New York Senator Hillary Clinton, the favorite in the (early) polls to gobble up the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination, has taken "responsibility" for her vote for the war -- yet another step in trying to satisfy those in her party who continue to clamor for her to express regret for her earlier vote. But will it be enough?New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton blamed … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Takes “Responsibility” For Her Vote For War
More On CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Versus V.P. Dick Cheney
Here's a lesson in "remedial journalism," from a longtime pro. … [Read more...] about More On CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Versus V.P. Dick Cheney
The Art Of The “Spin”
10 Zen Monkeys takes a detailed look at President George Bush and, in very specific terms, explores whether he "spun like Nixon." An intriguing must-read. Spin has become an artform in the United States. It's an art form in which the spinners barely disguise that they're spinning, those who report the spin know it's spinning but don't always awknowledge it, and many members … [Read more...] about The Art Of The “Spin”
Reminder: Comment Registration Required Starting Today
Just a reminder: as of today comment registration is required on this site if you want to post comments. This allows us to turn off the spam filter and keep legitimate comments where they should be: in the comments section of posts instead of the spam bin. You can start registering today by following some simple steps: 1. Go to the “Members Areaâ€? at the top of the site … [Read more...] about Reminder: Comment Registration Required Starting Today
Further Confirmation Why John Kerry Will Never Be President John Kerry
It's hard to believe he is a professional politician. Mind-boggling. We've said it here before: he has no political smarts. … [Read more...] about Further Confirmation Why John Kerry Will Never Be President John Kerry
Newsweek Poll Shows Bush State-of-the-Union Speech “Bump” Downwards
The latest Newsweek poll shows something you don't usually see: a President's poll rating go DOWN right after their State Of The Union address:President George W. Bush concluded his annual State of the Union address this week with the words “the State of our Union is strong … our cause in the world is right … and tonight that cause goes on.â€? Maybe so, but the state of … [Read more...] about Newsweek Poll Shows Bush State-of-the-Union Speech “Bump” Downwards
Comments Registration Required Starting Sunday – Reposted
I have decided to repost this post by Joe, as to make sure that everyone reads it. TMV Readers: Effective 01/28/07, comment registration will become mandatory if you want to post comments. This will allow us to turn off the spam filter and keep legitimate comments where they should be: in the comments section of posts instead of the spam bin. You can start registering … [Read more...] about Comments Registration Required Starting Sunday – Reposted
Literary Quote of the Day: Ken Kesey 2
Today's literary quote of the day is, yet again, from Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Normally, I wouldn't use two quotes of the same book easily, but there are so many usuable quotes in this magnificent book that I chose to use a second one today... And, to make matters even worse, I might use a third one somewhere next week. Confession: sadly, stupidly, … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Ken Kesey 2
The Cycle
I'll admit this post deals with two somewhat disjointed topics: The racism of Marty Peretz, and the way liberals deal with allegations of anti-Semitism. … [Read more...] about The Cycle
Saturday Open Thread
That's right... we've got an open thread at TMV. Every Saturday, a thread just for you. Saw something interesting? Read news we didn't cover (yet)? Enjoy debating about all kinds of issues? The open thread is for you! Join in and share your thoughts (and links). … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Thread
What’s Britishness, (Germanness, Frenchness…) Dutchness?
There is an interesting debate going on over at The Times about the meaning of 'Britishness': what is it exactly? What defines the British people? Why did I decide to link to this debate? The answer is that, although it is interesting enough to simply read what Brits have to say about “Britishnessâ€?, it’s more than ‘just’ a debate about Britishness: the same debate … [Read more...] about What’s Britishness, (Germanness, Frenchness…) Dutchness?
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. Dave Schuler has his own round-up over at The Glittering Eye. Andrew Sullivan explains why he chose to publish a controversial video of Shiite soldiers beating up Sunnis / Sunni terrorists militiamen civilians. Also check out Booker Rising's quote of the day. Molon Labe reports for Winds of Change that "you can help test … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
A New Voice at TMV
I'm very pleased to be a new co-blogger at The Moderate Voice. Joe has decided to grant me a spot on the staff as a way of bringing another angle of foreign policy analysis here to TMV. These are big shoes to fill, as the current crew of bloggers seems to do a very good job of debating and analyzing current international issues. Nonetheless, I hope to add a new perspective to … [Read more...] about A New Voice at TMV
The Bravery And Valor That Transcends Policy Disputes
While Americans vigorously debate Iraq War policy, it's too easy to forget the individual sacrifices, acts of bravery and actions that make a difference. The real "decision maker" is the military person in the field who has to make life-death decisions each day. Lest we forget, here's a story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune:Members of the Minnesota National Guard rescued … [Read more...] about The Bravery And Valor That Transcends Policy Disputes
Iraq: Does Anyone Else Detect a Trend?
I have labored without much success to find even a sliver of silver lining in the dark cloud that is the Iraq war. But then there are folks like Subsunk at the Black Five military blog for whom the big turnaround always seems to be right around the corner. I do not say that harshly. Subsunk is tapped into the military equation in Iraq in a way few people are. While I and … [Read more...] about Iraq: Does Anyone Else Detect a Trend?
(Updated) Afghanistan: Does Anyone Else Detect a Trend?
What the hell is going on with European countries who pay lip service to the notion of fighting the War on Terror in its bread basket -- Afghanistan and the border with Pakistan -- but won't provide more troops and other resources? The war in Iraq is the wrong war at the wrong place at the wrong time. The war in Afghanistan is the right war at the right place at the right … [Read more...] about (Updated) Afghanistan: Does Anyone Else Detect a Trend?
Iraq & Afghanistan: What a Wicked Web They Weave
Disinformation is an important aspect of any successful military campaign, but bald-faced lying when it serves no strategic purpose is reprehensibly vile and dishonors soldiers everywhere. In yet another perverse instance in which the Pentagon has intentionally lied to turn a tragic incident into a public-relations device, it turns out that four American troopers did not die … [Read more...] about Iraq & Afghanistan: What a Wicked Web They Weave
The Arar Travesty
Maher Arar was deported, by the U.S. to Syria where he was (most likely) tortured The AP via CNN reports that Maher Arar, who was deported by the U.S. to Syria where he was tortured, has been compensated by the Canadian government for its role in this drama. He will get C$10.5 million (US$8.9 million) and Prime Minister Stephen Harper publicly apologized. Harper also called … [Read more...] about The Arar Travesty
Will Karl Rove Have To Testify In Libby Case?
To his critics, White House political maven Karl Rove has had a fairly unrestricted run since George W. Bush got in office: he engineered Bush's victories, successfully retired some Democrats, successfully employed wedge issues and even though the 2006 elections were a bit humiliating, he hasn't faced serious personal obstacles -- or many negative consequences. Will that be … [Read more...] about Will Karl Rove Have To Testify In Libby Case?