Yesterday, I wrote about yet another piece of evidence that the Bush Administration used selective intelligence to justify its war in Iraq, specifically the fact that a key informer in American custody, a certain al Qaeda official named al-Libi, was known well before the war to be a "fabricator" of information. For more on this developing story, including a round-up of key … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney, enabler of torture

For a bit more on the big new case set to come before the Roberts Court, see here. … [Read more...] about SCOTUS to rule on military tribunals

A reminder to SCROLL DOWN. TMV and his co-bloggers may often write posts longer than you find on other weblogs (it's part of what makes us so lovable). And there are a LOT of new posts under today's dated weblog....so make sure you go all the way down. We will periodically put this at the top of this site as a reminder. … [Read more...] about Scroll Down!

...something happens that makes you realize we're all connected. … [Read more...] about Just When You Think The World Is Polarized….

It's election day today and, even though it isn't the mid-term elections, a lot is at stake. For instance, today could be the day when California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's clout is terminated by California voters if the bulk of or all of his ballot measures go down the tubes. If you look at polls and talk to Californians at random you realize: you don't need actor … [Read more...] about What’s At Stake In Today’s Elections

Right? Well, if THIS STARTS A TREND they will be mere extensions of political candidates on both sides (spin within spin within spin). Will "a million blogs" therefore morph into "two million blogs?" (Oh. We forgot the remaining Nader supporters: Two million and one blogs.) … [Read more...] about Weblogs Are Manifestations Of An Individual’s Conscience…

It's a given in broadcasting that when a personality gets ready to depart he does so quietly. In fact, in most instances listeners tune in and find that their favorite DJ or talk show host has simply vanished and gone somewhere. There is no forwarding address. But "shockjock" Howard Stern, the self-styled King Of All Media (but who has had a rocky road expanding significantly … [Read more...] about Howard Stern Suspended After Plugging His New Satellite Radio Show

I have a bit more news on the spreading of violence in France (not much), along with a response to some who have commented, a note on what moderation truly is, and some additional information regarding the backgrounds of those involved in the riots at my weblog, Random Fate. (NOTE: the second link is to a different post) Depending upon the events of this evening, I hope to … [Read more...] about A small amount of additional information on the riots in France

The Supreme Court has granted cert in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, to determine whether the military commissions established by the Bush administration to prosecute detainees are constitutional. A few preliminary thoughts on the subject here. … [Read more...] about Military Tribunals to the Supreme Court

President Bush just came flat out and said it: "We do not torture." And I'll come flat out and say it: He's lying. … [Read more...] about Care To Say It Under Oath?

Just weeks after nixing an agreement literally at the last minute in what seemed to be a fit of ire over one of his broadcasts critical of a rehearsed encounter between President George W. Bush and some members of the military, Armed Forces Radio has said it will in fact carry progressive talker Ed Schultz's increasingly popular radio talk show after all. The news arrived here … [Read more...] about Armed Forces Radio Will Now Carry Progressive Talker Ed Schultz

Maybe 40 years back. … [Read more...] about Where Should Chirac Look?

It's a given that President George W. Bush enjoys the support of many social conservatives, Evangelicals and church leaders (such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson to name just a few) who OFTEN speak out on his behalf and lambaste his opponents. So can this really be happening? Perhaps this is just a glitch and it won't be pursued to the end. If not, then the rule needs to be … [Read more...] about Hypocrisy 101 (or 102)?

A Washington Post story containing critical quotes from administration sources paints a picture of Vice President Dick Cheney as adamant on defending controversial U.S. practices regarding detainees — and it suggests his standing within the administration is shakier than ever. If this had been a news story published in the time when Francisco Franco was dictator of Spain … [Read more...] about Story On Cheney Defending Detainee Policy Suggests His Shaky Status

There may not be a smoking gun, at least not yet, but there sure is a lot of smoke. Here's what Douglas Jehl reported in Sunday's New York Times: A high Qaeda official in American custody was identified as a likely fabricator months before the Bush administration began to use his statements as the foundation for its claims that Iraq trained Al Qaeda members to use biological … [Read more...] about Selective intelligence: Building the case for war in Iraq

Marshall Wittman of the Bull Moose (one of my favourite blogs and certainly one of the highlights of the centrist blogosphere) has an excellent post on "high crimes and misdemeanors" — that is, on impeachment. His argument is that "Congressional Democrats are settling on a 'narrative' and a 'frame' for the Iraq War" that leads to an inexorable conclusion: "[A] vast … [Read more...] about Iraq, the Democrats, and impeachment

On Tuesday, to quote The New York Times, "President Bush announced... that he would ask Congress for $7.1 billion to prepare the nation for the possibility of a worldwide outbreak of deadly flu." Here's how he put it: "Our country has been given fair warning of this danger to our homeland and time to prepare. It's my responsibility as the president to take measures now to … [Read more...] about The politics of panic: President Bush and avian flu

Despite the public rhetoric, it's looking more and more likely, with the White House preparing for a post-Rove world. … [Read more...] about Bush without Rove

I've got a bit more on Biden, the Democrats, and the filibuster over at The Reaction. … [Read more...] about Alito and the filibuster

Well, for one, she's another Sign of the Apocalypse. All on her own. … [Read more...] about What’s up with Jessica Simpson?