New Boss, same as the Old Boss – Redistricting
The Politico has a disappointing report on the realities of redistricting reform in California Redistricting and Blade Running ...U.S. House Democrats from California, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco. With their majority potentially threatened, the California delegation is prepared to spend $10 million fighting any ballot initiative that would take redistricting … [Read more...] about New Boss, same as the Old Boss – Redistricting
Original Blog Reporting: TTD Interviews Former Guantanamo Prisoner
TMV encourages original reporting on blogs. And once again The Talking Dog is offering an original Q&A HERE -- this time with a former Guantanamo prisoner. As usual, it's hard to excerpt from it because there is so much "meat" in the interview that you MUST read it ALL yourself. But we'll give you the intro and a taste of just one exchange.British national Moazzam Begg was … [Read more...] about Original Blog Reporting: TTD Interviews Former Guantanamo Prisoner
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. A good post at Deafening Silence about Egyptian blogger Abdel Kareem Nabil who was sentenced to four years in prison for insulting Islam and Egypt's President Mubarak. The always hilarious Jon Swift wonders what kind of tree Scooter Libby is. What kind of what? Yes, what … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Secret Prison in Poland
The Raw Story reports that British and Polish intelligence officials have admitted that there was a secret "interrogation and short-term detention facility for suspected terrorists within a Polish intelligence training school with the explicit approval of British and US authorities." The Raw Story claims to have seen a memo which indicates that British "Prime Minister Tony … [Read more...] about Secret Prison in Poland
Revisiting Stan
Curiousity may have killed the cat, but it also tempted a couple hundred of you to click over this weekend to Central Sanity to read more about Stan, his possible bid for President, and his views on the world. With a few days separation from that post, and certain unsolicited reminders about the requirements of my Christian faith, I started to experience regrets about the way … [Read more...] about Revisiting Stan
Walter Reed Vet
Iranian Teachers Strike
Good news: Gateway Pundit reports that thousands of Iranian teachers protested against the Iranian government. Lets hope that more and more Iranians will protest against their government. … [Read more...] about Iranian Teachers Strike
McCain Seeks Independents’ Primary Votes
Washington Times Sen. John McCain's campaign is mounting a stealth effort to change Republican presidential nomination rules in California to allow independents to vote in the Feb. 5 primary, party and campaign officials in the state have told The Washington Times. The impact could be huge -- and potentially damaging to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, currently the … [Read more...] about McCain Seeks Independents’ Primary Votes
Iraq: When One Surge Isn’t Enough
Despite President Bush's rosy statements that his last-gasp "surge" strategy in Iraq is working, the Pentagon may be preparing to send several thousand more troops on top of the 21,500 already in country or on their way. Gordon England, a deputy secretary of defense, has told the House Budget Committee that commanders are requesting reinforcements beyond the personnel … [Read more...] about Iraq: When One Surge Isn’t Enough
A Question About Dick Cheney
Is this Dick Cheney's "Agnew moment"? … [Read more...] about A Question About Dick Cheney
Europe Update: Criminalizing Citizen Journalism and… Two Women Two Countries
A new French law will make it illegal for everyone except professional journalists to film or broadcast acts of violence (committed by others). Keep reading this>>. Angela Merkel and Ségolène Royal: two women, two countries, but where’s the love? It is fascinating - and great - to see that, suddenly, women are… or have a chance of becoming the leaders of three of … [Read more...] about Europe Update: Criminalizing Citizen Journalism and… Two Women Two Countries
Remembering Eagleton
I'm inexcusably late with this post. The former Senator died Sunday. He was a legendary and imposing and widely respected figure when I was growing up. And sadly, as I've now forgetten so many other things, I didn't remember that he was once a Vice Presidential candidate (for an entire 18 days), on the ticket with George McGovern in 1972. Why only 18 days? As Jim … [Read more...] about Remembering Eagleton
Compromise in the Making
First Read quotes this article at the Politico: House Democratic leaders, seeking a compromise with several dozen anti-war lawmakers in their own caucus, are considering a vote on a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq before taking up $98 billion in new military spending," The Politico reports. "In return for the vote, the leaders want the 50 to 75 anti-war … [Read more...] about Compromise in the Making
Cheney & Libby: It’s Not Over By a Long Shot
Lost in the tsunami of commentary on the Libby perjury trial verdict is that a second trial looms that could be far more damaging to Vice President Cheney and the Bush administration. That trial would be on the lawsuit that Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame have filed against Cheney, Libby, Karl Rove and Richard Armitage. The lawsuit would have proceeded no matter the … [Read more...] about Cheney & Libby: It’s Not Over By a Long Shot
Obama’s Finances
The New York Times has an article up, stating that Obama "bought more than $50,000 worth of stock in two speculative companies whose major investors included some of his biggest political donors." One of the companies was a biotech concern that was starting to develop a drug to treat avian flu. In March 2005, two weeks after buying about $5,000 of its shares, Mr. Obama took … [Read more...] about Obama’s Finances
A Turning Point For U.S. Korea Talks?
There apparently is good news coming out of the talks between the United States and North Korea. The BBC:The US and North Korea have had "very good" talks aimed at normalising relations between the two nations, the top US negotiator has said. US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill was speaking after the second day of the talks in New York. He said there was a … [Read more...] about A Turning Point For U.S. Korea Talks?
The Libby Verdict: The Ending Or The Beginning Of Controversy?
Within minutes of "Scooter" Lewis Libby being convinced of four counts of perjury and obstruction of justice yesterday the questions began: is this political controversy going to end or to continue -- and will President George Bush pardon Libby in the end? The administration's staunchest defenders put a full-court press to say how this case and the crime for which Libby was … [Read more...] about The Libby Verdict: The Ending Or The Beginning Of Controversy?
This Just In!!!!!!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Bush Strips Libby of Nickname President: ‘I Hardly Knew the Man’ Just hours after Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff I. Lewis “Scooterâ€? Libby was found guilty in his trial relating to the CIA leak scandal, Mr. Libby suffered another setback as President George W. Bush officially stripped him … [Read more...] about This Just In!!!!!!
A Cartoonist Looks At Two Political Women
RJ Matson's cartoon for Roll Call "Lady MacHillary Regrets Iraq Vote." And his (Ann Coulter) cartoon for the New York Observer "Wicked Witch Of The G.O.P." … [Read more...] about A Cartoonist Looks At Two Political Women