Forget Osama, This Is What Keeps GT12 Up At Night

Mr Dan and I find this a more interesting thing to be Fear-Mongered about:

Some fear debut of powerful atom-smasher

MEYRIN, Switzerland (AP) -- The most powerful atom-smasher ever built could make some bizarre discoveries, such as invisible matter or extra dimensions in space, after it is switched on in August.

But some critics fear the Large Hadron Collider could exceed physicists' wildest conjectures: Will it spawn a black hole that could swallow Earth?

Or spit out particles that could turn the planet into a hot dead clump?

Ridiculous, say scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known by its French initials CERN -- some of whom have been working for a generation on the $5.8 billion collider, or LHC.

"Obviously, the world will not end when the LHC switches on," said project leader Lyn Evans.

David Francis, a physicist on the collider's huge ATLAS particle detector, smiled when asked whether he worried about black holes and hypothetical killer particles known as strangelets.

"If I thought that this was going to happen, I would be well away from here," he said.

... The safety of the collider, which will generate energies seven times higher than its most powerful rival, at Fermilab near Chicago, has been debated for years. The physicist Martin Rees has estimated the chance of an accelerator producing a global catastrophe at one in 50 million -- long odds, to be sure, but about the same as winning some lotteries.

By contrast, a CERN team this month issued a report concluding that there is "no conceivable danger" of a cataclysmic event. The report essentially confirmed the findings of a 2003 CERN safety report, and a panel of five prominent scientists not affiliated with CERN, including one Nobel laureate, endorsed its conclusions.

Critics of the LHC filed a lawsuit in a Hawaiian court in March seeking to block its startup, alleging that there was "a significant risk that ... operation of the Collider may have unintended consequences which could ultimately result in the destruction of our planet."

One of the plaintiffs, Walter L. Wagner, a physicist and lawyer, said Wednesday CERN's safety report, released June 20, "has several major flaws," and his views on the risks of using the particle accelerator had not changed.

When The Internets Hit Ohio

Helping stupid fearful people stay that way!

This WaPo report from not-too-far-away-from-where GT12 grew-up

FINDLAY, Ohio - On his corner of College Street, Jim Peterman stares at the four American flags planted in his front lawn and rubs his forehead. Peterman, 74, is a retired worker at Cooper Tire, a father of two, an Air Force veteran and a self-described patriot. He took one trip to Washington in 1989 -- best vacation of his life -- and bought a statue of the Washington Monument that he still displays in a glass case in his living room.

He believes a smart vote is an American's greatest responsibility. Which is why his confusion about Barack Obama continues to eat at him.

On the television in his living room, Peterman has watched enough news and campaign advertisements to hear the truth: Sen. Barack Obama, born in Hawaii, is a Christian family man with a track record of public service.

But on the Internet, in his grocery store, at his neighbor's house, at his son's auto shop, Peterman has also absorbed another version of the Democratic candidate's background, one that is entirely false: Barack Obama, born in Africa, is a possibly gay Muslim racist who refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

...But on Peterman's block in Findlay, the campaign's efforts [the Fight The Smears website]may already be too late. A swing voter who entered this election leaning Democratic, Peterson faces a decision that is no longer so simple as a choice between Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain, he said. First, he must pick the version of Obama on which he will stake his vote.

Does he choose to trust a TV commercial in which Obama talks about his "love of country"? Or his neighbor of 40 years, Don LeMaster, a Navy veteran who heard from a friend in Toledo that Obama refuses to wear an American-flag pin?
D

oes he trust a local newspaper article that details Obama's Christian faith? Or his friend Leroy Pollard, a devoted family man so convinced Obama is a radical Muslim that he threatened to stop talking to his daughter when he heard she might vote for him?

"I'll admit that I probably don't follow all of the election news like maybe I should," Peterman said. "I haven't read his books or studied up more than a little bit. But it's hard to ignore what you hear when everybody you know is saying it. These are good people, smart people, so can they really all be wrong?"

Liberal Do-Gooding Fucks Up Another Good Thing

Sigh.

Dutch marijuana coffee shops brace for smoking ban
Buzz kill: Smoking ban hits Amsterdam's marijuana coffee shops

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands) This city's famed marijuana bars have weathered many challenges over the years and are still smoking. But now they face an unwelcome blast of fresh air: On July 1, the Netherlands will be one of the last European countries to ban smoking in bars and restaurants in compliance with EU law.

The Health Ministry says the ban will apply to cafes that sell marijuana, known as coffee shops. But this being Holland, which for centuries has experimented with social liberalism, there's a loophole: The ban covers tobacco but not marijuana, which is technically illegal anyway.

...It's the world upside down: In other countries they look for the marijuana in the cigarette. Here they look for the cigarette in the marijuana," said Jason den Enting, manager of coffee shop Dampkring.

Obama plans visits to Europe, Mideast this summer

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama plans to visit the Middle East and Europe this summer, taking time off from campaigning in the United States in an effort to boost his foreign policy credentials.

Obama's campaign said the likely nominee will travel to Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The Illinois senator also has said he intends to visit Iraq and Afghanistan this summer; his campaign would not say whether those stops would be part of the trip to the Mideast and Europe.

By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press Writer

Dixie Hummingbirds lead singer Ira Tucker Sr. dies

Sent from Express Movies
PHILADELPHIA - Ira Tucker Sr., longtime lead singer of the gospel group the Dixie Hummingbirds, which influenced many other performers and backed up Paul Simon on "Loves Me Like a Rock," has died. He was 83.

Tucker had severe heart problems and died Tuesday in Philadelphia, where the group was based for many years, according to his son, Ira Tucker Jr.

The Associated Press

Steven Tyler tells AP: Rehab was for meds

Sent from Express Movies
NEW YORK - Steven Tyler sought the "safe environment" of rehab last month to recover from more than just surgery - the Aerosmith frontman now says was fighting a dependency on pain and sleep medication.

"To have your feet done, to have your leg done, you have to be on narcotics," Tyler told The Associated Press on Friday. "You have to be on sleep aids at night. I don't know about Joe (Perry) but I was off and running and I didn't like the me that was me."

Tyler released a statement in late May saying he checked into a rehab facility in search of a "safe environment" to recover from several foot surgeries and physical therapy. Tyler said the procedures were to correct longtime foot injuries resulting from his physical performances as the singer for the blues-rock band.

"This was a month ago, so I just put the brakes on and checked into detox and just pulled the plug on all of it," he told the AP on Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, where he and bandmates were promoting "Guitar Hero 3: Aerosmith."

The 60-year-old was known for heavy drug and alcohol abuse in the 1970s and early 1980s, but completed rehabilitation in 1986, after which Aerosmith enjoyed a successful revival.

By JOHN CARUCCI Associated Press Writer

New meaning for San Francisco gay pride parade

Sent from Express News
SAN FRANCISCO - Move over Dykes on Bikes. Here come the brides - and grooms. Given San Francisco's sizable role in initiating the lawsuits that led California's highest court to strike down the state's bans on same-sex marriage, the city's 38th annual gay pride festival and parade is likely to draw huge crowds this weekend, tourism officials say.

"It's really going to be a Pride like none other," said Joe D'Alessandro, president of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau. "I have never seen so many rainbow flags in this city, along Market Street, on shops, on homes. It's really a situation where the people are celebrating and the city is in a very festive mood."

By LISA LEFF Associated Press Writer

With Enemies Like This ...

From Think Progress:

Sens. Craig and Vitter team up to co-sponsor Marriage Protection Amendment.

Larry Craig and David Vitter — “two United States Senators implicated in extramarital sexual activity” — have named themselves as co-sponsors of S.J. Res. 43, the Marriage Protection Amendment.

If passed, the bill would amend the Constitution to declare that marriage “shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman.”

Well Done Hil

"In the end, Sen. McCain and President Bush are like two sides of the same coin, and it doesn't amount to a whole lot of change," Hillary Clinton today in Unity NH.

