UPDATED below: Iran plans book, CD on Britons’ detention Another great take on the hostage drama, this time by Toby Harnden, blogging for the Telegraph. It took just two blubbering sailors spilling their guts before the Government realised its nifty PR strategy to hide the ignominy of what happened to the Tehran 15 had backfired badly. Now the original ban on getting … [Read more...] about British Disgrace Becomes Fiasco
An Excuse for War: Neocons & the Iranian Hostage Crisis
As Reaction co-blogger Libby mentioned yesterday, neocon leader Bill Kristol has argued that Iran should have been threatened with war over its capture of 15 British sailors and marines. Although he talks about avoiding war -- the only way to avoid war is to be tough, he suggests -- what he actually supports is a policy of threat-based engagement with Iran that could, and … [Read more...] about An Excuse for War: Neocons & the Iranian Hostage Crisis
Canada’s Bloodiest Day
Yesterday marked the 90th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. On April 9, 1917, Canadian forces launched a ground attack on German positions at Vimy Ridge. Where the British and French had previously failed, the Canadians succeeded. They secured the ridge in just four days. Casualties were enormously high. On the Canadian side, about 3,600 were killed, … [Read more...] about Canada’s Bloodiest Day
Imus Suspension Controversy & Soul-Searching Continues
The furor over Don Imus' widely condemned remarks that resulted in a national political firestorm and his suspension for two weeks from MSNBC and CBS radio is far from over. The soul-searching continues to go on with one critic in effect asking: "Is there something a bit sanctimonious with this picture?" In a Washington Post column titled "Slap! Bad Imus! Ok, Now Everybody … [Read more...] about Imus Suspension Controversy & Soul-Searching Continues
New Poll: Giuliani & Clinton in the Lead, McCain in Trouble
James Joyner has the results up the latest Gallup Poll: good news for Giuliani and Clinton, bad news for John McCain. The April 2-5 Gallup Poll finds 38% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents favoring Giuliani for the 2008 nomination, well ahead of his closest pursuer, McCain (16%). Two unannounced but potential candidates — Gingrich and Thompson — tie for … [Read more...] about New Poll: Giuliani & Clinton in the Lead, McCain in Trouble
Iraqis Protest Against U.S. Presence: White House – It’s Progress!
There are two ways to interprete this: Tens of thousands of protesters loyal to Moktada al-Sadr, the Shiite cleric, took to the streets of the holy city of Najaf on Monday in an extraordinarily disciplined rally to demand an end to the American military presence in Iraq, burning American flags and chanting “Death to America!â€? The first interpretation is the most obvious … [Read more...] about Iraqis Protest Against U.S. Presence: White House – It’s Progress!
Recess Graffiti
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about Recess Graffiti
“The McCain Tragedy”
One of my favorite left-of-center columnists, E.J. Dionne Jr., wrote a great column about John McCain, entitled "The McCain Tragedy". John McCain's 2000 campaign for president failed, but it was an unruly and joyous romp. His campaign this time feels quite different: carefully planned, meticulously calculated -- and a tragedy... McCain's political trajectory over the past … [Read more...] about “The McCain Tragedy”
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. In an extended essay at Q&O, McQ clarifies capitalism vs. consumerism, and defends the former from a seemingly well-meaning but possibly ill-informed detractor. In one of those rare moments of peace, when you can let your mind wonder freely, have you ever asked yourself, … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Should Blogs Have a Seal of Approval?
April is the 10th anniversary of the blog, and there is no better indication of how contentious the medium has become than the growing number of calls by bloggers themselves to regulate it. The current darlings of wannabe regulators are so-called codes of conduct, guidelines on what is and is not appropriate in online discussions and stuff like whether people are allowed to … [Read more...] about Should Blogs Have a Seal of Approval?
“Britain is Dead”
A short, but passionate and angry article at National Review Online by John Derbyshire. He writes: I am at the point with this business about the British hostages where I really can't trust myself to post any more, I'm so mad. Toby Harnden indeed says much of what needs saying, but I think he is too kind to the enlisted men. They are saps and worms, insults to the Queen's … [Read more...] about “Britain is Dead”
Bush & Immigration: Solution or More Problems?
President George W. Bush has re-inserted himself into one of the most controversial issues facing the United States: immigration reform. Immigration reform has become the way to the graveyard in politics: with people dug into positions on both sides, solutions involving compromises are difficult since the second someone takes one position, one side becomes angry. Both sides … [Read more...] about Bush & Immigration: Solution or More Problems?
This Just In!!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Bush: Ahmadinejad Must Dismantle Last Name Threatens Sanctions Against Polysyllabic Leader The war of words between the United States and Iran heated up today as President George W. Bush demanded that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismantle his last name or face serious sanctions. Speaking from the Rose … [Read more...] about This Just In!!
Johnny Hart
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant Johnny Hart died while drawing. … [Read more...] about Johnny Hart
Fox News Seemingly Loses Another Democratic Candidate Debate
Three major candidates have pulled out -- so the debate is effectively a non-debate or, at best, a limited debate. You get the feeling that the next shoe to drop is some GOPers pulling out of a CNN debate to make the same point and also score some points for Fox. … [Read more...] about Fox News Seemingly Loses Another Democratic Candidate Debate
Don Imus’ Show Suspended From CBS Radio And MSNBC
Don Imus, the politically incorrect curmudgeon who has enjoyed a long career on radio and been a ratings builder in the mornings on MSNBC has been suspended -- from the radio and MSNBC:After a career of cranky insults, radio star Don Imus was fighting for his job Monday following one joke that by his own admission went “way too far.â€? CBS Radio and MSNBC both said they … [Read more...] about Don Imus’ Show Suspended From CBS Radio And MSNBC
Obama Will Not Partake in Fox/CBC Debate
This appears to be playing well with the primary voters. … [Read more...] about Obama Will Not Partake in Fox/CBC Debate
My First Publication (Part II)
This is an abbreviated version of my aforementioned article. It runs a bit long at 30 pages (if you're interesting in reading it, but not all of it, Sections II and IV are the heart of the argument.), so I'm putting down a greatly truncated version here (an implication of which is that the argument is better and more complete in long-form). If this piques your interest, please … [Read more...] about My First Publication (Part II)
Don Imus And Al Sharpton Discuss Imus’ Controversial Remarks
Watch them square off HERE. And be sure to read Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes' column on TMV on this issue RIGHT HERE. … [Read more...] about Don Imus And Al Sharpton Discuss Imus’ Controversial Remarks
My First Publication
Not quite true, but close enough. I'm proud to announce that my article, "When Separation Doesn't Work: The Religion Clauses as Anti Subordination Principles," will be published in the upcoming Spring 2007 edition of the Dartmouth Law Journal. Here's the abstract: Since the Warren Court era, strict separation between church and state has been the hallmark of liberal religion … [Read more...] about My First Publication