Thursday, August 9, 2007

MotherJones.com | MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Joe Biden: Consider Criminal Charges Against Administration

MotherJones.com MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Joe Biden: Consider Criminal Charges Against Administration:

"The alternative, and it's taken me time to think through, I think we
should be acquiring and accumulating all the data that is appropriate for
possibly bringing criminal charges against members of this administration at a
later date."


I am actually disturbed to hear Biden say this, and while I was leaning towards voting for him, this raises doubts for me. What we need more than anything is a path forward, there is nothing that can undo the damages that have been done to Iraq. Tearing the nation apart in a trial, or an attempt to impeach as some are want to do, will not fix the problems. We need a strong piratical leader who can restore honor to the presidency. That is not going to happen in an on going war between the parties.

Barry Bonds breaks the record

Joe Biden

Romney and his sons give to the country

MotherJones.com | MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Republicans Flub the Facts at Iowa Debate

MotherJones.com MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Republicans Flub the Facts at Iowa Debate:

"-Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney falsely claimed U.S. job growth had been nearly 17 times faster than Europe's. Actually, European Union employment grew faster than that of the U.S. last year. Romney's source for the information told
FactCheck.org that he himself would no longer use the figures.
-Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani accused Democratic candidates of 'appeasement' toward Islamic terrorists. In fact, leading Democratic candidates have spoken out strongly against terrorism.
-Sen. John McCain claimed American families spend $140 billion of their income preparing federal income tax returns. We find no support for that figure, which the Internal Revenue Service puts at $19 billion.
-Rep. Tom Tancredo claimed illegal immigrants 'are taking a large
part of our health care dollars.' But the independent Rand Corp. estimates that
undocumented immigrants account for 1.5 percent of health care spending or
less."
Why do they think they can still get away with this?

'Daily Show' Mocks Kennedy for Opposition to Wind Farm | NewsBusters.org

'Daily Show' Mocks Kennedy for Opposition to Wind Farm NewsBusters.org:

"Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) earned the scorn of 'The Daily Show' on August 7.
Show reporter Jason Jones mocked the senator's opposition to a wind farm off
Nantucket Sound. With typical 'Daily Show' sarcasm and melodrama Jones remarked: 'It looked bad for the native population, until one man stood up ... Yes. Ted Kennedy – noted man from Nantucket and co-sponsor of dozens of renewable energy bills – took a stand—against the wind farms.' "


This is a project that has been stalled for a number of years now, and there is no logical reason for it not to go through. If you support renewable energy you should be willing to support it even if it is in your backyard. Which this project could hardly be claimed to be in his backyard. Later in the show, it is pointed out that you can't even see them from the shore.

MotherJones.com | MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Turkey, Iraq Unite in Opposition to PKK

MotherJones.com MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Turkey, Iraq Unite in Opposition to PKK:

"We found a mutual understanding with the Turkish side about the need to
co-operate to confront the activities of all terrorist organisations in Iraq,
including the PKK... There was agreement to unite our joint efforts to find a
solution that will end, eliminate, and cancel [the PKK's] presence on Iraqi
territory through shared action by both parties. "


While the government of Iraq appears to be weak at home, it is making some achievements with its neighbors. Both this agreement and the friendship with Iran are going to help Iraq with its transition and help the region to become more stable. If the surge continues to go well, I think that the troops should be able to pull out before there is a political solution on the ground in Iraq. They will find their own way, and our exit may make it easier for that to happen.

Better know a protectorate

Bears and Balls

Who is not a terrorist?

She is so hot....

Raw Video: Inside The Mine

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Iowa Republicans See Romney As Straw Poll Winner

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Iowa Republicans See Romney As Straw Poll Winner:

"With a week to go before the Iowa Republican Party's critical straw poll, an
informal survey of Iowa Republican Party leaders, conducted by Real Clear
Politics, shows high expectations for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Those high expectations of local party leaders could be a huge benefit, if
Romney meets them, or a painful negative should he fail. The numbers, and the
expectations for all the candidates, show a race that could dramatically change
on Saturday."


Romney is taking the lead in a lot of early elections, and while the straw poll has no official standing, it does indicate where voters are likely to fall in the primary. In recent polls, Romney has a strong lead in Iowa and a good standing in New Hampshire, it isn't until the South Carolina primary that he falls in the polls. The whole map of the primaries has changed with recent news of South Carolina moving up its primary, but early wins could help Romney in states he is trailing in now.

