One of the things that has made the American press great has been the lack of prior restraint censorship on what's written. The White House Correspondents Association dinner has in recent years reflected this freewheeling nature, by hiring entertainers who pushed the envelope: Radio host Don Imus got just a wee bit too personal for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham … [Read more...] about When Reporters Who Decry Censorship…Censor
Hrant Dink Murdered
Sad, sad news for all who strongly support the freedom of speech: Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink has been murdered in Istanbul. Read more here (at my own blog). … [Read more...] about Hrant Dink Murdered
Storms Hit Northern Europe
Yesterday I wrote about the storm that hit the Netherlands that day. Today, AmericaBlog noticed reports: It's pretty calm now but lots of noise last night. Fortunately for those of us in Paris the winds were not that bad, especially compared to the Christmas storm a few years ago (1998?) when Versailles lost thousands of trees and we even had two trees in the yard snap. The … [Read more...] about Storms Hit Northern Europe
Faith, Faith and Religion
A very interesting series at Der Spiegel about religion in Europe, America and, well, the rest of the world. It is - in total 3 parts - a long read, but I highly recommend it. … [Read more...] about Faith, Faith and Religion
The Battle for the Soul of Islam in Britain
An interesting article at CNN: At a recent debate over the battle for Islamic ideals in England, a British-born Muslim stood before the crowd and said Prophet Mohammed's message to nonbelievers is: "I come to slaughter all of you." "We are the Muslims," said Omar Brooks, an extremist also known as Abu Izzadeen. "We drink the blood of the enemy, and we can face them … [Read more...] about The Battle for the Soul of Islam in Britain
China Destroys Satellite through Missile
The New York Times reports: China successfully carried out its first test of an antisatellite weapon last week, signaling its resolve to play a major role in military space activities and bringing expressions of concern from Washington and other capitals, the Bush administration said yesterday. Only two nations — the Soviet Union and the United States — have previously … [Read more...] about China Destroys Satellite through Missile
“Jewish Lobby” Attacked
An American Muslim organization has filed a complaint to the Justice Department complaining about the activities of the ever-present "Jewish lobby." … [Read more...] about “Jewish Lobby” Attacked
Is Hillary Clinton Really Going After Obama?
If this Insight story below is true, and this is the line Hillary Clinton's associates plan to press, then she's going to lose a LOT of support. And perhaps that is the intent. You get a bad smell from this story. Like it's being put out by someone hiding under the name "sources" to slime Obama and Hillary Clinton. To wit:Are the American people ready for an elected … [Read more...] about Is Hillary Clinton Really Going After Obama?
O’Reilly Out of Line … Again (UPDATE)
One commenter on the earlier version of this post, see text below, suggested it wouldn't do any good to contact FOX and protest O'Reilly's out-of-line remarks. But I'm a big believer in the power of grassroots protest, and remember: This network cancelled the OJ debacle after public outcry. I'm not suggesting they'll cancel O'Reilly, but maybe he'll learn a little … [Read more...] about O’Reilly Out of Line … Again (UPDATE)
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. Go to Brad DeLong's place for a couple of interesting posts. I could link to one specifically, like I normally do, but since it has been such a long while that I last linked to Brad, it's better to simply go there and... read up. Amba gave her van a name... Michael Linn Jones at the Gun Toting Liberal on Iraq Katie Couric. To … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Is John McCain’s Support Collapsing In New Hampshire? (REVISED)
NOTE: We just did this post and a poll comes out that contradicts the news story that mentioned other polls. So we've done a rewrite, using the newer poll as well. Arizona Senator John McCain may wooing the Republican party's religious right and scoring points with the administration by his strong support of the Bush administration's surge, escalation, or augmentation -- but … [Read more...] about Is John McCain’s Support Collapsing In New Hampshire? (REVISED)
Literary Quote of the Day
Today's literary quote of the day is from Benjamin Franklin's The Way to Wealth. Something those who (I plead guilty to this myself) complain a lot about taxes should remember... "Friends," says he, "and neighbors, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day
Washington Post: Humorist Art Buchwald, 81, Dies
One of my old favorite writers: Newspaper Columnist Art Buchwald Dies at 81 A columnist for more than a half-century, Buchwald found new comic material in the issues that come up at the end of life. Listen to Art Buchwald clips at NPR fishbowlDC - In Memoriam: Art Buchwald (1925-2007) In a town that needs to laugh more -- and needs people like Buchwald to … [Read more...] about Washington Post: Humorist Art Buchwald, 81, Dies
The $800 Billion Tax Loophole
The $800 Billion Tax Loophole "As a result of the 1986 bipartisan tax reforms, the tax base was broadened and the tax code was greatly simplified. But these reforms have been gradually undone as Congress has created scores of new tax breaks and loopholes. Want to preserve historic buildings, encourage alternative energy sources, help working families, or give certain … [Read more...] about The $800 Billion Tax Loophole
Native Americans – Their Story
I'm very interested in the history of Native Americans and in their current situation. As most of you will know, I assume, Native Americans still feel the results of government policies from decades and even centuries ago: from all the minority groups their suicide rates are the highest, unemployment rates same, alcoholism, badly educated, etc. On the other hand, of course, … [Read more...] about Native Americans – Their Story
Nouri al-Maliki: Give us Guns – Troops can almost Go
UPDATED BELOW Nouri al-Maliki continues to criticize the U.S. and to talk about a withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq: America’s refusal to give Baghdad’s security forces sufficient guns and equipment has cost a great number of lives, the Iraqi Prime Minister said yesterday. Nouri al-Maliki said the insurgency had been bloodier and prolonged because Washington had … [Read more...] about Nouri al-Maliki: Give us Guns – Troops can almost Go
Making a Documentary
Michael Reynolds sent me an e-mail asking me whether I wanted to be involved in a project he's a part of. The project: This April I'll be in London, Paris, Madrid and either Amsterdam or Copenhagen with a documentary film crew. I'm looking for interview subjects to talk about attitudes toward the US, the Iraq war, and the question of whether or not we are in a clash of … [Read more...] about Making a Documentary
Freaky Weather
UPDATED BELOW The Netherlands currently suffers from a big storm. Windspeed measured up to 120 Km/h (130 Km/h is expected later today). It's truly quite amazing, I haven't witnessed this kind of storm for quite some years. For the first time ever, the government has issued a weather alarm and a traffic alarm. This means that people should stay inside, unless they have to … [Read more...] about Freaky Weather
How I Fell Out of Love With Condi
Once upon a time, I liked Condoleezza Rice a lot. I daresay I might even have had a bit of a crush on her. Rice was a fresh face in the white male Washington policy-making establishment. Her credentials were impeccable, and she was one of the few people among President Bush's inner circle who didn't seem to have become totally snoggered on the neocon Kool Aid. That Rice's … [Read more...] about How I Fell Out of Love With Condi
White House Reverses Course On Warrantless Wiretaps Program
If there is any doubt of the impact of divided government and the subsequent Sword of Damacles it imposes of oversight via vigorous investigations, hearings and opposition politicos getting louder microphones, this story seemingly lessens it:The Bush administration said yesterday that it has agreed to disband a controversial warrantless surveillance program run by the … [Read more...] about White House Reverses Course On Warrantless Wiretaps Program