The piece "Who Are Americans To Think That Freedom Is Theirs To Spread" by Michael Ignatieff in this week's New York Times Magazine demands comment. The article, from title to tag, presents a series of conclusions disguised as … [Read more...]

Another article in the Economist, this one about methamphetamines. This is not an issue one hears much about in New England, perhaps because we've got our own problems with heroin. But this is a huge issue all over America, especially rural … [Read more...]

As everyone knows by now, it turns out that Terri Schiavo's brain damage was catastrophic and irreversible.  In addition, she was blind, so what may have looked on a videotape like her eyes following visual stimuli was more likely the … [Read more...]

More clearing out of my backlog of things I wanted to comment on ... the backblog, if you will:Frederick Clarkson points us to the Commencement address at Oberlin College by William Schultz, class of '71 and Executive Director of Amnesty … [Read more...]

I've been meaning to blog this for weeks now, and in the midst of the Dean discussion, there's no time like the present. So here it is: Zack Exley of MoveOn.org wrote about how Labour's political aggressiveness keeps winning elections -- … [Read more...]

Here's a comment I posted on Kos:Dean's big weaknessIreally like Dean. Overall, I think his strategy of "the best defense isa good offense" is absolutely right on. But he needs to get smarterwhen it comes to religion -- and that … [Read more...]

In recent weeks, we've seen Howard Dean cause some consternation from those on the establishment wing of the Democratic party with some tart remarks, first about Tom DeLay (''[he] ought to go back to Houston where he can serve his jail … [Read more...]

From the NY Daily News gossip page, via Wonkette:I hear that Hip Hop Summit honcho Russell Simmons, a loyal Democrat, met in Washington yesterday with Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, but not with Democratic Party chief … [Read more...]

Dino Rossi, the guy who has redefined the term "sore loser," has failed to convince a Washington state trial judge that he should have been declared the winner in Washington's 2004 gubernatorial election.  So, unless the … [Read more...]

David Brooks has a really eye-opening column today about how France and the Netherlands' anti-Europe votes show that the continent is slouching towards Monte Carlo: Forgive me for making a blunt and obvious point, but events inWestern … [Read more...]