via VirtualP

: Palm Beach Doctor Arrested on Terrorism Charge

via Talk Left: A 50 year old physician from Palm Beach has been arrested at his home on a federal charge that he provided material support to terrorists. The AP reports the charges are out of the Southern District of New York and that the doctor is believed to have treated terrorists in Saudi Arabia. A second defendant, Tarik Shah, a New York martial arts expert, is alleged to have trained terrorists. Both are American citizens...read on

Shia Leaders...

Someone (thank you N.C.) emailed me Thomas L. Friedman's article in the New York Times 10 days ago about Quran desecration titled "Outrage and Silence"....

Now, it is always amusing to see a Jewish American journalist speak in the name of Sunni Arabs. When Sunni Arabs, at this point, hesitate to speak in a representative way about other Sunni Arabs, it is nice to know Thomas L. Friedman feels he can sum up the feelings of the "Sunni Arab world" in so many words. His arrogance is exceptional...read on

Read the article. She sums up the situation in a way only she can.

(Update)-Arthur Silber has his own take on Riverbend and Friedman.

A POLITICAL REVOLT IN FRANCE

Direland has an analysis: The massive defeat of the new European Constitution by the French in today's referendum means a virtual political revolution in France. The polls have only been closed for an hour as I write, but the exit polls for French public TV show at least a 10% margin of victory for the No vote, with a large 70% voter turnout...read on

Repubs to the Troops: We Don't Have to...

: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is airing radio commercials in about a dozen House Districts accusing House Republicans of failing to support members of the National Guard and Reserve. ...read on

From ex AF officer, ex-reporter, Mike Graham responds to the Dominionism article C&L posted:

We need to acknowledge what we're up against. Fundamentalist religion, of any stripe, is the most dangerous drug of all. And these "dominionist" fools -- masquerading as "Christians" -- are going to be the death of us all.

Why are no mainstream theologians speaking out against these fascist lunatics? They have hijacked the very term "Christianity" and made it a dirty word, synonymous with bigotry and hatred, deceit and murder. And the response from mainstream churches? Thundering silence. I call it "the silence of the shepherds."

What parts of the Sermon on the Mount don't these moral mutants understand? The President of the United States is in thrall to theological thugs. This country needs to wake up and wake up fast. This is the American Taliban, and if they have their way this nation is going to turn into a Bible Belt version of Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, we need to recognize that we already are in a holy war. When Bush used the word "crusade" that first day, he meant exactly what he said. These psychopaths want Armageddon. That's a huge part of what Iraq is really all about, that and corporate profiteering.

As I recall, Jesus had a few choice words about Pharisees and money changers and their ilk. I wonder what the Prince of Peace would say about people using His Name to justify mass murder.

I sure as hell don't hear any theologians raising that question.

On Hardball Friday, the topic was about the American Press and their coverage of elections and the candidates.

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Craig Crawford exposed the media's role in potraying Al Gore as a "serial exaggerator" and or"liar" which Matthews was part of. Alexandra Pelosi also said that shows like Hardball perpetuated characterizations of people. Chris took offense at the statement as it pertained to George Bush and said "I voted for him at least once..."

Does anyone care to guess when that might have taken place?

I put a question mark on Ezra's title for his post: The Return of Brooks

"David Brooks's column today is the best I've seen him write since signing on with the Times. This is what he used to be like in The Atlantic -- playful, thought-provoking, idiosyncratic...read on"

I actually liked the article too. When Brooks writes:

Poor children are less likely to live with both biological parents, hence, less likely to graduate from high school, get a job and be in a position to challenge the hegemony of the privileged class. Family inequality produces income inequality from generation to generation.

Undereducated workers of the world, unite! Let the ruling educated class tremble! You have nothing to lose but your chains. You have a world to win!

I think he's on to something. Funny how many of the talking heads try to label a person who wants to help the poor in this country as a socialist. I always thought it was called compassion.

Tbogg has a funny and insightful accounting of a trip to Le Target.

He makes the case for this important research.

AmericaBlog says: Brownback then says:

BROWNBACK: George [Stephanopoulos] and Arlen, when did each of your lives begin? When did your life biologically start? And we shouldn't be researching on that life at any time during its continuum unless we have your consent. When did your life start?

SPECTER: Well Sam, I'm a lot more concerned at this point about when my life is gonna end.

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The latest CBS poll I saw said 58% are for it. 31 % against. Republicans in that same poll 50% for/39% against. Specter said there could be a very big majority in the Senate that approves this bill.

I think I'll send Sen. Brownback a copy of The Stem Cell Research Living Will.