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?

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