It sounds like Washington will be more isolated than ever when Tony Blair leaves the scene:Gordon Brown vowed yesterday to take on President George W Bush and the Americans over foreign policy as he spelt out plans to break from Tony Blair's approach to the "war on terror". The Chancellor, who is on course to succeed Mr Blair as Prime Minister this summer, made clear he … [Read more...] about Shift In Great Britain Policy Likely After Tony Blair Era
Around The Sphere January 8, 2007
Our famous linkfest offering you links to sites with MANY different viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its cobloggers. A Libertarian Republican In Congress Breaks With The White House Over The Expected Policy To "Surge" (Escalate) U.S. Troops In Iraq. And he has a long history of being independent. Let's Not Forget That There Are Four New … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere January 8, 2007
And Here It Is
...a song that describes the attitude of all of us here at The Moderate Voice: … [Read more...] about And Here It Is
Recommended reading for the week
Cross-posted to Random Fate under the category "Recommended Reading". --- There are some posts that show why sorting through all the dross in the vast majority of weblogs is worth the time: Velociworld - Requiem for the Senator Although knowing the context underlying the tale told helps, it is not necessary. The fact that "the Senator" is the … [Read more...] about Recommended reading for the week
Novak: Colin Powell And Congressional Republicans Oppose Troop Surge
Columnist Robert Novak reports of widespread opposition in top GOP circles to President George Bush's impending announcement of a troop "surge" -- a word used with the same intent as when the words "pre-owned cars" are used instead of "used cars." Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has gone public with criticism of President Bush's Iraq policy, is caustic in private … [Read more...] about Novak: Colin Powell And Congressional Republicans Oppose Troop Surge
The Deck of Many Cards
Transphobia, anti-Semitism, and "The Race Card": What liberals can learn from themselves. … [Read more...] about The Deck of Many Cards
Literary Quote of the Day: Booker T. Washington
Today's literary quote of the day is from Booker T. Washington's Up from Slavery (2nd Chapter): From any point of view, I had rather be what I am, a member of the Negro race, than be able to claim membership with the most favoured of any other race. I have always been made sad when I have heard members of any race claiming rights and privileges, or certain badges of … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Booker T. Washington
Pelosi: No More Blank Checks For Bush On Iraq
Newly sworn-in House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi is making it clear today that the days when President George Bush gets a blank check to sign on the Iraq war are most decidedly over. While she is not threatening an attempt to cut off funding for the war -- a move that would be political suicide for the Democratic Party at this point (and would not pass, anyway) -- she is … [Read more...] about Pelosi: No More Blank Checks For Bush On Iraq
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs: Western Democrat: Democrats investing in the future. Justin Gardner at Donklephant: Rehnquist was a junky? Michael Linn Jones at Gun Toting Liberal is "beginning to have doubts about" the value / importance of cell phones. I'm not: I detest them. They are perhaps - in my humble opinion - mankind's worst invention. Young children … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Polish Archbishop Quits After Admitting ‘Collaboration’ with Secret Service
Bloomberg.com reports (h/t Stuart): Stanislaw Wielgus, the metropolitan archbishop of Warsaw, resigned today to applause and shouting at a special Mass meant to install him to the post, having confessed he collaborated with the secret service during communist rule in Poland. Wielgus appeared to fight back tears as he made the announcement in Warsaw Cathedral to shouts of … [Read more...] about Polish Archbishop Quits After Admitting ‘Collaboration’ with Secret Service
Toys-R-Us and the Immigration Debate
The New York Times: It seemed like a perfect formula for good publicity: A national sweepstakes would award a $25,000 United States savings bond to the first American baby born in 2007, courtesy of the toy chain Toys “Râ€? Us and its Babies “Râ€? Us division. Instead, after disqualifying a Chinese-American baby girl born in New York Downtown Hospital at the stroke of … [Read more...] about Toys-R-Us and the Immigration Debate
2007 New Year’s Resolutions
From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about 2007 New Year’s Resolutions
Album Review: ‘1000 Years of Popular Music’
The great guitar masters -- Segovia, Clapton, Montgomery, Garcia, Hendrix -- have a style and sound so distinctive that you're able to recognize them after only a few notes. So it is with Richard Thompson, the British guitarist who burst into semi-prominence with Fairport Convention, the seminal folk-rock band, and has blazed an amazing career -- both as a group leader and … [Read more...] about Album Review: ‘1000 Years of Popular Music’
Al Gore Takes A Page From George Bush’s Book
Has Former Vice President Al Gore now taken a page from President George Bush's bad p.r. book? Those of us who decried the tight control of crowds and press coverage of the Bush campaign and administration cannot condone this: Reporters and TV news cameras will be banned from almost all of former Vice President Al Gore's appearance Jan. 23 in Sioux Falls.Gore is the Boe Forum … [Read more...] about Al Gore Takes A Page From George Bush’s Book
Spurious Rumor Alert
Is John D. Negroponte's selection as deputy secretary of state a stepping stone to taking over from Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state? Will Condi then replace the ailing Dick Cheney as vice president? It's sure fun to speculate, isn't it? … [Read more...] about Spurious Rumor Alert
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Embraces The Bipartisan Political Center
Is California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger onto something? When he was first elected Governor in the recall election, displacing the (rightly) much-maligned Gray Davis in a historic recall election, there were high hopes that "Ahnold" was going to be a different KIND of California governor: one who would chart a truly independent path and not be or act like the kind of … [Read more...] about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Embraces The Bipartisan Political Center
Report Says Israel Considering Tactical Nukes To Destroy Iran Nukes
Once again, reports are surfacing about Israel seriously considering a strike to take out Iran's facilities that could pose a nuclear threat -- this time from the Times Online that says contingency plans are now on the drawing boards. The difference this time: the report says Israel is considering using tactical nuclear weapons to eliminate Iran's nuclear … [Read more...] about Report Says Israel Considering Tactical Nukes To Destroy Iran Nukes
A Bit of Original Reporting from a Fellow Congregant
College Student Michael Bassin has been traveling in the Middle East for the last seven months and is now safe at home. He briefed us on his adventures during this morning's services and indicated that his comments were available online. Dear friends and family, I hope this letter finds you well. Since I’m the one writing I’m obviously sitting … [Read more...] about A Bit of Original Reporting from a Fellow Congregant
Just To Clarify
It's bad when the Iraqi Prime Minister proclaims he'll have to drive the "outlaws" out of his own capital. Right? … [Read more...] about Just To Clarify
Early Birds
I suspected that for many of the more moderate-friendly Democratic proposals (e.g., ethics reform, corruption, fair procedures in Congress), it was now or never to get them passed. The longer they get dragged out, the more time Democrats get to settle in to the majority and realize that now they're the ones who benefit from unethical practices, corruption, and unfair debate … [Read more...] about Early Birds