MSNBC's rising star Keith Olbermann has made one of his strongest, bluntest statements yet in THIS VIDEO where he takes up President George W. Bush's reportedly-impending "new Iraq strategy" call for a big "surge" of U.S. troops and more "sacrifice" to win in Iraq. If you boil it down, and cut-out the political doublespeak, Bush is calling for what he says and apparently hopes … [Read more...] about On Bush’s Impending Call For “Sacrifice”
Around The Sphere January 3, 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. Is Saddam Back From The Dead? Maybe... Quite Honestly, There ARE some who believe he is not dead... FYI: We've Done Posts Raising Questions About Saddam's Execution but let's never forget what he represented. More … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere January 3, 2007
Our Makeover: Look At THIS
There are a lot of incremental and bigger changes still going on here at TMV. Some are minor glitches behind the scenes. But moving a blog from Powerblogs to WordPress is...a project. You may have not noticed one of the changes that readers -- and cobloggers -- have often requested.From now on, if you click on the names in our CONTRIBUTORS column on the left, it will now … [Read more...] about Our Makeover: Look At THIS
Samarra: The Sequel
I posted the other day the importance of taunting in the execution of Saddam Hussein, and specifically the reference to "Moqtada, Moqtada, Moqtada." The Iraqi civil war is infused with symbolism and Moqtada al-Sadr's movement regularly exploits religious and political symbolism to secure moral and military authority in the country. The one event that sent Iraq over the cliff … [Read more...] about Samarra: The Sequel
Resolved:
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), member of Tom DeLay's ruthless House leadership team, is prohibited from joining calls by Congressional Republicans asking the new Democratic leadership to play nice. To be clear, I do not begrudge Republicans in general from issuing those requests. By and large, I'd even agree with them: the Democrats must seize this opportunity to reform the … [Read more...] about Resolved:
Be Careful What You Wish For….
Anti-marriage equality proponents have moved a gay marriage ban closer to a popular vote in Massachusetts. Personally, I think it would be a spectacular victory of the issue does come to a vote--and equality wins. … [Read more...] about Be Careful What You Wish For….
Saddam Hussein’s Execution Has Seemingly Backfired (UPDATED)
It wasn't supposed to be this way, but the news reports now clearly show it: To a segment of Iraqis, and even to some who were happy to see him go, Saddam Hussein has now become something of a martyr. It is not BECAUSE he was executed. It is because of the WAY in which he was executed. After the dictator's execution at breakneck (excuse the language) speed this weekend, … [Read more...] about Saddam Hussein’s Execution Has Seemingly Backfired (UPDATED)
Literary Quote of the Day: Lord of the Rings
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!