Today’s Iraq war cold shower is brought to you by President Bush’s media advisors, who in an extraordinarily dumb move got the president to invoke in a speech today "the tragedy of Vietnam" to bolster support for his own war. In other words, bring up the worst defeat in American military history to defend staying the course in Iraq. I suppose this is yet another … [Read more...] about Bush Doesn’t Get It. Bush Gets It.
Toys From China
Larry Wright, The Detroit News … [Read more...] about Toys From China
Bush to Invoke Vietnam in Arguing Against Pullout
CNN reports that US President George W. Bush will - Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri, in a speech for Veterans of Foreign Wars - remember the American people of what happened in Vietnam when the US withdrew. Bush will argue that the US should not withdraw from Iraq, because what happened in Vietnam will also happen in Iraq: those who supported the US - and those who did not … [Read more...] about Bush to Invoke Vietnam in Arguing Against Pullout
(Lethal) Toy Story
It should come as no surprise that dangerous, lead-ridden toys have been manufactured in China, given this: A U.S.-based workers' rights group said it found "brutal conditions" and labour violations at eight Chinese plants that make toys for big multinationals, and called on the companies to take steps for better standards. China Labor Watch said in a report issued on … [Read more...] about (Lethal) Toy Story
The ownership of failure
Fred Barnes's Rovian "big idea" for Republican "recovery"? -- "ownership," that is, the ownership society, including (yes, here we go again) Social Security privatization. (So he argued yesterday at the WSJ.) Sure, why not? Pretty much everything else has failed, more failure, including more electoral defeat, lies on the horizon, Iraq has been, is, and will continue to be … [Read more...] about The ownership of failure
Democrats Change Position on Iraq… Kind Of.
Oops: Democratic leaders in Congress had planned to use August recess to raise the heat on Republicans to break with President Bush on the Iraq war. Instead, Democrats have been forced to recalibrate their own message in the face of recent positive signs on the security front, increasingly focusing their criticisms on what those military gains have not achieved: reconciliation … [Read more...] about Democrats Change Position on Iraq… Kind Of.
Update: Google Blogspot Server Issues
It now appears, as of approximately 11:00 a.m. ET, that the problems noted below have been fixed and Google/Blogspot-based blogs are back up and running. -------------- It appears Google is having trouble with its Blogspot server(s) this morning. As recently as 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, a "Server Error" message appeared on randomly checked Blogspot sites. Accordingly, if … [Read more...] about Update: Google Blogspot Server Issues
Newest China Product Scandal: Dirty Chopsticks
The revelations reflecting the lack of quality control and safety standards in China aren't over yet. The latest scandal involves chopsticks: A Beijing factory recycled used chopsticks and sold up to 100,000 pairs a day without any form of disinfection, a newspaper said on Wednesday, the latest is a string of food and product safety scares. Counterfeit, shoddy and … [Read more...] about Newest China Product Scandal: Dirty Chopsticks
Bite Me
Recently, the New York Times had an article up, quoting Pat Schroeder, president of the American Association of Publishers. Schroeder is a Democratic Liberal who despises conservatives and who seemingly believes that all conservatives are stupid. Her reason for thinking this? Conservatives read less books than liberals. In fact, according to Mrs. Schroeder, this is due to 'the … [Read more...] about Bite Me
The Battle for the Soul of Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdogan I have collected a couple of links to articles about the situation in Turkey / the (likely) election of Gül as Turkey's next president. As you all will know by now (thanks to Meltem for posting about this topic at my own blog The Gazette), Gül received the most votes in the first round, but not enough votes to become president already. He needs a … [Read more...] about The Battle for the Soul of Turkey
Today’s American History Lesson
December 14, 2004: President Bush awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to former CIA Director George Tenet, saying he had played a "pivotal roles in great events," an allusion to the 9/11 attacks and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also receiving the medal are retired General Tommy Franks, who oversaw combat in Afghanistan and … [Read more...] about Today’s American History Lesson
TV Review: Cities of Light: The Rise And Fall Of Islamic Spain
Once upon a time, on the the Iberian peninsula, in what is now southern Spain, Jews, Muslims and Christians lived in harmony, and the mild tension between them led to creativity. It became a kind of garden for the flowering of art, architecture, business, ideas, music, a (often grudging) respect for other religions -- and a nest for the Renaissance. People lived side by … [Read more...] about TV Review: Cities of Light: The Rise And Fall Of Islamic Spain
Guest Voice: Why I Opposed The War But Support The Surge
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: Why I … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Why I Opposed The War But Support The Surge
Hurricane Dean: Vast Liberal Conspiracy
The global warming police – as well as the deniers – are out in force in the wake of mighty Hurricane Dean’s march across the Caribbean and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Dean has put up some impressive numbers: It is one of the 10 most intense Atlantic hurricanes of the last century. It is the first Category 5 hurricane in 25 years to make landfall in the Atlantic … [Read more...] about Hurricane Dean: Vast Liberal Conspiracy
Vick Goes to the Dogs
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Vick Goes to the Dogs
Poll: Congress Sets New Low Approval Rating Record
A new poll spells big trouble for Democrats, but it should not cause Republicans to salivate, either: A new Gallup Poll finds Congress' approval rating the lowest it has been since Gallup first tracked public opinion of Congress with this measure in 1974. Just 18% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, while 76% disapprove, according to the August 13-16, 2007, … [Read more...] about Poll: Congress Sets New Low Approval Rating Record
“Never Again” Rings Hollow Again
I hate to be on such a self-hating kick, but the American Jewish community's tepidity in supporting the Armenian community in their quest to get the Armenian genocide recognized by the United States is disgraceful. Yes, Turkey is a friend. No, it's not one at any cost. There are certain things we cannot compromise on, and the willingness of groups like the ADL to barter away … [Read more...] about “Never Again” Rings Hollow Again
Multiculturalism in Education
Marc Moore wrote a fascinating article at The Gazette about "multiculturalism in education." School is about to start in Texas and all over the state children and teenagers are alternately awaiting and dreading the beginning of another 180-odd days of enlightenment that will be delivered by the finest teachers a sub-standard pay rate, a regressive labor union, and a back-end … [Read more...] about Multiculturalism in Education
Does Levin Believe the Surge is Working or What?
There is something very interesting happening right now: Senators Levin - Democrat - and Warner - Republican - recently came back from a trip to Iraq and had some things to say about the surge. Certain newspapers and bloggers interpreted their words to mean that they - most notably Levin - believes the surge is working. Other bloggers argue the exact opposite. Since the two … [Read more...] about Does Levin Believe the Surge is Working or What?
Pre-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
According to Jules, Representative Bob Filner (a Democrat) suffers from pre-traumatic stress syndrome: it seems that, on his way to Iraq, the honorable Mr. Filner attacked an United Airlines bag claim employee. Head on over to Jules' blog - I especially liked the "you can't stop me" part. Jules shows that this is not exactly the first time that a Democrat misbehaved like … [Read more...] about Pre-Traumatic Stress Syndrome