Last week, in Cleveland, Barack Obama took inspiration from a former Republican president. "In the words of the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln," Obama said, "I also believe that government should do for the people what they cannot do better for themselves." The Republicans have travelled a long way since Lincoln's election. The Party of the Little Man still … [Read more...] about Now Is The Time
The Price of Independence
WASHINGTON -- Imagine that your neighbors started getting letters describing all sorts of horrific deeds you had allegedly performed. Wouldn't you feel you had the right to know who was spreading this sleaze -- especially if the charges were untrue? Now imagine a member of Congress telling a lobbyist from Consolidated Megacorp Inc. that she would do all she could to … [Read more...] about The Price of Independence
To Doom or Not To Doom? (Guest Voice)
To Doom or not to Doom Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Doom. Impending doom. Deep, dark, impending Democratic Party doom. Losing one if not both houses of Congress – deep, dark, impending Democratic Party doom. Deep, dark, impending Democratic Party doom of Biblical proportions destined to make 1994 seem like walk in the park with a loved one down a sun-kissed lane strewn … [Read more...] about To Doom or Not To Doom? (Guest Voice)
Come on baby, light my fire
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Come on baby, light my fire
Muslim Clerics Must ‘Render Unto Caesar What is Caesar’s’ – Sotal Iraq, Iraq
Are political clerics destroying the image of Islam? According to columnist Saad Al-Ramla of Iraq's Sotal Iraq newspaper, clerics with outdated interpretations of Islam should keep out of politics and the law, because they are ruining the lives of ordinary Muslims trying to live in the modern world. Directing his invective toward today's politically-active imams, columnist … [Read more...] about Muslim Clerics Must ‘Render Unto Caesar What is Caesar’s’ – Sotal Iraq, Iraq
Another Tea Party Upset in Delaware?
It's looks like the "lifestyle conservatives" might win yet again. According to Public Policy Polling, the Senate GOP Primary in Delaware is too close to call. The race pits moderate Republican Congressman Mike Castle again the Tea Party-backed Christine O'Donnell. It wasn't that long ago that Castle was considered a lock for that Senate seat which is key to the GOP taking … [Read more...] about Another Tea Party Upset in Delaware?
Rope Enough: Just “Child Soldiers” Playing, Right? Double-Plus Bloody Wrong.
Yes, and the actual term is kidnapped children, not 'child soldiers'... it's kidnapped children forced by gunpoint from their families and forced to serve evil or else die if they try to run away. Hanging, and skinning the children who try to flee, burning them and hanging their remains to terrify human beings, is the favored act. It's everywhere, Taliban, Somalia, Kenya, … [Read more...] about Rope Enough: Just “Child Soldiers” Playing, Right? Double-Plus Bloody Wrong.
World War III Postponed: But for How Long? – Rossijskaya Gazeta, Russia
Is growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States, highlighted by Quran-burning Paster Terry Jones, evidence that we are quickly headed toward World War III? According to columnist Yevgeniy Shestakov of Russia's Rossiyskaya Gazeta, 'American dogmatism' will mitigate against compromise with Muslims over issues like First Amendment rights, and may well lead to the fulfillment … [Read more...] about World War III Postponed: But for How Long? – Rossijskaya Gazeta, Russia
10-Minute Music Video Made Entirely of GIFs
Alexia Tsotsis says that if you were an Internet hipster you'd have seen this three days ago: French designer Evan Roth has made a ten minute music video consisting of popular gifs vs. the typical fragmented Girl Talk tomfoolery (from the 2006 album Night Ripper). While Roth’s cleverly titled “Cache Rules Everything Around Me” is absolutely not the first … [Read more...] about 10-Minute Music Video Made Entirely of GIFs
Local Church is Shockingly Normal!
