Thursday, July 24:

sherry clark: Will, You, Marri [and] Me The United States has once again declared war, but this time it is a war on basic human rights.

Ed Tubbs: Propositions against same-sex marriage: Is it blind faith, or blind hate, or are the two indistinguishable? Claims of reliance on biblical edict will have validity only once they also assert it is completely okay for a parent to burn his child alive, because God said so, or for daughters to get their father drunk, in order to have sex with him, or for a daughter to be stoned to death . . . Any holdings otherwise betray the stark truth: It's all just blind fear and hatred.

Wednesday, July 23:

Gustav Wynn: Lieberman At Hagee Conference: U.S. Should Attack Iran because God Hates Israel's Enemies (10 comments) On Tuesday Joe Lieberman went ahead with his speech for Rev. Hagee despite protest by 42,000 outraged Americans. Pandering to Christian fundamentalist end-timers who predict the annihilation of the Jewish people is part of God's plan, Lieberman stretched wildly the case for action against Iran, yet still hasn't offered evidence of any credible threat to U.S. interests.

William Cormier: We Know The Economy Is Crashing, So What Can We Do? (3 comments) The American economy is tanking faster than President Bush's approval ratings, and in order to save this nation, it's of tantamount importance to stop the financial bleeding and take steps to stabilize our economy before it's too late.

Ron Fullwood: Embracing Obama's Agenda Abroad Britain's Brown is the latest foreign leader to re-arrange his Iraq portfolio to accommodate views of the next U.S. president, Barack Obama.

Brent Budowsky: McCain Slanders Obama, Scarborough Slanders Olbermann (5 comments) the latest in a long list of cheap-shot, low-blow politics. McCain has learned nothing about why the American people are rejecting the Republicans and why the Republican brand has been compared to the appeal of defective dog food. This morning, right-wing former congressman Joe Scarborough essentially said that Keith Olbermann is "too stupid to be on television."

The AP has a Ron Fournier problem Just in case people might be wondering if it's common for objective political reporters to email partisan operatives off the record and behind the scenes, urging them to "keep up the fight," the answer is a resounding no. Because it violates the basic journalistic guideline of maintaining neutrality. Especially at the AP, that kind of correspondence should be considered breathtakingly inappropriate.

W. Christopher Epler (Bill): America for Americans -- not the Israeli lunatic fringe right wing. (2 comments) The Israeli lunatic fringe right wing has been the dog wagging the tail of American foreign policy even before the stolen year 2000 election. This coterie of multi millionaire and billionaire religious fanatics are NOT friends of allies of America! They see us as intimidated robots carrying out their self-obsessed agendas. Joe Lieberman is a case in point, betraying not only the Democratic Party, but also the soul of America.

Mike Malloy: Malloy: Coup de Foudre (2 comments) Will the Israelis and the Palestinians - at the sight of the Mighty Obama striding across the HOLY LAND - fall into each other's arms and shriek their mutual love and forgiveness and lower their eyes and whisper their shame at the way they've all been behaving for the past six goddam DECADES???? Huh? Will that happen?

What Obama missed in the Middle East Barack Obama's visit to Israel and Palestine this week seemed designed to appease pro-Israel groups in the US

Gary Wood: Briefing to the Iraqi National Congress In a founder's world our leaders would be preparing a briefing for the government of Iraq with specific guidance and proposals for a peaceful recovery from years of devastation. This column provides a glimpse of what that briefing may look like, being broadcast to all nations.

Mumia Abu-Jamal: The Outsider's Road Within When Obama speaks (especially in his post-primary incarnation) one hears a profound nationalism. He has spoken in the past of an American history that many of us know has never actually existed. It has forced him to denounce a man he once knew, admired and respected (here I speak, of course, of the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright) for making whites uncomfortable by speaking ugly truths about American history, at home and abroad.

Debt capitalism self-destructs The always outstanding Asia Times has another beautiful analysis on the failure of looter capitalism. You won't ever read any of this here in the Homeland as the big lie that capitalism and democracy are one and the same is the greatest taboo of them all. I long ago stopped wasting my time on the domestic corporate propaganda system and articles like this one are a great example why.

A Million Terrorists? Earlier this month the federal government added the millionth name to its "Terrorism Watch List" - and it may have been yours. Comprising just 16 names on September 11, 2001, this modern blacklist now functions as a catchall and cover for federal intelligence agencies. Since no one wants to be accused of overlooking a terrorist, bureaucrats have added names over the last seven years, to the tune of 20,000 a month

Lame-Duck Attorney General Wants New Declaration of War - and Takes Aim at the Constitution "Mukasey offered a multi-part plan to violate the Constitution. He demanded that Congress declare a new "armed conflict" (which is Bush-speak for a new declaration of war) that would give a president worldwide power to declare anyone a terrorist and hold the person forever - without ever charging anyone with a crime"

Morford: John McCain, please log on You know what's depressing and just a bit beyond sad? A serious presidential candidate—that is to say, yours—who thinks it's harmless that he's actually one of those guys who admits he's a complete Luddite when it comes to computers and, by extension, most every aspect of modern multimedia and technology, except perhaps the exact specs of the nuke required to annihilate Iran and/or take out a big pile of "gooks."

Lieberman praises pastor repudiated by McCain So, take THAT, constituents! Lieberman said he had been urged not to speak to Hagee's group, Christians United for Israel. "The bond that I feel with Pastor Hagee and each and every one of you is much stronger than that, and so I am proud to stand with you tonight," Lieberman told several thousand members of the group, which urges US support for Israel.

Ed Ciaccio: A Quiet Coup: Cheney/Bush's Steps To Martial Law The Democrats refused to contest either the 2000 or 2004 elections, despite glaring irregularities and violations of precedence. Democrats continue to vote for most of the Cheney/Bush agenda, both foreign and domestic. Most Democrats continue to vote funding for the illegal wars and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, refusing to question the sanity and legality of Bush's "Global War on Terror."

Jane Stillwater: Dear John: The only way to "win" in Iraq is to leave Poor sweet be-nighted John McCain! He thinks we are still trying to "win" in Iraq. That's old-school thinking. We already "won" back in 2003. Now the only way we can "win" is to leave and then see if the place falls apart without us or not. Or else send me over there and if I can walk down the street without getting kidnapped, killed or sold into prostitution, then that's a victory right there. And THEN we can leave!

Milbank: Oops! We Did It Again. The anxiety, even for men with two or three stars on each shoulder, was to be expected. They had come before a House Armed Services subcommittee to explain why, 16 months and at least eight fact-finding investigations after the Walter Reed scandal, the Army still hadn't fixed the health-care system for soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Scott Horton: The Misdirection Many of the torture techniques encompassed in the Bush Administration’s “Program” were in active use before the first OLC memo was sought. These memos were not prepared to dispense advice because the green light was already lit. Rather, they were made to order after the fact, to furnish a “golden shield” against criminal prosecution.

Exposing Bush's historic abuse of power This seems to be a breakthru on holding the Republicans accountable. Please read and comment after you search through some of the names. It speaks of a second Church Commission.

