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Live From New York: It's Ambassador John Bolton By / Newhouse News — Permalink Now that John Bolton has been installed as United Nations ambassador — by the time-honored recess appointment or the power-crazed overreach of King Emperor Bush Fuhrer, depending on your point of view — one can only wonder how he'll do. Here's a hypothetical workday. | |
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Dale Franks: Well, James Lileks has a diary of Mr. Bolton's first day. [snipped quote] Sure, when the day was over, Mr. Bolton was tired. Pejman Yousefzadeh: A DAY IN THE LIFE — And probably not far from reality. Glenn Reynolds: JOHN BOLTON'S FIRST DAY ON THE JOB, as reported by James Lileks. |
Kathryn Jean Lopez: Must read Lileks on Bolton's first day at work. TheAnchoress: Lileks on Bolton's first day at UN PRICELESS. |
Fearless Basra blogger is abducted and murdered By / Times of London — Permalink A freelance American journalist whose blog exposed corruption and lawlessness in the Iraqi city of Basra has been abducted at gunpoint and shot dead. Steven Vincent's body was recovered at the side of a road south of Basra late last night, several hours after he and his female translator were kidnapped as they left a currency exchange shop. | |
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Callimachus: The Times of London tells it like this: "There is speculation that Mr Vincent, who received death threats, was murdered in an attempt to silence him. Craig Crawford: The Times (London): "There are strong suspicions that Mr Vincent, who received numerous death threats, was murdered in an attempt to silence him." Arthur Chrenkoff: It appears that Steve might have fallen foul of Shia hardliners whose violent campaign of revenge against local Sunnis... |
Steve M.: It seems likely that some of the assassins he wrote about in the New York Times piece killed him to silence him, but The... James Joyner: Elsewhere: American Journalist Is Shot to Death in Iraq (NYT RSS) Basra blogger is abducted and murdered (Times of London) Mary Madigan: In a recent New York Times Op-Ed, "Switched off in Basra", Vincent wrote: [snipped quote] Steven Vincent was murdered yesterday in Basra by what the police call "unknown gunmen". |
| Also: Tom Paine, Gary Farber, Roger L. Simon, Dr. Steven Taylor | |
American Journalist Is Shot to Death in Iraq By / NYT — Permalink BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 3 - An American journalist writing about the rise of fundamentalist Islam was shot dead overnight after being abducted in the southern port city of Basra, American embassy and Iraqi officials said today. | |
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Spencer Ackerman: PACT FULL: Steven Vincent was murdered today in Basra, days after he published a New York Times op-ed about the formerly... Ann Althouse: Here is the NYT piece on the death of Steven Vincent, the first American reporter to be killed by the enemy in Iraq. Laura Rozen: His translator Ward al-Khal was shot through the chest, and is hospitalized. Fourteen Marines were killed today in Anbar province. |
Joe Gandelman: And the New York Times reports that he simply did his thing, without protection: "Mr. Vincent was married and lived in the East Village of Manhattan. Rickheller @Centerfield: American Reporter Murdered In Iraq — A journalist murdered in Iraq is the first American journalist to die from hostile action, as opposed to action or disease. Jim Romenesko: US freelance journalist Vincent is shot to death in Iraq — New York Times Steven Vincent was shot dead after being abducted in downtown Basra. |
| Also: Gary Farber | |
Teenagers praise bestseller about a suicide bomber By / Telegraph — Permalink A new novel for teenagers about a mixed-race girl who trains to become a terrorist suicide bomber has become a bestseller in mainstream bookshops since its publication a month ago. | |
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John Cole: Pushing the Edges of the Free Speech Envelope This is disgusting: A new novel for teenagers about a mixed-race girl... Betsy Newmark: Do we really need a book for teenagers that glorifies the life of a suicide bomber? Lorie Byrd: Suicide Bombing For Teens — Betsy Newmark has the story. |
TheAnchoress: Betsy Newmark - that tireless educator who is all for getting kids interested in reading - is appalled, and I think... Cori Dauber: Serious Teen Literature Means Getting Teens to Think Sympathetically About the Terrorists Lives Would I kid you about that? |
US journalist shot dead in Iraq BBC — Permalink A US freelance reporter, Steven Vincent, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in Basra, southern Iraq, police have said. Mr Vincent was abducted with his female Iraqi translator at gun point by men in a police car on Tuesday. | |
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Avedon Carol: I always find stories about journalists being killed in Iraq pretty upsetting, but read TBogg on this. Joe Gandelman: US Journalist/Blogger Shot Dead In Iraq — Terrorist "insurgents" have claimed another innocent victim in Iraq —... Captain Ed: Terrorists Murder Author, Blogger Steven Vincent — The BBC reports this morning that author and blogger Steven Vincent was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists near Basra. |
Saint Paul l: Steven Vincent, RIP — It is with sadness we read about the murder of Steven Vincent in Iraq. Jim Henley: So Sad — Nell e-mails the news that Steven Vincent is dead. "Mr Vincent was abducted with his female Iraqi translator at gun point by men in a police car on Tuesday." James Joyner: US journalist shot dead in Iraq (BBC) "A US freelance reporter, Steven Vincent, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in Basra, southern Iraq, police have said. |
| Also: Arthur Chrenkoff, Mitch Berg, Marc @USSNeverdock | |
Judges Should Have 'Limited' Role, Roberts Says WaPo — Permalink John G. Roberts Jr. said in a questionnaire released yesterday that he was first interviewed as a potential Supreme Court nominee in April and was questioned by Vice President Cheney in May, showing that the White House had been focusing on him months before a seat came open. | |
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Digby: Armando points to this WaPo article in which we find that John Roberts does not believe in a right to privacy. John Rosenberg: Today, the Washington Post contributes another chapter in article written by Mike Allen and R. Jeffrey Smith. Avedon Carol: Nothing is revealed — The Washington Post has another piece on John Roberts' judicial philosophy as shown from his... |
Kevin: Filed under: Politics, Culture, Iraq No comment yet, add yours? » Roberts: No Right to Privacy Posted by Kevin ... Captain Ed: Questionnaire Provides More Answers On Roberts — The Washington Post reports this morning that a questionnaire and... Pejman Yousefzadeh: NO SOUTER, HE — Judge Roberts's answers to a questionnaire regarding his legal views should do more to reassure people... |
| Also: Jeff Berman, Armando @DailyKos | |
Democrats celebrate narrow U.S. House loss in Ohio Reuters — Permalink WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats on Wednesday celebrated a closer-than-expected loss in a special House of Representatives race in Ohio and called it a warning sign for Republicans entering the 2006 congressional elections. | |
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John Hawkins: They've been reduced to (celebrating a) "narrow U.S. House loss in Ohio". Sometimes the self-parodies literally tell themselves. John Cole: Unfortunate Headlines If you were a casual news consumer, you might not know the backstory and find this headline a... |
Jayson @PoliPundit: And now? They've been reduced to this. Sometimes the self-parodies literally tell themselves. JPod: WORLD'S MOST INADVERTENTLY HILARIOUS HEADLINE ALERT — To be found here. |
GOP ought to worry at poor Ohio turnout US News — Permalink What does Tuesday's special election in the 2nd District of Ohio mean? The election was held to replace former Rep. Rob Portman, now U.S. special trade representative. The 2nd District is heavily Republican: It voted 63 percent for George W. Bush in 2000 and 64 percent in 2004. | |
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John @PowerLine: That he has started a blog is good news; unfortunately, his current lead post is not: Barone thinks that Jean Schmidt's... PoliPundit: Barone on Ohio — Michael Barone, on yesterday's result in Ohio: [snipped quote] If only there were some issue which... |
Glenn Reynolds: ANOTHER UPDATE: So does the now-blogging Michael Barone, whose opinions on this sort of thing are worth a lot more than mine. John Cole: In a serious vein, Michael Barone blogs why Republicans should be worried. (via Instapundit) |
Soros-Backed Activist Group Disbands as Interest Fades By / WaPo — Permalink A year ago, the liberal group America Coming Together was on the cutting edge of national politics, spending tens of millions of dollars on a massive voter-mobilization project in every presidential battleground state. | |
