Note, this post is just the facts. I'm not making any editorial comments. The McCain campaign invited several bloggers to take part in a conference call with the presumptive Republican nominee Senator John McCain. Here are some of the highlights: First, Senator McCain congratulated Senator Hillary Clinton saying she "inspired women all over America." He also … [Read more...] about The McCain Blogger Call
School Denies Graduation To Cancer Patient
A high school in Woodland California is at the center of a controversy involving the graduation of a student with cancer. The facts are fairly straightforward. 18 year old Lenna Elizalde is a senior at Woodland High School and has been fighting cancer for the last six months. She has undergone two surgeries along with extensive chemotherapy since her diagnosis. This has … [Read more...] about School Denies Graduation To Cancer Patient
Gay marriage, the GOP, & the albatross
So the big news today is the California court's rejection of a stay of last month’s ruling on gay marriage. (See also Patrick Edaburn below.) Chris Crain warns, "Better buckle up, fellas. It's going to be a bumpy ride...the justices were unanimous." Emphasis his. Here's the 1 page ruling (pdf). Also in the news today, a USAToday poll showing that 63% of adults say same-sex … [Read more...] about Gay marriage, the GOP, & the albatross
Breaking News: California Supreme Court Rejects Stay
The California Supreme Court has just issued an order denying requests for a rehearing and stay in gay marriage case. Opponents to the ruling legalizing gay marriage in California had requested that the court issue an order that put things on hold until after the voters had a chance to vote on a proposal which would overturn the decision. The ruling means that counties … [Read more...] about Breaking News: California Supreme Court Rejects Stay
Jimmy Carter Warns Obama: Don’t Pick Clinton For Vice President (UPDATED)
Former President Jimmy Carter has a warning for Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama: Don't pick Hillary Clinton as your Vice President. Those who argue Clinton should be on the ticket think she'd be a great asset -- helping divided Democrats to combine two voting coalitions...the best of both worlds. Carter sees the flip side of it: having … [Read more...] about Jimmy Carter Warns Obama: Don’t Pick Clinton For Vice President (UPDATED)
Candidates of the future
Public campaign finance system launched HARTFORD, Conn. - The state has launched a voluntary program to publicly fund campaigns for statewide office and the legislature. To date, 145 candidates have signed up. In return, they must forgo contributions from political action committees, raise small contributions from individuals and adhere to campaign spending limits and … [Read more...] about Candidates of the future
The Next Phase of the Elections
Let me start by extending congratulations to Senator Obama and Senator McCain as the presumptive nominees for their respective parties. And thank whatever Deity you like that the primaries are over! But now the time to throw stones is over; the time to gather stones together is begun. They can throw them at the other party later. Senator McCain has the relatively quiet … [Read more...] about The Next Phase of the Elections
Three Speeches on an Historic Night
The sight of Barack Obama actually being named presumptive Democratic candidate for President, no matter how expected. is astonishing to eyes that saw black people forced to ride in the back of buses and send their children to segregated schools and attacked for daring to exercise their right to vote. But then came the speeches. John McCain elbowed into Barack Obama's moment … [Read more...] about Three Speeches on an Historic Night
Short-Circuiting Clinton? Pelosi, Reid, Dean Give Superdelegates Friday Decision Deadline
Have three of the Democratic party's top leaders named Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Howard Dean decided they've had enough and want to make sure that with Democratic Senator Barack Obama now the Democrats' presumptive Presidential nominee the still-looming -- and potentially divisive -- campaign of Senator Hillary Clinton is definitively short-circuited once and for … [Read more...] about Short-Circuiting Clinton? Pelosi, Reid, Dean Give Superdelegates Friday Decision Deadline
A Grin, A Smirk, A Moment
Three images from last night's TV coverage will stay with me for years. 1. McCain's repetitious, ill-timed, and creepier-than-usual grin ... like the Cheshire cat on sedatives. 2. Clinton's defiant smirk, as her NYC supporters shouted "Denver, Denver, Denver." 3. Obama mouthing to Michelle after his speech, "How'd I do?" -- and her apparent response, "Good. Real … [Read more...] about A Grin, A Smirk, A Moment
End Of The Road
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about End Of The Road
In Vino Veritas…et Vita?
After some terrific news for our nation last night, the New York Times had some terrific news for wine drinkers this morning. In an article titled "New Hints Seen That Red Wine May Slow Aging", the Times writes that red wine may be"much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan." We all know that "in vino veritas." (Don't we wish that George would start … [Read more...] about In Vino Veritas…et Vita?
Osborn to be put to death tonight in Georgia: Case calls right to competent legal representation into question
I keep saying that we're not as racist as we're afraid we are and that when we do find instances of overt racism we have the capacity to cope and to act. Georgia is now confronted with just such an instance. As the AJC is reporting that Curtis Osborne's final meal tonight will be a cheeseburger, Alan Berlow writing in Slate wonders do defendants in Georgia have any right at … [Read more...] about Osborn to be put to death tonight in Georgia: Case calls right to competent legal representation into question
Smiling, Frowning and Cringing
While I may be one of the lonely oddballs over in the corner who is leaning toward supporting Bob Barr, I could not help but find myself experiencing a bit of a roller coaster of reactions watching last night's speeches. (Hence the title of this column.) In reverse order, the last event of the evening was perhaps the most impressive. Senator Obama's speech - effectively … [Read more...] about Smiling, Frowning and Cringing
Let The Battle To Take Back America Begin
In the end, the protean Barack Obama did what was best for the Democratic Party in not declaring that it was over until he had clinched the requisite number of delegates while Hillary Clinton, smiling through gnashed teeth, refused to give the trailblazing nominee in waiting his due. Nevertheless, you can practically feel the tectonic plates of the political universal slide … [Read more...] about Let The Battle To Take Back America Begin
Chinese Remedy To Challenge ‘Madam’ Anopheles
A drug based on an ancient Chinese herbal remedy, first used more than 2,000 years ago, holds the promise to save millions of children who die each year from malaria. "Within two years there might be enough supplies to meet the needs of everyone in the world suffering from malaria – up to 500 million people – at a 10th of the cost of existing drugs." More here... … [Read more...] about Chinese Remedy To Challenge ‘Madam’ Anopheles
Obama Clinton 2008-
RJ Matson, The New York Observer … [Read more...] about Obama Clinton 2008-
‘Se Puede!’
In WORLDMEETS.US' first translation from Latin America on Obama's historic victory last evening, Silvina Heguy of Argentina's Los Andes describes his final victory over Hillary Clinton this way: "Obama convinced Democratic voters that change was possible - and a lot better than the experience touted by his rival Hillary Clinton - for a country that is slowly falling into a … [Read more...] about ‘Se Puede!’
Showing Hillary the Door?
From the U.K.'s Guardian, "No Shame, No Gain". H/T Watching America.com … [Read more...] about Showing Hillary the Door?
A Barrier Breaks
Like my blogmate, Patrick Eadburn, I have not been a fan of Barak Obama. But, speaking not as John McCain supporter or a Republican, tonight, June 3, 2008 is moment in American history. Whatever one thinks of the Senator from Illinois, he has broken a barrier that did not ever seem possible. Tonight we saw a major party claim an African American as its presumptive … [Read more...] about A Barrier Breaks