Disclosure: I met Michael when we were both NYT bestselling authors, at a huge Random House conference of editors, VPs and publishers from the many former freestanding houses Random had gobbled up. He is and was humor filled, and a dead serious social justice activist straight from the heart. Some despise him, especially those with a power agendas to rule the world with either … [Read more...] about Arrest Michigan’s Gov. Snyder for Poisoning Children, says Michael Moore
Oil Prices
The price of oil (WTI) closed at less than $30 a barrel on Friday. At first glance this might look like a good thing but it's not. Venezuela is suffering from an economic crisis and while some of the reason for that is incompetence it is largely associated with the drop in the price of oil which represents 95% of the country's economy. This will not end well and don't be … [Read more...] about Oil Prices
Ezra Klein on the Hidden Hillary Clinton
Ezra Klein describes the hidden Hillary Clinton that her campaign does not trust voters to see on vox.com. Clinton's reputation, among people who've worked with her, is impressive. Even Republican staffers will admit they've never briefed anyone better informed. Stories abound of unsuspecting deputy assistant secretaries charged with running a meeting on some obscure sub-issue … [Read more...] about Ezra Klein on the Hidden Hillary Clinton
Major Catastrophe: Major Media Problem
by Walter Brasch On Oct. 23, Southern California Gas technicians discovered a leak of methane from a failed casing on one of the pipes in its Alisa Canyon storage facility, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The company estimates it will be the end of March until it can plug that leak from the pipe that is about 9,000 feet deep. About 77,000 tons of methane, a … [Read more...] about Major Catastrophe: Major Media Problem
Trump’s rivals help him hijack the GOP
Trump's rivals help him hijack the GOP by Dana Milbank Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- "I will gladly accept the mantle of anger." Thus did Donald Trump react last week to South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who in her Republican response to the State of the Union address bravely called on Americans to resist the temptation "to follow the siren call of the … [Read more...] about Trump’s rivals help him hijack the GOP
Secretary Kerry’s Remarks on a Historic ‘Implementation Day’
Secretary of State John Kerry this evening made a statement on the historic implementation of the Iran Nuclear Deal. The statement is lengthy, but so have the negotiations and so will be the necessary actions to fully implement and verify the agreement. So, here it is in its entirety "Good evening, everybody. Thank you very much for your patience. And I apologize for … [Read more...] about Secretary Kerry’s Remarks on a Historic ‘Implementation Day’
Iran sanctions and Saudi ambitions
By Brij Khindaria A window of opportunity is closing for Saudi Arabia with the official lifting of the main United Nations sanctions against Iran. Tehran was rewarded today for almost giving up its nuclear programs that could have resulted in indigenous nuclear weapons, but the Saudis face a bigger loss. The start to Iran’s rehabilitation begins the end of Saudi … [Read more...] about Iran sanctions and Saudi ambitions
Breaking News: ‘The [Iran] Nuclear Deal Is Now Implemented’
On the heels of the announcement that Iran is releasing four Iranian-Americans --as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States -- and a fifth detained American “unrelated to the prisoner swap,” major news sources are now reporting that Iran “has taken sufficient steps to prevent it from building a nuclear weapon, the United Nations nuclear watchdog certified Saturday, … [Read more...] about Breaking News: ‘The [Iran] Nuclear Deal Is Now Implemented’
ISIS Creates Its Own Secure Messaging App
A new Android app has been developed by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), enabling secure communications between the group’s members. Independent counter terrorism network Ghost Security Group discovered on Monday that an app called Alrawi is being used to send encrypted messages, having first uncovered the app in 2015 alongside a separate app used by… … [Read more...] about ISIS Creates Its Own Secure Messaging App
The Nation Gives Rare Endorsement To Sanders As He Surges In The Polls
On top of the favorable news for Sanders we have already seen this week, yet another poll shows that Clinton has lost most of her lead over Sanders. The Des Moines Register/Bloomberg poll found that Clinton’s lead is down to two points, within the margin of error. Other polls this week have showed the race close, with Sanders leading in some. There has been a … [Read more...] about The Nation Gives Rare Endorsement To Sanders As He Surges In The Polls
