Spain is facing a press controversy that Barcepundit says is akin to the Rovegate. READ THE DETAILS HERE but he makes a good point: Once again we seem to see an instance where outrage is being limited only to those with whom one side disagrees. This scandal also involves some press leaks...a court....an order issued to a leading newspaper. Also, the biggest political … [Read more...] about Spain’s Own Wilson/Rove/Plame Scandal

After reading some of John Roberts' memos from the White House counsel's office in the early 1980s, I have thoughts on him beyond his heartthrob status: I like him. Forget that he's generally conservative, but apparently not a rigid ideologue, or particularly polarizing. He blames the Supreme Court for its own bitchiness in the 1980s:In early 1983, Mr. Roberts was asked to … [Read more...] about John Roberts to Supreme Court: Die or Leave

In many cities now throughout the United States health experts are saying mosquitos truly bite — in more ways than one. The problem: there are increasing fears that the West Nile virus is popping up all over the United States. You can see the acclerating number of cases being reported across the U.S.A In San Diego County, the Union Tribune notes, two dead birds have … [Read more...] about West Nile Threat Seen Growing Fast In U.S.

It sounds like Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld needs to get some New York City lawyers skilled in taking landlords to court out to Uzbekistan ASAP:Uzbekistan formally evicted the United States yesterday from a military base that has served as a hub for combat and humanitarian missions to Afghanistan since shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Pentagon and State … [Read more...] about U.S. Kicked Out Of Air Base In Uzbekistan

A little way below Joe suggests that Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf may be getting tougher on Pakistan-bred terror by kicking foreigners out of the country's madrassas. While that is indeed a good sign even if it leaves possible Pakistani terrorists-in-training free, a couple other stories have come out this past week suggesting that Musharraf may be somewhat complicit … [Read more...] about Understanding Musharraf

A new Gallup poll continues to suggest these are troubled days for President George Bush:PRINCETON, NJ — A new Gallup Poll finds a decline in George W. Bush's job approval rating. After standing at 49% approval in the prior two CNN/USA Today/Gallup polls conducted this month, now just 44% of Americans say they approve of Bush, a new low mark for the president. The poll … [Read more...] about Bush Approval Rating Continues Its Downward March

In his latest ostensible "get tough on extremism" move, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is booting some 1,400 foreigners out of madrassas, or religious schools — but only time will tell if it's more of a a p.r. move or a move that has a long-range impact in the war on terror. Some details via the BBC:"Any (foreigners) in the madrassas - even dual nationality holders … [Read more...] about Pakistan Orders Foreigners Out Of Madrassa Schools

TMV's former news outlet The Christian Science Monitor (he was its Special Correspondent in Madrid, Spain from 1975-1978, reporting on the immediate post-Franco era, Spain's move to democracy and thbe Basque region)has a great roundup on the Bush administration's attempt to rename the "global war on terror." It begins:"What's in a name? Would the "war on terrorism" with a new … [Read more...] about On Renaming The War On Terror

I ponder that very question after reading a conservative reinterpretation of Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax." *For those of you who don't know, "Crit" is shorthand for "Critical Theorist," a branch of leftwing scholarship that is post-modern and post-liberal, and, among many positions (not all of which are believed by all members), believe in the indeterminacy of texts, refuse to … [Read more...] about Have the Crits Won?

I've come across two must-reads on the situation in Iraq, one by Fred Kaplan at Slate and one by David Ignatius at The Washington Post. Check them out. At The Reaction, I highlight key passages and offer some additional commentary. … [Read more...] about The Iraqi nightmare: What to do, when to get out

...by needless patisan attacks can be found at my weblog Random Fate. … [Read more...] about Some thoughts on the weakening of arguments…

...may yet have larger ramifications, and not only for those affected. … [Read more...] about A death unnoticed outside of the immediate family…

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is breaking with President George Bush by supporting embryonic stem cell research — a move that would finesse Frist's image among some voters, sour his Presidential prospects with others and set the stage for a potentially ugly confrontation between the President and Congress. The catalyst for a position shift is a bill that would a bill … [Read more...] about Bill Frist Breaks With Bush On Stem Cell Research

From the Canada desk: Thes other day, I wrote a post at The Reaction (and a shorter version here at TMV) that suggested that Canada is falling behind its G8 partners and others in terms of investment in R&D — as measured by GERD/GDP (Gross Expenditures on Research and Development as a fraction of GDP). I based my argument on a post by Paul Wells, a leading Canadian … [Read more...] about The GERD factor: How well is Canada investing in the future?

Terrorism (or "violent extremism") continues to dominate the news -- there was even a bomb scare in Toronto's subway system yesterday morning -- but it's not all bad news: The promise of lasting peace seems to have taken hold in Northern Ireland. The Times reports here: The Irish Republican Army declared an end on Thursday to a 36-year campaign of violence against Britain that … [Read more...] about Peace in Northern Ireland: The I.R.A. renounces violence

Our occasional linkfest of interesting posts from all over the Internet reflecting DIFFERENT viewpoints. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the always-perfect views of The Moderate Voice. Is The Media Trying To Stir Up The Pot (figurative speaking) on the John Roberts Supreme Court nomination? Read Charging Rino's post in full but here's a key excerpt which refers to … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere July 29, 2005

I started out as a supporter of Benedict. But he can't compare suicide bombings to the efforts geared at deterring such murders and expect to keep it. One would have hoped that the Holy See would be more mindful of the implications--given its sordid history of anti-Semitism. Apparently, Pope Benedict is intent on regressing. … [Read more...] about Pope Benedict Better Watch It

Three of Six alleges that Clinton is merely a "political chameleon" changing her stripes to win elections. To be honest--I have no idea where someone can come to that conclusion. In the post that sparked the discussion, I argued that it was facile to suggest Clinton's moves were superficial, since they entailed so much political risk. Ticking off NARAL is not the way to win … [Read more...] about So What’s New

And be sure to have done each of these before you die. … [Read more...] about Save This List

The Al Qaeda Training Manual … [Read more...] about Here’s The Book You’ve Been Waiting For