Welcome! This is an unapologetic, agenda-free zone. Just commentaries on current events that’ll move you to think, laugh, rage, and even cry.
It is an open secret that Democratic politicians in the US generally favor the Labor candidate for Prime Minister in British national elections. Nevertheless, respect for British sovereignty and the intelligence of the British people have always constrained Democratic politicians from expressing this preference openly (in the US or, perish the thought, the UK). (And,… Read more.
Yesterday, China and Japan elevated their schoolyard row to a high-stakes political chess game as their respective leaders met on neutral territory to solicit pawns for their cause. But before Chinese President Hu Jintao had a chance to make his first move on this world stage, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi check-mated him by making… Read more.
Pope Benedict XVI giving non-Catholics food for thought… News and Politics Read more.
Last February, Bill Cosby – America’s favorite TV Dad (and faithful husband) – escaped prison when prosecutors investigating allegations of sexual assault concluded they did not have sufficient evidence to convict him at trial, beyond a reasonable doubt. But no one thought that was the end of the story. Indeed, just over a month later… Read more.
[With apologies folks, this is very inside Washington stuff] Today, after almost two years of partisan bickering, the fractious members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee finally recommended the confirmation of President Bush’s judicial nominee – Judge Janice Brown – to the US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit. But a political confrontation of… Read more.
Good news from Africa…for a change: Africans are becoming model stewards of the most exotic wildlife, lush indigenous forests and complex freshwater and marine habitats in the world. And, they are doing so on their own initiative – without prodding from eco-crusaders like do-gooders from the World Wildlife Organization. Leading Africa’s new era of environmental… Read more.
Last week, lawyers for six prisoners detained at Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo), Cuba filed yet another lawsuit against the US government alleging more incidents of torture and abuse. Of course, this case will only fuel the hysteria surrounding government efforts to prevent another terrorist attack on America. Many Americans seem unaware that torture and police brutality… Read more.
The new infallible leader of the Holy Roman Catholic Church has decreed his name shall be Pope Benedict XVI. Unfortunately, the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany as Pope seems hardly inspired. Indeed, it may even be ominous. And, given his provocative political inclinations, Ratzinger’s election is much more than a matter between… Read more.
News media around the world lauded the armistice in the six year “Banana War” that was signed on 11 April 2005 by the United States and the European Union. But much of the reporting about this event glossed over the complex geo-political and economic relationships that fueled this conflict and ignored lingering issues that are… Read more.
The Cardinal’s sin by association… Today, Catholic Cardinals secrete themselves to elect a new Pope. But already we are being entertained by the machinations of the Judas Iscariots among them. Up until last weekend, many pontifical pundits were touting the holy merits of Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany and, thereby, making him the putative front runner.… Read more.