Michelle Malkin » Did Dick Durbin video to YKos violate Senate ethics rules?

Michelle Malkin » Did Dick Durbin video to YKos violate Senate ethics rules?:

"One might suggest that Durbin used official resources to produce the video and
then his campaign used that video. However, the Ethics manual makes it clear
that it should not be used for campaign or political activities: Official
resources may only be used for official purposes. This principle derives in
large part from 31 U.S.C. § 1301(a), providing that official funds are to be
used only for the purposes for which appropriated, as well as from statutory
authorizations for allowances. 418 It is thus inappropriate to use any official
resources to conduct campaign or political activities. (Senate Ethics Manual,
Chapter 6, Campaign Use of Official Resources, p 153)"


If this is the case, then something should be done to address this. There is something wrong with the idea of getting elected to office, and then using government money to stay there. The tax money of the federal government is not intended to be used to promote the campaigns of Senators or Congressional Representatives. The tax money of the federal government is intended to be spent on the American people and their interests. If there is a violation here, it is interesting that this happened at the same event where some were concerned about a soldier speaking out while in uniform.

Michelle Malkin » Mahamu Kanneh rearrested after escape attempt

Michelle Malkin » Mahamu Kanneh rearrested after escape attempt:

"Mahamu Kanneh, the accused Liberian immigrant child molester whose trial
was dropped after a judge claimed a translator could not be found, has been
rearrested. Kanneh, who resided in Gaithersburg, Md., was apprehended in
Philadelphia. The police say he tried to escape out a back door of the home
where he had apparently relocated. He had skipped out of a bond hearing. An
extradition hearing is pending. WaPo reports on the latest developments in this
continuing outrage:"


Maybe now justice will be served. Talk about botching up a trial, who ever had control of this case could give pointers to Mike Nifong on how to wreck a case. He was originally held in relation to the case, and released after it was said the court could not find a translator to work at his trial. News organisations were able to find one within a very short period though. Not that he needed a translator, turns out that he had graduated from an American High School, where he had taken his classes in english. I hope this time they lock him away for good.

Bush on the "19 kids" who attacked us on 9/11

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: Bush on the “19 kids” who attacked us on 9/11

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: Bush on the “19 kids” who attacked us on 9/11:

"Not just cringeworthy but factually wrong: many of them were in their mid-20s
and Atta, the ringleader, had just turned 33. Tammy Bruce is beside herself. I
don’t want to beat up on him too much since his larger point, about the need to
dismantle the Islamist death cult before it brainwashes more fanatics, is right
and just. But he’s awfully close to the line here of excusing them for what they
did. Absolving terrorists of their moral agency is the province of the left.
Let’s keep it that way."


People go over every word that the president says to the press to see what it might mean. They read his words like tea leaves to understand what his intentions are. The statement about the 19 kids that attacked us on 9/11 gives them plenty of fuel. While there are a number of ideas why he made the statement he did, and why he choose the words he did, could it have all just been a slip of the tongue? I am usually slow to read into things, when there is little information, I see no reason to believe there is some hidden message in his statement.

Michelle Malkin » The Maliki/Ahmadinejad photo-op

Michelle Malkin » The Maliki/Ahmadinejad photo-op:

"Wednesday, Maliki held private talks on security with Ali Larijani, head of
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, followed by a photo-op showing him
hand in hand with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and a meeting with supreme
leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also discussed plans for Iran to build a power
station in Baghdad’s Shiite Sadr City district and supplies of 400,000 tons of
kerosene and liquid gas"


I think that a friendship between Iran and Iraq could be the greatest force of stability in the region and could work towards many of the same goals that the Bush administration has worked for. Together they hold a lot of power over the fate of the middle east, and they contain a lot of strength. If the friendship was strong enough, it might give Iran enough security to step back from the nuclear show down that has the west on edge. The last period of stability in the region was during the time when these two powers were in a long cold standoff with each other. A bond of friendship could be the foundation for closer bonds throughout the whole region.

At the end of World War II, who would have guessed that the European Union would be formed the way it has. Perhaps Iran and Iraq could become the core of a similar new alignment of power in the middle east.