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Paul @PowerLine: Thus, The Washington Post reports that the leftist outfit he put on the map, "America Coming Together," is falling apart. Marc @USSNeverdock: America - Bad News Mounts for Democrats — The bad news for Democrats just keeps rolling in. McQ: "America Coming Together" turns off the lights — Apparently the party is over. |
Chris Bowers: Americans Coming Together — This is a bummer: [snipped quote] I had great hope for the mission of ACT, which promised... Gateway Pundit: "America Coming Together" Breaking Apart — The George Soros funded group, "America Coming Together", the "cutting edge group from a year ago"(?) is breaking up. Lindsay Beyerstein: ACT to disband — The Washington Post reports that America Coming Together (ACT), the liberal voter mobilization group, is dissolving. |
| Also: Gerry Daly, Ann Althouse, MarkInMexico, Kathryn Jean Lopez | |
Documents Tell of Brutal Improvisation by GIs By / WaPo — Permalink Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush was being stubborn with his American captors, and a series of intense beatings and creative interrogation tactics were not enough to break his will. | |
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Norbizness: Hooray for America! (as envisioned by Michael Madsen as Mr. Blonde): Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush was being... Jeffrey Dubner: This seems to pretty definitively put the lie to two of the administration's chief torture-related talking points. Mark Kleiman: No, we never torture prisoners ... ...except the ones who get stuffed into sleeping bags and beaten to death. |
Kriston @BeggingToDiffer: CIA, ARMY, SCORPIONS, AND MURDER — Today's WaPo features a long and truly disturbing feature on military-sanctioned... Avedon Carol: News bits — It's pretty clear from this that the "bad apples" who are responsible for the war crimes being committed against "detainees" are right at the top. John Cole: Approved Interrogation Techniques From the WaPo: Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush was being stubborn with his... |
| Also: Michael @AmericaBlog, Marty Lederman, Fontana Labs, Ezra Klein, Digby, Mcjoan @DailyKos, Gary Farber, Hilzoy @ObsidianWings, Matthew Yglesias, Michael Froomkin, Pudentilla, Frank @AndrewSullivan, Jeralyn Merritt | |
Election 2008: Republican Candidates Fare Better in Early Trial Heats By / Gallup — Permalink PRINCETON, NJ — Even though the next presidential election is more than three years away, those who might pursue the office are already testing the waters in New Hampshire, in Iowa, and at other gatherings where party power brokers are present. | |
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Joe Gandelman: Republicans Fare Better In 2008 Presidential Poll — A new Gallup poll taking the pulse of voters on the 2008 race has... Dean Esmay: President Giuliani? by Dean Every time I hear his name brought up as a Presidential hopeful I'm a little surprised, but... Taegan Goddard: Poll Finds McCain and Giuliani Strong for 2008 — In looking at the possible 2008 presidential contenders, Gallup finds... |
Orrin Judd: Election 2008: Republican Candidates Fare Better in Early Trial Heats (Jeffrey M. Jones, 8/03/05, GALLUP NEWS SERVICE)... Gerry Daly: Gallup: McCain or Giuliani Top Clinton or Kerry — Today must be America's Mayor's lucky polling day. Alexander K. McClure: 2008 Presidential Race — Against either of the two Republican frontrunners, the two Democratic frontrunners would be trounced, according to a new Gallup Poll. |
America Coming Together Comes Apart NRO — Permalink The Democrats' great hope goes away. A few days after the 2004 election, America Coming Together, the giant pro-Democratic voter turnout group that had raised about $200 million from George Soros, Peter Lewis, and a variety of Hollywood moguls, released a list of its accomplishments. | |
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Paul @PowerLine: America Coming Together apparently will linger on as a "research" outfit. UPDATE: Byron York at NRO has more. Michael DeBow: How strange the American Left is today: Over on NRO Byron York describes the unraveling of "America Coming Together." Rich Lowry: Between the split at the AFL-CIO and withering of America Coming Together that Byron writes about today, it hasn't been a good couple of weeks for the Democratic turn-out machine. |
Gateway Pundit: ACT had the great success in November of witnessing Robin Carnahan win Secretary of State here in Missouri, and well, that's about it! Orrin Judd: THE RICH GET BORED WITH THEIR TOYS FASTER THAN CHILDREN (profanity alert): America Coming Together Comes Apart: The Democrats' great hope goes away. MarkInMexico: Main Page America Coming Together - RIP Byron York writes the epitaph for George Soros's America Coming Together; But saying so didn't make it true. |
14 U.S. Marines Killed in Iraq When Bomb Hits Their Vehicle By / NYT — Permalink BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 3 - Fourteen marines were killed early today when their troop carrier struck a gigantic roadside bomb in the western town of Haditha, marking one of the single deadliest attacks on American troops since the invasion here in March 2003. | |
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McQ: But unlike Ailes, I know the difference. So bone up, Roger, and figure out that the 14 killed weren't "pukes". Gregory Djerejian: Marine Fatalities ... last throes of a defeated insurgency, doubtless. Gary Farber: Sad. 14 times sad. Also: [snipped quote] If you got prayers, you know what to do. It would be good to see a fund set up for her, as well. |
Brad DeLong: Twenty marines dead: 14 U.S. Marines Killed in Iraq When Bomb Hits Their Vehicle - New York Times: BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug... Roger Ailes: It's A Beautiful Day — Rush Limbaugh must be in heaven today, as fourteen pukes have given their meaningless lives for the glory of the George W. Bush. Armando @DailyKos: Iraq: 14 Marines Killed — Will an Iraqi Constitution stop this: [snipped quote] Horrible. |
Calling All Luddites By / NYT — Permalink I've been thinking of running for high office on a one-issue platform: I promise, if elected, that within four years America will have cellphone service as good as Ghana's. If re-elected, I promise that in eight years America will have cellphone service as good as Japan's, provided Japan agrees not to forge ahead on wireless technology. | |
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Jan Haugland: Thomas Friedman picks up on this topic. Ed Cone: Reading Friedman for Greensboro — Reading Friedman for Greensboro*: Today TF writes about the sorry state of US technology infrastructure. Stirling Newberry: Even Thomas Friedman has noticed. Each of these components fits together, and there is a larger picture, and a much larger problem. |
Matthew Yglesias: Atrios has fun with Tom Friedman's disquiet about the poor state of American cellular service, noting that this is a bit out of step with the common man's priorities. Tom Tomorrow: I kid you not. Jeff Jarvis: Wi-fi in every pot Tom Friedman practically nominates Andrew Rasiej for President today as he extols Rasiej's vision... |
| Also: John Cole, Atrios, Glenn Reynolds | |
States move to protect property USA Today — Permalink States across the country are rushing to pass laws to counter the potential impact of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that allows state and local governments to seize homes for private development. (Related story: Ruling may doom homes) | |
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John Cole: Good News on The Property Rights Front Say what you will about 'activist judges,' they are at least getting local... Jayson @PoliPundit: Legislated solutions like these measures. For every leftist abomination vomited up by the court system, there are dozens of rulings which simply apply the law - fair and square. |
Bill Hobbs: Bredesen Silent on Kelo Ruling; Governor Making No Moves to Protect Private Property Rights in Tennessee — NASHVILLE -... |
Air America and the race hustlers By / Townhall.com — Permalink Where are they? Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are the supermen of the civil rights establishment — able to leap tall buildings in a single bound to get in front of a picket line. When victim politics calls, the demagogic duo leap into patented action: March. | |
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John @PowerLine: Michelle's new column, which will be out tomorrow morning and is available now on the web, sums up the facts known so... Captain Ed: Michelle has a new column out today (also here) about why the usual suspects in the civil-rights establishment have not... La Shawn Barber: Solid gold stuff. Also see Ed Morrissey's coverage. Related: BoreAmerica Irreverent Reverends Emboldened White Liberals See The RadioEqualizer's post on Selective Outrage. |
Gateway Pundit: Today Michelle explains the scandal in "Air America and the race hustlers". Scott @PowerLine: With any luck, Michelle Malkin's column will introduce the story to newspaper readers around the country: "Air America and the race hustlers." Smash: Race Hustlers and Big Radio — MICHELLE MALKIN on the Air America scandal: [snipped quote] Read the rest. |
