The Albuquerque Journal's investigative reporter Mike Gallagher has a story that suggests that the U.S. attorneys don't simply serve at the "pleasure" of the President, but that a Senator can go to a President if he doesn't like a U.S. attorney and turn some of his apparently political displeasures into the President's....who will give the Senator the political response he … [Read more...] about Paper Suggests Bush Tied To Firing U.S. Attorney Iglesias
Bush: Evil Dictator
An interesting article appeared in Tunisian magazine (I think) the Tunis Hebdo. Watching America (one of the best, most innovative and most interesting websites on the entire Net) translated it. I encourage all Americans to read it, not because I agree with it (although the author, Tahar Selmi makes some valid points), but because it gives you all (and other Westerners for that … [Read more...] about Bush: Evil Dictator
Al Qaeda and Those Good News Bears
One of the recurring stories of the Iraq war for conservative bloggers is the trials and tribulations of Al Qaeda. The reason for this is simple: It is exceedingly difficult these days to find anything positive in Iraq to blog about, and if the reality of the Mess in Mesopotamia still hasn’t taken a big chunk out of your backside, then the baddest terrorist group in the whole … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda and Those Good News Bears
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Marc Schulman discusses the potential proliferation of nuclear arsenals throughout the Middle East, while Munaeem takes a look at the prospect of rising sectarian strife within Saudia Arabia. In two posts related only by the British motif, Andrew Sullivan offers insight on … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
People Knew What to do About (High) Taxes in the Good Old Days
Didn't they? Early American history was a conservative's nirvana: It was one long tax revolt. The British imposed taxes on everything from molasses to tea, and Americans smuggled the molasses, tossed the tea into a harbor and reached for their muskets. Thomas Jefferson's incendiary Declaration of Independence listed King George III's basest transgressions; prominent among … [Read more...] about People Knew What to do About (High) Taxes in the Good Old Days
A Footnote To The Imus Controversy
So, yes, just where WERE all those "figs."? … [Read more...] about A Footnote To The Imus Controversy
Outed Democrats
Gary McCoy, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Outed Democrats
Fred Thompson: the New Reagan
Fred Thompson wrote an op-ed for the Opinion Journal (WSJ). In he makes the case for tax cuts: lower taxes mean more economic growth. I don’t think that there are any serious political commentators who harbor serious doubts about whether or not Thompson will run: he will. His campaign has, in a way, already started. He is trying to appeal to the conservative base: both … [Read more...] about Fred Thompson: the New Reagan
The Walls Between Thompson and the White House
Editor's Note: This column is carried by Cagle Cartoons. The Walls Between Thompson and the White House by Michael Reagan If former Senator Fred Thompson decides to make a stab at winning the presidency next year he’s better put on his climbing shoes. He’ll be faced with scaling some pretty high walls to get there. He’s already begun to climb a very high one: … [Read more...] about The Walls Between Thompson and the White House
And Now A Classic Song
From the incomparable Tom Lehrer (put to pictures on You Tube): If you liked this you need to order the CD below (I have it and it's GREAT!!!!!!!!!) … [Read more...] about And Now A Classic Song
Gen Musharraf Refuses US Military Help
President General Pervez Musharraf has rejected 'absolutely and totally' the prospect of a joint US-Pakistan military operation to pursue retreating insurgents inside Pakistan, reports The Pakistan Tribune. " 'The whole population of Pakistan will rise against it,' he told CBS news channel in an interview." Is General Musharraf telling the truth...or is it the usual bluff … [Read more...] about Gen Musharraf Refuses US Military Help
Birds & Bees: Death and Beyond!
Sketch courtesy Mutate Design/Gregor Laird There are billions of birds worldwide, so why is it that you rarely, if ever, see a dead one? Read here... … [Read more...] about Birds & Bees: Death and Beyond!
Sharpton on Hip-Hop
This might be a bit of tension with my qualified defense of hip-hop, but I think American University Professor Darren Hutchinson's post documenting Al Sharpton's criticisms of misogyny and violence in rap music was quite illuminating--especially for those folks falling over themselves to try and use hip-hop as evidence of his hypocrisy in the Don Imus case. … [Read more...] about Sharpton on Hip-Hop
ICBMs: Why is India Showing Its Nuclear Muscle?
India on Thursday tested a nuclear capable intermediate range ballistic missile, named Agni-III, which is 85 per cent indigenously developed. Indian scientists would now work on squeezing in a third stage into the missile system so that the range was increased from the 3,000 km plus (achieved on Thursday) to 5,000 km [which is the range for an ICBM] over the next three … [Read more...] about ICBMs: Why is India Showing Its Nuclear Muscle?
A Story Is Worth A Thousand Words
I'm not a fan of fiction. Yet, oddly enough, I am a fan of stories. By stories I mean actual, real life events, told in the form of a story. I believe stories can bring across important truths that are obscured in dry, academic prose or even passionate speech and argument. One of my interests as a scholar is on incorporating storytelling into approved, official legal … [Read more...] about A Story Is Worth A Thousand Words
Getting a Bad Rap
I give a qualified defense to hip-hop music. However, before we go further on this, I'm making a rule for commenting. If you're going to criticize rap or hip-hop music in any way, shape or form, you have to have listened to at least 7 rap songs in their totality. Please list the name of the artist, the title of the song, and the album it was on prior to posting your comment. … [Read more...] about Getting a Bad Rap
Indian Mangoes for Harley Davidson
Mouthwatering mangoes for macho motorcycles...That sounds like a fair trade, reports Miami Herald. "Indian mangoes will hit U.S. shelves for the first time in 18 years, while Harley Davidson motorcycles will soon be cruising India's roads, senior Indian and U.S. officials said Friday. " 'The good news is that our mangoes are going to America and Harley Davidson is coming … [Read more...] about Indian Mangoes for Harley Davidson
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changessssss
At one of my favorite progressive blogs: Newshog. Well, it's not Newshog anymore, from now on it's The Newshoggers, this to emphasize that it's a group blog from now on. If you haven't bookmarked NewshogThe Newshoggers yet, do so now. I do not always agree with the guys and gals posting there, but they are all thoughtful and well informed. Question: when will Joe change … [Read more...] about Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changessssss
Sunni Factions Split With Al-Qaeda Group: Good or Bad?
The Washington Post has an article up, Sudarsan Raghavan, describing an interesting development: Sunni factions in Iraq have split with Al Qaeda. The good news: "The split could help isolate a primary foe of the United States in Iraq." The bad news: it "could also further splinter the Sunni insurgency and make it even harder to control, according to insurgent leaders and … [Read more...] about Sunni Factions Split With Al-Qaeda Group: Good or Bad?
News, News, News
For some great links go to this post at Jules Crittenden's place: Good News, Bad News. Of course, also don't forget to check out the posts I linked to in today's Center of Attention, the just-about only daily centrist round-up in the blogosphere. … [Read more...] about News, News, News