Michelle Malkin » NYTimes blogger: Let’s play terrorist!

Michelle Malkin » NYTimes blogger: Let’s play terrorist!:

"I’m sure many readers have far better ideas. I would love to hear them.
Consider that posting them could be a form of public service: I presume that a
lot more folks who oppose and fight terror read this blog than actual
terrorists. So by getting these ideas out in the open, it gives terror fighters
a chance to consider and plan for these scenarios before they occur."


It seems as equally silly to me that the department of defense would need someone to tell them how terrorist might attack America, as it does the terrorists need ideas. It is an interesting exercise though, and I am not buying into the hype that this is going to be used as a tool by terrorists. The fact that these ideas are posted on the internet for the whole world to see, means that it would be dangerous to pull one of them off. There would be a lot of concern that someone would guess your plan, and catch you.

Countdown: Worst Person August 8, 2007

Democracy Now Headlines- Wed. Aug 8, 2007

CINDY SHEEHAN RUNNING FOR CONGRESS! AGAINST PELOSI!

Another Debate About Women in the Blogosphere - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime

Another Debate About Women in the Blogosphere - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime

I think this is a pointless debate. While I don't know what the balance of males/females in the blogosphere is, does it matter. When I am reading a blog, it is the content that matters to me more than anything else. Often I am not aware of the gender of the blogger until I have read it for some time.

Secondly, what is to be done about this problem. The blogosphere is the most free form of communication that has been invented yet. If there are less womyn, then it is by their own choosing. I venture to guess that men and womyn think differently, and that might have something to do with why more males would take to blogging (if that is the case).

Why are we talking about this?

The Problem With The DLC - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime

The Problem With The DLC - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime:

"With President Bush and the Republican Party on the rocks, many Democrats
think the 2008 election will be, to borrow a favorite GOP phrase, a cakewalk.
Some liberals are so confident about Democratic prospects that they contend the
centrism that vaulted Democrats to victory in the 1990s no longer matters. The
temptation to ignore the vital center is nothing new. Every four years, in the
heat of the nominating process, liberals and conservatives alike dream of a
world in which swing voters don't exist. Some on the left would love to pretend
that groups such as the Democratic Leadership Council, the party's leading
centrist voice, aren't needed anymore."


I think that if there is only one word that could describe this election, it is Iraq. Americans are unhappy about the war, and the way that the war has been fought. Going into office with the belief that Americans are strongly supporting the Democratic party is a bad idea. One because I think that Americans don't support the Democrats as much as they oppose the Republicans. It will only take a few years for the shadow of Iraq to fade in peoples minds. If the party has not reached out to Americans in those years, the public could just as easily swing back towards the Republicans.

Rudy Won't Answer Faith-Based Abortion Questions, Promotes Drug War - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime

Rudy Won't Answer Faith-Based Abortion Questions, Promotes Drug War - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime:

"'I believe that things about my personal life should be discussed personally
and privately,' he said, adding that his personal life is relevant only to the
extent that it would affect his performance in office."


What I don't think Rudy understands is that he wants us to elect him to the most powerful office in the country. The most powerful leader in the world arguably. There are parts of his private life that I agree do not need to be a part of the public record. However if he wants to be trusted with power, Americans want to know who he is. They want to know what kind of person he is, and how he is going to handle power if he gets into office. There are things you just don't know about a person, until you understand more about their private life. Open up Rudy.

Hey, Netroots! How About Driving The Conversation On Iraq? - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime

Hey, Netroots! How About Driving The Conversation On Iraq? - TalkLeft: The Politics Of Crime:

"No matter the trend, and no matter the cause, I still think that this
holds an important lesson for the progressive blogosphere: we still have the
ability to drive the conversation on the 2008 Democratic primary. It was through
the combined efforts of the progressive blogosphere that Clinton ended up going
on record defending lobbyists. Once that happened, her comment received
extensive news coverage, and has now been used as an avenue of attack by both
the Obama and Edwards campaigns. During it all, we discussed the incident with
our large, primary voting readerships."


