This is a bit dated in blog terms, but awhile ago Ezra Klein had this to say on the Bush administration's reluctance to withdraw from Iraq: The question, of course, is why we don't [withdraw from Iraq]. What's the compelling national interest in occupying a country that deplores our presence? That murders our soldiers? That depletes our treasury? That shows no sign, hint, or … [Read more...] about Withdrawal: Setting the Tone
The Dialogue of the Civilizations Has Communication Issues
Ted Koppel has apparently joined up with the Discovery Channel and produced a documentary that tries to explain the decades of antecedents behind the latest US/Iran impasse by uncovering the average Iranian's view of the United States. It is an attempt at mutual understanding, an intriguing and needed project, to be certain. Unfortunately, it suffers from an expected … [Read more...] about The Dialogue of the Civilizations Has Communication Issues
Note (UPDATED)
Right now I can't figure out how to re-publish a publish post I've gone back and edited like the one below. Please have patience. I will post very little until I can figure this out and get an answer. It's allowing me to redit but there is no button I can see to republish. UPDATE: This is one of the few "housekeeping" posts you'll see on this site, only because it's our … [Read more...] about Note (UPDATED)
We’ve Moved And We’re STILL UNPACKING!
We've MOVED! TMV today completes the first step to revamping this site. As you may be aware, over the past few weeks we've added some "reader friendly" features such as categories. More things are in the works...and even a bit of an adjustment of design in 2007. But please bare with us. All of here at TMV are now learning how to use new software so things may look a bit … [Read more...] about We’ve Moved And We’re STILL UNPACKING!
Secret Asian Man
Secret Asian Man, an online comic strip by Tak Toyoshima. Â Â … [Read more...] about Secret Asian Man
Iraq…towards another Yugoslavia?
Saddam’s death is Mr. Maliki’s moment of truth, says Ned Parker in the London Times blog. He is the Baghdad Correspondent for The Times and has been based in the country since March 2003. He has also filed extensively from Israel and the Palestinian territories. "Maliki must take the political capital from executing Saddam to prove that the Shia have moved beyond their … [Read more...] about Iraq…towards another Yugoslavia?
Front Page Of The Day
(From co-blogger Shaun Mullen's alma mater..) … [Read more...] about Front Page Of The Day
Saddam Hussein and Iraq…What Next?
Saddam Hussein of Iraq...PAST. President George Bush of the USA...PRESENT. Now let us hear something more incisive and insightful about the FUTURE...!!! … [Read more...] about Saddam Hussein and Iraq…What Next?
A bit of post-execution malaise
We'd been anticipating Saddam Hussein's execution all day, but when the news finally came last night, I was a bit surprised at my lack of reaction. As I wrote this morning -- it seems so irrelevant somehow. … [Read more...] about A bit of post-execution malaise
ETA Claims Madrid Airport Blast
H/t commenter Lynx. CNN reports that a carbomb exploded earlier today at Barajas airport (Madrid, Spain). ETA claims to be responsible for it... ETA announced a "permanent" cease-fire last March, raising hopes for an end to nearly 40 years of separatist violence blamed for more than 800 deaths and thousands of injuries. In the autumn, so-called low-level street violence … [Read more...] about ETA Claims Madrid Airport Blast
Responsibility
The Archbishop of Canterbury came to Bethlehem where he would "address the issue of Muslim attacks on Mideast Christians and Arab Christian institutions..." In Bethlehem, you have heard reports of incidents in which Muslims have intimidated, shaken-down, beaten, and even killed Christian Palestinian residents of the city. Some Christians have reported that Muslims issued them … [Read more...] about Responsibility
Saddam Dead
Joe wrote a magnificent, long post on the death of Saddam Hussein, former dictator of Iraq. If you want to read more on it, you can read my take on it here. Excerpt: [T]here is also the danger of growing anger. I talked to a couple of Muslims about this and they all seem to believe that it is America who is 'behind' Saddam's death, instead of Iraq. They seem to consider the … [Read more...] about Saddam Dead
Ousted Iraq Dictator Saddam Hussein Is Executed (News And Blog Opinion Round Up)
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the importance of this story, we've kept this post at the top of this site out of order. There are NEWER POSTS underneath it, so when you're finished reading, please keep SCROLLING DOWN. Newer posts will now start appearing above this one.) Iraq's ousted dictator Saddam Hussein has been executed — dying on the gallows, according to MSNBC:BAGHDAD, … [Read more...] about Ousted Iraq Dictator Saddam Hussein Is Executed (News And Blog Opinion Round Up)
How To Get Arrested And Expelled
...in one easy lesson. (It starts out with a blocked screen. WARNING: some adult language...) … [Read more...] about How To Get Arrested And Expelled
Another One Down
Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel may be bowing out. Of the 2008 Presidential race, yes. But also of his Senate seat, which would go from a locked-hold for the GOP to a Democratic target. … [Read more...] about Another One Down
Only a Little Scary
Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (R), on his prospects as a Presidential contender, says he won't "scare the living daylights" out of moderates. Well, that's a relief. Via SOTUblog. My preliminary thoughts on Huckabee were posted back in April. … [Read more...] about Only a Little Scary
Saddam Hussein Reported Dead
CNN and MSNBC are both saying Saddam Hussein is dead. We'll be offering more details and news links as soon as they emerge. … [Read more...] about Saddam Hussein Reported Dead
The World Awaits Saddam Hussein’s Impending Execution
The news cycle has been taken over as the world waits for news of the for-certain execution of Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein:The official witnesses to Saddam Hussein's impending execution gathered Friday in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone in final preparation for his hanging, as state television broadcast footage of his regime's atrocities.... .... As his time waned, … [Read more...] about The World Awaits Saddam Hussein’s Impending Execution
Just Be There
Is it time we re-evaluated Black so-called "deadbeat" dads? … [Read more...] about Just Be There
Good Day
Well, I made it home from Aspen (by the skin of my teeth, no less). And today, I opened up a late Chanukah present--a signed, first edition of Barack Obama's new book, "The Audacity of Hope." Oh yeah. It's a good day. … [Read more...] about Good Day