Debate question: does the executive (and perhaps the legislative, thus politicians in general) branch in the U.S. have too much power over the judicial one? Consider the following: George W. Bush will influence the 'law' way beyond his term as President, due to his appointments for the USSC, who are all very conservative, with clear views on certain (controversial) topics. … [Read more...] about The Executive and Judicial Branch

Former Vermont Senator Robert Stafford, a strong voice within the GOP for environmental-protection legislation and support of education (Stafford loans are named for him), has died at age 93. Stafford, who served two years as Vermont's governor, went on to represent the Green Mountain State for eleven years in the House and seventeen years in the Senate; he retired in 1989. A … [Read more...] about Farewell, Senator Stafford

Shiites Remake Baghdad in Their Image This is sad. Too many Sunnis and Shiites can't get along. So armed gangs kill each other to purify neighborhoods. How could this dynamic not have been clear to our experts on the ground over there? Why could it not have been possible to use the vast oil wealth of Iraq to pay each family to move to an ethnically pure district and … [Read more...] about Iraq Partitions Itself

As these great high school performers remind us in this number from the musical Mame. … [Read more...] about Admit It: We Need A Little Christmas

Just reported from the Associated Press:The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in Washington, DC this 2006 Christmas season. This isn't for any religious reason. They simply have not been able to find three wise men or a virgin in the Nation's capitol. There was no problem, however, finding enough asses to fill the stable.Merry Christmas!! (TMV … [Read more...] about Christmas Bulletin!

Should Prager resign? Here are some links to kick off the debate: Calling Prager a 'Bigot' Is Simply Irresponsible: Whether one agrees or disagrees with Dennis Prager, he is not taking issue with Keith Ellison's religion or the Quran ("Koch: Kick Pundit off Shoah Board," December 15). He only takes issue with the fact that Ellison has declared that he will leave the Bible … [Read more...] about More Prager

In the Indian subcontinent carol-singing is not so uncommon even among Hindus, Muslim and followers of other faiths. This was few of the wonderful legacies bequeathed by the British Raj. In cities the joyful carol music reverberates in the streets. People of different religious denominations visit churches and other public places just to listen to the melodious carols. This … [Read more...] about Christmas Carols: Universal Sound of Love

Truly heart-warming ones. … [Read more...] about Some Special Songs For Christmas 2006

Is he a surge protector? … [Read more...] about Is Robert Gates Playing A Unique Role In The Bush Administration?

...others teach people how to make good martinis... … [Read more...] about Some Mayors Are Drunk With Power

Some Reminders: (1) TMV WILL BE MOVING starting a week from today. It'll start on the evening of 12/29 and should be completed by 12/31 so on January 1st we start TMV from a brand, new home. The design will be the same, but there still are a few changes. If you have this site hooked up to any kinds of news-readers or feeds you should get ready to change them as of the end of … [Read more...] about Reminders To Readers

It's hard to do a newscast when a story is given an entirely different meaning by a blooper...(Adult language) And, yes, Shepard Smith has "been there"...(Adult language) These bloopers are embarrassing, yes, but it shows that everything can't be packaged on TV. It's also interesting to see the anchors "break character" and become human beings as it dawns on them that … [Read more...] about And He’s Probably That, Too….

THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Lou Dobbs Warns Santa Not to Cross U.S. Border Anchor Attacks Foreign-made Items in Claus’ Sack CNN anchor Lou Dobbs devoted his entire news broadcast last night to a searing expose of Santa Claus in which he warned the legendary fat man not to cross the United States’ border with Canada on Christmas Eve. Mr. Dobbs … [Read more...] about This Just In!!!

More on Jimmy Carter, or more precisely his book. Some links to readable articles: Leonard Fein at the Jewish Daily Forward, "There Is Virtue, President Carter, in Self-doubt Alan Dershowitz asks in the Boston Globe, Why won't Carter debate his book? Shmuel Rosner at Haaretz tries to answer the question: Is Carter an anti-Semite? And "a letter-to-the-editor by AJC … [Read more...] about Carter… and Carter

This comes from EU Referendum, a colleague to The Moderate Voice, as Weblog Award Winner for best UK Blog, who in turns gets it from a blogger in Canada. Hat tip Dr. Barnett. ">Worse than bread riots From Last weekend.Bread riots spell disaster for all. Revolutions start with bread riots and revolutions lead to civil wars and civil wars lead to oppression in both camps … [Read more...] about Iranian Bakers Strike

Eyeing ’08, Democrats Nurse Freshmen at Risk This is an interesting juxtaposition with my previous post about Republican Congressional Staff apparently being stiffed by their bosses. The Democratic leaders have a special program to help retain folks who won by slim margins. They are given important and high profile committee assignments, sponsorship of important bills, and … [Read more...] about The Retention Club – Protecting At-Risk Congressman

Reported in the Wall Street Journal Washington WireRepublican House staff members who are losing their jobs in the aftermath of November’s loss of control are hoping Democrats will re-extend the hand of largesse to them next month. As the old Congress wound down in a scramble of post-election activity, incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered to pay two months’ … [Read more...] about With Friends Like These…

Should the US have a dedicated anti-genocide Army division? … [Read more...] about G-Unit

Today's literary quote of the day is from Robert Penn Warren. Instead of quoting a part of a poem, I have decided to publish the entire poem here.After the Dinner Party You two sit at the table late, each, now and then, Twirling a near-empty wine glass to watch the last red Liquid blimb up the crystalline spin to the last moment when Centrifugality fails: with nothing now … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Robert Penn Warren

The latest numbers from Iowa are out. Edwards and Obama are celebrating, Hillary's in trouble, and Republicans of all stripes should be very, very nervous (or at least, as much celebration, trouble, and nervousness one can have 23 months before the election). … [Read more...] about Hawkeye