Current Events Archive
July 13, 2008
You Know, Ummm, Ahhh
Finally, a coherent explanation of the differences between President Bush and John McCain's economic policies: Here is John Amato's rough transcription, with a little editing by me, of Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina explaining that difference to Wolf Blitzer,...Read all of "You Know, Ummm, Ahhh"
Posted by Duane Smith at 6:59 PM
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July 5, 2008
Selective Quotation
Yesterday I noted a common misquotation of Mark Twain that Barach Obama perpetuated. Ed Brayton at Dispatches From the Culture Wars points out a rather glairing omission from a Thomas Jefferson quotation. This time President Bush "forgot" to say "under...Read all of "Selective Quotation"
Posted by Duane Smith at 1:50 PM
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June 12, 2008
Habeas Corpus, What a Concept
By a five to four margin, the Supreme Court of these United States upheld the constitutional privilege of habeas corpus for you and the detainees at Guantanamo. I just can't imagine why the ruling wasn't unanimous. It does show how...Read all of "Habeas Corpus, What a Concept"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:18 PM
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June 9, 2008
Bill Moyers at the National Conference for Media Reform
If you haven't heard this, please listen to it. If you have heard it, why not listen to it again?...Read all of "Bill Moyers at the National Conference for Media Reform"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:57 AM
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May 28, 2008
Campaigning and Propagandizing
Juan Cole at Informed Comment begins his post on Scott McClellen's forthcoming book, What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception, with these words, Former White House press spokesman Scott McClellan has come to the realization...Read all of "Campaigning and Propagandizing"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:31 AM
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May 14, 2008
Faith, Hope, Change and Pandering
John Hobbins may like being pandered to but I sure don't (like him being pandered to). I understand why Barack Obama is running ads that say things like, "My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray...Read all of "Faith, Hope, Change and Pandering"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:29 PM
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April 9, 2008
Global Warming for the Drinking Classes
If this The Sun article doesn't raise consciousness, I don't know what will. CLIMATE change could send the price of beer rocketing because it might hamper the production of a key grain needed for the brew, a scientist has warned....Read all of "Global Warming for the Drinking Classes"
Posted by Duane Smith at 12:30 PM
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March 28, 2008
The Mahdi Army in Basra
If you are interested in current happenings in Basra, and the whole of Iraq for that matter, check out today's post on Juan Cole's Informed Comment, Thoughts on the Middle East, History, and Religion. Cole provides news from Arabic language...Read all of "The Mahdi Army in Basra"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:37 PM
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March 23, 2008
US Airways Not Gun-shy
According to the Carolinas' News Connection, A US Airways pilot’s gun accidentally discharged during a flight from Denver to Charlotte Saturday, according to a statement released by the airline. The statement said the discharge happened on Flight 1536, which left...Read all of "US Airways Not Gun-shy"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:52 PM
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No One To Read The Ancient Writing
Among the things that struck me in the recent report of the discovery of a hitherto unknown Babylonian town in Iraq was this, He [head archaeologist Mohammed Yahya] added that his team has come across several cuneiform tablets but “there...Read all of "No One To Read The Ancient Writing"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:45 PM
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March 21, 2008
The New Attorney General As The President's Consigliere
Attorney General Michael Mukasey is concerned about "the scope and variety of potential terrorism threats.[CNN]" And somehow that is suppose to encourage Congress to turn their back on the Constitution and as a special bonus give retroactive immunity to the...Read all of "The New Attorney General As The President's Consigliere"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:01 PM
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February 21, 2008
Vandalizing Blogs Is Not A Sport
Because of the continuing saga I partially described the other day, I did not even look at the internet from about Monday evening until an hour or so ago. So I missed the vandalism against Jim West's blog as it...Read all of "Vandalizing Blogs Is Not A Sport"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:35 PM
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February 11, 2008
Obama and Clinton on 60 Minutes
Kevin Drum of Washington Monthly got this one right And speaking of the Democratic race, did you catch 60 Minutes tonight? Talk about a contrast. Barack Obama got quizzed by Steve Kroft, who conducted a fairly ordinary softball interview, while...Read all of "Obama and Clinton on 60 Minutes"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:38 AM
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January 28, 2008
What He Didn't Mention
I just finished listening to this President's last State of the Union Speech. There is a lot I might say about what he said, but for now, I am more interested in what he didn't say. He listed a number...Read all of "What He Didn't Mention"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:49 PM
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January 6, 2008
John Edwards and the Old Two Boy Strategy
Hillary Clinton is not my first choice for President. She is currently about second or third on my "why not the best?" list. But John Edwards is lower on my list and moving down. It this kind of cra stuff...
