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
An Update on the Gardasil Vaccine Controversy
Merck & Co., responding to mounting criticism over its strong-arm tactics, says it will stop lobbying state officials to require that girls receive its Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine before they can attend school. The giant drugmaker said it made the decision after several groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, said there wasn't enough state funding to pay … [Read more...] about An Update on the Gardasil Vaccine Controversy
Going Back to the Moon
An interesting read over at Pajamas Media... Buzz Aldrin and Taylor Dinerman explain why NASA has to go back to the moon. An excerpt: NASA unveiled its plans for a base on December 4th, 2006. The lunar base is to be built on one of the Moon’s poles, probably the south one, which is lit by the Sun at least 75 percent of the time. “Our objective is to create a enduring … [Read more...] about Going Back to the Moon
(Updated) What Happened to Sabrine Al-Janabi?
Sabrine is interviewed on Al Jazeera The U.S. has again found itself in the middle of a hugely embarrassing no-win situation in Iraq because of the civil war it has fomented. The "situation" is what what happened or did not happen to 20-year-old Sabrine Al-Janabi. Beyond a small handful of well publicized cases, there is ample anecdotal evidence that Iraqi and American … [Read more...] about (Updated) What Happened to Sabrine Al-Janabi?
Tony Blair Inches Towards Quitting Iraq (UPDATE 2)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is going to start to slowly pull the plug on his country's involvement in the Iraq war, the NBC reports:Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce Wednesday a timetable for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, with 1,500 to return home in several weeks, British media reported. Blair will also tell the House of Commons during his regular … [Read more...] about Tony Blair Inches Towards Quitting Iraq (UPDATE 2)
Nonbinding
Australian Light Bulbs
What Would You Call It?
If we forcibly take people from other countries and put them internment camps, even after we know they did nothing wrong, is there any reason not to call that kidnapping? Tragically, this is becoming somewhat of a historical pattern. But it's a good thing that we have courts they can challenge their detention in. Oh, wait. … [Read more...] about What Would You Call It?
The perils of attacking Iran
Speculation is growing in America and around the world that the Bush administration might take military action against Iran in the near future. Thinking through this possibility should go beyond the usual partisan arguments of Washington about Iranian interference in Iraq and the security of Israel. Taking on Iran would be a first step to a new kind of world war. American … [Read more...] about The perils of attacking Iran
Mommy’s little girl
Little girls have always tried to model the styles and mannerisms of older girls (read: young women). It's part of growing up, and as far as I know, it always has been. So what's different between the little girls of yesteryear and today? And can we really blame dolls? More here. … [Read more...] about Mommy’s little girl
Cuomo-Gingrich Debate Feb 28
A 90-minute, unrestricted, unrehearsed dialogue about the major challenges confronting America by two of the most articulate promoters of their ideologies. For more Info … [Read more...] about Cuomo-Gingrich Debate Feb 28
The Event: Chapter 8
Mick LaSalle just e-mailed me: he published chapter 8 today. East - someone who refused to play East's game of unite and conquer - has killed the Pope... and Sadie is trying to come to terms with, well, the fact that her father killed the most important Christian leader. O... and who will become the new Pope and what will the results of that be? Priscilla will get … [Read more...] about The Event: Chapter 8
An African-American Catholic Woman with a Jewish Father can become President
As long as she isn't mormon, homosexual, or atheist. H/t Austin Roth … [Read more...] about An African-American Catholic Woman with a Jewish Father can become President
On to the Next Step
Based on the approving comments we received yesterday regarding our draft of five policy questions -- and an overwhelming lack of disagreement about those questions -- we have now moved on to the second step; namely, posing these questions to the presidential candidates. A friend and former colleague who worked on Senator Kerry's campaign in 2004 and served previously in the … [Read more...] about On to the Next Step