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The Moderate Voice

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Israel-Syria Held Secret Talks for Two Years on Peace Deal

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Sorry to post so much today but this was too tasty to wait Haaretz In a series of apparently "unofficial" secret meetings in Europe between September 2004 and July 2006, Syrians and Israelis formulated understandings for a peace agreement between Israel and Syria. It is most striking how far along and comprehensive the agreement reached before talks were apparently … [Read more...] about Israel-Syria Held Secret Talks for Two Years on Peace Deal

Newt as a One Person Think Tank

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Newt Gingrich is one of my favorite conservatives because he is relatively open minded to pragmatic ideas regardless of the source. As you read his list, could not most of his proposals come from moderates and even progressives? It would be wise for the Democrats to find a way to include Newt as part of the process of crafting policy able to draw bi-partisan support. It would … [Read more...] about Newt as a One Person Think Tank

Coequal Branches of Government

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I'm not a Constitutional attorney, and thus can't say for certain that this analysis -- from two "Washington lawyers who served in the Justice Department during the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush" -- is fair, accurate, and representative of the facts. Regardless, it's a fascinating (and for many, I'm sure, frustrating) examination of the Constitutional … [Read more...] about Coequal Branches of Government

Flat-earth Republicanism

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According to The Wichita Eagle, presidential hopeful and religious conservative Sam Brownback has added support for the flat tax to his platform, making it "a fiscal policy cornerstone" of his campaign for '08. I'm sure it's the Christian position to take. 1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from … [Read more...] about Flat-earth Republicanism

One More Take

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Yesterday, the Web was filled with myriad memories of and tributes to Dr. King. After reading several of them, I was compelled to spend time last night evaluating the great civil rights leader's impact on my life and family. At the encouragement of others, I'm sharing the results of that intro/extrospection, trusting that one more take is not one take too many or too late. … [Read more...] about One More Take

Dems steer towards the middle – GOP stays the course?

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The NY Times today profiled the adjustments being made by the Democratic leaders. ...The promise may not outlast their political honeymoon, but Democratic Congressional leaders say they are committed to governing from the center, and not just on bread-and-butter issues like raising the minimum wage or increasing aid for education. They also hope to bring that philosophy to … [Read more...] about Dems steer towards the middle – GOP stays the course?

Literary Quote of the Day: Natan Sharansky

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Natan Sharansky (b. 1948) is a former Soviet Refusenik and protégé of Andrei Sakharov, former hard-line Israeli politician and present-day writer. His “The Case For Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terrorâ€? (2004), co-written with Ron Dermer, is said to have influenced President Bush and other leading conservative Republican lights. In it, … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Natan Sharansky

The UAE is the new USA

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On the environment, that is. And it isn't a compliment. The AP reports: The average person in the [United Arab] Emirates puts more demand on the global ecosystem than any other, giving the country the world's largest per-capita "ecological footprint," [World Wildlife Fund] data shows. The United States runs second. But the oil-rich Emirates is considered a developing … [Read more...] about The UAE is the new USA

Barrack Obama Announces Presidential Exploratory Committee

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Senator Barrack Obama, the Illinois Senator who has stirred up enormous excitement in Democratic ranks, and among centrists and moderates in particular, has just issued an announcement that he intends to form a Presidential Exploratory Committee. And while candidates sometimes do that and decide not to run, more often than that it means they're running. Place your bets in … [Read more...] about Barrack Obama Announces Presidential Exploratory Committee

Center of Attention

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(Note: Otherwise occupied, TMV Assistant Editor Michael van der Galien asked for a volunteer to post today's "Center of Attention." I raised my hand and only hope I do justice to the effort.) At Purple News Network, Jason Gerson compares John Edwards' message with Dr. King's. Meanwhile, at WaPo's Early Warning, William Arkin asks, "Surge? What surge?" Alan Stewart … [Read more...] about Center of Attention

Fidel Castro Reportedly In “Grave” Condition

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If you've worked in the news media, you know that the following stories about Cuba's ailing Fidel Castro now surfacing are "death watch" stories (and we can assure you the obits are already waiting and merely need a lead paragraph). The AP:MADRID, Spain — Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro is in "very grave" condition after three failed operations and complications from an … [Read more...] about Fidel Castro Reportedly In “Grave” Condition

President George Bush’s Favorite Words

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The media and critics have noted that President George Bush has favorite words. During the 2004 Presidential campaign debates it was "hard work." And since Hurricane Katrina if he ever tells a cabinet appointee or aide he's doing "a heck of a job" that person needs to start updating his/her resume. The latest that has been notably used repeatedly? "Unacceptable." And … [Read more...] about President George Bush’s Favorite Words