Historical facts can seem brittle and unreal as time goes on and they become simple statements. But sometimes and issue is kept as compelling as ever via oral histories via recordings, tapes and films. But what about the days when oral histories weren't the rage? Oral histories were sometimes done via good, old fashioned letters. And the The Greensboro Historical Museum has … [Read more...] about Memories Of Slavery

...but sometimes a bill can call YOU names... … [Read more...] about When You Get A Bill You May Call It Names….

Okay, suppose the US left Iraq. Would there be mass chaos or blissful harmony? … [Read more...] about Eden or Lebanon?

UN Ambassador John Bolton has rolled up his moustache sleeves and is at work at the UN, firing his first big verbal shot at UN funding of a Palestinian propaganda campaign:The United Nations' funding of a Palestinian Arab propaganda campaign timed to coincide with Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip has increased tensions between the U.N. and American officials. America's … [Read more...] about Bolton Fires First Key UN Broadside

Okay, it's more rapprochement than alliance, but it seems that the tensions that have long separated Russia and China have been put aside long enough for those two powers to conduct joint military exercises. Such rapprochement may only be "tentative and half-hearted," but the U.S. may want to pay attention to the renewed possibility of multipolarity beyond present American … [Read more...] about We have nothing to fear but… the new Sino-Russian alliance

In an article in Commentary, that bastion of neoconservative thought, Charles Krauthammer exhibits the arrogance and hubris that is now all-too-characteristic of the right, as he declares that neoconservatism is one of the three main strands of American foreign policy. Instead, as Vivek Krishnamurthy argues at The Reaction, it's actually "just the bastard child of every … [Read more...] about Krauthammer’s hubris: Neoconservatism running amok

Protesters (as distinct from settlers) at a Gaza synagogue are being forcibly removed, and it appears that the protesters are using some type of chemical to repel the police (this chemical is being identified as "acid" by the Israeli police, as broadcast on CNN International - link). Police officers were seen coming out of the synagogue in their underwear and being doused … [Read more...] about Chemical agents apparently being used by Gaza synagogue protesters against Israeli police

One of the ongoing political dramas the past couple of months is the tug-of-war between former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris and the GOP bigwigs over the Senate race there: they want her out of it. She insists on making the Senate race. And it's clear GOP bigwigs think she's too controversial to win. So what do you do when faced with likely electoral defeat but … [Read more...] about Will Joe Scarborough Run Against Katherine Harris?

The battle over John Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court has just gotten a mite tougher for his critics: the ABA has given him a "well qualified rating."WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee John Roberts earned a "well qualified" rating from the American Bar Association on Wednesday, clearing one hurdle in his path to joining the high court. The rating by … [Read more...] about ABA Gives Roberts “Well Qualified” Rating

Our occasional linkfest of posts of ALL viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the views of TMV or its co-bloggers. Was the Iraq Intervention A Success? An op-ed piece in the German newspaper Die Welt argues it is. Read a translation here via the great site Watching America. And Is It A 'Noble Cause?' Oxblogs David Adesnik, writing in his role as contributor for … [Read more...] about Around The ‘Sphere August 17, 2005

...I believe it is of vital importance that we separate the method of delivering the message from the message itself. Ms. Sheehan is not the first to invoke the dead to convey a political message, nor will she be the last. Once we actually do the mental work of separating the gut reaction out to analyze the methods used, we might see how our emotions are being cynically … [Read more...] about On the matter of Ms. Cindy Sheehan…

Pierce Brosnon as James Bond? RIP — but he's not in mourning as the day has finally come:NEW YORK - A single, surprising phone call and it was over. That's how Pierce Brosnan says he learned that his services as James Bond would no longer be required. "One phone call, that's all it took!" the 52-year-old actor tells Entertainment Weekly magazine in its Aug. 19 … [Read more...] about Pierce Brosnan Stirred Not Shaken Over Bond Exit

NEWS FLASH: John Roberts is conservative! … [Read more...] about *Stunning* news of the day

Google Earth A Security Risk Nothing more to add... … [Read more...] about A sad commentary of the times

Well, it could have been worse: at least she didn't stick them in the oven. … [Read more...] about A Little Note On Their Check

Grief and terror brought by Islamic militants has struck yet another country — this time Bangladesh, where reports say some 300 explosions occured simultaneously throughout the nation including in its capital city.The BBC reports:At least two people have been killed and 50 others injured in a series of small bomb blasts across Bangladesh. Officials say more than 300 … [Read more...] about Islamic Militants Explode Bombs Across Bangladesh

Cross posted at The Smoking Room If this won't make you a libertarian, nothing will. The city of New London, Connecticut, whose successful attempt to confiscate private land for private use was confirmed in the Kelo case, is trying to collect rent going back 5 years from the property owners they molested. C'mon, Congress, you know you want to act rashly and pass a feel-good … [Read more...] about New London not so gracious in victory after Kelo decision

The New York Times reports that newly declassified documents indicate the State Department warned the Clinton administration about Osama bin Laden's growing danger but nothing was done to stop him: State Department analysts warned the Clinton administration in July 1996 that Osama bin Laden's move to Afghanistan would give him an even more dangerous haven as he sought to … [Read more...] about State Department: We Warned Administration About Bin Laden In 1996

If you're jonesin' for some snarky blogging on the Teen Choice Awards, you may want to see a therapist - or read my live-blogging as a mid-20s professional trying to reclaim his adolescence. … [Read more...] about Hilary Duff, Rob Schneider and 2 hours of teen bliss

So far it's been smoother sailing for John Roberts in terms of both the numbers (he'll likely get the votes) and legitimacy (nothing sleazy has hung over his nomination) but is this a storm cloud? The Washington Post reports: A file folder containing papers from Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr.'s work on affirmative action more than 20 years ago disappeared from the … [Read more...] about File On Roberts Disappears From Reagan Library