There's so much unproductive rhetoric out there at the moment on Iraq, and it's coming both from the left and from the right. Chuck Hagel may be right that Iraq is like Vietnam, but I worry that such a loaded historical analogy could get in the way of a strategy to turn things around just as Iraq nears its legal founding with the drafting of a constitution. Iraq may be like … [Read more...] about Iraq, Vietnam, America

Just a quick post to let you all know about two fascinating (and deeply troubling) stories that I came across this evening at Majikthise, an excellent liberal blog by Lindsay Beyerstein, a fellow Tufts alum: First, the White House has suspended funding for an abstinence-education program that essentially diverted tax money to religious activities (the Post as the story … [Read more...] about Abstinence and segregation: Gimme some o’ that ol’-time morality!

So now the stage is set in New York State where when the smoke clears Senator Hillary Clinton will face Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro as her GOP challenger in a race widely seen as a GOP "A" list race as a way to stop Ms. Clinton's possible run for higher office. Or IS IT? Running Scared's Jazz Shaw has this must-read post detailing the presence in the … [Read more...] about The Drive To Stop Hillary Clinton

Was President George Bush poised to meet with grieving mother and anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan but talked out of it by his political advisors? The Dilby News Monitor, citing what it calls a "confirmed tip" from a "White House insider" reports that GWB was ready to see Sheehan and possibly score some political points — but his advisors had other (political) … [Read more...] about Was George Bush Originally Planning To Meet With Cindy Sheehan?

Do you think Pat Robertson will say "The Devil made me do it" on this one? In his constant, tireless campaign to either discredit religious people who open their mouths to talk about politics or to inspire a straight-jacket factory to rush over and take his measurements, Pat Robertson has called for the assassination of Venezuela's President. Actually, when you think about … [Read more...] about Pat Robertson Endorses Assassinations

A rather lengthy attempt to analyze the recent trends in public opinion and the politics of the right-wing from a centrist position can be found here. If you prefer your reading of trends to be more partisan, a view of recent events from definitely the left side of the center can be found here. … [Read more...] about There is more than one trend to pull together

File this in the All Bozos Don't War Clown Make-Up Department:Officials at JP Morgan Chase have apologized and promised to improve their screening policies, after a credit card solicitation letter sent to a 54-year-old naturalized American citizen came addressed to "Palestinian Bomber." The form letter for a Visa Platinum card arrived earlier this month at the home of Sami … [Read more...] about Credit Card Letter Sent To “Dear Palestinian Bomber”

Newsweeklies are hurting. … [Read more...] about Another News Media Venue Slumps

This just in from Subject2Discussion, a web-based talk show that features bloggers from all over the political landscape:Justin Gardner the blogger behind the centrist blog, DONKLEPHANT will be on my webcast/podcast program SUBJECT2DISCUSSION this coming Wednesday at 6pm PST LIVE on http://www.lvrocks.com click on listen and click on cam/chat. Podcast: … [Read more...] about Listen To Bloggers LIVE

Let's forget for a MOMENT any partisanship (I know that's impossible for most people reading blogs to do) or ideological support for or against Cindy Sheehan.. But, really, can't you see how "inaccuracies" like this may be a key reason why some people are starting to tune out talk radio? (Air America: you aren't angels, either...) While his fervant fans (who will defend … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh Strikes (Out) Again

President Bush's approval rating has hovered in the low 40s for the past few months, nearing a fall into the 30s — a la Jimmy Carter — but never quite passing the threshold of 40 percent. But as the American Research Group reports, records are made to be broken. George W. Bush's overall job approval ratings have dropped from a month ago even as Americans who … [Read more...] about Bush Approval Falls to 36%

Jailed ex-Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has written a martyr-like letter delivered by the International Red Cross and published in Jordanian newspapers. It's not long but reveals how he views himself and pointedly takes up the subject of Palestine to solidify sympathy and support for him in the Arab world as a martyr to the Arab cause. From the BBC:"I and my family offer … [Read more...] about A Letter From Saddam Hussein Is Published

Comparisons between the Iraq War and that yardstick of American failed wars Vietnam usually come from the left or center left — but now a top GOPer is warning that there seem to be similarities:WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading Republican senator and prospective presidential candidate said Sunday that the war in Iraq has destabilized the Middle East and is looking more … [Read more...] about GOP Senator Likens Iraq War To Vietnam

Our occasional linkfest of posts of ALL viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the views of TMV or its co-bloggers. A Superb Analysis Of The Recent Terrorism In Bangladesh can be read here at the Winds of Change. The opening paragraph sets the tone:The terrorists who set off explosions all over Bangladesh warned the American president and the British prime minister to … [Read more...] about Around The ‘Sphere August 22, 2005

Guess who decided against running against Katherine Harris in the GOP primary for the Florida Senate seat? Our earlier post is here. … [Read more...] about GOP Bigwigs Now Have A Problem

The target this time: a dish cherished by Native Americans. … [Read more...] about When Food Police Attack

The controversy has been bubbling and bubbling: unlike 20 or 30 years ago, soda is served and sold in schools — and kids keep getting fatter and fatter. Is readily available and highly popular soda part of the reason? So now, the beverage industry, tired of taking so many pops on the head, has announced guidelines that would ban kids' cherished Dr. Pepper, Coke, Pepsi, … [Read more...] about Bubbling Controversy To Limit Soda In Schools

Corporations are taking note that blogs can do good — and bad — things for their business. And a story in the San Jose Mercury News about a Blog Business Summit being held in San Francisco notes a specific example of a consumer/blogger who may have already had some impact:Take the woes Dell Computer has faced. In recent months, big-name blogger Jeff Jarvis, on his … [Read more...] about Corporations Noting The Influence Of Blogs On Their Sales

A top general said the worst case scenario is to be prepare to keep the number of soldiers in Iraq for some four more years. The news that there is (somewht distance) light at the end of the Iraq war tunnel comes in an interview with AP's military writer:In an Associated Press interview, Gen. Peter Schoomaker said the Army is prepared for the "worst case" in terms of the … [Read more...] about Top General: Worst Case Scenario Is Four More Years In Iraq

In the end, the gonzo journalist made an ash of himself. … [Read more...] about Hunter S. Thompson’s Explosive Farewell