Also at The Reaction, The (liberal) Girl Next Door looks at the president's record on the environment and finds it rather lacking. It's a provocative post. See here. … [Read more...] about Bush and the environment

Newt Gingrich has laid out five points he feels are vital to America's future. Number two is "Defending God in the public square." Alan Stewart Carl explores this idea. … [Read more...] about Newt And God

Ahmadinejad's at it again. According to the AP, he said yesterday that Israel is a "fake regime" that shouldn't "continue to live". Lovely, huh? I realize he's playing the nationalism card for a domestic audience, but what is one to make of a nuclear Iran that makes such overt threats against Israel? (For past Ahmadmaninejadisms, see here. How's that for my neologism of the … [Read more...] about The Madman of Tehran speaks again

It's all but official — because it's now being leaked. CNN reports:Sources close to the White House said Monday that Fox anchor Tony Snow is likely to accept the job as White House press secretary, succeeding Scott McClellan. The sources said they expect him to announce his decision within the next few days. A source familiar with the discussions said Monday that newly … [Read more...] about Fox News‘ Tony Snow Reportedly Will Be White House Press Spokesman

Over at The Reaction, guest blogger Aspazia tackles poverty and health care within a feminist framework. Her conclusion: The risk here for many feminists is that we would be neglecting the specific agenda already laid out. But, I am sorry, I just don’t believe that feminist politics -- whether we are talking about NOW or Feminist Majority -- are going to be effective until … [Read more...] about Rethinking feminism: Poverty and health care

Sean Aqui runs the numbers:So let’s review the math. After four years of holding prisoners without charge, and without affording them the protections of either our legal system or the Geneva Convention, we have: 390 prisoners released without charge; 34 or so charged with various crimes; 300 or so continuing to be held without charge or any effective way to challenge their … [Read more...] about Our Shameful Detainee Policy

AP via the Toledo Blade: TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s top leader said today that Tehran is ready to transfer its nuclear technology to other countries. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the comments in a meeting with visiting Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who said last month that his impoverished, wartorn country was considering trying to create a nuclear program to generate … [Read more...] about Tehran Would Like to Share

There are more signs that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld could be a kind of political anchor around the Bush White House's and the GOP Congress' necks this election year. And it raises the question: despite official smiles, handshakes, and declarations of loyalty, is Rumsfeld's political goose cooked or not? Will he join the list of other administration members who … [Read more...] about Is Donald Rumsfeld’s Political Goose Cooked Or Not?

Are you?I’m tired of people who find principles when their pensions are secured and people who are all for free trade (except for the trade restrictions that benefit them, personally). I’m tired of Fortune 1000 CEO’s who make 100’s of millions of dollars when there’s not a doubt in my mind that an Indian CEO every bit as competent could be hired for a fraction of the … [Read more...] about Dave Schuler Is Tired

...at the new point/counterpoint style left/right debate blog Swords Crossed. Swords Crossed is the brainchild of two of the finest political brains on the left and the right: longtime Daily Kos writer Armando (he uses his first name as a pen name) and Josh Trevino, a co-founder of the solid conservative website Red State.Org. Swords Crossed is new: in fact, its official … [Read more...] about Take A Peek….

A very special post by a blogger on Jane Goodall. NOTE: TMV has done some work over the years for the Jane Goodall Institute and makes no secret of his support for environmental causes, endangered species and efforts to save the ANWR region from drilling. He is a proud member of THIS ORGANIZATION. … [Read more...] about Boston’s Special Visitor On Earth Day

Yet another new poll shows President George Bush's poll numbers going down — although one commentator warns that it may not necessarily be a "new low." The new poll is from CNN and it seemingly shows Bush's new numbers down lower than ever:President Bush's approval ratings have sunk to a personal low, with only a third of Americans saying they approve of the way he is … [Read more...] about Another New Poll Shows Bush Support Going Down

Glad to see the legislators in South Carolina are tackling the "hard" issues:COLUMBIA — Lucy’s Love Shop employee Wanda Gillespie said she was flabbergasted that South Carolina’s Legislature is considering outlawing sex toys. But banning the sale of sex toys is actually quite common in some Southern states. The South Carolina bill, proposed by Republican Rep. Ralph … [Read more...] about Priorities

This is one of those stories where I just shake my head in disbelief. I just don't understand why somebody, who now knows that the troop level was not adequate, would say that he'd do the same thing given a second chance. From the Washington Post:President Bush today said mistakes were made in planning for the Iraq invasion, but he defended the troop level he ordered in the … [Read more...] about Defending Incompetence

Or is she neither?Ethics question of the day: Is it right to do something you know is wrong, perhaps even illegal, for the sake of a greater good? Mary McCarthy at the CIA leaks highly classified information on a sensitive topic that compromises both the United States and some key allies. She clearly broke the law. It will make future espionage deals with foreign capitals more … [Read more...] about Is Mary McCarthy A Traitor Or A Patriot?

Lawrence Kaplan has no idea what college kids (or at least Carleton College kids) think about Iraq and Darfur. … [Read more...] about Kids These Days (Darfur Edition)

I'll second the question asked by Greg Mathis and Spencer Overton: Why is it that drugs with "White faces" (e.g., Meth) seem to be met with treatment plans, while those with "Black faces" (e.g., Crack) get met with draconian punishment? … [Read more...] about Zero-Sum Compassion

The Los Angeles Times has a great piece about how skyrocketing gas prices are making GOPers gloomier than ever. And it includes this tantalizing suggestion: In the interest of maintaining party unity, President George Bush should become President Moe.The situation may call for Bush to step in and demand more party unity from Republican lawmakers, who have increasingly kept … [Read more...] about GOP Party Unity: Should President Bush Become President Moe?

BBC: Three explosions have been reported in the Egyptian resort town of Dahab, on the east side of the Sinai peninsula. Police said there were casualties in the blasts, according to the Associated Press news agency. They said more than 20 ambulances and police cars were rushing to the el-Masbat area of the city, AP said. "There is smoke coming from the area and there are … [Read more...] about UPDATED: More Bombings in the Sinai

And wouldn't you know it, the issue is one of the smallest we've ever seen...sort of. More here. … [Read more...] about Democrats Find A Wedge Issue