I won't get into the details of if this was something that was pushed forward by the netroots or not, but I do want to address the lobbyist issue that Clinton raised. She made a very strong and valid point in her answer. There are lobbyists for oil and health care companies and the auto industry. There are also lobbyists for the environment, lobbyists for civil rights issues and a even third world poverty. I don't think that there is any thing wrong with lobbyists as a profession and I think that it is easy to demonise them because their position has been abused in the past.

What I heard in her answer was that you have to understand this the groups or companies that hire lobbyists have a right to address congress. Her answer was getting at the fact that you can't just attack lobbyists as a group for the power that they have. Lobbyists play an important role in our democracy, maybe it is a role that should be limited, but I don't think it can be eliminated.

I think that it is easy and popular to attack lobbyists, and it shows Clinton's strength that she didn't take the easy path.

The Strata-Sphere » Blog Archive » Yemen, Another Front In The War On Terror

The Strata-Sphere » Blog Archive » Yemen, Another Front In The War On Terror:

"Osama Bin Laden’s ancestrial homeland is one of the fronts in the war on
terror, and news is out today they have had a noteworthy success in fighting the
al-Qaeda forces in their midsts. From the details in the story it seems the
intel on al-Qaeda is growing and exposing these leaders and cells. We had a
similar success this week in Iraq. My gut tells me more and more Muslims are
turning against al-Qaeda and turning them into authorities. As Iraqis stand up
and swear oaths on the Koran to destroy al-Qaeda, they are setting an example
and sending a message to the broader Muslim world that al-Qaeda’s bloody view of
Islam can be rejected. "


Could it be that the Muslim community in Iraq turning against terror is providing an example to other Muslims around the world that they can also turn on terror. It might be unconnected events, or it could be a signal of a weakening of the centrally controlled terror networks.

If we can promote peace, justice, democracy in Iraq, then it will be easier to share that idea with other peoples in the region.

The Strata-Sphere » Blog Archive » Senate Democrats Declare Surge Successes

The Strata-Sphere » Blog Archive » Senate Democrats Declare Surge Successes:

"One senator said U.S. troops are routing out al-Qaida in parts of Iraq. Another
insisted President Bush’s plan to increase troops has caused tactical momentum.
One even went so far on Wednesday as to say the argument could be made that U.S.
troops are winning. These are not Bush-backing GOP die-hards, but Democratic
Sens. Dick Durbin, Bob Casey and Jack Reed. Even Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of
the Senate Armed Services committee, said progress was being made by soldiers."


Looks like the trend is developing towards the idea that we are making real progress in the ground in Iraq. I hope that this is the case, if we can win in Iraq, it will be a strength in the region and it will be an ally to America in the war against terror.

Gates of Vienna: Voting With Their Feet

Gates of Vienna: Voting With Their Feet:

"Britain is facing a mass exodus of people looking to escape the crime and grime
of modern living. The country’s biggest foreign visa consultancy firm has
revealed that applications have soared in the last seven months by 80 per cent
to almost 4,000 a week. Ten years ago the figure was just 300 a week. Most
people are relocating within the Commonwealth — in Australia, Canada and South
Africa. They are almost all young professionals and skilled workers aged 20-40.
And many cite their reason for wanting to quit as immigration to these shores —
and the burden it is placing on their communities and local authorities. The
dearth of good schools, spiraling house prices, rising crime and tax increases
are also driving people away."


Is this the reflection of the same movement of people from city centers to the suburbs to flee developing crime and urbanisation? What does it mean for the countries that they are leaving, the countries they are relocating to and the poor people moving from low income countries.

Daily Kos: The Economist: Republicans in Big, Big Trouble

Daily Kos: The Economist: Republicans in Big, Big Trouble:

"-40% of Republicans think that Democrats will win the next presidential
election, compared with only 12% of Democrats who think the reverse
-Q2 money to the Democratic presidential contenders nearly doubled that
given to the Republican contenders
-As has been frequently mentioned by Markos, the DSCC and D-Trip are vastly
outraising the NRSC and NRCC
-61% of Democrats are happy with our choices of candidates, while only 36%
of Republicans can say the same
-Young voters and Hispanic voters are trending overwhelmingly Democratic
-Registered Democrats and Democratic-leaners are now 50% of the population,
while registered Republicans and Republican-leaners only comprise 35%--a strong
swing from an equal 43%-43% tie in 2002"


These statistics that come from The Economist, which is a conservative leaning magazine, are not good news for the republican party. It looks like the party might lose the White House in 2008. If there is any one thing I would point to for why they are falling in the polls, it would be lack of connection. They have rested in their assumed power to deeply and have not been communicating their ideas to new voters.

