Newt Gingrich is the latest American political figure to say it's time to get out of Iraq. And, as Taylor Marsh notes here, it is indeed a major turn around. http://haloscan.com/tb/taylormarsh/2210 --> … [Read more...] about A New(t) Voice Calls On U.S. To Quit Iraq

An announcement from Iran signifying good news for Tehran and troubling news for Washington (and Europe and Tel Aviv):Iran has successfully enriched uranium for the first time, a landmark in its quest to develop nuclear fuel, hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday. He insisted, however, that his country does not aim to develop nuclear weapons. In a nationally … [Read more...] about Iran Says It Has Now Joined The Nuclear Club

Do we want them to have nukes? No. But do we want the same leadership that grossly underplanned the Iraq situation to tackle this Iran problem? And what are the consequences of success in Iran? Michael Reynolds offers a thoughtful essay that answers those questions and many more. … [Read more...] about What To Do About Iran

From The New York Times: London Bombers Tied to Internet, Not Al Qaeda, Newspaper Says LONDON, April 10 — A forthcoming government report concludes that the July 7 bombings in London were a low-budget operation carried out by four men who had no connection to Al Qaeda and who obtained all the information they needed from the Internet, The Observer reported … [Read more...] about Ditto in London – Anyone Smell a Skunk?

A Spanish judge has charged 29 people in the 2004 Madrid bombings in the culmination of a two year investigation that concluded that the bombings weren't the work of Al Qaeda but of some extremists responding to a local website:The March 11 attacks, for which Islamist militants claimed responsibility, killed 191 people and injured more than 1,700. Six of the 29 men were charged … [Read more...] about Spain Charges 29 In Madrid Bombings

Polls haven't brought cheerful news for President George Bush and the White House in recent months. While some show small fluctuations, the overall trend has been south — with each new poll suggesting the public has seemingly now made up its mind about this presidency. And the latest poll suggests that all of the President's speeches, all the President's p.r. men may … [Read more...] about Does Latest Bush Poll Show Public Feels The Emperor Has No Clothes?

...as you laugh about it. … [Read more...] about It’s Called Evading A Question

If you're one of the many people throughout the world proudly addicted to HBO's The Sopranos, arguably the best series drama to ever appear on television, this past Sunday night was a milestone...the fruition of a story line that has been slowly simmering for a year:Now the question for viewers of "The Sopranos" is: Will Vito eat the barrel of his gun? Or will he lack the guts, … [Read more...] about “Sopranos” Fans Wonder: Is Vito Finito?

File this in your "hmmmmmmmmm" department:Key figures in a phone-jamming scheme designed to keep New Hampshire Democrats from voting in 2002 had regular contact with the White House and Republican Party as the plan was unfolding, phone records introduced in criminal court show. The records show that Bush campaign operative James Tobin, who recently was convicted in the case, … [Read more...] about New Hampshire GOP Phone Jamming Included Calls To White House

...as claiming that modest military endeavors like air patrols over Darfur villages are "unnecessary at this time." With all due respect, when will it [expletive deleted] become necessary? … [Read more...] about I Don’t Know If I’ve Ever Seen Anything As Appalling

I was a failed Spanish student in high school, and even I can't see anything more American than that phrase. The immigrant protests for American ideals continue unabated. … [Read more...] about “Si, Se Puede!”

Some say yes and some say no. Me, I'm in the "no" category. Here's an additional perspective...Assimilation into the American culture has never been a one-way street. Some native traditions are discarded when immigrant groups become Americans, but some traditions are adopted into the cultural fabric of America and define the cultures of our many regions. Whether it’s the … [Read more...] about Does Illegal Immigration Threaten Our Culture?

Are we about to witness Shock and Awe: The Sequel in Iran? Also, check out The Carpetbagger Report, where the Sunday Discussion Group sought to answer these questions: "Is this some kind of bluster intended to bolster European diplomacy? Is the Iranian threat legitimate? Is the threat of war Bush's new campaign strategy for the midterm cycle? If Bush's war planning is folly, … [Read more...] about What if Iran is the new Iraq?

Are Democrats starting to feel afraid of nominating Hillary Clinton because she is perceived as too polarizing and too risky? According to this report, the answer is yes:Democrats are so intent on winning the White House in 2008 they may be afraid to nominate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., several top pollsters conclude. Convinced that Clinton is too divisive to win a general … [Read more...] about Nomination Problems For Hillary Clinton?

The Italian election is over. Polls closed today at 3 pm local time. I'm rooting for Romano Prodi's The Union coalition, although I suspect I'd support any reasonable opposition to Silvio Berlusconi's House of Freedoms coalition (which includes his own party, Forza Italia). Seriously, is there a more corrupt, venal, and shamelessly plutocratic leader in the Western world than … [Read more...] about Forza Italia?

Journalism professor and topflight blogger Jay Rosen has an idea who it is:It should be obvious from the work who Woodward Now is. And if it isn’t obvious Greg Sargent can explain it to you over at the American Prospect. The guy’s name is Murray Waas; he’s an independent journalist who recently went to work as a staff writer for the National Journal and the Atlantic … [Read more...] about Who Is The Woodward Of The 21st Century?

Between a focus on the reading habits of Americans and the apparently computer reading habits of a select employee or two and THIS don't you get the feeling they may have too much time on their hands? … [Read more...] about Another Eyebrow-Raising Department Of Homeland Security Story

To the administration and Republicans running for Congress, the continued controversy — and news coverage — about President George Bush himself leaking what had previously been classified information to the press is a bleeding wound that won't stop. To Democrats and other critics of the administration, it's a gift that keeps on giving. Will this latest via the New … [Read more...] about White House Says Bush Ordered Declassification

Well, as most of you know, that's not really the media's job. But it is the media's job to provide a comprehensive look at what's going on, whether it be good or bad. More here. … [Read more...] about No Good News Out Of Iraq?

British and American officials are pooh-poohing reports that not only is an attack on Iran being planned by the United States but that it could involve tactical nuclear weaspons. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw isn't mincing any words:British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he is ``certain'' that neither the U.S. nor Britain would preemptively attack Iran. ``We're … [Read more...] about British And American Officials Downplay Reports Of Planned Attack On Iran