From a Washington Post story about Arizona Representative J.D. Hayworth's re-election campaign: Hayworth said the race will be tough because [opponent Harry] Mitchell is getting backing from national Democrats. But he predicted victory and dissed Mitchell by saying "he doesn't really stand up on issues." Dissed? Has that really gone mainstream enough to find its way into a … [Read more...] about Talked Smack About His Mama, Too

Via CNN: RENO, Nevada (AP) -- A family court judge was shot Monday at the Washoe County courthouse, and police were searching the building and nearby parking garages for a sniper. Judge Chuck Weller was shot in the chest while he stood near a window on the third floor of the Mills B. Lane Justice Center about 11:15 a.m. local time, police said. He was rushed by ambulance to … [Read more...] about AP: Judge Shot in Reno NV Courthouse

Late this morning, Quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers hit a car that turned left in front of his motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet and is in surgery for head injuries reportedly acquired by hitting the car's windshield and then the road. Washington Post: Roethlisberger Hurt in Motorcycle Crash Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition, … [Read more...] about UPDATED: In American Football…

New York Times:U.S. Loses to Czech Republic, 3-0 GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Four years ago, the U.S. team woke up Americans to soccer with its surprise success in the World Cup. This time, it opened with a thud.... … [Read more...] about Clobbered by Czechs

NWS National Hurricane Center: TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO ADVISORY NUMBER 10 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL012006 1000 AM CDT MON JUN 12 2006 ...AIR FORCE PLANE FINDS ALBERTO LOCATED FARTHER TO THE NORTHEAST AND STRONGER... AT 10 AM CDT...1500 UTC...A HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA FROM LONGBOAT KEY TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER. A … [Read more...] about Florida Hurricane Warning

As the LATimes reports, the NSA's warrantless surveillance project will be the subject of a federal court hearing in Detroit today, as part of a suit brought by a coalition of groups and individuals including the ACLU, the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, author James Bamford, and others. From the Times article: "The suit in Detroit, like one filed … [Read more...] about Warrantless Eavesdrop Program Goes to Court

An interesting diplomatic 'nuclear' drama is unfolding in South Asia. On the one hand we are witnessing the gathering momentum in the implementation of the historic India-U.S. nuclear deal, while on the other an infuriated President Parvez Musharraf is pressuring China to sell two civilian nuclear power reactors to Pakistan. The Indian Express states: "On the eve of … [Read more...] about Nuclear Games: India-U.S. versus China-Pakistan…and the A. Q. Khan factor

I strongly recommend an informative article 'US Congress and the N-deal: Substance to Process' to those who have been following the US-India nuclear tie-up. The article is written by a well-known Indian columnist C Raja Mohan and appears in today's (Monday) Indian Express. Excerpts from the article: "As India and the US begin technical talks in New Delhi today on a formal … [Read more...] about U.S. Congress and the India-U.S. Nuclear Deal

Our periodic linkfest to introduce readers to a WIDE VARIETY of views from all over the 'Sphere. We do NOT restrict mentioned links to one viewpoint — and views do not necessary reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice. Israel, Palestine and Hamas: A mess? Yes. But Ender at Swords Crossed tries to make some sense of it... The Controversy Over The Cartoon Continues: We did … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere June 12, 2006

President George W. Bush will soon be huddled with security advisers in a two day meeting on Iraq — and a top general has a prediction: a gradual withdrawal from Iraq will soon begin:On the eve of President Bush's summit on Iraq, the top U.S. commander in Baghdad predicted Sunday that coalition troops will gradually move out of the country in the coming months. Gen. … [Read more...] about General Foresees Gradual Withdrawal From Iraq

When they mention the candidates that are likely to be pitchforked into the headlines, are they leaving one out? … [Read more...] about The Democratic Front Runners

Several stories have come out now that have run counter to the conventional wisdom several years ago that there would be a Bush Dynasty — that Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is a natural to get the Republican Party presidential nomination when he wants it (providing it isn't this year) and coast his way into the White House. Under the new conventional wisdom (which can be … [Read more...] about Is Jeb Bush “Cursed” By His Brother’s Legacy?

It really is. … [Read more...] about Courage Is A Matter Of Attitude

Was it the death of bomb ambition? … [Read more...] about Pondering Zarqawi’s Death

As Lucy Ricardo would say, "Weeeeellllllll..." … [Read more...] about Is Ann Coulter’s Attack On 911 Widows Repudiated By The GOP Establishment?

You may have noticed that we eagerly announced Michael Gaelin, a law student in the Netherlands who TMV read and felt was all over the place politically, as our newest co-blogger. He did a few posts, than seemingly vanished. It's because soon after joining TMV he got very sick. We believe (and hope) there is no connection (but reading TMV's own posts will do that to you, as … [Read more...] about A Word On Our Newest Coblogger

...Curb Your Enthusiasm. … [Read more...] about Bull Moose Says To Democrats

Rep. John P. Murtha has surprised Democrats by announcing he's thinking of throwing his hat in the ring for a powerful House position if the Demmies win control in November:In a letter that he circulated on the floor during a series of votes, Murtha said he is eyeing the No. 2 position. "If we prevail as I hope and know we will and return to the majority this next Congress, I … [Read more...] about Murtha’s Political Announcement Surprises Democrats

Dave Axe has a fascinating post on Tech Central Station detailing advances in the "art" or aerial assassination. In the end, it may be that Zarqawi's demise on refinements in tracking and taking out foes than on the actual course of the war in Iraq, the insurgency or terrorist actions. Axe notes:For years, the military has labored to increase the flexibility and lethality of … [Read more...] about The Art of Aerial Assassination

Another gem from moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: And here are some other thoughts on where net neutrality stands now. … [Read more...] about Net Neutral