It isn't R.I.P. for the stalled immigration reform bill in terms of public support. Yet. It's on life support. But barely. That's the only conclusion that can be drawn from a new Rasmussen Reports poll that suggests the bill has irked conservatives and is also getting two thumbs down (or a middle finger up) from liberals, Republicans, Democrats, independents and … [Read more...] about Poll: Immigration Bill Flopping With Only 22% Support
The One-State Solution
It's wrong. It's equally wrong regardless of which side wants it--be it the "greater Israel" right or the "binational state" left. And people who press for it should be forced to say, exactly, what it is they are standing for. … [Read more...] about The One-State Solution
Supreme Court Says No To Environmentalists, Teenage Speech, Taxpayer Rights, but Yes to FaithBased Gov’t Programs and More
It's going to make a lot of people shake their heads, but it makes you wonder too, does the Daddy-Court of the Land really get to have the final say-so? Ought all good children still continue to eat their peas without pause? Or should something else occur... the thundercloud so many carry inside nowadays, when put together with all other thunderclouds, could make a perfect … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Says No To Environmentalists, Teenage Speech, Taxpayer Rights, but Yes to FaithBased Gov’t Programs and More
Major Bosshardt: Example of Tolerance, Love and Compassion, Dies
Major Bosshardt, who is well-known and loved by every Dutch person, has died at age 94. Boshart was a Major in the Salvation Army and dedicated her life to the poor and addicted. She first became famous because she regularly visited the red light zone in Amsterdam, to talk to prostitutes, to listen to their stories, and to be there for them: she did not condemn them, she loved … [Read more...] about Major Bosshardt: Example of Tolerance, Love and Compassion, Dies
The Supreme Court Roars Four Times
Providing further evidence that it is disdainful of freedom of speech, the emergent Supreme Court majority has ruled 6-3 against a then-Alaska high school student in the notorious “Bong Hits 4 Jesus†case. As freedom of speech cases go, this one was fairly cut and dried. Joseph Frederick had unveiled a banner with the apocryphal message within view of school property. … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court Roars Four Times
UNHRC in Wonderland
The evidence that they are a farce and a sham continues to grow unabated. … [Read more...] about UNHRC in Wonderland
Corruption in Miami?
I know, I know, it sounds redundant. But Kendrick Meek is considered a Democratic rising star--he is precisely the type of representative the leadership did not want to see attached to a story like this. … [Read more...] about Corruption in Miami?
The Dönme: A Secret Jewish Sect Part I
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about a religious group in Turkey called the Dönme, after reading an article about them at Forward.com (Jewish news). Before reading that article, I had never heard of the Dönme, but after reading it, I was fascinated and wanted to find out more about them. Little over a week ago, a person who wishes to remain anonymous, sent me a lot of … [Read more...] about The Dönme: A Secret Jewish Sect Part I
A Small Step?
To say that Tom Friedman does not exactly like the energy bill that recently passed the US Senate would be quite an understatement: When you watch a baby being born, after a difficult pregnancy, it is so painful and bloody for the mother it is always hard to tell the truth and say, “Gosh, that baby is really ugly.†But that’s how I feel about the energy legislation … [Read more...] about A Small Step?
Thompson and Clinton Lead in Nevada
Good news for Hillary Clinton and Fred Thompson (who has yet to officially announce his candidacy): the two of them lead the polls in Nevada. For the results click here. … [Read more...] about Thompson and Clinton Lead in Nevada
Killing All the Lawyers: Not a Bad Idea
"She was strikingly beautiful and had a great sense of humor. She was a hostess extraordinaire who had filled her New Jersey home with furnishings that she and her husband brought back from their world travels. But by the time she died, she was a virtual hostage of her alcohol- and drug-addicted son and his ex-convict girlfriend. The scene of fresh cut flowers had been replaced … [Read more...] about Killing All the Lawyers: Not a Bad Idea
Clinton Has Learned Her Health Care Lesson
It seems that Hillary Clinton has learned from the health care debacle in the 1990s: As first lady in the early 1990s, she tried to reshape the nation's health care system — an audacious effort that collapsed under its own complexity, Republican opposition and the Clintons' unwillingness to seek compromise with lawmakers. "I still have the scars to show for it," she tells … [Read more...] about Clinton Has Learned Her Health Care Lesson
It’s Time to Speak Up, Sen. Warner
It's hard to believe that a former husband of Elizabeth Taylor holds a big key to bringing American troops home from Iraq. That would be John Warner. Warner, a World War II veteran who was married to the actress from 1976-82, has been anything but a quick study first as Navy secretary in the Nixon and Ford administrations and for the last 28 years a Republican senator … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Speak Up, Sen. Warner
Is John McCain Doomed To Quit 2008 Presidential Nomination Race?
It has been clear for several months now that Arizona Senator John McCain, chief engineer of 2000's media-praised "Straight Talk Express," was walking a shaky tightrope in his quest for the Republican nomination -- trying to hold independent voters who supported him in 2000 and ingratiate himself with Republican party's conservative base and the GOP establishment that defeated … [Read more...] about Is John McCain Doomed To Quit 2008 Presidential Nomination Race?
Concert Review: Stanley Clarke
As bass guitars go, the Alembic is something of a rarity. So it's kinda weird that three of my four all-time favorite electric bassists play these distinctive looking and sounding handcrafted instruments. The Alembic players would be Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna fame, Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and jazz virtuoso Stanley Clarke. (The late Jaco Pastorius … [Read more...] about Concert Review: Stanley Clarke
Lip Sync Time
GOOD lip syncing is an art. And this guy HAS it: If this embed plays too slowly on your computer, view this work of lip sync art directly on You Tube. … [Read more...] about Lip Sync Time
Go Online
From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about Go Online
Cheney Pushed Envelope On Presidential Power — And Torture Definition
The Washington Post's latest installment of its special series on Vice President Dick Cheney continues to reveal both new info and confirm some allegations made over the years by critics. The latest revelations, spelled out in the Post's painstaking reportage: (1)Cheney pushed the envelope on Presidential power. Bigtime. (2) Cheney tinkered with the torture's … [Read more...] about Cheney Pushed Envelope On Presidential Power — And Torture Definition
Mr. And Mrs. John Edwards Split On Gay Marriage
Remember the old adage: "Politics makes strange bedfellows..." when you read this: Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, kicked off San Francisco's annual gay pride parade Sunday by splitting with her husband over support for legalized gay marriage. "I don't know why someone else's marriage has anything to do with me," Mrs. Edwards … [Read more...] about Mr. And Mrs. John Edwards Split On Gay Marriage
Is It Ralph Nader Time (Again)?
Is third party maven Ralph Nader an idealist, a spoiler or just another ego-bloated political hack who has some political scores to settle? The debate rages amid signs that Ralph Nader Will Ride Again (last time he accepted money from Republicans who clearly wanted to sandbag the Democratic vote). It rages in various places -- for instance HERE. … [Read more...] about Is It Ralph Nader Time (Again)?