From NYT

Mrs. Clinton spoke first, with Mr. Obama sitting on a stool. His shirtsleeves rolled up, he listened intently and often led the applause at her remarks. The crowd, a mix of loyal supporters of Mr. Obama and die-hard admirers of Mrs. Clinton, broke into a chant of “Obama, Obama, Obama.” A few moments later, several women in the crowd led a chant of “Hillary, Hillary, Hillary.”

“If you like the direction the country is going, then vote for Senator McCain, but if you think we need a new course, a new agenda, vote for Barack Obama,” Mrs. Clinton told the crowd. “To anyone who voted for me and is now considering not voting or voting for Senator McCain, I strongly urge you to reconsider.”

Mr. Obama implored Mrs. Clinton’s supporters to join the Democratic campaign. He praised the Clintons, saying: “I know how much we need both Bill and Hillary Clinton as a party and a country.” Echoing a line he heard from the crowd, he added, “She rocks. She rocks.”

Obama's wife says he'll fight for gay equality

Sent from Express News
NEW YORK - Barack Obama will fight for equal rights for gays just as he fought to help working-class families overcome poverty, the Democratic presidential hopeful's wife told a gay Democratic group Thursday.

Recalling his past work as a community organizer to help struggling families, Michelle Obama said he would take the same approach as president.

By SAMANTHA GROSS Associated Press Writer

Coldplay

I Don't Get It

Driver arrested after speeding 22 times in 45 days

Sent from Express News
PHOENIX - A Nevada woman has been arrested after photo enforcement cameras on a Phoenix freeway captured her behind the wheel of a car speeding 22 times in a 45-day span, authorities said.

The woman, 24, was arrested by Arizona Department of Public Safety officers on suspicion of criminal speeding, reckless driving and endangerment.
The Associated Press

Obama donates $4,600 to Clinton's debt relief

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - Barack Obama announced Thursday that he will help pay off Hillary Rodham Clinton's more than $20 million debt, personally writing a check in a gesture meant to win over her top financial backers.

Obama met with more than 200 of Clinton's biggest fundraisers at Washington's Mayflower Hotel, the first step in a two-day push to bring her supporters onboard his general election campaign. Behind the scenes, the two sides were negotiating her future involvement with the campaign.
By NEDRA PICKLER and SARA KUGLER Associated Press Writers

House GOP concludes they failed to sway voters

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - House Republicans lost three recent elections when customary campaign themes failed to sway voters and their candidates could not overcome the "negative perception of the national party," according to an internal review that underscores the potential for widespread losses this fall.

GOP candidates on the ballot in November must show "deep empathy towards the voters" and rely on local rather than national issues, according to the report, ordered by party leaders after the loss of formerly safe seats in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi that stunned the rank and file.
By DAVID ESPO AP Special Correspondent

Strike A Pose

Bye Bye Ban

Democracy is messy. 

 

GT12, who has banned guns  from it's own home, is quite comfortable allowing each citizen to make his own armament decisions.

 

We still think that gun-love can be, well, creepy.  But some might feel the same about our affection for Kid Rock.

 

The crux of the opinion:

 

"Putting all of these textual elements together, we find that they guarantee the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation. Thus, we do not read the Second Amendment to protect the right of citizens to carry arms for any sort of confrontation, just as we do not read the First Amendment to protect the right of citizens to speak for any purpose.

The prefatory clause does not suggest that preserving the militia was the only reason Americans valued the ancient right; most undoubtedly thought it even more important for self-defense and hunting...

 

It was plainly the understanding in the post-Civil War Congress that the Second Amendment protected an individual right to use arms for self-defense."

Groups ask greater disclosure from McCain, Obama

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - Eight political watchdog groups on Wednesday asked Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama to disclose more about the fundraising for their presidential campaigns, including new details about those fundraisers who "bundle" tens of thousands of dollars.

"For those to whom much private money has been contributed, much is required," the groups wrote, noting that spending on this year's election already has topped $1 billion - a record for this point in the campaign.

The Associated Press

Obama disagrees with high court on child rape case

Clintonesque

Sigh

Sent from Express News
CHICAGO - Democrat Barack Obama said Wednesday he disagrees with the Supreme Court's decision outlawing executions of child rapists.

"I have said repeatedly that I think that the death penalty should be applied in very narrow circumstances for the most egregious of crimes," Obama said at a news conference. "I think that the rape of a small child, 6 or 8 years old, is a heinous crime and if a state makes a decision that under narrow, limited, well-defined circumstances the death penalty is at least potentially applicable that that does not violate our Constitution."

By SARA KUGLER Associated Press Writer

Dobson Downer

Not This Time.

Boo-Fucking-Whoo.

From The American Prospect:

JAMES DOBSON DOESN'T SPEAK FOR ME.

That's obvious, of course, but I'm not talking about me, I'm talking about a group of pastors, led by George W. Bush's spiritual adviser (and Obama endorser) Kirbyjon Caldwell, who launched a web site by that name to counter James Dobson's attacks on Obama's interpretation of the Bible.

Dobson is lashing out from a low crouch these days. He's marginalized himself by setting up ludicrous litmus tests and stomping about in a childish rage when he's not included in campaign outreach. (Hey, at least he's gotten a few pointers from his years as a child psychologist!) His refusal to back (until too late) the candidate many evangelicals saw as their best option, Mike Huckabee, was seen by many activists as not only a betrayal, but colossally stupid politics.

Many evangelicals still admire his advice on spanking your kids and whatnot, but his days as a player in electoral strategy are over -- because too many voices are rising up to fill a gigantic power vacuum, and because those voices are more politically, racially, and theologically diverse, the grassroots activist has more choices about who to listen to. After all those years of telling millions how to discipline their kids, now Dobson is the one getting the spanking

Taking 'Give 'Em Enough Rope' Literally

Hate groups reactions to the possibility of an Obama presidency are not unanimous.

The Southern Poverty Law Center Reports

It’s not that the assortment of neo-Nazis, Klansmen, anti-Semites and others who make up this country’s radical right have suddenly discovered that a man should be judged based on the content of his character, not his skin. On the contrary. A growing number of white supremacists, and even some of those who pass for intellectual leaders of their movement, think that a black man in the Oval Office would shock white America, possibly drive millions to their cause, and perhaps even set off a race war that, they hope, would ultimately end in Aryan victory.

... “Oh man,” enthused “Centimanus” on the white nationalist Stormfront website. “I am gleefully, sadistically looking forward to Obama as president. … It will be a beautiful day when the masses look at the paper and truly realize they have lost their own country. Added “Fulimnata”: “To the average white man and woman, they could look at Obama and see plain as day that whites are not in control.” Another message, from “TheLastOfMyKind,” agreed: “Could it be that the nomination of Obama finally sparks a sense of unity in white voters? I would propose that this threat of black, muslim [sic] rule may very well be the thing that finally scares some sense back into complacent whites throughout the nation.” “Actually,” said another poster, “if Obama were to win, it would be the best thing that ever happened to the Klan. They would have massive growth.” And “TeutonicLegion” said that “a whole bunch of people will join us and find these boards” if Obama becomes president.

... Opinion on the radical right is far from unanimous on the topic of a possible Obama victory. Many of those writing on the topic — perhaps half of those who have posted recently — think an Obama presidency would destroy the country and oppose it mightily. On the other hand, there is virtually no enthusiasm on the radical right for presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, who is widely seen by white supremacists as a sellout, particularly on the issue of nonwhite immigration into the United States. But increasing numbers think that a bad situation with a black president will be good for their movement.

Oh Great! Now That He's Made The Worst Movie Ever, We Get Credit For It

GT12 abhors gossip .... But, since it's Gay Pride Week ...

We ran across this:

Via Queerty, an interesting blind item in today's NY Daily News: “Which divorced comic superstar is exploring a groovy new real-life persona: that of an openly gay man?”

The "groovy" is probably meant to be a giveaway. Myers divorced his wife last year and rumors have been swirling about his possible coming out ever since

The Role Of The 'Confirmed Bachelor" In The Natural Order Of Things

Slate tells us about why Kimberly Has Two Uncles:

The gene for male homosexuality persists because it promotes—and is passed down through—high rates of procreation among gay men's mothers, sisters, and aunts.

