Think again. Abdul Rahman isn't the first...and unless Islamic law changes...he certainly won't be the last. From Daveed Gartenstein-Ross:Middle Easterners who leave the Islamic faith have faced serious persecution for decades. Many have been killed, either by the state or by their former co-religionists. But the Abdul Rahman case marked the first time in recent memory that … [Read more...] about Think Islam Doesn’t Persecute Religious Freedom?

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 Robin Koerner (one of our favorite, frequent contributors), publisher of the superb website Watching … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Bordering On The Absurd

Our linkfest taking you to some interesting posts from all over the blogo-you-know-what. Links refect various viewpoints that may not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice. Immigration Is A Hot Issue And All Angles Are Being Discussed — but what about black perspectives on illegal immigration? On The Other Hand some people can't get worked up about … [Read more...] about Around The ‘Sphere March 29, 2006

Who can spot what might be wrong with this passage? Senate Bill 1138 would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for sex offenders who are convicted twice of raping a child younger than 11. South Carolina would join Louisiana as the only states that allow the death penalty for crimes other than murder. Currently in South Carolina, murder is the only crime eligible for … [Read more...] about Landmarks in Journalistic Writing

Here's why. … [Read more...] about Why Do Headline Writers Need Editors?

TMV will be on the road today in a long drive which means his posts will be limited. But this site will have lots of food-for-thought from our co-bloggers -- and a special Guest Voice column. People have asked in emails and comments about TMV's travels. He has a hectic schedule due to updating this weblog, special writing projects and traveling due to his work in his other … [Read more...] about TMV’s Own Posts Will Be Limited Today

Given that his numbers are low, low, low...this move makes sense. But will the press respond to his "chewing the fat" sessions? My thoughts are here. … [Read more...] about Bush Mends Fences With The Press

Yep...they did it recently...twice. Thankfully "they" were US agents testing our security. Needless to say, we failed. More here. … [Read more...] about Nuclear Materials Getting Through The Borders

Alan Stewart Carl nails it on the Abdul Rahman case:There are many cultural rifts between the West and the Muslim world. Some can be closed or at least bridged. But in cases like Abdul Rahman, we in the West cannot find common ground. Killing a man for converting to a new religion is wholly unacceptable. There is no compromise. They are wrong. We are right.Not only are we … [Read more...] about No Compromise On Religious Freedom

After weeks of calls from some Republicans for changes in the White House staff, White House Chief of Staff Andy Card has resigned — although White House officials insist it is his decision, not the president's:White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. announced his resignation this morning after nearly 5-1/2 years as President Bush's top aide. Bush said Card will be … [Read more...] about The First Change? White House Chief Of Staff Andy Card Resigns

If you're not a Soprano's fan the barebones fact is: Tony Soprano came out of his coma last Sunday night in a remarkable episode, one that is one reason why when this show goes off people will be buying DVDs of it for decades to come. Read this, this and this. And also this. … [Read more...] about Why The Sopranos Continues To Amaze

It has been a longtime building, but it has seemingly happened: The decades long debate over immigration reform has now reached critical mass. From massive demonstrations in major U.S. cities staged by hoards of immigrants furious over a tough new law passed by the House, to President George Bush who advocates stricter border controls coupled with a guest worker program … [Read more...] about Immigration Reform Fever Hits Bush, Congress And The Streets

Anyone who read The Case of the Speluncean Explorers in Law School (or, as in my case, as an undergrad) will appreciate Legal Fiction's re-enactment using the Afghani Christian Convert case. … [Read more...] about Dead Constitutions

You can read his diary on Daily Kos. … [Read more...] about Guess What Former President Started Blogging?

Bloggers link and/or attribute to mainstream news organizations all time time. But should the mainstream media credit blogs? … [Read more...] about A New Debate In The 21st Century World Of Journalism

You've heard of "death by police" where someone makes a move and goads police into shooting him? Here's death by mouth — where Al Qaeda's captured Zacarias Moussaoui virtually signs his own death warrent in testifying without his lawyers' approval:Laying out a stunning new version of his terrorist mission, al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui testified Monday that he … [Read more...] about Moussaoui Says He Was Part Of 911 Plot To Attack White House

Centrist columnist John Avlon (who wrote the classic book on centrism The Independent Nation) looks at President George Bush's growing credibility gap in terms of historic and current roots in his latest New York Sun column. And it shows there may be no quick "out" for Bush, if you factor in his political style and personality. Here are some excerpts: Despite his campaign in … [Read more...] about Bush’s Credibility Gap: Historical And Current Roots

Yet another reason why Islam has to change. More here. … [Read more...] about Islamic Law Forces Couple To Divorce After Sleeptalking

To me, movement away from the radical religious fringe and towards a humble, moral center is a great thing. And somehow, the fact that it's happening in Texas makes it even better.COVINGTON, Texas (ABP) -- Pastor and politician Kerry Horn has been called an agent of Satan. He has faced country farmers trembling with rage. And his faith has been questioned by members of his own … [Read more...] about Baptist Pastor In Texas Running As A Democrat?

Talk about "hot talk." Listen to this talk radio confrontation between actor Alec Baldwin and conservative talkers Sean Hannity and Mark Levin on WABC's Brian Whitman show. What's interesteing is how Baldwin keeps wondering why the host has to have Hannity and Levin on when he has regular listeners waiting on line. But the nature of talk radio is "hot talk" — rage, … [Read more...] about It’s Alec Baldwin Versus Sean Hannity And Mark Levin