Crooks and Liars » McCain Loses To Everyone in Iowa…Including Democrats

Crooks and Liars » McCain Loses To Everyone in Iowa…Including Democrats:

"UI political scientists note that McCain has been passed in popularity not
only by former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., who earned 5.2 percent support, but
also by a Democratic challenger, Obama, who is supported by 6.7 percent of
Republicans"


This is really bad news if this poll is to be trusted. I think it is great that he is still in the race adding his ideas, but it is almost certain he is going to lose now.

Crooks and Liars » Mike Gravel Explains His Absence

Crooks and Liars » Mike Gravel Explains His Absence:

"I’m the first one to admit I was tickled by Gravel’s straightforward,
non-politician speaking at the first debate, a refreshing change from the
carefully crafted dodges and spin the other candidates made. But I’m not sure
what to make of some of his actions now. Gravel did not appear at the AFL-CIO
Democratic Candidate Debate last night, for which he was quick to accuse the
AFL-CIO of not inviting him, but later admitted that his campaign had not turned
in the necessary paperwork in time. He speaks with Contessa Brewer of MSNBC of
that and his refusal to be discouraged by his “third tier” contender status."


In case you were wondering where Gravel was during the last Democratic debate.

Who Is... 2008 Democratic presidential candidates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2008 Democratic presidential candidates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

John Edwards, born June 10, 1953, in South Carolina, former U.S. Senator from North Carolina, candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2000 and 2004 Democratic vice-presidential nominee. As a presidential candidate, Edwards was famed for his populist message in his 'Two Americas' speech and also for his optimistic, positive attitude. This was evidenced by his refusal to attack his opponents. In the primaries, Sen. Edwards had strong come-from-behind showings in the crucial states of Iowa, Oklahoma, Virginia, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Georgia. He also won the North Carolina caucus and the South Carolina primary. Edwards has kept his Federal Leadership PAC, the One America Committee, active to help Democrats across the nation win elections in the future. On February 5, 2005, Edwards spoke at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's fundraising dinner. On August 18, 2005, Edwards traveled to Waterloo, Iowa, to deliver an address to the Iowa AFL-CIO, a potential key supporter in the Iowa caucus. On December 26, 2006, Edwards formally announced his candidacy.

Captain's Quarters

Captain's Quarters: The Raid Hotline In Southern California

"A coalition of local immigrant rights groups, including the Orange
County Alliance for Immigrants Rights and the Front Against the Raids, announced
a planned program to create a hot line that will notify people where and when
immigration raids will take place. The program would also coordinate a support
system for the families of deportee targets.
'We want to have a more organized effort to counter these attacks,' said Jaime Conteras, a 20-year-old Filipino immigrant who now lives in Santa Ana. 'We cannot let people trample on our rights.'"

While I understand their concerns, I think that this is the wrong way to address those concerns. The only point that you make when you break the law, is that you have little concern for the rule of law as a concept. A democracy means that you have the right to be active in government, and you have to right to speak out when you think your rights are being threatened. There is no right in a democracy to violate laws that you disagree with. I think that criminal charges should be brought against these people if they are caught.

Captain's Quarters

Captain's Quarters: The Christmas Caucus?

"The race for states to gain more influence in the primaries has intensified in
South Carolina. In a decision that may give a 2007 start to the 2008 primary
race, the state has bumped the Republican primary to January 19th, which may set
off a domino effect that could push the Iowa caucus into the Christmas season."


I think the easiest solution for this is a rotating regional primary. Divide the country into regions, and have every state in that region have their primary on the same day. Then two weeks later the next region has their primary. Every election cycle a different region could be rotated to the front of the list to assure that no state or region got more attention than the others.

