During my college days when I studied political science (and even later in life), what fascinated me most while going through various constitutions in the world, was the US system of 'checks and balances' to ensure maximum freedom in all aspects of American life. There have been challenges in the past (and present) but somehow this provision helps the US triumph over … [Read more...] about Checks & Balances in US: Change in the Air?
Why Musharraf Sacked Pak’s Chief Justice?
This cartoon appeared in Le Monde. There is a lot of speculation as to why President Musharraf sacked Pakistan's Chief Justice. But it is becoming clear that by taking this harsh step, and brutally suppressing his detractors, his credibility as a somewhat tolerant military dictator has received a serious setback. The General seems to be losing fast his middle-class … [Read more...] about Why Musharraf Sacked Pak’s Chief Justice?
Chlorine Chemical Blasts Sicken Iraqis
And, now, a new and terrible twist in the Iraq war -- one that begs the question: "So what's coming next?"Three suicide bombers driving chlorine-laden trucks struck in the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Anbar province, killing two policemen and forcing about 350 Iraqi civilians and six U.S. troops to seek treatment for exposure to the gas, the military said Saturday. The … [Read more...] about Chlorine Chemical Blasts Sicken Iraqis
Mid-Day, Day One of Round Two
Ohio State, you can feel free to not give me any more heart attacks this tournament. Last second threes are low percentage. I recommend stomping on opponents for the entire 40 minutes instead (see Vanderbilt v. GW for a pointer). Easier on the ol' cardiac muscle. You have to feel bad for that poor Xavier kid who missed the icing free throw though. So, does Ohio State come out … [Read more...] about Mid-Day, Day One of Round Two
Halliburton Dubai
Center of Attention
Libby Spencer has more on the controversy surrounding Gonzales / the fired attorneys: only a matter of time "before Gonzales will be canned"? And she wonders whether US Attorney Paul Charlton of the District of Arizona was fired for a failed porn case... Amba links to a very interesting blog (that of her daughter). As Amba writes: "above all savor the wry, wistful, … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
‘Tom, What’s My Opinion?’
When asked about whether he favors using tax payers’ money to buy condoms for Africans to fight the spread of HIV, McCain answered that he didn’t know what his position on this matter was and that he would have to ask Tom Coburn. Read more. … [Read more...] about ‘Tom, What’s My Opinion?’
Getting Involved in Darfur
I'm not convinced that intervening militarily in Darfur is a good idea. As Nicholas Kristof pointed out recently, with the negative perception of the US assault on Iraq, any American-led military action could easily be discredited by the Sudanese government as another 'imperial' invasion to gain access to the country's vast oil resources. So, before we get involved in a … [Read more...] about Getting Involved in Darfur
Huckabee: a 2nd Commandment Christian Candidate
Joe Klein wrote an interesting article for Time about Governor of Arkansas and Republican presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee. Klein writes that, although Huckabee is a conservative Christian, very religious in his personal life, etc. Republican voters / the conservative base, somehow, don't seem to be very fond of him (yet). Why is that, Klein wonders. Why doesn't the … [Read more...] about Huckabee: a 2nd Commandment Christian Candidate
Musharraf Says ‘Sorry’ After Bloody Attacks
Police in Pakistan's Lahore city stormed a convention of lawyers on Saturday and arrested several of them, according to latest reports. "Lawyers attending the meet were brutally beaten up and lawyers in the High Court struck back with stones. Lawyers in business suits poured out of the meeting and hurled stones at police who threw them back. Police chasing stone-throwers … [Read more...] about Musharraf Says ‘Sorry’ After Bloody Attacks
Introduction – Gary A. Butts
To Joe Gandelman, thanks for giving me the opportunity to participate in your fine blog. To my fellow moderates, I would like to introduce myself: I was born in 1952 and am an attorney / consultant residing in Irvine, CA. My Bachelor of Arts degree is from U.C.L.A. in Political Science (achieved in 2 years) and my Juris Doctorate degree is from Pepperdine University … [Read more...] about Introduction – Gary A. Butts
Sheikh Mohammed confessing
Time Cover Story: How the Right Went Wrong
If you haven't read Time Magazine's cover story yet, be sure to do so now. The title: How the Right Went Wrong. The cover itself says it all: The entire article is 3 pages long, but it is, as always with Time of course, well worth it. I agree with the authors: Conservatives have to redefine themselves, have to refocus. And to do so, they should look at the past of … [Read more...] about Time Cover Story: How the Right Went Wrong
Testing Kids At World’s Highest Peak
While we are often sucked into endless debate on Iraq, Afghanistan and 'War on Terror', we miss out on lot of other exciting things happening in the world. If only we could look beyond the world of our own making... Here's a fascinating story about a different kind of expedition to the Everest. A British Professor has decided to take his kids to the highest peak in the … [Read more...] about Testing Kids At World’s Highest Peak
Probe Al-Qaeda Leader’s Abuse: US Senators
Two senators who watched Khalid Sheikh Mohammed confess to planning the Sept. 11 attacks and other plots said Friday that his allegations of mistreatment by U.S. captors should be taken seriously. "To do otherwise would reflect poorly on our nation," Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in a joint statement, reports The Washington Post. "Defense … [Read more...] about Probe Al-Qaeda Leader’s Abuse: US Senators
Is Alberto Gonzales a “Politically Dead Man Walking?”
Overheard at a Starbucks in San Diego: "Where is Donald Trump when George Bush needs him?" The comment wasn't referring to Trump's recent "dissing" of Bush, but to the fact that perhaps Trump could take Attorney General Alberto Gonzales into the Oval Office for Bush and say his (unsuccessfully) patented "You're fired!" to resolve the growing scandal over the firing of … [Read more...] about Is Alberto Gonzales a “Politically Dead Man Walking?”
Question Leadership
The Rich Get Richer: First Round Open Thread
Everybody's Final Four still intact? Probably, given that there were precious few major upsets this year. More on that it a minute. First things first though. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi? The college with its very own island nearly pulls off the biggest upset in years before fading to Wisconsin. I thank my lucky stars that my Madison-native roommate advised me against putting … [Read more...] about The Rich Get Richer: First Round Open Thread
Risk of Pregnancy “Not Related” to Pregnancy
So rules the 8th Circuit, which clearly does not realize that all women of child-bearing age are "affected by pregnancy", because they run the risk of becoming pregnant. I love decisions like this, because they don't require me to resort to any sort of weird leftist legal theory to critique the results. The 8th Circuit ignored the plain meaning of the Pregnancy … [Read more...] about Risk of Pregnancy “Not Related” to Pregnancy
The “New” Media Gets Top Blogger As Blog Talk Radio Grows
Watch out Sean, Rush, Randi and Ed. Talk radio no longer just belongs to the broadcast airwaves -- or even the relatively new frontier of satellite radio. Blog talk radio, which has been around for a bit but seems to be gaining more participants and listeners, seems to be taking off. And what better indication do you have of it than Blog Talk Radio hiring one of the … [Read more...] about The “New” Media Gets Top Blogger As Blog Talk Radio Grows