The melodrama is in its final act, and we still don’t know if it ends with a whimper or a bang. Dubya is in a bunker, beleaguered by the demons he set loose here and abroad. Osama is in hiding too, and for all we know, may be dead. On Meet the Press, the director of national intelligence, Admiral Mike McConnell pointed out “it’s been a year†since there was a … [Read more...] about Bush and bin Laden in Hiding
Tisha B’Av: Building From the Ruins; Let Musicians Run World Governments
Some musicians seem like they're made to lead the world. Some seem born citizens of the earth, regardless whichever country, heritage, religion they're born into. Regardless what their parents wanted for them; regardless of childhood introjects... they travel the world, often as what I'd call 'rememberers,' musicians who help us remember that water can flow through stone. … [Read more...] about Tisha B’Av: Building From the Ruins; Let Musicians Run World Governments
Al Gore
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Al Gore
Tisha B’Av: The Destruction of ‘The God Hole’ Between the Worlds
I thought hard about whether to post this piece. I thought about how destruction of 'The God Hole' seems worthy of a 24/7 crawler running at the bottom of CNN or Fox. Yet we never hear of it. As journalists, we cover every aspect of destruction except this one to the human soul and heart; a destruction of self that often causes all kinds of other palpable destructions to be … [Read more...] about Tisha B’Av: The Destruction of ‘The God Hole’ Between the Worlds
Poll: Most Americans Now View Bush As Stubborn
If you boil it down, the latest Washington-ABC News poll suggests that President George Bush has now formally moved into a new era where he is viewed less as someone admirably defending an unpopular viewpoint than as someone who is just stubborn. That doesn't bode well for Bush's future -- no matter what the crisis over the next two years -- or in his ongoing battles over … [Read more...] about Poll: Most Americans Now View Bush As Stubborn
Flat Bush
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Flat Bush
Iraq War: Plans Change, While the Assumptions Remain the Same
In a tacit admission that the political clock is outrunning the military clock in Iraq, the U.S. command has gone public with portions of an ambitious plan that assumes a major military presence well past the presidential election and into 2009. While the plan, called the Joint Campaign Plan, is technically classified and does not specifically address troop levels or … [Read more...] about Iraq War: Plans Change, While the Assumptions Remain the Same
Priorities
Sometimes someone we care about passes from the scene, and we didn't have enough time to say goodbye. … [Read more...] about Priorities
Guest Voice: “Oh Please, Mr. TV… Tell Me What to Think”
The Moderate Voice sometimes runs Guest Voice columns by readers or writers. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect by the opinion of TMV or its cobloggers. "Oh Please, Mr. TV... Tell Me What to Think" By Matt Pearl A few posts ago, I talked about the differences between Fox News’ and CNN’s prime time lineups, namely that Fox’s was full of opinion shows and … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: “Oh Please, Mr. TV… Tell Me What to Think”
NIE Warning
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about NIE Warning
Did You Tube Upstage Democrats At Dems Debate?
So now The New Era in American political debates is finally here. Or IS IT? Not only did the "new media" You Tube participate in last night's Democratic presidential hopefuls' debate, but some pundits said the questions from You Tubers were for the most part knowledgeable and to the point. Would some media types who may have felt debates were a plum for star journalists … [Read more...] about Did You Tube Upstage Democrats At Dems Debate?
Jeff Jacoby on Isaac Newton
Maybe Jeff Jacoby thought we couldn't tell who this was about from the very first sentence. I will point out that more than 3 centuries have passed since Newton's appointment. Jeff Jacoby: A teacher with faith and reason DID YOU hear about the religious fundamentalist who wanted to teach physics at Cambridge University? This would-be instructor wasn't simply a Christian; … [Read more...] about Jeff Jacoby on Isaac Newton
Tonight’s Debate – Open Thread
Tonight is the CNN/YouTube Debate and I'll be otherwise occupied. CNN: Electorate can show true colors in YouTube debate Democratic presidential candidates face a new kind of grilling Monday when debate questions come from America's living rooms via YouTube. Analysts say the format could force candidates to be more straightforward but some say the debate isn't as … [Read more...] about Tonight’s Debate – Open Thread
The Damned Dems Are To Blame, Too
Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin plans to offer a proposal to officially condemn President Bush and Vice President Cheney for leading the U.S. into the Iraq war. Said Feingold:: "I think we need to do something serious in terms of accountability." To which Meet the Press host Tim Russert countered: "Isn’t this a futile effort that will … [Read more...] about The Damned Dems Are To Blame, Too
Haaretz: Israeli Arabs Dance Their Way Into GBOWR
Israeli Arabs smash world record for largest 'Debke' folk dance Israeli Arabs from across Israel danced their way hand in hand into the Guiness Book of World Records on Sunday after they held the largest and longest group performance of the "Debke" dance inside the walls of the Old City of Acre. A record 2,743 people danced for seven minutes straight holding hands in a … [Read more...] about Haaretz: Israeli Arabs Dance Their Way Into GBOWR
Lenore Skenazy: A Few Commandments the Vatican Missed
I read this Lenore Skenazy column in Funny Times and found it hilarious: Now that the Vatican has issued its 10 Commandments for Drivers — which, with any luck, you weren't reading on your BlackBerry while dialing your mother while switching lanes while gesturing obscenely out the window at the granny only going 70 — it seemed like a good idea to see if there were any … [Read more...] about Lenore Skenazy: A Few Commandments the Vatican Missed
Al-Qaeda to Rowling: “You’re Going Down.”
J.K. Rowling, Britain's second richest woman and the author of the Harry Potter series, will be protected by a large crew of bodyguards during an upcoming interview on American television. The concern? That al-Qaeda might decide to target the high-profile author as a way of getting "maximum publicity for the jihadist cause." This may sound ridiculous and, yes, it sort of is, … [Read more...] about Al-Qaeda to Rowling: “You’re Going Down.”
Bloomberg Run Would Help Democrats In Florida
A new poll indicates that if New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg decides to launch an independent bid for President he'll help the Democrats in Florida: If New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg runs for President as an independent candidate, it helps Democrats in Florida, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. In a two- way race, former New York City Mayor … [Read more...] about Bloomberg Run Would Help Democrats In Florida
Democrats Are Wooing Religious Voters
The days when Republicans can feel confident Democrats won't aggressively court religious voters are over, CNN reports. Also, look at the lead of the CNN report and you'll see an error (presumably) that is likely to raise some eyebrows among Democrats and possibly be the subject of some blog posts. Tired of being seen by religious voters as too secular or even hostile … [Read more...] about Democrats Are Wooing Religious Voters
Tussle over Iraq
Paresh Nath, National Herald, India … [Read more...] about Tussle over Iraq