It looks like the Iraq War could take another dramatic turn later this year. The Times has reported this: THE American military is planning a “second liberation of Baghdadâ€? to be carried out with the Iraqi army when a new government is installed... The battle for Baghdad is expected to entail a “carrot-and-stickâ€? approach, offering the beleaguered population protection … [Read more...] about The next Battle of Baghdad

According to The Washington Post, in an interesting article in this past Sunday's edition, "Blair fatigue has become the dominant narrative in British politics." There are other narratives, to be sure, including the rise of Blair's rival and presumptive successor, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, and of the new and dynamic Conservative Leader David Cameron; scandal … [Read more...] about Blair fatigue grips Britain

Haaretz: Militants demand Abbas apology for condemning Tel Aviv attack ===================================================================== Here is an update from Haaretz on the dead and injured - most of the Israeli dead have already been buried: The two Romanian victims of the bombing, Rosalia Basanya, 48, and Boda Proshka, 50, will be laid to rest in their native country. … [Read more...] about Chutzpah Defined!

Not unexpectedly, former Representative Rob Portman (R-OH2), now serving as U.S. Trade Representative, has been selected by George W. Bush as the new director of the Office of Management and Budget. … [Read more...] about Portman’s In at OMB

The New York Times and Washington Post both have good coverage of new WH CoS Josh Bolten's surprisingly candid (at least for this Administration) announcement to senior staff yesterday that big changes in staffing and structure may be (stress may be) coming to the West Wing in the near future. Without asking for specific resignations yesterday, Bolten said that it was his goal … [Read more...] about Can the White House “Refresh and Re-energize”?

Former Bill Clinton adviser (and now Hillary Clinton nemesis) Dick Morris has articulated what some have been whispering the past few months: George Bush may be shaping up as the Republican party's Jimmy Carter:George W. Bush is a one- term president now serving deep into his second term. Like his father, he shot his bolt during his first four years. Unlike his dad, he was … [Read more...] about George Bush And Jimmy Carter: Separated At Birth?

Threat to global security, or threat to commit genocide? Or both? Or neither? … [Read more...] about What Makes a Hitler?

There's a new controversy involving a blog and the controversy over the blog and those who've written about the controversy about the blog. Here are the links (and you can give your view in comments). Michelle Malkin wrote this. John Amato responded here. Ezra Klein commented and so did MSNBC's Keith Olbermann. But then Ed Morrissey and Flopping Aces (WARNING: adult … [Read more...] about Blogwars 2006 (FOURTH UPDATE)

NOTE: The Moderate Voice from time to time runs special Guest Voice columns written by writers or readers who do not normally contribute to this site. Guest Voice columns reflect the opinions of the writers and not necessarily those of The Moderate Voice. The following is by veteran journalist Mark Monday who, like TMV himself, worked for the San Diego Union-Tribune company for … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Silence Of War

If you're interested in taking a role in strengthening the political center, there is something you can do about it -- and even a major meeting you can attend. Over the past few months, some centrist bloggers and other interested centrists have been emailing and doing conference calls on ways to bolster centrism as a political force in a highly polarized America. … [Read more...] about Major Centrists Meeting In New York City On May 6

The moderate Republican Ripon Society's Ripon Forum site has a piece by Republican pollster John McLaughlin, who says the GOP must develop a positive agenda for 2006. Here's how he sets the scene:There are two basic truths to mid-term elections in America – they are won on themes, and, historically speaking at least, they are usually lost by the party in power. In the … [Read more...] about Can The GOP Do Something To Salvage The 2006 Elections?

Make no mistake about it: Iran is "feverishly" working on its nuclear program — feverishly working on a program it insists is for peaceful purposes. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports:The new satellite images released yesterday only brought into sharper focus what was already known: Iran is feverishly continuing construction activity at its nuclear sites and … [Read more...] about Iran Feverishly Working On Nuclear Program

I have moved this post to the top because I've updated it several times. There was a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv this morning claimed by Islamic Jihad. So far 6 people are dead and 35 people are wounded. If Hamas really seeks peace with Israel, it can wipe out Islamic Jihad. AP via NY Times: TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up near a … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Time for Hamas to Put Up or Shut Up

Reuters via Ynet News: Ex-professor pleads guilty to aiding Islamic Jihad Former university professor Sami al-Arian has pleaded guilty to aiding the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad and agreed to be deported, according to documents made public on Monday by a U.S. court in Florida. Al-Arian and three co-defendants were arrested in 2003 and charged with helping the group … [Read more...] about Sami Al-Arian Pled Guilty & Will Be Deported

Reuters via Ynet News: Ex-professor pleads guilty to aiding Islamic Jihad Former university professor Sami al-Arian has pleaded guilty to aiding the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad and agreed to be deported, according to documents made public on Monday by a U.S. court in Florida. Al-Arian and three co-defendants were arrested in 2003 and charged with helping the group … [Read more...] about Sami Al-Arian Pled Guilty & Will Be Deported

This explains everything:Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui suffered a traumatic childhood that transformed him from a child with a sense of humor who made friends easily to a man who spurned his family and embraced radical Islam, a defense witness testified Monday. Jan Vogelsang, a clinical social worker, said at Moussaoui’s death-penalty trial that the 37-year-old … [Read more...] about Awwwwwww!

A Press Release through the Religion News Service: For Immediate Release: Contact: Terry Coleman Home: 303-321-3248 Mobile: 720-273-7903 Email: [email protected] CHRISTIAN MAN SETS WORLD RECORD … [Read more...] about Uh, How Does This HELP the Homeless?

Midtopia has a detailed, thoughtful, must-read post HERE. … [Read more...] about How To Manage Illegal Immigration?

No surprise here, but new poll numbers show even more dislike and distrust for the President and his policies. This time, however, the focus is less on the man himself, and more on those who support him in the halls of government. Yes, the ABB syndrome has mutated into something much more politically deadly...ABTWSB or Anybody But Those Who Support Bush. More here. … [Read more...] about ABB Goes Mainstream

President George Bush isn't the only one facing a problem of plummeting opinion polls:Public approval of the job Congress is doing has dipped to its lowest level of 2006, and is now the worst Gallup has recorded since the closing days of the Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. According to an April 10-13, 2006, Gallup Poll, 23% of Americans … [Read more...] about Poll Shows Congress Hits 12 Year Low