Lawrence Velvel: Zbigniew Brzezinski, Lawrence Wilkerson, And Barack Obama On Afghanistan. Two Washington insiders express concerns over Obama's position on Afghanistan.

Kevin Gosztola: The Erosion of Thinking (5 comments) How Americans Restrict the Discussion for Political Change and Why We Will Never Take Back America Until We Broaden the Debate

David Swanson: Miller v. Forbes: Virginia's Fourth Congressional District A race to get involved in, no matter where you live!

Never Underestimate McCain, But The last Democratic landslide was 1964. Regardless of that history, McCain's chance of slipping into the Oval Office seems bleak. With self-perception, TIME opines that "Obama Leads, But Voters Have Concerns" will be headlines by the media.

Vivian Berryhill: VP Picks For '08: A No-Brainer... (6 comments) All the talk of who will be the VEEPs for '08. Forget Jindal, and NO Bayh. The VP picks for this year are a No-Brainer!!

Yaybob: THREE GREAT LIES (2 comments) These were the three great lies, that [1] government laws and regulations were excessive, onerous and needed to be reduced, that [2] taxes were excessive, onerous and needed to be reduced and that [3] government spending was excessive, onerous and needed to be reduced. There never was too much of any of these. And only corporate taxes and regulations and spending on citizens were to be reduced, and not for our benefit.

scott creighton: Another 9/11 Apologist Exposed (5 comments) Professor Muller was on a National Public Radio show this weekend and he said some pretty amazing things in support of the official conspiracy theory of 9/11. It's time we let these 'experts" know, we are not ignorant of physics. They can't just make up ridiculous claims and get away with it.

Stephen Soldz, Brad Olson, Steven Reisner, Jean Maria Arrigo, Bryant Welch: Torture in the Dark: Torture, and the Strategic Helplessness of the American Psychological Association (2 comments) Jane Mayer, in her book the Dark Side, reports on psychologists aiding the CIA's construction of its torture program. the case of noted psychologist Martin Seligman illustrates the dangers inherent in such "engagement" with intelligence agencies. The American Psychological Association has failed to protect psychologists from these dangers.

Ernest Partridge: Evil as the Absence of Empathy (7 comments) Absence of empathy the one characteristic that connects most of the immoral and misbegotten tenets of Bushism: that dogmatic mix of market absolutism, libertarianism, corporatism and simple greed that falsely describes itself as "conservatism."

Bob Herbert: Madness and Shame In the view of Mr. Addington and his acolytes, anything and everything that the president authorized in the fight against terror — regardless of what the Constitution or Congress or the Geneva Conventions might say — was all right. That included torture, rendition, warrantless wiretapping, the suspension of habeas corpus, you name it.

John Shriver: I Am An American (1 comments) I am an American first, not a political party flunky.

Mike Folkerth: Housing Predictions: That residential housing is in dire straits is not news to anyone. But, how long it will stay that way would certainly be helpful information. My past predictions on housing have been extremely accurate, so here are my future views on housing in the United States.

Allen L Roland: *AMERICA, IGNORE OBAMA AT YOUR OWN RISK America, ignore Barack Obama at your own risk for he has lighted a fire of passion and hope throughout the world for a better and more moral America ~ in stark contrast to the unprincipled policies of Bush apologist John McCain who will carry the mark of Bush to a disastrous defeat in November: Allen L Roland

Jeffrey St. Clair and Joshua Frank: Preliminary Notes from No Man's Land: An Excerpt from Red State Rebels A Red States rebellion is breaking out. It's been going on for some time. And the battles are waged over the essentials of life: water, food, wilderness, human liberty.

Cheryl Abraham: Hey America! Pelosi Handed You a Booby Prize! What Are You Going To Do With It? (1 comments) This Friday, July 25th 2008, could be a day where a small portion of the Bush regime's long list of dirty laundry might get an airing, but if Americans hit the snooze button on this tiny window of opportunity it could be a huge set-back for the impeachment movement. What's the big July 25th Nancy Pelosi Booby Prize event? A hearing tentatively named, "The Imperial Presidency of George W. Bush".

Tuesday, July 22:

Mary Lyon: Iraq to IGMFU - A McCain Meltdown? (4 comments) John McCain is being bigfooted. Barack Obama has stolen way more of his thunder than he - or the GOP - may want to accept.

Paul Craig Roberts: The Mother of All Messes (10 comments)

LA Times Editorial: V-day in Iraq? It doesn't matter who's right. If all sides agree on an Iraq drawdown, then claim victory and get out.

McCain on ABC; Not a Gaffe: A Fundamental Misunderstanding of Iraq (1 comments) John McCain made a mistake this evening, which as far as I'm concerned, disqualifies him from being president. It's a real misunderstanding of what has happened in Iraq over the past year. If we are going to have an Iraq-centric war on terror policy, he should at least understand what he is talking about.

Jonathan Steele: A fresh start for Iraq? Only when Iraqis know they are to regain their sovereignty will they look into the abyss and halt the drift to civil war. Political violence between Sunnis and Shias is a new phenomenon in the history of modern Iraq. In spite of the bitterness, bereavement, and bloodshed of the last three years, the cancer of sectarianism can be reversed. But for that to happen, Iraqis must become masters in their house again.

IAN BELL: The anti-war candidate may yet be belligerent Mr Obama will not, if elected, be quite the American President of European liberal dreams. Americans may, meanwhile, discover that, as with Mr Brown in these parts, disillusionment can come swift and very hard.

David Swanson: Perriello v. Goode: Virginia's Fifth Congressional District A race to get involved in.

Eileen Fleming: Anarchists Against Apartheid, where are the Artists? (3 comments) In 1985 Bono joined forces with a group of artists concerned about Apartheid in South Africa. Inspired by his meetings with several of them, he wrote "Silver and Gold"

Dennis Kaiser: Is Another 9/11 Coming? (6 comments) Could the people who perpetrated the mass murders of 9/11, the illegal invasion of Iraq, the stripping of our Constitution, and more have more devastation in store...

Mark Biskeborn: Rapture of America (5 comments) In a crazy time people need reassurance, people need support, and America often falls into crazy times. Americans often use God as their crutch when they can't think straight.

(More...)

Wednesday, July 23:

Anbar Sheik Cited By McCain Was Assassinated Last Year The major Sunni sheik who John McCain said was protected by the surge and subsequently helped lead the Anbar Awakening, was actually assassinated by an al-Qaeda led group in midst of the surge.

Report Says Pentagon Pressured, Intimidated Auditors Auditors at an oversight agency of the Pentagon were pressured by supervisors to skew their reports on a major defense contractor's work, hiding wrongdoing and charges of overbilling, according to an 80-page report from the Government Accountability Office. The contractor implicated in the report was not named. Who gave contractors this kind of unaccountability and wild-west lawlessness?

WITNESSES: BUSH LABOR DEPT. WAGE & HOUR ENFORCEMENT DROPS, WORKERS CHEATED Enforcement of wage-and-hour laws, to ensure workers get at least the minimum wage and the overtime pay they deserve, has dropped drastically under the GOP Bush government, impartial investigators and a low-income workers' advocate told Congress. As a result, low-wage workers are routinely cheated.

