H/t Interested The Imams who were "removed from a plane last fall after being accused of suspicious behavior are suing the airline and threatening to sue the passengers who complained." Omar Mohammedi, their lawyer, said that "the intent is not to go after passengers who raise valid concerns about security." No, they are only going after passengers who acted in bad faith out … [Read more...] about Imams Removed From Flight May Sue Passengers
Chocolate Jesus Meltdown As Controversial Exhibit Cancelled
The highly controversial art exhibit in New York of "My Sweet Lord," a naked, anatomically correct chocolate Jesus has reached meltdown: the exhibit has been canceled. Is this a bittersweet moment for those who argue "art" should be broadly defined and protected -- or a case of people twisting the concept of art and mocking religion getting their just desserts? At issue … [Read more...] about Chocolate Jesus Meltdown As Controversial Exhibit Cancelled
The Democrats’ Authentic Political Minefield
Attention Democrats: These may be heady times for you but be forewarned: as you tip-toe through the long-sought political tulips there are also political minefields lurking out there, a Los Angeles Times report notes:An exhaustive national survey of American attitudes released last week sent the same message as the Democratic sweep in the 2006 midterm elections: a shift among … [Read more...] about The Democrats’ Authentic Political Minefield
Guest Poet: The Frat Boy’s Legacy
And now another gem from TMV's favorite artist of verse, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: The Frat Boy's Legacy A country... Whose polity is fractured With divides he turned to chasms; One the world now views with horror Waiting for its next dumb spasms. A country... Hooked on public private spending Foolish short-lived mindless benders; Turning all to … [Read more...] about Guest Poet: The Frat Boy’s Legacy
‘George the Joker’ and Journos Laugh
Well, after a long time I read a story that on seeing George W. Bush the journalists did not have the usual scowl and disbelief on their faces...Instead they merrily laughed away as the President regaled them with jokes. A sample: "Noting that he had only 664 days more to go in the White House, Bush told journos critical of the administration's immigration policy that … [Read more...] about ‘George the Joker’ and Journos Laugh
Rosie Rants About 911
Iran Issue: Britain Looks for Support
The British government is still looking for support on the issue of the capture of its 15 service personnel by Iran, although the crisis entered its second week. So far the statements from the European Union and the U.S. administration have been cautious. Please see here... And here... However, the latest is that some sort of diplomatic initiative has been initiated … [Read more...] about Iran Issue: Britain Looks for Support
Iraq: Now Saudi King Seems Fed Up
In the recent past the US policy in Iraq has begun to test the patience of not only Republicans and Democrats at home but also America's most trusted and long-time allies abroad. Saudi Arabian King's statement that the American occupation of Iraq was illegal, and his warning that unless Arab governments settled their differences, foreign powers like the United States would … [Read more...] about Iraq: Now Saudi King Seems Fed Up
“Firing a prosecutor for failing to find wide voter fraud is like firing a park ranger for failing to find Sasquatch.”
Popular urban legends aside, there really is little evidence that voter fraud is a serious issue in America--and a lot of evidence that "anti-fraud" measures are really about (or at least, only effective at) disenfranchising Democrats. … [Read more...] about “Firing a prosecutor for failing to find wide voter fraud is like firing a park ranger for failing to find Sasquatch.”
Small Blogs, The Long Tail, and Building The B-List Community
It's tough being a small-to-middle-sized blogger. You streak after elusive crumbs from the big boys and girls, but never really can break to the top. That's not so bad--I don't think I'd want the stress of becoming a big time blogger. But I wish there was more horizontal linkage among the middle range. The way it seems to work is a hub and spoke system: Someone, large or small, … [Read more...] about Small Blogs, The Long Tail, and Building The B-List Community
So Goes the Nation
A little over two weeks ago, Joe Gandelman published a review of the documentary So Goes The Nation. It's a great review, that convinced me that this was one documentary I had to watch. Joe, being the generous guy he is, asked me whether I would like to get it from him. He sent it to me shortly afterwards and... I received it in the mail a couple of days ago and watched it … [Read more...] about So Goes the Nation
Ridiculous! Or, The Pot Calls the Kettle Black!
AP report out of Geneva, Switzerland: UN rights council adopts global religious defamation act Islamic countries pushed through a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council on Friday urging a global prohibition on the public defamation of religion, a response largely to the furor last year over caricatures published in a Danish newspaper of the Muslim Prophet … [Read more...] about Ridiculous! Or, The Pot Calls the Kettle Black!
Rush Issues a “Warming”
Warming: Do Not Give Democrats the Head of Alberto Gonzales … [Read more...] about Rush Issues a “Warming”
When it Rains…
It pours. Well, raining, even pouring: the U.S. attorneys controversy is rapidly evolving into a hurricane: Multiple sources reported today that a top aide to President George W. Bush's key adviser Karl Rove will soon step down from her job in the White House. The aide, Sara M. Taylor, was identified in yesterday's hearing with a former top Justice Department official as … [Read more...] about When it Rains…
‘Flying Tigers’ in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, whose closest neighbour is India across the Indian Ocean, witnessed recently a serious escalation in its 23-year-old fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). On March 26 the rebel LTTE used two aircraft to bomb a military base next to Colombo’s international airport. The Sri Lankan government has been at war with LTTE to thwart their ambition … [Read more...] about ‘Flying Tigers’ in Sri Lanka
Of Shakespeare, Iraq and Afghanistan
Here's an interesting comparative study in The Independent of the present international conflicts and what Shakespeare wrote long ago. Shakespeare could have been writing about Iraq or Afghanistan, his scenes of battle were so prescient, says Robert Fisk. "Shakespeare would certainly have witnessed pain and suffering in daily London life. Executions were in public, not … [Read more...] about Of Shakespeare, Iraq and Afghanistan
Sen. John Danforth for Attorney General?
Jack Danforth for Attorney General This blog post at "The Hill" makes a persuasive case for nominating Centrist Republican Former Senator John Danforth to replace Mr. Gonzales. I am in favor of almost any effort to bring the political center of gravity back towards the middle. … [Read more...] about Sen. John Danforth for Attorney General?
Hollywood Star Who Won’t Grow Old
Warren Beatty and his sister, Shirley MacLaine , grew up in Richmond, Virginia. Warren Beatty turns 70 today, although you wouldn't guess it from his well-preserved features - and the fact that he is still as famous for his philandering as his film-making, writes David Usborne in The Independent. "His extraordinary accomplishments were the reason that just this January … [Read more...] about Hollywood Star Who Won’t Grow Old
Is the Surge Working? You Must Be Kidding
Aftermath of a suicide bombing near a Mahmudiya hospital The keys to the success of President Bush's "surge" strategy are ending the orgy of sectarian violence and bringing the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki to heel. Well, it has been an awful week for both objectives: * In the northern city of Tal Afar, a bombing in a Shiite neighborhood by Sunnis killed … [Read more...] about Is the Surge Working? You Must Be Kidding
Canada Mister Magoo
This cartoon refers to THIS. … [Read more...] about Canada Mister Magoo