| Also: Betsy Newmark | |
Army Officers Stage Coup in Mauritania By / AP — Permalink NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania - Mauritanian army officers overthrew the U.S.-allied president on Wednesday, saying a military junta would temporarily rule the Islamic nation that has increasingly looked to the West as the government raised fears of a growing threat from al-Qaida linked militants. | |
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Nikolas Gvosdev: Nigeria welcomed the coup; the Guardian quotes a spokeswoman for President Olusegun Obasanjo stating, "As far as we are... Natasha @PacificViews: Mauritania — Well, there's been a military coup in Mauritania, and the excuse for it is either the most ironic ever, or... |
Smash: Military Coup in Mauritania — A MILITARY JUNTA seized power in the northwest African nation of Mauritania Wednesday,... Dan Darling: As the now-deposed Mauritanian despot has claimed his opponents were training with GSPC, it now looks as though we'll find out just how true those reports were. |
Some of Steven Vincent's NRO pieces NRO — Permalink August 02, 2005: On Again, Off Again: A power problem in Basra. June 21, 2005: Baffled in Basra: Self-defeating behavior persists. June 14, 2005: The Stringer: Hearing Iraqis. | |
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Callimachus: My blog-friend Tigerhawk has a good wrap of links on Vincent's killing. The National Review has a moving tribute. Kriston @GrammarPolice: Steven Vincent — I was not kind to his work—in fact, I have to own up to calling him a hack over a relatively... Kathryn Jean Lopez: FREEDOM'S REPORTER, R.I.P. FYI: Here's a short piece I did this morning on Steven Vincent. |
Saint Paul l: Also, a compilation of his reports from Iraq for National Review. A.M. Mora y Leon: What an atrocity. What a damn shame. If you are not familiar with Steven Vincent, you can read about him here and here. |
Korean First to Successfully Clone a Dog By / AP — Permalink Scientists for the first time have cloned a dog. But don't count on a better world populated by identical and resourceful Lassies just yet. That's because the dog duplicated by South Korea's cloning pioneer, Hwang Woo-suk, is an Afghan hound, a... | |
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Kate @OTB: Snuppy The Clone — Those damned Koreans are at it again; [snipped quote] (Dog breeder's aside; Why does the reporter... Wind Rider: Who says... South Korea isn't about helping feed their Northern brothers? Gourmet style, too! |
Roger L. Simon: Here... Snuppy.... Snuppy.... That's shorthand for "Seoul National University puppy." So far I'm sticking with my dog Zane Greyhound. Kathryn Jean Lopez: KOREAN CLONED DOG — "Korean First to Successfully Clone a Dog" It's midday and I know what Jonah would say. I won't. |
14 Marines, Interpreter Killed in Northwestern Iraq WaPo — Permalink BAGHDAD, Aug. 3 — Insurgents killed 14 U.S. Marines and their civilian interpreter in a roadside bomb attack in northwestern Iraq Wednesday, just one day after the military announced that seven U.S. Marines were killed in an unusual small-arms attack on Monday, the military said. | |
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Pejman Yousefzadeh: I hope that Steven Vincent's dream—and those of the soldiers—of a free and prosperous Iraq comes true. Pudentilla: death throes — [snipped quote] that's getting to be a lot of blood on the hands of awol and his merry men. of course, as... Zoe Kentucky: (sigh) Let's hope that this isn't a preview of things to come. [snipped quote] My heart goes out to the families of these Marines and the U.S. journalist. |
Matthew Yglesias: Good News — This is bad, and this is worse and this, though hardly surprising anymore, continues to be disheartening. Kash: Personally, I haven't even been reading much or thinking much about Bolton, the Space Shuttle, the Roberts nomination,... Joe @AmericaBlog: 14 Troops Killed In Iraq today — Just horrible. |
Army Times reporter Matthew Cox describes attack By / Army Times — Permalink AL BU HARDEN, Iraq — I heard the two shots from a soldier's M16 rifle, but I had no idea he was firing at a suicide car-bomber steering straight for us. It was about 4:30 p.m. Aug. 1 and Army Times photographer James Lee and I were standing near the rear ramp of B Company commander Capt. Mark Ivezaj's Stryker combat vehicle. | |
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Donald Sensing: Army Times reporter Matthew Cox (an Army veteran himself) was wounded Aug 1 by a suicide bomber near Al bu Harden, Iraq. Jim Romenesko: "I knew something had exploded, but I was in a daze" — Army Times Army Times reporter Matthew Cox, who was injured... Smash: Combat Reporter — MATTHEW COX, reporting from Iraq for Army Times: [snipped quote] Read the rest. (Hat tip: Murdoc) |
James Joyner: Army Times reporter Matthew Cox was wounded by a roadside suicide bomber Monday, although he was thankfully only received minor injuries. Gary Farber: Or be an Iraqi living in Iraq. Yipes. Read The Rest Scale: 3 out of 5 if you want a first-hand account of being only mildly blown up. |
Mauritania officers 'seize power' BBC — Permalink Mauritanian army officers have announced the overthrow of the president and creation of a ruling military council. The military council said it had ended the "totalitarian regime" of President Maaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya who has arrived in Niger. | |
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Smash: (Hat tip: J-P) More reports on Mauritania from Gateway Pundit, BBC, CNN, and Reuters. Gary Farber: It appears there's been a coup in Mauritania. Read The Rest as you wish. |
Dan Darling: Africa happenings — Looks like somebody borrowed a page from Qadaffi's book in Mauritania today, with soldiers seizing... |
American Journalist Found Dead in Iraq AP — Permalink BAGHDAD, Iraq — An American freelance journalist was found dead in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, the U.S. Embassy said Wednesday. Police said Steven Vincent had been shot multiple times after he and his Iraqi translator were abducted at gunpoint hours earlier. | |
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Joe Gandelman: The AP has this: "Police said Vincent, a writer who had been living in New York, had been staying in Basra for several months working on a book about the history of the city. La Shawn Barber: News: American Journalist Found Dead, US Journalist Killed in Iraq… Bloggers: Malkin, Lorie Byrd, Captain's... |
Susie Madrak: Silenced Freelance journalist Steven Vincent is dead in Iraq. Cori Dauber: American Reporter Killed in Iraq — As reported by AP, Steven Vincent was the independent journalist whose piece from Basra had appeared in the Times only days before. |
President Discusses Second Term Accomplishments and Priorities White House — Permalink THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. (Applause.) Thank you all. Please be seated. Earl, thanks for the warm introduction, thanks for the invitation, and thanks for the award. And I appreciate your leadership of ALEC. Good leaders make good decisions — you made a good decision bringing this convention to Texas. | |
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Cori Dauber: As reported on Brit Hume's show tonight, (although nowhere else that I saw) the President put a pretty clear kibash on... |
Ivo Daalder: Here's Bush, in Texas: "Make no mistake about it, we are at war. We're at war with an enemy that attacked us on September the 11th, 2001. |
Writing Agenda A Major Test of Clinton's Skill At Navigation By / WaPo — Permalink For nearly five years, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has been a diligent lawmaker, introducing a blizzard of bills and amendments, forging relationships across party lines, establishing credentials on national security, and boosting her approval ratings at home by paying close attention to all regions of her state. | |
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David Sirota: Today, in his article about Hillary Clinton, there was a shining example of this. Tim Graham: SCAREDY CAT DEMOCRAT — For the latest nomination for incredibly lame anonymous sourcing in a political story, see... |
Taegan Goddard: Clinton to Draft Campaign Theme for Democrats — Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is "embarking on a project that could... Orrin Judd: Writing Agenda A Major Test of Clinton's Skill At Navigation (Dan Balz, 8/03/05, Washington Post) [snipped quote] The... |
Vacationing Bush Poised to Set a Record WaPo — Permalink WACO, Tex., Aug. 2 — President Bush is getting the kind of break most Americans can only dream of — nearly five weeks away from the office, loaded with vacation time. | |
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Zoe Kentucky: I know that the job of being the president is hard work and I appreciate the value of down time— but does Bush really need 5 whole weeks to clear brush on his ranch? Roger L. Simon: More Fuddy-Duddyism from theWaPo — Reading this latest silly WaPo attack on Bush for allegedly frittering away his time... MarkInMexico: Main Page Tongues wagging about Bush "vacation" This Washington Post report, while being sure to list the exact... |
