Remembering the Nuclear Past

As the founder of Greenpeace argues for the increased use of nuclear energy and the description of plans for possible tactical nuclear strikes in Iran, seem to have fallen off the map, we might reflect on the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, 20 years ago.

Happy Flying

As if airline travel were not onerous enough as it is the airlines have more in store for all of us happy customers. I know that gas prices and operating costs are going up, but this is absurd.

One Day, That Economy Ticket May Buy You a Place to Stand

The airlines have come up with a new answer to an old question: How many passengers can be squeezed into economy class?

A lot more, it turns out, especially if an idea still in the early stage should catch on: standing-room-only "seats."

Airbus has been quietly pitching the standing-room-only option to Asian carriers, though none have agreed to it yet. Passengers in the standing section would be propped against a padded backboard, held in place with a harness, according to experts who have seen a proposal.

Worst President Ever

George W. Bush's presidency appears headed for colossal historical disgrace. Barring a cataclysmic event on the order of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, after which the public might rally around the White House once again, there seems to be little the administration can do to avoid being ranked on the lowest tier of U.S. presidents. And that may be the best-case scenario. Many historians are now wondering whether Bush, in fact, will be remembered as the very worst president in all of American history...

History may ultimately hold Bush in the greatest contempt for expanding the powers of the presidency beyond the limits laid down by the U.S. Constitution. There has always been a tension over the constitutional roles of the three branches of the federal government. The Framers intended as much, as part of the system of checks and balances they expected would minimize tyranny.

from Rolling Stone

The New World Order

Freedom of Information

After more than four years we learn the names of some of the individuals disappeared by the United States Government. A freedom of information request from AP convinces the Penagon to relase the first list of names of the Guantanamo detainees.

The Sport of the Future Has Arrived

I wake up to what seems like a normal day and then listening to morning edition I hear about "Chess Boxing." Somehow the combination of a sport that is about landing blows to the head and body of one's oponent and a game that is supposed to be sublimely tactical seems hard to beleive, but yet...

Nothing to Do but Laugh

Should we file this under only in the United States?

A DEA agent who accidentally shot himself in the foot while demonstrating gun safety to school children is suing the agency, saying video of the incident has made him the joke of the Internet.

from SF Gate.

Immigrant Rights are Human Rights

In the Washington Post Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez explains that "latino," "immigrant," and "illegal" are not synonyms.

What Immigrants do for the U.S.

Steve Gilliard has a post about immigrant soldiers who have died in Iraq.

National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice

Non-Violent Protest in Lawrence, KS

One hand knows not the other

It's always great to know just how much the government supports our troops and their families.

A Marine's Mother
Washington Post, Wednesday, April 5, 2006; Page A21

Last August, Danielette James, 58, a federal custodian who cleans congressional offices five nights a week, unsuccessfully pleaded with her bosses for time off to welcome home her son, a Marine who was returning to Camp Lejeune, N.C., after seven months in Iraq.