Blogtopia (that word was created by this guy) is (supposedly) self-policing and now a new characteristic has come under the microscope: the use of vulgar language on blogs. Read James Joyner and Steven Taylor (who have other links as well). As far as TMV is concerned, early on I made a decision that this site would use daily newspaper and broadcast standards in terms of … [Read more...] about 7 Dirty Words You Can Sometimes Read On Blogs (UPDATED)
Bush Is Losing Support Among Republicans
A new poll indicates that President George W. Bush is rapidly losing support among members of his own party -- and it's perhaps a clue why Arizona Senator John McCain's campaign seems on the downswing, given that McCain has become the Bush GOP establishment candidate:In the months since the Congressional elections, President Bush has lost substantial support among members of … [Read more...] about Bush Is Losing Support Among Republicans
Some Thoughts On Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr
From the ever-thoughtful Mark Daniels:Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., who died on Wednesday, was the first serious historian I ever read, back when I was in junior high school. My first Schlesinger book was A Thousand Days, his account of the Kennedy Administration, of which he had been a minor White House functionary. No doubt Kennedy, himself a Pullitzer Prize winner in … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr
A Truly Fowl Video
"Barn To Be Wild?" … [Read more...] about A Truly Fowl Video
NEWS FLASH!
A new investigative report from The Garlic: This Just In! White House Applying Katrina Strategy To Med Center Neglect To Gauge Neglect, Problems, President Set To Fly Over Walter Reed, Bldg. 18 Today Bush Promising Action, "To Press Face Against Window"; Recommends DOD Follow Katrina Strategy Facing yet more criticism over the treatment of wounded U.S. soldiers, the … [Read more...] about NEWS FLASH!
The Snake That Got Away
Taliban Leader Caught in Pakistan
Has the US Vice-President's reported stern warning to Pakistan begun to work? The New York Times says in a report that the former Taliban defense minister, Mullah Obaidullah, was arrested in Pakistan on Monday, the day of Vice President Dick Cheney’s visit, two government officials said Thursday. He is the most important Taliban member to be captured since the American-led … [Read more...] about Taliban Leader Caught in Pakistan
The Environmentalist’s Religion
Alan Stewart Carl had an interesting experience recently...Last week, my wife and I toured one of the few area preschools not associated with a church. We knew it was a bit hippy-dippy but we also knew it had a good reputation. Everything was going well until the school day began with all the children sitting around in a circle. They use this time to tell a multi-culturally … [Read more...] about The Environmentalist’s Religion
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: WE WERE MERELY FRESHMEN?
GOP Hunts the House for One-Term Wonders in 2008 As the Crystal Ball gazes into the future of Congress's lower chamber beyond 2008, what should it consider? Should we read anything into the moderate success of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's early leadership? No, the elections are too far away for it to really matter. Forgive us as we turn our attention to popular music for a moment. … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: WE WERE MERELY FRESHMEN?
Literary Quote of the Day: Thomas Jefferson
Today's literary quote of the day is from a letter from Thomas Jefferson to Governor Plumer in 1816, partially published in the book Thomas Jefferson on Democracy edited by Saul K. Padover: The generation which commences a revolution rarely completes it. As always, share your thoughts on today's literary quote in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Thomas Jefferson
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Dick Cheney gave an interview recently, while resisting on anonymity. Libby Spencer ain't down with that. Tully reacts to what he calls Gore's "stunningly blatant hypocrisy". PatHMV meanwhile spends some attention to the question: are bloggers responsible for their … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Does Rudy Have a Chickenhawk Problem?
There was a lively discussion in the comments section of my post yesterday on Iran: Good News, Bad News & More News regarding whether having not served in the military mattered if you were an outspoken supporter of the Iraq war. In other words, do so-called chickenhawks have a credibility problem? Well, Mr. Rudolph Giuliani's presidential campaign is now confronting … [Read more...] about Does Rudy Have a Chickenhawk Problem?
No Joke
The C-17 Transport Dick Cheney used to fly into Afghanistan was named The Spirit of Strom Thurmond. Somebody screwed up big. As Michael Currie Schaffer points out, that's supposed to be the designated plane of the Senate Minority Whip. … [Read more...] about No Joke
Giuliani’s Liberal Judge Problem
Rudy may be talking the "strict constructionists" talk, but it seems he didn't walk the walk while mayor of NYC. From Politico:A Politico review of the 75 judges Giuliani appointed to three of New York state's lower courts found that Democrats outnumbered Republicans by more than 8 to 1. One of his appointments was an officer of the International Association of Lesbian and … [Read more...] about Giuliani’s Liberal Judge Problem
Boston Police Foil Another Sinister Plot
First the Mooninites, then the next deadly scourge. … [Read more...] about Boston Police Foil Another Sinister Plot
“Pakistan’s Intelligence Monster”
Under this heading, the Khalid Hasan writes in the Daily Times of Pakistan that today many Pakistani journalists fear their government's intelligence agencies more than any Islamic militant. "The roughing up of New York Times reporter Carlotta Gall by intelligence hoods in her Quetta hotel room on 19 December and the despicable treatment given her photographer has brought … [Read more...] about “Pakistan’s Intelligence Monster”
Stock Market Reaction To China
Moderates are Irrelevant
Or so one could conclude from this column at the Washington Post by Alan Abramowitz and Bill Bishop. The two men report that the "Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES) surveyed more than 24,000 Americans who voted in 2006" - 46% of the ones polled said they voted for the Republican party, 54% said to have voted for the Democrats. Keep reading this. … [Read more...] about Moderates are Irrelevant
Angelina on Darfur
Let's take Angelina Jolie seriously for a moment, shall we? She had an interesting (and important) piece in yesterday's Washington Post on the situation in Darfur -- from a refugee camp (Oure Cassoni) in Bahai, Chad. Here are a few key passages: -- "By every measure -- killings, rapes, the burning and looting of villages -- the violence in Darfur has increased since my last … [Read more...] about Angelina on Darfur
The Myth of the Middle?
The Washington Post today has a commentary about The Myth of the Middle The writers observe that there is a wide disparity of opinion on controverisal issues between liberal, conservative and even independent voters and that their representatives are merely reflecting this divide. Centrism and bi-partisanship is a myth. This is a recurring topic because it is a comparison … [Read more...] about The Myth of the Middle?