Turkmen voters went to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president. The previous president, Saparmurat Niyazov, died in December. He had ruled the country as a brutal authoritarian dictator with a bizarre cult of personality since 1985, when it was still a Soviet republic. If there's a country that comes close to North Korea, Turkmenistan may be it. Acting President … [Read more...] about Turkmen Vote: The rise of Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov
So Now It Has Happened
The progressive bloggers who worked for John Edwards' campaign and were under attack have now received death threats. … [Read more...] about So Now It Has Happened
Facing the Music – UPDATED
I'm updating and republishing this post from yesterday, to be sure we give all potential contributors ample opportunity to participate in Step #1 of the exercise described below. As you can see in the comments section, we've already received a rather impressive set of suggestions from various TMV readers and authors, and we hope others will take this opportunity to … [Read more...] about Facing the Music – UPDATED
War Debate: An Extraordinary Moment in U.S. History
Marines handle casket of a 19-year-old trooper killed in Iraq The ongoing debate in the House of Representatives on a Democratic-sponsored resolution to cap U.S. troop levels in Iraq is an extraordinary moment in U.S. history. First and foremost, it is the first real debate on a four-year-old war that has riven the U.S., diminished its standing in the world community and … [Read more...] about War Debate: An Extraordinary Moment in U.S. History
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Infidel
The NYT published a review of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's new book Infidel. (Seemingly) the translation of Mijn Vrijheid (which literally means My Freedom), which has been released a few months ago already (in the Netherlands). The circuitous, violence-filled path that led Ms. Hirsi Ali from Somalia to the Netherlands is the subject of “Infidel,â€? her brave, inspiring and … [Read more...] about Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Infidel
Guest Voice: Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes’ “A Valentine For the World”
The Moderate Voice runs Guest Voices posts by people who don't have weblogs or who might want to say something extra special here. All Voices are NOT political ones applauding or booing political candidates or parties. Some have other concerns and express other thoughts. We're pleased and honored to offer our readers today this extended and copyrighted guest column … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes’ “A Valentine For the World”
Obama Cupid Is Best Straightshooter
Is The U.S. Rejecting Or Trying To Jumpstart Negotiations With Iran?
And interesting view on that comes from (my old alma mater) The Christian Science Monitor:The US may be trying to achieve a difficult balance regarding Iran: pushing the Iranians hard enough so they will negotiate over their nuclear program, yet not so hard as to increase tensions in a part of the world that's already aflame. That's the conclusion some experts draw from the … [Read more...] about Is The U.S. Rejecting Or Trying To Jumpstart Negotiations With Iran?
Happy Valentine’s Day
OOPS! Cupid went hunting with Dick Cheney... And speaking of the Veep, a reader sent us this Valentine's Day song about him. … [Read more...] about Happy Valentine’s Day
Roses Are Red
The Daily Obama
The latest salvo in the experience war. Also, am I the only one wondering why these questions are being asked more of Obama than Rudy Giuliani, whose only elected experience is two terms as a mayor. Sure it's of New York, but still--how that outweighs over a decade in public office (more than all the top-tier contenders on either side save John McCain) in one of the nation's … [Read more...] about The Daily Obama
Edwards Blogger Hires: And Then There Were None
John Edwards' remaining high-profile blogger who was under fire from conservatives and Republicans has now quit his campaign staff. The AP's lead: "A second blogger working for Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards quit Tuesday under pressure from conservative critics who said her previous online messages were anti-Catholic. Melissa McEwan writes in THIS POST on … [Read more...] about Edwards Blogger Hires: And Then There Were None
Exclusive Interview With Chalmers Johnson, Forthcoming
It was a busy day for me today, but for a good cause: In a few days, The Debate Link will be publishing an exclusive interview with Chalmers Johnson, author of the Blowback trilogy that recently concluded with the publication of Nemesis. … [Read more...] about Exclusive Interview With Chalmers Johnson, Forthcoming
The Event: Chapter 7
Mick just e-mailed me, he published the 7th chapter of The Event. Go read it now, discussion tomorrow. … [Read more...] about The Event: Chapter 7
Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Want Iraq War Congressional Troop Cap
A new poll shows that Americans have set limits on their patience on the Iraq War -- and limits on ways of getting out of Iraq:Americans overwhelmingly support congressional action to cap the number of U.S. troops in Iraq and set a timetable to bring them home by the end of next year, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds — tougher action than the non-binding resolution the House of … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Want Iraq War Congressional Troop Cap
Tolerance, Respect, Blogging
In light of Amanda Marcotte's resignation from the Edwards campaign, Heraclitus looks at one of the supposedly prejudicial posts from Pandagon that so outraged Bill Donohue and her other critics on the right. (Presumably many of her critics a) don't know her; b) don't know her blogging; and c) didn't read the posts in question, let alone with an open mind.) What it comes … [Read more...] about Tolerance, Respect, Blogging
(Updated) Another Republican Fitted For a Frog Suit
One of the less charming traits of a White House that has determinedly put politics ahead of policy has been naming hacks to key posts. It’s one thing to name your college roommate’s dog groomer to be ambassador to some Podunk country because he has given lavishly to Republican causes. But it’s another matter all together when we’re talking about homeland security … [Read more...] about (Updated) Another Republican Fitted For a Frog Suit
McCain and Intelligent Design
It seems that Senator John McCain "will be the keynote speaker for the most prominent creationism advocacy group" in the United States. Satyam, writing for Think Progress, points out: The Discovery Institute, a religious right think-tank, is well-known for its strong opposition to evolutionary biology and its advocacy for “intelligent design.â€? The institute’s main … [Read more...] about McCain and Intelligent Design
Over-the-Counter Erections
Once upon a time, and for thousands and thousands of years, men had erections. And did things with them. There was erectile dysfunction, no doubt, but humanity survived. Generations and generations of copulation, for procreation or for pleasure -- or for rather less admirable purposes. Enter Pfizer. Enter Viagra. Enter Cialis and all the rest for all the others. The little … [Read more...] about Over-the-Counter Erections
Original Blog Interview: TTD Interviews Adam Stein On Global Warming
The Moderate Voice encourages weblogs to do original interviews so this great infosource can live up to its potential. And -- once again -- there is a GREAT one via The Talking Dog. This time TTD has shifted his focus from terrorism related issues to global warming. And, just as in his other ones, he peppers his interview subject with highly specific questions that show he has … [Read more...] about Original Blog Interview: TTD Interviews Adam Stein On Global Warming