Blackwell, Von Spakovsky Set to Testify in House on 'Lessons Learned from 2004 Election' Matthew Segal,Exec Dir of the Student Association for Voter Empowerment(SAVE),told BRADBLOG that he was disappointed that nobody [was]invited to this perhaps final hearing prior to the '08 election to speak on either e-voting or youth voting issues."There is no one on electronic voting,no one on student voter access,and,basically,no one from any groups or organizations that really represent any grass roots constituencies."

R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America: *Groups Urge Congress to Immediately Halt Any Further Advancement of NAIS; R-Calf and other groups press Congress to halt NAIS, citing USDA misrepresentations, premise registrations acquired without farmer/rancher consent, states needing to take action to protect citizens from USDA NAIS-related actions, USDA proceeding without regard to stakeholder costs/ability/confidentiality, USDA usurping congressional authority.

Sherwood Ross: STOP WAR ON IRAN RALLIES AUGUST 2-3 (1 comments) YOU can do something to prevent the Bush administration from attacking Iran by participating in the anti-war protests August 1-3. Read all about it!

JGideon: 'Daily Voting News' For July 23, 2008 a collection of local, state, national and international articles on electronic voting and election issue

Organization of Competitive Markets - press release: OCM Applauds Fifth Circuit Packers and Stockyards Act Decision The Organization of Competitive Markets hails the 5th Circuit Court decision in Wheeler v. Pilgrim's Pride which finds that producers don't need to prove "adverse effect on competition" to sue for unfair or deceptive practices. This is a win for small producers against the large meatpackers, and a battle that goes to the heart of critical efforts to return real competition to a country controlled by corporations.

Obama Spanish-language radio ad An Obama radio ad running in Spanish in Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Nevada is presented here in translation.

How to harvest solar power? Beam it down from space! Improving solar technology and the skyrocketing price of oil are making space-based solar power a feasible option.

Word on the street: 'I cried with happiness. Today, for the first time, I feel like the war has ended' Some comments... "I don't know why, but I am not sure whether this is good news or not, although I know our government must be obedient to its European and American sponsor." "A disgrace for the Serbian people. To sell our leader and hero in this way, and the same people attacking and destroying us will set more conditions. What's next? Recognize Kosovo? We've lost so much land – now our honour too."

Iran sees U.S. respect but says no nuclear retreat Ahmadinejad praised US participation in last week's talks with Tehran on its disputed nuclear program as "a positive step" and said its arch foe had shown respect. He made clear Tehran would not halt atomic work the West suspects is aimed at making bombs. Iran says its nuclear work is a peaceful drive to generate electricity so the country can export more of its oil and gas.

Obama says nuclear Iran poses "grave threat" U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Wednesday a nuclear Iran would pose a "grave threat" and that the world must stop Tehran from obtaining an atomic weapon. Obama told reporters during a visit to Israel that if elected, he would take "no options off the table" in dealing with the Iran issue and said tougher sanctions could be imposed.

Rangel to file complaint against self — first official grievance since 2004 Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday will formally ask the House ethics committee to investigate allegations that he misused his congressional office.

US general warns Russia on nuclear bombers in Cuba Russia would cross "a red line for the United States of America" if it were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba, a top US air force officer warned. The Russian moves come amid rising tensions over the US missile defense plans, and warnings by Moscow that it will be forced them to counter them militarily.

Teasing the new NBC/WSJ poll - 60% of Americans want al-Maliki and Obama's timetable Here's one result from the new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll that will be released tonight at 6:30 pm ET on Nightly News and MSNBC.com... With the news that Iraq's prime minister wants the US to set a timetable for withdrawal, 60% of registered voters believe it's a good idea for the US to set such a timetable, while 30% say it's a bad idea.

Obama at Temple of Hercules, McCain team slams media 'love affair' Obama's press conference, the first public appearance of his tour, took place at the Amman Citadel and the Temple of Hercules, where human settlements date back to the bronze age. The symbolism seemed to convince one local journalist, who yelled "Mr President" to get her voice heard.

'Attorneygate's' Iglesias Riffs on Predictions for Upcoming OIG Report on firings I expect the report to be filed any day now. I expect them to conclude that there is sufficient evidence to show that former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty committed perjury in their statements before Congressional committees and investigators. They may find that former McNulty chief of staff Mike Elston intimidated witnesses.

U.S. Rushes to Change Workplace Toxin Rules Political appointees at the Department of Labor are moving with unusual speed to push through in the final months of the Bush administration a rule making it tougher to regulate workers' on-the-job exposure to chemicals and toxins.

Ex-Advisers Warn Against Threatening to Attack Iran The Bush administration should stop talking about a military attack as an option if negotiations do not immediately halt Iran's uranium reprocessing program, two former national security advisers said yesterday.

Obama vows support for Israel Obama says he backs Israel's decision not to negotiate with the Palestinian group Hamas. He also reiterated his position that Jerusalem "will be" the capital of Israel. also said that he would take "no options off the table" with regards to Iran, saying the country posed a "grave threat."

Half a Million Plastic Coffins? You don't buy 500,000 plastic coffins "just in case something happens," you buy them because you know something is going to happen. These air tight seal containers would be perfect to bury victims of plague or biological warfare in, wouldn't they? Apparently the Government is expecting a half million people to die relatively soon.

Energy Speculation Bill on Hold Democrats and Republicans traded salvos over the blame for high gasoline prices Tuesday, but substantive progress on energy legislation eluded lawmakers as a bill to curb oil speculation stalled in the Senate. The GOP wants to drill, the Dems want to conserve- and nobody talks about all the oil we EXPORT!

Witness: 'No way' Novak didn't know he hit someone; victim was 'splayed across the front' of his car. (1 comments) Conservative pundit Robert Novak, on record for threatening to run "jay-walkers" down, was cited by DC police for hitting on with his Corvette. Report: "...the pedestrian was actually splayed across the front of Novak's convertible, and that there would be absolutely no way Novak would have not known that he had hit someone." Novak initially left the scene but was chased down by bicyclist who witnessed the event.

New York Times 2Q profit drops 82 percent Revenue dropped 6 percent to $741.9 million, missing the average Wall Street estimate for $754 million. Ad revenue slipped down 11 percent, hurt mostly by fewer classified ads. Chief Executive Janet Robinson says business was hurt by the "U.S. economic slowdown and secular forces playing out across the media industry."

America's Got Water Problems, and No Plan to Fix Them Elizabeth de la Vega, who wrote on her lawsuit between United States and President Bush et al, turned her attention to ecology as fires in Calif. drove her indoors. At the time the Mississippi was carrying bad news to the Dead Zone. She researched and found there is no natl comprehensive policy, and lists here those agencies which share the muddle concerning clean water.

