As an impressionable fourth grader at the height of the Cold War, the faint sound that was broadcast via Radio Moscow on October 4, 1957 might has well been the shot heard around the world: Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep. Indeed, the sound from the radio transmitters aboard tiny Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, did herald enormous changes. It shocked a complacent … [Read more...] about The Sound Heard Around the World
Burma: Senior General, Sir: Show Us These Children Are Alive and Unharmed
These are child novice monks in Burma. Some have been on earth for only 6 years. Some young monks have been on earth for only 7 years. Some child monks have walked the little patch of earth around their monasteries for most of their 10 years. In this picture, they are peeking out of their monastery's windows. There have been thousands of child monks exactly like these … [Read more...] about Burma: Senior General, Sir: Show Us These Children Are Alive and Unharmed
Around The Sphere Oct. 2, 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. THEY'D SWEAR ON A BIBLE THEY'RE NOT HAPPY: Dick Polman reflects on the GOP's problem with the religious right, opening with some inside info: Back in May of 2000, I learned first-hand that James Dobson … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere Oct. 2, 2007
Guest Voice: Time to Boycott Voting
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. Our goal: to give readers a taste of differing ideas, not just one idea or one viewpoint. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Time to Boycott Voting
Debt Rictus (A heroic debtor’s last hurrah)
Another poetic gem from TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: Current economic worries focus on predatory lending to subprime borrowers in the housing market. That's certainly a serious problem. But it pales compared to the likely consequences of predatory lending to subprime borrowers in the credit card market. You might not know anyone threatened … [Read more...] about Debt Rictus (A heroic debtor’s last hurrah)
Democrats
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Democrats
Burma and Slaughter: The Red Robe Memorial
Tonight, as this image came in, I wanted to just turn away from my computer and weep. May ten-thousand holy red lotus bloom for every holy red lotus cut down. I prophesy: Retrieve all the red robes of the dead and pile them high. Higher. Highest. The Monks' Memorial of Red Robes. It will be made. By thousands of hands from the world over, the Red Robe Memorial … [Read more...] about Burma and Slaughter: The Red Robe Memorial
Why We See Elliott’s Law
Elliott's Law posits that: As an online discussion concerning race grows longer, the probability of a person referencing Martin Luther King, Jr. as a means to justify their racist and/or ignorant attitudes approaches one. It's certainly something I've observed. But why Martin Luther King? Because he's dead, that's why. And being dead, he poses no threat to the "splitting" meme … [Read more...] about Why We See Elliott’s Law
Al Oerter (1936-2007)
Have you ever tried to throw the discus? Let alone as far as this man did in winning a record four consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same event? More here. … [Read more...] about Al Oerter (1936-2007)
An Act of Defiance
Some Saudi women are getting tired of being harassed by the country's religious police. Asharq al-Awsat reports: Head of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in the Eastern province Dr. Mohamed bin Marshood al-Marshood, told Asharq Al Awsat that two of the Commission's employees were verbally insulted and attacked by two inappropriately-dressed … [Read more...] about An Act of Defiance
What can be done to liberate the people of Burma?
(Cross-posted from The Reaction.) The totalitarians who call the country Myanmar, a military junta that makes up one of the most brutal regimes in the world, have clamped down on those who wish to liberate the country from within, the monks and other protesters who have had enough of being brutalized. The insular rulers of that insular country, a country made ever more … [Read more...] about What can be done to liberate the people of Burma?
Why Do Democracies Fail? When Do They Succeed?
As the Iraq example has shown, transitioning to democracy is smoother in some states than in others. Matt Eckel, a blogger and international relations guru who writes at Rational International, has written an interesting and detailed post about the conditions by which countries can be said to be "ready" for successful democratic governance. The full piece is here. … [Read more...] about Why Do Democracies Fail? When Do They Succeed?
Defining Political Courage
One of my all-time favorite voter education groups, Project Vote Smart, has completed its 2008 Presidential Political Courage Test and mailed it to all candidates vying for the White House. (This new test is the updated and re-named successor to PVS' Political Awareness Test.) If you have a moment, shoot your favorite presidential candidate a note and encourage him or her … [Read more...] about Defining Political Courage
U. S. Senate in the Toilet
If Republicans follow through on their threats, some time this month six United States Senators will gather in a hearing room to study and debate urgent questions about a men’s room stall in the Minneapolis-St. Paul air terminal. Ending the war in Iraq, starting one in Iran and health care for poor children will have to wait while the Senate Ethics Committee considers … [Read more...] about U. S. Senate in the Toilet
Drawing Attention to the RanGoonSquad
Vince O'Farrell, The Illawarra Mercury, Australia … [Read more...] about Drawing Attention to the RanGoonSquad
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. -------------------------- NOTE: Going forward, we will try to publish a "Center of Attention" post at least three … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish
The unintended consequences of the big wet lip-lock that party regulars gave the religious right-wing in inviting them to help tear down the Republican Big Tent a few years ago continue to reverberate. At an emergency meeting in Salt Lake City over the weekend, religious right leaders met behind closed doors to try to resolve the crisis in their midst: None of the current … [Read more...] about Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish
The Michigan Squeeze
Ed Morrissey rips the words right out of my brain concerning Michigan's new budget/what in the.../disaster: The economic woes of Michigan appear ready to worsen, thanks to a budget agreement reached this morning as the state government began shutting down. Michigan residents will see their taxes increase by over a billion dollars, further burdening the decreasing purchasing … [Read more...] about The Michigan Squeeze
Phils Win, Mets Lose, Life Goes On
In October 1980, a young pitcher from suburban Philadelphia by the name of Jamie Moyer was among the million or so people on hand to watch a victory parade in honor of the Philadelphia Phillies, who had just won their first World Championship in the nearly century-old history of a Major League baseball franchise inurred to winning and accustomed to disappointing its … [Read more...] about Phils Win, Mets Lose, Life Goes On
Favorites On The Right
Actually, that'd make a great title for a Frank Sinatra song (but he's not around to sing it, so I suppose he's passed...). Right Wing News took a poll of right of center bloggers' favorite people. Can you guess number one? The results HERE. … [Read more...] about Favorites On The Right