Read On Brothers and Sisters

White House Mistakes E-Mail From The EPA With Penis Enhancement Promotion

via New York Times:

The White House in December refused to accept the Environmental Protection Agency’s conclusion that greenhouse gases are pollutants that must be controlled, telling agency officials that an e-mail message containing the document would not be opened, senior E.P.A. officials said last week.

The document, which ended up in e-mail limbo, without official status, was the E.P.A.’s answer to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that required it to determine whether greenhouse gases represent a danger to health or the environment, the officials said.

This week, more than six months later, the E.P.A. is set to respond to that order by releasing a watered-down version of the original proposal that offers no conclusion. Instead, the document reviews the legal and economic issues presented by declaring greenhouse gases a pollutant.

Over the past five days, the officials said, the White House successfully put pressure on the E.P.A. to eliminate large sections of the original analysis that supported regulation, including a finding that tough regulation of motor vehicle emissions could produce $500 billion to $2 trillion in economic benefits over the next 32 years. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

The Most Important News

Shuffle We Can Believe In

via Rolling Stone:

Inside Barack Obama’s iPod

“If I had one musical hero, it would have to be Stevie Wonder,” says Obama, who grew up on Seventies R&B and rock staples including Earth, Wind and Fire, Elton John and the Rolling Stones. “When I was at that point where you start getting involved in music, Stevie had that run with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness’ First Finale and Innervisions, and then Songs in the Key of Life. Those are as brilliant a set of five albums as we’ve ever seen.”

Wonder shares room on Obama’s iPod with “everything from Howlin’ Wolf to Yo-Yo Ma to Sheryl Crow,” he says. “And I have probably 30 Dylan songs on my iPod.” Though he’s partial to 1975’s Blood on the Tracks, “Maggie’s Farm” is “one of my favorites during the political season,” says Obama. “It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric.”

While his musical tastes tend towards the old-school, Obama is in touch with today’s creative top dogs: He’s talked policy with Ludacris, referenced Jay-Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” (with a brushing motion in response to Hillary Clinton-hurled criticisms) in a campaign speech, and joined acts ranging from Usher to Will.i.am at rallies. “Every time I talk to Jay-Z, who is a brilliant talent and a good guy, I enjoy how he thinks,” says Obama, who believes that the recent political galvanization of America’s youth will soon be reflected in music. “He’s serious and he cares about his art,” he adds.

“That’s somebody who is going to start branching out and can help shape attitudes in a real positive way.”

Hillbilly Revenge Declared Unconstitutional

Supreme Court Rejects Death Penalty for Child Rape

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday outlawed executions of people convicted of raping a child.

In a 5-4 vote, the court said the Louisiana law allowing the death penalty to be imposed in such cases violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

''The death penalty is not a proportional punishment for the rape of a child,'' Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in his majority opinion. His four liberal colleagues joined him, while the four more conservative justices dissented.

There has not been an execution in the United States for a crime that did not also involve the death of the victim in 44 years.

Patrick Kennedy, 43, was sentenced to death for the rape of his 8-year-old stepdaughter in Louisiana. He is one of two people in the United States, both in Louisiana, who have been condemned to death for a rape that was not also accompanied by a killing.

The Supreme Court banned executions for rape in 1977 in a case in which the victim was an adult woman.

Forty-five states ban the death penalty for any kind of rape, and the other five states allow it for child rapists. Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas allow executions in such cases if the defendant had previously been convicted of raping a child.

But We Didn't Even Get To Bomb Them!

The Washington Note:

BREAKING: Bush Administration to Ask Congress on Thursday to REMOVE North Korea from TERROR WATCH LIST

Tonight, The Washington Note confirmed that the Bush administration will "ask Congress" to de-list North Korea from America's "terrorist watch list." This request will be made on Thursday -- if there are no last minute, unexpected interventions.

Rumors have been kicking around that this might be happening, but no administration officials would confirm until today that this was finally decided.

What A Believer Believes

Wonkette posts an e-mail response a that reader received after he responded to an 'Obama=Muslim' message:

it is in the american constitution, that says i can say what i want! i am not making a factual statement, i am stating how i feel, and first off, who are you anyway? i dont want a president obama, ok,, i have nothing against black americans. i have never reffered to him as black anyway. i didnt want hillary either ok, and from what i can tell she is a white american woman. president barack, just doesnt sound right to me, and you will see that my fellow americans feel the same way, ok. you want a wager on the election let me know. state all the silly facts you want, the breadbasket of america, doesnt want president obama bin laden leading the country. so know you know how i feel about the whole thing. thank you

an american patriot.

ps. 911 would never have happened in hilters’ country. now you are going to cry about that also right, don’t get me wrong hitler did a few things the wrong way.. ok. i understand that, but he was a creation of the brainwashing forced on to him. 911 was the worst day in my life, i dated someone who was in the building, and i lost a cousin that day, so dont try to tell me about a president obama!

Boy George denied US visa, can't give NYC concert

Sent from Express Movies
NEW YORK - Do they really want to hurt him? That's the question Boy George's managers are asking U.S. authorities now that the 47-year-old singer has been denied a visa to enter the country.

The Culture Club frontman, whose real name is George O'Dowd, had planned a U.S. tour this summer, including a free concert at the New York City Department of Sanitation's Family Day in August. He worked for the department in 2006 while performing court-ordered community service in a drug case.

The Associated Press

US home prices tumble in April at record rate

Sent from Express News
NEW YORK - No matter who's measuring, the results are the same: Housing prices are tumbling at the sharpest rates ever with a bottom still at least a year away, economists say.

Both the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price indices and the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight index on Tuesday reported record year-over-year declines in April, a sobering signal that the housing slump not only is deepening, but also engulfing markets once above water.

By J.W. ELPHINSTONE AP Business Writer

Oregon GOP senator cites work with Obama in ad

Sent from Express News
PORTLAND, Ore. - Republicans usually demonize Barack Obama in their political advertising, but GOP Sen. Gordon Smith aligns himself with the Democratic presidential candidate in a new ad, citing legislation they worked on to improve fuel efficiency standards.

Observers in both parties said it appeared to be the first time in this election cycle that a GOP Senate candidate had aligned with Obama.

By JULIA SILVERMAN and MATTHEW DALY Associated Press Writers

Obama dismisses Dobson criticism about Bible

Not This Time!

Yes we can.

Sent from Express News
LOS ANGELES - Barack Obama said Tuesday that evangelical leader James Dobson was "making stuff up" when he accused the presumed Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible.

Dobson used his Focus on the Family radio program to highlight excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal.

By SARA KUGLER Associated Press Writer

McCaskill emerging as key Obama supporter

Three cheers for Mr JK's homestate!

His mom must be perplexed though.

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - Claire McCaskill, senator from Missouri, is hardly a household name outside her home state. But Barack Obama knows who she is.

She was there when Obama needed her most, a female senator endorsing him just after he lost New Hampshire's Democratic primary to Hillary Rodham Clinton. That was a politically risky move at the time, one that angered many of her own supporters. It came when Obama's clinching the nomination was far from certain.

By SAM HANANEL Associated Press Writer

Luckily, He's Always Wrong

This from the never accurrate Billy-The-K

On Fox News Sunday .., Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol said that President Bush is more likely to attack Iran if he believes Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is going to be elected.

However, “if the president thought John McCain was going to be the next president, he would think it more appropriate to let the next president make that decision than do it on his way out,” Kristol said, reinforcing the fact that McCain is offering a third Bush term on Iran.

“I do wonder with Senator Obama, if President Bush thinks Senator Obama’s going to win, does he somehow think — does he worry that Obama won’t follow through on that policy,” Kristol added. Host Chris Wallace then asked if Kristol was suggesting that Bush might “launch a military strike” before or after the election:

WALLACE: So, you’re suggesting that he might in fact, if Obama’s going to win the election, either before or after the election, launch a military strike?

KRISTOL: I don’t know. I mean, I think he would worry about it. On the other hand, you can’t — it’s hard to make foreign policy based on guesses of election results. I think Israel is worried though. I mean, what is, what signal goes to Ahmadinejad if Obama wins on a platform of unconditional negotiations and with an obvious reluctance to even talk about using military force.

