Truly, a cruise gone bad. But, then, what did they expect off the coast of Somalia? … [Read more...] about Pirates of the Indian Ocean

The New York Times is reporting that "[t]housands of American and Iraqi troops laid siege on Saturday to [the town of Husayba] near the Syrian border in one of the largest military assaults since American-led forces stormed the guerrilla stronghold of Falluja last year". More: American commanders say Husayba has become a bastion for cells of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, the group … [Read more...] about The latest American offensive in Iraq

Congratulations, Professor Drezner, from The Reaction — a blog run by a Tufts grad (and a co-blogger here at TMV). Yes, I was there from 1991 to 1995, studying history and political theory and editing and writing (political commentary, film criticism) for The Tufts Daily, one of the great student newspapers in the country. Like so many others, I've long been a fan of … [Read more...] about Drezner at Tufts

Professor/blogger Daniel Drezner, who was shocked to learn learned he wasn't given tenure at his institution — got the good news that he will get a new great new job....and tenure...at Tufts. Drezner's case had raised fears that blogging could be dangerous to your career. But see? Good things DO happen to good people from time to time. FOOTNOTE: TMV applied to a ton … [Read more...] about Nice Guys CAN Finish First

Pajamas Media, the new bloggers group that has been touted as a possible model for pooling bloggers' talents and perhaps increasing their income, seems to be generating controversy even before it's officially launched. First, there were some bloggers who felt they were treated shabbily. And now there's their choice of a keynote speaker someone who (earth to Pajamas Media … [Read more...] about Pajamas Media Starts Out Amid Some Controversy

Our co-blogger Jack Grant's posts on both this site and on his are always independent and unique...and the ones he's posting now are more authoritative than ever. Just to remind our readers: Jack Grant is a scientist working and living in France. So you might want to take special note of any original or "pointer posts" he puts on this site to get his perspective from … [Read more...] about Important Note To Readers

Despite being distracted by personal issues, I do have a perspective on the riots in France that is in some respects first hand. We need to remember that those presenting the news of the unrest have an agenda, and it is up to us as voters to delve into the fundamentals before we react. … [Read more...] about A note upon the riots underway in France

I have a relatively unique viewpoint, watching the riots in France from the inside yet with a non-native perspective. However, I have had some family issues that have delayed any writing I may have had about the news. Despite that distraction, I have finally been able to post some commentary about the riots in France and their origins, despite how unsatisfying they may be to … [Read more...] about Many cities in France are burning

Due to some personal concerns, I have not been able to write as much as usual, including on the topic of the riots in France, which have not yet spread to the town where I live in the western region, but which are indeed a matter of concern. I have finally posted something that has been gestating for over a week on something that is more fundamental, something that underlies … [Read more...] about Getting to fundamentals

Sen. Joseph Biden predicts Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito will get an up and down vote:A key Democrat said on Sunday that he expects the full Republican-led Senate to vote on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito without the threat of a Democratic filibuster. But Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware said a decision would not be made about such a possible procedural … [Read more...] about Biden: Alito Probably Won’t Be Filibustered

He thinks so. (What do you think -- people on both sides?) … [Read more...] about Bill O’Reilly Deja Vu?

Shouldn't we be saying "A pox on both your houses?" … [Read more...] about A Question About Darfur:

France's urban unrest spilled has spilled over into the Paris area — underscoring the country's large Muslim population, economic disparities, the tendency for Muslims to live in specific areas, a culture of hopelessness and — some say — behind the scenes instigation of the violence by Islamic militants. The news reports all paint a picture of a country … [Read more...] about France’s Clashes Spread To Paris On 10th Night Of Destruction

Andrew Sullivan on Dick Cheney:He's still furiously lobbying Senators to protect his right to torture. A man who avoided service in Vietnam is lecturing John McCain on the legitimacy of torturing military detainees. But notice he won't even make his argument before Senate aides, let alone the public. Why not? If he really believes that the U.S. has not condoned torture but … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Dick Cheney’s Operating Style

You can now say with great accuracy that California politics is notable for its star-crossed actors:Actors Warren Beatty and wife Annette Bening tried to crash a campaign appearance Saturday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the governor sought to drum up last-minute support for a group of statewide ballot measures. The Hollywood couple strode side-by-side to the entrance of … [Read more...] about Beatty Shadows Schwarzenegger In California’s Love ‘Ya Baby Politics

Due to travel and doing a show, TMV's posts will start a bit later today, mostly after 7 a.m. Stay tuned! … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Posts Will Start A Bit Later

The rioting continues in France (we'll have more to say about that here later). Notes Centerfield's Tully:What the reportage dances around in almost all of the articles I have seen is that the rioters are Muslims. Instead, the phraseology is "youths" or "marauding youths," and "immigrants," from "neighborhoods with large African and Muslim populations." If you get that much. … [Read more...] about As The Turmoil Continues…

He did an interview with John Amato and you can listen to the audio here. This in itself is always a hot topic, but it becomes even hotter now that you have Sen. John McCain and Vice President Dick Cheney on different sides of what to do about it. … [Read more...] about Democrat Gen. Wesley Clark Talks About Torture

HONESTLY, folks, why can't we all admit it and say at the outset that this news item should be filed in the CYA And Get-Something-On-Paper-To-Improve-Our-Image Department?President Bush has ordered White House staff to attend mandatory briefings beginning next week on ethical behavior and the handling of classified material after the indictment last week of a senior … [Read more...] about Bush Staffers Ordered To Attend Ethics Meetings

Donald Sensing (one of TMV's favorite Internet writers) is a pastor and former military man who also worked in the Pentagon. The Sensing's son is in the Marines (Donald is one person who cannot be accused of being a "chickenhawk" when he writes on Iraq). So the Sensings went to see the new flick "Jarhead." Here's a very small part of his review — which MUST be read in … [Read more...] about A Former Military Man Reviews “Jarhead”