Steve Soto: (A boy and his dog) Am I the only one who finds it interesting that after kissing Bush's butt lately for all he has... Attaturk: Vacation — I'd like to take an afternoon to clean my fridge, but... [snipped quote] "Dear America, wish you were here. Tbogg: Texan, my ass — Pure western gibberish from The Golfcart Cowboy who comes from a long line of brush farmers: The... |
| Also: Ezra Klein, Orrin Judd, Laura Rozen, Leopold Stotch, John @AmericaBlog | |
Missing the Perfect Storm By / Weekly Standard — Permalink THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA is often inconsistent in covering stories. They gave us wall-to-wall coverage when George W. Bush's National Guard service came under scrutiny, but suddenly made themselves scarce when over two hundred Vietnam veterans pointed out hole after hole in John Kerry's service narrative. | |
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TheAnchoress: That said…the go-to people on it, if you have not already read them, are Ed Morrissey who has good stuff in his... Brian Maloney: Double Standards — Selective Outrage Media, Civil Rights Movement's Common Thread Much is being said today about the... |
Captain Ed: In my new Daily Standard column, I look at the absence of the Exempt Media, wondering what it takes to get journalists... Scott @PowerLine: Air Ameriscam: Stuck in the cellar — Edward Morrissey relates the Air Ameriscam story from square one in his Standard column: "Missing the perfect storm." |
American journalist found shot dead in Basra MSNBC — Permalink BAGHDAD, Iraq - An American freelance journalist was found dead in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, the U.S. Embassy said Wednesday. Police said Steven Vincent had been shot multiple times after he and his Iraqi translator were abducted at gunpoint hours earlier. | |
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James Joyner: American journalist found shot dead in Basra - Steven Vincent had been critical of Islamic radicalism's rise in southern... Laura Rozen: Steven Vincent, the journalist who authored the interesting Basra oped in the New York Times on Sunday, has been killed,... |
Tbogg: Michael Kelly Redux — Though less well known than editor and columnist Michael Kelly, much will be made of the death of... |
American journalist found shot dead in Basra Reuters — Permalink BAGHDAD, Aug 3 (Reuters) - An American journalist and author has been found shot dead in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, a Western diplomat said on Wednesday. The diplomat told Reuters the next of kin of Steven Vincent had been notified and an investigation was underway to determine who was behind the death. | |
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La Shawn Barber: He was murdered in Iraq today. Vincent's latest article was published on Sunday in the New York Times. Could it be related to his murder? Juan Cole: American journalist and author Steven Vincent was found dead of gunshot wounds on Wednesday morning in Basra. |
James Joyner: American journalist found shot dead in Basra (Reuters) "An American journalist and author has been found shot dead in... Michelle Malkin: STEVEN VINCENT, R.I.P. Terrible news: [snipped quote] I mentioned Vincent's excellent work and blog, In the Red Zone, last month. |
On Again, Off Again By / NRO — Permalink Basra, Iraq — In the middle of an interview with Sheik Abdul al-Baghdali, an American-hating supporter of Moqtada al-Sadr, the lights in his office suddenly went out. "This is what your country has done to Iraq," he snorted, "stolen its electricity." | |
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Craig Crawford: Resources: Vincent's blog and book, In The Red Zone. His article yesterday for National Review online. Tbogg: And here is a piece published on NRO yesterday Without agreeing with Mr. Vincent's beliefs, you have to give him credit... |
Kathryn Jean Lopez: STEVEN VINCENT — Some of his NRO pieces, including the one we published yesterday: August 02, 2005: On Again, Off Again: A power problem in Basra. Pejman Yousefzadeh: STEVEN VINCENT, RIP — A worthy remembrance is found here. I hope that Steven Vincent's dream—and those of the soldiers—of a free and prosperous Iraq comes true. |
Bush Remarks Roil Debate on Teaching of Evolution By / NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 - A sharp debate between scientists and religious conservatives escalated Tuesday over comments by President Bush that the theory of intelligent design should be taught with evolution in the nation's public schools. | |
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Josh Marshall: Today in the Times Elizabeth Bumiller describes 'Intelligent Design' as a theory which is, [snipped quote] Creationists just along for the ride? Jeff Jarvis: We're in Kansas after all, Toto President Bush gives props to the "intelligent design" (read: anti-evolution)... |
John Cole: More on ID The NY Times has this follow up story on the controversy: On Tuesday, the president's conservative... |
U.S. freelance journalist slain in Iraq CNN — Permalink BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — An American freelance journalist was found shot to death in the Iraqi city of Basra early Wednesday, officials said. A U.S. Embassy spokesman confirmed Steven Vincent's body was found, and that his family has been notified. | |
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Spoons: Steven Vincent Murdered in Iraq — Story. I started a review Vincent's book on this site back in December when my back was at it's worst. Scott @PowerLine: He was murdered in Basra while working on a new book and doing some of the best reporting out of Iraq: "U.S. freelance journalist slain in Iraq." |
Nick Gillespie: Steven Vincent, RIP — I'm very sorry to report that Steven Vincent, a regular and highly valued contributor to Reason over the past several years, was killed in Basra early today. Kathryn Jean Lopez: GOD REST A GOOD MAN — Steven Vincent, who on his own went to Iraq to tell the world the story there, has been murdered there. |
Report: Palmeiro test true By / Boston Herald — Permalink NEW YORK - Orioles slugger Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for stanozolol, a powerful anabolic steroid not available in dietary supplements, according to a report last night. | |
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James Joyner: Rafael Palmeiro: Steroids Using Liar — While my inclination was to take Rafael Palmeiro at his word that he did not... |
Dr. Steven Taylor: Palmeiro Story Crumbles Further — Via the Boston Herald: Report: Palmeiro test true [snipped quote] Not that I was... |
Americans Are Warned About Overseas Travel By / WaPo — Permalink The State Department issued an updated worldwide caution on terrorism yesterday, warning Americans about the threat of extremist violence against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The warning did not list countries, nor did department officials offer any additional specifics about threats. | |
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Jesse Taylor: We're All Soliders In The GWOT — Flypaper: it's what's for dinner. [snipped quote] This is where differing philosophies on fighting terrorism come into play. Pudentilla: condi's new advice for global war on terror/against violent extremists — [snipped quote] stay home and shop. all the... |
Cori Dauber: Be Alert — Wherever You Go — You'd think that the State Department's new alert would be common sense, but for some... |
Fourteen Marines killed in bombing CNN — Permalink BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — A roadside bomb blast killed 14 Marines and a civilian interpreter Wednesday as they rode in a vehicle near Haditha, Iraq, U.S. military officials said. | |
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Kos @DailyKos: 14 Marines killed by single IED — But what about the schools? [snipped quote] You've got to wonder how the war cheerleaders and chickenhawks sleep at night. Atrios: I Read the News Today oy. |
Susie Madrak: Democracy Starts Here Oh, look: More than 1800 dead soldiers in Iraq. Wonder when these "final throes" will be, uh, final? |
The Discreet Charm of the Terrorist Cause By / WaPo — Permalink Since the bombing attacks in London last month, a welter of columnists, writers, talking heads and ordinary people have puzzled over the mystery of British Muslims, one in four of whom recently told pollsters that they sympathize with the July 7 suicide bombers. | |
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David Gerstman: Charming terrorists — Anne Applebaum in the "The Discreet Charm of the Terrorist Cause" notes that the sympathy of... Rich Lowry: USEFUL REMINDER — Anne Applebaum has a good column today about how it's not just Muslims who can feel the attraction of... |
Betsy Newmark: Anne Applebaum reminds us of the allure that foreign terrorist activities can have for some by reminding us of how many... |
