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December 29, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
Monday's Links
Activism
What's important to you? Do you believe that a woman's right to choose is important? Should this administration be allowed to restrict a woman's reproductive freedom? Sign NARAL's "We Are Pro-Choice America" pledge here. Remember, supporting a woman's right to choose does not mean we should abandon the ideas of education and counseling, nor is it carte blanche for reproductive irresponsibility. But removing this right goes against the idea that America was founded upon - the right to be free to make choices about one's own life.
News
A Knight Ridder analysis of government statistics shows that, despite all of the positive things we've done in Iraq, the insurgency is getting worse. The analysis goes on to state that, unless something truly dramatic happens, the U.S. will not win this war. Certainly, many of us have believed this for a while, but our belief alone hasn't changed anything. Maybe this analysis will help the administration see that something must be done, or more Americans will continue to die in a losing effort.
Although neither of us were raised Christian, we're pretty sure that one of the pillars of Christianity is to help thy fellow man. That's why we are so disgusted by this story: Christian missionaries denying aid to Hindus in India because they would not convert to Christianity. As a result, the missionaries left town. We know that this is an isolated example, but we are not talking about a simple pilgrimage. This village was razed by the tsunamis, and its inhabitants desperate for food and medicine. The result is yet another shameful episode for a religion that is already viewed by many Muslims as the source of their oppression.
The Republicans, formerly the party of fiscal responsibility, control the House and Senate, and eagerly await Bush's budget proposal. We point out their fiscal responsibility because the president will submit a budget that has severe cuts in many benefit programs, including Medicaid, and we are hoping that Republicans remember that America's citizens must come first. There is a reason why Bush is the only president to cut taxes during a war, and so instead of asking all Americans to pay a little more money in the past few years, some Americans are going to lose a lot of government services this year. Just watch as Bush claims to be doing something about the deficit crisis (for once he's right - it is a crisis - one he created) and slashes worthwhile programs in the name of "responsibility", when in fact, it will be precisely the opposite: Irresponsible to the core.
Editorials
On a recent episode of the network drama Boston Legal, an American from Sudan, with family in Sudan that was being slaughtered by mercenaries, successfully sued the U.S. Government for repeatedly proclaiming that they would help, yet not following up with that help. Sure, it's not realistic, and the lawsuit would not have a snowball's chance in our legal system. Yet, that is exactly what is happening in many parts of the world, including, for example, Somalia, as Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) recently spoke about. Condi Rice promises to "keep these items on the agenda," which sends a message to other countries that, "hey, we'll handle it." But we don't. We've seen it in Sudan. We've seen it in Uzbekistan. We've seen it in Somalia. Bush, Rice and the rest of the administration have to be made to realize that they can't have it both ways - we cannot pledge to help a country, and then let them drift in the wind. Oh, and speaking of Sudan, see what a little help will do? Note that America had nothing to do with these changes, and that's fine. No one expects America to solve every problem in the world. But at least let's solve the ones we promise to.
A book review? In the Editorials section? Absolutely, when the review makes a great read by itself, and that's exactly what we have here. The book is "The Most Activist Supreme Court in History," by Thomas Keck. The review is written by Stephen Pomper, who succinctly summarizes Keck's point - that for the last 18 years, we have had a Republican-led Supreme Court that has defended civil rights and not really shaken the status quo. A great summary of this court's past 18 years, and well worth your time.
Tim Russert, host of Meet the Press and NBC's News' Washington bureau chief, was recently interviewed by MSNBC on what he calls the Bush Doctrine. Russert is certainly one of the most politically connected people in Washington, and has long built a reputation on being fair. Perhaps the most important thing he discusses is Iraq: "America's exit strategy in Iraq is simple: train the Iraqi security forces and military to protect their own people and then withdraw. If the Iraqis do not have a government that is perceived as legitimate, it can not train a military force and we can't get out." We couldn't agree more.
Humor
Submitted for your amusement on this Monday, Patridiots presents an open letter from John Cleese to the citizens of America. To be honest, this seems like something that will be circulated for years and will turn out not to have actually been written by Cleese, but it's still quite amusing, regardless of who wrote it.
