To start today's Center of Attention, read this magnificent post by Giftdrift about John and Elizabeth Edwards, cancer and... well, life. A great, inspiring post. The Gun Toting Liberal on reports that "public allegiance to the Republican Party has plunged since the second year of George W. Bush’s presidency." A Newer World wonders, like we all do, why Karl Rove, … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Another Guilty Plea From a Bush Loyalist
More here. And for those of you counting, this brings to a nice round 30 the number of Bush administration officials who have been convicted, pleaded guilty, been indicted, resigned due to an investigation or had their nominations withdrawn because of scandals. … [Read more...] about Another Guilty Plea From a Bush Loyalist
Gates Argued for Closing Guantanamo Bay
“In his first weeks as defense secretaryâ€?, the New York Times reports, “Robert M. Gates repeatedly argued that the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, had become so tainted abroad that legal proceedings at Guantánamo would be viewed as illegitimate, according to senior administration officials. He told President Bush and others that it should be shut down as … [Read more...] about Gates Argued for Closing Guantanamo Bay
Wrong Questions, Right Time.
While today’s House vote on setting a deadline for removing our troops from Iraq is still up in the air, it seems to me the wrong questions, the wrong issues, are being debated at this time.By virtually all assessments, Iraq is in the midst of a civil war. Civil wars require civil settlements – negotiations – to end them. On the one hand, while a “surgeâ€? may tamp … [Read more...] about Wrong Questions, Right Time.
Decision Time
Though I may regret it, I've decided to join "other moderates to apply some much-needed CPR to the GOP, wresting it from the hands of those who have practically killed it." This morning at Central Sanity, I explain why. … [Read more...] about Decision Time
Did the Great Houdini Get His Just Desserts?
What young boy (at least before the advent of video games) did not thrill to the exploits of Harry Houdini in the many books recounting his death-defying feats. I know that I read a slew, sometimes under bed covers by flashlight long after I was supposed to be asleep. Now, 81 years after the great magician’s death, his great-nephew want to exhume Houdini’s body to … [Read more...] about Did the Great Houdini Get His Just Desserts?
Guest Voice: American Freedom Agenda
The Moderate Voice runs Guest Voice columns from time to time. This is another contribution from Nick Rivera and it's cross-posted at his blog. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV. American Freedom Agenda by Nick Rivera Listening to the Mainstream Media or Talk Radio, you'd never know that a number of prominent conservatives have been … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: American Freedom Agenda
Iraq: Michael Yon on the Firing Line (Again)
As Austin Bay notes here, Michael Yon and Bill Roggio are the crème de la crème of Iraq war bloggers. I frequently link to both in my posts on the war. Now the Army is (again) telling Yon, who two years ago broke a cardinal rule of journalism and pissed off the brass by picking up a rifle to save the life of a trooper, that he is not welcome. Michael explains: A … [Read more...] about Iraq: Michael Yon on the Firing Line (Again)
Moby Mess
Cars Inconveniently Small
Woolmer Strangled
Pakistan's cricket coach, Bob Woolmer, was found dead in his hotel room last Sunday, only hours after Pakistan lost from Ireland, which "sealed Pakistan's ouster from the tournament." Yesterday, Jamaican authorities said that Woolmer did not die a natural death, that the autopsy showed that he was murdered, strangled to be exact. Where's Sherlock when you need him? … [Read more...] about Woolmer Strangled
John And Elizabeth Edwards’ Class Act
Take that, Ann Coulter.... Amid tragic circumstances, America at the beginning of a tempestuous 21st century has just seen a role-model couple in politics. Not the kind of plastic, smiling presence indicative of many political couples for so many years. But something that seemingly went beyond the political or perfunctory. John Edwards' dramatic press conference … [Read more...] about John And Elizabeth Edwards’ Class Act
The Post Not Written
Not to fish for compliments, but often times moderation means not writing the post on the tip of the "publish" button. … [Read more...] about The Post Not Written
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: 2008 House
ELECTORAL TRENDS WARM SUNBELT, FREEZE FROSTBELT Ah, fun with numbers. There's nothing like it in the field of politics. Usually, we manipulate the numbers of public opinion polls, but this week we'll crunch some population data instead. … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: 2008 House
So Now He Gets Bagels And Locks
It sounds like someone was going to have an unusual bar mitzvah:A Hamilton, Ont., man faces federal drug charges after he allegedly tried to smuggle about 250 pounds of hydroponic marijuana into the United States on Tuesday with his regular commercial shipment of frozen bagels, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced. Stipan Krak, 49, was bound for New … [Read more...] about So Now He Gets Bagels And Locks
Think Twice, Post Once
Ben Smith's apology at The Politico for having announced that John Edwards would suspend his presidential campaign underscores both the new power -- and pitfalls -- of this Brave New Era of communications and media. In spite of Ben's reasonable, understandable explanation about sources, later test results, etc., the underlying reality is that the rapid-fire, get-it-out-first … [Read more...] about Think Twice, Post Once
NOTE TO READERS (UPDATED)
I had a post up here earlier on the John Edwards story. The first version had the erroneous reports about how he was going to announce at his press conference that he would not run. But as soon as he held the press conference, I revised it -- but also left my original in with our earlier report that reported the mistaken posts. I also noted that our earlier quickie analysis of … [Read more...] about NOTE TO READERS (UPDATED)
Gonzales Days Numbered
Sean Hannity vs. Father Euteneuer – Revisited
John Mallon wrote an article about the debate between father Euteneuer and Sean Hannity in which he, among other things, tries to explain why the Catholic Church holds certain beliefs / certain views. At the basis, of Catholic teaching on issues like abortion and contraception lies, Mallon explains, love. Love is the foundation of everything. Click here to read more … [Read more...] about Sean Hannity vs. Father Euteneuer – Revisited
Center of Attention
Divided We Stand, United We Fall links to some great pro-divided government articles and blogposts (and no, I don't link to this DWSUWF because they link to a post by Joe and one by yours truly). Andrew Sullivan has an interesting quote up of candidate for the Republican (presidential) nomination, Rudy Giuliani. Justin Gardner has a good post up about Fox at his own … [Read more...] about Center of Attention