Al Qaeda terrorist chief Osama bin Laden is "back" -- resurfacing on the world scene via a new video. Or IS the video new or that new? Some wonder...but also note that even if it's not really new, it could be dangerous. Bin Laden doesn't look in the pink of health in the 40-minute video, but that's not what's worrisome to terrorism experts. Was there a "signal" in … [Read more...] about Osama bin Laden Is Back And So Is Political Use Of Him
What’s the Party of Lincoln To Do?
Quick! Somebody get a net! I’d like to revisit the matter of why the Republican Party continues to marginalize blacks and generally treats all people of color as second-class citizens. (The ones that are citizens, that is.) In responses to a post yesterday on the news that only Tom Tancredo of the nine Republican president wannabes appeared at an NAACP candidate forum, … [Read more...] about What’s the Party of Lincoln To Do?
See Ya Later, Alligator
Coming hard on the heels of the reports that the Iraqi army remains unprepared to take over security of the war-torn country, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says his forces are capable and American troops can troops can leave "anytime they want." Sounds good to me. Where's the door? In another valentine to Washington, one of Al-Maliki’s top aides accused the U.S. of … [Read more...] about See Ya Later, Alligator
The One Man Band
Make Hillary Clinton’s Next Video
She's inviting you. Seriously: … [Read more...] about Make Hillary Clinton’s Next Video
Famous Terrorist Carlos The Jackal Calls Al Qaeda Terrorists “Amateurs”
These days EVERYONE'S a critic: For two decades until his capture in 1994, Carlos the Jackal murdered, bombed and kidnapped his way to infamy, retaining the title of world’s most dangerous terrorist before Osama Bin Laden stole his crown. But speaking from the Clair-vaux prison in northeast France last week he berated terrorist cells said to have targeted Britain, … [Read more...] about Famous Terrorist Carlos The Jackal Calls Al Qaeda Terrorists “Amateurs”
White Man Down!
That'll get redundant real fast as Republican candidates start dropping out, but former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore has become the first man to drop out of the GOP Presidential race. … [Read more...] about White Man Down!
Gilmore’s Gone
Washington Post: Gilmore Drops Out of 2008 Race Former Va. governor ends his long-shot campaign to win the Republican nomination for president. … [Read more...] about Gilmore’s Gone
ABC’s Leaky Terrorist Coverage
Al Jazeera West is at it again. ABC TV’s doughty “investigative team,†which specializes in Al Qaeda handouts, is reporting the impending Mother of All Terrorist Attacks, as gleaned from an exclusive interview with Taliban military commander Mansour Dadullah. "You will, God willing, be witness to more attacks," he told a Pakistani journalist, according to … [Read more...] about ABC’s Leaky Terrorist Coverage
Another Public Nap For Planet Cheney
Friday, 7/13/07: Cheney naps while Bush fiddles. Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP-Getty Images … [Read more...] about Another Public Nap For Planet Cheney
Some Lessons For Internet Journalism
Given the shaky state of the mainstream media, it is easy for oldsters to get all weak in the knees when we think back to the era of I.F. Stone. So who the hay is I.F. Stone? If you don’t know and value incisive reporting and commentary, it’s time that you got to know this chap, whom the WaPo’s Dan Froomkin calls the world’s first blogger. More here. … [Read more...] about Some Lessons For Internet Journalism
Peggy Noonan: Some Republicans Would “Fire” Bush If They Could
Wall Street Journal columnist and former Ronald Reagan writer Peggy Noonan has made it known in the past that she has soured on President George Bush. But in her latest column, she suggests that she has totally had it -- and that other Republicans would fire him if they had a chance. The key point is in the sub-headline: We can't fire the president right now, so … [Read more...] about Peggy Noonan: Some Republicans Would “Fire” Bush If They Could
Clueless George
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Clueless George
You Gotta Love That GOP Big Tent
Where'd everybody go? Another election cycle, another NAACP Presidential Candidate Forum. The civil rights group invited all nine Republican wannabes, but only Tom Tancredo showed up. Meanwhile, all of the Democratic presidential hopefuls appeared and, not surprisingly, Barack Obama brought down the house. The excuses given by the Republican candidates' campaign staffs … [Read more...] about You Gotta Love That GOP Big Tent
Mexico: A Profound Crisis
From The Oil Drum: In my annual new years predictions, I said that the most significant, and surprising, development of 2007 would be the collapse of both Mexico’s economy and its very existence as a viable Nation-State. While there hasn’t been a spectacular, single event confirming my prediction, there has been a steady erosion on all fronts—with five months left in … [Read more...] about Mexico: A Profound Crisis
Did Text Messaging Play Role In Car Crash That Killed 5 Youths?
A heart-breaking story out of Buffalo, New York suggests that text messaging while driving could have played a role in a car crash that killed 5 high school graduates. As someone who drives an enormous amount (this site may not be updated much today since I will drive today a total of 6 hours round-trip from San Diego to Compton, near Los Angeles) the most dreaded person on … [Read more...] about Did Text Messaging Play Role In Car Crash That Killed 5 Youths?
Vacation
Just letting you all know as well: I am on vacation. Yesterday I completed the first stage of my trip, today I hope to complete the second stage, and tomorrow the final stage before I arrive at my (final) destination. I will be gone for four weeks. In those four weeks I will barely post, if I post at all. To the two or three of you who will actually miss my posts: I'll be … [Read more...] about Vacation
Crazy House
No, this isn't about the White House. It's a You Tube video showing the opening to the 1943 film (way before my time) "Crazy House," which featured the comedy team of Olsen & Johnson re-creating their smash, zany Broadway show. Note The Three Stooges' Shemp Howard in a role before he replaced his brother "Curley" in the act, after Curley's 1948 stroke. … [Read more...] about Crazy House
14 Squirrels Arrested In Iran For Spying
An interesting tidbit from Ynetnews, a popular and reputable Israeli news site: Iranian intelligence operatives recently detained over a dozen squirrels found within the nation's borders, claiming the rodents were serving as spies for Western powers determined to undermine the Islamic Republic. "In recent weeks, intelligence operatives have arrested 14 squirrels … [Read more...] about 14 Squirrels Arrested In Iran For Spying
Health Care, Seriously
Health care is moving front and center as the domestic issue for Democrats while Republicans still maunder about keeping us safe from terrorists. A Washington Post headline this week sums up their approach: “For Democrats, Pragmatism On Universal Health Care†It’s a little like saying, “There are burglars in the house, but let’s be cautious about getting them … [Read more...] about Health Care, Seriously