This is an exciting story coming out of NASA this week. Using the Cassini spacecraft, we have now determined that liquid lakes exist on the surface of Saturn's moon Titan. PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA scientists have concluded that at least one of the large lakes observed on Saturn’s moon Titan contains liquid hydrocarbons, and have positively identified the presence of ethane. … [Read more...] about Liquid Lakes Confirmed on Titan
Tension In Turkey
The government of Turkey narrowly avoided collapse when the nations Constitutional Court fell one vote short of banning the ruling AKP party for violating the long standing tradition of secularism. Turkey is somewhat unique in the Islamic world for having a strong tradition of secularism rather than the more common religiously-oriented government. This secular tradition goes … [Read more...] about Tension In Turkey
John McCain’s Metamorphosis From Smear Politics Victim To Smear Politics Perpetrator
OBAMA IS NOT REALLY MEETING WITH TROOPS IN THIS PHOTO The great thing about using smear tactics is that even when the smear is proven to be untrue the damage has been done. This helps explain why in their latest effort to portray Barack Obama as unpatriotic, John McCain and his surrogates are accusing him in a TV commercial and elsewhere of canceling a visit to wounded … [Read more...] about John McCain’s Metamorphosis From Smear Politics Victim To Smear Politics Perpetrator
French & Sandwiches!!! Economy Must Be Bad…
One of the delights of Paris is a leisurely meal and a glass of wine at a roadside cafe. I was taken aback to read The Times story: "The world economic crisis has hit borrowers in the US, banks in Britain and homeowners in Spain. Now it has claimed perhaps its most startling victim to date: the Gallic gastronome. "Lunches are being skipped, dinners shortened and apéritifs … [Read more...] about French & Sandwiches!!! Economy Must Be Bad…
DADT: It’s Time for It to Go.
The following is definitely in the "man bites dog" department. Deroy Murdock, a writer at the conservative National Review, wrote an op-ed calling for the retirement of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" regarding gay Americans serving in the military. Murdock notes the irony of the Army lowering its standards to allow convicted thieves, child molesters and murderers, … [Read more...] about DADT: It’s Time for It to Go.
Remember The Indianapolis
This week marks the 63rd anniversary of one of the more unfortunate events in the history of the United States Navy. In July of 1945 the USS Indianapolis, a Navy Cruiser set sail from San Francisco to Tinian Island where it dropped off the components for the atomic bomb that would end the war. The ship then stopped in Guam to drop off some crew members and then headed for … [Read more...] about Remember The Indianapolis
Why I’m still a great big fan of Cass Sunstein
Cass Sunstein, a legal scholar and adviser to Barack Obama, has been attracting a good bit of critical notice mainly from the liberal side of the blogosphere. I've read much of it with interest; I've seen no defenders. After finishing KathyG's post on Sunstein (Ken Houghton says it's a "must read"), I took to the keyboard. A storm (a sign) knocked out my Internet and delayed … [Read more...] about Why I’m still a great big fan of Cass Sunstein
Israel’s Ehud Olmert Resigns: What Next?
Israel prime minister, Ehud Olmert's resignation last night follows months of mounting pressure over allegations of corruption. His successor, apart from managing the ongoing talks with the Palestinians, would have to face another major issue concerning Iran's nuclear ambitions. The Guardian reports that "Mofaz, a former chief of staff and defence minister, said recently … [Read more...] about Israel’s Ehud Olmert Resigns: What Next?
