Yeah... emancipation of women right? Another great column in today's WaPo. This time one about the veil: Yvonne Ridley explains why we in the West interprete the veil and Koranic verses completely wrong. In fact, so she argues, the Koran is great! for the emancipation of women. Charles has some background information on Yvonne Ridley:Yvonne Ridley is a member of George … [Read more...] about World Upside Down

He now says his administration never endorsed "stay the course." Question: How could anyone of any political party follow a leader like this? Abandoning a principle is one thing; denying you ever embraced it is another. The saddest part for American politics: On Monday you'll witness influential talk show hosts insisting the administration never had a policy of "stay the … [Read more...] about The Most Amazing Quote From President George W. Bush Ever

When is a timetable on Iraq not a timetable? When the Bush administration suggests it:The Bush administration is drafting a timetable for the Iraqi government to address sectarian divisions and assume a larger role in securing the country, senior American officials said. Details of the blueprint, which is to be presented to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki before the end … [Read more...] about Bush Administration Considers Timetable For Iraq

Jan Pronk The Sudanese government told UN Envoy Jan Pronk (Dutchman) to leave Sudan within three days time after he - according to the Sudanese government - was involved in psychological warfare against it. What did Jan Pronk do that was so terrible? He wrote on his personal weblog 'that Sudanese army losses in recent fighting in northern Darfur "seem to have been very high. … [Read more...] about Sudan Orders UN Envoy To Leave Within 3 Days

Will the Democrats be able to take control of the US Senate? According to the WaPo they have, at least, "significantly improved their chances" of doing so. … [Read more...] about Coming Close

Albert Pujols homers As I wrote before, I am a big fan of the New York Yankees, but the St. Louis Cardinals is my second favorite team. It is therefore a joy to link to this article in the Washington Post about game one of this year's World Series.Apparently, some other physical phenomenon, besides the replenishing of energy and the healing of injured body parts, was taking … [Read more...] about Cardinals Win Game 1

From Submission Gaius links to this column in the Washington Post by Asra Q. Nomani. She writes:When dealing with a "disobedient wife," a Muslim man has a number of options. First, he should remind her of "the importance of following the instructions of the husband in Islam." If that doesn't work, he can "leave the wife's bed." Finally, he may "beat" her, though it must be … [Read more...] about Beat Them (Lightly)

BBC's Bias As a European conservative, one of the most frustrating networks around is, in my opinion, the BBC. The BBC's reporting is quite obviously left. Its favorite pet: multiculturalism. Not just multiculturalism though, the BBC is also anti-American and constantly trying not to offend Muslims while giving jack about the opinions of Christians at the same time. Well, … [Read more...] about British Biased Corporation

Our buffet of links from sites of varying viewpoints 4 U: More Predictions That President George Bush Will Have To Change The Course On Iraq: Steve Clemmons is a MUST READ on the likely changes ahead. Clemmons points out that the bipartisan Baker Commission headed by former Secretary of State Jim Baker may not be enough:I spoke with someone close to Senator John Warner last … [Read more...] about Around The ‘Sphere Oct. 22, 2006

Another poetic gem from TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: The front pages of newspapers are filled with horror stories. Then you turn to the business pages and find stock markets soaring. What1s wrong with this picture? World Reality, Market Dreams Kim's N-bombs in Korea erupt, Stock markets shrug, and then go up. We're quagmired in Iraq's deep … [Read more...] about Guest Poet: World Reality, Market Dreams

Photo by teen photographer Greg P in San Diego. … [Read more...] about Flower Beauty San Diego

Finally — a diplomat who doesn't speak like a diplomat: A senior U.S. diplomat said the United States had shown "arrogance" and "stupidity" in Iraq but was now ready to talk with any group except Al-Qaida in Iraq to facilitate national reconciliation. In an interview with Al-Jazeera television aired late Saturday, Alberto Fernandez, director of public diplomacy in the … [Read more...] about Diplomat Says US Has Shown “Stupidity” In Iraq

A Newsweek poll provides a warning to the GOP about its base — and to the Democrats about overconfidence:If the elections for Congress were held today, according to the new NEWSWEEK poll, 60 percent of white Evangelicals would support the Republican candidate in their district, compared to just 31 percent who would back the Democrat. To the uninitiated, that may sound … [Read more...] about GOP Faces Fractured Base

In yesterday's debate, Republican candidate for Senator of New York 'accused' Senator Hillary Clinton of having 'Presidential aspirations'. Clinton acknowledged that she has thought about running for the presidency in 2008, but said she is committed to running for Senate re-election.Personally, I like how she transformed an 'accusation' (if that is the best you can come up with … [Read more...] about Spencer ‘Accuses’ Hillary Clinton of Having ‘Presidential Aspirations’

Read this post at Dr. Sanity. It is a fascinating post for different reasons. One - to me the most important one - is that it shows a particular kind of reasoning that is - as far as I can tell - present on both sides of the political equation (in the US). It is not just thinking in terms of 'opposing views' on what's best for the US. Instead, the way of thinking is one in … [Read more...] about Democrats: America’s Enemy?

A debate rages here. … [Read more...] about Will History Vindicate George Bush Or Not?

"God help us..." … [Read more...] about On Election 2006

Her world was a world of high culture. And she did what she did perfectly. But she also added something unsual to that world: Hilarity. Read about it here. … [Read more...] about Death Of An Original

The issue doesn't only arise and spark controversies in political stories but it arises in sports reporting as well. And it always involves big, fundamental issues such as integrity and responsiveness. (Follow all of the links on that post) … [Read more...] about Accuracy and Integrity In Reporting

The Washington Post on Nancy Pelosi. She scares me... … [Read more...] about Taking No Prisoners