Mary Mancini: *Why Diebold's Disreputable Distinction is Dead On Deserved Each week until the election we will release a clip from UNCOUNTED because now,more than ever,people need to see stories that will motivate them to stand up and help save our democracy.This week we offer the David v. Goliath story of Bruce Funk,whose whistleblowing helped give Diebold their well-deserved reputation.He has every right to be a bitter man.He can't think of anything more important to do with his life than to work

SECRET REPORT: Massive Domestic Spying Investigation Coming Soon? After Democrats failed to muster any substantive opposition to the Bush White House's overhaul of domestic spying laws just a few weeks ago, it would be a striking turn of events if the House leadership launched into a massive, multi-decade investigation of how the government has been monitoring its own citizens since the Cold War. But that's what Salon speculates about today in a far-reaching report from Capitol Hill.

Hillary Donors Gave Obama $1.8 Million in June Wash POst and Huffington Post count June money to Obama from Hillary supporters, differently. Conclusion reached by WaPo and the 2 campaigns is that number of donors is underreported because of bundlers forwarding (as opposed to only giving) donations. Money's there. How many potential voters might be the real question.

Bharat Book: *Booming c-store market analysis Modern retail trade is expected to account for more than 55% share in overall retail industry in Asia alone by 2011. The increasing trend of organized retailing will drive the growth of c-store industry in the world. The rapid economic development has been propelling the growth of convenience store (c-store) industry across the world.

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: Poll: If They win, Will Dems Do What is Right? (18 comments) This poll chronicles a 10 of items many people think should be legislated. Check those you think will actually be enacted

gabby hayes: Whose Boozle? The New Yorker cover still raises hackles, and that's a good thing.

GOP senators in tough re-election races freed to side with Democrats against RNC platform (2 comments) Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate have freed GOP members to go against the traditional party platform if it will help them get re-elected, aides say. The Politico reported Tuesday that the GOP leadership set their members free amid fears they could lose five or more seats to Democrats in November. Republican leaders have told senators in tough re-election bids to side with Democrats on anything but energy and national se

Tuesday, July 22:

GM, Ford On Verge of Bankruptcy (2 comments) GM and Ford Motor Co., the two biggest U.S. automakers, have about a 46 percent chance of default within five years, according to Edward Altman, a finance professor at NYU's Stern School of Business. ''Both are in very serious shape and the markets reflect that,'' Altman, the creator of the Z-score mathematical formula that measures bankruptcy risk, said the model shows that these companies are on the verbe of bankruptcy

Second Time: Iraq Points to Pullout in 2010 Iraqi spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said that his government is working "on a real timetable which Iraqis set" and that the 2010 deadline is an Iraqi vision. "We can't give any schedules or dates, but the Iraqi government sees the suitable date for withdrawal of the U.S. forces is by the end of 2010," he told reporters.

Unrest Surfaces in Fallujah Again Despite all the political ballyhoo about the so-called recent surge success, the fact is more American troops died in 2007, than in any other year of the war. Dahr Jamail, independent journalist on the ground in Iraq, reports the truth.

Video and photos from Sweatfree Communities rally and worker testimony in Philadelphia July 12, 2008: Video footage from the anti-sweatshop rally across from the National Association of Governors meeting in Philadelphia.

Mitchell Bard on Huffpost Challenges "Surge is Working" Mantra Why won't even the most liberal pundits challenge the conventional wisdom that "the surge is working?" Bard lays out why they should in HuffPost. In addition, "The troop escalation ... allowed the ethnic cleansing of the Sunnis of Baghdad and the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis from the country," according to Juan Cole on his blog. It's time to beg to differ.

Israeli official: U.S. intervention in minor Palestinian issues could damage ties A senior Israeli official said that the person behind this growing American criticism is the U.S. consul in Jerusalem, Jacob Wallace. "Every week, he receives dozens of complaints from Palestinians and transfers them to Washington without examination," the official said. "He's really inflaming the atmosphere, causing public relations damage to Israel and even may damage our relations with the U.S."

Medvedev’s Message to Ambassadors Russia has finally recovered. It has risen from its knees and is ready for the next stage – forcing the rest of the world to their knees. The new concept for Russian foreign policy was presented last week by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

West to flex military muscles against Iran The United States is set to lead a joint military exercise in the Atlantic Ocean to show off its combat capabilities as a warning to Iran. The Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 08-4 'Operation Brimstone' will take place on July 21-31 in North Carolina and off the eastern US coast from Virginia to Florida, involving France, Britain and Brazil.

GOP Tech Guru Mike Connell 'High IQ Forrest Gump...At Scene of Every Single Crime' Say Ohio Attorneys (1 comments) 'Whether He's Pulling the Gun or Not..He's the Guy Who Made the Gun,' Allege OH Lawyers About Man Said to Have Been Behind Florida '00,Ohio '04,RNC Emails,Congressional Computer Networks & More..Then you put him in charge of building the security and firewall for the US Congress?Dealing with the most sensitive matters?All of the emails and communications of the party that he hates?How can you do that?It's an invitation to spy.

JGideon: 'Daily Voting News' For July 22, 2008 a collection of local, state, national and international articles on electronic voting and election issue

New oil field discovered in southern Iran According to Iran Oil Minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari, a new oil field was discovered in the city of Abadan with an estimated reserve of 500 million barrels.

Officials fear Dolly could break Rio Grande levees Tues night or Wed morning, the area along the Rio Grande River will likely be inundated. Evacuation plans are made because the last big hurricane was in 1967. Dolly is expected to be as bad as Beulah. Good report of where and how plans are made.

Investor Document Says Payne Was Key Bush Campaign Operative Seems a recently resurfaced investor doc for Worldwide Strategic Energy reveals Payne a key player. EXCERPT: "Spending hundreds of days on the road for the Bush/Cheney Campaign in 2000 and 2004, Mr. Payne was part of a small team of five Bush operatives, including former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card, who coordinated the campaigns' efforts for the three Presidential debates held that year. "

Big Oil profits steered to Investors Oil companies insist they're using record profits to explore and develop new oil fields that might help bring down gas prices, but the actual money they spend on exploration is nothing compared with what they spend on stock buybacks and dividends. This may be good news for shareholders but no help to average Americans already making drastic cutbacks to offset the high cost of fuel.

US lawyer seeks to sue Washington over Iran threats Lawyer Francis A. Boyle has called on Tehran to back his efforts to take the US and Israel to the ICJ over their threats of military action against Iran.

Gitmo judge excludes coerced evidence The judge in the first American war crimes trial since World War II barred evidence on Monday that interrogators obtained from Osama bin Laden's driver following his capture in Afghanistan.

Burma: Buddhist migrants pressured to convert to Christianity violence on religion

Larisa Alexandrovna: *Paul Minor Targeted by Rove- In Prison, Kept from Dying Wife (2 comments) Don Siegelman is out now,but others are not,including Paul Minor.His wife is dying of cancer and he cannot even get out on an appeal bond (just like Siegelman).I ask that you try to help Paul Minor the way you have so kindly been helping Don Siegelman.If you have the time,please write a letter of support to Mr. Minor,who is in prison because of his politics and whose life has been destroyed simply because Rove targeted him.

