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
Breaking: Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi Wounded after Terrorist Attack
CNN reports that terrorists have attacked the Iraq's Ministry of Municipalities building where many important Iraqis were gathered for a celebration. The bombing killed 12 and wounded - at least - 42 individuals among whom Iraq's Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi of the powerful Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. The Shiite group / the Iraqi government … [Read more...] about Breaking: Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi Wounded after Terrorist Attack
Of Lawrence, Saudi Arabia, Arabs & the West
To read the story on 'arranged marriages' in a Saudi paper please click here. We had interesting comments that followed two TMV posts - The Lessons of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ by Shaun Mullen, and my post on Myth of Muslim Support for Terror A few comments came from Laura. In one of those Laura says: "We ought to be prejudice towards our own civilization because it is … [Read more...] about Of Lawrence, Saudi Arabia, Arabs & the West
Is Hagel the New McCain?
Every election needs its maverick. Some random speculation at Central Sanity ... … [Read more...] about Is Hagel the New McCain?
Lieberman in WSJ: The Choice on Iraq
Senator Joe Lieberman wrote an OP-ED for the Wall Street Journal called "The Choice on Iraq". In it he defends the surge and calls on the Democrats to change their approach towards the war / surge. What is remarkable about this state of affairs in Washington is just how removed it is from what is actually happening in Iraq. There, the battle of Baghdad is now under way. A new … [Read more...] about Lieberman in WSJ: The Choice on Iraq
Justice: The American Beacon Dims
Long after George Bush retires to his Texas ranch to search among the scrub brush for his lost legacy and long after Dick Cheney has his final myocardial infarction, Americans will be trying to pick up the pieces of a justice system that they sought to destroy. If you are of a certain age, you may remember a time when the United States was a beacon of justice in a world … [Read more...] about Justice: The American Beacon Dims
Iran-Contra Revisited
The New Yorker published a long article (five pages) by Seymour Hersh yesterday. Although it might take you all an incredible 20-30 minutes to read, I'd encourage everyone to read it nonetheless: it's very informative, very interesting, and very shocking. Hersh explains how the Bush administration is involved in something quite similar to Iran-Contra. America's (and … [Read more...] about Iran-Contra Revisited
Why Does America Treat Its Soldiers & Vets So Badly?
Finding myself in an inquisitively philosophical mood, I asked the other day why America has draconian laws that lead to the imprisonment of casual marijuana users despite all the studies that show that marijuana is fairly innocuous, is not a gateway drug and can provide relief from the side effects of crippling medical treatments. A vigorous discussion largely free of … [Read more...] about Why Does America Treat Its Soldiers & Vets So Badly?
Cell Phone Lover
From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about Cell Phone Lover