DeLay to Be on Christian Telecast on Courts By / NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 - Stepping into the debate over the Supreme Court nomination of Judge John G. Roberts Jr., Representative Tom DeLay, the majority leader, has agreed to appear in a telecast called "Justice Sunday II" to rally conservative Christian support for remaking the court. | |
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Jeff Jarvis: But then, in a story below, we see that Tom DeLay is appearing on the next Tony Perkins religious fringe TV extravaganza. Ken Masugi: Religious Fanatics and the Defense of the Constitution — That's the way Tom DeLay is castigated in this NY Times report (David Kirkpatrick). Michael @AmericaBlog: Sen. DeLay Appearing On Justice Sunday II — Because the separation between church and state is for wussies. |
John Cole: Must Not See TV Looks like DeLay will be the high-ranking GOP official who will step up to the camera for 'Just Us'... Gary Farber: SO HAPPY TOGETHER. Yes. |
Fourteen US marines killed by bomb in Iraq Reuters — Permalink Fourteen Marines were killed in a roadside bomb blast in western Iraq on Wednesday in one of the single deadliest attacks against US forces since the beginning of the war. | |
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Donald Sensing: Marine unit suffers 21 KIA this week — Reuters reports, [snipped quote] That makes 21 Marines killed in action this week (post), and the week is only half over. |
Kathryn Jean Lopez: AND MORE MARINES KILLED in Iraq—14. |
Ex-Lawmaker Wins Ohio Congressional Race By / AP — Permalink CINCINNATI — A Republican former state lawmaker claimed a seat in Congress on Tuesday by narrowly defeating an Iraq war veteran who drew national attention to the race with his military service and a series of harsh attacks on President Bush. | |
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McQ: And Hackett? [quote] "This was a success. We should all be proud," Hackett told cheering supporters.[end quote] Lambert @Corrente: Schmidt: Delusional in victory — Typical: [snipped quote] A 4% margin in a heavily Republican district doth not a Bush Mandate make. |
Hugh Hewitt: Republican John Campbell will win that one, and it will be interesting to compare whatever the press says about Ohio's 2nd District with what it says about California's 48th. |
Court Nominee Prizes 'Modesty,' He Tells the Senate By / NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 - In his first written response to questions from the lawmakers who will review his nomination to the Supreme Court, Judge John G. Roberts Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that judges must possess "a degree of modesty and humility," must be respectful of legal precedent and must be willing to change their minds. | |
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Mark Leon Goldberg: As the hosannas from the liberal media indicate, the modest John Roberts successfully finished his warm-up round of Senate questioning yesterday. Ann Althouse: The NYT article forefronts some verbiage about judicial "modesty": [snipped quote] That seems like total boilerplate —... Michael @AmericaBlog: Supreme Court Nominee Roberts Provides First Written Response To Some Senate Questions Here's the first look at some of... |
John @PowerLine: Hard to Lay a Glove on Him — Judge John Roberts has submitted his responses to the Judiciary Committee's questionnaire; you can access his completed forms in PDF here. Pudentilla: believe half of what you read — [snipped quote] wasn't it awol who campaigned on a platform of a more humble foreign policy? deeds not words, my friends, deeds, not words. |
Is Small the New Big? By / TCS — Permalink Blogger Jeff Jarvis writes: "Last month, I wrote that small is the new big. More demonstration of it: eBay is fast becoming one of the largest employers in America. | |
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Jeff Jarvis: Small is the new big's HR department Glenn Reynolds advances the discussion of how small is the new big: I think that there's a big future in that sort of thing. |
Glenn Reynolds: IS SMALL THE NEW BIG? Sort of. My TechCentralStation column is up. |
2 Aides to Rove Testify in C.I.A. Leak Inquiry By / NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 - Two aides to Karl Rove, the senior White House adviser, testified last Friday before a federal grand jury investigating whether government officials illegally disclosed the identity of an undercover C.I.A. operative, according to a person who has been officially briefed on the case. | |
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Mark Kleiman: Buried in the fifth paragraph of a story buried below the fold on page eighteen of the New York Times is this little... Barbara O'Brien: The other is Israel "Izzy" Hernandez, described by The Advocate as "a gay man who is a former aide to White House... Joe @AmericaBlog: The NY Times had a piece today about Rove's two aides being called to testify before the grand jury: [snipped quote] It's... |
Scott Shields: The New York Times followed up with a piece this morning that added only minor details to the story. Susie Madrak: Hmm Looks like the special prosecutor's still doing his job: WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 - Two aides to Karl Rove, the senior... John Cole: Daily Plame Thread And, as I am now obligated to discuss this story until someone drives a stake through its heart,... |
| Also: Orrin Judd, Laura Rozen, Jeralyn Merritt | |
High Court Nominee Sides With Restraint LAT — Permalink WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. pledged Tuesday to bring "modesty and humility" to his job as a justice on the high court, saying the judges did not have a "commission to solve society's problems." | |
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Patterico: One Step Short of Freemasonry Our old friend David Savage of the L.A. Times says John Roberts took issue with media... |
Michelle Malkin: DOUBLE SUPER SECRET FEDERALIST SOCIETY — The Los Angeles Times reports that the Federalist Society is "a somewhat secretive group." |
Worry Grows as Iraq's Defense Ministry Falls Short of Expectations By / NYT — Permalink BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 1 - The reformed Iraqi Ministry of Defense, a crucial element of any American plan to withdraw troops, is riddled with crippling problems that have raised concerns about its ability to keep Iraqi units paid, fed and equipped once it assumes full responsibility for the army, American and Iraqi commanders say. | |
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Juan Cole: David Cloud of the NYT suggests that past problems of corruption are the least of it— that the Ministry of Defense as now constituted just isn't functioning. |
Michael @AmericaBlog: But here's a quiet little story saying the Iraqi Defense Ministry may not quite be up to the task of securing the peace just yet. |
Before the War, CIA Reportedly Trained a Team of Iraqis to Aid U.S. WaPo — Permalink Before the war in Iraq began, the CIA recruited and trained an Iraqi paramilitary group, code-named the Scorpions, to foment rebellion, conduct sabotage, and help CIA paramilitaries who entered Baghdad and other cities target buildings and individuals, according to three current and former intelligence officials with knowledge of the unit. | |
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Kriston @BeggingToDiffer: More from WaPo on that covert CIA unit: "Before the war in Iraq began, the CIA recruited and trained an Iraqi... Matt Welch: The CIA's Rebellion-Fomenters — Interesting article in the Washington Post: [snipped quote] Worth reading in full; link via Sploid. Laura Rozen: "Before the war, the US trained Iraqi paramilitary unit," the Scorpions, the WaPo reports: [snipped quote] So much for oversight. |
Marty Lederman: The first recounts how, in February or March of 2002, the President authorized the CIA to recruit and train an Iraqi... Pudentilla: scheduling difficulties if there were no plans to invade iraq on awol's desk in may 2002, why did he order the creation... |
Iraq to Build Airport With Help From Iran WaPo — Permalink BAGHDAD, Aug. 2 — Iraq plans to build a multimillion-dollar international airport near the southern city of Najaf, a holy center for Shiite Muslims, that would be financed largely by a low-interest loan from Iran, according to Iraq's transportation minister. | |
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Juan Cole: Iran will help build a new airport for the holy city of Najaf, about an hour's drive south of Baghdad. Steve Soto: The same country that is also forging a military and economic alliance with Iraq at a time when the US is concerned about that country's role in supporting the insurgency. |
Laura Rozen: Iran financing new airport in neighboring Iraq: "The facility, which [Iraqi transport minister Salam] Maliki said would... |
Frist Not Invited to 'Justice Sunday II' By / AP — Permalink WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist spoke by video to the first "Justice Sunday" evangelical rally in April, but he wasn't invited to address "Justice Sunday II," even though it's in his home state of Tennessee. | |
