The Diplomatic Times Review

Comments on the Death of Corretta Scott King

The Associated Press has "Comments by friends and admirers of Coretta Scott King, the widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., following her death on Tuesday," January 31, 2006. I offer condolences to the King family.

I think the best tribute the King children could pay to their mother is to publicly address questions surrounding alleged mismanagement at the "M.L. King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc." in Atlanta.

According to press reports, the children are also engaged in a dispute over the proposed sale of the King Center. If this is true, why not take the matter to binding arbitration?

The Race to Replace Tom DeLay as House Majority Leader

The Associated Press (AP) reported January 30, 2006 that, "In the race to replace scandal-scarred Representative Tom DeLay as House majority leader, one contender claims 120 votes, another boasts 90 and the third says he has about 50."

"They can't all be right, since the totals claimed by Republican Representatives Roy Blunt, John Boehner and John Shadegg far exceed the 232 lawmakers eligible to vote when the rank and file selects a new leader for an era of political peril," the AP said. See "Race To Replace DeLay Up In Air."

Mr. Bush's Upcoming State of Union Address

"A weakened George W. Bush faces the nation in his 5th State of the Union address beset by war fatigue, persistent discontent on the economy and other domestic issues, ethics concerns and rising interest in Democratic alternatives in this midterm election year," contends ABC News. See "Poll: Weak Ratings Confront Bush Ahead of State of Union."

According to The New York Times, Mr. Bush's speech has gone through 20 drafts. The paper quoted "William McGurn, the director of White House speechwriting," as saying: "It's never done until it's done." Why not just wing it?

Woodruff and Crew Knew the Risks of Reporting From Iraq

Bob Woodruff, co-anchor of ABC's "World News Tonight," and his crew knew the risks of reporting from Iraq. Yet, they probably were surprised to get hit by "a roadside bomb attack in Taji, north of Baghdad." Thankfully, Woodruff and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, a Canadian living in Paris, escaped with their lives despite injuries to the head and, in Woodruff's case, the shoulders. Hopefully there will be no brain damage.

If New Orleans Could Swap Status With an Iraqi City

Washington Post staff writer Linton Weeks contends in a January 28, 2006 article that: "It has been an especially disheartening week for the people of New Orleans as they struggle to rebuild." Why?

One reason is that, according to Weeks:

President Bush announced he would not support a popular plan for a government buyout of damaged houses. Word leaked that the White House had ignored e-mail warnings of Hurricane Katrina's potential danger in the 48 hours before the storm, including predictions of breached levees and massive flooding,

He noted that, "Administration officials said they would not provide information to a Senate inquiry into the government's response to the hurricane."

Since the administration seems to stonewalls on most things Congress asks for, why change now?

Also the administration wants money for war, not housing. If New Orleans could swap status with an Iraqi city the administration probably would buy those houses.

Now, I know billions supposedly have been earmarked for the Gulf Coast of the United States. That's well and good. But the question is: Who is getting it? Will it be the people of the Gulf Coast? Stay tuned.

Houston Reportedly Having Promlems With New Orleans Gangbangers

Alatheia Bryant and Roma Khanna of the Houston Chronicle reported January 28, 2006 , that "Houston police on Friday [January 27, 2006] identified 11 Hurricane Katrina evacuees as suspects in a string of homicides, robberies and kidnappings since November." They said the "wave of violence rooted in turf battles back in New Orleans," according to police.

See "New Orleans gang wars spill into area."

The Blogging Journalist

I've been spending more time than I should over at The Blogging Journalist, which was launched on December 23, 2005.

Since the site has successfully launched, is carrying advertising, and is rapidly gaining a worldwide following, I have no excuse for neglecting Opinion Gazette and Diplomatic Times Review readers. The goal is from now on is to put up a few posts here every day and refer you to posts at my other sites.

A Look at Canadian Election Results Through Blogs

If, like me, you are interested in what goes on among our neighbors to the north, here are a few Canadian blogs with coverage of the last nights Canadian election:(1) Progressive Blogger (2)The Blogging Tories (3) Liblogs (4) The Blogging Alliance (5) The Blogging Dippers

Note: The list was borrowed from CTV.ca. I hope they don't mind. Go on over there for a more complete list.

'GOP Has a Plan to Restrain Llobbying', But Will It Work?

Zachary Coile, a staf writer in the San Francisco Chronicle's Washington Bureau, reported January 18, 2006 that:

Republican congressional leaders, stung by charges of corruption and worried that influence-peddling scandals could hurt the party in November's elections, announced proposals they say will rein in lobbyists and check unscrupulous lawmakers.

The package is not finished, but GOP leaders said the party probably will attempt to ban lawmakers from accepting privately funded travel, more strictly limit gifts to members of Congress and their staffs, and force greater disclosure of lobbying activities.

Coile said, "The legislation also is expected to require lawmakers and senior staff members to wait two years after leaving office before they can lobby Congress, double the current waiting period."

I suspect this is just a stop gap measure. See "GOP has a plan to restrain lobbying..."

Gore Suggests Bush Broke the Law by Wiretapping Americans

Joe Gandleman over at The Moderate Voice reported January 16, 2006 that, "Former Vice President Al Gore has come out and flat declared what many Democrats, independents and some Republicans have suggested perhaps a bit more diplomatically: that President George W. Bush's unrepentant warrantless wiretapping broke the law and is part of a power-grab on the part of the executive branch — one that has sparked a constitutional crisis."

See "Gore Assails Bush Domestic Wiretapping As "Power Grab."