Conservative Lawyers Urge Bush To Issue ˜Pre-Emptive Pardons' To Officials Involved In Illegal Programs (8 comments) Such a pardon would reduce the risk that a future administration might undertake a criminal investigation of operatives or policy makers involved in programs that administration lawyers have said were legal but that critics say violated laws regarding torture and surveillance. A BEFORE YOU GO TO JAIL, GET-OUT-OF-INDICTMENT AND-PROSECUTION' CARD?

Gabe Shames: Is there a North American Union forming, and why? (25 comments) The Security and Prosperity Agreement (SPP) signed in 2005 by Bush, then-Presidente Fox, and the then-Prime Minister of Canada, has sparked waves of fear across the continent. Many are concerned it's not just an "agreement" but the start of the removal of all three countries sovereignty to form a continental superstate. Could this be true or will it just be a "community," or is it in fact just an agreement?

Bill Samuel: Can We Defeat Terror by Escalating the War In Afghanistan? (36 comments) Escalation of war in Afghanistan is a major campaign position of Barack Obama. Do you agree his assumptions are correct.

Monday, July 21:

Amy Fried: McCain Surrogate: "The Muslims have said either we kneel or they're going to kill us." (8 comments) McCain's surrogate - on a campaign conference call - implied that the status of our national security boils down to a struggle with all Muslims. McCain did not challenge the statement. How does that reflect on his fitness for the presidency?

Sunday, July 20:

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: Poll: Cindi Sheehan or Nancy Pelosi? (24 comments) We want to know if you live in San Francisco's 8th District, or if you lived there, would you vote in the upcoming election for Cindi Sheehan or Nancy Pelosi?

Saturday, July 19:

Xanadu Zinnia: How to Save the World? (9 comments) Given the current state of our planet, what should we focus on to save the world?

Sherwin Steffin: Confident, Hopeful, Wishful, or Fantasy (12 comments) This poll asks for your assessment of the likelihood that America will eventually return to being the nation we all expected it to be.

Friday, July 18:

Bia Winter: Re-Defining "Terrorism" (20 comments) Who and what is a "Terrorism?

Paul Kruger: Congress, Rove & Contempt (14 comments) Rove and inherent contempt.

Kevin Gosztola: Should activist, citizen, and advocacy groups go to the DNC or RNC to protest? (26 comments) I believe this poll will help us have an important discussion and would greatly appreciate hearing from members of the OEN community and others on this.

Rob Kall: Do You Support Cindy Sheehan's Campaign Run Against Nancy Pelosi (23 comments) Pelosi or Sheehan? Will you be helping Sheehan or Pelosi?

Wednesday, July 16:

Kevin Gosztola: Should there be a massive anti-war march at the Democratic National Convention? (17 comments) Anti-war leaders do not know if they should have a mass march or little marches at the Democratic National Convention. Help them decide.

Tuesday, July 15:

Casey Reed: Separation of Corporate and State (13 comments) Do we need a Constitutional amendment to regulate the influence and current dominance of corporations and the rich and powerful interests? Should there be a separation of corporate and state?

Cindie Frap: Racial Divide (8 comments) Is there a racial divide in our country more now than before?

Monday, July 14:

Amy Fried: How do you feel about the New Yorker's satirical Obama cover? (58 comments) Reactions to The New Yorker's satirical cover featuring smear-inspired stereotypes of the Obama's.

Michael McCoy: Post 911 and Bush, what concerns you about America? (14 comments) With the profound change in the methods and tactics by which America is governed, what concerns you most about the lives of you children and grandchildren?

Gabe Shames: Are 'Chemtrails' a form of Government suppression? (24 comments) Have you heard of the supposed difference of regular airplanes excreting contrails (the short-duration line of exhaust) and what many are arguing are 'chemtrails?' Chemtrails are supposedly longer (continue instead of fading) and sometimes expand outward to unprecidented widths. Those in favor of the chemtrail theory often say they are purposefully sprayed by government-issued planes to control populations. What do you think?

PrMaine: What Happened on 9/11? (45 comments) What do you feel was the most likely explanation for the events of 9/11/2001?

Gene Cappa: Should ACLU Release Another Impeachment Pamphlet? (10 comments) The ACLU is in the forefront of defending the Constitution and should be releasing a new "Impeachment Pamphlet" INFORMING the American people why impeachment proceedings are urgently required presently?

Sunday, July 13:

Bill Samuel: Vote major party or not? (10 comments) Some people say you should vote for a major party candidate because these are the only ones with a chance to win. Others say that you should vote for someone with whom you agree on most major public policy issues, whether or not they appear to have a chance to win. Many OpEdNews readers really face this question, as they have major problems with thepositions of major party candidates.

Paul Kruger: Based on the Senate betraying America, who would support this campaign? (26 comments) Who here would activly support a campaign to remove from office EVERY single member of Congress who voted FOR IMMUNITY in both the House and Senate at the next possible election?

Friday, July 11:

Rob Kall: If Pelosi Changes Her Impeachment Position Will It Change Your Attitude Towards Congress (64 comments) What will it take to get you to approve of Pelosi's congress

Tuesday, July 8:

Linda Bemis: Should we eliminate medical insurance as we know it and replace with our own. Poll on whether we should eliminate employer insurance, Medicare, Medicade, Veterans health care, all medical insurance companies, etc.

Gene Cappa: Should John Conyers Hold Impeachment Hearings Anyway? (11 comments) Should House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers hold immediate impeachment hearings anyway even though his House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took impeachment "off the table" for Cheney and Bush, and Conyers has stated he is documenting everything for his next democratic president Barack Obama?

Rob Kall: Have Obama's Centrist Policy Policy Declarations Surprised You? (99 comments) Did you think Obama was a progressive or did you see him, from the beginning as a centrist moderate? If you saw him as a centrist moderate from the beginning, then his positions will not be as big a surprise as if you saw him as a progressive from the beginning.

Monday, July 7:

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: POLL IS THE Ancient Tablet Predating Jesus as Messiah and Resurrection Fraud Or Truth (15 comments) The Tablet now known as "Gabriel's Revelation" has stirred quite a controversy among, Christians, Jews and others. Many Hebrew scholars believe the stone to be authentic and if so it would to confirm the expectation of just such a Messiah even before Jesus was born. What do you think? Read and tap the link to read the original article and let us know.

Rob Kall: Which News Network Favors Right Wing Messages More? CNN or MSNBC? (15 comments) When you add Keith Olbermann, Andrea Mitchell, JoeScarborough and the rest on MSNBC and, Wolf Blitzer Lou Dobbs, Jack Caffrey, etcetera on CNN, which network cuts the right, McCain, Bush, etc. more slack, repeats the right wing message more?

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: Should Organized Religion Focus more on The Evils of Avarice/Greed Than on the Bedrooms of (6 comments) American Churches and governmental agencies are shown by polls to be the most self-righteous, sexually uptight on the planet and never once have they expressed indignation at the despicable nature of Human Avarice/greed. It's time we found out what the people think.

Sunday, July 6:

Edwin Rutsch: Why do conservatives value Self-Righteousness and Hypocrisy? (7 comments) Why do conservatives value Self-Righteousness and Hypocrisy?

