In these days when so-called pundits sneeringly say that reporters in Iraq sit in comfy hotels and don't bother going out to report stories (and are proven to be wrong and ideologically blinded by the sad headlines we read each day) it's not a bad idea to — every once in a while — remind everyone that journalists have died in their line of duty...sometimes in … [Read more...] about Remembering A Fallen Journalist

The National Post is reporting that "[a] Canadian counter-terrorism investigation that led to the arrests of 17 people accused of plotting bombings in Ontario is linked to probes in a half-dozen countries": Well before police tactical teams began their sweeps around Toronto on Friday, at least 18 related arrests had already taken place in Canada, the United States, Britain, … [Read more...] about Toronto terrorism threat (UPDATE 3)

You go out to eat and it's the perfect meal. You have some appetizers — preferably fried. Lots of them. Then maybe a huge dinner salad, with lots of croutons and a sea of creamy dressing. Then a super-super-super-duper sized entree. A mountain of french fries with that (or a pyramid of mashed potatoes and gravy). Then a BIIIIIIIIG hot fudge sundae for dessert. And then … [Read more...] about FDA’s Blab About Flab: Restaurants Need Smaller Portions

How CSIS tracked down the suspects From the Toronto Star: Last night's dramatic police raid and arrest of as many as a dozen men — with more to come — marks the culmination of Canada's largest ever terrorism investigation into an alleged homegrown cell. The chain of events began two years ago, sparked by local teenagers roving through Internet sites, reading and espousing … [Read more...] about Toronto terrorism threat (UPDATE 2)

According to Reuters, "[s]ome members of a group of Canadians arrested on terror-related offenses may have been in contact with two U.S. suspects now in custody who were based in Georgia". ********** The CBC quotes Luc Portelance, CSIS Assistant Director of Operations: "For various reasons, they appear to have become adherents of a violent ideology inspired by … [Read more...] about Toronto terrorism threat (UPDATE)

He came to office as a self-styled anti-Clinton, but, as J. Kingston Pierce points out, various factors "are sending Bush’s trustworthiness ratings into the crapper and making it harder for him to govern effectively". For more, see here. … [Read more...] about Can President Bush be trusted?

The enemy of your enemy makes you my friend. Unfortunately. A story of bad immigration logic leading to the right policy. Kind of. … [Read more...] about At Least They’re Christian

From today's Globe and Mail: "Police across the Greater Toronto Area launched counterterrorism raids yesterday, arresting at least eight people in a roundup expected to continue overnight and beyond." Here are the specifics, as they are currently being reported: Local officers operated in conjunction with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian … [Read more...] about Toronto terrorism threat

...in Russia. … [Read more...] about Gearing Up For 2008’s Election: A Top Law Officer Resigns

A Russian diplomat has been murdered and four others kidnapped - BBC. Meanwhile, 35 miles NE of Baghdad we have this AP photo captioned "Severed heads are transported in a box to a Baquba morgue" … [Read more...] about Bloody Baghdad

Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio's love for Bush fades A new Ohio Poll out Friday showed President Bush's approval rating in Ohio at 35 percent - not just the lowest of his presidency, but the lowest of any of the four presidents in the 25-year history of the University of Cincinnati-based poll. For Ohio Republicans, several of whom face tough election battles, the poll had no good … [Read more...] about G W Bush Jilted

In answer to readers' emails: here's another tribute to a great comedian. If you're a younger reader, you may not know much about Jack Benny, a huge vaudeville star, who became a huge radio star who became a huge television star. He was one of the 20th century's most beloved celebrities-- a major influence on generations of comedians because he was a master of that elusive … [Read more...] about Comedy Greats: Jack Benny

From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about “Civilized Debate”

Pollster John Zogby has told the Detroit Free Press that the Iraq War could prove to effectively be a political tsunami that will hammer the GOP in elections across the board in 2006:The war in Iraq has become so unpopular that it could cost Republicans control of Congress, statehouses and governor races around the country, national pollster John Zogby said Friday. He said 70% … [Read more...] about Zogby: Iraq War Will Be Political Poison For GOP In November

Either the Iraqi leader was genuinely misquoted or White House Press Secretary Tony Snow is coming dangerously close to the point where he will become known as Tony Schmo:The White House on Friday sought to soften criticism by Iraq's prime minister over allegations that U.S. Marines killed two dozen unarmed civilians in the western town of Haditha last November. White House … [Read more...] about Was Iraqi Leader Misquoted On Marines?

Maybe He's mad because Pat is always sharing all those private conversations. … [Read more...] about Is God Mad At Pat Robertson?

The stories left behind as pack journalism turned elsewhere. … [Read more...] about Ten Neglected World Stories

I just pulled out an old birthday card my friends created for me. They filled with artistic decorations representing some of my peculiar personality quirks. It includes: 1) My favorite flavor of smoothie 2) A dog with a tumor (I hate dogs) 3) A dark cloud blocking the sun (I hate sunlight) It also includes a few things I don't get, like the floating head of my former Hall … [Read more...] about Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Me (And A Lot You Didn’t)

Amid what seems a growing international scandal over charges that Marines were involved in atrocities, coupled with the news media trying to flesh out the story by finding more allegations, the Marines have been officially cleared in one allegation that was making the rounds:Horrific images of Iraqi adults and children have fueled new allegations that U.S. troops killed … [Read more...] about Marines Cleared In Ishaqi Death Allegations

I thank Salmineo for the interesting comments on my post "Is It Fair To Blame The Marines Alone?". Salmineo said: "(American) troops don't receive 'extensive' training before entering armed conflict. We are talking humanity training. IMO none of the training a Marine receives changes his basic occupation as an assault troop. "What's happening is that they are using Assault … [Read more...] about Marines and the Mahabharata: Lessons From the Haditha Tragedy In Iraq