The Moderate Voice occasionally runs special Guest Voice posts written by readers who don't have weblogs or others who simply have something they would like to raise with TMV's diverse readership. This is by Matthew Pearl, a second year student at the University of Georgia. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TMV. Democratic Political Genius By … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Democratic Political Genius
This Just In!!!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Bush Postpones Thinking about Iraq Until 2009 Says Thinking Would Send ‘Wrong Message’ to Enemy Saying that it was too early to assess whether the surge of additional troops into Baghdad was improving the security situation in the capital city, President George W. Bush said today he would postpone thinking about … [Read more...] about This Just In!!!
Georgie Off His Meds
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Georgie Off His Meds
Comment Registration Is Again Required
If you tried to comment on TMV you probably have seen that we are back to comment registration and will stay with it permanently. The reason is an increase in either over the line or close to over the line comments. While we try to encourage vigorous debate, this will allow us to ensure that if someone has been banned they stay banned and can't return to comment on the site. We … [Read more...] about Comment Registration Is Again Required
Gere & India: To Kiss Or Not To Kiss
(File photo. Richard Gere, left, prepares to hug actress Shilpa Shetty during an event for HIV-AIDS awareness in New Delhi. AP Photo/Gurinder Osan) Here's more on the Hollywood movie star Richard Gere and Indian film star Shilpa Shetty who are embroiled in a controversy for kissing in public in India. India is a nation struggling to come to terms with its own views on … [Read more...] about Gere & India: To Kiss Or Not To Kiss
The Event – Chapter 17
Since Michael vdG is currently traveling and therefore on a reduced posting schedule, I thought I'd let you all know that Chapter 17 of Mick LaSalle's novel The Event is now posted. … [Read more...] about The Event – Chapter 17
The Missing Indians
They don't get the same attention as Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Native Americans, or (East) Asians. In fact, they seem to be absent from contemporary racial classification altogether. What Indians tell us about racial discourse in America. … [Read more...] about The Missing Indians
Ego Shot
Randy Barnett, a co-blogger at The Volokh Conspiracy and noted law professor, is an excellent scholar (albeit one I don't necessarily agree with). He currently has a book out exploring the meaning and implications of the ever-elusive 9th Amendment. Unfortunately for him, he just received a message from Amazon.com about his customers' profile: We've noticed that customers who … [Read more...] about Ego Shot
Money Talks
It seems that Saudi Arabia has learned one important lesson the last couple of years: money talks. The Saudi daily Al-Watan reported, citing an anonymous security source, that the Saudi interior ministry has spent over 115 million riyals over the last three years in financial aid for eligible prisoners and their families. The source stated that the aid given to the prisoners … [Read more...] about Money Talks
Wolfowitz-Riza: All’s Fair in Love & War!
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz and his girl friend Shaha Ali Riza romance stirred gossip way back in March 2005. Read more... He was one of the chief architects of the Iraq war - a Bush favourite and leading light among American neo-conservatives. And she, an Oxford-educated British citizen, was born in Tunisia and grew up in Saudi Arabia. She's known for her … [Read more...] about Wolfowitz-Riza: All’s Fair in Love & War!
US-Iran Initiative to Ease Iraq Violence?
Iran will attend a conference of key powers, including the United States, this week that will focus on stabilizing Iraq, a meeting Baghdad said might be a turning point for regional cooperation in easing the violence, reports Reuters. "Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Sunday there was a 'high possibility' arch foes Tehran and Washington would hold bilateral … [Read more...] about US-Iran Initiative to Ease Iraq Violence?
‘Time Is Now the Biggest Enemy in Iraq’
Rick Moran is a thoughtful, eloquent, long winded and sometimes infuriating conservative blogger who has the rare virtue of being able to change his mind. Moran has had a catharsis about the Iraq war that is well worth reading in its entirety. Money quotes: I have come to the conclusion over the last few days that, due to domestic conditions here in the US and the … [Read more...] about ‘Time Is Now the Biggest Enemy in Iraq’
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Two posts that caught my eye from Justin Gardner: one on losing the WOT, and one on Karl Rove's (non-)religion. William F. Buckley draws the attention of both Andrew Sullivan and Jim Martin. GTL and Michael Stickings zero in on the U.S. refusing aid in the wake of … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Is Izzat Ibrahim Al-Douri Behind Iraq Bombings?
The weekend bombing of a Shiite shrime in Karbala that killed 55 people prompted blogger Charles Amico to wonder aloud whether a thug by the name of Izzat Ibrahim Al-Douri not only is still alive, but implicated in this and other acts of savagery. The BBC reported earlier this year that Al-Douri had been named the new leader of the Baath party after Saddam Hussein was … [Read more...] about Is Izzat Ibrahim Al-Douri Behind Iraq Bombings?
Pakistan: A Tale of Two Ex-Prime Ministers
The two exiled former Prime Ministers of Pakistan seem to be vigorously working to promote their chances of returning to their country to participate in the General Elections promised by President General Pervez Musharraf in 2007-2008. Benazir Bhutto has announced her determination to return to Pakistan 'by the end of this year whether Mr Musharraf would like it or...not' … [Read more...] about Pakistan: A Tale of Two Ex-Prime Ministers
Should Prostitution Be Legalized?
So Deputy Secretary of State Randall L. Tobias has resigned after confirming that he was a customer of a Washington, D.C., escort service whose owner has been charged with running a prostitution operation. Tobias was the Bush administration's so-called "AIDS czar" and emphasized faithfulness and abstinence over condom use to prevent the spread of AIDS. But let's put aside … [Read more...] about Should Prostitution Be Legalized?
Australian Flavour: Cricket, Wine & World Cup
Cricket arouses unbelievable passions around the world, especially during the Cricket World Cup tournament in the former colonies of (what was described as) the British empire - 'where the sun would never set'. For cricket lovers Saturday was a special day as the TV beamed the 2007 Cricket World Cup final between Australia and Sri Lanka from Barbados in the West Indies. The … [Read more...] about Australian Flavour: Cricket, Wine & World Cup
Around The Sphere April 29, 2007
Our famous linkfest offering readers links to weblogs of varying viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Moderate Voice or its writers. Firedoglake Had A Guest Blogger Named Hillary Clinton and it has caused quite a buzz... HERE IS A POST by the Senator. Has The Justice Department's Monica Put Her Foot In Her Mouth? This new Monica is Attorney … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere April 29, 2007
The Roaring Fork Rope Bridge Adventure
I republish this tribute each year on the anniversary of my friend's death. I have a lifetime of wonderful memories of Rochelle, from the first time we met at a party when we were high school seniors to her radiant presence at my sister’s birthday celebration last November. We had many adventures over those 40 years, but I’ve recalled one in particular since her passing. … [Read more...] about The Roaring Fork Rope Bridge Adventure
Virginia Tech Memorial-There’s No Sunset in Virginia
A haunting tribute to the Virginia Tech victims written by Evanmusic and posted on You Tube. He writes:It is to send a message of healing": The TV, replaying like a broken record. The image, it's numbing, another record broken. More questions, no answers, left to imagination Alarming, disturbing, what are the implications? All as one and all at once, we ask why they had … [Read more...] about Virginia Tech Memorial-There’s No Sunset in Virginia