Sam Smith has a fascinating column in Editor & Publisher on the Plame case — the case that won't go away (and we predict it won't even with the naming of a new Supreme Court nominee). Read the entire article, but here are some key points of this article titled Reporter Malpractice, Texas Hold-em & the Plame Game:Judith Miller is in the slammer, and the consensus … [Read more...] about Journalists And The Plame Case

It's been almost a day, and with that time comes perspective. So what do we know about Roberts today? Last night, at The Reaction, as well as here at TMV, I argued that Roberts is something of a "right-wing radical". On issues like abortion, the separation of church and state, criminal law, and habeas corpus, he is certainly on the right, though of course how you label him is … [Read more...] about The Roberts nomination: A day later, with perspective

In a recent post at my weblog Random Fate, I stated that President George W. Bush has not been showing leadership but instead has been playing politics at the expense of doing what is right for the nation, but he has an opportunity to do so by turning away from short-term political gain at any cost towards doing what is right for the nation, even if there is a political price … [Read more...] about Supreme Court nominee John Roberts – What is right for the nation?

Some brief thoughts on 20 July 1969 versus 20 July 2005 can be found at my weblog Random Fate. … [Read more...] about 20 July 1969

Whenever has the old phrase "like father, like son" been more apt than this? The father of one of the hijackers who commandeered the first plane that crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, praised the recent terror attacks in London and said many more would follow. Speaking to CNN producer Ayman Mohyeldin Tuesday in his apartment in the upper-middle-class … [Read more...] about Terrorist Atta’s Father Loved The London Bombings

One of the most beloved characters and — in real life, cast members — of the original Star Trek has died: Actor James Doohan, AKA Scotty, the feisty, Scottish-accented chief engineer on television's original "Star Trek" series. Doohan was a favorite to fans of Star Trek, the most enduring science fiction television/movie franchise of the 20th century. And fellow … [Read more...] about Beloved Scotty Is Beamed All The Way Up

For the non-geeks out there, James Doohan played "Scotty" in the original Star Trek series. In real life, Doohan was a genuine World War II hero. From CNN.com: James Montgomery Doohan was born March 3, 1920, in Vancouver, British Columbia, youngest of four children of William Doohan, a pharmacist, veterinarian and dentist, and his wife Sarah. As he wrote in his … [Read more...] about James Doohan has died

The Pentagon and China are at odds over China's military and what it means not just to Taiwan but to Asia in general. At issue is a report from the Pentagon with a notably tougher sound to it than in recent years. The Washington Post: China is building up its military for the long-term goal of projecting its power well beyond Taiwan, the self-governing island that draws most … [Read more...] about Pentagon And China At Odds Over China’s Military

John Roberts, Supreme Court nominee! A "conservative non-ideologue"! I have no substantial thoughts on this guy - he's been a government flack most of his career. But you can't beat that name - what says America more than "John Roberts"? He could've been a pilgrim. I'll also welcome his nomination because...he's attractive. It's been decades since someone really … [Read more...] about John Roberts, judicial heartthrob

It has finally begun. The long awaited battle for the political soul (figuratively and — to some — literally) of the U.S. Supreme Court is now underway. When President Bush picked John G. Roberts Jr., a federal appeals court judge, as nominee to fill the first Supreme Court slot of his presidency, it was the moment Bush's supporters (especially social … [Read more...] about Bush Picks Roberts And THE Battle Begins

I respectfully disagree with Mike. Roberts is not a "right-wing radical." He's certainly not my ideal nominee. But I think he deserves to be heard out, and to be taken seriously. My full reaction (including the Daily Kos' stunning revelation!) is over at The Debate Link. … [Read more...] about Roberts–He’s Alright!

It might be too early to judge John Roberts, but he is, as Wolf Blitzer just said, "a rock-solid conservative". I'd call him a right-wing radical (see Slate's evaluation here). Bush could have gone a number of different ways, but this one's clearly for the base. Still, he'll be confirmed (quite easily, I'd imagine). For weeks, we've all been throwing names around, but now at … [Read more...] about Bush nominates Roberts: Score one for the base

Per the Associated Press: President Bush chose federal appeals court judge John G. Roberts Jr. on Tuesday as his first nominee for the Supreme Court, selecting a rock solid conservative whose nomination could trigger a tumultuous battle over the direction of the nation's highest court, senior administration officials said. Bush offered the position to Roberts in a telephone … [Read more...] about It’s John Roberts

A commonly held belief is that Syria, despite its claims to the contrary, is aiding the Iraqi insurgency by allowing safe passage for jihadists through its territory and across its borders. I've taken the idea to task before, so it's not surprising that I disagree with such claims. A new Jamestown Foundation article, which utilizes a Syrian jihadist's web posting complaining of … [Read more...] about Jihadist Web Posting Complains on Trials of Syria Crossing

TMV may be out of pocket and unable to be in his office when the announcement on GWB's Supreme Court pick is announced tonight. If so, you'll either see a breaking news recap posted by a co-blogger OR simply our post a bit later. TMV WILL be posting his reaction/analysis to the pick. So check back. You may see a co-blogger's intriguing post and a bit later you will see one … [Read more...] about Note On Our Post On Bush’s Supreme Court Nominee

What does the Bush administration's proposal for civil nuclear cooperation with India mean? A number of headaches in the near term, it seems, even if the long term military goals of containing China make sense. … [Read more...] about The Politics of US and India Nuclear Cooperation

You can expect President George Bush to name his Supreme Court nominee any day (or minute) now and — the prevailing perception goes — you can expect bloggers to begin a bitter battle over it. You might want to say "DUH!" and that in itself shows a shift in the journalistic landscape. The perception that comes through in a USA Today piece which, apart from specific … [Read more...] about Bloggers Getting Ready To Start Supreme Court Battle

...at The Reaction, a centrist blog by Canada's Michael Stickings. We've been a fan of The Reaction and Stickings for some time. In fact, as of yesterday he will be one of our co-bloggers. From his base in Toronto, Stickings does a great job looking at and analyzing U.S. politics and sticking close to the center. The Reaction reacts to major news stories in a sober, thoughtful … [Read more...] about Take A Peek…..

The word has reportedly gone out to conservatives that the message has been "received" on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales — and Bush's longtime friend will not be the name sent to the Senate as a Supreme Court Justice nominee. White House officials have assured select conservative leaders that they will not nominate Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to the Supreme … [Read more...] about Conservatives Told Gonzales Court Bid Won’t Happen Now

Sometimes the stuff you get is good but sometimes they send you a bunch of crap. … [Read more...] about Be Careful What You Order On EBay