If you have any doubt that there will be a full-court press on finding out Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' position on abortion at Senate confirmation hearings consider these doubts erased by this:WASHINGTON (AP) - Just over half of all Americans - and a solid majority of women - want to know John Roberts' position on abortion before the Senate votes on whether to elevate … [Read more...] about Roberts Will Be Put Under Microsope On Abortion Position

Here's a bit of news that keeps abreast of PC laws:CANADIAN Miss Universe Natalie Glebova was forced to take off her official sash at a local festival celebrating Thailand when Toronto authorities invoked a law against sexual stereotyping. The winner of the international beauty competition held in Bangkok in May, Glebova was to open the festival last weekend sporting her … [Read more...] about Miss Universe Violates The Law

There were more explosions in London's Tube Stations today — described by officials as "minor," but leading to the evacuation of several tube lines in what officials called a "serious" incident. Now, as investigators look into this and an incident involving a bus, the question is going to be: were these done by the same, well organized group that's believed to be linked … [Read more...] about More Terror Blasts In London’s Tube

Cross posted at The Smoking Room The opening of this story on a renewed federal push for a reporters' shield law - protecting them under most circumstances from divulging anonymous sources - has one of the most inappropriate and sycophantic leads in a mainstream outlet I've ever seen:Watergate, the prisoner abuse scandal at Iraq's Abu Ghraib jail, tobacco companies making … [Read more...] about Reporters’ shield legislation draws plaudits…by writer, in story

Everything seems to be going Hillary's way lately. The Roberts nomination is perfect for her--he's moderate enough that she doesn't have to oppose him, but conservative enough that she'll look bipartisan if she supports him. … [Read more...] about Clinton is Rolling

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