How can we undermine Hamas and bolster Palestinian moderates? I discuss this question in a post at Foreign Policy Watch. … [Read more...] about Undermining Hamas: A Pragmatic Strategy
Al Jazeera: A Force for Change
Take a look at this clip from Al Jazeera: Despite all the criticism that it gets, only on Al Jazeera do you have such open, intense forums for debate where secular activists like Wafa Sultan can have their voices heard. This video, for instance, is a segment of a program with Faisal al-Qasim, the host of the political debate show, The Opposite Direction. On his show, … [Read more...] about Al Jazeera: A Force for Change
A Fascinating Website
David Greenberg sent me an e-mail earlier today, asking me whether I wanted to check out his website and to tell him what I think of it: the website is about Judaism, a subject I am greatly interested in. Of course, I headed over to his website immediately and found it to be fascinating. The website is called "Judaism Online". It contains many, many highly interesting articles … [Read more...] about A Fascinating Website
Waking Up From the American Dream
As Father’s Day approaches, a troubling question is raised by a new study: Will our children and grandchildren have a better life than our own? The “American Mobility Report†shows young men today worse off financially than their fathers were at the same age, a reversal of the generational progress that has made the “Land of Opportunity†a reality for two … [Read more...] about Waking Up From the American Dream
Al Qaeda’s al-Zawahiri Wants Jihad Exported By Iraqis
Al Qaeda bigwig Ayman al-Zawahiri has reportedly sent a letter urging Iraqis to export jihad -- with the goal of creating a "greater Syria," Times Online reports: THE deputy leader of Al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has urged supporters in Iraq to extend their “holy war†to other Middle Eastern countries. In a letter sent to the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq in the past … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda’s al-Zawahiri Wants Jihad Exported By Iraqis
Triangle of Death Hostage Search: Day 15
EXHAUSTED TROOPS TAKE A BREAK FROM SEARCH As the search for the two soldiers still missing after a May 12 ambush entered the third week, U.S. and Iraqi commanders said their troops have detained 16 people directly related to the attack. Three men disappeared after Al Qaeda-led insurgents attacked a U.S. military observation post in the Mahmoudiya area of the Triangle of … [Read more...] about Triangle of Death Hostage Search: Day 15
A Secret Jewish Sect
A fascinating episode in the history of Judaism: Far away from the eyes of the Jewish mainstream, in modern-day Turkey there live hundreds, if not thousands, of crypto-Jews — and today, one of their most sacred shrines is in danger. This is the hidden, fascinating tale of the doenmeh, descendants of the faithful followers of the 17th-century false messiah Sabbetai Tzvi, … [Read more...] about A Secret Jewish Sect
Gold Star Mothers and The Bikers with Hearts of Gold: Memorial Day 2007
It's a good match. Ever since I've been riding, 'the rough bikers' I've known have called their women, 'my old lady.' But now there's a whole different kind of 'lady' associated with bikers too. Younger, older, and all in between. The American Gold Star Mothers are those who have had a son or daughter killed in war. Some of the mothers have white hair and walk with walkers … [Read more...] about Gold Star Mothers and The Bikers with Hearts of Gold: Memorial Day 2007
Classic Comedy: Jack Benny And Mel Blanc
A gem of classic comedy -- that's both entertaining and of comedic historical value -- via You Tube: the great Jack Benny and the great Mel Blanc. To younger readers, Benny was a vaudeville star who later made the jump to radio -- and invented the situation comedy in the process. Before Benny, most comedy radio shows were collections of jokes, but he preferred attitude and … [Read more...] about Classic Comedy: Jack Benny And Mel Blanc
The Circle Of Gas
From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about The Circle Of Gas
Ukrainian Right-Wing Youth Attack Kosher Ice Cream
I'll bet you didn't know that Ice Cream was dangerous! FSU Monitor: FAR-RIGHT GROUP DISRUPTS KOSHER ICECREAM MARKETING EVENT. Members of a far-right party disrupted a public event by a company marketing kosher ice cream in Lviv, Ukraine, according to a May 17 report by UCSJ's Lviv monitor. The leader of the regional branch of the Freedom Party, a successor to the … [Read more...] about Ukrainian Right-Wing Youth Attack Kosher Ice Cream
Men Pray for Peace: Memorial Day 2007
I find that the quotes of war Generals of times past are often the best prayers for peace. General MacArthur said many brutal things about brutal war. And, he also said this: "The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." General Douglas MacArthur ** Photo by Jim Mahoney/Dallas … [Read more...] about Men Pray for Peace: Memorial Day 2007
There’s No Fuel Like An Old Fuel
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about There’s No Fuel Like An Old Fuel
What Climate Change?
Al Gore received an Oscar for a documentary about global warming; more and more people realize that global warming is a major problem; Europe is willing to take the lead; America, meanwhile, continues to act as if nothing is wrong. The US has rejected any prospect of a deal on climate change at the G8 summit in Germany next month, according to a leaked document. Despite … [Read more...] about What Climate Change?
Stories from World War II
For a great series about World War II, head over to Bob McCarty's place. Bob published 12 stories of / about his father who fought in World War II. … [Read more...] about Stories from World War II
Everything a Reporter Should Be
When William Peters died this week, the world lost a good man, I lost a valued friend and journalists everywhere a role model for what a reporter should be. His obituary tells much about his award-winning TV documentaries, books and magazine articles but nothing about his passion for justice and dedication to getting the story right. We worked together for a decade … [Read more...] about Everything a Reporter Should Be
U.S. Rejects G-8 Greenhouse Climate Proposals
Despite recent press reports suggesting that the United States might at least start to inch towards the same page on greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. has rejected a German proposal that reportedly enjoyed great support in Europe -- sharply pitting the Bush administration against European governments more than ever on environmental issues: The United States has rejected … [Read more...] about U.S. Rejects G-8 Greenhouse Climate Proposals
Triangle of Death Hostage Search: Day 14
BYRON FOUTY AND FRIEND IN IRAQ It will be a somber Memorial Day weekend in Orion Township, Michigan with an adopted son still missing two weeks after being kidnapped in Iraq. Yellow ribbons adorn streetlights and an American Legion memorial. A banner with a photograph of 19-year-old Private Byron Fouty hangs from a wall in the memorial with the words "Our Troops Our … [Read more...] about Triangle of Death Hostage Search: Day 14
Democrats Cave
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Democrats Cave
Does Rudy Giuliani Need To Get His Facts A Bit More Straight?
MSNBC's Chris Matthews thinks so: … [Read more...] about Does Rudy Giuliani Need To Get His Facts A Bit More Straight?