Like his nominal boss, and just as delusionally, Vice President Dick Cheney sees the British withdrawal as proof of success in Iraq: "Well, I look at it and see it is actually an affirmation that there are parts of Iraq where things are going pretty well." I'm sure the Iraq of Cheney's wild imagination is a wonderful place where free, armed, and capitalistic Iraqis worship … [Read more...] about More on the British withdrawal
Prodi resigns
Last April, I covered the Italian elections here, here, and here. I was happy that challenger Romano Prodi of the center-left beat incumbent Silvio Berlusconi of the center-right. Berlusconi is, after all, a crook. But the election was close, and, as the BBC is reporting, Prodi has resigned after "after losing a crucial foreign policy vote in the Senate". The issue? … [Read more...] about Prodi resigns
Blogger Abdel Kareem Sentenced to Prison
I have been following this story although I'm afraid that I have to admit that I spent far too little blogposts on it... For those who don't know: Egyptian blogger Abdel Kareem Nabil was quite critical of Egypt's president Mubarak, the university he attended (they "threw him out") and (radical) Islam. As a result, the Egyptian government prosecuted him for insulting Islam … [Read more...] about Blogger Abdel Kareem Sentenced to Prison
Around The Sphere Feb. 22, 2007
As you can see, this is not a cartoon. Post Author is Joe Gandelman. Our linkfest taking you to posts from varying viewpoints. Linked posts do NOT necessarily reflect the views of The Moderate Voice. So What's Going On With Iran? Is THIS an olive branch extended to the U.S.? And Speaking Of Iran there are claims and counterclaims on which nation is giving weapons to … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere Feb. 22, 2007
Protecting India’s Elderly Parents
As India hits the high road to global integration and its leaders dream of the country as a potential economic/military super power, its traditional and deep-rooted social unit called the family seems to be undergoing extreme stress and a crisis. This issue has now gained national importance with the Prime Minister of India, Mr Manmohan Singh, convening a Union Cabinet … [Read more...] about Protecting India’s Elderly Parents
Bon Voyage
India-Pakistan Nuclear Safeguards
In the backdrop of the horrific bombings on their friendship train, India and Pakistan Wednesday signed an agreement to reduce the risk of nuclear accidents. This is a welcome development in an area described as a nuclear flashpoint by some Western experts. Indian and Pakistani officials signed an agreement on "Reducing the Risk from Accidents Relating to Nuclear Weapons" in … [Read more...] about India-Pakistan Nuclear Safeguards
(Updated) Mohammed Al-Mahdi: Please Phone Home
The civil war in Iraq unofficially enters its second year today -- the anniversary of the insurgent bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra. The mosque, the holiest of the holy for Shiites, remains closed, a heap of untouched rubble symbolic of the firestorm of sectarian violence unleashed by a botched U.S. occupation. The attack was a brilliant tactical move because the … [Read more...] about (Updated) Mohammed Al-Mahdi: Please Phone Home
Women as Baby Factories
Go and read this post over at Deafening Silence about the role of women as baby factories. It's a great, insightful, well researched post on this subject. … [Read more...] about Women as Baby Factories
When the War Returns to Washington
A U.S. trooper plays chess in Baghdad while Congress fiddles Uh-oh! Lock up the china and hide the children. Congress reconvenes next week and will again take up the Mess in Mesopotamia. As you may recall, the House has passed a non-binding resolution pretty-pleasing President Bush to not increase troop levels, which he has done anyway, while the Senate has tied itself in … [Read more...] about When the War Returns to Washington
The Helpdesk
Coalition Of The Leaving
Is There Anything That’s Not The Dreaded “Race Card”?
A Clinton supporting (Black) Democrat says that they shouldn't nominate Obama because he's Black. Obama's camp asks Clinton to repudiate the statement. Conservatives claim that Obama is "playing the race card" against Clinton. Is there anything racism related that is not a "race card" play to the far right? … [Read more...] about Is There Anything That’s Not The Dreaded “Race Card”?
(Updated) Assessing the British End Game in Iraq
A British convoy patrols a road in Basra today The announced pullout of more British troops from Iraq – in reality the end game for the U.S.’s most steadfast Coalition partner -- can be viewed as a dress rehearsal of a sort for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces. I say "of a sort" because the city of Basra and the oil-rich southeastern part of Iraq have been … [Read more...] about (Updated) Assessing the British End Game in Iraq
Governor Schwarzenegger and Senator McCain on Global Warming: UPDATED
Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator (and Presidential candidate) John McCain will hold a new conference today about California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependent on fossile fuels in order to do something about the problem of global warming. Schwarzenegger signed the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) last year which established … [Read more...] about Governor Schwarzenegger and Senator McCain on Global Warming: UPDATED
Hillary Clinton Facing Hollywood Defections — And “Clinton Fatigue”? (UPDATED)
Senator Hillary Clinton's camp can't be too happy over New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd's latest column, which has some peppery words about her candidacy and her husband from Hollywood bigwig David Geffen. The news peg is a big, A-list fundraiser in Hollywood -- for Barack Obama. There was a time when columnists basically said that then-President Bill Clinton was … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Facing Hollywood Defections — And “Clinton Fatigue”? (UPDATED)
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. PatHMV at Stubborn Facts on "that wonderful Europe": "Europeans (not all Europeans, just the most vocal) often waste no time detailing how much cooler, hipper, happier, and generally better they are than us crude Americans. We are "dumb" because we re-elected George Bush as President and we're insensitive to the poor because we don't … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Muslims in Dutch Cabinet
Aboutaleb and Albayrak When I write about immigration / integration some Americans argue that Europe is and I am (just about) 'racist'. Fine. My point always is, when I talk so harshly about immigrants / immigration, that they are welcome here, as long as they integrate. The problem is: so many immigrants refuse to integrate. However, individuals who are willing to … [Read more...] about Muslims in Dutch Cabinet
Michael Interviews Michael… and Pilgrims and American Exceptionalism
Signing of the Mayflower compact Michael J. Totten interviewed Michael Oren, author of Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East: 1776 to the Present - which appears to be a fascinating book and a must read for everyone interested in this subject. From the interview: MJT: So tell us, Michael, why does America’s involvement in the Middle East 200 years ago … [Read more...] about Michael Interviews Michael… and Pilgrims and American Exceptionalism
Britney’s Problems
You're not used of me to write about 'celebrities', mostly because I don't care about it too much, but Britney Spears has caught my attention nonetheless. First she shaved her hair off and now, De Volkskrant reports, that she has checked into a rehab center. From Hollywood.com: Britney Spears has entered a rehabilitation center, her spokesman said on Tuesday, capping a long … [Read more...] about Britney’s Problems