Please Don't Feed The HRC

It's Gay Pride Week Folks and there will plenty of opportunities to give money to good causes.

Please find something other than The Human Rights Campaign (the people with the snazzy yellow equal sign logo) to give money to.

The organiziation has accomplished the passing of one piece of legislation in it's lifetime and has less-than-led in any real areas.

They are real good at developing glittery ways of attracting funds. And Spending them on ways to keep them invited to Clinton Get-togethers.

Here's a Profile of someone who knows what need to be done and gets it done, actuall successes against ballot initiatives.

Not sure they need any moneythough ....

It's Official! Crimes In The Bush/Ashcroft/Gonzalez (non) Justice Department

Let's See Some Indictments!

NYT

Report Sees Illegal Hiring Practices at Justice Dept.

WASHINGTON -- Justice Department officials over the last six years illegally used “political or ideological” factors to hire new lawyers into an elite recruitment program, tapping law school graduates with conservative credentials over those with liberal-sounding resumes, a new report found Tuesday.

The blistering report, prepared by the Justice Department’s inspector general, is the first in what will be a series of investigations growing out of last year’s scandal over the firings of nine United States attorneys. It appeared to confirm for the first time in an official examination many of the allegations from critics who charged that the Justice Department had become overly politicized during the Bush administration.

...Applications that contained what were seen as “leftist commentary” or “buzz words” like environmental and social justice were often grounds for rejecting applicants, according to e-mails reviewed by the inspector general’s office. Membership in liberal organizations like the American Constitution Society, Greenpeace, or the Poverty and Race Research Action Council were also seen as negative marks.

Affiliation with the Federalist Society, a prominent conservative group, was viewed positively.

Not Exactly Strawberry Fields

San Franciscans have already begun thinking about things that they could name in honor of W.

The Commission's Web site states: "As we near the end of George W. Bush's presidency, we think it is important to select a fitting monument to this president's work."

The 'Monument' in question? A Sewage Treatment Facility.

They Always Hated Dobson Anyway

Ambinder reports on the retreat of American Catholics from the arms of the Religious Right (who loathe them).

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown has some new data that shows that Catholics identify as Republicans at a lower rate than at any point since 2000, when Al Gore won the Catholic vote.

The Republicans labored mightily to disqualify John Kerry's Catholicism for conservative Catholics in 2004,and on the surface, it appears as if they succeeded: according to the 2004 exit polls, President Bush won a majority and increased his margin over 2000 by five points -- Gore won them by three points in 2000. (Note: a Pew study which I can't find online found that regular massgoers actually swung away (by three points) from President Bush in 2004, which suggests that the communion and abortion controversies weren't that relevant.)

The CARA study finds that 57% of US Catholic adults identity as Democrats or Democratic leaners, while 40% identify as Republicans or Republican leaners. (69% of Hispanic Catholics are Democratically inclined.) The shift from 2004 holds across all attitudinal levels, including frequency of mass attendance and the degree to which Catholics rely on doctrine i.e., the catholicity of Catholics, age, and gender.

Of course, the question of Catholic presidential votes has always been more of a "where" than a "who for" -- Obama can win Catholics in concentrated urban areas and in the Northeast cleanly; in states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, in parts of Western Iowa, in Missouri, he has work to do. As George Marlin noted in his 2004 tome called "The American Catholic Voter," the Catholic flight out of the New Deal Coalition (and, geographically, out of the inner cities) was driven by cultural factors and racial tension. Obama is black and a cultural liberal;

There are plenty of Catholics in the Southwest, too -- they are among John McCain's target audiences. It's true that Catholics generally favored Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race, but there are no studies I am aware of which shed any light on the degree to which Catholic voters voted as Catholics first in the primaries.

In 2004, there was a lot of talk among conservatives about the great Catholic-Evangelical coming together. What happens in 2008?

Dobson accuses Obama of 'distorting' Bible

Sent from Express News
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - As Barack Obama broadens his outreach to evangelical voters, one of the movement's biggest names, James Dobson, accuses the likely Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.

The criticism, to be aired Tuesday on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program, comes shortly after an Obama aide suggested a meeting at the organization's headquarters here, said Tom Minnery, senior vice president for government and public policy at Focus on the Family.

By ERIC GORSKI AP Religion Writer

(crickets chirping)

George Carlin, 1937 - 2008

The man that defined humor for GT12 - Our John Lennon of laughs - has died. We were a fan since the days of Al Sleet, the Hippy Dippy Weatherman (before the long hair, before the beard).
We are sad

George on God (Mike Douglas Show, 1975):



New York Times:

Mr. Carlin began his standup comedy act in the late 1950s and made his first television solo guest appearance on “The Merv Griffin Show” in 1965. At that time, he was primarily known for his clever wordplay and reminiscences of his Irish working-class upbringing in New York.

But from the outset there were indications of an anti-establishment edge to his comedy. Initially, it surfaced in the witty patter of a host of offbeat characters like the wacky sportscaster Biff Barf and the hippy-dippy weatherman Al Sleet. “The weather was dominated by a large Canadian low, which is not to be confused with a Mexican high. Tonight’s forecast . . . dark, continued mostly dark tonight turning to widely scattered light in the morning.”

Mr. Carlin released his first comedy album, “Take-Offs and Put-Ons,” to rave reviews in 1967. He also dabbled in acting, winning a recurring part as Marlo Thomas’ theatrical agent in the sitcom “That Girl” (1966-67) and a supporting role in the movie “With Six You Get Egg-Roll,” released in 1968.

By the end of the decade, he was one of America’s best known comedians. He made more than 80 major television appearances during that time, including the Ed Sullivan Show and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show; he was also regularly featured at major nightclubs in New York and Las Vegas.

That early success and celebrity, however, was as dinky and hollow as a gratuitous pratfall to Mr. Carlin. “I was entertaining the fathers and the mothers of the people I sympathized with, and in some cases associated with, and whose point of view I shared,” he recalled later, as quoted in the book “Going Too Far” by Tony Hendra, which was published in 1987. “I was a traitor, in so many words. I was living a lie.”

In 1970, Mr. Carlin discarded his suit, tie, and clean-cut image as well as the relatively conventional material that had catapulted him to the top. Mr. Carlin reinvented himself, emerging with a beard, long hair, jeans and a routine that, according to one critic, was steeped in “drugs and bawdy language.” There was an immediate backlash. The Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas terminated his three-year contract, and, months later, he was advised to leave town when an angry mob threatened him at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club. Afterward, he temporarily abandoned the nightclub circuit and began appearing at coffee houses, folk clubs and colleges where he found a younger, hipper audience that was more attuned to both his new image and his material.

By 1972, when he released his second album, “FM & AM,” his star was again on the rise. The album, which won a Grammy Award as best comedy recording, combined older material on the “AM” side with bolder, more acerbic routines on the “FM” side. Among the more controversial cuts was a routine euphemistically entitled “Shoot,” in which Mr. Carlin explored the etymology and common usage of the popular idiom for excrement. The bit was part of the comic’s longer routine “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” which appeared on his third album “Class Clown,” also released in 1972 .

Mr. Carlin released a half dozen comedy albums during the ’70s, including the million-record sellers “Class Clown,” “Occupation: Foole” (1973) and “An Evening With Wally Lando” (1975). He was chosen to host the first episode of the late-night comedy show “Saturday Night Live” in 1975. And two years later, he found the perfect platform for his brand of acerbic, cerebral, sometimes off-color standup humor in the fledgling, less restricted world of cable television. By 1977, when his first HBO comedy special, “George Carlin at USC” was aired, he was recognized as one of the era’s most influential comedians. He also become a best-selling author of books that expanded on his comedy routines, including “When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?,” which was published by Hyperion in 2004.

Ohio Democrats get pro-Obama message

Sent from Express News
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland received a standing ovation Saturday night when he predicted the state will again tip the race for the White House - this time, delivering it to Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting Barack Obama.

Strickland, noting that he had backed Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, said she would want him to deliver a message.

By JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press Writer

GOP frets Barr could play spoiler in prez race

Sent from Express News
ATLANTA - A fiery former GOP congressman who gained national prominence for doggedly pursuing impeachment of President Clinton has some Republicans worried he'll play spoiler in a tight presidential contest.

