As Democrats prepare to push a more-likely-than-not doomed vote on the children's health care issue again, they have received good news and bad news from a new USA Today poll on the issue. The GOOD NEWS is that Americans trust the Demmies more on the kids health care issue. The BAD NEWS is that President George Bush appears to be winning the larger debate on the … [Read more...] about Poll: Bush Gains On Children’s Health Insurance Debate
Outsourcing the Search for Truth
In an implied rebuke to junk journalism, a rich California couple is underwriting investigative reporters to give away their work to mainstream media. It won’t work. Acting in a free-lance role, a nonprofit organization, Pro Publica, will offer long-term projects to uncover misdeeds in government, business and organizations on an exclusive basis for newspapers, magazines … [Read more...] about Outsourcing the Search for Truth
Gore’s Nobel Belies the Lack of Great Leaders …
Is Al Gore's Nobel Peace prize an indication of failure on the part of the world's political class? According to this op-ed article from Spain's ABC Journal, 'the award has been bestowed on those who dedicate themselves to increasing awareness of the problem because none of the world's leading decision-makers are doing so.' "It is a disturbing indication of a vacuum in … [Read more...] about Gore’s Nobel Belies the Lack of Great Leaders …
Orwellian Burma
Burma's prime minister, General Soe Win, died on Friday, but it hardly matters. Although he was "a reputedly ruthless member of the ruling military junta,... credited with overseeing a 2003 attack against democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi," and although he was the "fourth-ranking member of the junta," he apparently had "little if any policy-making role as prime minister and was … [Read more...] about Orwellian Burma
Refocusing the Debate
Steve Benen comments on the recent Republican movement toward health care reform. His primary point, paraphrased: Whatever the plan is, it will stink; but hey, it's still progress when Republicans get serious about a foundational issue long championed by Democrats. Obviously, I disagree with Steve on the prejudice: We should not assume an R plan will stink. In fact, to date, … [Read more...] about Refocusing the Debate
A Well-Deserved Nobel for Al Gore
Has Al Gore almost single-handedly awakened the American industrial giant to the opportunities involved in protecting the environment? According to this Editorial from Germany's Financial Times Deutschland, 'In the not-too-distant-future, the United States will be a superpower in preventing carbon dioxide emissions. Al Gore has set this movement in motion.' By Timm … [Read more...] about A Well-Deserved Nobel for Al Gore
We Won! So Let’s Go Home
The WaPo is reporting that the U.S. military believes it has dealt devastating blows to Al Qaeda in Iraq, leading some generals to advocate a declaration of victory over the group. The Bush administration, of course, began describing AQI as the chief bogeyman after other stay-the-course rationales sunk under their own weight, including the bald-faced lie that it was these … [Read more...] about We Won! So Let’s Go Home
Dear Iraqis, Heed the Danger of the Iranian Occupation!
Is Iran's 'shadow occupation' the threat that Iraqis should really be worried about, as opposed to the 'clear and obvious' American occupation? According to this op-ed article from Iraq's Kitabat newspaper, Iraqis had better confront - and quickly - the dangers from 'further Iranian penetration and influence into our beloved Iraq.' "Recognize the danger posed by further … [Read more...] about Dear Iraqis, Heed the Danger of the Iranian Occupation!
Highest Honor For Afghan War Hero
Two years after his death in Afghanistan, Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy has become the first person to win the Medal of Honor in Afghanistan and the first sailor recipient of the nation's highest battlefield award for combat since the Vietnam War. President Bush will present the medal -- a star-shaped bronze emblem suspended from a sky-blue ribbon -- to Murphy's family … [Read more...] about Highest Honor For Afghan War Hero
Center of Attention
A round up of recent posts by various bloggers 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. -------------------------- Michael Linn Jones wants "a voter's refund." Reaching back to the middle of last week, … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Source Protecting Reporters Shield Law Likely To Pass Congress
You'd think that with the "mainstream media" under fire in so many quarters (given the issues, on the left and the right) a shield law protecting reporters would be difficult to pass now -- but, USA Today reports, Congress is now poised to pass one with bipartisan support: A House bill that would help reporters protect confidential sources will pass easily this week, … [Read more...] about Source Protecting Reporters Shield Law Likely To Pass Congress
Axis Of Nobel
RJ Matson, Roll Call UPDATE: Also of interest: Paul Krugman on Gore Derangement Syndrome … [Read more...] about Axis Of Nobel
Of a Bad President and ‘Good Germans’: Our Long National Nightmare Continues
Even in the seventh year of the Age of Bush, I still don't want to believe that my country is being led by an intellectual, ethical and moral lightweight in the thrall of dangerous power mongers whose views are inimical to what my mother told me that the U.S. of A. is supposed to stand for. Then I wake up and realize that Our Long National Nightmare rages on. I also have … [Read more...] about Of a Bad President and ‘Good Germans’: Our Long National Nightmare Continues
Did The New York Times Cover Al Gore’s Award Fairly?
Some don't think so. Read this and decide (and give your view in comments). … [Read more...] about Did The New York Times Cover Al Gore’s Award Fairly?
Interview with Stephen Truitt and Charles Carpenter
[This is cross-posted to the talking dog. Regardless of one's political background or viewpoint, American detention policy and practice in the so-called "war on terror" is one of the biggest stories of our time. And yet, this story continues to receive far less media coverage than does trivial celebrity gossip. For my part, I continue to seek out relevant players who can … [Read more...] about Interview with Stephen Truitt and Charles Carpenter
Let’s Destroy And Discredit A Former Military Bush Administration Critic
When retired General Ricardo Sanchez made THESE REMARKS late last week blasting the Bush administration's Iraq policy, we noted that the administration would eventually reply -- perhaps by using the timeworn technique of "surrogates." That's where a politico or administration that wants to maintain "plausible deniability" has someone else leap into the mud puddle and septic … [Read more...] about Let’s Destroy And Discredit A Former Military Bush Administration Critic
Burma’s Nightmare: Where Shall One Go With A Heart Full of Non-Violence?
A Conversation with Dr. Jack Kornfield, American Buddhist Teacher trained in Thailand, Burma and India...on Burma, Buddhism, H.H. the Dalai Lama, and non-violence. Kornfield is one of the foremost teachers of Theravada Buddhism in the West. He was trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, Burma and India (He is on the far right in the photo). He graduated from Dartmouth in … [Read more...] about Burma’s Nightmare: Where Shall One Go With A Heart Full of Non-Violence?
It’s George Will Versus Al Gore Versus Sam Donaldson
It's truly fascinating to watch former Vice President Al Gore's critics -- particularly those who insist global warming is merely a liberal buzz phrase -- belittle his winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Would they belittle the prize if someone THEY agreed with won it? George Will and (a visibly aged) Sam Donaldson go at it: … [Read more...] about It’s George Will Versus Al Gore Versus Sam Donaldson
And The Rich
....get richer... … [Read more...] about And The Rich
Are Americans Being “Good Germans” As Anti-Torture And Other Values Fade?
Once upon a time, there was a phrase that truly was cringe-worthy. It was as trite as when someone would say (as if it was profound) "we don't want to sit around singing Kumbaya." The phrase is "they're just being Good Germans." It's a phrase that was hideously overused during the Vietnam War (for those of us who remember) and now in the Iraq war....which has shaped up as … [Read more...] about Are Americans Being “Good Germans” As Anti-Torture And Other Values Fade?