Who would ever have thought that you could see parallels in the "values" embraced by those in the whatever-it-takes world of politics and the "values" in sports where the word "sportsmanship" could seemingly become as outdated as the word "grand" meaning "great" and "gay" meaning happy? But you can. Read this column by Pajamas Media's Rick Moran: Sports these days … [Read more...] about A Sporting Chance: Spies Like Us As Politics And Sports Merge
Bush Broke Our Army. Who Will Fix It?
Among the most serious of the consequences of the war in Iraq no matter when it ends -- and we were reminded this week that it won't end anytime soon -- is a United States Army that George Bush has all but broken. The president declared during his prime-time speech on Thursday night that there may be a drawdown of some 30,000 soldiers -- or roughly five combat brigades -- by … [Read more...] about Bush Broke Our Army. Who Will Fix It?
Could Bush’s Speech On Iraq Backfire?
Could Bush's Thursday night TV speech on Iraq prove to be a big political blunder and actually backfire? Time Magazine says there is indeed a risk -- and it confirms what we noted here last night about cable news networks indicating some key Republicans were not happy Bush gave the speech at all: But Bush's trumpeting of what he called a "return on success" could end up … [Read more...] about Could Bush’s Speech On Iraq Backfire?
Recommended reading
At the weblog City of Brass, Aziz Poonawalla is posting his morning thoughts during Ramadan. I expect the meditations will provide very nutritious food for thought, as evidenced by the concluding lines from the first post: In fact, for the next two years, 9-11 will fall within Ramadan again. It is important for muslims to move beyond 9-11 as a context in which we defend our … [Read more...] about Recommended reading
10 YEARS GOOGLE
Patrick Chappatte, Le Temps, Switzerland … [Read more...] about 10 YEARS GOOGLE
Roses Are Blue, Violets Are Too!
E. J. Dionne Jr. in the Washington Post: As Virginia goes, so goes the Senate -- and the nation? The decision of former Virginia governor Mark Warner to run for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. John Warner is more than just bad news for the GOP. It reflects fundamental shifts in the balance of political power in the country, the growing force and volatility of … [Read more...] about Roses Are Blue, Violets Are Too!
Grace
Twenty-five years ago today, Princess Grace of Monaco, just as Diana of Wales would 15 years later, died in a car crash, another victim of a Cinderella marriage that ended with shattered glass slippers. Born Grace Kelly of Philadelphia, she was glowingly beautiful, as movies on TCM still show, and talented enough to win an Academy Award at the age of 25. Yet she gave it all … [Read more...] about Grace
A Jew in Sun Country, Part II
A follow-up. … [Read more...] about A Jew in Sun Country, Part II
Break now or forever lose November 2008
Republican presidential candidates need to make a "clean break" from President George W. Bush and the U.S. government or they will lose in November 2008... Interesting quote. Will the Republican presidential candidates listen? Newt Gingrich says they better and soon: Gingrich: Republicans need "clean break" from Bush By Steve Holland Fri Sep 14, 1:03 PM … [Read more...] about Break now or forever lose November 2008
Fred Thompson Not Taking the Bait
Fred Thompson is bringing something new to the ’08 Presidential scramble, and it may just work. The former Senator/actor is raising cool to an art form and, at a time, when voters are hearing too much from too many, his detachment has lifted him to the top of the Republican polls and may just keep him there. Take, for example, his demurral to participating in the Values … [Read more...] about Fred Thompson Not Taking the Bait
Wanted: A Better Caption For This Foto
Lady Margaret Thatcher visits the London Zoo today. You can surely do better than that. What caption would you write for this photo? (Be funny, but be nice.) … [Read more...] about Wanted: A Better Caption For This Foto
Surging for Democracy
Harry Harrison, The South China Morning Post … [Read more...] about Surging for Democracy
O.J.: That Was The Thursday That Was
O.J. Simpson had himself one helluva Thursday. Earlier yesterday, Fred Goldman kicked off a coast-to-coast tour to pitch “If I Did It†on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Goldman’s son Ron is widely believed to have been murdered by Simpson along with his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. Dad was awarded the right publish the Juice's ghostwritten non-confession confession … [Read more...] about O.J.: That Was The Thursday That Was
O.J. Simpson Questioned In Vegas Robbery
This will be an interesting story to watch: Metro police confirmed early Friday morning that O.J. Simpson is being investigated in connection with a robbery at the Palace Station Casino. The incident happened late Thursday night, police said. The Palace Station complex, located near the Vegas strip, includes a 430-room Courtyard Hotel and a 21-story hotel tower with … [Read more...] about O.J. Simpson Questioned In Vegas Robbery
Saudi Arabia’s Role In “Islamist Violence” Reportedly Remains Strong
The New York Sun reports that the role of Saudi Arabia in exporting "Islamist violence" remains stronger than ever: Six years after visiting its brand of terror on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, Saudi Arabia has become a world-class exporter of Islamist violence. The toll is grisly: Well over 3,000 Saudi citizens roaming the world … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia’s Role In “Islamist Violence” Reportedly Remains Strong
Campaign finances
Larry Wright, The Detroit News … [Read more...] about Campaign finances
On Bush’s stated desire for a long-term US military presence in Iraq
President George Bush’s desire, stated in his televised address, to retain a long term military presence in Iraq to create and stabilize a permanent ally of the United States is likely to make Americans less secure over time. That insecurity will come not just from Al Qaeda, which has repeatedly vowed to push the US out of the region and will not hesitate to orchestrate … [Read more...] about On Bush’s stated desire for a long-term US military presence in Iraq
Getting Beyond Sunni Delusions
Marc Lynch, aka Abu Aardvark has posted what I think is the sharpest analysis of the fallout from the Abu Risha assassination. In an article derisively entitled Sunni World, Lynch blasts the Administration and its supporters for consistently portraying the Iraqi Sunni Arab population in cartoonish terms. First they were the monsters who only understood force, the effect being … [Read more...] about Getting Beyond Sunni Delusions
The lies and exaggerations of George W. Bush
I wrote this for The Reaction prior to Bush's address this evening. It still applies after the fact. ********** President Bush is set to address the nation, and the world, in just over half an hour. Topic: Iraq. What will he say? The Politico has excerpts of his speech -- "as released by the White House for use on dinnertime newscasts" -- which means we can all start … [Read more...] about The lies and exaggerations of George W. Bush
Bush: Limited Troop Reductions And Longterm Security Commitment To Iraq (ROUNDUP UPDATED)
President George Bush delivered a two-pronged message on Iraq tonight in a speech that some analysts on cable television said Republicans wished he would not have given at all. MESSAGE ONE: There will be limited troop reductions. 2,200 Marines will return to the U.S. immediately and will not be replaced. An additional 3,500 Army brigade troops will be home by Christmas.. … [Read more...] about Bush: Limited Troop Reductions And Longterm Security Commitment To Iraq (ROUNDUP UPDATED)