Today's literary quotes of the day are from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." Bilbo at his birthday party: I think I read the book 5 or 6 times and every time I read this part... I cannot help but to laugh... again and, again and... again. "He who breaks … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Lord of the Rings
Rudy’s Plans
NY Daily News has shocking news: it seems that Rudy Giuliani started planning (and meeting people for) his soon-to-come presidential campaign months ago, that he plans on raising a lot of money and that he and his staff are worried about his socially more liberal views and about his, as Justin calls them, "skeletons". Who would have thunk? Obviously, there is reason for … [Read more...] about Rudy’s Plans
Center of Attention
Some extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. (links do not necessarily reflect the opinion of anyone blogging at TMV) The Gun Toting Liberal on - first - the federalization and - later - the privatization of law enforcement. Michael J. Totten's second installment in a new series: Hezbollah's Christian allies. Part one can be read here. The Armed Liberal at Winds … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Yet Another Sign of Hope in the New Congress
For far more years than I want to admit, I naively scoffed at the term "mental illness," writing it off to what I considered a largely fictional category of ailments claimed by the weak and self-obsessed, people who needed to just shape up, grow up, get their acts together, and quit their whining. It was the worst kind of bigotry, based on zero knowledge of a subject I … [Read more...] about Yet Another Sign of Hope in the New Congress
Pope John XXIII Rescued Thousands of Jews
The Washington Times reports that Monsignor Angelo Roncalli, who later became Pope John XXIII, rescued thousands of Hungarian Jews during World War II. His ally in the effort was Chaim Barlas, who had been sent to Istanbul as an emissary of the Jewish Agency Rescue Committee, established by the Jewish community in what was then Palestine to try to save European Jews from the … [Read more...] about Pope John XXIII Rescued Thousands of Jews
There He Goes Again
Rep. Virgil Goode is back at it in USA Today. His staff would do well to advise him to leave well enough alone, recognizing that clarifications rarely mollify; instead, they tend to make matters worse, especially when the words "end diversity" are included in one's attempt to set the record straight. Ok, I know I'm taking those two words out of context, but honestly, does … [Read more...] about There He Goes Again
Iranian Official: Hitler Was Really An Israel-Promoting Jew
We sincerely hope the Iranian leadership has a healthy mental health plan in its insurance coverage, given this one: Just when you thought the Iranian leadership could stoop no further: A top advisor to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed in an interview with Iranian website Baztab that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's parents were both Jewish and that Hitler himself was … [Read more...] about Iranian Official: Hitler Was Really An Israel-Promoting Jew
Zawahiri and the warbloggers
I've been meaning to link to this excellent post by Libby Spencer of The Impolitic since it first appeared before Christmas, but owing to various delays I'm only now getting around to it. No matter, though. It's still timely, and still excellent. Libby examines the response in the blogosphere to Zawahiri's claim that the Democratic victory in November's midterms was … [Read more...] about Zawahiri and the warbloggers
Parents, pigs, and pythons
I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Americans are living longer. The bad news? Same thing. Are we ready for the parental pig in the python? … [Read more...] about Parents, pigs, and pythons
Different Perspectives on Saddam’s Execution
Andrew Sullivan notes this analysis of the Catholic case for Saddam's execution by Professor Bainbridge, who in turn cites Captain Ed, who in turn references TMV's own Michael Stickings. I'll hold my opinions from the mix, and rightly so. These several takes on the matter are thoughtful and thorough enough for anyone seeking rational analysis and discussion, whether or not … [Read more...] about Different Perspectives on Saddam’s Execution
The Bush Presidency: Are We a Nation of Sheep?
Please skip this post and continue on your way to the mall to return that hideous necktie that your mother-in-law gifted you if you don't believe that President Bush has been a bad president, that the war in Iraq is an unmitigated disaster, and you don't occasionally lie awake nights fearing for the future of the United States. Still here? Good. Given the dire straits … [Read more...] about The Bush Presidency: Are We a Nation of Sheep?
Around The Sphere January 2, 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. Today The Nation Honors Gerald Ford and so much has been written about him (pro and con) and about his pardon of the man he replaced, President Richard Nixon. A MUST READ comes via the always thoughtful Mark Daniels who starts … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere January 2, 2007
This Just In!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Saddam, Pinochet Rip Overcrowded Conditions in Hell Deceased Madmen Forced to be Roommates In a joint press conference in Hell today, recently diseased dictators Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Augusto Pinochet of Chile blasted what they called “intolerable overcrowdingâ€? in Satan’s kingdom, complaining that the two of … [Read more...] about This Just In!
We Offer You Culture, Too!
Too many sites forget about the importance of promoting and perpetuating vital culture. So here's a short clip of opera for you: (O.K. so it was the original Fanny Brice, the famous vaudeville star Barbra Streisand portrayed in Funny Girl.) … [Read more...] about We Offer You Culture, Too!
We Say Again: “Pardon Our Dust”
If you've been away from your computer for the holidays (and how could anyone tear themselves away from TMV?) you may have missed our note explaining that this site is now in transition. And it still is. We've moved off of Powerblogs (a company with which we had a great experience and are honored to include as our friends their tech support folks) and now we're at … [Read more...] about We Say Again: “Pardon Our Dust”
Images telling tales with the help of a few words
Before going further, recall that "moderate" does not equal "centrist" nor "balanced" but instead an attitude that acknowledges the possibility that maybe, possibly, one just might be wrong. Cross-posted to Random Fate. --- President Gerald Ford gave David Hume Kennerley access to the White House to take unstaged photographs of the President at work. From the MSNBC … [Read more...] about Images telling tales with the help of a few words
Site update note – RSS feed URL
As part of the transition of The Moderate Voice to new content management software, the URL for the RSS feed has changed. It is now: http://themoderatevoice.com/feed/ Please update your feedreader software accordingly. … [Read more...] about Site update note – RSS feed URL
Viking Raiders
What does the very existence of placid, quiet Minnesota tell us about the clash of European versus Arab civilization? … [Read more...] about Viking Raiders
Some Great New Year’s Day Reading
Via THIS ROUNDUP by SFGate.com's Mick LaSalle (and we thank him for including TMV..which is now operating out of its new home on WordPress). … [Read more...] about Some Great New Year’s Day Reading
Literary Quote of the Day: Epicurus
Today's literary quote of the day is from Epicurus's letter to Menoeceus: Accustom yourself to believing that death is nothing to us, for good and evil imply the capacity for sensation, and death is the privation of all sentience; therefore a correct understanding that death is nothing to us makes the mortality of life enjoyable, not by adding to life a limitless time, but by … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Epicurus