Paul Kruger: Are there too many similar causes diluting available resources? (21 comments) Should similar causes/groups narrow their focus and refer donors to each other on specific issues with regards to supporting action on those issues?

Saturday, July 5:

Sherwin Steffin: Impeachment update (43 comments) This poll is an update of my April 30th poll, asking for your assessment of then likelihood that either/or Bush and Cheney will be impeached by the House, and convicted by Senate

Paul Kruger: Should the Feds be handed all of your credit card transactions? (12 comments) Should the federal government have the right to demand records of every American's credit and debit card transaction?

Thursday, July 3:

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: SHOULD NO-BID CONTRACTS BE ABOLISHED? (10 comments) NO-BID Contracts perpetuate the notion that the contract awardee is so "Uniquely Qualified" at whatever he is "bidding" upon, as to be spared the indignity of having to compete with others, the Hoi Polloi whose bids are an insult to the No-Bidder guys. In my experience I have found NO evidence to support such an assumption.

Rob Kall: I'm Holding Back on Contributing to Obama Because of his Move to The Right (60 comments) I either will escrow money to give later, just wait and see where he ends up, or vote for someone else.

Wednesday, July 2:

Edwin Rutsch: How many readers of Opednews.com will be going to Netroots Nation Conference? (1 comments) The Netroots Nation Conference will be held in Austin, TX from July 17-20. How many readers of Opednews.com will be going to Netroots?

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: Should Individual States and Cities Indict Cheney/Bush For Murder? (9 comments) GW Bush and Dick Cheney have been let of the hook for impeachment, but that does not mean that we, the citizens of America need to sit idly, impotently, by and let him bully his way out of prosecution. Should we indict them for murder in cities and states all across our nation, thus pinning him down or forcing him to go to war with the states with his mercenaries?

Brett Paatsch: Have you checked whether your rep has read Kucinich's 35 articles of Bush impeachment ? (3 comments) This is a poll to see what portion of Opednews readers have personally checked that either their congressional representative or a member of the House Judiciary Committee have read Kucinich's 35 articles of impeachment for President Bush.

Ben Kall: Mrs. McCain or Obama; Who Is Evading Media Coverage More? (1 comments) who's the more private?

Kevin Gosztola: What issue will Obama move to the center right on next? (5 comments) Obama's ever-increasing impulse to be on the center right of as many issues as possible could potentially be detrimental to progressives/liberals who think he is no match for McCain in November. Many are already calling his moves a sign that he suffers from a "character flaw." What issue will he move to the center right on next?

Tuesday, July 1:

Gene Cappa: Do YOU Support An Independent International 911 Invesitgation? (18 comments) Scientific and eyewitness evidence shows that the 9/11 Commission Report is a fraudulent document and those behind the report are guilty of covering up what really happened on 9/11/2001. This evidence overwhemlmingly supports the conclusion that World Trade Center Towers, 1, 2, and 7 were brought down by demolition explosives and official theory of airplanes and ensuing fires is irrefutably false.

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: IN YOUR OPINION, IS MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FIXED? (2 comments) Some statistics indicate the the steroids issue is a faux issue designed to deter people from examining the horrible calls by umpires. which most often seem to favor the home team. Well, guess what, they do favor the home and and for a good reason, doing so is VERY profitable. If the home team wins more often or at least almost wins pretty often, fans keep on coming. So, then are baseball game outcomes fixed?

Frank J. Ranelli: Is Barack Obama moving too far to the right just to be elected? (11 comments) In recent days, Obama has been accused of moving to the center and triangulating, a course and tactic that Bill Clinton used to get elected, and flip-flopping on many positions he held during the protracted, 16 month, Democratic primary. Today, Barack Obama announced if elected he would expand President Bush's Faith-Based Initiative programs.

Edwin Rutsch: Is Congresswoman Maxine Waters correct that conservatives value Blame, Hate & Lying? (4 comments) Is Congresswoman Maxine Waters correct that conservatives value Blame, Hate & Lying?

Rady Ananda: Lever Voting Machines or Computerized Systems? (1 comments) Which voting system do you trust more?

Saturday, June 28:

Edwin Rutsch: What social or political movements would psychopaths and narcissists join? (29 comments) What social or political movements would psychopaths and narcissists, who don't value empathy, tend to join?

Kevin Gosztola: Our Nation's Independence Day (6 comments) What are you thinking about this year's Fourth of July?

Friday, June 27:

Edwin Rutsch: Worst of the Failed Conservative Values that James Dobson exemplifies? (13 comments) What is the worst of the Failed Conservative Values that James Dobson exemplifies?

Gene Cappa: Will Bugliosi Succeed in Getting Bush Indicted & Prosecuted on Murder Charges? (18 comments) Over 4,000 American soldiers have lost their lives fighting in George W. Bush's war in Iraq on "false pretenses". Can Bush be indicted and prosecuted for murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges?

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: Should The Catholic Church Excommunicate Justices Alito, Scalia, and Thomas? (35 comments) Since, in my opinion, the below have not only acted with sycophantic accord with the powerful, corporate wealthy and in the best interests of encouraging a fascist dictatorship, and have done incredible harm to our Constitution and people, since they are CATHOLIC; Should The Catholic Church Excommunicate Justices Alito, Scalia, and Thomas?

Thursday, June 26:

Sherwin Steffin: The Article, "Using Cross Tabulation." Valuable or Not? Select the Poll Response which best expresses your Evaluation of the article, "Using Cross Tabulation."

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: CAN ONE BE A CHRISTIAN AND A CONSERVATIVE AT THE SAME TIME? (36 comments) I wish to know if you think CAN ONE BE A CHRISTIAN AND A CONSERVATIVE AT THE SAME TIME?. I do not, therefore, yes, or no!

Rob Kall: Should House Pass HR 362, Calling for prohibiting of refined petroleum products to Iran (15 comments) Some say this could lead to Bush/Cheney justifying a Naval Blockade as a congressionally approved way to escalate a confrontation.

Wednesday, June 25:

Edwin Rutsch: Dealing with Failed and Failing Conservative Values (22 comments) Conservative values have failed and continue to fail. 70-80 percent of Americans say they feel the country is going in the wrong direction. Since conservatives say their policies are based on their values, we can assume that Americans are rejecting them. How do you think conservatives will deal with the failure of their values.

Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo: SHOULD SCALIA BE IMPEACHED? (25 comments) Scalia Cites False Information in Habeas Corpus Dissent Marjorie Cohn says, "Scalia bolstered his hysterical claim that the Boumediene decision 'will almost certainly cause more Americans to be killed' with stale information that was proven to be false a year ago."

Tuesday, June 24:

Edwin Rutsch: Is authoritarianism a Failed Conservative Value? (1 comments) Is authoritarianism a Failed Conservative Value?

