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
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