Taiwan (part 1) — Elections could presage Far East upheaval
A major upheaval is brewing in the Far East as Taiwan votes this weekend to elect a new President. The winner according to pollsters will be Ms Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) -- the island’s first female President. The likely upheaval will get more fuel if her party also wins the majority in national parliament for the first time in decades. The … [Read more...] about Taiwan (part 1) — Elections could presage Far East upheaval
Taiwan (part 2)— Tensions in the South China Sea
To Beijing’s annoyance, Taiwan claims full ownership over the main island groups in the South China Sea, including Spratly, Paracel and Macclesfield Bank. The claim derives from the original Republic of China that predated Mao’s Democratic Republic of China. Its leaders moved to Taiwan for safety in 1949 and turned to genuine multiparty democracy about 20 years ago. This … [Read more...] about Taiwan (part 2)— Tensions in the South China Sea
War Between Saudi Arabia And Iran Could Send Oil Prices To $250 (Guest Voice)
War Between Saudi Arabia And Iran Could Send Oil Prices To $250 by James Stafford The rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran has quickly ballooned into the worst conflict in decades between the two countries. The back-and-forth escalation quickly turned the simmering tension into an overt struggle for power in the Middle East. First, the execution of a prominent Shiite … [Read more...] about War Between Saudi Arabia And Iran Could Send Oil Prices To $250 (Guest Voice)
Are Robots Apropos for Everything?
In a recent article, Robert A. Levine described a world -- and the consequences -- where computers and robots will assist or take over “every type of work in every field of human endeavor,” where “computers and robots will be able to do virtually everything humans now do.” Levine’s serious and informative piece focused on the impact such advances in robotics and automation … [Read more...] about Are Robots Apropos for Everything?
Around the Sphere (Roundup)
Back by popular request: TMV's link fest to some interesting stories and posts from a VARIETY of viewpoints. Viewpoints on posts do not necessary reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice or its writers. Martin Longman looks at "The Mixed Legacy of Ronald Reagan," using a new book as a springpoint. His post which must be read in full also contains what many books have … [Read more...] about Around the Sphere (Roundup)
ROUNDUP: Reaction to the Fox Business News Republican Debate
So who won? Billionaire Donald Trump (again?)? Texas Sen. Ted Cruz? Florida Sen. Marco Rubio? Can New Jersey Gov. Chris Christy rise in the polls? Should the others get out of the race and Jeb Bush seriously plan an exit strategy because today's GOP isn't his dad's GOP or his brothers? Did any of the candidates show they can fulfill the Republican Party establishment's dream to … [Read more...] about ROUNDUP: Reaction to the Fox Business News Republican Debate
Sanders’ run is no fairy tale
WASHINGTON -- If you thought the political landscape couldn't be more unsettled, think again. In the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Bernie Sanders is surging. Hillary Clinton now faces not a coronation, not a cakewalk, but a contest -- one she could lose. Has there ever been a worse election to be an establishment candidate? Certainly not in my … [Read more...] about Sanders’ run is no fairy tale
Cartoon: Kerry Thanks Iran
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Kerry Thanks Iran
Alan Rickman’s Most Memorable Film Moments
British acting great Alan Rickman died on Thursday at the age of 69 after a short battle with cancer. The actor’s movie career began with Die Hard in 1988 after years of treading the stage. The performance immediately demonstrated exceptional range and depth, and Rickman’s incredible ability to steal attention away from his famous co-stars, no… … [Read more...] about Alan Rickman’s Most Memorable Film Moments
Clinton Shows She’s Nervous With Dishonest Attacks Against Sanders On Health Care & Guns
A common characteristic of a Hillary Clinton campaign is to distort the views of her opponent and lie about the facts as opposed to engaging in an honest exchange of ideas. We saw this when she ran against Barack Obama eight years ago, and have repeatedly seen this in the past several months. She appears to have stepped up her smear campaign now that she is losing her lead in … [Read more...] about Clinton Shows She’s Nervous With Dishonest Attacks Against Sanders On Health Care & Guns