The time-honored concepts of soldiers fighting with a sense of purpose on the battlefield and civilians supporting them on the home front are getting vigorous workouts as the Iraq war slouches toward its fifth year with no end in sight. But how do these concepts play out -- and are they even valid -- if the war in question is morally suspect? There is a chillingly prescient … [Read more...] about Iraq and Good War vs. Bad War
President Limbaugh
Hot Air has a video up of it. This is not even remotely funny. Bob Cesca agrees. As does Ace who suspects that the writers of the show are liberals "deliberately sabotaging the show, or so horribly out of touch with conservative opinion as to have no real idea what a conservative might find funny, or -- likeliest of all -- convinced conservatives are abject morons who … [Read more...] about President Limbaugh
Was Al Franken A Success Or Flop As A Talk Show Host?
Ask and ye shall receive -- what's predictable. Ask someone on the right about what they think of comedian Al Franken's stint as Air America's highest-profile talker and they will say he was a failure. But enough about Bill O'Reilly. Others will say the same thing, too. Ask many people on the left what they think of Franken and they'll say he put progressive talk on … [Read more...] about Was Al Franken A Success Or Flop As A Talk Show Host?
Inside The Religious Right
Reposted by Good Will Hinton and still a must-read. … [Read more...] about Inside The Religious Right
This Just In!!!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Networks Criticized for Lack of Anna Nicole Smith Coverage CNN: We Dropped the Ball A media watchdog group today blasted the major news networks for failing to provide enough coverage of Anna Nicole Smith’s death in the 72 hours following the blonde bombshell’s passing. The media watchdog group, which calls … [Read more...] about This Just In!!!
Those KIDS!
Obama and Howard feud
Language Matters: Political Rhetoric and North Korea
The use of political rhetoric has played an important role in the recent nuclear deal with North Korea. In the early years of his presidency, Bush's rhetoric was often coarse, and sometimes straight-up nasty. Talking about North Korea, he famously referred to the nation back in 2002 as a part of the "Axis of Evil," and he labeled its leader, Kim Jong Il, a "tyrant," a … [Read more...] about Language Matters: Political Rhetoric and North Korea
Hot Water
I bet that John Bolton is in hot water with the White House. Talking yesterday about the recent nuclear arms agreement reached with North Korea, Bolton said: "It's a bad, disappointing deal, and the best thing you can say about it is that it will probably fall apart." Whoops. That's probably not what the Bush administration had in mind for him to say. Indeed, during the … [Read more...] about Hot Water
Daily Rant
Today's focus: People who strawman liberal bogeymen without knowing what they actually are saying. No specific news trigger, but God is it irritating. … [Read more...] about Daily Rant
Bizarre Story of the Day
BBC: Feng Shui guru aids zoo's quest to make monkeys feel at home Los Angeles Zoo has hired the services of a Feng Shui expert to help three golden monkeys loaned by China feel at home in their future surroundings. Simona Mainini, who is also a qualified architect, believes the move may be a first in animal enclosure design. "It's very experimental. We don't have any … [Read more...] about Bizarre Story of the Day
9 Out of 10 Hill Observers Agree
Putting Reps. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) in neighboring offices is a really dumb idea. … [Read more...] about 9 Out of 10 Hill Observers Agree
Is al Qaeda self-destructing?
Finally, some good news to cheer the day (CNN): A Saudi wing of al Qaeda called for attacks on U.S. oil sources across the world, saying targets should not be limited to the Middle East and listing Canada, Venezuela and Mexico as U.S. oil suppliers. The threat appeared in the al Qaeda Organization in the Arabian Peninsula's e-magazine, Sawt al-Jihad (Voice of Holy War), … [Read more...] about Is al Qaeda self-destructing?
Literary Quote of the Day: D.H. Lawrence
Today's literary quote of the day is from D.H. Lawrence' Studies in Classic American Literature: Never trust the artist. Trust the tale. The proper function of a critic is to save the tale from the artist who created it. Share your thoughts on today's literary quote in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: D.H. Lawrence
Daimler Chrysler: When Bad Cars Beget Bad News
It has not been the happiest of Valentine's Days in the community where I live. A crippling ice storm would freeze the most passionate lover's kiss, while word came from Detroit that our Daimler Chrysler assembly plant will shut down after 55 years. The plant, which makes Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs, will remain open until 2009, but will soon cut back to a single … [Read more...] about Daimler Chrysler: When Bad Cars Beget Bad News
(Updated) New Baghdad Plan: A Recipe For Disaster?
In a move that took American commanders by surprise, the Iraqi government has ordered tens of thousands of Baghdad residents to leave homes and offices that they are occupying illegally because of the orgy of sectarian cleansing that has torn apart the capital city. Lieutenant General Aboud Qanbar, who is leading the crackdown, also announced the closing of Iraq’s borders … [Read more...] about (Updated) New Baghdad Plan: A Recipe For Disaster?
Open Thread
Yep. Another open thread just for you. Play nice y'all. Yes, that includes you Gray. ;) … [Read more...] about Open Thread
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. Libby Spencer at The Impolitic argues that the Austrian guns are no smoking gun. Publius on why keeping a hostile state in doubt about the possibility of an attack is generally accurate... but inaccurate as applied to Iran. Bloggasm's Simon Owens interviewed Jon Swift. Okay, because you all asked for it, some excerpts: Simon … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Sadr to Iran?
ABC News is reporting that Moqtada al-Sadr left Baghdad for Tehran "two to three weeks ago," a move that "coincide[d] with the announced U.S. troop surge in Baghdad". The source -- "senior military officials," whatever that means. Sadr may or may not be in Baghdad now -- there are conflicting reports, it seems -- but it makes sense both that Sadr would leave Baghdad for … [Read more...] about Sadr to Iran?
More Bad News For Rudy Giuliani
Yet another negative memo has come out about former New York Mayor Giuliani -- another internal memo about his vulnerabilities...this one an older memo but with some newer information. The Smoking Gun begins its entry this way:As he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination, Rudolph Giuliani will have to contend with political and personal baggage unknown to … [Read more...] about More Bad News For Rudy Giuliani