Dispatches: The First War, All Over Again - 21 July 2006 This is a different kind of war, and an old kind of war. In the last war, when they blew up buses and restaurants and sidewalks and cafes, Israelis were enraged, apoplectic with anger. This time, it’s different. Rage has given way to sadness. Disbelief has given way to recognition. Because we’ve been here before. … [Read more...] about Recommended Reading: Daniel Gordis

President George Bush spoke before the NAACP yesterday. And several days ago Stephen Colbert put the highly-touted appearance into (his) context: … [Read more...] about George Bush And The NAACP

Just my rambling thoughts on the statements made by India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan following the recent Mumbai blasts,. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Pakistan must prevent militants from launching attacks across the border, after last week's train blasts in Mumbai. "There has to be a firm commitment that Pakistani … [Read more...] about Games India and Pakistan Leaders Play

This was the week of “high conceptâ€? audio and visual clips from the G8 conference. And what memorable imagery... First, there was President George Bush’s blunt, no PC use of a four letter word beginning with “sâ€? in referring to Hezbollah’s provocative Middle East actions (The word wasn’t “sore.â€?) in a moment when he didn’t know his mike was on. Next, there … [Read more...] about Groping For Another Way

Some people seem to think this is surprising: U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman is rolling out the big gun in his increasingly close primary battle with Greenwich Democrat Ned Lamont. Former President Bill Clinton is slated to campaign on behalf of the three-term incumbent Monday in Waterbury, Lieberman's campaign spokeswoman said today. "We are thrilled to have President Clinton … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Will Campaign For Joe Lieberman

This just in from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:SURPRISE SUMMER TV HIT: 'NORTH KOREA'S GOT TALENT' Kim Jong-Il's First-Ever Reality Show Heats Up the Nielsens Just weeks after taunting his neighbors and the West with a provocative missile test, North Korean president Kim Jong-Il has launched his first-ever reality show, a surprise summer hit called "North Korea's Got … [Read more...] about This Just In!

Does it not strike you as weird that I could move five minutes south-east of my current location in one of the 50 states, not cross any international border, still remain on solid, American-owned dry land, and suddenly not have representation in congress? Such is the life of a Maryland native contemplating a possible future in D.C.. … [Read more...] about Across Western Avenue

The Shi'ite-dominated regions of southern Lebanon and south Beirut have been heavily bombed by Israeli jets. On Thursday afternoon, VOA Correspondent Challiss McDonough joined other journalists on a tour of one demolished southern suburb, led by the spokesman from Hezbollah. "All around us were piles of rubble where buildings used to be, now crushed beyond recognition. Black … [Read more...] about Voice of America : On The Spot Report

The Washington Post reports that Marriott Hotels are going smoke-free. The article notes Marriott's insistence that the move was motivated by concern for the bottom line, and not the health of its clientele. From Futurama, "A Flight To Remember": Bender: You all go without me. I'm gonna take one last look around. You know, for, uh, stuff to steal. Fry: You're going back for … [Read more...] about We Are TOO An Evil Soulless Corporation, I Swear!

Bush's speech to the NAACP only validates Kanye West's (in)famous claim. I mean, seriously, the Estate Tax? Can you think of a topic further removed from the realities of the average contemporary Black experience? … [Read more...] about The Kanye Effect

Injustice, or the perception of injustice? Several studies indicate that we will willingly redefine innocent victims into blameworthy parties so as to make an unjust situation seem justified. In my view, this explains (among other things) both how Lebanese civilians are lumped in as terrorists, and this is how the Israeli nation is seen as the aggressor for responding to … [Read more...] about Which Do People Deplore More?

Letizia Alterno pays homage in The Guardian to a legendary Indian author who died in his home in Austin, Texas, recently...thousands of miles away from his ancestral home in southern India. Raja Rao, 97 (born November 8, 1908; died July 8, 2006), was one of the three founding fathers of Indian English writing. The other two in this "holy trinity" were Mulk Raj Anand and R.K. … [Read more...] about Raja Rao : Explorer of East-West Spiritual Unity

According to Think Progress, which has the video, neocon extraordinaire Bill Kristol (whom in the past I've generally respected, if rarely agreed with) asserted on Fox News yesterday that the U.S. should "be ready to use force" against Iran and that the Iranian people might even support "the right use of targeted military force". I agree with Kristol's contention that many … [Read more...] about Krazy Kristol

CNN: Iranians were believed to be present at North Korea's July 4 missile tests, assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, the chief U.S. negotiator with Pyongyang, testified today. John at AMERICAblog says: Be afwaid, be vewy vewy afwaid … [Read more...] about The Axis Comes Together

According to this poll Ned Lamont is now ahead in a key poll on the Connecticut Democratic primary race. But incumbent Senator Joe Lieberman would win in the general race if he runs as an independent due to his strength among Republican and independent voters. Will this be a harbinger of the 2008 primary season? Could the eventual winner be someone beloved by many Democratic … [Read more...] about Lamont Reportedly Ahead In Poll For CT Primary

Indian bloggers are planning to move the Supreme Court against the government's move to jam blog sites in the wake of the July 11 Mumbai blasts on suspicion that terrorists might be using them to exchange messages, reports the Hindustan Times. "We believe it is undemocratic and against the right to freedom of expression. Though the action is undemocratic and unconstitutional, … [Read more...] about Indian Bloggers’ Protest

Here are two views on the Israeli military action at Lebanon. The first appeared in a leading newspaper of India, The Hindustan Times, and the other in the Beirut-based newspaper, The Daily Star. David Danieli, the author of the article in the Hindustan Times, is Ambassador of Israel to India. This is what he wrote: "Since Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 1,500 rockets have landed in … [Read more...] about Israeli Military Ops in Lebanon : Two Versions

(click on photo to enlarge) If this is what is going to happen to the United Nations' forces in Lebanon (pl read below), then I am afraid its presence in Iraq would be of no use . However, I continue to believe that diplomacy based on consensus is more likely to succesd than a solo power performance in the world's tough and complex regions. We need to improve the U.N. … [Read more...] about The United Nations and Lebanon : What a Farce !

We've gotten some emails from readers asking about how to donate to help children in the Middle East. CLICK HERE to find out about how to help Israeli kids who are in range of Hezbollah rockets. Also CLICK HERE for Mercy Corps, which is collecting money to help Lebanese families displaced by the ongoing violence. (Due to time constraints, we'll offer these two but if readers … [Read more...] about Since You Asked About Middle East Relief

Not only did 911 INVOLVE hijacking, but more and more we are seeing clear signs of how this national tragedy which created fleeting bipartisan, national unity is BEING hijacked. Here's the latest outrage:The controversial video of the burning World Trade Center towers in a television campaign ad for Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine is doctored, U.S. News has learned. The television spot, … [Read more...] about DeWine’s Controversial 911 Commercial Was Doctored