When Chuck Hagel announces his retirement from politics tomorrow, Congress will lose that rarest of men -- a principled maverick who was not afraid to stand up to his party and his president. In an era when politics in America has slouched inextricably to the right, the 60-year-old Nebraskan was difficult to pigeonhole. No mistake about it, Hagel was a conservative and … [Read more...] about Thank You Chuck Hagel: It’s Been Real
Hillary Clinton vs. Rudolph Giuliani: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
In a new post at The Gazette I argue that Rudolph Giuliani and Hillary Clinton are mirror-images of each other. Some of the similarities between the two frontrunners: They’re authoritarian They’re secretive They’re from New York / Representing New York They’re foreign policy hawks They’re small (short) They shouldn’t be loved by the base of their … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton vs. Rudolph Giuliani: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Me on Jouvenel, Part One
I've been exchanging book recommendations with a conservative (blog) friend of mine, Mark Olson of Pseudo-Polymath. Mark Olson I recommended that he read Kenji Yoshino's Covering and Negrophobia and Reasonable Racism by Jody Armour; in return, he suggested that I read Bertrand de Jouvenel: Conservative Liberal and the Illusions of Modernity and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The … [Read more...] about Me on Jouvenel, Part One
Most Polar Bears Could Be Gone By 2050
Sea ice is melting and, if predictions hold true, here's a grim bit of news from the U.S. Geological Survey: By 2050 the world's polar bear population could be largely gone: Two-thirds of the world's polar bear population could be gone by midcentury if predictions of melting sea ice hold true, the U.S. Geological Survey reported on Friday. The fate of polar bears … [Read more...] about Most Polar Bears Could Be Gone By 2050
The Funniest Musical Comedy Song On Film And On Recordings
One of the FUNNIEST moments in motion picture musical comedy is from the 2005 film version of Mel Brook's Broadway Smash "The Producers." If you're a younger reader who has never seen it make SURE you watch this. If you don't know about the film, the earlier version in the 60s wasn't a musical. It was about two producers who try and put on a show so awful, so crass, so … [Read more...] about The Funniest Musical Comedy Song On Film And On Recordings
WWGD? The Courting of Al Gore
Gore Endorsement -- Potent but Not Foolproof Former vice president Al Gore's pronouncement that he is likely to endorse one of the Democratic candidates for president before the primary season is over has set off a slew of speculation about who his choice might be. Truth is, the courting of the "Goreacle" began many months ago. Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Gore huddled in … [Read more...] about WWGD? The Courting of Al Gore
Still No GMail Here
This post is because a lot of readers, bloggers, and news outlets communicate with yours truly via GMail. If you sent me any GMail I have not been able to access it since last night. Apparently there IS a problem accessing the Google site here in San Diego via Cox Communications, at least. I can't get into GMail, can't pull up Google Maps and can't get on Google Web (but I can … [Read more...] about Still No GMail Here
Special: FREE Book!
Jessica Schneider is editor at Monsters and Critics (section books), where she recently started a book club. This month's pick is Native Son by Richard Wright. Native Son is one of those books everyone should have read. If you have not done so yet, be sure to do so this month. More importantly though, you can also send questions about the book to Jessica. She will then … [Read more...] about Special: FREE Book!
The Role of Islam in the Netherlands
A great read at Radio Netherlands: an interview with progressive Malaysian Muslim thinker Farish Noor. Noor believes that "the moral principles of the Koran are valid for eternity, but that verses such as those calling for the discrimination of women and corporal punishment are no longer valid and have to be understood in their historical context." When he came back to … [Read more...] about The Role of Islam in the Netherlands
Should 9/11 families tell Rudy Giuliani how to campaign?
Families of victims of the 9/11 attacks aren't thrilled with Rudy Giuliani's heavy emphasis of his service on that fateful day in his campaigning, which will include a trip to Ground Zero. This was news last week but it's getting renewed attention here in Washington, because the Pentagon 9/11 memorial is coming along and some families visiting the site think he's crossing the … [Read more...] about Should 9/11 families tell Rudy Giuliani how to campaign?
A Conflict About Casualties
The war in Iraq has been painful and divisive in so many ways that it's hard to imagine what could make it worse for Americans of all opinions. In the past week, I found out. What follows is the culmination of a disagreement about the government's use of casualties to prove that the Surge is a success. Those who are interested can go back and follow the exchange through links … [Read more...] about A Conflict About Casualties
Don’t Freak Out. It’s Just An Islamist Victory.
UPDATE: An unexpected outcome has emerged. Despite the predictions of most analysts and pollsters, it now appears as though Morocco's main Islamist party didn't do nearly as well as expected. At this point, it's still unclear why this is, though it raises the obvious question of electoral fraud. (Please note that the following post was written before the news of this surprising … [Read more...] about Don’t Freak Out. It’s Just An Islamist Victory.
Church Agrees to Pay Off Victims
The Roman Catholic Church in San Diego has agreed to pay almost $200 million (198) "to settle 144 claims of sexual abuse by clergy." This is not the first time that an American Roman Catholic Church agrees to pay off victims of abuse: earlier this year, the Church in LA agreed to "a record $660m deal to settle 508 abuse cases, some going back to the 1940s." On average, the … [Read more...] about Church Agrees to Pay Off Victims
If You’ve Gmailed Us
Gmail (for the first time ever) seems totally down this morning. Nor can I access Google Web or Google Maps. I've used IE and Firefox and neither can do it -- at least not here in San Diego, CA. So if you emailed me with a link, comment on a post or personal email, I can't get to it. I will be gone most of the day and try again tonight. This all points up the wisdom of … [Read more...] about If You’ve Gmailed Us
Saying Goodbye
To a friend who has cancer. … [Read more...] about Saying Goodbye
The Power of Alcohol
The Gazette co-blogger Pieter Dorsman published a post recently about Bush telling Robert Draper that if he would've continued to drink as much as he did, he wouldn't have been able to make the difficult decision he had to made (with regards to the Iraq War). Pieter rightfully pointed out that Winston Churchill drank a lot but still was able to make good decisions. The … [Read more...] about The Power of Alcohol
‘Wrinkle in Time’ Author Dies
Madeleine L'Engle, author of many books, among which "Wrinkle in Time," has died. She was 88 years old and lived, careerwise at least, a blessed and long life. All in all, L'Engle authored more than 60 books, "including fantasies, poetry and memoirs, often highlighting spiritual themes and her Christian faith." Asked about her status as a children's books author, she … [Read more...] about ‘Wrinkle in Time’ Author Dies
I’m With Fred
Fred Thompson called Osama Bin Laden a "symbol" and not so much a threat to America. To be exact, Thompson said: "Bin Laden is more symbolism than anything else. I think it demonstrates to people once again that we're in a global war." Obviously, Thompson drew the ire of other GOP candidates, waiting to score some cheap points. John McCain: "He's more than a symbol. He's … [Read more...] about I’m With Fred
Around The ‘Sphere Sept. 8, 2007
Our famous linkfest offering readers interesting links to websites of varying opinions so they can explore the 'sphere. Links do NOT necessarily represent the viewpoints of The Moderate Voice or its writers. The Internet Will Save Rural Communities -- or will it? Yesterday's Most Popular Video Wasn't Found At Blockbusters But Online: It was THIS VIDEO of Osama bin Laden. … [Read more...] about Around The ‘Sphere Sept. 8, 2007
Karl Rove May Be Gone
...but he's not forgotten: … [Read more...] about Karl Rove May Be Gone