to be less … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere Blogging Roundup October 27, 2007
Why the Iraqi Kurds Won’t Give in to Turkish Threats
Are the PKK terrorists who have been killing Turkish soldiers receiving significant aid and comfort from the government of Iraq's semi-autonomous north? According to this op-ed article from Iraqi Kurdistan's Kurdish Media, all Kurds -whether they are members of the PKK, Peshmerga soldiers or civilians - will resist the Turks "to the last drop of blood." "They know that … [Read more...] about Why the Iraqi Kurds Won’t Give in to Turkish Threats
The Numa Numa Tradition Continues
...via a new generation: … [Read more...] about The Numa Numa Tradition Continues
A Bright White Light
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