Ideas for Terms, War-making Powers and More Last week the Crystal Ball looked at potential constitutional changes aimed at building on the Founders' congressional model and improving the nation's legislative body to make it more representative, more responsive and its elections more competitive. Naturally, the next step is to examine the office of the Chief Executive. … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: PERFECTING THE PRESIDENCY
Guest Voice: Why Bush Should Have Signed the Children’s Health Act
NOTE: The Moderate Voice runs Guest Voice posts from time to time by readers who don’t have their own websites, or people who have websites but would like to post something for TMV’s diverse and thoughtful readership. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Moderate Voice or its writers. This is by author and journalism professor Walter … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Why Bush Should Have Signed the Children’s Health Act
‘If He’s Crazy, What’s That Make You?’
I have no idea what . . . pardon the term, possessed the DF&C and I to watch The Cuckoo's Nest the other night for the first time since forever, but I must say that the 1975 Milos Forman flick not only has held up well, but seems in some respects like an apt metaphor for our times. By way of refreshing your memory, these are the main characters: Randle Patrick McMurphy … [Read more...] about ‘If He’s Crazy, What’s That Make You?’
Early Morning Quote: “Working Through” Racism
Cross-posted to The Debate Link As you may have guessed, these are taken from whatever random academic book I've picked up off my desk at the moment. This one is from a volume giving psychoanalytic responses to Black/Jewish tensions. Educational programs against white racism, including Jewish racism, have usually been based on the assumption among pedagogues and social … [Read more...] about Early Morning Quote: “Working Through” Racism
SCHIP Veto
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about SCHIP Veto
Progressive Talker Ed Schultz Now Has As Many Listeners As Bill O’Reilly
It has been said that the talk radio market is fickle. But this announcement from the office of progressive talker Ed Schultz suggests he's someone who will be around for awhile: The Ed Schultz Show is proud to announce that we have reached 3.25 million listeners. The latest numbers make Ed Schultz the most listened to Progressive radio host yet again. This news follows Ed … [Read more...] about Progressive Talker Ed Schultz Now Has As Many Listeners As Bill O’Reilly
Burma: IN SOLIDARITY
Very Serious People
The Washington Post put up a list of what foreign policy eminences are currently affiliated with which candidates. I note what catches my eye. Unfortunately, it being well past midnight here in Minnesota, "what catches my eye" was not interesting political or philosophical angles; what I jotted down were what nicknames were the most ironic, telling, or just awesome. Oh, and a … [Read more...] about Very Serious People
Burma: Buddhist Nuns Who Joined Protest are “Disappeared” : And The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth
In the last week, Buddhist nuns, who in Burma are called Keepers of Virtue, amongst other honored titles, shyly left their shelters and joined with Buddhist monks to protest Senior General Than Schwe's policies that have purposely bankrupted Burma so he could float in diamonds and rubies while the people drowned in poverty. My correspondent relays that there is nary a nun … [Read more...] about Burma: Buddhist Nuns Who Joined Protest are “Disappeared” : And The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth
Interview with Larry Sabato
[This is cross-posted to "the talking dog". Larry Sabato of "crystal ball" fame is frequently quoted here on TMV, and is widely regarded as one of the most quoted professors in America for his prowess at political prognostication. Larry recently wrote a book on proposals for changing our Constitution, and he was kind enough to answer my questions by e-mail, and as always, Joe … [Read more...] about Interview with Larry Sabato
Republicans in Congress Head for the Exits
Yet another departure (h/t Joe at AMERICAblog): Washington Post's The Fix blog: Sen. Pete Domenici Expected to Retire Veteran Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) is expected to announce tomorrow that he will retire from the Senate in 2008, according to several informed sources, a decision that further complicates an already difficult playing field for Republicans next … [Read more...] about Republicans in Congress Head for the Exits
The Clarence Thomas Roundup
Cross-posted to The Debate Link The release of Clarence Thomas' new book has led to a spurt of interesting blogging on the quietest and most conservative Supreme Court Justice. No comments from me, just a round-up of the variety of posts out there. Sherilynn Ifill, a law professor at UMD blogging at BlackProf, takes issue with Thomas' lynching metaphor ("an insult to the … [Read more...] about The Clarence Thomas Roundup
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. -------------------------- With a little help from others, Andrew Sullivan plays Solomon on the subject of legalizing … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Will You Be There When I Get Back?
The wife of a US sailor, about to leave for his third Iraq tour, is facing deportation. The wife came to America as a political refugee at age five and was granted asylum, but due to bureaucratic delays and mazes, she hasn't been able to secure her status. I don't know what's more terrible: that's mostly our own fault that she's not legal yet, or that the rabid right-wingers … [Read more...] about Will You Be There When I Get Back?
Bush’s War on His Own Party
He did it this morning, without comment or news coverage, an act that proves George Bush to be, depending on your politics, either the most steadfast or stubborn, the most principled or heartless of American Presidents in memory. But there is common agreement in Congress that, by vetoing the bipartisan bill that would have dramatically expanded children's health insurance, a … [Read more...] about Bush’s War on His Own Party
S-CHIP Bill Vetoed Behind Closed Doors
President Bush this morning quietly vetoed a bill with broad bipartisan support that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Unlike previous vetoes on federally-funded stem cell research and Iraq troop withdrawals, this veto was executed without ceremony or television cameras and behind closed doors. The shyness of a president who seldom misses … [Read more...] about S-CHIP Bill Vetoed Behind Closed Doors
Online Petition Proposes Nobel Peace Prize For Burmese Monks
An online petition has been started to try and get a Nobel Peace Prize for the Burmese monks -- a petition that concerned readers of TMV and other websites can sign, with a click of their computer. It is HERE and here's the full text: To: To the Esteemed Norwegian Nobel Committee: As the Norwegian Nobel Committee decides on the winner of the Nobel Peace … [Read more...] about Online Petition Proposes Nobel Peace Prize For Burmese Monks
“Flies Across Their Eyeballs”?
From The Garlic: No, the above title isn't from an upcoming Discovery Channel program, nor is it booming out of a trailer of bloody, gore-filled scenes of a Quentin Tarantino-Robert Rodriguez movie. It is from J. Cofer Black, former CIA veteran and now vice chairman of Blackwater USA, allegedly describing to President Bush the outcome of invading Afghanistan after … [Read more...] about “Flies Across Their Eyeballs”?
A Tale of Two Wars & Two Presidents
And so on the second day of the seventh month of the fifth year of the war in Iraq, the final episode of Ken Burns' The War ran on PBS. This vivid mosaic of World War II at home and abroad was a big hit by public broadcasting standards, drawing the most viewers since an episode of Antiques Roadshow in 2000, although falling far short of prime-time heavy hitters like CSI and … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Wars & Two Presidents
Carter Gets In Shouting Match With Sudanese Officials In Darfur
Former President Jimmy Carter has never been known to flinch from controversy -- and he has sparked more than a few. He has become an irritant to a host of Presidents who followed him. Above all, he speaks his mind. Now he has shouted it in Darfur -- this time for a cause and in circumstances that many of his critics would likely applaud: Former U.S. President Jimmy … [Read more...] about Carter Gets In Shouting Match With Sudanese Officials In Darfur