Three more disturbing recent news items from Iraq - missing US soldiers, hostile Iraqi parliament and oil scandal - again put a question mark over the U.S. troops' continued occupation of a hostile country. "U.S. and Iraqi troops searched house-to-house and combed fields with their bare hands Saturday after American troops and their Iraqi interpreter came under attack in the … [Read more...] about Iraq: Of Missing US Soldiers, Hostile Parliament & Oil Scandal
Australia: ‘Perils of Economic Success’
What is the winning 'mantra' in an election? Sound economy? No? Then what? "If the economy is booming in an unprecedented manner, the leader of a country should be feeling confident of winning the next election. Not so in the case of Australia," says The Economist. "The country has had 16 years of continuous growth, the past 11 of them under (Prime Minister) John Howard's … [Read more...] about Australia: ‘Perils of Economic Success’
From the Land of Melamine, A Stowaway
CNN: For China the stowaway cat, nine lives were enough HENDERSONVILLE, North Carolina (AP) -- After Eric Congdon opened a crate from China and discovered a cat inside, coming up with a name for the furry stowaway was easy. China the cat had chewed through one of the boxes before it left Shanghai, China, on April 3 and spent at least 35 days on a ship inside the container … [Read more...] about From the Land of Melamine, A Stowaway
Moore Blasts Bush Administration Probe Of His Trip To Cuba
It's controversial filmmaker Michael Moore versus the Bush administration -- again. And it's Michael Moore getting a Santa Claus stocking full of free and priceless promo publicity to ensure his movie will be a smash at the box office....promo gifted to him by his opponents...again. At issue is a trip the opinionated documentary maker who liberals love to love and … [Read more...] about Moore Blasts Bush Administration Probe Of His Trip To Cuba
It’s Not Always Easy Being A Journalist
Sometimes your feelings do show -- and on things other than politics. … [Read more...] about It’s Not Always Easy Being A Journalist
Afghanistan: Concern At Civilian Killings
As my previous post on the killing of civilians in Pakistan mentions about the repercussions for the USA, the news from Afghanistan about rising civilian casualties points in the same direction. The New York Times says: "Scores of civilian deaths over the past months from heavy American and allied reliance on air strikes to battle Taliban insurgents are threatening popular … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Concern At Civilian Killings
The Week Ahead For Democrat John Edwards
Could it be a difficult one -- particularly because of possible news involving something tied in with the victims of Hurricane Katrina? Perhaps... … [Read more...] about The Week Ahead For Democrat John Edwards
America & Pakistan General: ‘Front-line Ally’ In Deep Trouble
The current crisis in Pakistan, with the military dictatorship now reportedly even encouraging killing of civilians to stamp out dissent, could lead to further fuelling of anti-American movements in Pakistan and the region. And, later, to a possible civil war in Pakistan. At least 27 people were killed and about 90 injured yesterday in clashes between rival political groups … [Read more...] about America & Pakistan General: ‘Front-line Ally’ In Deep Trouble
Tony Blair to Leave
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Tony Blair to Leave
Center of Attention
The GTL that another Republican is about to bite the dust: Governor of Nevada Jim Gibbons. Libby Spencer has an interesting post up (with some good links) about (the situation in) Pakistan. It could messy. Ali Eteraz debates Umar Lee about feminism. QandO has an heart warming post up about a 10 year old boy, Justin Peterson, who "had endured three years of … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
How Quickly They (And We) Forget
After being repeatedly embarrassed over the shabby treatment of returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans in the military and Veterans Administration health-care systems, the White House is surely hoping that you and I have short memories. This is because the president, who has run up $3 trillion in new debt on his watch, is threatening to veto a spending bill that … [Read more...] about How Quickly They (And We) Forget
No Religious Test
One of the books I am reading is FREETHINKERS: A History of American Secularism by Susan Jacoby. A passage that particularly struck me in the light of current events follows:But the secularism of the Constitution did produce substantial controversy during the ratification debates conducted by state conventions. The framers were denounced by religious traditionalists both for … [Read more...] about No Religious Test
Required Reading Material
Required reading material for the course American Society II, subject Jazz (how it was received): Many people have wondered whence come the waves upon waves of musical slush that invade decent homes and set the young people of this generation imitating the drivel of morons. Popular music is a Jewish monopoly. Jazz is a Jewish creation. The mush, slush, the sly suggestion, the … [Read more...] about Required Reading Material
Bill Keller: ‘Vote for Romney is vote for Satan’
Nice, religious bigotry in action: While some evangelical Christians are defending the presidential candidacy of Mormon Mitt Romney from an attack by Al Sharpton, another prominent pastor is going further in his condemnation – saying a vote for the former Massachusetts governor is a vote for Satan. That's the word from Bill Keller, host of the Florida-based Live Prayer TV … [Read more...] about Bill Keller: ‘Vote for Romney is vote for Satan’
General Petraeus Writes Letter Condemning Torture
General Petraeus wrote a letter in which he speaks out against torture. From the letter: Our values and the laws governing warfare teach us to respect human dignity, maintain our integrity, and do what is right. Adherence to our values distinguishes us from our enemy. This fight depends on securing the population, which must understand that we—not our enemies—occupy the … [Read more...] about General Petraeus Writes Letter Condemning Torture
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Invisible Primaries
The Invisible Primaries - Crystal Ball's "Magnificent Seven in '07" Sure, you've heard of the Iowa Caucuses, the New Hampshire Primary, and so on. But 2008's first presidential pre-nomination contests are already underway, and have been for a long (and we'd argue, too long) time. They're the "invisible" primaries, and for better or worse, we in the pundit class get to throw … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Invisible Primaries
Majority Voices in Post-Modern Standpoint Theory
The less philosophically inclined may want to skip this one. … [Read more...] about Majority Voices in Post-Modern Standpoint Theory
Rape Isn’t Funny
Two more shock jocks who deserve to be fired immediately, this time for laughing along with a guest who stated he wanted to rape Condi Rice and Laura Bush. It's an XM station, so if you want to air your discontent, they're the folks to target. … [Read more...] about Rape Isn’t Funny
Classical Gas
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Classical Gas
Bill Richardson Presidential “Job Interview” 2008 Campaign Ad
Does this ad help him -- or hurt him? (Yours truly believes the two ads via You Tube below are masterful because he gets across his message and also comes across as human. Plus, it's put within the context of a "TV viewer friendly" bit -- not a stiff interview with Tim Russert). … [Read more...] about Bill Richardson Presidential “Job Interview” 2008 Campaign Ad