Progressives For Racist Smears? (Update: Progressive Wises Up A Little Late)

Captain's Quarters: Progressives For Racist Smears? (Update: Progressive Wises Up A Little Late)

"It doesn't take long for provocateurs to crawl out of the woodwork to attack
candidates, especially in stealth attacks. With Fred Thompson, they've
apparently started before he officially enters the race -- and in one case, race
is the operative word. Apparently hoping to confuse web surfers looking for
Fred's website at www.imwithfred.com, a new site has appeared at
www.imwithfred2008.com -- only this site welcomes people to the Ku Klux Klan,
'Bringing a Message of Hope and Deliverance to White Christian America!' It
includes links to a variety of disgusting racist sites."


One this is juvenile. Two this is going to back fire, because it will give him cause to attack later. Not to mention what a great speech filler this story is going to be for him on the trail, if he ever actually runs. It would be so easy to go before a conservative audience with the message that the left fears him so much, they went to this length to attack him. Last point, it is all a waste, because I don't think he is even going to run.

Atlas Shrugs: CAIR AT THE BALLOT BOX

Atlas Shrugs: CAIR AT THE BALLOT BOX:

"'It's very noteworthy because not only does it reflect the changing
demographics, but it also shows that Muslim politicians can appeal to voters
outside their religious group,' said Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of
the Council on American-Islamic Relations. 'A Muslim can't be elected in
Hamtramck just by depending on Muslims alone supporting them.' "


Another missive in what is turning out to be the most racist website on the internet. Beware Americans that Muslims among us have garnered new powers. Not only can they live peaceful among us, but they can also be popular, and have good ideas. So much so of both, that they can actually be elected to office, and this might be the worst part. They are able to get non-Muslims to vote for them, shame.

Ok, honestly though, what is the threat here? This is blatant racism and demagoguery, and it is un-American at a deep level. There is no reason to believe that we should not trust these elected officials because they are Muslim, America is stronger than that. If we are to be stronger than the terrorists, we have to show them our ideas are stronger than theirs. Which is easy, because they are, our ideas of freedom, justice, equality, democracy and the value of the individual make us strong.

Atlas Shrugs: Muslim Footbaths....coming to a University near you

Atlas Shrugs: Muslim Footbaths....coming to a University near you:

"When pools of water began accumulating on the floor in some restrooms at the
University of Michigan-Dearborn, and the sinks pulling away from the walls, the
problem was easy to pinpoint. On this campus, more than 10 percent of the
students are Muslims, and as part of ritual ablutions required before their
five-times-a-day prayers, some were washing their feet in the sinks. "


Since when does accommodating someones special needs mean the end of the world is at hand? Right wing bloggers are screaming about how this is a violation of church and state. That by placing these accommodations in the restroom they are supporting the Muslim faith. I don't think that is any more true than to argue that they are supporting the bad diets of their students by placing candy machines in study areas. This is a blind attack by members of the left, for reasons I am not sure of. Even the issue of money is mute, because the money will be saved by not making repairs to sinks, or having standing water on the floor. While they argue a double standard, I think that also fails, it isn't a double standard to prevent someone from spreading a message or religion via music (example used on site) or other media, and assisting another person to practice theirs. There is no out reach, this is not an attempt to convert others to Islam, it is just an attempt to make the students who do believe life a little easier and safer.

Besides haven't you ever wanted to wash your feet in public - I have. Hot day you just want to cool down your feet, rinse off the sweat and grime a little. Any of the students could use them to wash their feet, Muslim or not - which might be the final reason it should be allowed.

American Thinker: A Turkish Solution in Iraq?

American Thinker: A Turkish Solution in Iraq?:

"There is a fallback option to a perfect democracy in Iraq. That is the
Turkish solution, which has worked in other countries, beginning with Kemal
Ataturk's aggressive reforms in 1923. That is for the Army to become the
guarantor of electoral governments. Turkey is riven by many political and
religious factions, from modernizers and to open reactionaries. In the last
election some 50 parties fielded slates, but only three made it over the 10
percent threshold into parliament. It is Ataturk's Turkish Army that has
consistently been the most unifying and modernizing national force for eight
decades. And by having a universal draft for young males, the modernizers have
exercised great influence to bring the former Ottoman Empire into a mixed
system, with a strong element of electoral legitimacy. "


Maybe in Iraq it would be better to put together a unified army to keep the politicians in line, than to put together a government of unified politicians to keep the army in line. Would Iraq have a stronger chance at democracy if it followed the Turkey model.