Just a quick reminder. I pastor Evergreen Foursquare Church in Auburn, Washington. In about an hour we will start our service. Depending upon how long I preach, the service will last from 10 am to 11:30 am. Our service, like most services around the country, will look nothing like what we’ve seen in the media over the past few months. No Glenn Beck stuff, no ground zero … [Read more...] about Local Church is Shockingly Normal!
Sign of the Times
In today's Slatest. The top story: AP: "US poverty on track to post record gain in 2009." The bottom story: Wall Street Journal: "At This Hotel, Even a Pooch Can Live in the Lap of Luxury." … [Read more...] about Sign of the Times
Taliban Using Children Soldiers According to U.S. Military
The devaluing of human life -- and of childhood -- is continuing in the 21st century. And one sign is a disturbing USA Today report that says the Taliban are increasing using children in many ways to fight Americans: From 3- and 4-year-olds used as human shields or to gather spent cartridges, to teenagers offered motorcycles for planting roadside bombs, children are being used … [Read more...] about Taliban Using Children Soldiers According to U.S. Military
Is Al Qaeda Getting Stronger Or Weakening?
Is Al Qaeda getting stronger or weakening.CNN's Anderson Cooper , Fareed Zakaria and Peter Bergen look at this issue: … [Read more...] about Is Al Qaeda Getting Stronger Or Weakening?
Two Issues: The War Within Islam + Israel and Islamism (Guest Voice)
Two Issues: The War Within Islam + Israel and Islamism by Barry Rubin Two readers asked me questions well worth answering. The first asked whether Islam itself isn't the enemy; the second, how these distinctions appear from an Israeli standpoint; . Regarding the first question, I would stress that "Islam" as a religion functioning in the world is not at war with anyone … [Read more...] about Two Issues: The War Within Islam + Israel and Islamism (Guest Voice)
Do Daughters Cause More Divorces?
The numbers are interesting. What could be behind it? Some thoughts HERE. … [Read more...] about Do Daughters Cause More Divorces?
Everything is Partisan Demonization These Days
Even the bedbug infestation: conservatives blame it on environmental regulation. I'm waiting for Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich to now somehow tie this into plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero. (Don't laugh. The absurd is now our reality.) … [Read more...] about Everything is Partisan Demonization These Days
Think Tank: Armed Drug Trafficking Groups Number One Source of Columbia’s Violence
As the increasingly bloody war between the Mexican government and drug cartels rages in Mexico, a Columbian think tank says armed groups of drug traffickers now are the main source of violence in Columbia. The BBC reports: Armed groups of drug-traffickers have overtaken left-wing rebels as Colombia's main source of violence, local think tank Indepaz says. The … [Read more...] about Think Tank: Armed Drug Trafficking Groups Number One Source of Columbia’s Violence
My Family And Friends Speak Volumes On Pastor Jones And The Qu’ran
This past week we saw a bewildered, confused Pastor Terry Jones of an obscure Gainesville, Fla., church back down after gaining international hysteria he would lead his flock in burning the Qur’an. Today, Sept. 12, nine years and one day after the 9/11 terrorist attack on the twin towers and Pentagon, Pastor Jones’ 15 minutes of fame mercifully is over. Time will tell … [Read more...] about My Family And Friends Speak Volumes On Pastor Jones And The Qu’ran
South African Muslims Prevent a ‘Bible Bonfire’: The Star, South Africa
South Africa's Star newspaper reports that Muslims in in the city of Johannesburg went to court to prevent an angry Muslim businessman from setting Bibles on fire in retaliation for the anticipated burning of Qurans by Pastor Terry Jones. According to the account, evidence presented by the Islamic 'Scholars of the Truth' persuaded the angry Muslim defendant that the Quran … [Read more...] about South African Muslims Prevent a ‘Bible Bonfire’: The Star, South Africa
Sunday School
The purveyors of hate on the religious right often claim that Islam is inherently a violent religion. A couple of examples here and here. And yes indeed they can find many examples of violence in the Qur'an. But have they read their own Bible? 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death … [Read more...] about Sunday School