Why is President Bush so adamant in preventing the planned visit to Syria next week by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi? "Ms. Pelosi is leading a bipartisan delegation on a weeklong tour of the Middle East that is scheduled to include a meeting with Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad. Read the NYT report here... And also the Boston Herald report: "House Speaker Nancy … [Read more...] about Syria Visit: Pelosi Overrules President Bush
Mugabe 2008: A case of democracy sustaining tyranny
According to the BBC, "Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has endorsed President Robert Mugabe as its candidate for the 2008 election". Big surprise. Mugabe is 83. He's been in power since 1980. In fact, he's the only president independent Zimbabwe has ever had. His idea of democratic governance includes beating opponents and dissenters to a pulp, arresting them, and then … [Read more...] about Mugabe 2008: A case of democracy sustaining tyranny
Adult Entertainment & Confusion?
An Internet governing body on Friday rejected a proposal to create a unique set of Web addresses for adult entertainment Web sites. Why? Read on... … [Read more...] about Adult Entertainment & Confusion?
Center of Attention
Please accept my apologies for not being able to publish a Center of Attention for a couple of days. First, I'd like to congratulate Libby Spencer: it's her second bloggiversary. Amba wonders whether Newt Gingrich is the Republican Gore. A tribute to... Joe Gandelman. Awww. John Cole on the news that Hicks has to serve nine months in custody: "I sure feel safer … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Musharraf’s Pakistan Tests Nuclear Missile
Pakistan cannot do anything without the tacit approval of the United States of America. And the world knows this. Here comes the news of Pakistan testing nuclear-capable missile today. People living in South Asia wonder what games President George Bush and President Pervez Musharraf are playing, with the US Congress watching all this with intriguing silence. A latest … [Read more...] about Musharraf’s Pakistan Tests Nuclear Missile
President Bush Threatens War Against US Congress
US President George W Bush Saturday slammed the Democrats for imposing restrictive conditions on war spending and insisted that he will veto both House and Senate versions of the bills on Iraq that contain deadlines for withdrawal of troops from the country, reports a leading Indian TV channel ZEE News. … [Read more...] about President Bush Threatens War Against US Congress
Nepal’s Ultra-Leftists Opt for Democracy
Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) Nepal has emerged as a latest showpiece of democracy in the world by removing the powerful King without bloodshed, holding elections and then persuading the ultra-leftists to participate in the democratic process. Did I hear someone say: "Thank God that the West kept out of Nepal!!!" "Eleven years after they had started a civil war, … [Read more...] about Nepal’s Ultra-Leftists Opt for Democracy
‘Legal Action Against Captured British Begins’
Iranian authorities have started legal proceedings against the British military personnel it has seized and said they would be punished if found guilty, Iran's ambassador to Moscow said last night, reports The Sunday Morning Herald. " 'No kind of apology has been received from the British side and, as a result, the case has taken on a juridical form,' Gholamreza Ansari told … [Read more...] about ‘Legal Action Against Captured British Begins’
An Ongoing Blogosphere Debate
Over blogroll purges. … [Read more...] about An Ongoing Blogosphere Debate
Curious Case of David Hicks of Gitmo
The case of Gitmo inmate Australian David Hicks, 31, is getting curiouser and curiouser. The latest news is that 'Hicks will walk free from an Adelaide jail next New Year's Day, even though the confessed terrorist was recommended a seven year sentence by a US military commission...' Read on... … [Read more...] about Curious Case of David Hicks of Gitmo
Radioactive Rapport
Hicks to Serve 9 Months in Custody
The New York Times reports that Australian David Hicks has to serve nine (additional) months in custody. Nine months... That's, as the NYT's William Glaberson notes is "remarkable for a detainee who, before the plea negotiations, had faced a potential life term." Furthermore, he is "is to be returned to Australia within 60 days to serve the balance of the sentence … [Read more...] about Hicks to Serve 9 Months in Custody
Imams Removed From Flight May Sue Passengers
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