For a critique of Michelle Malkin -- specifically her argument for concealed weapons -- see here. It deals with the Virginia Tech shootings and addresses issues raised in this post. From a different perspective, and with a different tone, Heraclitus looks at these issues in a separate post here. ********** As expected -- because it is always so -- a media event has become … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget About Iraq
Down the Republican Memory Hole With Alberto
Say what you will about Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, but there's no doubt that he’s got a really lousy memory. Despite arduous practice sessions in recent weeks for his appearance today before the Senate Judiciary Committee that pundits compared to a boxer training for a championship fight, I lost count of how many times Gonzales said “I can’t recallâ€? or words … [Read more...] about Down the Republican Memory Hole With Alberto
Bible Publishers Slaughtered in Turkey – Turkish Hezbollah Involved?
Three people working at a Bible publisher in the Turkish province of Malatya were murdered yesterday. Attackers slit their throats. Interior Minister Abdülkadir Aksu immediately condemned the murders saying, "No matter what the reason is, we hatefully condemn this savagery." He called the murder an "attempt to deal a blow to the atmosphere of peace, stability and tolerance," … [Read more...] about Bible Publishers Slaughtered in Turkey – Turkish Hezbollah Involved?
Mindless Violence, Mindless Pandering
Philadelphia has an out-of-control murder rate, but that didn't keep the editors of my former paper from pandering. Will Bunch, the Daily News’s pre-eminent blogger, was justifiably horrified by the front page, which he said needed words like "Pathetic Loser" in huge letters. Without those words, I worry that something like this image merely becomes a poster for the … [Read more...] about Mindless Violence, Mindless Pandering
Center of Attention
Pete Abel has some pretty busy(ness) days, but links to some good post at Central Sanity. Shaun Mullen has some good quotes up from around the blogosphere. One of the best lawbloggers on the Net, David Schraub on yesterday's ruling of the U.S.S.C. Same goes for Michael J.W. Stickings Ali Eteraz has a post up about another Virginia Tech hero. We - rightfully - heard … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Giuliani’s Lead Shrinks
Bad news for Rudy Giuliani: his lead in the polls is shrinking quite dramatically. The main cause seems to be... (growing) support for Fred Thompson - who still has to announce his candidacy. Where, in February, "44 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents preferred" him for the nomination, "that figure is [now] down to 33 percent." McCain, meanwhile, holds … [Read more...] about Giuliani’s Lead Shrinks
Virginia Tech Stores
Christo Komarnitski, Bulgaria … [Read more...] about Virginia Tech Stores
Good News In the War Against Breast Cancer
There is further evidence that breast cancer rates are dropping sharply because large numbers of women have stopped taking hormone therapy for menopause. That therapy, a combination of estrogen and progestins, can increase the incidence of breast cancer. Researcher now have 2004 data and say the effect of women discontinuing the hormone therapy is less likely to be an … [Read more...] about Good News In the War Against Breast Cancer
War in the Making?
There is a problem in Europe these days. The continent suffered two big wars in the last century - so many different countries, with different cultures, with different interests always causes tensions to arrise. We are used to Germany starting and causing our wars, but... today it seems that a new, devastating war, could be caused by... Belgium. Belgium's Prime Minister Guy … [Read more...] about War in the Making?
Sanjaya Malakar Is Finally Voted Off American Idol
Last night there was good news for the producers of "American Idol" (who reportedly desperately wanted him off) and bad news for shock jock Howard Stern (who wanted him to stay on to complicate matters for the global TV megahit): the reign of the multi-haircut donning Sanjaya Malakar is finally over:Somewhere out there, "American Idol" producers, and judge Simon Cowell, are … [Read more...] about Sanjaya Malakar Is Finally Voted Off American Idol
The Oklahoma City Bombing: A Cautionary Tale
The bomb attack on the federal building in Oklahoma City 12 years ago today ushered America into the modern age of terrorism. But for me it was a professional nadir and resulted in a cautionary tale worth telling and retelling. I was covering the O.J. Simpson criminal trial full time when a rental truck loaded with more than two tons of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil was … [Read more...] about The Oklahoma City Bombing: A Cautionary Tale
National Dialogue About Guns
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about National Dialogue About Guns
Kitty Carlisle Hart (1910-2007)
For people of a certain age (we know who we are), "To Tell the Truth" was must see TV. The prime-time CBS game show featured three contestants who all claimed to be the same person. With host Bud Collyer at the helm, celebrity panelists asked the contestants questions to determine which was telling the truth. "To Tell the Truth" ran from 1956 to 1967 and included panelists … [Read more...] about Kitty Carlisle Hart (1910-2007)
Yet Another ‘Black Day in Baghdad’
Four large bombs exploded in mainly Shia areas of Baghdad yesterday, killing nearly 200 people, making it the deadliest day since the start eight weeks ago of the US-led 'surge' aimed at pacifying the capital, reports The Times. "As firefighters doused blazing cars, angry relatives gathered chanting 'Down with Maliki. Where is the security plan?' in a reference to the Iraqi … [Read more...] about Yet Another ‘Black Day in Baghdad’
Cho Ruled Mentally Ill by Court – Sent Package to NBC
A court ruled in 2005 that the Virginia Tech Killer, Seung-hui Cho, was mentally ill and potentially dangerous. “Then let him go.â€? Cho also sent a package to NBC - containing videos and photos. It is all very shocking I have to say, should NBC have aired this? Please click here to read more. … [Read more...] about Cho Ruled Mentally Ill by Court – Sent Package to NBC
Around The Sphere: Blog Reaction To Virginia Tech Massacre
Our famous linkfest offering readers a wide variety of links from blogs representing varying viewpoints. But this time, due to the worst mass killing in American history, we're offering links from a cross-section of blogs (most of them randomly selected after hours of looking at blogs). In this edition, we offer you links and a few quotes. GRASSY KNOLL DEPARTMENT: Read the … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere: Blog Reaction To Virginia Tech Massacre
Virginia Tech Rorschach Test
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Virginia Tech Rorschach Test
US Town: Owning a Gun is Mandatory
(Lithograph of the June 27 Union charge on Confederates at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Published in 1888 by Louis Kurz and Alexander Allison.) I find the American obsession with guns intriguing/fascinating. Whenever there is a major killing the pro and anti gun control groups clash and an emotional, almost violent, debate sweeps the US landscape/mindscape. Yet … [Read more...] about US Town: Owning a Gun is Mandatory
Is Another Congressman Going Down?
AP via NY Times: FBI Searched Calif. Congressman's Home FBI agents have searched the Oakton, Va., home of California GOP Rep. John Doolittle, who is under investigation in the congressional corruption investigation surrounding convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Doolittle's attorney said Wednesday. Fester / The NewshoggersDoolittle Raid — TPMMuckraker is forwarding a … [Read more...] about Is Another Congressman Going Down?
NAMI Press Release on the Virginia Tech Tragedy
The Virginia Tech Tragedy Distinguishing Mental Illness from Violence Statement of Ken Duckworth, MD NAMI Medical Director The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) extends its sympathy to all the families who have lost loved ones in the terrible tragedy at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. We are an organization of individuals and families whose lives have been … [Read more...] about NAMI Press Release on the Virginia Tech Tragedy