Conservatives, as absent minded as their president when it comes to the lessons of history, are forgetting a significant cyclical aspect of the history of the Iraq war in their hearty hosannas over the "success" of the surge. In each of the first four years of the war, there has been a spike in violence as temperatures cool down, summer wanes and Ramadan approaches. I … [Read more...] about Iraq & The Forever War: To Everything There Is a Season: Burn, Burn, Burn
Republicans Put Wide Stance Between Themselves And Craig
Republicans were distancing themselves yesterday from Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) faster than if Craig had been screaming "We need a stronger inheritance tax!!!" A monitoring of conservative talk radio shows yesterday found that some hosts were in the ironic position of telling irate listeners defending Craig -- who pleaded guilty after being arrested for allegedly making … [Read more...] about Republicans Put Wide Stance Between Themselves And Craig
MSNBC Duped By Blog Parody Site
What does a major news organization do on a big story when it looks for a lively quote? Reporters will interview people, or, in this day and age, do an internet search. And then you can strike GOLD: that great QUOTE on a website that fits a story perfectly. But there are danger signs on the cyberspace highway. That's because there are parody sites...and some of them … [Read more...] about MSNBC Duped By Blog Parody Site
So How COULD The Press Miss Craig’s Arrest For Three Months?
Editor & Publisher finally asks the question that is on the tip of the tongue of anyone who has ever worked in the news media (and this site has several people who have): how COULD news outlets miss for some three months the news that Senator Larry Craig had been arrested for making lewd advances in a men's restroom? The revelation late Monday that Sen. Larry Craig … [Read more...] about So How COULD The Press Miss Craig’s Arrest For Three Months?
Vice Admiral John Scott Redd: “We’re Going to Get Hit Againâ€
Newsweek published an highly interesting article today. Retired Vice Admiral John Scott Redd, head of the National Counterterrorism Center explains that the US is going to get hit again by terrorists in the (near) future (no matter what the US does) and he explains what the nature of the war against terrorism is. He also talks about Osama Bin Laden. It is remarkable to … [Read more...] about Vice Admiral John Scott Redd: “We’re Going to Get Hit Againâ€
“I Have a Dream”
Forty four years ago today, more than 250,000 black and white Americans gathered peacefully at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington to bear witness to the desire for a new civil rights bill that would give equal protection under the law for all. At a time when race in America is reflected in a range of truths from the neglect of African-American victims of hurricane Katrina to … [Read more...] about “I Have a Dream”
Best Legal Defense Ever
I am so stoked that someone seriously tried "the perfect crime" defense after being arrested for poaching in the Montana portion of Yellowstone. Even though it lost, it was simply too good an argument to never make it out of the academic piece from whence it sprang. … [Read more...] about Best Legal Defense Ever
Jon Stewart Drives the News Cycle
So....why did Gonzales decide to leave now? … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart Drives the News Cycle
McCain, Torture, and (Some) Answers
Last week, I asked TMV readers to consider and chime in on the subject of John McCain's opposition to torture and the cool reception he receives among certain members of the Leftosphere when he voices that opposition -- like he did recently on The Daily Show. I didn't get all of the answers for which I was looking, but this much became clear: Love him or hate him, McCain … [Read more...] about McCain, Torture, and (Some) Answers
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. -------------------------- Dave Schuler examines why we have universal education but not universal health … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Published – Turkish Daily News: Time for a Change at the CHP
Today, Turkish Daily News published an OP-ED written by yours truly. In the column I argue that it is time for the CHP (as you all should know by now: Turkey's main opposition party) to change its course. If it does not, I write, it will become increasingly irrelevant. A couple of the points I make: Although as an outsider I certainly understand why many secularists are … [Read more...] about Published – Turkish Daily News: Time for a Change at the CHP
Affirmative Action
A fascinating article was published recently at the Wall Street Journal about affirmative action. As far as I am concerned, this article is an absolute must read for all those interested in this issue. The author, Gail Hariot (professor of law at the University of San Diego and a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights), starts by writing: Three years ago, UCLA law … [Read more...] about Affirmative Action
Musings on Katrina’s 2nd Anniversary
Please click here for some musings on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and here to read about an especially noteworthy disaster-related charitable organization. … [Read more...] about Musings on Katrina’s 2nd Anniversary
A Major Author/Thinker Interview
An extensive website interview with The Stuff of Thought's Steve Pinker, noted cognitive psychologist at Harvard University, is HERE. … [Read more...] about A Major Author/Thinker Interview
Guest Voice: The Unity in Wartime Act of 2007
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 the independent blog Walking Think Tank: The … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: The Unity in Wartime Act of 2007
This Just In!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Gonzales to Spend More Time Eavesdropping on His Family ‘Domestic Surveillance Begins at Home,’ Former A.G. Says Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned today, effective immediately, telling reporters that he wanted to spend more time eavesdropping on his family. Mr. Gonzales, a champion of domestic … [Read more...] about This Just In!
What’s Cruel And Unusual Punishment?
Airport Restroom Arrest Stalls Senator Larry Craig’s Career
Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) is now the latest lawmaker to get snarled in an unpretty sex-related scandal -- one that is being broadcast on the airwaves, making the lightning rounds of the Internet, being pointed to by Democrats and causing consternation among Republicans. The Washington Post's article draws together several strands of this story: Sen. Larry E. Craig … [Read more...] about Airport Restroom Arrest Stalls Senator Larry Craig’s Career
An Apology for the Confusion from Dr. E.
Between this afternoon and evening, the article "Alberto Gonzales Resigns from The Carriage of Death, Carreta del Muerto" has been on TMV in three different lengths and versions, including all chopped up. I am so sorry. I feel like the commedian trying to unfold a new-fangled folding chair meaning to sit in it, but I got all tangled up in it and its sort of sitting on me now, … [Read more...] about An Apology for the Confusion from Dr. E.
“My Work Here Is Done”
Via Newsgroper on Alberto Gonzales' Blog: This weekend I privately submitted my resignation to President Bush. Reluctantly, he accepted it. I told him, that at this time, it was probably best for the American people to have someone else listening to their calls and going through their mail. Having accomplished just about everything I could have dreamed of as the Attorney … [Read more...] about “My Work Here Is Done”