For history of European Union flag click here... Neither God nor Christianity will feature in a 50th birthday declaration for the European Union which will highlight European values and list key challenges for the future such as climate change, says The Independent. "Five days before the celebrations for the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, the statement … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday to You…EU…!
More Judges Resign in Pakistan
Five more Pakistani judges resigned yesterday and hundreds of lawyers demonstrated against President General Pervez Musharraf's controversial removal of the country's chief justice, deepening the political mess now facing the military leader, reports The Independent. "Musharraf suspended Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry on March 9 over unspecified … [Read more...] about More Judges Resign in Pakistan
Pakistan Mystery: Benazir in US & Pak’s Hindu Judge in India
It is intriguing that a former Prime Minister of Pakistan should be camping in the US at a time when all the eyes in the world are turned towards President Musharraf's struggling regime, that happens to be America's (or to be more precise President Bush's) front line partner in the 'war against terror'. Some analysts have suggested that Ms Benazir Bhutto (now in New York), … [Read more...] about Pakistan Mystery: Benazir in US & Pak’s Hindu Judge in India
Nobel Laureate Before the UNHRC on Darfur
Defending her report of "large-scale international crimes", Jody Williams tells the council: The credibility issue is "not about ours, it's about yours." … [Read more...] about Nobel Laureate Before the UNHRC on Darfur
Politico: White House Has Begun Hunt For Gonzales’ Replacement
According to The Politico, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is now political dead meat:Republican officials operating at the behest of the White House have begun seeking a possible successor to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whose support among GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill has collapsed, according to party sources familiar with the discussions. Among the names floated … [Read more...] about Politico: White House Has Begun Hunt For Gonzales’ Replacement
Center of Attention
The first link of today's Center of Attention is to Jon Swift's post called "Fred Thompson Kicks Gandhi's Ass". Thompson and Jon are right: American needs more violence. A little less conversation, a little more action. (also note at Jon's place how some people seem to have difficulty understanding the satire) After reading Jon's post, go to Andrew Sullivan's place. … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Black Newspaper Thinks I’m Racist!
...brags Giuliani. … [Read more...] about Black Newspaper Thinks I’m Racist!
Bush Urges No Strings Backing And Patience In Iraq War
Today's anniversary: the fourth year of the launching of the Iraq war. The plea: from President George Bush, who urged Americans to be patient and to give "no strings" backing on the Iraq war. The reality: Bush is making his plea on the anniversary of the war's launch from a supremely weakened political position, not just in terms of war policy and management, but due to … [Read more...] about Bush Urges No Strings Backing And Patience In Iraq War
The Roots of Reform
Joel Hirschhorn is a passionate and intriguing political writer. Several months ago, I picked up a copy of his latest book, Delusional Democracy: Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government -- a field guide to eight essential reforms for advancing Independent politics. Mandatory voting is one of those reforms and the subject of Joel's latest commentary at … [Read more...] about The Roots of Reform
Are You Literate or Illiterate?
Hey, this is a funny story!...It seems that about one-third of the people living in Washington D.C., the US capital, are 'functionally illiterate', compared with about one-fifth nationally, according to a report on the District of Columbia. And I once thought that illiteracy was associated with developing countries!!! But wait a minute. What is the definition of … [Read more...] about Are You Literate or Illiterate?
India Supplies Nuke Component to the US
Now this is called Full Circle...As India and US struggle to hammer out a civilian nuclear agreement, some heavy water is quietly flowing between the two countries, reports The Times of India. "For the first time, India exported 4.4 metric tonnes of heavy water to an American firm — Spectra Gases, headquartered in New Jersey with branches in the UK, Germany and Singapore. … [Read more...] about India Supplies Nuke Component to the US
A Tale of Two Wars & Two Marches (Reposted)
Marches on the Pentagon: October 1967 (top) and March 2007 EDITOR'S NOTE: There has been a lot of comment on this post which ran earlier, so we're moving it up for afternoon readership. There are NEWER posts underneath it so please SCROLL DOWN when you're through. In October 1967, I covered an anti-Vietnam War protest March on the Pentagon for my college newspaper. That … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Wars & Two Marches (Reposted)
“Divide Pakistan to eliminate Terrorism”: A Controversial Book
To view the CNN ad regarding this book please click here... Amazon.com provides the following 'Book Description': DIVIDE PAKISTAN TO ELIMINATE TERRORISM is Syed Jamaluddin's vision to address issues related to combatting terrorism emanating from Pakistan which have dramatically transformed the entire region into a systematically controlled network having vicious effects … [Read more...] about “Divide Pakistan to eliminate Terrorism”: A Controversial Book
“Magical Negroes” and “un”reality
The number of fantasies that have been indulged over the course of this nation’s psychotic race-relations history is quite amazing, and David Ehrenstein’s op-ed in today's LA Times merely gives voice to yet another: that white people need benign, unreal black role-players because they are both guilty about (and for) -- and afraid of -- the reality. Unfortunately, he's … [Read more...] about “Magical Negroes” and “un”reality
Straight Talk Express II
A Failed War
A well written, and intense column at the Washington Post by Ayub Nuri, Iraqi, journalist, student. When the war against Iraq was about to start, Ayub was afraid. Not for the war - no, he feared that “George W. Bush might change his mind about overthrowing the Iraqi regime.â€? Now, four years later, looking back, Ayub Nuri concludes that it has been a bitter … [Read more...] about A Failed War
Rep. Duncan Hunter at Captain’s Quarters
Duncan Hunter, Republican Representative and contender for the Republican presidential nomination, wrote a guest post for Ed Morrissey's Captain's Quarters. Ed has "extended invitations to all campaigns to have their candidates post their messages to CQ readers", so it's quite likely that this will not be the last guest post by a candidate. It's an interesting read, without … [Read more...] about Rep. Duncan Hunter at Captain’s Quarters
The GOP Bait and Switch
I tend to agree with the distinction Paul Krugman pointed out in today's New York Times (Subscription) "Don’t Cry for Reagan" ...Mr. Reagan’s administration, like Mr. Bush’s, was run by movement conservatives — people who built their careers by serving the alliance of wealthy individuals, corporate interests and the religious right that took shape in the 1960s and … [Read more...] about The GOP Bait and Switch
The Event: Chapter 11
Mick LaSalle published the 11th chapter of The Event. It's, once again, a great, entertaining read and... it's becoming more and more disturbing I have to admit. Point of mild criticism: in reality it seems much more likely to me that 'liberals' would applaud the World Faith initiative instead of conservatives of course. There's a very surprising development. Something … [Read more...] about The Event: Chapter 11
American Soldier
Jules Crittenden wrote a great article for Pajamas Media about John Eade: Vietnam veteran. Truly a great read. … [Read more...] about American Soldier