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
Cruel Conservatives: Part I
Tuesday, both Will Hinton and Gun Toting Liberal picked up on the same blurb from Neal Boortz’s site, and then went down two different roads with it. As noted in Tuesday’s Center of Attention, Gun Toting Liberal was inspired to question Boortz’s self-proclaimed libertarianism. In contrast, Will’s muse prompted him to use Boortz’s post to illustrate “why people … [Read more...] about Cruel Conservatives: Part I
The U.S. Attorney Scandal As Black Hole
Scandals have a way of becoming black hole-like in that they suck any associated dirty linen into their maws and spit it out for all the world to see. The O.J. Simpson case is the Bigfoot of this phenomenon. Before The Juice's criminal and civil trials were over, practically everyone associated with the sordid affair had been revealed as everything ranging from drug addicts, … [Read more...] about The U.S. Attorney Scandal As Black Hole
Around The Sphere March 30, 2007
Our famous linkfest giving you links from blogs of many different viewpoints from all over the blogo-you-know-what. Links do NOT necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Is "The President's Pleasure" As A Phrase becoming annoying and downright rotten in terms of imagery? One view HERE. The President Can't Derive Pleasure Out Of This: The Saudi King has … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere March 30, 2007
Poll: Bush Disapproval Rate Highest In His Presidency
A new Fox News poll gives yet another "snapshot" of voters' perceptions on who will hold the White House in 2008 -- and of what voters feel about President George Bush. And it's good news for the Democrats...except one...and bad news for GWB:The latest FOX News poll finds that Americans think the next person to move into the White House will be a Democrat, and while many voters … [Read more...] about Poll: Bush Disapproval Rate Highest In His Presidency
People Want To See Karl Rove Rap
So here it is from the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner: Watch it HERE. Some other people want to see Karl Rave get a rap (those people are saying "Karl, QUIT your day job...) … [Read more...] about People Want To See Karl Rove Rap
Veto Power
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: VPs Already?
THE OUTRAGE OF EARLY VICE PRESIDENTIAL SPECULATION If there is one thing that we at the Crystal Ball cannot countenance, it is early conjecture about possible vice presidential running-mates for the 2008 major-party tickets. The presidential nominees are a year away from being chosen, and we are already facing the longest formal campaign for President in American … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: VPs Already?
Schlafly on Marital Rape
Apparently, it's impossible. Because by getting married, women have permanently consented to sex. … [Read more...] about Schlafly on Marital Rape