Prothero Online
I linked to a review in the Washington Post of Stephen Prothero's new book Religious Literacy a couple of days ago. The Washington Post now reports that Prothero will be online today at 3PM ET to take questions about the book. … [Read more...] about Prothero Online
Step by Step
Egyptian Fatwa sanctions hymen reconstruction surgery, says that men can only demand proof of virginity from their wives if they can prove their own virginity. … [Read more...] about Step by Step
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Brad DeLong on the price of oil. Better: a tax on oil. America is suffering from "fiscal cancer" according to David Walker. Read Jeremy Dibbell's post. Ron Beas: Who needs to govern when you can pillage? A reaction to the headline at WaPo stating "It's not just Walter … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Another Putin Foe Dies Suddenly
If you're an insurance company, you might want to reconsider insuring anyone who is a foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The (seeming) hits keep on coming:A senior Russian journalist who embarrassed the country's powerful military establishment with a series of damaging stories has been found dead outside his flat in mysterious circumstances. The body of Ivan Safronov, … [Read more...] about Another Putin Foe Dies Suddenly
Maher: Cheney Dead More People Live
The MSM and blogs have spent a lot of attention to Ann Coulter's outrageous remarks at CPAC. Both Democratic and Republican leaders have denounced her, the same goes for bloggers, etc. As you all know, we at TMV have done the same. Ann's remarks were bigoted, she should never be allowed to speak at a serious political gathering from now onward and I don't exactly consider it a … [Read more...] about Maher: Cheney Dead More People Live
Is Bloomberg Eyeing A 2008 Third Party Race?
From Fox News:New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is meeting with pollsters and consultants to assess his chances at winning the White House as an independent candidate. Political adviser Kevin Sheekey told Newsweek: "There is no Bloomberg campaign. But we have certainly reached out." Sheekey adds that whether he runs "depends on who the nominees are for the two major parties, and … [Read more...] about Is Bloomberg Eyeing A 2008 Third Party Race?
Taking the Jihad Online
The Internet has become a tool for terrorist organizations to spread their propaganda and to recruit new, young terrorists. Brig. Gen. John Custer: "I see 16-, 17-year-olds who have been indoctrinated on the Internet turn up on the battlefield. We capture them, we kill them every day in Iraq, in Afghanistan. Without a doubt, the Internet is the single-most important venue for … [Read more...] about Taking the Jihad Online
Conservative Bloggers Issue Letter Denouncing Ann Coulter
"Mother of Mercy, is this the end of Rico?" --Edward G. Robinson in Little Caesar (1930). Is this truly the time to ask: "Mother of Mercy, is this the end of Ann Coulter getting carte blanche to be viewed as a symbol of conservatism?" It looks that way after a virtual firestorm of condemnation following her own supposedly botched joke -- using the politically taboo (for … [Read more...] about Conservative Bloggers Issue Letter Denouncing Ann Coulter
Selma, Obama and Hillary
UPDATED BELOW Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both marched in Selma, Albama, and "made deeply personal appeals to voters in the sanctuaries of black churches". Hillary was supported by her husband Bill who was and remains incredibly popular among black voters. On the other there is, of course, Barack Obama who is black himself which should give him … [Read more...] about Selma, Obama and Hillary
650 000??
Fresh doubts have been raised about the accuracy of the study published in the Lancet which claimed that 650 000 Iraqi civilians have died due to the war. Seems to me that a new study should be conducted. … [Read more...] about 650 000??
The Middle East and Neoconservative Democracy
Bringing democracy to the unwashed masses of the Arab world was a neoconservative mantra long before they hijacked the Bush presidency to use as their own ideological testing ground. In the abstract, the idea is a noble one. In reality, it has been a disaster in Iraq – where democracy was imposed at point of gun with ruinous results – and pretty much a non-starter … [Read more...] about The Middle East and Neoconservative Democracy
Britney Spears Attempted Suicide Twice in 10 Days
According to this article (and this one as well) she has attempted to commit suicide twice in the past ten days. She apparently tried to 'hang herself with a bedsheet' after scrawling '"666" across her head' and 'screaming "I am the anti-christ" to frightened staff.' Lawhawk correctly points out that she needs the support and help from her family and professionals. The … [Read more...] about Britney Spears Attempted Suicide Twice in 10 Days
Orange County Nudist Colony Closes
They didn't want to stick it out for one more year:Never in her 80 years has Flora "Flo" Nilson felt so exposed. After spending most of her adult life buffing up the image of nudists, the owner of Orange County's only nudist resort and one of the longest-running such refuges in the West is calling it quits. "It's time to move on," Nilson said. "For 53 years, it was … [Read more...] about Orange County Nudist Colony Closes
Guest DVD Review: Clouds Of May
Back by popular demand. Here's another Guest Voice review by Dan Schneider: DVD Review Of Clouds Of May Copyright 2007 © by Dan Schneider I am usually very wary when people recommend art to me- be it a poem, a book, or a film. Usually they are in love with a certain work or artists, and are blinded to its manifest flaws because of some emotional attachment to it. … [Read more...] about Guest DVD Review: Clouds Of May
Hillary Clinton War Authorization Vote
Who Needs Defense Attorneys?
Looks like another competent Gitmo defense attorney is going to be Swift-boated. … [Read more...] about Who Needs Defense Attorneys?
Pirates of the Caribbean
When I grow up, I want to be a Pirate! Cue theme from "Curse of the Black Pearl".... … [Read more...] about Pirates of the Caribbean
Excuse Our Continuing Dust
Yes, we're still working on TMV and some remaining issues stemming from our move from Powerblogs. You will likely see some more changes in coming weeks. The latest is that several times tonight our blog looked as if it was typed out on a typewriter. We have gotten some reader complaints, but rest assured it is NOT going to be the new look of TMV. (Yours truly was as surprised … [Read more...] about Excuse Our Continuing Dust
Khalilzad and Allawi Work On Their Dream Scenario
The latest on Iyad Allawi's plan to re-take Iraq via Juan Cole: Al-Hayat reports that Iyad Allawi, a secular ex-Baathist Shiite who leads the Iraqi National List (25 seats in parliament), visited Kurdistan on Saturday. He is attempting to convince the Kurdistan Alliance to join his new coalition in parliament. Allawi has said that his list will leave the 'national unity … [Read more...] about Khalilzad and Allawi Work On Their Dream Scenario