I've talked alot about how the Pro-Israel community should respond to external critiques from the left. But I think it's worth emphasizing that we have an equal obligation to exile groups from the right who either call themselves or are called "pro-Israel" whose agenda involves plunging Israel into violent conflict with its neighbors and/or Palestine. These people are no friend … [Read more...] about Internal Pro-Israel Politics
1 in What?
If this is true, I'm wondering why it is we didn't hear about this before the surge actually started as part of the, you know, debate: Smith [Gordon Smith, R-OR] said he recently spoke with Gen. David Petraeus, the new top military commander in Iraq, who told him the troop surge has only a one in four chance of succeeding. Looking good then, looking good. I mean, one in … [Read more...] about 1 in What?
Richter ’08
Former New York Rangers all-star goalie Mike Richter is contemplating a challenge to Connecticut Republican Representative Chris Shays. Shays was the only GOPer to survive the 2006 Democratic rout in New England. It's very early, and Richter hasn't committed, but it seems like he's a serious candidate. … [Read more...] about Richter ’08
Newt on the Failure of Citizenship in the Ninth Ward
He said quite some good things and then he said this: How can you have the mess we have in New Orleans, and not have had deep investigations of the federal government, the state government, the city government, and the failure of citizenship in the Ninth Ward, where 22,000 people were so uneducated and so unprepared, they literally couldn't get out of the way of a … [Read more...] about Newt on the Failure of Citizenship in the Ninth Ward
Literary Quote of the Day: Ralph Waldo Emerson
I have quoted him before, and I will do so again: today's literary quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson's The Poet: the experience of each new age requires a new confession, and the world seems always waiting for its poet. Share your thoughts on today's literary quote of the day in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Ralph Waldo Emerson
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. McQ examines the verbification of "swift boat" and one of its most recent applications. Justin Gardner riffs on Bill Maher's death wish for VP Cheney. The Angry Independent highlights a chilling story about the murder of another critic of the Russian … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Take a Peek
At Watching America: a great website, with a noble and necessary purpose. From its 'about': WatchingAmerica reflects global opinion about the United States, helping Americans and non-Americans alike understand what the world thinks of current issues that involve the U.S. This is done by providing news and views about the United States published in other countries. It is not … [Read more...] about Take a Peek
The Conservative World Turns Against Coulter
Senator John McCain, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney have condemned Ann Coulter for the bigoted remark she made when she spoke at CPAC. As all of you will remember she referred to John Edwards as a “faggotâ€?. Howard Dean and others called on Republicans to denounce Coulter’s remark… and they did. Keep reading this>> … [Read more...] about The Conservative World Turns Against Coulter
Newsweek Poll Shows Rudy Rising As 2008 Top Republican Contender
As the political world watches the (for now) political descent of once GOP front-runner Arizona Senator John McCain, polls continue to show that the person now rising on the political see-saw is a certain former mayor of NYC who isn't a conservative's dream candidate -- but may be the dream candidate of more pragmatic GOPers. Newsweek reports:Maybe it is Giuliani time, after … [Read more...] about Newsweek Poll Shows Rudy Rising As 2008 Top Republican Contender
Turning Back the Assault on American Democracy
As conversant as I am with the abuses and extralegal activities of the Bush administration, it was astonishing to read a sampling of them in one place -– a New York Times editorial that offers a list of things that need to be done to begin to reverse the damage that President Bush and Vice President Cheney have wrought. The list begins with restoring habeas corpus, … [Read more...] about Turning Back the Assault on American Democracy
An Interesting Letter
A very interesting letter at Pajamas Media, written by Salim Mansur who is Muslim, in response to a non-Muslim writer. It's the third letter, also read the first and second one. … [Read more...] about An Interesting Letter
Romney Most Popular among Conservatives
An interesting straw poll: Mitt Romney receives most support from those attending CPAC. Giuliani is second, Brownback third, Gingrich fourth and... McCain fifth with only 12% of the vote. McCain has made a tremendous mistake: he thought that he would be able to appeal to the conservative base while not losing support of more moderate elements within the Republican party. … [Read more...] about Romney Most Popular among Conservatives
Ann Coulter’s Comment: You Decide
Yesterday we ran THIS long post and roundup on the controversy surrounding commentator Ann Coulter's latest verbal bombshell from the septic tank of thought. A few readers emailed us saying we were unfair -- that we should have posted the You Tube directly and let readers decide how she was received for themselves. Fair enough... So -- by popular request -- 4 U: … [Read more...] about Ann Coulter’s Comment: You Decide
Stupid Cupid
From the late, great comedy genius Benny Hill: … [Read more...] about Stupid Cupid
Music Update
For those of you curious about how my birthday music spree turned out, here's the update. For those of you who don't care, that's cool, but you still have to watch The Brewmaster's Tale if you've ever so much as glimpsed at The Lord of the Rings movie (and heard the music). … [Read more...] about Music Update
A New Candidate?
Do you know the man in this picture? He apparently wants to be your next President. … [Read more...] about A New Candidate?
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Get your Iraq-update at (via) A Newer World. Booker Rising's quote of the day... about rap music. The always insightful and reasonable Sean Aqui praises the Washington Post for its investigative reporting re. the Walter Reed Medical Center and he praises the Bush … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
The Most Religiously Illiterate Religious People
An interesting review by Susan Jacoby at the Washington Post. The United States is the most religious nation in the developed world, if religiosity is measured by belief in all things supernatural -- from God and the Virgin Birth to the humbler workings of angels and demons. Americans are also the most religiously ignorant people in the Western world. Fewer than half of us can … [Read more...] about The Most Religiously Illiterate Religious People
Inspiration, Dedication, Sacrifice
Swaraaj Chauhan forwarded me the following, inspiring story. STORY NUMBER ONE Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was his lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was … [Read more...] about Inspiration, Dedication, Sacrifice
Concert Review: The Martha and Chuck Show
I once had a dream in which two lions of classic music played the leading roles -- pianist Martha Argerich and conductor Charles Dutoit. The dream was set in the spacious kitchen of a Mediterranean villa. Dutoit was backing out of the room as Argerich shrieked and threw china plates from a sideboard at him. I know not whether Argerich and Dutoit were married in my dream, … [Read more...] about Concert Review: The Martha and Chuck Show