Bob Barr's Libertarian Party bid for the White House is the longest of long shots, but political experts say he may be able to exploit the unease some die-hard conservatives still feel about Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting. Combined with the surge in turnout among Democrats during the primaries and a difficult political climate for Republicans, they see what could be a recipe for trouble for the GOP.

By SHANNON McCAFFREY Associated Press Writer

Paul supporters fall short in Montana

Sent from Express News
MISSOULA, Mont. - Sen. John McCain may be the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, but supporters of Ron Paul in Montana refused to abandon their candidate.

The group led an impassioned fight Friday at the Montana GOP convention, shaking things up in a failed effort to secure the state's 22 national convention delegates for Paul - who suspended his presidential bid earlier this month.
By MATT GOURAS Associated Press Writer

Ohio board votes to ax teacher accused of branding

Sent from Express News
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The school board of a small central Ohio community voted unanimously Friday to fire a teacher accused of preaching his Christian beliefs despite staff complaints and using a device to burn the image of a cross on students' arms.

School board members voted 5-0 to fire Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater. Board attorney David Millstone said Freshwater is entitled to a hearing to challenge the dismissal.

By DOUG WHITEMAN Associated Press Writer

Casey: Army needs 3-4 years to recover from war

Sent from Express News
FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The Army's top officer said Friday it will take three to four years to put the Army back in balance after seven years of war.

"Right now, the Army is out of balance. We're stretched and stretched by the fact that we didn't have a big enough Army to do the things the nation is asking us to do since Sept. 11," said Gen. George Casey, the Army's chief of staff. "Once you are off track it takes a long time to put it back together."

By KEVIN MAURER Associated Press Writer

It's no croc: Alligator found in Chicago River

Sent from Express News
CHICAGO - First there was a wily coyote in Chicago's downtown. Then an ill-fated cougar on the North Side. Now authorities have captured an alligator in the Chicago River.

An employee of a metal manufacturing company found the 5-foot-long reptile Friday in the river's South Branch.

The Associated Press

Bloomberg defends Obama before Jewish audience

Sent from Express News
NEW YORK - Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged Jewish voters to denounce the whisper campaign that for months has pushed the false rumor that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim.

Bloomberg, mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate for both parties, warned a Jewish group in Boca Raton, Fla., on Friday that the attempt to portray Obama as a shadowy Muslim with a hidden agenda often targets Jewish voters online and with e-mails.

By SARA KUGLER Associated Press Writer

Enema Of The People

The bronze syringe bulb, which weighs 800 pounds (363 kilograms) and is held by three angels, was unveiled at the Mashuk-Akva Term spa, the spa's director said Thursday.

"There is no kitsch or obscenity, it is a successful work of art," Alexander Kharchenko told The Associated Press. "An enema is almost a symbol of our region."

For The Record

Remember when Dems' were the 'flip-floppers'?

The Republicans are being hoisted on their own petard.

In all fairness, this is why only two sitting Senators have ever been elected President and why the one who wins this year will be the guy with the shortest paper trail.

From Carpet Bagger:

* McCain supported the drilling moratorium; now he’s against it.

* McCain strongly opposes a windfall-tax on oil company profits. Three weeks earlier, he was perfectly comfortable with the idea.

* McCain thought Bush’s warrantless-wiretap program circumvented the law; now he believes the opposite.

* McCain defended “privatizing” Social Security. Now he says he’s against privatization (though he actually still supports it.)
Wait, I’m not done with the last two weeks yet….* McCain wanted to change the Republican Party platform to protect abortion rights in cases of rape and incest. Now he doesn’t.

* McCain thought the estate tax was perfectly fair. Now he believes the opposite.

* He opposed indefinite detention of terrorist suspects. When the Supreme Court reached the same conclusion, he called it “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country.”

* McCain said he would “not impose a litmus test on any nominee.” He used to promise the opposite.
And these come after these other reversals from April and May:

* McCain believes the telecoms should be forced to explain their role in the administration’s warrantless surveillance program as a condition for retroactive immunity. He used to believe the opposite.

* McCain supported storing spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Now he believes the opposite.

* McCain supported moving “towards normalization of relations” with Cuba. Now he believes the opposite.

* McCain believed the U.S. should engage in diplomacy with Hamas. Now he believes the opposite.

* McCain believed the U.S. should engage in diplomacy with Syria. Now he believes the opposite.

* He argued the NRA should not have a role in the Republican Party’s policy making. Now he believes the opposite.

* McCain supported his own lobbying-reform legislation from 1997. Now he doesn’t.

* He wanted political support from radical televangelists like John Hagee and Rod Parsley. Now he doesn’t.

* McCain supported the Lieberman/Warner legislation to combat global warming. Now he doesn’t.
And these are the flip-flops I’ve noticed earlier:

* McCain pledged in February 2008 that he would not, under any circumstances, raise taxes. Specifically, McCain was asked if he is a “‘read my lips’ candidate, no new taxes, no matter what?” referring to George H.W. Bush’s 1988 pledge. “No new taxes,” McCain responded. Two weeks later, McCain said, “I’m not making a ‘read my lips’ statement, in that I will not raise taxes.”

* McCain is both for and against a “rogue state rollback” as a focus of his foreign policy vision.

* McCain says he considered and did not consider joining John Kerry’s Democratic ticket in 2004.

* In 1998, he championed raising cigarette taxes to fund programs to cut underage smoking, insisting that it would prevent illnesses and provide resources for public health programs. Now, McCain opposes a $0.61-per-pack tax increase, won’t commit to supporting a regulation bill he’s co-sponsoring, and has hired Philip Morris’ former lobbyist as his senior campaign adviser.

* McCain has changed his economic worldview on multiple occasions.

* McCain has changed his mind about a long-term U.S. military presence in Iraq on multiple occasions.

* McCain is both for and against attacking Barack Obama over his former pastor at his former church.

* McCain believes Americans are both better and worse off than they were before Bush took office.

* McCain is both for and against earmarks for Arizona.

* McCain believes his endorsement from radical televangelist John Hagee was both a good and bad idea.

* McCain’s first mortgage plan was premised on the notion that homeowners facing foreclosure shouldn’t be “rewarded” for acting “irresponsibly.” His second mortgage plan took largely the opposite position.

* McCain vowed, if elected, to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term. Soon after, he decided he would no longer even try to reach that goal.

* In February 2008, McCain reversed course on prohibiting waterboarding.

* McCain used to champion the Law of the Sea convention, even volunteering to testify on the treaty’s behalf before a Senate committee. Now he opposes it.

* McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants’ kids who graduate from high school. Now he’s against it.

* On immigration policy in general, McCain announced in February 2008 that he would vote against his own legislation.

* In 2006, McCain sponsored legislation to require grassroots lobbying coalitions to reveal their financial donors. In 2007, after receiving “feedback” on the proposal, McCain told far-right activist groups that he opposes his own measure.

* McCain said before the war in Iraq, “We will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” Four years later, McCain said he knew all along that the war in Iraq war was

“probably going to be long and hard and tough.”

* McCain said he was the “greatest critic” of Rumsfeld’s failed Iraq policy. In December 2003, McCain praised the same strategy as “a mission accomplished.” In March 2004, he said, “I’m confident we’re on the right course.” In December 2005, he said, “Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course.”

* McCain went from saying he would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade to saying the exact opposite.

* McCain went from saying gay marriage should be allowed, to saying gay marriage shouldn’t be allowed.

* McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as “an agent of intolerance” in 2002, but then decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans “deserved” the 9/11 attacks.

* McCain used to oppose Bush’s tax cuts for the very wealthy, but he reversed course in February.

* On a related note, he said 2005 that he opposed the tax cuts because they were “too tilted to the wealthy.” By 2007, he denied ever having said this, and insisted he opposed the cuts because of increased government spending.

* In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending “dirty money” to help finance Bush’s presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for support.

* McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore his name. In June 2007, he abandoned his own legislation.

* McCain opposed a holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., before he supported it.

* McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it.

* McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he’s pro-ethanol.

* McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate flag.

* McCain decided in 2000 that he didn’t want anything to do with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, believing he “would taint the image of the ‘Straight Talk Express.’” Kissinger is now the Honorary Co-Chair for his presidential campaign in New York

Defeatists?

Barry O mentioned the necessity of fighting Republican 527's as a major reason for opting out of Federal Funding.

Jon Martin at Politico notes that Republicans wish that Barry was correct ....

The truth is that, less than five months before Election Day, there are no serious anti-Obama 527s in existence nor are there any immediate plans to create such a group.

Conversations with more than a dozen Republican strategists find near unanimity in the belief that, at some point, there will be a real third-party effort aimed at Obama.

But not one knows who will run it, who will pay for it, what shape it will eventually take or when such a group may form.

More worrisome for Republicans who believe such an outside attack apparatus is essential to defeating Obama, some key individuals and groups who were being looked to for help say they won’t be involved.

The Death Knell For The Anti-Michelle Movement?

What is worse: Never having been really proud of your country OR never really loving your country?

Dan Abrams (via HuffPo) reports:

Republicans have hammered Michelle Obama for her remarks in February that she was proud of America "for the first time in my adult life." Tonight, however, Dan Abrams showed footage he uncovered of a Fox News interview with John McCain on March 13, 2008, in which McCain said, "I didn't really love America until I was deprived of her company."

Abrams thinks McCain's comments could undermine the "right wing's steady attacks against Michelle Obama."

One Message and One Messenger

An unprededented sign of the Audacity Of Hope. And the Power Of Obama.

BHO: Boss of all Bosses (via TPM)

MoveOn To Close Its 527 In Response To Obama's Candidacy

MoveOn, the advocacy group supporting Barack Obama, has decided to permanently shutter its 527 operation, partly in response to the Illinois Senator's insistence that such groups should not spend on his behalf during the general election, I've learned from the group's spokesperson.

MoveOn's decision, which will dramatically impact the way it raises money on Obama's behalf, is yet another sign of how rapidly Obama is taking control of the apparatus that's gearing up on his behalf.

By shuttering its 527, MoveOn is effectively killing its ability to raise money in huge chunks from labor unions, foundations, and big donors who would give over $5,000.

The decision doesn't mean MoveOn will stop spending on Obama's behalf. Instead it will raise money exclusively with its political action committee, whose average donation is below $50 and will even be raising money with things like bake sales starting this weekend.

To put this in perspective, MoveOn's 527 raised $20 million for the general election in 2004 -- and at least half of that came from donations over $5,000.

"This is an affirmation that we, like Senator Obama, believe that this election can be won by ordinary Americans giving small donations," MoveOn spokesperson Ilyse Hogue told me.

Kumbayah

Obama, Hillary Clinton to campaign together

CHICAGO - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign announced Friday that he will campaign with former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton next week, a step toward unifying a fractured Democratic Party after a bruising primary fight.

Obama's campaign said in a brief e-mail that said the two senators and former opponents will campaign together for the first time on Friday, June 27, and more details would be forthcoming.
A day earlier, Obama and Clinton also plan to meet in Washington with some of her top contributors in an effort to calm donors who remain frustrated with Obama's presidential campaign. The former first lady will introduce Obama to her financial backers.

Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady, suspended her campaign for the Democratic nomination earlier this month after Obama, an Illinois senator, secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination.

Obama's campaign disclosed the joint appearance — but offered few details — one day after announcing that he would reverse an earlier position and reject some $85 million in public financing for the general election. That announcement opened him up to a flood of criticism and dominated the news cycle.

Thus, Obama's campaign sought to redirect attention by putting word out a full seven days in advance that Obama and Clinton would campaign together.

The Best Colbert Ever?

Alright, I'm a sucker for puppets ....

Culver aides: McCain ignored request to cancel Iowa visit

Sent from Express News
DES MOINES, Iowa - An aide to Gov. Chet Culver said Thursday that Republican presidential candidate John McCain ignored the governor's request to cancel a campaign visit amid a massive flood recovery effort in the state.

McCain toured flood-damaged sites in Iowa on Thursday, including the town of Columbus Junction in the southeast.

Patrick Dillon, Culver's chief of staff, said the governor was concerned that McCain's trip would divert local law enforcement from the flood recovery effort to provide security for McCain.

David Roederer, who chairs McCain's campaign in Iowa, said McCain's trip didn't hamper Iowa's recovery operation. He said McCain proceeded with the visit because the campaign was providing much of its own security.

"There was really no state resources diverted," Roederer said.

The mayor of Columbus Junction, Dan Wilson, agreed.

"Certainly, Mr. McCain's visit today in no way hindered any relief efforts or any of our efforts on recovery or security or whatever we were working on," Wilson said. He said McCain's staff called him Wednesday night and Thursday to be sure the visit would not cause a problem.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama canceled a scheduled visit to eastern Iowa last week at the request of state officials.

"As a courtesy - and as we did for Senator Obama - we privately made an effort to make sure that Senator McCain knew that state and local resources were still being deployed to support the flood fight and that now may not be the best time for a campaign trip," Dillon said in a statement.

Dillon's comments came as President Bush toured the state, and hundreds of law enforcement officers were diverted from flood recovery to provide security for him.

Culver, who endorsed Obama well before the primary campaign with rival Hillary Rodham Clinton was settled, is expected to be one of Obama's biggest supporters in Iowa during the general election.

Dillon said the issue was not about the election but about recovering from flooding.

"At the end of the day, it's not about politics but about what's best for Iowa," he said. "We hope any attention brought to the state - from Senator McCain or any other leader - will help bring assistance and enduring commitments to support Iowa's recovery."

Iowa Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley also have teamed for a tour of their own to see the flood damage.

While these high-profile politicians bring attention to the disaster, they cause headaches for hard-pressed law enforcement. Bush and McCain are protected by the Secret Service, and call in scores of local law enforcement to provide security during local appearances.

By MIKE GLOVER Associated Press Writer

Today in History - June 20

Sent from Express News
Today is Friday, June 20, the 172nd day of 2008. There are 194 days left in the year. Summer arrives at 7:59 p.m. Eastern time.

Today's Highlight in History:

On June 20, 1893, a jury in New Bedford, Mass., found Lizzie Borden innocent of the ax murders of her father and stepmother.

On this date:

In 1756, in India, a group of British soldiers was imprisoned in a cell that gained notoriety as the "Black Hole of Calcutta." However, the exact circumstances - such as the number of prisoners, originally put at 146, and how many of them died - are disputed.

In 1782, Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States.

In 1837, Queen Victoria acceded to the British throne following the death of her uncle, King William IV.

In 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state.

In 1943, race rioting erupted in Detroit; federal troops were sent in two days later to quell the violence that resulted in more than 30 deaths.

In 1947, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel was shot dead at the Beverly Hills, Calif., mansion of his girlfriend, Virginia Hill, apparently at the order of mob associates.

In 1948, the television variety series "Toast of the Town," hosted by Ed Sullivan, debuted on CBS.

In 1963, the United States and Soviet Union signed an agreement to set up a "hot line" between the two superpowers.

In 1967, boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted. Ali's conviction was ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court.

In 2001, Houston resident Andrea Yates drowned her five children in the family bathtub, then called police. Yates was later convicted of murder, but had her conviction overturned; she was acquitted in a retrial.

Ten years ago: On the eve of Father's Day, President Clinton used his weekly radio address to announce the release of the first wave of almost $60 million in prostate cancer research grants.

Five years ago: Secretary of State Colin Powell met separately with the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, praising the Israelis for efforts toward an eventual peace settlement and urging speed on the Palestinians. President Bush named Scott McClellan his new press secretary, succeeding Ari Fleischer. Wildfires fueled by high winds burned 250 homes in southern Arizona.

