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A simple plan
When does a phrase represent the genesis of a truly new concept and when is it just a phrase? The idea of “effects based operations” or EBO has been touted as a shortcut the grinding methods of historical warfare. One definition of EBO is: The Joint Forces Command Glossary defines effects-based operations (EBO) as “a process [...]

The market for facts
The NYT describes a nonprofit called the Voice of San Diego whose main output is original facts — the core product of traditional journalism. “Here it is VoiceofSanDiego.org, offering a brand of serious, original reporting by professional journalists — the province of the traditional media, but at a much lower cost of doing business. Since [...]

Dropping out
The New York Times describes the rise of sharia law in the West, especially in Britain, where it is branching out into areas outside of family relationships. The conflict over British Shariah courts comes at a time when Islamic principles are being extended to other areas of daily life in Britain. There are now five wholly Islamic [...]

Stories
The word ‘rumor’ can refer to “a soft low indistinct sound” or “a statement or report current without known authority for its truth”. Here’s an interesting story from the Epoch Times — and it may be just a story — about how the West and Israel are trying to split Syria away from Israel in [...]

That’s Rich
The Chicago Tribune says, “President-elect Barack Obama would like to nominate former top Justice Department official Eric Holder Jr. to be his attorney general, and his transition team is now trying to gauge whether there is sufficient bipartisan support for him in the Senate, sources close to the transition confirmed Tuesday. … Holder, a well-regarded [...]

The Zogby Poll
The Zogby polling organization has been criticized for conducting a survey which indicates that an astounding level of ignorance among voters for the positions and factual circumstances of Barack Obama. Zogby defended its survey in a statement released to the press. Ninety-four percent of Obama voters correctly identified Palin as the candidate with a pregnant teenage [...]

The Trillion Dollar Men
An eight year old article from City Journal describes how activist and community organizations, plus banks eager to lend, turned the low cost mortgage scene into what it is today. (Hat tip: Hot Air) How many of us read the City Journal article in 2000 and how many recognized it’s import? As a mental exercise [...]

Ship of fools
Professor of finance David Yermack at the WSJ recalls when Michael Moore thought it was cool to diss the CEO General Motors. As always, Moore missed the point. Before Michael Moore became famous for documentaries like “Fahrenheit 9/11″ and “Sicko,” his first big success came in 1989 with “Roger and Me.” In that film, Mr. Moore [...]

Who was that masked man?
Iraqi interpreters working for Americans can no longer conceal their identities. The Washington Post reports: BAGHDAD - The U.S. military has barred Iraqi interpreters working with American troops in Baghdad from wearing ski masks to disguise themselves, prompting some to resign and others to bare their faces even though they fear it could get them killed. Many [...]

All the news that’s fit to print
Rupert Murdoch thinks the key to newspaper survival in the 21st century is the provision of “news you can trust”. He said people now were “hungrier for information that ever before” and that papers have an edge over bloggers and other newcomers because they are more trusted by readers. “Readers want what they’ve always wanted: a source [...]