"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
Internal Pro-Israel Politics
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