One year ago: For the second time, President Bush vetoed an embryonic stem cell bill as he urged scientists toward what he termed "ethically responsible" research. Sammy Sosa, playing for the Texas Rangers after a year out of baseball, hit his 600th home run, making him the fifth player to reach the milestone.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Olympia Dukakis is 77. Actor Martin Landau is 77. Actor James Tolkan is 77. Actor Danny Aiello is 75. Blues musician Lazy Lester is 75. Actor John Mahoney is 68. Movie director Stephen Frears is 67. Singer-songwriter Brian Wilson is 66. Actor John McCook is 63. Singer Anne Murray is 63. TV personality Bob Vila is 62. Musician Andre Watts is 62. Actress Candy Clark is 61. Producer Tina Sinatra is 60. Rhythm-and-blues singer Lionel Richie is 59. Actor John Goodman is 56. Rock musician Michael Anthony is 54. Musician John Taylor is 48. Rock musician Mark DeGliantoni is 46. Rock musician Murphy Karges (Sugar Ray) is 41. Actress Nicole Kidman is 41. Movie director Robert Rodriguez is 40. Actor Peter Paige is 39. Actor Josh Lucas is 37. Country-folk singer-songwriter Amos Lee is 31. Country singer Chuck Wicks is 29. Actor Chris Mintz-Plasse is 19. Actress Maria Lark (TV: "Medium") is 11.

Thought for Today: "Even the merest gesture is holy if it is filled with faith." - Franz Kafka, Austrian author and poet (1883-1924).

By The Associated Press

World may succumb to My Morning Jacket's 'Evil Urges'

They're going at least to 11

Sent from Express Movies
NEW YORK - The change in My Morning Jacket from their last studio album, the breakthrough "Z," to their latest, "Evil Urges," is not drastic: It's not as if they brought in Timbaland to overhaul their sound or abandoned their scruffy look for more fashionable duds.

Still, much of the buzz surrounding the soulful rock collective's "Evil Urges" has centered on its polished sound and pop potential. The grooves aren't as meandering, the jamming doesn't sound as if it's being pumped out from some neighborhood dive, as it sometimes had. Even frontman and main songwriter Jim James talks about how it sounds "less organic."

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY AP Music Writer

Bruce Serenades Goodbye To Tim

Got One Last Chance To Make It Real ...

First Obama General Election Ad

First and foremost, apparently, Patriotism.

No Surprise

And no harm. Parsing BO's reason, so as to make it seem non-hypocritical, is hard though not impossible.

But.

Voters do not attend to this.

For the record, GT12 is not a great supporter of fed funding ... it justs pumps money into 527's which cannot, constitutionally, be controlled.

McCain, no matter how well intentioned, was not interested in free speech protection.

Obama Opts Out of Public Financing for Campaign

WASHINGTON — Senator Barack Obama announced on Thursday that he would not participate in the public financing system for presidential campaigns. He argued that the system had collapsed, and would put him at a disadvantage running against Senator John McCain, his likely Republican opponent.

With his decision, Mr. Obama became the first candidate of a major party to decline public financing — and the spending limits that go with it — since the system was created in 1976, after the Watergate scandals.

Mr. Obama made his announcement in a video message sent to supporters and posted on the Internet. While it was not a surprise — his aides have been hinting that he would take this step for two months — it represented a turnabout from his strong earlier suggestion that he would join the system. Mr. McCain has been a champion of public financing of campaign throughout his career.

“The public financing of presidential elections as it exists today is broken, and we face opponents who’ve become masters at gaming this broken system,” he said. “John McCain’s campaign and the Republican National Committee are fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. And we’ve already seen that he’s not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations.”

Mr. Obama had pledged to meet with Mr. McCain following the primaries to attempt to work out an agreement on financing. That meeting never took place, aides to Mr. Obama said, because a meeting between lawyers for the two sides was not fruitful. “It became clear to me that there wasn’t any basis for future discussion,” said Robert Bauer, the general counsel for Mr. Obama’s campaign.

She's Got Her Man And She's Sticking With Him

Hilary Lovin' Harriet (and here, and finally here) is out in public with a ancient white male ... and suspiciously Republican hair.

Wonkette reports:

So that’s John McCain on the left, you knew that, but who is that “elderly American woman” wearing the sunglasses indoors while posing for a photo? That’s Harriet Christian, the famous Hillary Clinton diehard who threw a fit at the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee over its perceived bias towards the Democrats’ “inadequate black male” of a nominee, which landed her a Fox News appearance during which she said black people don’t even know why they voted for Obama. And now she will protest-vote for John McCain, who hosted a party for bitter Hilltards like Christian at his campaign headquarters over the weekend. They may look like a happy pair now, but soon enough she’ll be making wisecracks about his withering hair, and he’ll respond with a wisecrack of his own.

Today in History - June 19

Sent from Express News
Today is Thursday, June 19, the 171st day of 2008. There are 195 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On June 19, 1865, Union troops commanded by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War was over, and that all remaining slaves in Texas were free. (This event is celebrated as "Juneteenth.")

On this date:

In 1862, slavery was outlawed in U.S. territories.

In 1910, Father's Day was celebrated for the first time, in Spokane, Wash.

In 1917, during World War I, King George V ordered the British royal family to dispense with German titles and surnames; the family took the name "Windsor."

In 1934, the Federal Communications Commission was created; it replaced the Federal Radio Commission.

In 1938, four dozen people were killed when a railroad bridge in Montana collapsed, sending a train known as the "Olympian" hurtling into Custer Creek.

In 1952, the celebrity-panel game show "I've Got A Secret" made its debut on CBS-TV with Garry Moore as host.

In 1953, Julius Rosenberg, 35, and his wife, Ethel, 37, convicted of conspiring to pass U.S. atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, were executed at Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, N.Y.

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was approved by the Senate, 73-27, after surviving a lengthy filibuster.

In 1977, Pope Paul VI proclaimed a 19th-century Philadelphia bishop, John Neumann, the first male U.S. saint.

In 1986, University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias, the first draft pick of the Boston Celtics, suffered a fatal cocaine-induced seizure.

Ten years ago: Switzerland's three biggest banks offered $600 million to settle claims they'd stolen the assets of Holocaust victims; outraged Jewish leaders called the offer insultingly low. Pope John Paul II began his third visit to Austria. A study published in the British medical journal The Lancet said smoking more than doubles the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Five years ago: The FBI put cosmetics heir Andrew Luster aboard a plane in Mexico and flew him back to California, five months after he'd been convicted in absentia of drugging and raping three women. Federal authorities said an Ohio truck driver who met Osama bin Laden and admitted plots against trains and the Brooklyn Bridge had pleaded guilty to felony charges. The U.S. Air Force dropped manslaughter and aggravated assault charges against two fighter pilots who'd mistakenly bombed Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan in 2002. One pilot was later found guilty of dereliction of duty, and reprimanded.

One year ago: A truck bomb struck a Shiite mosque in central Baghdad, killing at least 87 people. President Bush and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sided emphatically with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his standoff with the militant group Hamas. The space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the international space station for its return to earth.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Gena Rowlands is 78. Singer Spanky McFarlane (Spanky and Our Gang) is 66. Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is 63. Actress Phylicia Rashad is 60. Rock singer Ann Wilson (Heart) is 58. Musician Larry Dunn is 55. Actress Kathleen Turner is 54. Country singer Doug Stone is 52. Singer Mark DeBarge is 49. Singer-dancer-"American Idol" judge Paula Abdul is 46. Actor Andy Lauer is 45. Rock singer-musician Brian Vander Ark (Verve Pipe) is 44. Rock musician Brian "Head" Welch is 38. Actress Robin Tunney is 36. Actor Bumper Robinson is 34. Actress Poppy Montgomery is 33. Actress Zoe Saldana is 30. Actor Paul Dano is 24.

Thought for Today: "One has two duties - to be worried and not to be worried." - E.M. Forster, British author (1879-1970).

By The Associated Press

Not So Much Me As My Friends ...

Gallup looks at the cohort I most recently left behind:

Forty-Somethings May Hold Key to Election
Obama and McCain highly competitive among voters in their 40s

PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama's appeal to younger voters and John McCain's support among older voters may have created a situation where the outcome will turn on the preferences of middle-aged voters -- particularly those in their 40s.