Saturday, March 15:

Sponsored by www.worldproutassembly.org: "Building a New World" Conference The deep longing for positive, lasting change is the bedrock upon which this conference is based. How do we fix our country and our world? And how can we form one mass movement to address the crisis? (Event Date: May 22, 2008)

Sponsored by ourfuture.org: Take Back America a meeting of progressives (Event Date: Mar 17, 2008)

Wednesday, December 31:

Sponsored by Freedom Ambassadors: Walk for Human Dignity A national coalition of over 50 local, state and national organizations are participating in walk from Tucson to Phoenix beginning May 2 to call for an end to racially fomented hate crimes. The ten-day peaceful walk will end with a rally in downtown Phoenix on Mother's Day, May 11, honoring mothers for teaching children to treat all human beings with equal dignity. (Event Date: May 1, 2008)

(More...)

Thursday, July 24:

Suzana Megles: A Tribute to Mindy, a Pit Bull Dog Another needless banning of pit bulls in Lakewood, Ohio. It is wrong for the media to just report pit bull bitings. Other dogs bite as well. The Center of Disease Control has not zeroed in on any specific breed responsible for dog bites.

Wednesday, July 23:

Safe Food Campaign, New Zealand: Aspartame harms young brains; New Zealand Petition asks for Ban in Schools; New Mexico Physician Stoller Testifies New Zealanders are trying to get rid of the neurotoxic carcinogenic artificial sweeteners, even though 99% of Americans still seem to be tragically "asleep at the wheel" and biochemically indifferent on this vital consumer protection issue, as to consuming formaldehyde and methanol in their diet Cokes, Equal, and Trident/Eclipse/Orbit Sugarless Gum

Maya Schenwar | On Iraq: Wiping Out the Legend BOOK REVIEW: A silent mythos is enveloping the liberal consciousness in the waning days of the Bush presidency.

Solar power from Saharan sun could provide Europe's electricity, says EU A tiny rectangle superimposed on the vast expanse of the Sahara captures the seductive appeal of the audacious plan to cut Europe's carbon emissions by harnessing the fierce power of the desert sun. Dwarfed by any of the north African nations, it represents an area slightly smaller than Wales but scientists claimed yesterday it could one day generate enough solar energy to supply all of Europe with clean electricity.

Tuesday, July 22:

Theresa Paulfranz: We Have Sexy Bodies and Brains....Why Not Sexy Culture and Sexy Planet? (8 comments) In this lopsided culture archetypal feminine thinking is missing. Humans have sexy bodies and sexy brains. So too, archetypally, they should have a sexy culture.

Georgianne Nienaber: Guitar Virtuoso Jimmy Robinson at New Orleans' Ogden: "After Hours"

Do IMF loans lead to higher rates of tuberculosis? Findings: In all of the countries under scrutiny, as IMF loans increased, so did TB death rates. For every 1% increase in credit, the TB mortality rate climbed by 0.9 percent. The longer IMF loans lasted, the greater the rate of TB deaths: Every extra year of money was associated with about a 4% increase in deaths. Those numbers are pretty striking...

What the Public Really Wants on Science Polls show that the public is more than just excited about science-they overwhelmingly think that it can make our lives better and that scientists should have a larger role in public policy decisions.

Michael Dewey: *Rocking Down Angels

Allen L Roland: *ONLY LOVE UNITES AND HEALS What lies deepest within us is a state of love and soul consciousness ( The Unified Field ) which extends beyond time and space and reveals itself in its universal urge to unite. It gently holds us, as if in two giant hands, and asks only that we play our part in a universal loving plan . It also exists beyond lifetimes whereas those who we love deeply become part of us forever : Allen L Roland

Monday, July 21:

Quarter of the planet to be online by 2012 (2 comments) According to the report by Jupiter Research, the total number of people online will climb to 1.8 billion by 2012, encompassing roughly 25 percent of the planet.

Are You Getting What You're Paying For? 25 Online Tools to Test Your Internet Service Most people pay a hefty amount of money every month to ensure that they have a quality connection to the Internet. But are you really getting what you pay for? Your speed, quality of service, and even the sites you're allowed to use may be interfered with. Put these tools to work to make sure you're getting everything you've been promised.

Advance brings low-cost, bright LED lighting closer to reality Researchers at Purdue University have overcome a major obstacle in reducing the cost of "solid state lighting," a technology that could cut electricity consumption by 10 percent if widely adopted.

Swiss man, moved by the sun, produces solar-powered car The 36-year-old Palmer is five months away from circling the globe in his solar powered car -- a trip that will take him across 40 countries and 36,000 miles. The United States is the 28th country he's visited in the Solar Taxi -- and he's driven more than 23,000 miles. His mission is to show people that automobile travel is possible without spending a single cent at the gas pump -- or negatively impacting the environment.

Jane Stillwater: Operation Hydra: Air Force disaster relief training, flying all over California, GWB & me.... I recently went on a tour of the USAF's Contingency Response Wing's readiness training exercise, in case of a major disaster. This article is rather long but you should slog through it anyway. Why? So you would know what our military is capable of in case of another Katrina or 9-11. Also Bush showed up for a Republican fund-raiser at our airbase that day. And us taxpayers paid for his transportation. That sucks eggs.

Park tests hybrid buses in McKinley's shadow The 230-horsepower hybrid bus white and sporting pictures of Denali on its sides. The plan is to test it this summer to determine its potential for replacing the park's 110 diesel buses. This is the type of program the government should be jumping in to finance Think of all the school buses polluting the air every morning. not only would it be govs and schools green but if big US auto was in that would be some real jobs to

Sunday, July 20:

Jim Miles: Descent Into Chaos - Book Review An excellent work that examines the previously poorly chronicled affairs between the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Jim Miles: Marching Toward Hell - Book Review The shackles of oil and Israel, the elitist ignorance of the American government, the antagonism of the Muslim world supported by the predictions and indictments of bin Laden have created a losing position for the Americans no matter what they attempt to do.

Appalachian English: Speaking the stereotype Kentucky is such an unusual state," Deem said. "You get this great diversity of accent, dialect and language usage."

One Soldier's Interview after Leaving the Service "When I showed up at the first coal mine where I worked ... I didn't get a lot of initial guidance, which was hard for me," he said. Making a decision of whether to be a lifer or get out, the man describes how he chose, then found he could sign up for the Guard and be useful in training recruits. Just good human interest.

Saturday, July 19:

Rady Ananda: Warning: This Product Is Hazardous To Your Freedom (25 comments) Top shelf; the creme de la creme; the most succinct, in plain English best quotes by computer security experts. Do we really want to vote on this "crap?"

mikel paul: Welcome to the Earthly Ice Crème Shoppe (18 comments) ...owned and operated by and for all its inhabitants. Close to seven billion flavors and counting. Way more than 31. Some flavors will make you gag or worse. But many more will have you wondering why you waited so long to have a lick.

Allan Lichtman: Conservative Denial (2 comments) This article opens a discussion of the history and current status of American conservatism through a response to David Frum's review of my book, White Protestant Nation: The Rise of the American Conservative Movement.

Mole's Progressive Democrat: The Tangled Web of the Organic Industry (2 comments) This blogger, who is a biologist living in Brooklyn, discusses organic food. What's really organic (or nearly so), and which corporations have the most involvement in the food industry. Interesting charts.