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Digby: Singing For Jesus ...as long as it doesn't require any travel. Jayson @PoliPundit: Fallout — For Sen. Frist. |
John @AmericaBlog: Frist Dissed — Frist not invited to religious right confab, Justice Sunday. |
Chechen Guerrilla Leader Calls Russians 'Terrorists' ABCNEWS — Permalink July 29, 2005 — Guerrilla Chechen leader Shamil Basayev, the mastermind behind last year's Beslan school massacre and the 2002 Moscow theater hostage-taking, is one of the most wanted terrorists in the world. Babitsky, in turn, brought the interview to ABC News' "Nightline." | |
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Gateway Pundit: "Nightline" Still has reference to this terrorist supporting propaganda piece HERE Previous Posts on the ABC "Nightline"... |
Dan Darling: Because that is pretty much what ABC's Nightline did on July 29 when they more or less provided a forum to Chechen... |
Iraq war veteran running for Congress MSNBC — Permalink CINCINNATI - A Bush-bashing Iraq war veteran and a Republican former state lawmaker were neck-and-neck Tuesday in a closely watched congressional race that could serve as a bellwether for next year's midterm elections. | |
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Josh Marshall: Remember, President Bush got 64% of the vote in this district just last November. Late Update: Schmidt pulling ahead late. |
RJ Eskow: hackett nearly makes it the horrid jean schmidt has been declared the winner in ohio, with 52% of the vote. |
CAFTA Battle Casts Doubt on Future Pacts By / AP — Permalink WASHINGTON - President Bush signed a free trade agreement with six Latin American countries on Tuesday, celebrating a victory in Congress so narrow and grueling that it cast doubt on the future of other trade-opening pacts the administration is negotiating. | |
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Jayson @PoliPundit: Detached — Watergate-era AP drone, Tom Raum, put on his reality blinders today and projected that that close vote on... |
Stephen Green: Now the bad news: [snipped quote] Republicans, or at least the one now in the White House, tend to be fair-weather free-traders at best. |
Report: Dem. operatives 'far more involved' in voter intimidation, suppression in 2004 Arizona Republic — Permalink WASHINGTON-The American Center for Voting Rights Legislative Fund today released the most comprehensive and authoritative review of the facts surrounding allegations of vote fraud, intimidation and suppression made during the 2004 presidential election. | |
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Betsy Newmark: The non-partisan, non-profit American Center for Voting Rights Legislative Fund released the results of its study of voter fraud last election. Captain Ed: I missed this when it first came out in yesterday's Arizona Central Bizwire, but an independent report from the new... Steve M.: Why on earth is The Arizona Republic — which I thought was a real newspaper — running an "article" about voter... |
Roger Ailes: Linking to a fake memo, Mister Ed disclaims: "I missed this when it first came out in yesterday's Arizona Central... John Cole: Via Memeorandum, I see that the "American Center for Voting Rights" has just issued a report stating the following: ... Jesse Taylor: Why It Pays To Check Your Groups — The American Center For Voting Rights has found that Democrats are "far" more responsible for voter suppression than Republicans. |
| Also: Avedon Carol, Paul @Wizbang, Joe Gandelman, McQ, TheAnchoress, Roger L. Simon, MarkInMexico | |
Transcript of Roundtable Interview WaPo — Permalink Here is the full text of the roundtable interview of President Bush by reporters from Texas newspapers on August 1, 2005, in the Roosevelt Room. The transcript was prepared by White House officials but not released immediately. | |
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Patterico: Evolution and God There has been a lot of hoop-de-do over President Bush's remarks on Intelligent Design. Judd @ThinkProgress: After we learned Karl Rove leaker Plame's identity to Matt Cooper and was one of Robert Novak's two sources, Bush said "Karl has got my complete confidence." Gary Farber: [quote][...] Bush compared the current debate to earlier disputes over "creationism," a related view that adheres more closely to biblical explanations.[end quote] |
Jan Haugland: From the transcript, however, it's not extremely clear what the president is saying (but what's new). Jeff Goldstein: However Richard Dawkins' The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design uses... Glenn Reynolds: ANOTHER UPDATE: Reader Andrew Hazlett emails a link to the full transcript, which he says is a bit more — dare I say it? — nuanced. |
| Also: Michael Stickings | |
Catholic Justice By / Slate — Permalink Everybody seems to have agreed to tiptoe around the report that Judge John G. Roberts said he would recuse himself in a case where the law required a ruling that the Catholic Church might consider immoral. | |
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Paul @PowerLine: Christopher Hitchens has made that claim, one you probably won't hear anyone associated with the Democratic party endorse. Steve M.: I'm referring to Christopher Hitchens, writing in yesterday's Slate: If Roberts is confirmed there will be quite a bloc of Catholics on the court. Nate F.: Thanks to Feddie for bringing Chris Hitchens' latest defamatory screed to our attention (see also On Not Mourning the Pope and Easter Charade). |
Steve Bainbridge: Christopher Hitchens, for example, tackles the issue with his usual sensitivity and couth: "The Roman Catholic Church... James Joyner: Catholic Justice - Quit tiptoeing around John Roberts' faith (Slate) [snipped quote] One presumes the Senate will get to the bottom of this. Ramesh Ponnuru: JOHN ROBERTS'S FAITH — I was going to criticize Cathy Young and E. J. Dionne for their columns on the subject, but Christopher Hitchens has made that pointless. |
| Also: Feddie @SouthernAppeal | |
Yahoo to launch blog ad network By / CNET.com — Permalink Yahoo is planning to launch on Wednesday an ad network for small Web publishers intended to strengthen its hand against rival Google, a source familiar with the plan told CNET News.com. | |
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Ann Althouse: UPDATE: Who knows what better deals will emerge tomorrow? Kevin Aylward: Yahoo to launch blog ad network - [CNet] Jeff Jarvis: Choice Yahoo is competing with Google AdSense for blogs and small publishers. Good. We need choice. |
John Hawkins: "Donald Luskin: Krugman Reaches For A Silver Lining Among The Shards Of France's Failing Economy" "Michael Tremoglie:... Gary Farber: YAHOO STARTS BLOGADS with an announcement tomorrow, Wednesday, it says here. |
One blog created 'every second' BBC — Permalink The blogosphere is continuing to grow, with a weblog created every second, according to blog trackers Technorati. In its latest State of the Blogosphere report, it said the number of blogs it was tracking now stood at more than 14.2m blogs, up from 7.8m in March. | |
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Vanderleun: THE BBC, WHICH TAKES A LOT OF THINGS AT FACE VALUE, reports that Technorati , a company much better at marketing than... James Joyner: One blog created 'every second' (BBC) [snipped quote] The sheer numbers are incredible but not necessarily meaningful;... Marc @USSNeverdock: Internet - Blogging Going Mainstream? Is this, this and this and indication that blogs are finally going mainstream? |
Dean Esmay: Interesting. According to this BBC story the number of weblogs on the internet doubles every five months. Gateway Pundit: A New Blog Each Second — A report based on blog trackers at Technorati concludes that a weblog is created every second. Arthur Silber: JUST STOP IT! This is fairly overwhelming, just in terms of the sheer volume: [snipped quote] A new blog every second? |
| Also: Joe Gandelman, Glenn Reynolds, Plutonium Page, Marcus @HarrysPlace | |
Brain-Dead Woman in Va. Gives Birth By / AP — Permalink RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — In a much-anticipated moment likely greeted with euphoria and profound sadness, a cancer-ravaged pregnant woman has given birth to a baby girl after spending three months on life support to give her fetus more time to develop. | |
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Tim Graham: A LIFE BEGINS — The Susan Torres baby was born yesterday in Arlington (1 pound, 13 ounces), placed in neonatal intensive care, and named Susan Anne Catherine Torres. Michelle Malkin: A MIRACLE BABY IS BORN — The Associated Press brings us good news today: [snipped quote] Keep the Torres family in your thoughts and prayers. |
Pudentilla: freedom, democracy, whatever — [snipped quote] and poor judy miller has to eat prison food. Orrin Judd: NOT SO WORTHLESS: Brain-Dead Woman in Va. Gives Birth (KRISTEN GELINEAU, 8/02/05, The Associated Press) |
Review Finds Iran Far From Nuclear Bomb By / WaPo — Permalink A major U.S. intelligence review has projected that Iran is about a decade away from manufacturing the key ingredient for a nuclear weapon, roughly doubling the previous estimate of five years, according to government sources with firsthand knowledge of the new analysis. | |
