According to a report, Prince Harry wants to quit the Army. But not because of what some may assume the reason would be. Not because it's too dangerous -- but because he is not being allowed to fight in the most dangerous hot spot of all: Prince Harry plans to quit his officer career with the British army after being refused to serve in Iraq, according to a report in the … [Read more...] about Prince Harry Wants To Quit Army Due To Limits Placed On His Service
Richard Rorty (1931-2007)
Professor Richard Rorty, one of America's most prominent philosophers and leader of the pragmatist school of thought, has died. His book, Contingency, Irony, Solidarity is an all-time classic, and has a strong claim on any list of all-time greatest American political thinkers. Upon his death, he was a Professor of Comparative Literature emeritus at Stanford University, he … [Read more...] about Richard Rorty (1931-2007)
“It’s Not Fair!”
Cried the defenders of Scooter Libby as he faces 30 months of jail time.... So long as possession of crack cocaine carries a mandatory minimum sentence double that of Libby's, my sympathy remains elusive. If Libby's defenders wish to go to work on that injustice as well, though, perhaps I'll hear them out. … [Read more...] about “It’s Not Fair!”
G-8 Help For Africa
Paresh Nath, National Herald, India … [Read more...] about G-8 Help For Africa
A Republican Challenge
I recognize that many TMV readers are centrist or left-of-center, Independent or middle-leaning Democrats, but I think I've demonstrated that I still value your opinions (even those with which I disagree) -- and for that reason, I'd greatly appreciate any contribution you're inclined to offer to this exercise, even if it's to remind me that I'm mildly insane and perhaps … [Read more...] about A Republican Challenge
A Failure of Leadership… Whose Leadership?
The New York Times has an editorial up, blasting Republicans for bad leadership on the immigration bill. While reading it, the reader gets the impression that those who oppose the bill, and worked actively against it, are all racists, xenophobes, people who simply hate immigrants: The anti-immigrant hard-core — no amnesty today, no amnesty tomorrow, no amnesty ever — must … [Read more...] about A Failure of Leadership… Whose Leadership?
Bribing Egypt
In 1979, as part of the Camp David Accords, the United States agreed to provide Egypt with roughly 2 billion dollars a year in economic and military assistance. The money, although not publicly acknowledged as such, was something of a bribe. Indeed, for Egypt's decision to remain neutral in the Cold War, for its agreement to maintain peace with Israel, and for its support of US … [Read more...] about Bribing Egypt
Jailed Paris Hilton Captures World Press And Blog Attention
Is it time for some smart media baron to launch an All Paris Hilton All The Time cable network? The saga of Paris Hilton, the quitessential young and super rich celebrity, being sentenced to jail, then released to home arrest, then being hauled to court and re-jailed as she screamed "MOM!" is the kind of celebrity story the American -- and, increasingly the world -- news … [Read more...] about Jailed Paris Hilton Captures World Press And Blog Attention
You Said What About My Mamma?
Alabama Senator Lowell Barron (D.) learned a lesson yesterday: never talk trash about Senator Charles Bishop's (R.) mother. The two state Senators had a minor disagreement, which ran completely out of hand. The Democratic Senator called Bishop a "son of a [explicit]." Bishop exlpained that "where I grew up, that’s somebody talking bad about your mother and when he did, I … [Read more...] about You Said What About My Mamma?
Paris Hilton
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Paris Hilton
Paris: Victim
Jules Crittenden has a good post up about Paris Hilton. Jules writes: I feel bad for her. How can you look at anyone piteously sobbing on her way to jail and not feel bad for her, when her crime is not sticking a knife in someone, raping someone’s grandmother, holding anyone up at gunpoint or stealing their life’s savings, but essentially failing to figure out that the … [Read more...] about Paris: Victim
The Wrong Guy
Bad move by the Clintonites: Alcee Hastings should not be in a prominent position in any serious campaign. … [Read more...] about The Wrong Guy
If You’ve Got a Moment…
A dozen top legal lights filed a motion to submit an amicus brief in the Scooter Libby case. The presiding judge had a bit of fun in the process of granting it. … [Read more...] about If You’ve Got a Moment…
Poor Judge Bork!
Everybody's beating up on him for suing the Yale Club after falling off their dais. What they don't know is that the injury may make him miss the National Review's Alaska cruise this summer, for which he is scheduled to be a speaker, and you can imagine how much it hurts to think of missing a reunion with his old Neo-Con buddies. All the golden oldies will be there--Bill … [Read more...] about Poor Judge Bork!
Dishonorable Memories
Today is the birthday of Lt. William Calley, perpetrator of the My Lai massacre. Convicted of pre-meditated murder in a slaughter that claimed over 500 lives, Calley served 3 years of his life sentence, less than 5 months of which was in prison, before being paroled. … [Read more...] about Dishonorable Memories
Putin’s trap for Bush on the missile shield
Russia’s Vladimir Putin has laid a very skilful trap for President George Bush’s plans to place the beginnings of an anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic to protect Western Europe against a possible attack by Iran or North Korea. By suggesting that the shield should be located on a Russian military base in Azerbaijan, Putin has challenged Bush to protect … [Read more...] about Putin’s trap for Bush on the missile shield
An Interview With James Gandolfini AKA Tony Soprano
I've always told people that as a former fulltime mainstream media journalist I could TELL when I read a news story whether the reporter likes the interview subject or not. One constant since The Sopranos became a monster entertainment and cultural hit on HBO has been the good press received by James Gandolfini AKA Tony Soprano. You can tell when you read stories where … [Read more...] about An Interview With James Gandolfini AKA Tony Soprano
Do Something
Bridget Magnus writes: Inspired by yesterday's post by Chuck about the importance of taking action and Dennis's subsequent post about using your anger for more than vitriolic rhetoric, I give you some simple things you can do today. No, I'm not asking you to attend a rally or give money or anything tough like that. I'm asking you to let your elected officials know where … [Read more...] about Do Something
Pace Gone
Gates has decided to replace General Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when his term ends in September. Gates further said that he'd recommend Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chief of naval operations, for the job. If you're wondering who Admiral Mike Mullen is, I suggest going here. There are speeches, messages, etc. His message: Everyone in the Navy has the potential … [Read more...] about Pace Gone
At Least We’ll Always Have Paris
With all deference to those of you who call Los Angeles home because you actually want to live there, I must say it is one truly weird place. It is for that reason that while I was shocked, just shocked that the L.A. County sheriff had decided by his very own self – judges and jurisprudence be hanged -- to release Paris Hilton from jail after only three days because she had … [Read more...] about At Least We’ll Always Have Paris