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
Wanted: A Better Caption For This Foto
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton chat after the Democratic presidential debate this morning in Iowa. You can surely do better than that. What caption would you write for this photo? … [Read more...] about Wanted: A Better Caption For This Foto
Experts
Gideon Rose wrote a great post for the blog at the Economist, in which he criticized progressive bloggers for their constant criticism of (attacks towards) experts - whether those experts be Middle East experts, Social Security or Military experts. Matt Yglesias responded to Gideon's post, and makes some good points, but I find Gideon to be the more convincing of the two; … [Read more...] about Experts
UPDATED: Morning Debate on ABC
UPDATED: As Nick pointed out in the comments, a transcript is now available. A Democratic candidates' debate from Iowa. Finally one on network TV. Preview from The Fix Live-Blogging from The Caucus Blog - New York Times. Live-Blogging from ABC Overheard Oddities: Gravel seems to think that the US should ally with Iran? All of the candidates have been … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Morning Debate on ABC
Lord Deedes – Journalist Extraordinaire – Dies
Lord Deedes - a well known and much respected British journalist - has died at his home in Kent. According to the Telegraph, he was ill. His last column can be read here. The subject: Darfur. His main point: what is going on in Darfur is comparable to what happened in Nazi Germany, and it is time for the world (the West) to do something about it. The Telegraph explains: … [Read more...] about Lord Deedes – Journalist Extraordinaire – Dies
Thoughts on the Aye-Yai-Yai-Phone
I have read with bemusement the stories of dissatisfied iPhone users. There have been many accounts of dropped calls, and a guy writing at the Popular Science blog is sending his pricey iPhone back to Apple for repairs for the second time in only a month and a half of ownership. Explains John Mahoney: "Considering all these frustrating weaknesses along with an … [Read more...] about Thoughts on the Aye-Yai-Yai-Phone
Democrats: Oops
The New York Times reports that the Democrats are now worried about the bill they recently supported, which gave the administration more power to spy on people: Broad new surveillance powers approved by Congress this month could allow the Bush administration to conduct spy operations that go well beyond wiretapping to include — without court approval — certain types of … [Read more...] about Democrats: Oops
More Edwards’ Hypocrisy
there you go: Democratic presidential contender John Edwards has investing ties to subprime lenders who are foreclosing on victims of Katrina, according to a report published Friday. The Wall Street Journal said there are 34 homes in New Orleans that face foreclosure from the subprime unit of Fortress Investment Group. Edwards has about $16 million in Fortress (Charts), a … [Read more...] about More Edwards’ Hypocrisy
ThisClose to a Banana Republic
If Democrats hadn’t taken control of Congress this year, we might be living in a third-world country under self-reinforcing Republican rule. Ultimately we have George Bush’s stupidity and stubbornness over Iraq to thank for saving us. As Karl Rove prepares for his final bows tomorrow on Sunday morning talk shows, the House Oversight Committee leaks the latest news in his … [Read more...] about ThisClose to a Banana Republic
Humpy-Dumpty Sat On a Wall….
I always thought that, whatever its other flaws, police "profiling" was based on reasonably static, identifiable traits. It turns out that, no, the "profile" of a drug courier is literally whatever the police observed before they arrest the guy. … [Read more...] about Humpy-Dumpty Sat On a Wall….
Latest Blather from Ahmadinejad
The citizens of Iran had better depose Ahmadinejad before he causes more trouble for the world: Iran: Israel the standard bearer of Satan President Ahmadinejad again predicts Jewish state's demise; Meanwhile, Revolutionary Guards threaten to 'punch' United States … [Read more...] about Latest Blather from Ahmadinejad
Maliki Getting the Idea?
Ed Morrissey has a highly interesting post up about Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. It seems that al-Maliki has decided that - if he wants to save Iraq and wants to prevent his government from collapsing - he has to work with Sunni tribal leaders. He even went to Tikrit: bastion of the Baath Party, and the place where Saddam Hussein was born. The most important leaders … [Read more...] about Maliki Getting the Idea?
“Patriots” Who Really BETRAY The American Ideal
Just read it and (literally) weep. … [Read more...] about “Patriots” Who Really BETRAY The American Ideal
Donate to Peru Earthquake Relief
JTA: The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has opened a mailbox to collect money for relief efforts following Wednesday's earthquake in southern Peru. As of Thursday afternoon, some 450 people had been reported killed and 1,500 injured by the quake that registered 8.0 on the Richter scale, according to the United Nations. The JDC is working with the … [Read more...] about Donate to Peru Earthquake Relief
Fred Thompson Presidential Candidacy Watch
The (political) world awaits the announcement of Republican Fred Thompson that he'll enter the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination sweepstakes. Provocative and thought provoking articles and posts abound for those interesting in reading various perspectives. Here are a few of the best and most timely ones: Blake Dvorak at Real Clear Politics believes Thompson's … [Read more...] about Fred Thompson Presidential Candidacy Watch