Gay News From 365Gay.com

Gay News From 365Gay.com:

"The agreement reached between the two sides to end the legal action gives PFOX
the same access given to other groups and says the group can submit fliers for
distribution to middle and elementary school students if it wishes.
A PFOX spokesperson said it is not planning on targeting younger students at this time. "


Should this group be granted the same rights as other groups in access to campus? If there is a group on campus like the Gay,Straight Alliance that has access, should this group also be given access?

On the one hand you have a group that is promoting an idea that most professionals claim to be very dangerous. It is believed that pushing these ideas on people can result in them being depressed, violent and even suicidal. Doctors will tell you that their methods are dangerous and should not be trusted.

On the other hand you have religious groups that believe that they are trying to save people from their sins. They think that they doctors and the research are biased and a part of the gay agenda in America. They would argue that clubs that allow young people to be pressured into an alternative lifestyle are the ones who are putting our children at risk.

I wanted to get into this a little deeper than I normally do because there is a larger point here. It is the same conflict that just a couple years ago we couldn't imagine, but now is rampant. When you look at evolution, a theory that has been proven in every test that has been done. When you look at issues like Global Warming, or treating young womyn so they don't die of cancer and a growing number of other disputes. What you see is that more and more often, science which is based on what can be tested and proven is being forced to compete on a level playing field with religion.

When doctors say that they have found a cure for a cancer that could save the lives of countless womyn, groups on the right cry out against it. They come out with their claims that since this disease is a sexually transmitted disease, to treat womyn to protect them from it will encourage them to have sex. The science of health is forced to sit down at the table, with the believe in total control of a young persons sexuality as if they are equals, they are not. Religious ideas, or religious fears do not provide proof that womyn are more likely to have sex if treated to prevent cancer, but the idea is given equal weight with the proven idea that not treating them will cause many of them to die.

There is a place for religion in our society, but some in this country seem bent on allowing it to take over all areas of public life. When you tell them that studies and science are against them, they counter that is because they are biased. Since religion is founded on a belief which cannot be proven wrong, those that attempt are easily labeled as biased and haters of the faith. Science on the other hand is based on what can be proven, on the concept of trying to prove it wrong. It isn't enough that people believe that being gay is wrong, or that it can be treated, not for science, but it is for religion. Should we treat the groups the same when they clearly have different standards.

Rudy's Hiding The Truth - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth

Rudy's Hiding The Truth - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth:

"Then last weekend Team Rudy, angry over Ms. Hanover's refusal to agree to a
joint gag order, unleashed a series of first-strike assaults. Via leaked court
papers, the mayor's associates revealed that Mr. Giuliani is impotent as the
result of treatment he's had for prostate cancer. The tabloids were full of
stories about ''Rudy's secret sorrow,'' explanations on why Viagra won't help,
how cuddling was still an option.
The idea was apparently to win sympathy for the mayor, who lost the marital high ground back when he announced his separation at a press conference before he told his wife. His lawyer, Raoul Felder, assured people that his client had no reservations about the strategy.
Besides the impotence -- which the mayor hopes will be temporary -- the
revelations included claims that Ms. Hanover didn't lend a hand when he was sick
from his cancer treatments, and that she disturbed him with her early morning
workouts. (''At 5 a.m. she started with the machines, with the exercising,''
said Mr. Felder.) "


When Giuliani was running against Hilary for the Senate, he dropped out claiming that it was because of his cancer. It was probably because he knew he couldn't win with this kind of news in the press. The problem is that it hasn't gone any where, he couldn't win then, and at the end of the day I don't think he will win now.

Fred "God Hates Fags" Phelps to protest funerals of victims from bridge collapse - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth

Fred "God Hates Fags" Phelps to protest funerals of victims from bridge collapse - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth:

"The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., plans to stage protests at
funerals of victims of the 35W bridge collapse to state that God made the bridge
fall because he hates America, and especially Minnesota, because of its
tolerance of homosexuality.

The church and its pastor, the Rev. Fred Phelps, have become notorious over recent years for their claim that the attack of 9/11 was an act of God's vengeance and their determination to make that case at the funerals of U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq."


How does one stray so far from a god of love, that Jesus taught about, that Paul taught about, that countless throughout history have experienced, to this. While he is the object of scorn and hatred for many, I feel bad for him. I know that the amount of hatred that he has in his soul must either come from a deep pain, or is causing him deep pain. Hatred rarely hurts the hated as much as the person who hates.

