At the risk of exposing my nerdish side I just had to post this video. It must have taken forever to put together. … [Read more...] about My Nerdish Side Pops Out
Liberating Hostages from the FARC Frees Every Colombian …
If one wanted to understand the emotional impact on Colombians of last week's dramatic rescue of twelve Colombians and three Americans, including former Colombian Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, this editorial from Colombia's Semana newspaper would be a good place to start. The editorial says in part: "Every society needs symbols to enable it to survive. In her … [Read more...] about Liberating Hostages from the FARC Frees Every Colombian …
Obama Changes His Tune on Late-Term Abortions
Ann Althouse asks: Does he think we won't notice? That's a good question, not only on this issue, but on a whole host of others where the Illinois senator appears to be tuning up for the fall campaign. How much of this pandering to the hard ideological bases of their parties do Obama or McCain think that they need to do at this point? Someone needs to take both … [Read more...] about Obama Changes His Tune on Late-Term Abortions
Patriotism, Lapel Pins, and Barack Obama
Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer gleefully notes that Barack Obama is sporting a US flag lapel pin these days, just in time to appeal to more conservative voters in the general election. A Facebook friend, Amy Goldman, an embittered Hillary Clinton supporter who now is supporting John McCain, pointed earlier today to Krauthammer's column on the subject and said … [Read more...] about Patriotism, Lapel Pins, and Barack Obama
Can Egyptian Born McCain Be President?
If the title of this post has you befuddled, you are not alone, but please bear with me. My hometown newspaper this morning carried a story by Eunice Moscoso, on whether Senator John McCain is a natural born U.S. citizen, and whether he is eligible to be U.S. president. This is not the first time that this issue has been raised and, I am sure, it will not be the last … [Read more...] about Can Egyptian Born McCain Be President?
Muppets Celebrate America
Ok, I know that Independence Day was yesterday but this is too much fun to miss. … [Read more...] about Muppets Celebrate America
The REAL Anniversary
I saw a flurry of online articles, posts and news stories regarding something that seems to have happened on July 4, (I didn't catch precisely what it was) but it is dismaying that so few outlets are covering the real anniversary of note, which is July 5. It was on this date, 62 years ago, that Louis Reard unveiled the bikini. (Inventor credit also goes to another Frenchman, … [Read more...] about The REAL Anniversary
Three Oft-Cited Reasons for Supporting Telecom Amnesty that Aren’t
I happen to think the FISA bill is a terrible piece of legislation -- and not just because of the telecom issue --- but I am pretty sure it's going to pass. That's not what this is about. What this is about is the reasons I'm hearing from various highly-placed public officials why I and America need this so-called compromise. Do they take me for a fool? Yes, they … [Read more...] about Three Oft-Cited Reasons for Supporting Telecom Amnesty that Aren’t
Iran’s Position Unchanged Despite Offered Incentives Package
The other day I posted a piece about the most recent set of negotiations (by the EU and others) with Iran. Lots of incentives were promised....if only Iran would stop its uranium enrichment program (BN-Politics). The Iranians have returned a reply. In the first official comments since Iran submitted its response to the EU, spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said that Iran "will … [Read more...] about Iran’s Position Unchanged Despite Offered Incentives Package
Supermen
Will Smith's long awaited movie Hancock opened this week as a box office dollar bonanza, but was received by critics with a disappointed sigh. The film was as bold in its initial concept as it was flawed in execution, but I believe it still merits a look from any true movie fan. The film's intriguing plot, though, has sent my mind on another of those dangerous flights of fancy. … [Read more...] about Supermen
Green Screen Challenge: McCain gets interesting
Did you realize this was a result of Stephen Colbert's Green Screen Challenge? Other entries of note: Elvis, Pulp Fiction, Star Trek. Here's Stephen with some others (the brain in a vat is especially fun). … [Read more...] about Green Screen Challenge: McCain gets interesting
Cry If You Want To: Presidents Not Wanted at the Party?
Certain GOP members think it might be best for everyone if Bush just doesn't go to the GOP Convention. Damn, that's just sad. As The New York Times poignantly puts it:What if your family was planning a big end-of-summer bash (a Grand Old Party, you might call it) but preferred that you not be seen — or heard?...“I don’t think there are a lot of people who want to … [Read more...] about Cry If You Want To: Presidents Not Wanted at the Party?
A Last Celebration
While we are nearing the end of Independence Day, I thought I'd add one more video from a man who came to America as a visitor, but stayed and became a citizen. … [Read more...] about A Last Celebration
Anti War Left Shows Bad Form
In what has become an annual tradition for Independence Day, President Bush welcomed a number of new citizens at a naturalization ceremony. This one was held at Monticello in Virginia. You would think that such a ceremony would be one where everyone could agree to honor the new citizens and give them their day. But not for the hard core anti-war left crowd who chose to … [Read more...] about Anti War Left Shows Bad Form
Some Clinton Supporters Still Not Sold On Obama
According to a new CNN poll, some Clinton supporters are still not backing Senator Obama. Although the number who plan to defect to John McCain has dropped, some are still planning to remain at home on Election Day. One month ago 60% of Clinton voters planned to back Obama in November, now it is down to 54%. The number of Democrats who want Clinton as the nominee has risen … [Read more...] about Some Clinton Supporters Still Not Sold On Obama
Random on the 4th: Because We Live in Interesting Times
WHERE'S FREDO? Join the hunt for Alberto Gonzales. Anyone can play. Condi Rice is proud ---PROUD, I TELL YOU --- that the US went to war in Iraq. And she's sure that the world isn't more dangerous as a consequence. Meanwhile, some Republicans are apparently in a state of alarm and despondency over the President's current activities. They're worried about the President, … [Read more...] about Random on the 4th: Because We Live in Interesting Times
El Tiempo of Colombia: McCain’s Visit a ‘Brassy, Tawdry Show’
In the United States there has been quite a bit of criticism of John McCain's visit to Latin America for being ill-timed - although his partisans argue that the trip will shore up his foreign-policy credentials. So what do Colombians think of the Republican candidate's visit and the effusive welcome he received from Colombian President Uribe? For Colombia's top-selling … [Read more...] about El Tiempo of Colombia: McCain’s Visit a ‘Brassy, Tawdry Show’
Israel, the US, Iran and nuclear warheads
An air strike by Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities will shatter both Washington’s credibility in world affairs and its own long term security. The intensified chatter that Israel may act before the November election or soon afterwards should be cause for consternation to all its supporters. Whatever Teheran’s rhetoric of peace, we should work on the premise that it is … [Read more...] about Israel, the US, Iran and nuclear warheads
America: A Work in Progress
I was just reading one of many glowing proclomations on this, our Nation's birthday, exhorting readers to remember the greatness of our nation, the ineffable wisdom of the founding fathers and the sacrosanct nature of the documents they left to guide through the centuries. And, of course, there is much to love about America today. But it is also worth remembering as we … [Read more...] about America: A Work in Progress
The Star-Spangled Banner, an unusual anthem
There is something rather unusual about our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". We only sing part of it, and the last words of the part we commonly sing are a question: Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? It makes sense in the context of why it was written by Francis Scott Key, but most national … [Read more...] about The Star-Spangled Banner, an unusual anthem