Monthly Archives: February 2008

John Hagee, McCain and Catholic voters

Posted on February 29, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

You have to wonder what John McCain thinks he is "playing at."  He accepted a public endorsement from a man who wrote that the Catholic Church Is an "apostate church," this, evidently on the basis of the learning acquired at … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Politics, Religion | 41 Comments

Turkey, Hadith and the Gate of Ijtihad

Posted on February 28, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"According to Fadi Hakura, an expert on Turkey from Chatham House in London, Turkey is doing nothing less than recreating Islam – changing it from a religion whose rules must be obeyed, to one designed to serve the needs of … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion | 22 Comments

“Muqtada and the Mahdi” Part Two by Amatzia Baram

Posted on February 27, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

Download muqtadah_and_the_mahdi.doc

Posted in Current Affairs, Politics, Religion | 34 Comments

Agitprop not done here.

Posted on February 26, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

Just a reminder, there will be no "Ad Hominem" attacks published here whether they are against me or someone else.  Civility rules.  If I break the rule, remind me. Lately we have had a wave of such attacks delivered by … Continue reading →

Posted in Ukraine Crisis | 38 Comments

Kristol on Obama

Posted on February 25, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"But that clearly isn’t what she was talking about. For as she had argued in the Wisconsin speech, America’s illness goes far beyond a flawed political process: “Barack knows that at some level there’s a hole in our souls.” This … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 71 Comments

But, was the Mahdi consulted?

Posted on February 23, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"On Friday, Iraqi and U.S. officials viewed the extension of the cease-fire as emblematic of Sadr’s political evolution. With the passage of a law last week that calls for provincial elections, they said, Sadr believes his movement could win against … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Politics, Religion | 25 Comments

“The Collective Memory of a People” Serbia This Time

Posted on February 22, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

“In Serb-dominated northern Kosovo, demonstrators waved Serbian flags and chanted “Kosovo is ours!” Police tried to keep protesters off the Kosovska Mitrovica bridge over the Ibar River. The bridge, which divides Kosovo Serbs from ethnic Albanians, has long been a … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 29 Comments

Obama is for Children

Posted on February 21, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

David Brooks is not my favorite columnists but I think he is right "on it" with this peroration. Obamamania is just that, "mania."  It is the historical equivalent of the economic hysteria that lead to such phenomena as the Dutch … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 87 Comments

Reuel Gerecht, man of many faces?

Posted on February 20, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"Critics of any discussions might respond that the Iranians might say yes, but to only low-level talks in Switzerland, not in Washington and Tehran. In so doing, the mullahs could bind the United States to meaningless, stalling discussions while the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 17 Comments

A “Devine” case of Special Pleading

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"Admittedly, the CIA has suffered greatly in recent years primarily because of policy shortfalls and leadership issues. But no one should underestimate the quality of its staff, its foreign ties and its unique capabilities, which are the cornerstone of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 21 Comments