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December 29, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
Monday's Links
Activism
What's important to you? Do you believe that a woman's right to choose is important? Should this administration be allowed to restrict a woman's reproductive freedom? Sign NARAL's "We Are Pro-Choice America" pledge here. Remember, supporting a woman's right to choose does not mean we should abandon the ideas of education and counseling, nor is it carte blanche for reproductive irresponsibility. But removing this right goes against the idea that America was founded upon - the right to be free to make choices about one's own life.
News
A Knight Ridder analysis of government statistics shows that, despite all of the positive things we've done in Iraq, the insurgency is getting worse. The analysis goes on to state that, unless something truly dramatic happens, the U.S. will not win this war. Certainly, many of us have believed this for a while, but our belief alone hasn't changed anything. Maybe this analysis will help the administration see that something must be done, or more Americans will continue to die in a losing effort.
Although neither of us were raised Christian, we're pretty sure that one of the pillars of Christianity is to help thy fellow man. That's why we are so disgusted by this story: Christian missionaries denying aid to Hindus in India because they would not convert to Christianity. As a result, the missionaries left town. We know that this is an isolated example, but we are not talking about a simple pilgrimage. This village was razed by the tsunamis, and its inhabitants desperate for food and medicine. The result is yet another shameful episode for a religion that is already viewed by many Muslims as the source of their oppression.
The Republicans, formerly the party of fiscal responsibility, control the House and Senate, and eagerly await Bush's budget proposal. We point out their fiscal responsibility because the president will submit a budget that has severe cuts in many benefit programs, including Medicaid, and we are hoping that Republicans remember that America's citizens must come first. There is a reason why Bush is the only president to cut taxes during a war, and so instead of asking all Americans to pay a little more money in the past few years, some Americans are going to lose a lot of government services this year. Just watch as Bush claims to be doing something about the deficit crisis (for once he's right - it is a crisis - one he created) and slashes worthwhile programs in the name of "responsibility", when in fact, it will be precisely the opposite: Irresponsible to the core.
Editorials
On a recent episode of the network drama Boston Legal, an American from Sudan, with family in Sudan that was being slaughtered by mercenaries, successfully sued the U.S. Government for repeatedly proclaiming that they would help, yet not following up with that help. Sure, it's not realistic, and the lawsuit would not have a snowball's chance in our legal system. Yet, that is exactly what is happening in many parts of the world, including, for example, Somalia, as Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) recently spoke about. Condi Rice promises to "keep these items on the agenda," which sends a message to other countries that, "hey, we'll handle it." But we don't. We've seen it in Sudan. We've seen it in Uzbekistan. We've seen it in Somalia. Bush, Rice and the rest of the administration have to be made to realize that they can't have it both ways - we cannot pledge to help a country, and then let them drift in the wind. Oh, and speaking of Sudan, see what a little help will do? Note that America had nothing to do with these changes, and that's fine. No one expects America to solve every problem in the world. But at least let's solve the ones we promise to.
A book review? In the Editorials section? Absolutely, when the review makes a great read by itself, and that's exactly what we have here. The book is "The Most Activist Supreme Court in History," by Thomas Keck. The review is written by Stephen Pomper, who succinctly summarizes Keck's point - that for the last 18 years, we have had a Republican-led Supreme Court that has defended civil rights and not really shaken the status quo. A great summary of this court's past 18 years, and well worth your time.
Tim Russert, host of Meet the Press and NBC's News' Washington bureau chief, was recently interviewed by MSNBC on what he calls the Bush Doctrine. Russert is certainly one of the most politically connected people in Washington, and has long built a reputation on being fair. Perhaps the most important thing he discusses is Iraq: "America's exit strategy in Iraq is simple: train the Iraqi security forces and military to protect their own people and then withdraw. If the Iraqis do not have a government that is perceived as legitimate, it can not train a military force and we can't get out." We couldn't agree more.
