Conservative bloggers have had their knickers in a twist the past few days about Danish and European newspapers that have published cartoons which, depending on your point of view, depict the Prophet Mohammad in an offensive and demeaning manner. Generally speaking, the cartoons have caused angry (but so far peaceful) demonstrations from Europe’s Muslim community. Conservative bloggers, on the other … Read More
Spread Of Democracy
The Hamas in Palestine is a "terrorist group" according to the European Union, Canada, the United States, and Israel, and its attacks targeting Israeli civilians and other human rights abuses have been condemned by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Now, there is an huge gap in my knowledge about Middle East politics, … Read More
In Defense Of Canada
I’ve never quite understood why so-called patriotic conservative bloggers and pundits take swipes at Canada all the time: Canada has been described lately by a conservative U.S. television host as "a stalker" and a "retarded cousin." Another pundit recently asked if Canadians weren’t getting "a little too big for their britches." There’s been a spate of Canada-bashing by right-wing media … Read More
AIDS Relief in Africa: Strings Attached
AIDS in Africa could reach pandemic perportions: The HIV/AIDS scourge on the African continent could worsen in 2006 if developed nations do not deliver on their financial pledges, the U.N.’s top AIDS official in Africa said on Monday. Stephen Lewis, U.N. special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, said treatment, prevention and care programs on the continent will start losing out … Read More
U.S. Border Patrol Uniforms Are Made In Mexico
AP: WASHINGTON — The labels inside the U.S. Border Patrol uniforms have been making many federal agents feel uneasy. It’s not the fit or feel of the olive-green shirts and pants, but what their labels read: "Made in Mexico." "It’s embarrassing to be protecting the U.S.-Mexico border and be wearing a uniform made in Mexico," says T.J. Bonner, president of … Read More
Science Fiction Double Feature?
As if this planet doesn’t have enough problems already, we now have to contend with those damn aliens: In Washington on Sunday night (registration required – but the "bugmenot" method works): For a few seconds Sunday night, the dark, cloudless north state sky lit up. Not like a lightning strike. And not like a shooting star. Like three seconds of … Read More
Dealing With North Korea
It has not escaped me that North Korea is coming to the table, offering to give up its nuclear program. It’s not a perfect deal, but it is a step in the right direction. Of course, it was not the threat of war that brought them there — we have no troops (they are in Iraq and Louisiana). It was … Read More
View From Abroad
I was always amused by Clinton haters who decried his sexual misconduct by saying that it made America an embrassment to the world . . . as if Europeans have the same amount of prudishness as socially conservative Americans. They don’t. But this article in The American Prospect indicates that we should be embarrassed by recent events. An excerpt: Europeans … Read More
Bush’s AIDS/Africa Policy
Bush likes to talk about how he is helping fight AIDS in Africa by, among other things, "build[ing] the health system capacity" there. Yeah, right. Bush’s war against AIDS in Africa has a strong enemy: Bush himself. Like his approach to terrorism, Bush’s unreality-based views of the world are merely prolonging the problem he seeks to prevent: A senior United … Read More
Robertson Apologizes For Assassination Remark, Then Defends It
First he said it… Then he lied about saying it (and blamed it on the media)… Then he admitted saying it and apologized on TV… Then he issued an "apology statement", where he apologizes once again… and then endorses assassination! Pat, no kidding. Shut up.
Pat Robertson Bears False Witness
UPDATE: Later today, Pat admitted he called for Chavez’ assassination and apologized. It took 48 hours to get from A to Z, while taking a few lying diversions in between. Now watch as the Christian Coalition falls all over itself to praise Pat as a stand-up guy. And by the way, I find his excuse rather lame. Let’s look at … Read More
Nice Going, Pat!
It must be nice to have your own ministry, and own your own television channel. You get to say whatever batshit thing pops into your head. But it porably sucks to advocate a position from the pulpit, with the result being that your mere words create the opposite result of what you seek. Death Threat May Bolster Chavez’s Popularity Before … Read More
Not Angry
In response to a comment on that his blog is "full of hatred and anger", Corrente not only denied the charge, but set out to compile a list of things he was not angry about, as well as things he doesn’t hate. It’s not only long, but a work-in-progress, so check out Corrente’s site for the latest revisions and updates: … Read More
Church and State
The Los Angeles Times (subscription requied) reports that evangelical programs on Capitol Hill attempt "to mold a new generation of leaders who will answer not to voters, but to God": "Nearly every Monday for six months, as many as a dozen congressional aides — many of them aspiring politicians — have gathered over takeout dinners to mine the Bible for … Read More
Unintentionally Ironic Funny Quote of the Day
Rice, in Egypt, said that the U.S. is no longer willing to tolerate repressive regimes to bolster regional stability. She flew next to Saudi Arabia. — from today’s WSJ, as reported here.