Synthetic Pot as a Military Weapon? Meet the Man Who Ran the Secret Program Ketchum was into weapons of mass elation, not weapons of mass destruction. From before the Viet Nam War, as the Army researched new chemical warfare techniques, this doctor worked on compounds which would render enemies incapable of action without killing them. Articles updates issues of medical marijuana and decriminalization.

Richard Volaar: Misogyny And the Beer-Bellied Portion of the Bell-shaped Curve (7 comments) A shocking retort to those who would shy away from the defense of things manly and untoward

Swiss Man, Moved By the Sun, Produces Solar-Powered Car (2 comments) A car with Swiss license plates cruising along roads on the sunburned hills of Merced County isn't exactly common sight. An even less common sight is a solar-powered car that produces zero carbon emissions. That's exactly what a small group of residents saw Friday, as Swiss schoolteacher and world traveler Louis Palmer rolled into UC Merced with his Solar Taxi.

The Crisis is Upon Us by Ron Paul (15 comments) The doctor/Congressman/scholar writes about the economic calamity facing the world and discusses what we can do to lessen its impact.

Rady Ananda: Debunking Pre-Election Testing Myths (1 comments) Debunking myths can be a full time job in the election integrity world. Here are 12 expert quotes on testing election software. Malware (malicious software code) can easily defeat pre-election testing and certification processes: logic and accuracy tests cannot "prove" that software is free of malware.

mfaison: Plan X: My Deferred Dream Plan (2 comments) creative writing expressing feelings concerning economic and occupational uncertainties

Allen L Roland: *RACISM RAISES ITS UGLY FACE ON NEW YORKER COVER (2 comments) Racism has subtly raised its ugly face for all to see, courtesy of the New Yorker, but it was always there beneath the surface ~ so now we no longer have to deny its presence nor its role in an election where 45 percent of Americans believe Islam encourages violence: Allen L Roland

Friday, July 18:

SolarCity provides SF power below grid price If you are a San Francisco resident considering solar panels, now is the time for action, says Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity, a start-up that leases panels to homeowners. Since the city solar-incentive program came into effect in July, it has become financially viable for even small energy consumers to install solar-power systems.

Homeowner boards can't exclude democracy Prof. Political Science and Homeowner rights advocate criticize HOAs for lack of democracy. The NJ Supreme Court heard this case pertaining to free speech rights at a cost of $500,000 to the HOA.

We thought we were safe Not in Paradise! A pensive tale of a man's escaping the fires of Northern California with his horse, and only memories of a house they had spent four years building. It happened June 12. A month later, he thinks about when he will get his horse back home.

Dr. GLEN MABSON, Phd. Epileptic Foundation of Maui dba Pacific Epilepsy Society: Epilepsy Study Incriminates Aspartame in Medications (6 comments) Shocking analysis of the large numbers of victims of Epileptic Seizures in Hawaii, tying it in to their use of the artificial sweetener and neurodegenerative carcinogen, Aspartame, still commonly added to many medications!

Strongest Material Ever Tested: Graphene, praised for its electrical properties, has been proven the strongest known mat Materials scientists have been singing graphene's praises since it was first isolated in 2005. The one-atom-thick sheets of carbon conduct electrons better than silicon and have been made into fast, low-power transistors. Now, for the first time, researchers have measured the intrinsic strength of graphene, and they've confirmed it to be the strongest material ever tested.

Quantum Leap: Researchers have controlled the position of a single electron in a silicon circuit. An international team of researchers has shown that it can control the quantum state of a single electron in a silicon transistor--even putting the electron in two places at once. Their discovery could help pave the way toward a practical quantum computer.

Automated Precision Satellite Guidance Of 9/11 Type Aircraft Largely Possible Just Before Attacks Because information collected after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 has raised questions about the alleged ability and motivation of the people accused of piloting Boeing 757 and 767 planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, speculation has since lingered regarding the covert use of technology to precisely self-navigate all 4 airliners into targets that day.

The Risks of Obama's Iraq Strategy (2 comments) This CQ piece analyzes flipflopping of both candidates and sees past where they are inconsistent on Iraq War strategy. Did I get the impression right? That it says Obama's problem is he doesn't see that the surge is working?

Tidal power feeds electricity to National Grid in world first The first ever commercial electricity powered by the tides has been put on the National Grid, project managers said today. The £10million SeaGen turbine based in Northern Ireland's Strangford Lough generated enough green energy to supply 150 homes in a test. Full-blown production is expected in a few weeks' time.

Ray Louis: Spoiler Alert! The Dark Knight is an Unmasked Bush Apologist (6 comments) This is partially a review of the new Batman movie (The Dark Knight), as well as a look at the questionable actions and the cultural impact of the comic book character. Bruce Wayne/Batman is clearly a villain, not a hero.

Steve Windisch (jibbguy): Free Energy and the Open Source Energy Movement (Part 3) (4 comments) Third article in the series; discussing Dr. Eugene Mallove and Cold Fusion, the non-profit organization Panaea-BOCOF, and an interview with Mr. Ashtweth Palise.

Ferdinand: Prepare Yourself (2 comments) The news articles will be meant to instill fear and create confusion. Do not believe any of them without serious thought and consideration, no matter their apparent credibility. We could never trust the mainstream media and its pundits...

Thursday, July 17:

Rachel Maddow, Host Apparent: Analyst "At The Top" Of "Very Short List" For Next MSNBC Opening (5 comments) For eight nights beginning just before the 4th of July, Rachel Maddow, the host of a program on Air America, the liberal talk-radio network, served as a substitute for the vacationing Keith Olbermann. "At some point, I don't know when, she should have a show," said Phil Griffin, hours before he was promoted on Wed to president of MSNBC. "She's on the short list. It's a very short list. She's at the top."

Microgeneration could rival nuclear power, report shows British buildings equipped with solar, wind and other micro power equipment could generate as much electricity in a year as five nuclear power stations, a government-backed industry report showed today.

How You Can Turn a Vacant Lot Into a Community Garden (1 comments) If you see a vacant lot in your neighborhood that would make a great garden, here's how to get started:

German Expert Predicts US Solar Energy Boom There's something incongruous about experts from normally cloudy Germany coming to California, the land of eternal sunshine, to teach the locals about how to harness solar power. But that's was happening this week in San Francisco, where organizers of the world's largest solar exhibition, Germany's Intersolar, launched an American version of their confab amid predictions of a massive solar boom in the ailing US economy.

High Density Vertical Growth (HDVG) Garden An intro to "vertical gardening"; beat the high cost of good by growing your own- and break the corporate stranglehold on human life at the same time.

The Power of Solar Communities The great innovations of the 21st Century will be social. I predict that the solutions to our greatest challenges will emerge through new ways of coming together. Case in point, the Drake Landing Solar Community is a fully integrated housing development that takes solar to the next level. Solar panels channel heat through a series of underground pipes to produce a reservoir of energy for warming the 52 home neighborhood

robert braunstein: The Noose Media theater and distractions, false consciousness; form as content

George Staropoli: HOAs: Exchanging individual property rights for property values (1 comments) Homeowner associations are continuing to spread across the country. Yet, very littl