Publius nails it: A lot of people think the administration has no clear policy vision for Iraq and the Middle East more generally. That’s not true. They have a very clear vision -- run out the clock. That’s the common thread across a number of fronts right now. They are simply playing for time in order to dump everything in the laps of their successor. Foreign policy is … [Read more...] about Shot Clock
McCain’s March
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about McCain’s March
Giuliani: Continues to Support Public Funding for Abortion
In an interview with CNN, Republican candidate (and frontrunner) Rudy Giuliani said that he continues to support public funding for some abortions. He explained: “Ultimately, it’s a constitutional right, and therefore if it’s a constitutional right, ultimately, even if you do it on a state by state basis, you have to make sure people are protected.â€? For those who do … [Read more...] about Giuliani: Continues to Support Public Funding for Abortion
Through the Looking Glass With Monica
I must admit to a case of Prosecutor-Gate fatigue, but there’s a development involving Monica Goodling that beggars belief. The last time I checked in with Goodling, who is the beleaguered White House’s liaison with the beleaguered Justice Department, she claimed that she had been falsely accused in connection with the scandal and would take the Fifth when called before … [Read more...] about Through the Looking Glass With Monica
Hostage Crisis: Reporter’s Notebook
Amy Kellog of Fox News provides an interesting first-person account of how she was caught off guard while listening to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad... Read on... … [Read more...] about Hostage Crisis: Reporter’s Notebook
Bush Asserts Powers While Congress Has Ceded Them?
At the root of the ongoing struggles over many issues and policies now you can see a key strand: the issue is over the powers of the Presidency and how much power and influence Congress has to advise, consent and, in many, cases shape final national policy. A key theme in many commentaries by administration critics (partisan and those who are not writing from a Democratic … [Read more...] about Bush Asserts Powers While Congress Has Ceded Them?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: BRIGHT REFLECTIONS
Reader Responses on Potential VP Candidates Last week, tongue firmly planted in cheek, the Crystal Ball endeavored to quash all of the much-too-early talk of potential vice presidential candidates with our own extensive list of the top candidates for the number two spot on each party's presidential ticket in 2008 (read more). Because we are still a year and more out from … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: BRIGHT REFLECTIONS
Wartime Encounter
Wartime Encounter is a little book (only 147 pages long) written by Harm de Blij, which tells, in the words of Peter Gould, “of a time, place and circumstance that must never be forgotten.â€? This time: the second world war. The place the Netherlands. The circumstances: occupied by one of the most ruthless, brutal forces / ideologues the world has ever seen; the Nazis. De … [Read more...] about Wartime Encounter
Iraq’s Killing Fields: More US/British Soldiers Dead
An Iraqi holds a British soldier's helmet after a road side bomb hit a British patrol in Basra, Iraq. Iraq continues to remain a killer zone for foreign troops stationed there. Not much is known how successful the American army's 'surge' is, or it's cost in terms of civilian life and property. But the latest reports and pictures are indeed disturbing. "A U.S. Army … [Read more...] about Iraq’s Killing Fields: More US/British Soldiers Dead
Grab That Cash with Both Hands and Make a Stash
It's all about the money, stupid: Sen. Barack Obama raised at least $25 million for his presidential campaign in the first quarter of the year, nearly matching Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's record-setting total and making it all but certain that Democrats will face a costly and protracted battle for their party's nomination. Collectively, the Democratic candidates raised … [Read more...] about Grab That Cash with Both Hands and Make a Stash
Middle East Mission: Nancy Pelosi Marches On!
Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Tom Lantos (in red tie), points to dried fruits and herbs during a tour of a central Damascus market in Syria. Photograph: Hussein Malla/AP If you can't beat them then join them! That's an old saying which President George W. Bush needs to follow to upstage the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's much-publicised trip to the middle east. Sitting and … [Read more...] about Middle East Mission: Nancy Pelosi Marches On!
Saving EPA
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Saving EPA
Syrian Role in Resolving British Hostage Crisis?
Simon Massey, right, and Kaye Turney, the only woman amongst the 15 British service personnel released by Iran, smile after arriving at London's Heathrow Airport, Thursday April 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Tim Ockenden-pa) What really led to the resolving of the Iran-Britain hostage crisis? We would have enough of it in the coming days. But the first story that comes out (from … [Read more...] about Syrian Role in Resolving British Hostage Crisis?
A GOOD FRIDAY INDEED
BRITISH SAILORS AND MARINES ARRIVE HOME FROM IRAQ
Photograph by Associated Press Television News … [Read more...] about
Is That a Light At the End of The Tunnel?
The fact that the Iraq war has now slouched into its fifth year with no end in sight is all you need to know about how well it is going. Recall also that George Bush declared “Mission Accomplishedâ€? in May 2003 and his handlers boasted that the American liberators would be home by Christmas. They thought they knew which Christmas that would be, but they didn’t. And … [Read more...] about Is That a Light At the End of The Tunnel?
Bush’s Fox Recess Appointment Declaration Of Political War To Democrats
President George Bush has thrown down the political gauntlet: Senate Democrats are livid over what they view as President Bush's illegal maneuver to bypass the Senate confirmation process and appoint controversial nominee Sam Fox as ambassador to Belgium while Congress is away on recess. Democrats find the recess appointment -- a common maneuver by presidents whose … [Read more...] about Bush’s Fox Recess Appointment Declaration Of Political War To Democrats
Classic Comedy: Ernie Kovacs’ “Whom Dunnit”
As we've said all week, television comedy pioneer Ernie Kovacs, who died in a car crash in 1962, was WAY, WAY ahead of his time. JUST WATCH THIS one starring Kovacs: You can learn more about Kovacs online at the Encyclopedia of Television. His official website is here. Kovacsland (unofficial site) is HERE. The Ernie Kovacs blog is HERE. And you can buy a collection of his … [Read more...] about Classic Comedy: Ernie Kovacs’ “Whom Dunnit”
Iran Releases Brits
Mike Keef, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Iran Releases Brits
Bush Bypasses Congress and Appoints Swift Boat Donor as Ambassador
Jennifer Loven reports for the AP (at AOL news): President Bush named Republican fundraiser Sam Fox as U.S. ambassador to Belgium on Wednesday, using a maneuver that allowed him to bypass Congress , where Democrats had derailed Fox's nomination. The appointment, made while lawmakers were out of town on spring break, prompted angry rebukes from Democrats, who said Bush's … [Read more...] about Bush Bypasses Congress and Appoints Swift Boat Donor as Ambassador
Lessons from British/Iran Hostage Crisis
WORLD PEACE! Courtesy Shanup Gundecha The successful resolution of the British/Iranian naval hostage crisis once again highlights the need for tactful diplomacy to solve problems that may appear intractable. Whatever the provocation, the concerned parties must talk instead of saber-rattling which seems to have become a favourite pastime of the present residents of the … [Read more...] about Lessons from British/Iran Hostage Crisis