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The current turmoil and bloodshed in Iraq makes this the most critical time for the future of the country – and for the Middle East – since the military invasion of a year ago. It is also the time of deepest division between Americans since the war, as reflected in …

We looked at the situation in Fallujah and the necessity of operating from a position of strength here. Now, who is Moqtada Al Sadr and what is he trying to do? Jeffrey White of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy gives some background: One of the great success stories …

The current struggle in Iraq proves that we can only successfully work from a position of strength. Due to our weak response to terror prior to 9/11, our enemies concluded that we are decadent and weak, care only for our own comfort, and – especially with our behavior in Somalia …

George Foreman – he of the many sons named George, various food preparation devices, big-ass clothing line, and storied boxing career – is also a preacher. Moving into spiritual mode, Foreman has a new 2-CD “audio package” out called Inspirations, described thusly: George combined his love of music with some …

The line between parody and homage is razor thin and is completely dependent upon attitude. It is difficult to maintain the ironic attitude necessary for parody. Without irony, parody becomes homage. Pop music is full of misunderstood parodies. Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The U.S.A.” is a bleak commentary upon the …

The Queer Eye franchise is expanding to include a new show to “fix” straight women: The women of America will soon have their chance to be criticized, stylized and lionized by a team of fashionable gay men. Cable television network Bravo on Wednesday said it will create a women’s version …

While the economy in general has been recovering for some time, the most tangible aspect of the health of the economy for most Americans is the employment situation. After a strong March, there is more good news: The number of people filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week …

Lawrence Lessig’s new book, Free Culture: How Big Media Uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity, is getting quite a bit of attention. We discussed it here yesterday, where you can also hear the entire book for free. Salon’s Farhad Manjoo takes a long look …

FactPack 2004 – data on the advertising and marketing industries from Ad Age – is available online here. Among the info is such interesting fare as the Top 25 U.S. advertisers: (in billions, followed by percent change from last year) 1 General Motors Corp. $3.65 8.5 2 Time Warner 2.92 …

The WHO launched a program calling for improved road safety throughout the world. I’d say that’s a noncontroversial aim – of course, note the usual guilt tripping of the developed world at the end: Road crashes are the second leading cause of death globally among young people aged five to …