A brief follow-up. … [Read more...] about Still on Jews, Anti-Semitism, and Israel
Does radicalism require deliberate rejection of learning?
He's a total radical, probably the most radical president we've ever had in terms of his definition of the power of the presidency. There's nothing more dangerous than a radical who doesn't have information, doesn't learn from information and doesn't learn from the past. -Seymour Hersh, in a symposium at Tufts University This statement brings a question to … [Read more...] about Does radicalism require deliberate rejection of learning?
More from Sabato’s Crystal Ball
Part II: The Republicans in the '08 Presidential Race The nation's 55th quadrennial orgy continues February 1, 2007 - Last week we took a look at the upcoming Quadrennial Orgy of presidential politics from the Democrats' perspective. Now it is the Republicans' turn to be run over by the Crystal Ball. There isn't a GOP candidate out there who isn't happy November 2008 is … [Read more...] about More from Sabato’s Crystal Ball
A Republic, if you can keep it
Cross-posted to Random Fate. --- Here is the result of almost six years of fear-mongering: "It had a very sinister appearance," Coakley told reporters. "It had a battery behind it, and wires." We're now panicked by Lite-Brites that have "batteries and wires" behind them. This is what we've come to. It's not Iraq that we have to worry about when it comes to the … [Read more...] about A Republic, if you can keep it
The Extremism Question – Why Do Muslims Become Radicalized?
I was not convinced by Michael van der Galien's recent analysis of the radicalization of British Muslims. Citing an article in The Telegraph, Michael writes that British Muslims are becoming increasingly fundamentalist and that their support for terrorism is on the rise. How does he explain this phenomenon? Michael argues that it is "multiculturalism" that has encouraged this … [Read more...] about The Extremism Question – Why Do Muslims Become Radicalized?
Vodka Rules
The European Union loves to regulate. And now -- it's all about vodka. (I think I'm with the Scandinavians and Eastern Europeans on this one. But that's probably because I prefer Scandinavian and Eastern European vodka. Which is to say, I prefer vodka, not "vodka". I mean, there have to be clear standards, right?) … [Read more...] about Vodka Rules
Joe Biden and his Big Mouth enter Presidential Race
So Joe Biden is the latest Democrat to join the fray for '08. Fine. I don't always agree with him, but he's a straight shooter, in a wild, reckless sort of way, and I think his foreign policy experience will be a positive addition to the race. If nothing else -- and, let's face it, he has no real shot at the nomination -- he'll force the other candidates, the legitimate … [Read more...] about Joe Biden and his Big Mouth enter Presidential Race
Bipartisan Cooperation: Maybe There’s Hope
Bipartisanship can work, sometimes. From today's WaPo ... Democratic and Republican opponents of President Bush's troop-buildup plan joined forces last night behind the nonbinding resolution with the broadest bipartisan backing: a Republican measure from Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) announced the shift, hoping to unite … [Read more...] about Bipartisan Cooperation: Maybe There’s Hope
Literary Quote of the Day: Robert S. McNamara
There may be no more tragic figure in modern American political history than Robert S. McNamara. As secretary of defense for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, he was vilified for the Vietnam War much as Donald Rumsfeld was vilified for the war in Iraq a generation later. But unlike Rumsfeld, McNamara (b. 1916) is a deeply thoughtful man. And also unlike Rumsfeld (at least … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Robert S. McNamara
The Boston Terrorism Scare, CNN And Turner Broadcasting
A terrorism scare in Boston is covered comprehensively by CNN. Then it turns out the scare was caused by "hoax devices" originating via Turner Broadcasting. Kevin Featherly sees it as the ultimate example of "synergy" and he is NOT happy. … [Read more...] about The Boston Terrorism Scare, CNN And Turner Broadcasting
The Debate Over Senator Joe Biden’s Latest Mouth Problem
The latest theory is HERE. Our previous post on it is HERE. … [Read more...] about The Debate Over Senator Joe Biden’s Latest Mouth Problem
Oil and the Future of Iraq
The war in Iraq has never been just about oil, but oil always has been a big part of what the war is about. Oil is the mainstay of Iraq's economy, and other than the manufacture of those flag-draped coffins of civil war victims that are carried to cemeteries every day, it is the beleaguered nation's only growth industry. But some huge imponderables loom behind those … [Read more...] about Oil and the Future of Iraq
Original Blog Interview: The Talking Dog Interviews Stephen Grey
The Moderate Voice applauds weblogs that do original blog reporting. Most weblogs are basically extended op-ed sites where writers comment on news stories written by the mainstream media, commentaries appearing in newspapers, or on other posts by other weblog writers. But some blog writers take advantage of the incredible potential of weblog technology by truly becoming … [Read more...] about Original Blog Interview: The Talking Dog Interviews Stephen Grey
A Scene In Washington State
Photo by teen photographer Greg S. of San Diego, CA … [Read more...] about A Scene In Washington State
Note To Bloggers
If you've emailed me a link for use on TMV and it hasn't appeared yet, that's due to a very hectic schedule here in Indio, CA. I barely have enough time left to do posts on this site and am too exhausted to post when I get back at night. BUT I will be back in San Diego on Sunday the 25th. In the meantime, your link will appear in our latest version of Around The Sphere later … [Read more...] about Note To Bloggers
Valentine Obama
Enablers
Jews should, absolutely, feel free to criticize Israel and Israeli policies when they think they've gone wrong. But I have a serious problem with Jews who excuse anti-Israel anti-Semitism, which gives cover to bigotry and is a setback to everyone who wants to have a serious discussion on the way in which anti-Semitic and anti-Israel politics intersect (and, on the flipside, can … [Read more...] about Enablers
How many Liberals does it take to change all of the Light Bulbs?
Legislator Wants Green Lights in California A California lawmaker wants to ban the use of incandescent light bulbs in order to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gases which are linked to global warming. Instead, compact fluorescent light bulbs (COLS) would become the alternative for California residents. This is a noble idea that responds to the fact that fluorescents … [Read more...] about How many Liberals does it take to change all of the Light Bulbs?
R.I.P. Molly Ivins
MSNBC: Newspaper columnist Molly Ivins has died of breast cancer at age 62. AUSTIN, Texas - Best-selling author and columnist Molly Ivins, the sharp-witted liberal who skewered the political establishment and referred to President Bush as "Shrub," died Wednesday after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 62. David Pasztor, managing editor of the Texas Observer, … [Read more...] about R.I.P. Molly Ivins
Apologies for Slavery?
Resolutions calling for an apology for slavery have been proposed and rejected many times, and the most recent debate is occurring in Virginia. The discussions are heated and hostile (as they always are), with some claiming they, personally, have no responsibility, some suggesting that those who should apologize -- and those to whom they would say it -- are long-dead, others … [Read more...] about Apologies for Slavery?