Since Hillary Clinton suspended her campaign earlier this month, McCain and Obama have tied at 46% support among registered voters between the ages of 40 and 49, according to an analysis of Gallup Poll Daily tracking data from June 5-16. During that time, Gallup interviewed nearly 10,000 registered voters nationwide, including 1,637 in their 40s. Obama led McCain by an average of 47% to 42% among the entire sample of registered voters.

In addition to their exact tie among voters in their 40s, the candidates are also competitive among voters in their 50s, with Obama holding a slight 47% to 43% advantage.

Obama currently holds a commanding lead among younger voters, beating McCain 59% to 32% among voters under 30 and by 51% to 38% among voters in their 30s.

Currently, McCain's highest support is found with voters between the ages of 60 and 69, among whom he leads Obama by 10 percentage points, 48% to 38%. McCain also currently holds a slim edge among voters in their 70s and 80s.

Forty-something voters are a politically interesting group because some of the common political divides in the U.S. electorate are not evident within this particular age group.

For example, there is almost no gender gap in voting preferences among those in their 40s.

Another Successful War

Unlike Defense spending, this is money that we really can say 'could go to helping [insert your favorite domestic cause here].'


A.P.:

U.N.: 'Shock' rise in Colombia coca growth
Cultivation of cocaine plant up 27 percent despite U.S.-funded eradication

BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombia's coca crop — the basis for cocaine — grew by 27 percent last year, the United Nations reported Wednesday, calling the increase "a surprise and a shock" given major U.S.-funded eradication efforts.

Eradication of the crop in Colombia, the world's No. 1 cocaine-producing nation, has been the cornerstone of a multibillion-dollar U.S. aid package.

Coca cultivation was also up 4 percent in Peru and 5 percent in Bolivia, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime reported in its annual survey.

Michelle Gives View

As in 'The View'.

Wonkette watched so that you don't have to. But I endorse reading the coverage here.

This interchange sounded good:

Michelle (after sitting):

"I have to be greeted properly. Fist bump please."

It Begins?

We'll take that last one as a slap-down of Matthews and his antiquarian theories of The United States of White Working Males. Putz.

Political Wire reports.:

Quinnipiac: Obama Leads in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania

The latest Quinnipiac Swing State polls shows Sen. Barack Obama -- with strong support among women, blacks and younger voters -- leading Sen. John McCain among likely voters in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania The results show:

In Florida, Obama edges McCain 47% to 43%

In Ohio, Obama tops McCain 48% to 42%

In Pennsylvania, Obama leads McCain 52% to 40% Notable: This is the first time

Obama has led in all three states. No one has been elected President since 1960 without taking two of these three largest swing states in the Electoral College.

Ambinder looks deeper:

The crosstabs: Obama's leading among white voters in PA, and his multi-ethnic coalition puts him over the top elsewhere. He leads by double digits about women everywhere; men are split evenly. The economy is the major issue in each state; President Bush's approval rating is highest (27%) in Florida.

Obama's getting the votes of 13% of '04 Bush voters in Florida and Ohio, and 19% in Pennsylvania. McCain gets the support of 24% of Clinton voters in PA and roughly equivalent percentages in OH and FL. So, from O's perspective, maybe it doesn't really matter that a quarter of Clinton Democrats turned Red.

Ohio
Obama leads 51 - 39 percent among Ohio women likely voters, while men go 46 percent for McCain and 45 percent for Obama. White voters also are narrowly divided with 47 percent for McCain and 44 percent for Obama, but Obama commands black voters 90 - 6 percent. The Democrat also leads 58 - 36 percent among voters 18 to 34 and 49 - 42 percent among voters 35 to 54, while McCain has the 47 - 43 percent edge among voters over 55.

Pennsylvania
Obama tops McCain 57 - 34 percent with women as men go 47 percent for McCain to 45 percent for Obama. Obama leads 61 - 33 percent among voters 18 to 34 years old, 51 - 41 percent among voters 35 to 54 and 48 - 43 percent with voters over 55. The Democrat inches ahead 47 - 44 percent among white voters and leads among black voters 95 - 1 percent.

Obama gets a 54 - 25 percent favorability, to 43 - 33 percent for McCain.

BO 360

A great picture

Maryland elects 1st black woman to Congress

Sent from Express News
LANHAM, Md. - Democratic lawyer and nonprofit executive Donna Edwards won a special election Tuesday to become Maryland's first black woman elected to Congress.

Edwards beat Republican Peter James in the race to serve the remainder of former U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn's term in Maryland's 4th District. Wynn left office May 31 to take a lobbying job after losing to Edwards in February's Democratic primary by 22 percentage points.

By STEPHEN MANNING Associated Press Writer

Obama rebukes McCain camp on terrorism criticism

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - A defiant Barack Obama said Tuesday he would take no lectures from Republicans on which candidate would keep the U.S. safer, a sharp rebuke to John McCain's aides who said the Democrat had a naive, Sept. 10 mind-set toward terrorism.

"These are the same guys who helped to engineer the distraction of the war in Iraq at a time when we could have pinned down the people who actually committed 9/11," the presumed nominee told reporters aboard his campaign plane. "This is the same kind of fear-mongering that got us into Iraq ... and it's exactly that failed foreign policy I want to reverse."

By NEDRA PICKLER and BETH FOUHY Associated Press Writer

Today in History - June 18

Sent from Express News
Today is Wednesday, June 18, the 170th day of 2008. There are 196 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On June 18, 1983, astronaut Sally K. Ride became America's first woman in space as she and four colleagues blasted off aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

On this date:

In 1778, American forces entered Philadelphia as the British withdrew during the Revolutionary War.

In 1812, the United States declared war against Britain.

In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte met his Waterloo as British and Prussian troops defeated the French in Belgium.

In 1858, the United States and China signed a treaty promoting "peace, amity and commerce."

In 1908, William Howard Taft was nominated for president by the Republican national convention in Chicago.

In 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean as she completed a journey with pilots Wilmer Stultz and Louis Gordon from Newfoundland to Wales in about 21 hours.

In 1940, during World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill urged his countrymen to conduct themselves in a manner that would prompt future generations to say, "This was their finest hour."

In 1948, a United Nations commission finished drafting what would become the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 1958, President Eisenhower expressed support for his chief of staff, Sherman Adams, who was accused of improperly accepting gifts from a businessman. (Adams resigned in September 1958.)

In 1979, President Carter and Soviet President Leonid I. Brezhnev signed the SALT II strategic arms limitation treaty in Vienna.

Ten years ago: President Clinton tapped U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson to replace Energy Secretary Federico Pena and named diplomatic troubleshooter Richard Holbrooke as the new representative to the United Nations. (However, Holbrooke's nomination was held up for a year because of an ethics investigation.) Three people were killed when a Chicago-bound commuter train rammed a tractor-trailer in Portage, Ind.

Five years ago: Convicted rapist Andrew Luster, heir to the Max Factor fortune, was arrested in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after five months on the run. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Larry Doby, who broke the American League's color barrier in 1947, died in Montclair, N.J.; he was believed to be 79.

One year ago: Nine firefighters died in a fire at a furniture store and warehouse in Charleston, S.C. Yahoo Inc. Chairman Terry Semel ended his six-year tenure as chief executive officer, handing over the reins to co-founder Jerry Yang. Vilma Espin Guillois, wife of acting President Raul Castro and a former rebel fighter, died in Havana, Cuba, at age 77.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Ian Carmichael is 88. Columnist Tom Wicker is 82. Rock singer-composer-musician Sir Paul McCartney is 66. Movie critic Roger Ebert is 66. Actress Constance McCashin is 61. Actress Linda Thorson is 61. Actress Isabella Rossellini is 56. Actress Carol Kane is 56. Rock singer Alison Moyet is 47. Country singer-musician Tim Hunt is 41. Rock singer-musician Sice (The Boo Radleys) is 39. Rhythm-and-blues singer Nathan Morris (Boyz II Men) is 37. Actress Mara Hobel is 37. Rapper Silkk the Shocker is 33. Actress Alana de la Garza is 32. Country singer Blake Shelton is 32. Actress Renee Olstead is 19.

Thought for Today: "Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others." - Amelia Earhart, American aviator (1897-1937?).

By The Associated Press