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Posted by Duane Smith at 12:33 PM
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December 27, 2007
Benazir Bhutto's Assassination and Presidential Politics
Paul Krugman sure got this one right, To all the presidential campaigns trying to claim that the atrocity in Pakistan somehow proves that they have the right candidate — please stop. This isn’t about you; in fact, as far as...Read all of "Benazir Bhutto's Assassination and Presidential Politics"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:40 PM
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November 29, 2007
Does Karl Rove Have Twain Syndrome?
Mark Twain' Autobiography has this little ditty on Twain's memory, When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any...Read all of "Does Karl Rove Have Twain Syndrome?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:04 AM
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November 6, 2007
In Which I Worry About the Election
No, not that election; the one held today. Locally we voted for members of the Community College School Board and the board of the Unified School District. I didn't think the community college board is much of a problem. I...Read all of "In Which I Worry About the Election"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:34 PM
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October 12, 2007
Congratulations Al Gore
Al Gore shares the Nobel Peace Prize with the IPCC and makes a nearly perfect statement. I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is even more meaningful because I have the honor of sharing it...Read all of "Congratulations Al Gore"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:49 AM
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October 7, 2007
Collateral Damage and a 2000 Year Old Culture
Nathaniel Deutsch, professor of religion at Swarthmore College, told the story in yesterday's New York Times. The United States didn’t set out to eradicate the Mandeans, one of the oldest, smallest and least understood of the many minorities in Iraq....Read all of "Collateral Damage and a 2000 Year Old Culture"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:29 PM
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August 13, 2007
"I Think We Got It Right"
If you are only going to watch one film clip in the next few days, watch this one from April, 1994. I have just one small question, "Why didn't the media show this over and over in early 2003? Via,...Read all of ""I Think We Got It Right""
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:28 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 5, 2007
The Land of the Watched and the Home of the Cowards
It was inevitable. The President got most of his way with the revised Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Political cowards joined those whose political agenda is to roll back the clock on everything, including liberty. If there is any good news...Read all of "The Land of the Watched and the Home of the Cowards"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:36 AM
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July 15, 2007
Foreign Fighters in Iraq
Based in data provided by "a senior US military officer" and "Iraqi lawmakers" the Los Angeles Times reported the follow breakdown of foreign fighters in Iraq: 45% from Saudi Arabia 15% from Syria and Lebanon 10% from North Africa. Juan...Read all of "Foreign Fighters in Iraq"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:04 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
July 7, 2007
The 23rd Psalm, a Stolen Credit Card and an Appearance Bond
If you don't get the relationship between these three things, you'll understand it when you read The Angry Astronomer or this AP article. Appalling! There's no other word for what you will read there. Every criminal needs to know his...Read all of "The 23rd Psalm, a Stolen Credit Card and an Appearance Bond"
Posted by Duane Smith at 4:14 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
July 4, 2007
Let Freedom Real Estate Ring!
A real estate broker working for a national real estate firm placed small flags in front of every house in an adjoining neighborhood. Why didn't he place them in our neighborhood? I'll tell you. I do not know but I'm...
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Posted by Duane Smith at 1:08 PM
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My 4th of July Wish List
What would it take to make me feel patriotic again? Ending the current aristocracy Returning to a government of laws and not men Telling the truth with regard to public matters Having people in government who believe in government Returning...Read all of "My 4th of July Wish List"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:46 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
June 23, 2007
What Department is President Bush In?
Well, the Vice President claimed that he was exempt from certain provisions of the amended executive order on Security Oversight because he is not technically a member of the executive branch of government! Cheney's office drew criticism Thursday for claiming...Read all of "What Department is President Bush In?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:13 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
June 19, 2007
More Special Pleading Against "Insults to Religion"
Two cases to consider: The film version of the Da Vinci Code film is to be investigated for allegedly breaking Italian obscenity laws more than a year after its release. The state prosecutor's office in Civitavecchia, 40 miles north of...Read all of "More Special Pleading Against "Insults to Religion""
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:10 PM
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June 13, 2007
Outrage to Action
Following posts at Afarensis and Northstate Science, I wrote a few words on the plight of the Hadza of northern Tanzania. Many others have also jumped in. I think Northstate Science has the best set of links. Well, the blogosphere...Read all of "Outrage to Action"
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June 11, 2007
A Place of Their Own
The obscenely wealthy desire even more at the expense of those who only desire what they have - a place to hunt and gather and life the only life they know or want. Christopher O'Brien at Northstate Science has a...Read all of "A Place of Their Own"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:12 AM
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