Is it smart for the Bush administration to ally with dictatorships in order to fight Islamic extremism? An article in The Economist on American relations with Ethiopia got me thinking about this question. Since 9/11, a range of ghoulish dictators and autocrats from across the globe have witnessed their ties with the United States improve dramatically. Islam Karimov of … [Read more...] about Friends Without Benefits
It’s all about Image
I'm a subscriber to Palestinian Media Watch reports. PMW does great work exposing hate-filled PA propaganda. No matter what Palestinian leaders say publicly, Palestinian media seem to spread hatred and intolerance, and worship violence. Read more at my own blog. … [Read more...] about It’s all about Image
The (Politically) Retreating Democrats?
Columnist Robert Novak, in his fast-paced Evans-Novak report notes that the Democrats are in retreat on the Iraq issue due to Rep. Jack Murtha's revelation of a strategy that apparently took other Democrats by surprise:Thanks in part to Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Jack Murtha's talk about Democrats' plans to attach conditions to Iraq-War funding, Democrats are on the retreat … [Read more...] about The (Politically) Retreating Democrats?
Death By Toothache
If our Medicaid policy was vaguely moral, 12-year-olds wouldn't die because they couldn't get their toothaches dealt with in time. … [Read more...] about Death By Toothache
The Event Chapter 9
Mick LaSalle has published the ninth chapter of The Event. It's a great chapter. The press is falling all over Wade and Priscilla. Within a couple of days Wade is fired. Priscilla starts being asked by major networks to appear on shows and to comment on what happened. She's becoming a symbol for those who oppose president East... East, meanwhile, isn't about to let anybody … [Read more...] about The Event Chapter 9
Complaining Soldiers At Walter Reed Told To Stop Talking About Problems
Isn't it time to use the word? But we won't. We are far too polite. We won't say this Army Times report details what smells like a coverup and/or something truly unworthy of the military men and women who have sacrificed and are on the mend:Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Medical Hold Unit say they have been told they will wake up at 6 a.m. every morning and … [Read more...] about Complaining Soldiers At Walter Reed Told To Stop Talking About Problems
Open Thread
Play nice. Yes Gray. Play nice! Be sure to check the open thread, some interesting links were posted yesterday. … [Read more...] about Open Thread
Train Wreck
Interview with Harm de Blij – Part 1
EDITOR'S NOTE: This was run earlier but since it is an original interview conducted for this site we will leave it at the top for several hours. NEWER posts are BELOW so keep scrolling. A reader, Stuart, sent me a great present a couple of months ago: a book called Why Geography Matters by Harm de Blij. The book had a lot of influence on me - it's a very interesting book, … [Read more...] about Interview with Harm de Blij – Part 1
Missing In Action: The Democratic Mandate
Was it really only four months ago that an emergent Democratic majority in Congress prepared to march boldly into the future and deal decisively with all of those vexing problems facing the republic, most especially the Mess in Mesopotamia? It seems more like four years ago considering that, as The New York Times notes: The Democratic-controlled Congress on Tuesday … [Read more...] about Missing In Action: The Democratic Mandate
Bagram blast fallout: The politics of a smear campaign
By now most of you have surely heard the news: Vice President Cheney was inside the main U.S. air base in Afghanistan yesterday when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives just outside the gates, killing as many as 23 people and showcasing insurgents' growing capabilities in advance of a widely expected spring offensive. Within hours, a purported Taliban spokesman … [Read more...] about Bagram blast fallout: The politics of a smear campaign
Big Business Demanding Big Government
Ed Morrissey links to this article in the Star Tribune: Though last year's request for public dollars went nowhere, the Mall of America has an even bigger proposal for expansion using public subsidies. This year, the megamall wants $181 million from state taxpayers to build an 8,000-space parking garage. That's the centerpiece of a package of state and local subsidies worth … [Read more...] about Big Business Demanding Big Government
Is U.S. Involvement In Iraq Talks With Iran A Significant Policy Shift?
Is a significant -- versus cosmetic -- policy shift in the works regarding the United States's willingness to enter into talk with Iran? It sounds as if this could be the real thing. The Washington Post:The United States agreed yesterday to join high-level talks with Iran and Syria on the future of Iraq, an abrupt shift in policy that opens the door to diplomatic dealings the … [Read more...] about Is U.S. Involvement In Iraq Talks With Iran A Significant Policy Shift?
Iran: Good News, Bad News & More News
For an administration that has been more inclined to saber-rattle than talk, the news that the U.S. may meet face to face with Iran and Syria is most welcome. Less welcome are the stories saying that the White House has been weighing air attacks on Iran even in the face of threats by General Peter Pace, head of the Joint Chief of Staff, and other Pentagon bigs that they … [Read more...] about Iran: Good News, Bad News & More News
Carl Levin: Take Action against Syria and Iran
Red State reports that Carl Levin, speaking at a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting, said that action should be taken against both Syria and Iran: "I think we ought to take action on all fronts including Syria and any other source of weapons coming in, obviously Iran is the focus – but it shouldn’t be the sole focus." The exchange: SEN CARL LEVIN (D-MI): “Now, … [Read more...] about Carl Levin: Take Action against Syria and Iran
What’s Killing the Honeybees of America?
Once upon a time, I had an opportunity to work with a beekeeper. This wonderful experience opened my eyes to the crucial link that these industrious insects were to the crops that we grew and ate on the farm where I lived, as well as the global food chain. So I have followed with great interest and considerable dread the mystery of why an alarming number of honeybees in … [Read more...] about What’s Killing the Honeybees of America?
Poll Shift Favors Obama And Giuliani
More bad news for Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain -- the media's and talking heads' perceived front-runners for their respective parties' 2008 Presidential nomination. It's called EROSION:The opening stages of the campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination have produced a noticeable shift in sentiment among African American voters, who little … [Read more...] about Poll Shift Favors Obama And Giuliani
Rare “Live” Three Stooges Sketch
In 1959 The Three Stooges returned with a new "Curley replacement" after the release of their theatrical shorts (their contract with Columbia had ended) led to a new generation getting hooked on their highly physical humor. The You Tube below contains the first-ever TV appearance of veteran comedian Joe DeRita as the latest incarnation of the late Jerome "Curley" Howard … [Read more...] about Rare “Live” Three Stooges Sketch
Read TMV In A Newsreader
This should make you smile: Reading TMV has never been easier (agreeing with all of its content may not be as easy). Now, you can click on the SUBSCRIBE IN A READER link in the upper right hand corner and easily get Our Golden Words Of Wisdom in other ways then by clicking onto this site. And here's more background 4 U. … [Read more...] about Read TMV In A Newsreader
Guest DVD Review (Part II): Gates Of Heaven
This is the second part of this review. Part One is HERE. DVD Review Of Gates Of Heaven Copyright © by Dan Schneider Not much else occurs in the film, although there is a montage, near the end, of animal plots, with engravings and photos, which is strangely moving- somewhat akin to seeing photos of the war dead from Vietnam or Iraq, or a listing of Holocaust victim … [Read more...] about Guest DVD Review (Part II): Gates Of Heaven