Merck & Co., responding to mounting criticism over its strong-arm tactics, says it will stop lobbying state officials to require that girls receive its Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine before they can attend school. The giant drugmaker said it made the decision after several groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, said there wasn't enough state funding to pay … [Read more...] about An Update on the Gardasil Vaccine Controversy
Going Back to the Moon
An interesting read over at Pajamas Media... Buzz Aldrin and Taylor Dinerman explain why NASA has to go back to the moon. An excerpt: NASA unveiled its plans for a base on December 4th, 2006. The lunar base is to be built on one of the Moon’s poles, probably the south one, which is lit by the Sun at least 75 percent of the time. “Our objective is to create a enduring … [Read more...] about Going Back to the Moon
(Updated) What Happened to Sabrine Al-Janabi?
Sabrine is interviewed on Al Jazeera The U.S. has again found itself in the middle of a hugely embarrassing no-win situation in Iraq because of the civil war it has fomented. The "situation" is what what happened or did not happen to 20-year-old Sabrine Al-Janabi. Beyond a small handful of well publicized cases, there is ample anecdotal evidence that Iraqi and American … [Read more...] about (Updated) What Happened to Sabrine Al-Janabi?
Tony Blair Inches Towards Quitting Iraq (UPDATE 2)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is going to start to slowly pull the plug on his country's involvement in the Iraq war, the NBC reports:Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce Wednesday a timetable for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, with 1,500 to return home in several weeks, British media reported. Blair will also tell the House of Commons during his regular … [Read more...] about Tony Blair Inches Towards Quitting Iraq (UPDATE 2)
Nonbinding
Australian Light Bulbs
What Would You Call It?
If we forcibly take people from other countries and put them internment camps, even after we know they did nothing wrong, is there any reason not to call that kidnapping? Tragically, this is becoming somewhat of a historical pattern. But it's a good thing that we have courts they can challenge their detention in. Oh, wait. … [Read more...] about What Would You Call It?
The perils of attacking Iran
Speculation is growing in America and around the world that the Bush administration might take military action against Iran in the near future. Thinking through this possibility should go beyond the usual partisan arguments of Washington about Iranian interference in Iraq and the security of Israel. Taking on Iran would be a first step to a new kind of world war. American … [Read more...] about The perils of attacking Iran
Mommy’s little girl
Little girls have always tried to model the styles and mannerisms of older girls (read: young women). It's part of growing up, and as far as I know, it always has been. So what's different between the little girls of yesteryear and today? And can we really blame dolls? More here. … [Read more...] about Mommy’s little girl
Cuomo-Gingrich Debate Feb 28
A 90-minute, unrestricted, unrehearsed dialogue about the major challenges confronting America by two of the most articulate promoters of their ideologies. For more Info … [Read more...] about Cuomo-Gingrich Debate Feb 28
The Event: Chapter 8
Mick LaSalle just e-mailed me: he published chapter 8 today. East - someone who refused to play East's game of unite and conquer - has killed the Pope... and Sadie is trying to come to terms with, well, the fact that her father killed the most important Christian leader. O... and who will become the new Pope and what will the results of that be? Priscilla will get … [Read more...] about The Event: Chapter 8
An African-American Catholic Woman with a Jewish Father can become President
As long as she isn't mormon, homosexual, or atheist. H/t Austin Roth … [Read more...] about An African-American Catholic Woman with a Jewish Father can become President
On to the Next Step
Based on the approving comments we received yesterday regarding our draft of five policy questions -- and an overwhelming lack of disagreement about those questions -- we have now moved on to the second step; namely, posing these questions to the presidential candidates. A friend and former colleague who worked on Senator Kerry's campaign in 2004 and served previously in the … [Read more...] about On to the Next Step
Hillary’s Blog
Go check out the official blog of Hillary's campaign. An intro:: Welcome to the campaign's new blog. I'm Crystal Patterson, and I'll be blogging for the campaign as Hillary travels around the country meeting all of you and sharing her vision for America. I was the one asking your questions during Hillary's live webcasts (if you missed them, you can watch them here). I look … [Read more...] about Hillary’s Blog
A short ride on the Straight Talk Express
I'll admit it. Happily. I've been pretty hard on John McCain, criticizing him harshly for his views on, inter alia, Iraq, abortion, same-sex marriage, and so-called intelligent design. Well, the old McCain -- the far more admirable one -- emerged yesterday in South Carolina. Sort of. At a retirement community near Hilton Head, he had this to say about the war (and one of the … [Read more...] about A short ride on the Straight Talk Express
Round 2 of a Bush-Supreme Court Showdown Looms
Another high-stakes showdown between the White House and the Supreme Court looms after a federal appeals court today upheld a key provision in President Bush's anti-terrorism law stating that Guantánamo Bay detainees may not challenge their military detention in civilian courts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 that civilian courts no … [Read more...] about Round 2 of a Bush-Supreme Court Showdown Looms
Of Criminals and U.S. Military Traditions
Here is a thought provoking edit in The New York Times: "The Iraq war has plunged the Army into a vicious cycle of declining standards. Multiple, extended tours of duty have sapped morale and blighted recruiting. New plans for a larger overall force could reduce pressures but would also mean that recruiters would have to meet higher quotas. "To keep filling the ranks, the … [Read more...] about Of Criminals and U.S. Military Traditions
Rape of the Seas
This is the harsh editorial heading in today's edition of The Independent following a news report based on the findings of leading American scientists. "The madness of the over-fishing of our oceans shows no signs of abating. A research paper presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco yesterday shows that, as fish stocks in coastal … [Read more...] about Rape of the Seas
Hillary’s Tough on Terrorism
Hillary Clinton will position herself as the Democratic candidate who's tough on security / terrorism / etc. Clinton also sought to draw a contrast with some of her Democratic rivals on the issue of terrorism. "Some people may be running who may tell you that we don't face a real threat from terrorism," she said. "I am not one of those." Chris Cillizza points out that … [Read more...] about Hillary’s Tough on Terrorism
Iraq, Al Qaeda and The Mulberry Bush Syndrome
Ayman Al-Zawahiri is again a familiar Al Qaeda talking head As surely as the sun comes up in the East, it was only a matter of time before American intelligence agencies would have to acknowledge that Al Qaeda, bowed but not beaten, has re-emerged in South Asia as a deadly force to again be reckoned with. As surely as the sun comes up in the East, it was only a matter of … [Read more...] about Iraq, Al Qaeda and The Mulberry Bush Syndrome