NOT a good omen for the administration. Actually, Schieffer's comments echo the comments of yours truly on TMV. I've long admired Schieffer. I think CBS made a hideous mistake years ago when they got bogged down in deciding between Dan Rather and Roger Mudd and went with Rather (Mudd fled to PBS) and virtually exiled Walter Cronkite. Schieffer is in the Cronkite/Murrow … [Read more...] about Bob Schieffer Remarks about Petraeus Report
Made in China
Pavel Constantin, Romania … [Read more...] about Made in China
Sleuthing Out the New O.J. Simpson Murders: Money Made Them Do It
I gave nearly two years of my life to Orenthal James "O.J." Simpson, which of course is a pittance compared to the price Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman paid. I drew some lessons from the 20 months I covered the murder investigation and criminal and civil trials: First, while bizarre is one of the most overused words in the news media lexicon, the saga of O.J. … [Read more...] about Sleuthing Out the New O.J. Simpson Murders: Money Made Them Do It
Bush Administration Escalates War Against Middle Income Children’s Health Insurance (UPDATED)
"You have to wonder how many people who gave President George Bush the benefit of the doubt in 2000 and 2004, or Ralph Nader voters who truly felt there as "no difference" between the two parties will react to this: The Bush administration, continuing its fight to stop states from expanding the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program, has adopted new standards that … [Read more...] about Bush Administration Escalates War Against Middle Income Children’s Health Insurance (UPDATED)
McCain, Torture, and The Truth
Last week, Senator and Presidential-hopeful John McCain strode into the lion's den (a.k.a., The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and made some strong statements against the torture of POWs. Those statements prompted wild cheers and applause from the audience, although not everyone was impressed. In response, I did some homework on the subject and reached a conclusion, … [Read more...] about McCain, Torture, and The Truth
My Brother’s Keeper
Israel ought to reverse its disgusting position expatriating Darfur refugees back to Egypt. There is no excuse for it, a majority of Knesset members on the left and the right are against it, and it is a massive betrayal of the core values that formed Israel's existence. Sending back these refugees to a country in which they face well-known discrimination, violence, and … [Read more...] about My Brother’s Keeper
Bush: “I am a Dissident”
A fascinating article at the Washington Post by Peter Baker: By the time he arrived in Prague in June for a democracy conference, President Bush was frustrated. He had committed his presidency to working toward the goal of "ending tyranny in our world," yet the march of freedom seemed stalled. Just as aggravating was the sense that his own government was not committed to his … [Read more...] about Bush: “I am a Dissident”
Cities of Light: An Intriguing Documentary
When I returned from vacation, there were several books waiting for me to read (and review). I published a post listing all of them. Books, however, were not the only thing sent to me: I also received a screener for the documentary Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain, scheduled to debut on PBS on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 9PM. After reading the introduction … [Read more...] about Cities of Light: An Intriguing Documentary
Original Blog Reporting: An Interview With Robert Novak
TMV applauds weblogs of all kinds that do original reporting since the blog technology is only being used partially by most sites. Weblogs can be more than op-ed pages: they can contain original interviews as well. Right Wing News' John Hawkins has an interview that is peppered with tons of statements that could generate news and/or blog discussion: an interview with … [Read more...] about Original Blog Reporting: An Interview With Robert Novak
Exploitation of Miners
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Exploitation of Miners
Real Clear Blogs: Revamped
As many of you know, the site Real Clear Politics is a great resource for political junkies of all stripes. Likewise, RCP's section on blogs, launched only four months ago, has proven helpful to many of us who regularly troll the 'Net for leading takes on leading debates of the day. [TMV authors are regularly featured there.] Accordingly, we thought TMV readers might like … [Read more...] about Real Clear Blogs: Revamped
British Military Commanders: “We’ve Done All We Can”
The Independent has an article up in which it is claimed that British military commanders have told Prime Minister Gordon Brown that "we've done all we can in the south [of Iraq]." According to them, nothing much can be done to improve the situation. It is therefore that they have told Brown that the best thing is to withdraw (prematurely). Where the Army's aims were - when … [Read more...] about British Military Commanders: “We’ve Done All We Can”
George Bush’s Holy Crusade in Iraq
I've been pretty tough on the prez -- calling him everything from a coward to a crackpot -- but there is one thing that I have not criticized him for: His messianic faith-based convictions. Well, Mr. Bush, time's up. By way of introduction to this subject, I should note that there is an aspect of George Bush's life of which I am deeply respectful: His successful battle to … [Read more...] about George Bush’s Holy Crusade in Iraq
Did Media’s Story Narrative Needs Exaggerate Rove’s Political Prowess?
The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz poses an interesting question: is resigned White House political maven Karl Rove a creation of the press as much of as of President George Bush? From the moment he leaked word of his departure to the Wall Street Journal editorial page, Karl Rove has been lionized and vilified by the media hordes. He is either a political giant, … [Read more...] about Did Media’s Story Narrative Needs Exaggerate Rove’s Political Prowess?
Guest Voice: My Fellow Texan
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 the text of a commentary Bill Moyers delivered on the … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: My Fellow Texan
Political Correctness
Yaakov Kirschen, The Jerusalem Post, Dry Bones … [Read more...] about Political Correctness
Sergeants get it just right on Iraq
In this highly polarized climate when "experts" travel to Iraq to give their impressions on the "surge" or the overall political or security situation there we are usually treated to a predictable confirmation of the status quo; those who oppose the war find the same things wrong and those who support the war and the surge find "stunning" evidence of success waiting just around … [Read more...] about Sergeants get it just right on Iraq
1.7 Cents (Penny) For Your Thoughts
A penny, that coin destined to be tossed into drawers, given as tips to waitresses who don't do a good job, or saved in jars and spitefully paid for a big purchase at your least favorite store, is now more unpopular for a specific reason: Making pennies now just doesn't make sense: The U.S. penny is not what it appears to be, and some in Congress would like to see it … [Read more...] about 1.7 Cents (Penny) For Your Thoughts
Rudy Giuliani’s Foreign Policy Plan
Much has been written about Rudy Giuliani's foreign policy plan (called "Towards a Realistic Peace"), most of which is negative. Liberals - of course - wasted no time attacking Giuliani's plan which they consider to be too hawkish and, again of course, neo-conservative. However, not just liberals criticized Giuliani: conservatives like James Joyner were not exactly impressed … [Read more...] about Rudy Giuliani’s Foreign Policy Plan
The American Arms Industry: Powerful, Ugly, Dangerous
When most people talk about powerful American lobbies, they might list the NRA or AIPAC. The arms industry, however, is rarely mentioned. Yet its ability to sway events in Washington and pass legislation favorable to its interests is...well, frightening. ...How has the arms industry been able to influence policymaking so much? Besides the obvious impact of large campaign … [Read more...] about The American Arms Industry: Powerful, Ugly, Dangerous