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Dan Darling: Some tidbits from the Iran National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) got leaked to the press this morning and I suspect that... Dr. Steven Taylor: Iran's Nuclear Ambitions — Via WaPo: Iran Is Judged 10 Years From Nuclear Bomb "A major U.S. intelligence review has... Avedon Carol: A pieced of news that could place yet another obstacle in the path of Bush's imperial plans is the news this morning that Iran may not be nuke-ready for another decade. |
Jan Haugland: Intelligence review finds Iran far from going nuclear — For what it's worth, US intelligence is now saying that Iran is a decade away from a nuclear weapon. McQ: Please excuse the skeptic in me, but the WaPo is reporting: "A major U.S. intelligence review has projected that Iran... Brad Plumer: Okay, I can see why conservatives might be skeptical of a new NIE review indicating that Iran's nuclear program isn't even up and crawling yet. |
| Also: Roger L. Simon, Gateway Pundit, Daniel Drezner, James Joyner, MarkInMexico, Nick Danger, John Hawkins, Lambert @Corrente, Justin Gardner, Laura Rozen, Kevin Drum, Michael Stickings, Ogged @Unfogged, Pejman Yousefzadeh, Attaturk, Rich Lowry, Kathryn Jean Lopez, Glenn Reynolds | |
Police to raid in socks By / The Sun — Permalink POLICE have been told they must show respect by taking their SHOES OFF before raiding the homes of Muslim terror suspects. It was one of 18 rules laid down in new guidelines for officers in Luton — a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalism. | |
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Marc @USSNeverdock: Britain - Police to raid Muslim homes in socks — This has got to be a joke. Justin Gardner: No Shoes For Brit Police? Oh my goodness… [snipped quote] Huh? Don't they remember a few weeks ago? Kathryn Jean Lopez: P.C. COPS IN SOCKS — This is a joke, right? Hat tip: Jonah's Military Guy. |
Joe Gandelman: British Police Get PC Operational Instruction — NO JOKE DEPT: Police in a city in Great Britain have been ordered to... Betsy Newmark: The British police now have to take off their shoes when they raid suspected Muslim terrorists. Oy vey! |
All survive Air France jet crash and fire CNN — Permalink TORONTO, Canada (CNN) — An Air France passenger jet attempting to land at Toronto's Pearson International Airport overran a runway by 200 meters Tuesday, bursting into flames and sending smoke billowing into the sky. | |
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Glenn Reynolds: THIS IS GOOD NEWS: [snipped quote] As they say: It's a good idea to take a moment to look around the cabin and... Orrin Judd: A WING AND A PRAYER: All survive Air France jet crash and fire (CNN, 8/02/05) [snipped quote] Thankfully they all survived so we can make fun of Airbus. |
Joe @AmericaBlog: Looks like no one was killed. 297 passengers and 12 crew all survived. Now that is amazing. James Joyner: Update (1830): Thankfully, all the passengers survived. |
Current non-event By / Chicago Tribune — Permalink Ever have a teacher who tried way too hard to be "down" with the kids? Who never knew that he was using out-of-date lingo or patronizing the intelligence of the people he wanted to befriend? | |
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Ann Althouse: The "remarkably clueless and elitist" Current TV. The Chicago Tribune reviews Current TV — the new Al Gore project. Warren Bell: CHAIRMAN AL WANTS TO RAP — The Chicago Tribune reviews Al Gore's new cable venture, Current TV. |
Daniel Drezner: Well, Mo Ryan is certainly discussing Current TV in the Chicago Tribune — and it sounds like Ted Turner and Rupert... |
California Screaming NRO — Permalink Hollywood, it's a helluva loud town. One highlight of this season's Television Critics Association press tour, which wound down late last week in Beverly Hills, was comedian Adam Carolla's tantrum. | |
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Eugene Volokh: "California Screaming": Another very amusing column by Cathy Seipp about my town's dysfunctional signature industry. NeoCon Someone: BONEHEADED-EDITING FILES — Someone changed "Palestine" to Middle East while editing Cathy Seipp's piece up today. |
Ed Driscoll: And Cathy Seipp notes that it needs a serious lesson in anger-management and tolerance of employees currently less... |
Seven Marines Killed in Western Iraq By / AP — Permalink BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. military said Tuesday that six Marines were killed in action in western Iraq, pushing the death toll for Americans since the start of the war past 1,800. The Marines, assigned to Regimental Combat Team-2 of the 2nd Marine Division, died Monday in Haditha, 140 miles northwest of Baghdad. | |
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Juan Cole: Iraqi guerrillas killed 7 Marines on Monday in separate incidents. Attaturk: I should have known — Massive death of American Troops and Iraqis logically follows optimistic Rich Lowry column. |
Billmon: What are the needless deaths of more than 1800 dead American soldiers (including the seven wiped out today) compared to a social faux pas like that? |
Why It's Right to Ask About Roberts's Faith By / WaPo — Permalink Is it wrong to question Judge John Roberts on how his Catholic faith might affect his decisions as a Supreme Court justice? Or is it wrong not to? Few topics arouse more hypocrisy and inconsistency than the relationship between religion and politics. | |
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Paul @PowerLine: E.J. Dionne argues that it's a good idea for Senators to ask John Roberts to "share his reflections" about "Catholic teaching on public issues" with "the public." Betsy Newmark: EJ Dionne, keeping up his streak of rarely writing anything I agree with, writes today about the question of John Roberts' religion. Justin @SouthernAppeal: Dionne makes a good point in today's article, "Why It's Right to Ask About Roberts's Faith" — [snipped quote] Me:... |
Captain Ed: In today's Post column, Dionne argues that the Senate Judiciary Committee should transform itself into the secular... Orrin Judd: YOU CAN BE ORTHODOX OR ACCEPTABLE TO DEMOCRATS, NOT BOTH: Why It's Right to Ask About Roberts's Faith (E. J. Dionne Jr.,... Pejman Yousefzadeh: AN ALTERNATIVE EDITORIAL BY E.J. DIONNE — Instead of writing this . . . thing . . . |
In San Joaquin Valley, Cows Pass Cars as Polluters By / LAT — Permalink Air district says bovines on the region's booming dairy farms are the biggest single source of smog-forming gases. The industry takes issue. California's San Joaquin Valley for some time has had the dirtiest air in the country. | |
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Jack Cluth: Here comes the science... In San Joaquin Valley, Cows Pass Cars as Polluters: Air district says bovines on the region's... Clayton Cramer: Cow Pollution — This is an interesting story about air pollution in the San Joquain Valley in California—and the... Smash: Bovine Flatulence — THE LOS ANGELES TIMES investigates air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley, focusing the blame squarely on farting cows. |
Orrin Judd: TAKE THE CARS, LEAVE THE BEEF: In San Joaquin Valley, Cows Pass Cars as Polluters: Air district says bovines on the... Acidman: cow farts=brain farts — Wanna save the planet? Find a way to stop cows from farting. You can't do that? Kathryn Jean Lopez: HAVING A COW — What is PETA going to do about this? Cows are more to blame for smog than cars? |
Bush: Intelligent Design Should Be Taught AP — Permalink (08-02) 04:05 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) — President Bush said Monday he believes schools should discuss "intelligent design" alongside evolution when teaching students about the creation of life. | |
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Joe Gandelman: We Now Know Where George Bush Stands On Creationism In Schools — You just had to suspect President George Bush... Gary Farber: For some reason, a lot of bloggers have linked to this crappy AP summary of what Bush said. Matthew Yglesias: Then he goes out of his way to make a statement like this, and there's suddenly no doubting where he stands." |
Norbizness: Of course this has been covered on a bazillion other websites, but I think that I would be especially remiss if I didn't... John Cole: The Coalition of the Stupid By now you have probably already heard (the hazards of not blogging for a few hours) that... Von @ObsidianWings: Dumbing it Down — "Standards? What standards?" |
| Also: Daniel Drezner, Riggsveda @Corrente, John Hawkins, Roger L. Simon, Jayson @PoliPundit, Lambert @Corrente | |
Franken Unaware Of Ex-Colleague's Alleged Loans By / New York Sun — Permalink The comedian Al Franken, Air America Radio's most prominent host, said yesterday that he did not know whether the hundreds of thousands of dollars apparently lent to the radio network by a Bronx social-service organization had indeed been relayed to Air America by Evan Montvel Cohen. | |