Humor
Submitted for your amusement on this Monday, Patridiots presents an open letter from John Cleese to the citizens of America. To be honest, this seems like something that will be circulated for years and will turn out not to have actually been written by Cleese, but it's still quite amusing, regardless of who wrote it.
|
December 29, 2005
What's important to you? Do you believe that a woman's right to choose is important? Should this administration be allowed to restrict a woman's reproductive freedom? Sign NARAL's "We Are Pro-Choice America" pledge here. Remember, supporting a woman's right to choose does not mean we should abandon the ideas of education and counseling, nor is it carte blanche for reproductive irresponsibility. But removing this right goes against the idea that America was founded upon - the right to be free to make choices about one's own life.
News
A Knight Ridder analysis of government statistics shows that, despite all of the positive things we've done in Iraq, the insurgency is getting worse. The analysis goes on to state that, unless something truly dramatic happens, the U.S. will not win this war. Certainly, many of us have believed this for a while, but our belief alone hasn't changed anything. Maybe this analysis will help the administration see that something must be done, or more Americans will continue to die in a losing effort.
Although neither of us were raised Christian, we're pretty sure that one of the pillars of Christianity is to help thy fellow man. That's why we are so disgusted by this story: Christian missionaries denying aid to Hindus in India because they would not convert to Christianity. As a result, the missionaries left town. We know that this is an isolated example, but we are not talking about a simple pilgrimage. This village was razed by the tsunamis, and its inhabitants desperate for food and medicine. The result is yet another shameful episode for a religion that is already viewed by many Muslims as the source of their oppression.
The Republicans, formerly the party of fiscal responsibility, control the House and Senate, and eagerly await Bush's budget proposal. We point out their fiscal responsibility because the president will submit a budget that has severe cuts in many benefit programs, including Medicaid, and we are hoping that Republicans remember that America's citizens must come first. There is a reason why Bush is the only president to cut taxes during a war, and so instead of asking all Americans to pay a little more money in the past few years, some Americans are going to lose a lot of government services this year. Just watch as Bush claims to be doing something about the deficit crisis (for once he's right - it is a crisis - one he created) and slashes worthwhile programs in the name of "responsibility", when in fact, it will be precisely the opposite: Irresponsible to the core.
Editorials
On a recent episode of the network drama Boston Legal, an American from Sudan, with family in Sudan that was being slaughtered by mercenaries, successfully sued the U.S. Government for repeatedly proclaiming that they would help, yet not following up with that help. Sure, it's not realistic, and the lawsuit would not have a snowball's chance in our legal system. Yet, that is exactly what is happening in many parts of the world, including, for example, Somalia, as Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) recently spoke about. Condi Rice promises to "keep these items on the agenda," which sends a message to other countries that, "hey, we'll handle it." But we don't. We've seen it in Sudan. We've seen it in Uzbekistan. We've seen it in Somalia. Bush, Rice and the rest of the administration have to be made to realize that they can't have it both ways - we cannot pledge to help a country, and then let them drift in the wind. Oh, and speaking of Sudan, see what a little help will do? Note that America had nothing to do with these changes, and that's fine. No one expects America to solve every problem in the world. But at least let's solve the ones we promise to.
A book review? In the Editorials section? Absolutely, when the review makes a great read by itself, and that's exactly what we have here. The book is "The Most Activist Supreme Court in History," by Thomas Keck. The review is written by Stephen Pomper, who succinctly summarizes Keck's point - that for the last 18 years, we have had a Republican-led Supreme Court that has defended civil rights and not really shaken the status quo. A great summary of this court's past 18 years, and well worth your time.
Tim Russert, host of Meet the Press and NBC's News' Washington bureau chief, was recently interviewed by MSNBC on what he calls the Bush Doctrine. Russert is certainly one of the most politically connected people in Washington, and has long built a reputation on being fair. Perhaps the most important thing he discusses is Iraq: "America's exit strategy in Iraq is simple: train the Iraqi security forces and military to protect their own people and then withdraw. If the Iraqis do not have a government that is perceived as legitimate, it can not train a military force and we can't get out." We couldn't agree more.
Humor
Submitted for your amusement on this Monday, Patridiots presents an open letter from John Cleese to the citizens of America. To be honest, this seems like something that will be circulated for years and will turn out not to have actually been written by Cleese, but it's still quite amusing, regardless of who wrote it.
