MSNBC UPDATED by MvdG Americans United issued a statement on the death of Jerry Falwell; Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United: “Jerry Falwell politicized religion and failed to understand the genius of our Constitution, but there is no denying his impact on American political life. He will long be remembered as the face and voice of the … [Read more...] about Jerry Falwell Has Died
Congress: Less Popular Than… Bush
Believe it or not: the US Congress gets lower approval ratings than president George W. Bush: 29% of those polled approve of how the US Congress is functioning, while 33% of those asked believe that Bush is doing a stellar job. Although it is normal for Congress to have quite low approval ratings, one cannot help but notice that the approval ratings of Congress have dropped … [Read more...] about Congress: Less Popular Than… Bush
Cleaning Up Political Ads
[For more information on the subject of the following essay, please see the brief interview I conducted yesterday with Brooks Jackson -- the director of FactCheck.org; co-author of a new book, unSpun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation; and a former journalist whose 34-year career included stints with the AP, Wall Street Journal, and CNN.] In roughly eight short … [Read more...] about Cleaning Up Political Ads
France: Nicolas Sarkozy Mends Fences With The Left
(Bernard Kouchner) I love France. Not just Paris, or its old beautiful part the ÃŽle de la Cité, but the Pyrenees...the cheese, the salads and the wine. And, yes, the top politicians too whose public personae is remarkably dignified, sophisticated and cultured. I was delighted when seven years ago the Embassy of France in New Delhi made me a Life Member of their … [Read more...] about France: Nicolas Sarkozy Mends Fences With The Left
GWB’s Privacy and Civil Liberties Board
Did you know that President Bush has a Privacy and Civil Liberties Board? I didn't, until now: Newsweek: The White House was hit by two sudden resignations late Monday when Paul McNulty, a top Justice Department official, and Lanny Davis, the only Democratic member of the president’s civil liberties watchdog board, announced they were stepping down. ANDAt the same … [Read more...] about GWB’s Privacy and Civil Liberties Board
Death Of A Soldier: Agony Of A Father
What is Andrew Bacevich's Son's Life Worth? asks Steven C. Clemons in The Washington Note. Read here... And here... Another touching tribute... … [Read more...] about Death Of A Soldier: Agony Of A Father
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. To start off, nothing borrowed or blue, but something light from Polimom and something heavy from David Schraub. McQ argues against the return of the Nanny State. GTL examines Obama on affirmative action. Lest we forget, The Angry Independent reminds us that the US … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Missing US Soldiers: An On-The-Spot Report
Patrick Cockburn, an intrepid reporter for The Independent, has been on the prowl in the dangerous parts of Iraq wearing a traditional red-and-white Arab headdress ,called 'keffiyeh', to hide his identity... At times even endangering his life. His latest dispatch "An American nightmare: US search for kidnapped troops in Iraq" is worth a read. Please click here... And … [Read more...] about Missing US Soldiers: An On-The-Spot Report
The End of the Ride
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about The End of the Ride
Pentagon: “No YouTube For US Troops”
Poor US soldiers on tour of duty in the inhospitable and dangerous places in the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan, will now onwards be deprived of a popular means of fun and relaxation. They will be banned from "using popular video-sharing and social networking websites." This information comes from Alex Spillius of The Telegraph. "The US defence department said videos, … [Read more...] about Pentagon: “No YouTube For US Troops”
Pak Suicide Bomber Kills 27
A suicide attacker detonated a bomb that ripped through a crowded hotel restaurant in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Tuesday, killing at least 24 people and wounding 25, police said, reports Riaz Khan, Associated Press writer. "The blast deepened instability in Pakistan, still reeling from bloody political riots during the weekend in its commercial capital, Karachi. … [Read more...] about Pak Suicide Bomber Kills 27
Why Is World Getting Angrier? …Rising Blood Pressure?
Why is the number of those who feel restless increasing? Why do people lose their temper so fast? Why is it that despite leading a very moderate life a person becomes a victim of a sudden stroke or kidney failure? "The numbers are a shock: Almost 1 billion people worldwide have high blood pressure, and over half a billion more will harbor this silent killer by 2025," says … [Read more...] about Why Is World Getting Angrier? …Rising Blood Pressure?
Pakistan: ‘U.S. Media Wakes Up (Finally!)’
"The violence (in Pakistan) has meant that the US media have finally begun paying attention, with CNN, ABC and others covering the AP story after a drought of weeks while this crisis has been brewing," says Cernig at The Newshoggers. Read more... I had earlier mentioned about extensive Pakistan coverage in another blog. Please click here... … [Read more...] about Pakistan: ‘U.S. Media Wakes Up (Finally!)’
If You’re A Blog Reader Take A Few Minutes For This
I did...and it was an eye-opening experience (it didn't take too long and it was all multiple choice). CLICK HERE to take a survey of blogs and blog users that is being conducted for academic purposes by researchers at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. A MUST DO. … [Read more...] about If You’re A Blog Reader Take A Few Minutes For This
Is A Bloomberg-Hagel Independent Ticket In The Offing For 2008?
Will New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg run as an independent candidate for President or won't he? He absolutely insists he won't, but some believe he is still sending out feelers that he's not ruling it out. Is this a case of "hope springs eternal" -- or actual analysis? Will the Republican Senator Chuck Hagel run as an independent candidate for President, or won't he? Some … [Read more...] about Is A Bloomberg-Hagel Independent Ticket In The Offing For 2008?
BBC Reporter Loses Temper To Scientologist
I was a reporter and I MUST admit there were times I would have liked to do what BBC reporter John Sweeney does here in talking to a Scientologist. But I didn't (it would not have enhanced job security at the newspapers for which I worked). Scream therapy, BBC style: … [Read more...] about BBC Reporter Loses Temper To Scientologist
Nouri al-Marionette
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Nouri al-Marionette
Did Pakistani Soldier Kill American Soldier?
An American soldier was killed inside Pakistan yesterday after an attempted peace meeting on one of the world’s most sensitive borders erupted in gunfire, write Anthony Lloyd (from Kabul) and Zahid Hussain (from Islamabad) in The Times. "Several other Nato troops were wounded amid sensational claims that Pakistani forces were responsible. Pakistan said that one of its … [Read more...] about Did Pakistani Soldier Kill American Soldier?
Death Squads on the Rise Again
General Petraeus is a smart man. I've read and used his counterinsurgency manual thoroughly for a class I taught on comparative guerrilla conflict. His statements up to now regarding the progress of the "surge" have been measured and largely accurate. He refuses to highlight progress when there is none. He refuses to speak of lights at the end of the tunnel when he - more than … [Read more...] about Death Squads on the Rise Again
Heads are Rolling
MSNBC Breaking News: AP: Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty resigning, Justice Dept. officials say Washington Post: Deputy A.G. McNulty Announces ResignationMcNulty is the latest Justice official to announce his departure amid the swirl of controversy over firings last year of nine U.S. attorneys.Resignation Letter Sent to Attorney General (PDF) … [Read more...] about Heads are Rolling