(NOTE: This was put under the wrong byline but since it's up we'll leave it. Joe Gandelman) Is negativity in politics a bad thing? We've argued that it is. However, John G. Geer, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University, doesn't think it is at all. In this You Tube he defends negativity in politics and says its vital to the democratic … [Read more...] about In Defense Of Negativity In Politics
Why No Universal Health Care
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Why No Universal Health Care
Christians in Turkey Celebrate Easter and have High Hopes for Future
In the light of Easter, an interesting article at Turkish Daily News: The Syriacs in southeast Turkey are celebrating Easter, with high hopes for the future. There are approximately 2,000 Syriacs left in the hilly region around Mardin and Midyat in southeast Turkey, bound in by the Tigris to the north and east, and by the Syrian border to the south. Most villages of Tur Abdin … [Read more...] about Christians in Turkey Celebrate Easter and have High Hopes for Future
How the BBC Prevents Britain From Getting Her Soul Back
The Telegraph reports that the BBC "has cancelled the commission for a 90-minute drama about Britain's youngest surviving Victoria Cross hero because it feared it would alienate members of the audience opposed to the war in Iraq." "Private Johnson Beharry's courage in rescuing an ambushed foot patrol then, in a second act, saving his vehicle's crew despite his own terrible … [Read more...] about How the BBC Prevents Britain From Getting Her Soul Back
Iraq and ‘The Time Scale For Tolerance’
Over the four year-plus slog of the Iraq war, there has been no more incisive analyst than the WaPo's Thomas Ricks. In a must-read analysis, Ricks writes that there now are two Iraq wars being waged -- the one fought in the streets of Baghdad and the war as it is perceived in Washington. Money quote: While Washington appears headed toward a political endgame on Iraq, … [Read more...] about Iraq and ‘The Time Scale For Tolerance’
Newt Says, “Bye-Bye Bert!
AP via CNN: Gingrich: Gonzales should consider resigning WASHINGTON (AP) -- Joining a growing list of Republicans, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Sunday that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should consider resigning. The possible presidential candidate said the botched firing of U.S. attorneys has destroyed Gonzales' credibility as the nation's top law … [Read more...] about Newt Says, “Bye-Bye Bert!
What the Hostage Crisis Says about Iran
There are a number of lessons to be learned from the recent British hostage crisis: most importantly, bilateral talks combined with face-saving measures is the best way to deal with Iran. This dispute says a lot about the Iranians and about how we should be engaging with them. First, this crisis has made it quite clear that threatening the Iranian regime will not work. When … [Read more...] about What the Hostage Crisis Says about Iran
The Good Shepherds
Thus the editors of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch titled an article in today's edition of the paper re: the extraordinary level of bipartisan cooperation occuring at the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, between its Chair (Senator Rockefeller) and Ranking Minority Member (Senator Bond). I offer more at Central Sanity on the article and the evidence it provides that at least … [Read more...] about The Good Shepherds
Al-Sadr Tells Followers to Fight Americans
Shi'ite (terrorist) leader Muqtada al-Sadr told his followers / private terrorist army to stop cooperating with the Americans and, instead, to fight them. "You, the Iraqi army and police forces, don't walk alongside the occupiers, because they are your archenemy," the statement said. Its authenticity could not be verified. "God has ordered you to be patient in front of your … [Read more...] about Al-Sadr Tells Followers to Fight Americans
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Shay at Booker Rising challenges Devone Tucker's Q&A re: why many African Americans still adore Bill Clinton. At Q&O, McQ offers a remarkably balanced opinion about Spykes: "a 2-ounce bottle of flavored malt beverage," introduced recently by Anheuser-Busch. (Editor's … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
The Sopranos And Tony Start Final Last 9 Episodes Whacks
And now it's time for the moment fans of HBO's "The Sopranos" have long waited for -- and dreaded. "The Sopranos," quite possibly the episode-per-episode finest-acted and scripted single-series drama in television history, will start its final (and creator David Chase MEANS final) 9 episodes tonight with the prevailing question: will Tony Soprano die at the end? Other … [Read more...] about The Sopranos And Tony Start Final Last 9 Episodes Whacks
Regent University: Christ Almighty What a Pal
On your way out of church this Easter Sunday, or perhaps on a walk with your family if you're not a churchgoer, consider the major role that graduates of Pat Robertson's Regent University law school have played in the Bush administration. An extraordinary 150 Regent University alumnae have signed on with Bush, but that is exactly what televangelist founder Robertson … [Read more...] about Regent University: Christ Almighty What a Pal
How To Be The Next President
From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about How To Be The Next President
Eyes
In performing in any visual medium, it's often said that it's "all in the eyes." The You Tube below confirms that: … [Read more...] about Eyes
The Hostage Issue
Paresh Nath, National Herald, India … [Read more...] about The Hostage Issue
Hostage Crisis: ‘UK Kept Out of the Loop’
So says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall. "When (Iranian) President Ahmadinejad's dramatic announcement came (about releasing the hostages), the British government was it seems, as stunned as everyone else. "The British government was kept firmly out of the loop, as far as one can tell. The moral of the tale is that the gap between Iranian claims and … [Read more...] about Hostage Crisis: ‘UK Kept Out of the Loop’
OW Has The Stuff
If you aren't regularly reading Obsidian Wings, you need to start. Easily one of the top moderate blogs out there (and with far and away the best slogan: "This is the Voice of Moderation. I wouldn't go so far as to say we've actually SEIZED the radio station . . ."), they have an excellent array of contributors, all with a unique voice and perspective, and deserve your … [Read more...] about OW Has The Stuff
India’s Achilles Heel…?
...Two decades into India's phenomenal growth as an international center for high technology, the industry has a problem: It's running out of workers, writes Tim Sullivan, Associated Press Writer. "There may be a lot of potential — Indian schools churn out 400,000 new engineers, the core of the high-tech industry, every year — but as few as 100,000 are actually ready to … [Read more...] about India’s Achilles Heel…?
Iran British Sailors’ Confession Crisis Will Have Multiple Impacts (UPDATED)
Was Iran's seizing and holding British sailors just another flash-in-the-pan crisis? Or was it indicative of shifting world power centers? Is it strictly a political event -- or will its ripples be felt for a long time to come? And what does it portend for the future? These are just some of the many underlying questions lurking beneath Iran's decision to release 15 … [Read more...] about Iran British Sailors’ Confession Crisis Will Have Multiple Impacts (UPDATED)
I Want an iPod
The Democrats in Michigan seem to have lost, well, their sanity. Their latest plan? An iPod for every kid. We have come to the conclusion that the crisis Michigan faces is not a shortage of revenue, but an excess of idiocy. Facing a budget deficit that has passed the $1 billion mark, House Democrats Thursday offered a spending plan that would buy a MP3 player or iPod for every … [Read more...] about I Want an iPod