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Brian Maloney: It's taken nearly a week, since the Radio Equalizer's first report on Air America's taxpayer funding diversion scandal,... Captain Ed: Today, Lombino publishes an interview with Al Franken that demolishes attempts by Air America supporters to defend the... Orrin Judd: OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES: Franken Unaware Of Ex-Colleague's Alleged Loans (DAVID LOMBINO, August 2, 2005, NY Sun)... |
Michelle Malkin: According to Lombino's latest article, Al Franken revealed that Air America's current owners have known about the loan... Scott @PowerLine: Look back in anger — Brian Maloney — he of Radio Equalizer — writes: [snipped quote] Michelle updates the story in... |
Bush: Schools should teach intelligent design MSNBC — Permalink WASHINGTON - President Bush said Monday he believes schools should discuss "intelligent design" alongside evolution when teaching students about the creation of life. During a round-table interview with reporters from five Texas newspapers, Bush declined to go into detail on his personal views of the origin of life. | |
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Chris Nolan: President Bush is saying that "intelligent design" ought to be taught in schools so people can be aware that there's... John Derbyshire: DERBITES, TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES — Bush endorses discussions of intelligent design theory in schools. |
Joe @AmericaBlog: Bush wants Creationism taught in Schools — Oh boy. Sure he calls it "Intelligent Design" but it's still creationism. Billmon: The Descent of Man — [snipped quote] descent.jpg |
The World Is Round By / New York Review of Books — Permalink The belief that a process of globalization is underway which is bringing about a fundamental change in human affairs is not new. Marx and Engels expressed it in 1848, when they wrote in a justly celebrated passage in The Communist Manifesto: | |
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Matthew Yglesias: Still, if this negative review by John Gray is any guide, Tom Friedman's asking at least one good question: ... Orrin Judd: NEITHER, IT'S UNEVEN: The World Is Round: a review of The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by... |
Ramesh Ponnuru: JOHN GRAY ON TOM FRIEDMAN — I hold no brief for Friedman and his latest simulacrum of a book—believe me—but I found... Frank @AndrewSullivan: FREIDMAN IS FLATTENED: John Gray is always worth reading, even when his arguments take him to highly idiosyncratic conclusions. |
Columnist Hints Book Was Source That Led to Use of C.I.A. Officer's Name By / NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 - One of the most puzzling aspects of the C.I.A. leak case has had to do with the name of the exposed officer. Why did the syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak identify her as Valerie Plame in exposing her link to the C.I.A. in July 2003... | |
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Barbara O'Brien: Anne Kornblut reported in yesterday's New York Times that Novak claims he got Valerie Wilson's name from Who's Who in Amerca. Captain Ed: Far from learning the name and occupation of Wilson's wife from a Deep Throat inside source at the White House, it turns... Kevin Drum: PLAME vs. WILSON...Anne Kornblut has a short piece in the New York Times today that's devoted to a small but crucial... |
Tom Maguire: Not-Reported-Here Journalism, NY Times Style — Anne Kornblut of the NY Times earns a coveted "Ostrich du Jour" for her... Josh Marshall: There's a rather problematic article in Tuesday's Times on the subject of Robert Novak's new column about the Plame matter. Justin Gardner: From the NY Times, comes more on the Plame case: "Why did the syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak identify her as... |
| Also: John Hawkins, Garrett M. Graff, Jeralyn Merritt, Jim Romenesko, Orrin Judd | |
Green-Collar Crime By / Slate — Permalink A tip for all of you aspiring investigative reporters: When you expose an Internet sex hoax, there are going to be consequences. Take it from me. My sleuthing got me an unplanned role in a piece of erotic fiction that starred Chewbacca as a Wookiee Casanova. | |
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Jan Haugland: Furry sex hoaxes — Cyrus Farivar exposes a hoax and gets threatened by furry sex fans. Nick Gillespie: Slate piece here. Farivar's site here. Wookieefetish here. |
Gary Farber: NO ONE WILL KNOW OUR PLAN! A quite amusing tale of busting an internet hoax via referrer logs and a bit of poking about. |
Judith Miller in Jail: Principle vs. Politics By / WaPo — Permalink Before Judith Miller of the New York Times went to jail for not revealing her sources, I offered her my services. I suggested that she tell me her source and then, once she was in jail, I would reveal that I knew, and the special prosecutor would jail me as well — but not before I told another journalist. | |
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Tom Maguire: Judy's Game — Mickey is wondering what Judy Miller is up to; Arianna Huffington has a big July 31 post, but treads water on Aug 1; and Richard Cohen of the WaPo joins in on Aug 2. Jim Romenesko: The fury at NYT's Miller is ugly, does journalism no good — Washington Post That's Richard Cohen's belief. |
Roger Ailes: Judy Miller Died For Your Sins — DLC Dick Cohen is the latest to install Judy F**king-Miller on a pedestal, albeit one... |
Massachusetts Governor Tries to Accentuate the Conservative By / NYT — Permalink BOSTON, Aug. 1 - Gov. Mitt Romney says he will decide in the next few months whether to run for the Republican presidential nomination. And if he does, his résumé will carry him a long way. He is the high-profile governor of a prominent state. | |
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Michael @AmericaBlog: Romney labeled the morning after pill an "abortion pill" and said abortion shouldn't be legal. Taegan Goddard: Romney Runs Right — The New York Times notes that as Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) "tries to appeal to his... Kathryn Jean Lopez: From the NYTimes on Mitt Romney today: [quote] With "issues like stem cell and abortion and so forth," said Joseph D. Malone,...[end quote] |
Joe Gandelman: GOP Politicos Scramble Right For 2008 Prez Nomination — The're off — running to the right to increase their... Alexander K. McClure: The Governor continues his drift to the right, especially on social issues even though it may mean he cannot successfully seek a second term in Massachuestts. |
Green For Launch Investor's Business Daily — Permalink Political Correctness: After 2 1/2 years and $1.4 billion spent to make the space shuttle safer, the same problem that doomed Columbia now plagues Discovery. Has environmentalism doomed the shuttle program? | |
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Ed Driscoll: That's a question that Investor's Business Daily asks in its "Issues & Insights" column: Read More [snipped quote] Exactly. |
Kathryn Jean Lopez: It's like Jonathan Adler-John Derbyshire synergy. |
Giant Lenin statue could return to Berlin streets Reuters — Permalink BERLIN (Reuters) - Left-wing Berlin senators want to reassemble a giant statue of Russian Communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin that was removed from the former eastern half of the city in 1991 shortly after German reunification. | |
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Damian Penny: Not dead enough — How quickly they forget... Left-wing Berlin senators want to reassemble a giant statue of Russian... |
Kathryn Jean Lopez: IDIOTS OUTLIVE THEIR USEFULNESS — Berlin politicians want to erect a statue to honor Lenin. |
Bolton Presents Credentials at U.N. By / AP — Permalink UNITED NATIONS - John Bolton presented his credentials Tuesday as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a job which will challenge him to work with diplomats from 190 nations in a place he has called irrelevant. The two exchanged greetings and then held a brief private meeting. | |
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MarkInMexico: Main Page John Bolton arrives at UN John Bolton presented his credentials Tuesday to Kofi Annan at the UN. |
Rich Lowry: Doesn't seem like it, according to this story an e-mailer just sent me: [quote] "He will be one of the key players because the...[end quote] |
Don't get into a lather over sweatshops Christian Science Monitor — Permalink SAN JOSE, CALIF. - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is pushing the city council to adopt an ordinance that forbids the use of municipal funds to purchase uniforms and other clothing made in "sweatshops." Across the country, colleges often adopt similar standards for clothing displaying their school logos. | |
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Arnold Kling: Sweatshop Wages are better than average wages, according to Benjamin Powell and David Skarbek. Their longer paper is here. |
Radley Balko: More Sweatshops, Please — Benjamin Powell and David Skarbek in the Christian Science Monitor: [snipped quote] This isn't surprising. |