Crooks and Liars has a video up of Laura Bush saying downright stupid things. I quote: "Many parts of Iraq are stable... But, of course, what we see on television is the one bombing a day that discourages everybody." Obviously she's right about "most parts of Iraq" being stable, but the second part is, umh, slightly less accurate. I'm sorry, but I cannot be 'moderate' … [Read more...] about I hope Laura was Kidding
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Dennis Sanders nods to yet another atypical Republican. (It may be time to officially start calling this phenomenon "The Arnold Effect.") Andrew Sullivan examines the lives of children in Uganda -- a chilling contrast to just how fortunate many of us and our own children … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Iraq Oil: The Devil Is In the Details
In a rare display of comity, the Iraqi cabinet has approved a draft of a law setting guidelines for distribution of oil revenues and foreign investment in the country’s immense and largely untapped oil riches. The draft law allows the central government to distribute oil revenues to the provinces or regions based on population, which could lessen the economic concerns of … [Read more...] about Iraq Oil: The Devil Is In the Details
Bob Woodruff’s Recovery and That of Our Soldiers
Today's Washington Post addresses the recovery of wounded journalist Bob Woodruff, comparing and contrasting it with that of our wounded veterans. A Firsthand Report on the Wounds of War: Bob Woodruff Indicts Military For Its Response to Veterans Howard Kurtz Media Notes: Woodruff, Back from the Brink … [Read more...] about Bob Woodruff’s Recovery and That of Our Soldiers
(Updated) When Bad Things Happen to Bad Policies
Karzai and Cheney: Having a blast in Afghanistan As symbols go, the detonation of a suicide bomb practically under the nose of the vice president at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan is pretty powerful. As it is, it matters less whether Dick Cheney was two feet or two miles from the blast outside the main gate of the sprawling base at Bagram, that he was the professed … [Read more...] about (Updated) When Bad Things Happen to Bad Policies
Literary Quote of the Day: Bram Stoker
Today's literary quote of the day is from Bram Stoker's Dracula. "For life be, after all, only a waitin' for somethin' else than what we're doin', and death be all that we can rightly depend on." As always, share your thoughts on today's literary quote in the comment section of this post. H/t E.E.B. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Bram Stoker
Take a Peek
At David Harris's - executive director of the American Jewish Committee - new blog at the Jerusalem Post. … [Read more...] about Take a Peek
Widening Poverty Gap In US
The number of Americans living in severe poverty has expanded dramatically under the Bush administration, with nearly 16 million people now living on an individual income of less than $5,000 (£2,500) a year or a family income of less than $10,000, according to an analysis of 2005 official census data, says The Independent. "The analysis, by the McClatchy group of … [Read more...] about Widening Poverty Gap In US
I Suppose That I Should Be Flattered, But . . .
Back in March 2006 on the third anniversary of the war in Iraq, I wrote at my own wee blog: For many Americans, the war is background noise that only occasionally and inconveniently intrudes as they shop at the mall and catch a glimpse of a bloody street scene from Baghdad on the TVs in the window of an electronics store. Then in December 2006, I wrote the following … [Read more...] about I Suppose That I Should Be Flattered, But . . .
US Reads Musharraf the Riot Act: Pakistan Retaliates
Pakistan's military ruler Pervez Musharraf has fallen from Washington's good grace, reports The Times of India correspondent from Washington. "President Bush, who called Musharraf his 'tight buddy' couple of years ago, has decided to send him an 'unusually tough message' over his failure to deliver results in the war on terrorism, the New York Times reported on Monday, … [Read more...] about US Reads Musharraf the Riot Act: Pakistan Retaliates
Guest DVD Review (Part I): Gates Of Heaven
Here's yet another great, thoughtful review from Dan Schneider. The first of two parts. DVD Review Of Gates Of Heaven Copyright © by Dan Schneider Roger Ebert is perhaps the most famous film critic in America. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his writing. It should be noted, however, that that award was for the writing, not his analytical skills. What separates Ebert … [Read more...] about Guest DVD Review (Part I): Gates Of Heaven
Gore’s Oscar
Guest Voice: Terrorism Thwarted – Effectiveness in Regard to Both Short Term and Long Term Approach
NOTE: The Moderate Voice frequently runs Guest Voice posts from people who either don't have weblogs or have something they wish to say here. Guest posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its cobloggers. Alex Hammer ran as independent candidate for governor in 2006. He has an excellent blog Politics 2.0. He has had some 30 op-ed pieces published in Maine and … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Terrorism Thwarted – Effectiveness in Regard to Both Short Term and Long Term Approach
Note To Readers
In answer to the emails: I plan to restart more extensive blogging later this week. Due to several extremely serious family matters, driving huge distances, and my performing schedule I have limited time. For instance, today I drive 320 miles roundtrip on a business matter. Most of my posts will resume at normal pace on Wednesday. … [Read more...] about Note To Readers
Is Hezbollah Rearming?
Yes, says The Times. "Hezbollah, the militant Shia organisation, is building a new line of defences just north of the United Nations-patrolled zone in south Lebanon ahead of a potential resumption of war with Israel. "The military build-up, only six months after the last Lebanon-Israel conflict, is being conducted in valleys and hillsides guarded by uniformed Hezbollah … [Read more...] about Is Hezbollah Rearming?
OOPS!
You may have seen a DVD review up a few minutes ago. We just pulled it, since it was supposed to run tomorrow....which is when you'll find it on this site. … [Read more...] about OOPS!
Center of Attention
Some extra attention for a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers … Al Sharpton did some soulfamily searching. Amba writes: "Al Sharpton has discovered that an ancestor of his was owned by an ancestor of Strom Thurmond's." Go read her post over at AmbivaBlog. Shay comments on the Oscars. She "batted .500 in [her] hicks". Capt. Fogg at The Reaction on "why … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
GOP Comes to a Fork in the Road
Two contrasting view points this week from the GOP From Governor Schwarzenegger Schwarzenegger stresses the importance of centrism in American politics, decries excessive partisanship and said the current system of political gerrymandering in which the vast majority of seats in the House of Representatives are heavily weighted in favor of one party or the other “creates … [Read more...] about GOP Comes to a Fork in the Road
USA and Al Qaeda
Literary Quote of the Day: Stephen Crane
Stephen Crane (1871-1900) was an American journalist and novelist best known for “The Red Badge of Courageâ€? (1895), a bestseller that plumbed the mind of a young soldier as he dealt with the horrors and triumphs of the Civil War. It is considered by some people to be the first detailed account of what has become known as post-traumatic stress disorder. An excerpt: At … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Stephen Crane