For Palestinians, Obama is No Better Than the Rest: Le Quotidien-Oran, Algeria
As we've seen over the past week, the global reaction to Barack Obama's world tour has been largely positive - if not at times skeptical. But particularly in the Arab world - disappointment is the dominant theme. Writing for Le Quotidien-Oran of Algeria, K. Selim focuses in on Obama's 45-minute visit to the Palestinians, and the conclusions many Arabs are drawing from … [Read more...] about For Palestinians, Obama is No Better Than the Rest: Le Quotidien-Oran, Algeria
‘Hangover After the Obama Rush’: Financial Times Deutschland Editorial
It seems - as we saw yesterday at WORLDMEETS.US with the editorial translations of a number of regional German newspapers - that after an orgy of Obama-mania in Berlin, Germans are having some second thoughts. Perhaps, this editorial from Germany's Financial Times Deutschland ponders, a President John McCain would be easier to refuse when he seeks more German troops for … [Read more...] about ‘Hangover After the Obama Rush’: Financial Times Deutschland Editorial
Our President Should Support More Direct Democracy (Guest Voice)
This Guest Voice is by Joel S. Hirschhorn, who is critical of both political parties. Our President Should Support More Direct Democracy by Joel S. Hirschhorn Representative government fails when corrupt politicians mostly serve corporate and other special interests. Then it is crucial for citizens to have direct democracy opportunities. This means having the … [Read more...] about Our President Should Support More Direct Democracy (Guest Voice)
Tzipi Livni getting closer to governing Israel? Olmert not running
From JTA.org: Ehud Olmert has decided not to run for the leadership of his centrist Kadima Party. The Israeli prime minister was expected to make the annoucement during a hastily organized speech at 8 p.m. Israel time (1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time). The Prime Minister's Office did not give details of the speech, but Israeli media are reporting that Olmert will announce … [Read more...] about Tzipi Livni getting closer to governing Israel? Olmert not running
Obama Realizes Israel Doesn’t Like Iran
After Messiah One touched down back in the States, Barack Obama sat down for a meeting with fellow Democrats to cover some of the lessons learned during the trip. One of the big topics was, apparently, mideast relations. Obama told the caucus, according to an attendee, "Nobody said this to me directly but I get the feeling from my talks that if the sanctions don’t work … [Read more...] about Obama Realizes Israel Doesn’t Like Iran
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/30/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Sorry for the delay folks, I was on the Hill this morning. In a resolution offered by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), the House of Representatives has formally apologized for slavery and Jim Crow. There is much to criticize with regards to the efforts against AIDS in the Black community. In a related story, if Black … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 07/30/08
Win a free trip to the GOP convention!
Lots of us in the blogging community will be attending the GOP Convention this September in Minnesota to cover the events live and report back to you. Would you like a chance to join us for free? Stop by the convention's YouTube page for details of how you can submit a two minute video and possibly win a free trip to the big party. Ok, there's one catch. You need to be a … [Read more...] about Win a free trip to the GOP convention!
Child prostitution & prevention
Atlanta has long been a hub of child prostitution. Yesterday it was featured in a NY Times editorial on prostitution and prevention: State lawmakers will be tempted to ratchet up penalties for the crime of child prostitution and declare the problem solved. But Georgia already has very tough laws in this area. Like the rest of the states, it needs to significantly expand … [Read more...] about Child prostitution & prevention
Christian The Lion: The Real Life Video That’s Touching The World
His name was Christian the Lion. He was raised by humans, got too big, and was reintroduced to the wild. A year later, the humans wanted to go back to see if the could find him in the wild, even though it could be dangerous. And, they did... It's all over You Tube, TV's "The View" and the Today Show. The video explains -- and shows -- it all. A MUST VIEW for all: … [Read more...] about Christian The Lion: The Real Life Video That’s Touching The World
A Look Into Obama’s Mind
In unearthing the syllabus and assignments for his seminar in "Current Issues in Racism and the Law" during 12 years of teaching at the University of Chicago, the New York Times offers a preview of how Barack Obama's mind might work in the Oval Office. For that complex and controversial subject, Obama improvised his own textbook, with key cases like Brown v. Board of … [Read more...] about A Look Into Obama’s Mind
The Conservative Reformation: Washington’s Roles
Yesterday, we paused on the doorstep of defining Washington’s key roles in the process of fostering DNS or dispersed, networked solutions. Once again, those key roles include: standard setter, catalyst, and backstop. --------------------- As standard setter, Washington would establish the basic rules of the road; the fundamental requirements, assumptions, or framework … [Read more...] about The Conservative Reformation: Washington’s Roles
Obama’s Biggest Obstacle To The White House
Will it be his own potentially self-defeating hubris? It could well be... The Washington Post's Dana Milbank: Barack Obama has long been his party's presumptive nominee. Now he's becoming its presumptuous nominee. Fresh from his presidential-style world tour, during which foreign leaders and American generals lined up to show him affection, Obama settled down to some … [Read more...] about Obama’s Biggest Obstacle To The White House