When someone suddenly leaves a position after a major controversy it usually suggests that it may not be a coincidence. And so we see this via Ad Wars about a departure from the group that produced the widely panned — and withdrawn — ad blasting Supreme Court nominee John Roberts:Dear Friends -- Today will be my last day with NARAL Pro-Choice America. I've been … [Read more...] about More Apparent Fallout Over Group’s Anti-Roberts Ad

After more than a decade of strategizing how to fight the next Supreme Court justice, NARAL seems to have blown its wad prematurely (an analogy its activists can surely understand). The group's savage ad against John Roberts - saying his views excused violence against abortion clinics - left a bad taste in the mouths of many Democrats, who are wondering if anything can stop … [Read more...] about Democrats – and centrists – not amused at NARAL tactics against Roberts

President George Bush has come out and said it: military force is an option in the case of Iran:US President George W Bush refused to rule out the use of force against Iran over the Islamic republic's resumption of nuclear activities, in an interview with Israeli television. When asked if the use of force was an alternative to faltering diplomatic efforts, Bush said: "All … [Read more...] about Bush Suggests Military Force Is Option For Iran

Is this a warning sign about the UN's vulnerability to terrorist attack — domestic and foreign?A California man — allegedly armed with two guns, a large knife and over 200 rounds of ammunition — was arrested Thursday as he tried to enter a United Nations parking garage, authorities said. Vernon J. Welker, 59, is to face charges of third-degree criminal … [Read more...] about Armed Man Arrested At UN

The story has raged on the front pages for months. It has consumed hours on radio talk shows. It has sparked a debate about ethics and whether one side was blatantly lying. It has been the "buzz" watercooler talk, even where there weren't any watercoolers. It involves someone who has loyal, almost fanatical followers. It has taken up miles of computer screen space on … [Read more...] about Paula Abdul Cleared Of “Idol” Sex Affair Rumors

You can almost sense film critic Roger Ebert wishing he had 10 thumbs to give 10 thumbs down to the latest Rob Schneider flick in his review here. … [Read more...] about Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo Is Not Seductive

There has been a new tragedy in the Middle East: heat nixed Palestinian efforts to build the world's longest sandwich:Palestinians abandoned a quest to build the world's longest sandwich on Wednesday after health officials told them their 750-meter construction risked rotting in the West Bank summer sun. Hundreds of volunteers spread a 750-meter bun on tables along a dusty … [Read more...] about Heat Bites Palestinian Crusade For Longest Sandwich

It was Wolf Blitzer Versus Bill Clinton on CNN's The Situation Room where the former President resisted a baited-hook question that would have allowed him to take a potshot at the administration's Iraq war policy — and had a vigorous give-and-take with host Wolf Blitzer. Part of the problem is that if you read the entire transcript linked above, Blitzer was trying to … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton VS Wolf Blitzer

Is Guiliani/Rice versus Clinton/Obama in the cards? … [Read more...] about The 2008 Presidential Race

You almost have to take a deep breath when you open up the L.A. Times or do a news wire search each day to see yet another story damaging to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger — and the latest says a business-partner/tabloid essentially paid a woman off to keep quiet about an affair with him. Should we say it bluntly? Schwarzenegger, whose supporters used to be … [Read more...] about Tabloid Paid To Hush Up Schwarzenegger Affair

In the comments section of my blog, reader Walker inquires as to whether I believe the Democrats have a shot at retaking the Senate next fall. To get an idea of where the battle for the Senate stands and what exactly the Democrats chances are, click here to read the full post on my blog, Basie!. … [Read more...] about Can the Democrats Retake the Senate in 2006?

So this was DEFINITELY going to be the last Sopranos season coming up? Well, yes and no...LOS ANGELES - When "The Sopranos" finally arrives next year for its sixth season, fans of the HBO mob drama will get more than they expected. Eight "bonus" episodes are planned in addition to the 12 previously announced for the series, set to return in March 2006 after nearly two years … [Read more...] about Sopranos To Have “Bonus” Epidodes: Yet Another Season?

Think again. Sometimes they CAN discover something that takes everyone by surprise -- something beautiful. … [Read more...] about So You Think Everything To Be Discovered Has Been Discovered?

A refreshing change in the typical priorities: BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- Monks at a Belgian abbey have been forced to stop selling their famous beer after it was voted the best in the world and was promptly sold out. The abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren in western Belgium is home to some 30 Cistercian and Trappist monks who lead a life of seclusion, prayer, manual … [Read more...] about We are not brewers, we are monks

So what's one of the key underlying issues in the growing controversy — and crisis — over Iran's resumed nuclear program? An article in Corriere Della Serra in part says this:For the West, two crucial issues increasingly accompany discussions of how to fight Islamic terrorism and address apprehension over new attacks. What is to be done with Iran, now that it … [Read more...] about What’s At Stake In The Iran Nuclear Controversy

A former Bush campaign official charged with conspiring to keep Democrats from voting in New Hampshire is having his legal bills paid — with a little help from his Republican party friends:Despite a zero-tolerance policy on tampering with voters, the Republican Party has quietly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide private defense lawyers for a former Bush … [Read more...] about GOP Picks Up Tab For Accused Bush Official

It's enough to make me you-know-what... So it's time to repeat it. We get emails. Oh, boy do we get emails. And in a week we're called "a Bush-hating liberal.....part of the right wing cheerleading squad....really a Democrat...really a Republican." The only thing we haven't been called is a Michael Jackson look-alike. The next thing you know, someone will start a rumor that … [Read more...] about Time To Repeat It

Whether it's a case of cutting their losses or eating a bunch of good, 'ol fashioned crow, an anti-abortion group has pulled back a controversial anti-Roberts ad — a clear sign that the ad had created some backlash:WASHINGTON — After a week of protests by conservatives, an abortion-rights group said Thursday night it is withdrawing a television advertisement linking … [Read more...] about Abortion Group Begrudgingly Withdraws Controversial Roberts Ad

...at The Values Divide, a new and highly promising centrist weblog. Yes, there are indeed centrists out there. And in this day and age there are people who do believe in something called ETHICS. In fact, The Values Divide is written by Jason "The Wise Guy" Merchey. His site describeds him as "a philosophical thinker, author, speaker, and coaching consultant. Intrigued by … [Read more...] about Take A Peek…..

Readers and bloggers have had an impact on spreading the word about a site we posted about here. Read the cartoon by cartoonist/blogger Chris Muir above. In fact, it was Muir — who has a loved one touched by The Big C — who doggedly got the word out to bloggers, who helped get the word out to readers. His site can be visited here. Too often on these weblogs it's … [Read more...] about Readers Respond To An Item On The Big C