Regarding Ari Fleischer: "The longer you question Fleischer, the less knowledge you take away from the experience." The quote was referring to the cross-ex of Fleischer in the Scooter Libby trial. But, speaking from my recollections of his days as Press Secretary, the observation is significantly more....transcendent than just that one case. … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day
The little duck that could
Via Natalia Antonova, I've come across the truly amazing story of a little Floridian duck named Perky: A duck that survived being shot and spending two days in a refrigerator has now overcome major surgery -- despite briefly dying on the operating table. Florida vets working to repair gunshot damage to Perky's wing panicked when the duck twice stopped breathing. But … [Read more...] about The little duck that could
BREAKING NEWS — 13 percent of Americans are stupid ignoramuses
Alright, that may be a tad harsh. Or... no. Is that overly generous? You decide. According to a new 46-country survey, as reported by Reuters, "[t]hirteen percent of Americans have never heard of global warming even though their country is the world's top source of greenhouse gases". My reaction to this report has come in two successive stages: 1) That's terrible. … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS — 13 percent of Americans are stupid ignoramuses
The Personal Cost
The Coffeespy ponders the big issue: While I am definitely a supporter of what we are doing in Iraq, and would have been even without the arguments of WMD and terrorist links, it’s important for those defending the actions over there to remember the human cost. We pay lip service to it all the time. But I think it’s our personal responsibility to have personal knowledge … [Read more...] about The Personal Cost
On changing the course of US foreign policy
American foreign policy under George Bush and Condoleezza Rice is turning into an incubator of civil conflicts while being absent in other spheres, where it could do some good. The US is not a prime cause of internal conflicts but it is helping to turn the smoldering embers of old hatreds among local tribes and sects into blazing violence. Since World War II, US foreign … [Read more...] about On changing the course of US foreign policy
The Libby Trial Is Enough To Make Journalists Drool
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. PatHMV at Stubborn Facts explains why - as he sees it - preventive care is not necessarily cheaper than curative care. Amba published good quotes from Chesterton. Brad DeLong: Thank You for Smoking! (Max Boot/Council on Foreign Relations Edition). Libby Spencer explains that - in her opinion - the U.S. overreacted to 9/11 … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Welcome Back
I just wanted to welcome former Old War Dog John back to the blogosphere. A while ago, some of the Dogs broke with Old War Dogs as the result of some kind of internal dispute or disagreement. Glad to see that John, and some other 'Dogs' are back to blogging (although - this goes without saying - I don't always agree with them). Welcome back John et alia! Their new blog: … [Read more...] about Welcome Back
Ethics Relativity
In Dems Should Dump Ethically Challenged Harry Reid the case is made that Senator Reid has personally benefited from favors in exchange for promoting special interest legislation. I suspect that with enough investigation many legislators may be guilty of promoting self serving policy. And it would be appropriate for their constituents to vote them out of office as … [Read more...] about Ethics Relativity
Specter: There’s More Than One Decider
Senator Arlen Specter, whose flip-flops on presidential powers have been downright schizophrenic, today challenged President Bush's declaration that he was "The Decider." Said the Pennsylvania Republican during a hearing on the war powers of Congress: "I would suggest respectfully to the president that he is not the sole decider. The decider is a shared and joint … [Read more...] about Specter: There’s More Than One Decider
What a Drag it is Getting Old
Fans of the Rolling Stones should recognize the title of this post, from the song, "Mother's Little Helper." Of course, the Stones are now old enough to actually be the parents of the middle age mothers who are addicted to little yellow pills. And naturally, many of their fans, who once protested the Vietnam War, have aged right along with them, as freelancer Jack Langer … [Read more...] about What a Drag it is Getting Old
Kirk Cartoon on the Doomsday Clock & Terrorism
Kirk Editorial Cartoon from The Toledo Blade: … [Read more...] about Kirk Cartoon on the Doomsday Clock & Terrorism
Target: Litvinenko
Yes. Above you see a picture of Alexander Litvinenko... with bullet holes in it. Why? Russian special forces used images of Litvinenko for target practice. Read more at Michael P.F. van der Galiën. … [Read more...] about Target: Litvinenko
What’s the goal of public education?
Every time I approach the question of education or reform, I find that people respond from many different directions, with radically diverse assumptions. Thus, it appears to me that we don't have a consensus on what, exactly, we're trying to accomplish with our public education system. Perhaps I missed the mission statement. Is the goal a literate society whose citizens can … [Read more...] about What’s the goal of public education?
Iraq: The Same War Over and Over and . . .
Groundhog Day is the delightfully dark comedy in which Bill Murray, who plays a TV weatherman, finds himself living the same day over and over again. Well, the war in Iraq ain't delightful, but it has taken on the same mondo bizzarro feel for this correspondent. Please click here for more. … [Read more...] about Iraq: The Same War Over and Over and . . .
Literary Quote of the Day: Lydia Maria Child
Today's literary quote is from Lydia Maria Child's Mrs. Child's Reply (to a letter sent to her by Mrs. Margaretta Mason): Men, however great they may be, are of small consequence in comparison with principles As always, share your thoughts on today's literary quote of the day in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Lydia Maria Child
The Novel Approach Of “The Event”
The San Francisco Chronicle's Mick LaSalle is writing "The Event" and is using an interesting device to release his novel: a website that'll offer readers weekly installments. Here's his description:Imagine if everything the Religious Right believes about the End Times is true, except the Rapture doesn't take them and the antichrist turns out to be their favorite politician . . … [Read more...] about The Novel Approach Of “The Event”
Former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer Points Finger At Libby
The prosecution in the trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby featured a prominent witness yesterday to bolster its case: former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, who testified with immunity protection:Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer testified yesterday that I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby divulged Valerie Plame's identity to him in July 2003, three days earlier … [Read more...] about Former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer Points Finger At Libby
‘Look, That IsWas My Boy!’
'Look! My boy did this! Isn't it great?!
Awww, how sweet, mama is proud of her little boy:
The mother of Muhammad Faisal Saksak, the 21-year-old suicide bomber who carried out Monday's attack in Eilat, said she was aware of her son's plan to blow himself up and that she had wished him "good luck."
Dozens of Palestinians, chanting slogans against Israel and the US, … [Read more...] about ‘Look, That IsWas My Boy!’
‘Here Comes Barbaro’
Barbaro is gone, but his historic victory in the 2006 Kentucky Derby lives on. Please click here for a pole-to-pole video of that great race. … [Read more...] about ‘Here Comes Barbaro’