In terms of his prospects of overcoming a filibuster by Senate Democrats, President George Bush's beset nominee for UN Ambassador John Bolton might as well be singer Michael Bolton. Only Michael Bolton might fare better. The bare-bones news report could not be more grim for the White House — and for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who has to endure yet another … [Read more...] about Democrats Block Bolton: Recess Appointment Viable Idea?

If THIS "ARTWORK" made from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's fat could fetch so much money, just think what art made from fat from Tom DeLay's head would sell for: An art work purportedly made from excess fat from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been sold for $18,000 (£9,862). Switzerland-based artist Gianni Motti claims to have bought the fat from a … [Read more...] about Italian Leader’s Fat Made Into Art

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is making some political moves. … [Read more...] about A Republican Positions Himself For 2008

Delaware Senator Joe Biden has thrown his hat in the ring in the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination sweepstakes — ensuring it will be a lively race, indeed: Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) said yesterday he plans to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 unless he decides later this year that he has little chance of winning. "My intention is to seek … [Read more...] about Biden Throws Hat In 2008 Ring: Competition For Hillary?

Cross posted at The Smoking Room The Washington Post ran a rather silly evergreen (meaning it can run anytime) about the debt college students get from...buying coffee drinks everyday. What might have been entertaining as a 500-word fluffy column on curious college priorities is instead a 1,200 word, Nation-esque scold more suited to Joe Camel. OxBlog's David Adesnik has a … [Read more...] about College students vicitimized by coffeehouses, Post says

It's such a pity to watch Ralph Nader. TMV grew up in Connecticut and was raised on newspaper and radio reports about this young crusading lawyer who was taking on the corporations. Then came 2000 when he seemed like a "spoiler." But it could be argued — and it was by his supporters and Nader himself — that he was a person of conscience who genuinely felt there was … [Read more...] about The Continued Deterioration Of The Image Of Ralph Nader

Some critics, newspaper columnists and non-fans think actor Tom Cruise is all wet — but at the London debut of his new click "War of the Worlds" that became reality when a phony reporter squirted him in the face. The four culprits involved were working on a new comedy show for Britain's Channel 4, but now they have a bit more more than work on their plate: they were … [Read more...] about TV Channel Apologizes For Squirting Tom Cruise In Face

As the whole subject of torture is pitchforked into the headlines we get this disturbing report from the New York Times about torture by insurgents: KARABILA, Iraq, Sunday, June 19 - Marines on an operation to eliminate insurgents that began Friday broke through the outside wall of a building in this small rural village to find a torture center equipped with electric wires, a … [Read more...] about Marines Discover Torture — Iraqi Insurgent Style

Remember San Diego's fires of two years ago? After the fires many publications and broadcast outlets said it would be possibly generations before any of the burned area grew back. But there were other voices -- voices saying (in the wilderness) that Mother Nature occasionally destroys her trees and wonderful wildlife and they do come back faster than the experts often quoted … [Read more...] about Good News About San Diego’s Fires

EGADS! The Moderate Voice's foster son and his 9 year old daughter and 13 year old son invited TMV to go with them on a LONG hike up a mountain yesterday...and he is hopping into bed ASAP. Our posts will resume here after 5:30 a.m. San Diego time this morning. In the meantime, why not SCROLL DOWN and catch up on posts you may have missed..and leave some comments (hopefully … [Read more...] about We’ll Start A Bit Later Today (EXHAUSTED)

It looks as if Syria will have yet another headache: a landside victory in Lebanon of candidates led by former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's son in the final round of parliamentary elections. This final stage in the elections, staggered over four weekends, means the anti-Syrian opposition will have a much bigger voice in modern Lebanon. CNN reports:Candidates led by the son of … [Read more...] about Anti-Syrian Slate Winning Landslide In Lebanon

Bill Frist might use today not just for prayerful reflection, but political self-analysis because New York Times columnist David Books has what almost sounds like the beginning of a political obituary thread. No, Frist can't be counted out in the 2008 Presidential sweepstakes yet since he has scored big points with the people with whom he wanted to score them, even though he … [Read more...] about A Warning For Bill Frist?

College graduates get all kinds of advice from people. Here's some: Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the … [Read more...] about Some Advice To College Graduates

Today is the final round in Lebanon's high-stakes elections. The bottom line of what's at stake: whether Lebanon will get out from underneath Syria's grip. One leading candidate now claims that grip is just a "rumor." An enormous amount is hanging in the balance and there is considerable drama as to which way it will go. The AP notes:The election is Lebanon's first ballot free … [Read more...] about Final Round In High-Stakes Lebanon Elections Today

A Northern California pizza shop owner is being accused of helping a mercendary in Afghanistan who was after Osama bin Laden get dough. Lots of dough. But this wasn't used for pepperoni pizzas. It was used to help fund the bounty hunter's efforts to get a rise out of people he captured and interrogated in his own private interrogation camp in Afghanistan. The government thinks … [Read more...] about Pizza Shop Owner Allegedly Helped Bounty Hunter In Afghanistan With Dough

A salute to Father's Everywhere. The Moderate Voice's father can be seen in this photo in the water (CLICK on the photo to see it bigger), still fishing and going strong at 86. We salute all fathers today — but especially TMV's father who is part of the World War II generation...someone who did his part for his country, saw things he still won't talk about, then came back … [Read more...] about It’s Father’s Day

The Washington Post reports that President George Bush's advisors now pondering a possible Supreme Court Justice nomination may have to decide between picking a conservative (which pleases conservatives) or a Hispanic nominee high on his preferred list (which would upset conservatives, perhaps be a bit more acceptable to Democrats and make history). The choice: no matter what … [Read more...] about Bush Faces Dilemma On Possible Supreme Court Nomination

Oxblog's David Adesnik saw a Washington Post piece claiming Starbucks was impoverishing needy students throughout the country. And -- in defense of students and Starbucks -- wrote a typically adept letter to the editor. But he also did a detailed fisking of this muckracking coffeebean raking story. A MUST READ for students, Starbucks fans (and Starbucks management). … [Read more...] about Is Starbucks Evil?

You KNEW it would happen, and it did. Comedians are having a field day with the Michael Jackson trial and verdict. Here are a few we've selected 4 U: "It was reported that since the verdict was announced, sales of Michael Jackson's CDs have gone up significantly. After hearing about it, Michael Bolton announced he sleeps with young boys." --Conan O'Brien. "As you know Michael … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson Verdict Jokes

(NOTE: We posted this towards the end of the day yesterday and have reposted it today.) The human rights organization Amnesty International has suffered a blow to its credibility due to a piece in the Washington Post that contends that claims that there was an "American Gulgag" was specifically calculated to get publicity — and was not true:Several days ago I received a … [Read more...] about Soviet Dissident Says Amnesty International “American Gulag” Line Was For Publicity