Sometimes, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) misses the larger point in their quest to preserve fundamental liberties. While their goal is noble, on occasion they are misguided. --- For additional information on the difficulties involved in this balance, see this recent article at The Christian Science Monitor. … [Read more...] about A difficult balance: Civil Liberties and Safety

A controversy is brewing in Great Britain where a man shot by police as a terrorist bombing suspect is now said to have nothing to do with the bombings. The BBC reports:A man shot dead by police hunting the bombers behind Thursday's London attacks was unconnected to the incidents, police have confirmed. A Scotland Yard statement said the shooting was a "tragedy" which was … [Read more...] about Man Shot By Police In London Not Connected To Bombings

This is from reader Jae Grenier of San Angeleo, Texas:If I knew how to post this on your blog, if that's what it's called, I would. Unfortunately, I am a little old lady in ballet flats, who barely manages to find your "moderate voice." However . . . I really do wish you (not to mention everyone else) would stop saying "claims responsibility" or "claims credit" for the … [Read more...] about GUEST VOICE: Reader Says Cut Sugar-Coated Phrases On Terrorism

The bombings of the Tube in London have sparked a tightening of security measures on several mass transit systems in U.S. cities — including random searches of passengers travelling on the New York subways. Ever since 911 (and earlier) experts have warned that the U.S. transportation system was a security Achilles' heel. And since the July 7th bombings of London's … [Read more...] about New York Subway Riders Face Random Searches

Terrorists have attacked Egypt again killing 62 in incidents that involved suicide bombers...and a group tied to Al Qaeda later claimed credit for the operation. This was not the first time Egypt faced an Al Qaeda-related threat. The scene this time: the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik. The setting: a hotel and coffee shop. The event: Saturday morning normality shattered … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda Group Takes Credit For Egypt Bombing

We read a lot of blogs (we USED our blogroll by the way and read all sides) but somehow didn't know until just now that on June 8 due to one of our posts we were inducted by Shrillblog into the Ancient and Hermetic Order of the Shrill. Here's the intro: Joe Gandelman is a professional voice. His schtick on the internet is that of a professional moderate voice, someone who is … [Read more...] about How Did TMV Ever Miss This Post?

There are some political themes that are repeated so much that even if they have some validity they become truly painful arguments to hear — and as welcome to hear as a dentist announcing you need three root canals. Diversity is a valid concern, when advocated in situations where there is a glaring deficiency or proveable need. But, no we don't agree one iota with Anita … [Read more...] about Give Us A Break Department: Roberts Nomination Setback To Diversity?

"Them Flashy Liberals" is the latest in a series of posts I've written on liberal bias in American academia. Since my other posts date from my pre-TMV days, I'll provide the links and a brief excerpt to the whole set here, starting from the earliest to the latest. "Purely Academic" [T]here are some important differences between under-represented ideologies vs. … [Read more...] about (How) Is Academia Slanted to the Left?

Yes, it's finally time to offer a formal statement to the readers each week who write that this CAN'T be a moderate site because we DARE to criticize a Republican or DARE to criticize a Democrat or DARE to link to a conservative site or DARE to link to a liberal site. Guess what? We USE our big blogroll to read for our OWN pleasure, to see what people with different … [Read more...] about A Note To Our “How Can You Call Yourself A Moderate” Critics

Some people will do ANYTHING for a laugh:NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. - Police are on the lookout for the naked tickler. Investigators said they believe one man could be responsible for a series of bizarre break-ins in which a naked man enters victims' rooms while they are sleeping and tries to tickle their feet.Sounds like a heel to me. MORE:The naked tickler struck again in New … [Read more...] about He’s Kootchey Kootchey Koo Koo

Americablog's John Aravosis has a fascsinating post about online etiquette that should be ready by everyone (and everyone will have their own ideas, of course). Here's the intro:This is one in a series of posts about how to best use the Internet in a way that gets your message heard and doesn't piss off the person you're trying to influence. I usually tick some people off by … [Read more...] about Online Etiquette

A suspected suicide bomber was shot dead in London today — underscoring the city's threat, it's heightened security and raising fears that the bombings that have happened so far may be the new modus operendi. Sky News:Police have killed a suspected suicide bomber at a Tube station in south London. Armed officers opened fire on the suspect after he hurdled a ticket … [Read more...] about London Jittery: Suspected Suicide Bomber Shot Dead

While the country (and weblogs) stay glued to Rovegate and Robertspath (he looks like he will be confirmed) another intriguing story — and controversy — has been unfolding in New York. It's about kids and AIDS drug trials. It pits the New York Times against an investigative reporter who does much of his reporting on the Internet. Read the Times story here. Then … [Read more...] about Controversy Over Kids And AIDS Drug Trials

From the Canada desk: A few weeks ago, the House of Commons passed Bill C-38, the bill to sanction same-sex marriage, 158-133. Late Tuesday night, the more heavily Liberal Senate, our appointed upper house, passed it 47-21. And late Wednesday afternoon, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, standing in for Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, gave the bill royal assent. Canada thus … [Read more...] about Same-sex marriage in Canada: We’re #4! We’re #4!

Are we heading — for one brief, shining moment — towards a major political battle where the slash-and-burn, take-no-prisoners, the best defense is an good offense politics of the early 21st century may take backseat to a different style? The style: a political battle more akin to many battles in the 20th century where people could greatly — adamantly — … [Read more...] about Roberts Defuses The Political Fury

Michael Reynolds of the great centrist blog The Mighty Middle notes that yesterday's attack in London comes two weeks after the last one. So he has a plan. A way to show SOLIDARITY to Londoners and to send terrorists a message. He's going to London. He's going to fly to London in two weeks. He's going to defiantly ride the Tube. And he wants you to go too. … [Read more...] about Sending A Message And Showing Solidarity With Londonders

We always encourage people to read the work of a blogger who goes that extra mile by putting aside the published stories and op-ed pieces and actually doing THEIR OWN interview. And now we have another solid example. The Talking Dog has interviewed Putitzer Prize winning Professor David Hackett Fischer by phone from his home in Massachusetts. Fischer, University Professor at … [Read more...] about Blogger Interview With A Pulitzer Prize Winner

In fact, it can be a bitch — but a true lapdog can handle it. We thank K. Wohlfarth for the photo. … [Read more...] about Blogging Can Be Difficult

This is enough to make anyone flip their wig:DRESDEN, Germany (Reuters) - Bald men in Germany have no entitlement to state support for toupees, a court ruled Wednesday. Throwing out a legal challenge by a bald 46-year-old man, the court said the state was not discriminating against men even though health insurance covers the cost of wigs for women. "In contrast to women, the … [Read more...] about Why William Shatner Will Never Move To Germany

The chances of a filibuster on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts now look as small as John Dean's or John Kerry's chance to win the Presidential nomination — and avoiding one almost as big as Ann Coulter's Adams' Apple. (How's THAT for a sentence offending partisans on both sides?):The possibility of a filibuster against John G. Roberts, President Bush's nominee to the … [Read more...] about Chances Of Filibuster On Roberts Diminishing