I was a toddler the last time protesting college students in this country actually feared for their lives. Today, stories like this one make non-experts like me wonder if the ISG report went far enough in its recommendations. Sure, go ahead, negotiate with Syria and Iran. And while you're at it, support the voices of dissent within those countries. Stir up the pot there … [Read more...] about The Simple Wisdom of John Lennon

TMV regulars know that I love New Jersey. This is because I have frittered away countless summer days on its lovely beaches when I could have been baiting its jack-booted Turnpike troopers or being an extra on "The Sopranos." It is in the spirit of comity and good humor that I present this Valentine to the Garden State on this the 223rd anniversary of the day it entered the … [Read more...] about New Jersey: A Garden State of Mind

How about this? … [Read more...] about What Grade Would You Give Newt Gingrich On “Meet The Press”?

In another excellent piece, Foreign Policy Watch details them HERE. … [Read more...] about The Main Differences Between Sunnism And Shi’ism

NOTE: The Moderate Voice often runs Guest Voice columns from readers from the right, left and center who don't have blogs or who have blogs or websites and enjoy posting here due to our diverse readership. Their opinions do NOT necessarily reflect that of TMV or its writers. One of our most frequent and popular periodic contributors is Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Wall Street Poet’s “Predictions for 2007 (and beyond)”

Brace yourself to meet, via You Tube, Mrs. Miller. Mrs. Elva Miller of Claremont, California became a big hit in the late 60s and early 70s, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show singing rock and pop hits in a voice that made people think she could NOT be serious. She was. And she developed a following because she took her music — mega-vibrato, missed beats and all — … [Read more...] about The “Unique” Musical Stylings Of Mrs. Miller

...holds lessons that we need to learn, although we refuse to even see the warning.    The legacy of Chernobyl --- Cross-posted to Random Fate. … [Read more...] about A forgotten disaster…

In a stimulating article in the Washington Post, Daniel Drezner outlines the challenge of creating a modern conception for US Foreign Affairs. He surveys classic policies such as Kennan's containment of Communism and newer attempts, such as the Princeton Project, to account for a flatter and more competitive world. What is needed he says, in essence, is a unified theory of … [Read more...] about A Theory of Everything

Unless there's a change, TMV will make a brief appeareance on KUSI TV's morning show sometime between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. in San Diego. He'll be on in his other incarnation to talk about his New Year's Eve performances at First Night® Escondido. … [Read more...] about TMV On San Diego TV Monday Morning

Hardliners fail to sweep Iran vote, Candidates allied to Ahmadinejad have failed to sweep the pollsCandidates allied to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, have failed to score a resounding victory over moderate forces in twin Iranian elections, according to initial results. Voting for the Assembly of Experts, the body that chooses the supreme leader, and the Tehran city … [Read more...] about Moderate Forces Advance in Iran?

Jonah Goldberg mocks Ted Kennedy for claiming that 36 million Americans suffer from hunger. Too bad Kennedy was right. … [Read more...] about Reality Bites

Today's quote is from Nathaniel Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown:“My Faith is gone!â€? cried he, after one stupefied moment. “There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil! for to thee is this world given.â€?As always, leave a comment or drop one of your own favorite quotes in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Some extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. AmbivaBlog's Amba has had it with Time magazine. Want to find out why? Read Amba's post on the Person of the Year. Meanwhile, Taylor Owen wonders at Oxblog "why can’t Time pick an unpleasant character as person of the year?"... Brad DeLong. Brad takes on Alan Reynolds and it ain't nice. GriftDrift... not on politics but on an … [Read more...] about Center of Attention

From fellow co-blogger Michael J. Stickings' own blog: They're back:Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Saturday Iraqi army officers of all ranks sacked after the U.S. invasion in 2003 would be allowed to reapply for their posts in the new army.A little late, no? This should have happened in 2003, not 2006. But Paul Bremer (and his overlords) made the terrible decision … [Read more...] about The Return of Saddam’s Officers

Are Democrats ready to embrace the center in the Culture War? by Bruce Wilson This article reflects my observation that the Democrats, with the leadership of Rahm Emanuel and Charles Schumer, have strategically moved towards the center to capture the support of Middle America. "...In many cases it was the first time in decades that voters could vote for a Democrat who was … [Read more...] about Competing for the Vital Center

Glenn Reynolds on whether America needs a bigger army, part 2 (and, of course, thanks for the link to Shaun's post of today, Glenn). … [Read more...] about A Bigger Army?

The Times Online: "Russia defies West and goes ahead with nuclear fuel sale to Iran" RUSSIA is to begin supplying Iran with nuclear fuel early next year despite mounting concern in the West that this could accelerate Tehran's plans to build a nuclear bomb. Sergei Shmatko, head of Atomstroyexport, Russia's state nuclear fuel exporter, has said preparations to send fuel to Iran … [Read more...] about More Moscow Insanity

The Observer reports about an interesting research carried out by economists:The US uses its aid budget to bribe those countries which have a vote in the United Nations security council, giving them 59 per cent more cash in years when they have a seat, according to research by economists... Anti-poverty campaigners reacted angrily to the findings. 'Aid should go to the people … [Read more...] about The U.S. Acting In Own Interest… Unacceptable!

...and doesn't resort to legalisms to keep a name used first by a prominent blogger. The fascinating details and a copy of its letter ARE HERE. … [Read more...] about A Big Corporation Reconsiders

It ain't all fun and games at the Episcopal Church anymore. UPDATE Fixed link, h/t Gray. … [Read more...] about What Will the Future Bring the Episcopal Church?