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
Turkmen Vote: The rise of Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov
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