You've Got To Be Kidding - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth

You've Got To Be Kidding - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth:

"Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five
sons' decision not to enlist in the military, saying they're showing their
support for the country by 'helping me get elected.'"


First of all I want to say that I think he makes a good point about his children's choices regarding the war. He is taking a similar path that Giuliani has taken when his children are brought up. Basically, while it might sound like an attempt to avoid the question, they have pointed out that their children are adults and able to make their own choices. I can respect that, I think that Giuliani has used this well to his credit.

What is really a load of crap though, is the talk about how his children are serving their country by helping him get elected. Granted, they are serving their country, by being a part of Romney's campaign. When you discuss the service of a soldier in one sentence then the service of a campaign assistant in the next you have to expect that people will get upset. It would have been better if he had left it at allowing his children to make their own choices.

Pry it out of my cold, dead, tiny little hands - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth

Pry it out of my cold, dead, tiny little hands - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth:

"Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett released a statement Wednesday afternoon on the
shooting.

'It's despicable. It's sickening. A 6-year-old is lying in a hospital bed right now recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered at the hands of a 3-year-old. Why were these kids unattended at 10 at night? How did they have access to a gun, an illegal gun? We are talking about children here; children who are in very real, very immediate danger because of illegal guns. If this doesn’t compel people to open their eyes to the epidemic of violence caused
by illegal guns, I don’t know what will,' Barrett said."


A couple months ago, Bill O'Reilly and Geraldo got into a debate about a fatal accident that involved a drunk driver that was an illegal alien. At the time, Geraldo pointed out that it wasn't a matter of the driver being illegal, the problem was that he was drunk and he was driving. While I think that gun control is important, I think the same could be said about this case. It is sad that this event happened, but the nature of the legality of the fire arm really isn't the problem.

The problem is that you have children that have been left alone with a loaded gun. That is the problem that caused this shooting. If you think about the gun, it could have been a legal fire arm, and it would have been just as dangerous to leave it alone with children. Unless you can connect the legality of the gun, in some way to this tragedy - a way in which a legal gun wouldn't have been connected, I don't buy it.

VoteVets.org on Hardball to Discuss Senator Clinton

Good God Mitt Romney Sucks - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth

Good God Mitt Romney Sucks - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth:

"'He's been a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly,' Romney
adviser Mike Murphy told the National Review in 2006."


What voters are going to want to know is this, was he pretending then, or is be pretending now. Why should he be trusted?

New Poll: Iraqis Oppose Oil Privatization | Air America Radio

New Poll: Iraqis Oppose Oil Privatization Air America Radio:

"A new poll has found that 52 percent of Kurds, 66 percent of Shi’ites and 62 percent of
Sunnis are in favor of government control over the oil sector. Eric Leaver, of
the Washington, DC-based Institute for Policy Studies, a non-profit think tank
that helped pay for the poll, said, “you have a question that’s of vital
importance to the future of the country. Most of the Iraqi budget comes from the
development and sale of Iraqi oil and here we have arguably one of the largest
questions that’s going to be decided for the future of Iraq being done without
any citizens’ consultation or input.”"


Even under the best of situations the nationalization of oil is a questionable idea. The very fact that so much money is involved is the very reason that the government of Iraq should not control it. In the best of situations there is the concern that the government could abuse the power that control of the oil would provide. Inside an Iraqi government the control of oil would mean that whatever office or agency that managed it would be very powerful.

Iraq is not a stable country and it has a weak government, if it is going to get the most out of its oil resources, private firms will do a better job. If a Sunni gets control of the oil, is that person going to hire anything but Sunni's for jobs in the oil industry. Would promotions inside the industry be based and skill or on religious affiliation. A private company would have as its interest of promoting the people who would do the best job. Politics inside Iraq as they are now, point to the suggestion that promotions would not be based on merit.

The oil is too important to be just another political point, or tool in the game.

Best Night Ever

John Travolta

Kate Hudson Does Harper’s Bazaar | Allie Is Wired - The Entertainment Blog


Kate Hudson Does Harper’s Bazaar Allie Is Wired - The Entertainment Blog

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