Ahh, the classic romantic songs. Before you click on this, make sure you note (a) how the meaning of certain words have changed, (b) that you MUST make sure you watch it beyond the first minute until this song REALLY gets started and (c) how band leader Spike Jones (before TMV's time) used irony in comedy before irony was even popular. … [Read more...] about And Now: A Romantic Musical Interlude

The latest news from Nepal that the rebel Maoists are now ready to join the interim government after stripping King Gyanendra of his absolute powers, bodes well for this small Himalayan nation. It is also a triumph of a discreet and non-intrusive diplomacy successfully pursued by the USA and India. The Maoists in Nepal, who have waged a decade-long war to seize control of the … [Read more...] about Nepal’s Maoist Rebels Opt For Democratic Path

Once again the always unique The Talking Dog has an original Q&A interview, his latest in a series of interviews related to detainees in the war against terrorism. Here's his intro:Shafiq Rasul is a British national who was detained for two years at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Mr. Rasul was the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case of Rasul v. Bush, which, contrary to the … [Read more...] about Original Blog Interview: Interview With A Former Guantanamo Detainee

The Washington Post outlines White House political guru Karl Rove's game-plan for 2006: the same as in 2000 and 2004. Aggressively hammer in the theme that the Democrats are weak on national security and arouse the GOP's base on hot-button issues so they flock to the polls:Now Rove has the freedom to concentrate on preserving the GOP majorities in Congress, and an opportunity … [Read more...] about Karl Rove’s Plans For 2006 (UPDATED)

When is it okay to bring up historical wrongs? … [Read more...] about Historical Tragedy And Contemporary Problems

In a post entitled "Dishonoring Our Country," Hilzoy tells of a set of former Gitmo detainees, held long after America autorities admitted their innocent, unable to return to their home country because they will likely be tortured or killed, who we refused admission to our own border (the least we could do after putting them in a lawless prison for no apparent reason and … [Read more...] about Drop Off

For some time now an eyebrow has been raised over the CBS Eye when it came to former news megastar Dan Rather. Now Rather is reportedly out, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer:After 44 years, Dan Rather will leave CBS by the end of the month, at the latest, industry sources said Friday. His departure could come as early as next week. Rather, 74, whose contract runs until … [Read more...] about Dan Rather Reportedly Out At CBS (UPDATED)

Talkers Magazine, THE magazine for the talk show industry, has a list of talk shows, ranking them by audience share. It's a given that Rush Limbaugh will be number one...no surprise there. But when it comes to progressive talkers, guess who's the highest rated — in the Top 10? Which Air America host is it? In fact, it isn't an Air America host. … [Read more...] about Highest-Rated Talk Show Hosts

There have now been 2,500 (and counting) U.S. military deaths in the Iraq War. To the White House, this is just a meaningless number. But it's not. These are the men and women, along with over 100 foreign troops and countless civilians and Iraqi military personnel, who have died in what J. Kingston Pierce at The Reaction calls a "misbegotten adventure". You can find his post … [Read more...] about 2,500 deaths in Iraq isn’t just a number

To those who inquired: our Around The Sphere linkfest will run tomorrow with perhaps a longer version than usual, Due to logistics, it hasn't gotten done the past few days (for instance, TMV leaves as soon as he posts this and will not be back until later this afternoon). We will be trying to do MORE Around The Spheres, hopefully even shorter ones every day, because we do feel … [Read more...] about Around The ‘Sphere Runs Tomorrow

In answer to my question of "Who'll Blink?" on the so-called emergency supplemental to fund Iraq, Afghanistan, and Katrina relief (other posts on that here and here), the answer's in: the Senate blinked. The House passed a pared down supplemental of $94.5 billion on Wednesday, and yesterday the Senate followed suit. The bill was approved 98-1, with Senator Specter voting … [Read more...] about Senate Blinks, Passes “Emergency” Spending Bill

The question: Was it engineered by newly liberated White House political guru Karl Rove, or was it like an act of spontaneous combustion — that just happened..during an election year...framed in a way to create a political trap for Democrats? Was this something GOPers felt just had to be brought up now (months before the elections)? Or was this on the books a long time? … [Read more...] about Congress’ Rhetorical Political War Over Iraq Rages

To open up my new digs, I discuss the recent Supreme Court decision stating police officers essentially need no longer wait for homeowners to open their door before knocking it down. … [Read more...] about Are Our Rights Deteriorating?

Is this it? … [Read more...] about The Next Big Foreign Policy Disaster

Yesterday we did THIS POST about what we feel is our WORST HOTEL EVER story. Rather than rehash it, if you haven't read the post yet, read it now. But we will tell you this. I've been travelling since I went over to India in 1972 (where I met co-blogger Swaaraj Chuahan in New Delhi, where he was working on a major newspaper). Over the years I have stayed in hotels in South … [Read more...] about Ending To The Worst Hotel EVER Story

"The accused is a non-ape and therefore has no rights under ape law." This is a line from the original Planet of the Apes movie that has more resonance now than even in the era in which the movie was made. The themes explored in this movie are remarkably much more relevant now than they were almost 40 years ago. For those who have limited imagination, think of Guantanamo and … [Read more...] about Three steps forward and two steps back is no longer enough

Yes, on the road again...and not near a computer. But our co-bloggers should have some interesting things to say and TMV will do a few posts. If you're a blogger who sent us a link, Around The Sphere may not get done tomorrow. So you may see your link as a separate post. Rather than toss the links we may run them individually tomorrow, even if they are slightly outdated. NOTE … [Read more...] about TMV’s Posting Remains Limited Today

A few comments on the strange fate of Scalia's beloved originalism in the 4th amendment case Justin so eloquently decried below. … [Read more...] about Orignal Recipe, Or Extra Crispy?

The ruling today basically makes it so the cops don't have to knock and announce anymore when they have a warrant. What's that about activist judges again? More here. … [Read more...] about Exclusionary Rule Gutted By Supreme Court

I feel like that's a pretty solid run in the blog world (of course, if two makes me a veteran, Joe must be ancient). Wish it love in my blog-birthday post. And thanks for reading! … [Read more...] about The Debate Link Turns Two