...how long before this man is branded a traitor by those who don't want to hear his message? Cross-posted to Random Fate. Good Intentions Gone Bad NEWSWEEK's Baghdad bureau chief, departing after two years of war and American occupation, has a few final thoughts. By Rod Nordland Newsweek June 13 issue - Two years ago I went to Iraq as an unabashed believer in toppling … [Read more...] about Since shooting the messenger is now the national sport…

Tom Watson has a wonderful piece on the original Honeymooners and the late, great Jackie Gleason — the person who TRULY deserved the phrase "the Great One." This MUST be read in full but people of all ages. The new Honeymooners movie will be out, featuring a talented black cast and, reportedly, it features some of the shows' best material — and from all reports the … [Read more...] about Remembering A Comedy Great

To many — including some conservatives — the Supreme Court's ruling saying it's OK for federal officials to prosecute people using marijuana on a doctor's recommendation shows that many on the court are blowing smoke when they talk about respecting state's rights. In a decision that was not narrow, the Court added more fuel to the argument that these days left can … [Read more...] about States Rights Go To Pot In Supreme Court Anti-Pot Decision

Cross-posted to Random Fate. An unexpected conclusion is presented by Pennywit at his eponymous weblog: That's something you don't hear very often: That Justice Scalia does not apply his incisive views of the Constitution when his personal ox is being gored. Actually, other justices, and indeed, other judges, are far more guilty of this offense; differing strands of the law … [Read more...] about Abstractions are fine unless it is your ox being gored?

This weblog is named The Moderate Voice, but what does one do when it seems that in defense of the indefensible, one wing has gone beyond all reason? In my case, and in deference to Joe's aim of balanced writing, instead of cross-posting, I write about it on my own weblog, and warn those cheeleaders of the far-right-wing that what I have written will not please them. In my … [Read more...] about What is a moderate to do in an immoderate time?

Cross-posted at Random Fate. I've known about the high probability that Apple would switch to Intel processors for almost six months, but I was constrained in writing about it because my information was from "inside", and I do NOT want to muck with the FTC or the SEC, nor lose my job over my weblog: Apple to switch to Intel's PC chips New chips will allow PC maker to lower … [Read more...] about Apple joins the “Intel Inside” brigade

Is Iraq bracing for a Randian revolt of the individual against the state? Probably not, but Iraq the Model makes a good point that the government structure hasn't really changed since Saddam's deposal, and that itself could be an impediment to civil development and clean (enough) government. … [Read more...] about Iraq’s inherited public sector and its discontents

The head of Amnesty International USA on Sunday started to notably tiptoe away from charges by one of his group's bigwigs that Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, military prison is ""the gulag of our times." This underscores a cautionary note for groups on the right and left and politicians as well. Using labels and potent phrases is as old as politics. What's new is the existence of news … [Read more...] about Amnesty USA Says “Never Mind” On Gitmo As “Gulag”

Anyone who has even briefly done a weblog had it happen. You spend all this time writing, thinking, cutting out other things in your day to "post" to your weblog. You expect people will read it, and you understand that some people will disagree with you and...and then this happens: somebody hates YOU for what you wrote, or thinks you're dumb for "wasting" your time on a … [Read more...] about When Friends And Some Readers Say They Hate Your Blog

If you've been in the news biz as I was, there are some stories that sadly repeat themselves over and over. And one of them is the latest case of a kid killed by pit bull pets that everyone said were such loving pooches. And the one that often comes out after the death story is THIS story: SAN FRANCISCO Jun 5, 2005 — San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom indicated Sunday that he … [Read more...] about Pit Bulls May Be Banned In San Francisco

It looks as if the British government, seeing the way the European Union's proposed constitution flopped in votes in France and the Netherlands, has decided to follow a new twist on an old adage: "Quit while you're behind." Reuters reports that the constitution is basically considered a dead issue in London:Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is expected on Monday to shelve plans … [Read more...] about Britain Holds Off EU Constitution Vote: Giving Up The Ghost?

If you're wondering how much the mainstream media in Iraq are missing, check the Friends of Democracy blog, sponsored by Spirit of America and written by Iraqis on the ground. Recent posts discuss Internet workshops with Iraqi women, a call to volunteerism and not waiting on the government to solve everything, and some pictures of Saddam's booty (the monetary kind, not that … [Read more...] about Views from Iraqis on the ground

When Howard Dean was in the running for Democratic party chairman many moderates and even some liberals said he would be the wrong face and voice for the party — mainly because they felt he had — to be blunt — a big mouth. They warned he'd be a great choice to fire up already-convinced partisans but a lousy choice to expand the party's base. And now, it … [Read more...] about Howard Dean: The Wrong Man In The Wrong Job At The Wrong Time?

Washington Post columnist David Broder perfectly captures the meaning of Deep Throat, Watergate — and the recent effort by former Nixon administration members to discredit newly revealed source Mark Felt, the FBI's second in command when Nixon was in power — in a blunt column that should be read, re-read, and then read again. Read the whole thing but here are key … [Read more...] about Broder On The Significance Of Deep Throat And Watergate

Public Television and its relative NPR are under the microscope as Republicans continue to charge that it shows a marked political bias. This clamor has gone on for years only now there is a difference: the GOP controls virtually all of the machinery of government and now has people in place who can raise this issue as overseers of public TV and NPR. There are clearly two … [Read more...] about The Battle Over Public Television

Courtesy of Eric, The Straight White Guy, we are reminded that we have just passed an anniversary, one written about eloquently by Kathy at The Cake Eater Chronicles. She writes: I don't think I'll ever forget this man. No one knows who he is. No one knows if they should really be using the word "was" instead of "is" when they write about him. No one has any idea about … [Read more...] about What can one man do?

Yet another news story has surfaced to give a big, fat black eye to John Bolton — but in hard-nosed political terms will it really matter in terms of derailing his likely approval as the new U.S. Ambassador to the UN? The latest comes from the Washington Post and, as usual, it doesn't instill in readers an impression that Bolton is the Best OR the Brightest — and … [Read more...] about Bolton Alleged To Be Behind Illegal Firing

If you carefully listen to politicians' promises it could make you thinner. The reason: American researchers have found that laughing can help you lose weight. No joke: next time you eat a medium sized square of chocolate try to find something to make you laugh for 10 to 15 minutes and it'll help you burn off the calories. ABC News reports: Researchers at Vanderbilt … [Read more...] about Laughing Can Make You Thinner

Apple Computer Inc. is reportedly poised to take a big bite out of its traditional core. According to reports, Apple is getting ready to dump its longtime chip supplier International Business Machines and use Intel Corporation's Pentium range of processors for its Macintosh machines. The official announcement is expected Monday. That's big news on the business front — … [Read more...] about Apple May Divorce IBM Chips and Marry Intel

After Tom Cruise's hyper appearance on Oprah and his controversial blasting of Brooke Shields for using medication, the late Jules Verne may be rolling over in his grave with the news the War of the Worlds starring jumping-the-shark Cruise will soon come out. But here's some news that should please the dead author (as much as any news would please a dead author). If this … [Read more...] about Japanese Scientists Plan To Drill To The Center Of The Earth