Rabbi David Wolpe in The Jewish Week: A Question Of Values We are forever relearning the lesson: Education and values are not the same. A trained intellect does not equal an active conscience. Doctors can plot to bomb innocent people in London and Glasgow, if they are doctors without values. Professors can lie and cheat and steal, if they are professors without values. As … [Read more...] about Education & Values are NOT the Same
Nice Guy Nixon, Longing to Belong
Even in the White House, he felt the whole world was a club that wouldn’t take him in as a member. New documents and tapes released yesterday by custodians of the de-sanitized Nixon Library and Museum only add to the picture of an angry, isolated, paranoid President plotting to get everybody else before they got him and, at the same time, wanting to be perceived as a … [Read more...] about Nice Guy Nixon, Longing to Belong
A Second Reality Check
Earlier today, I published a post called "Reality Check" here at TMV (and at my own blog). Several people already responded. I would like to point out two - especially two - comments which basically prove my point. The first is a comment left by JLedell (an American): The world thinks America’s invasion of Iraq was a mistake. I think you and most Americans now agree with … [Read more...] about A Second Reality Check
O’Connor on Iraq
"It is a dire situation ... I don't think it has gotten any better. It just breaks your heart. . . . Iraqi people are dying, American soldiers are dying. So far it does not seem we have achieved any kind of security there." -Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a member of the Iraq Study Group, commenting on Iraq in a front-page WaPo story today by the … [Read more...] about O’Connor on Iraq
Bailing Out
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Bailing Out
How About Doing Your Job?
Jules Crittenden has a good post up, in which he wonders why the different media are not offering "an actual, meaningful, in-depth look at the execution of the counter-insurgency strategy in Iraq by someone who has taken the time to understand what its goals and methods are, and isn’t just interested in kicking the crap out of it from a distance." Jules looked at the AP, at … [Read more...] about How About Doing Your Job?
An Iraq Parable: Bags of Euros, German SUVs & Italian Designer Sunglasses
Portland and Seattle are secure, sire. On to Vegas! The straw currently being grasped at by George Bush and the stay-the-course crowd is that U.S. forces have made big inroads among the Sunni tribes in Anbar Province, who instead of fighting among themselves are being bribed . . . er, financed to fight Al Qaeda. And this success can be replicated elsewhere in Iraq, which … [Read more...] about An Iraq Parable: Bags of Euros, German SUVs & Italian Designer Sunglasses
Reality Check
Yesterday, I published a post in which I criticize Thomas Friedman's latest column in the New York Times. In it, Friedman argues that there are only two options remaining: all in or all out. He ignores the fact that the world will blame the US for what happens. He ignores the fact that the US will appear weak. He ignores the fact that no country will fear American power as much … [Read more...] about Reality Check
U.S. Report: Al Qaeda Getting Stronger And Almost Back At Pre-911 Level
Get ready to see a lot of old videos showing Bush administration officials talk about Al Qaeda being on the run, having its effectiveness reduced and about how the war in Iraq is pinning them down over there. Because a new report says that the terrorist group has reconstituted itself and may be nearly back to its pre-911 strength: Six years after the Bush administration … [Read more...] about U.S. Report: Al Qaeda Getting Stronger And Almost Back At Pre-911 Level
Original Blog Reporting: TTD Interviews Author Michael Otterman On Torture
The Moderate Voice applauds weblogs that do original reporting. The reason: weblogs are an incredible opportunity to do original reporting as WELL as commentary. And there some that do just that. One blog that does it on a regular basis is the always-unique The Talking Dog which has run a series of detailed interviews involving issues related to detainees jailed due to … [Read more...] about Original Blog Reporting: TTD Interviews Author Michael Otterman On Torture
Remembering Lady Bird Johnson
Remembering Lady Bird Johnson: you can read a remarkable remembrance about a remarkable woman from a TMV coblogger who personally knew her and her husband Lyndon Johnson right HERE. … [Read more...] about Remembering Lady Bird Johnson
Former White House Political Director Sara Taylor “Can’t Recall” (UPDATED)
Former White House political director Sara Taylor's testimony yesterday before the Senate Judiciary Committee committee on the firings of the U.S. attorneys proved to be anything but... testimony: (1) President George Bush cited executive privilege and basically squelched her from answering the panel's most significant and probing questions. (2) She either set a record for … [Read more...] about Former White House Political Director Sara Taylor “Can’t Recall” (UPDATED)
McCain Campaign
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about McCain Campaign
Now Florida State GOP Rep. Robert “Bob” Allen Is In A Sex Scandal
This has not been a good week for Republicans if they have wanted to press their family values theme. Advice: Put it on ice for a while. First, New Orlean's GOPer Senator David Vitter gets linked to the so-called D.C. Madam. And now (THIS JUST IN) Florida State Rep. Robert "Bob" Allen is enmeshed in a sex scandal for soliciting a male police officer. We will … [Read more...] about Now Florida State GOP Rep. Robert “Bob” Allen Is In A Sex Scandal
Lady Bird Johnson Has Died
Although I was born during Eisenhower's presidency, Lady Bird Johnson is the earliest First Lady I really remember. Here is the Washington Post's coverage: Lady Bird Johnson Dies at 94 Lady Bird Johnson, 1912-2007 Former First Lady Remembered Live Q&A, Noon Thursday: Author Lewis L. Gould … [Read more...] about Lady Bird Johnson Has Died
Movie Review!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. … [Read more...] about Movie Review!
If You Don’t Know What To Do – Admit It
Thomas Friedman writes: When it comes to Iraq, September will be coming early this year — like now. Democrats, and a growing number of Republicans, are determined not to wait until September for the president to report on whether the surge is working. The American people have had enough. They want out. As we move into the endgame, though, the public needs to understand … [Read more...] about If You Don’t Know What To Do – Admit It
‘I Have To Be Realistic About Things’
A four times-married British woman has wed a son of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after meeting him on holiday and plans to apply for a visa so that he can visit the U.K. Jane Felix-Browne, a 51-year-old grandmother and parish counselor from Cheshire, had kept her marriage to Omar Ossama bin Laden, 27, secret from everyone except her immediate family and close … [Read more...] about ‘I Have To Be Realistic About Things’
Hot Air
That's what most Turkish political parties offer the voters. Considered the most likely party to be in power after the election, the AKP prefers to be deliberate in its promises and just gives a basic outline of its economic policies. Lessening the tax burden and preparing the youth for life with the help of resources that will be gained from the Unemployment Insurance Fund … [Read more...] about Hot Air
Joe Lieberman: US is Winning War in Iraq
Joe Lieberman is one of those Senators who I have defended on several occasions in the past. He is - in my opinion - a good Senator - someone who is able to work with both parties. The left-wing of the Democratic Party does not exactly like him, same goes for the right-wing of the Republican Party (except for the war in Iraq). I do disagree on certain issues with Lieberman, but … [Read more...] about Joe Lieberman: US is Winning War in Iraq