Tuesday, July 27 Issue #38

TODAY'S ACTION ALERTS
The Washington Post is calling for nominations for it's Best Blogs contest. Take a moment to sign up on the site, and mark your favorite blogs in several categories.

FEATURED ARTICLES
Paul Krugman voices our fear of election fraud, a fear well founded in the 2000 scandal.

Is corporate responsibility an oxymoron? So asks Lois Levin and Robert Hinkley.

Bush's environmental record has never been good, as the LATimes discovered.

NYTimes editorializes the black farmers' loan compensation story covered by the CEM days ago as a Middle Finger.

Despite a month of sovereignty, Iraq is no closer to calm as the Christian Science Monitor points out.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Penal system hits record for incarcerated Americans. Only in the U.S....or maybe China.

Speaking of China, they're pretty pissed about the beating of a Chinese tourist by a Homeland Security Agent.

British MPs set to officially back Kerry candidacy in a slap to Tony Blair and his allegiance with Dubya.

Can a press fluff article be more moronic than this?

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"To die for an idea; it is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would be if men died for ideas that were true!"
-H.L. Mencken

TODAY'S BUSHISM
"More Muslims have died at the hands of killers than -- I say more Muslims -- a lot of Muslims have died -- I don't know the exact count -- at Istanbul. Look at these different places around the world where there's been tremendous death and destruction because killers kill. "
-February 18, 2004

BLOG OF THE DAY
Political Animal by former CalPundit blogger Kevin Drum remains a consistent voice in Blogistan. From inside-the-beltway scoops to down and dirty campaign breakdowns, TWM posts should be daily reads.

BLOGWORTHY
Paperwight's Fair Shot draws together the subversive actions of the current administration, and offers a harsh criticism to those who would turn the other cheek.

Chris Bowers at the blogfather MyDD warns against an intellectual property bill coming before the Senate.

The British are considering immunizing children against the effects of cocaine and other drugs. Radley Balko at the Agitator breaks open this Orwellian overture by a state toward its citizens. Be very afraid.

Tex at UnFairWitness found a story showing that the US backs terrorists who take up arms against Iran. Big shock, huh?

The Road to Surfdom is quickly becoming one of the CEM's most enjoyable reads, this time Tim takes on one-ball bandits Novak and O'Beirne.

DRUG WAR UPDATE
In case it wasn't obvious, Bush is screwing up the War on Drugs, too.

Now retired football star Ricky Williams speaks out about drug testing in the NFL.

LINK OF THE DAY
Think you might be going crazy? Having second thoughts about your obsessive-compulsive split personality disorder? Take this test to know for sure.

SITE OF THE DAY
Technorati and CNN have teamed up to keep track of the writings of the convention bloggers. Get a complete, up-to-date wrap-up here.

COOL SITE OF THE DAY
Sometimes, when life makes it too tough to make a decision or plan ahead, there is one place to turn to that never fails. The Magic 8-ball.

ONLINE VIDEO OF THE DAY
How to spot a liar.

CLAPS, SLAPS, AND THE MIDDLE FINGER

Claps to the USA editor(s) who rejected Ann Coulter's commissioned assignment from the Democratic Convention. The article is pure sleaze, worse even than the typical garbage which Coulter slimes into columns nationwide. A talentless media-whore, and otherwise despicable attention junkie, Coulter had been working for USA Today, and was to have a piece published this morning. Instead, a outstanding editor stopped her crap prior to release, to the chagrin of Coulter. A copy of the article, along with embedded editor's comments, demonstrates that finally, an editor can stand up against inane babble and idiotic moronitude which spews far too often from the right side of the aisle. (tips to reef the dog at dkos.

Oh, and a special additional Clap goes to the entire lineup of speakers at Day 1 of the Democratic Convention. From start to finish, the fire was palpable, the excitement invigorating, and the tenor progressive. I was especially impressed with Al Gore, Bill Clinton, and Michael Negron, a college student and winner of an MTV contest. Jimmy Carter's tone was perfect for the elder statesman of our day, and perfectly balanced the upbeat rallies being echoed around him. DNC, despite the numerous glitches, the show rocked!

Slaps go to Said Mortazavi, an Iranian prosecutor who closed two newspapers which had reported on a trial in which he was involved. Mortazavi, in moves the Bush administration would envy, has overtly attempted to cover up evidence in a murder trial, and the newspaper closure is but the latest episode. Iran, at times appearing to peak over the wall of theocracy, has a hard time avoiding typical power pitfalls inherent in such a system of government. Then again, after Bush2, how can we point fingers when the Middle Finger is so often pointed at ourselves?

My Middle Finger chaffes in extension toward the Bush Administration, this time for attempting weaken safety and health protections for mine workers. Miners, already among the most likely to be injured, sickened, or killed as a result of work-related factors, need greater support, and could have it at very reasonable costs. The new rules will allow additional higher levels of diesel particles in the worker's air supply, a dangerous change which will likely lead to incredible increases in black-lung type illnesses. Bush Administration: Go Cheney yourselves...

ANIMAL RIGHTS WATCH
The Larry Flynt of the dog-fighting world is charged in magazine case.

The last thing animal rights advocates need is someone with the mentality of a wacko anti-abortion fanatic advocating for the justified killing of scientists.

Researches decide to use time-out instead of spanking elephants.

CANDIDATE OF THE DAY
Jack Flynn is a clear underdog in the Congressional race from NC-9. His opponent, GOP line-tower Sue Myrick, is strong in the district, and will be able to significantly outspend Flynn. A former Navy veteran, Flynn is strong supporter of our military men and women. With a Kerry push toward the election, this race could get tight, as could many races this Congressional year.

DAILY PHOTO
Sometimes, its just nice to see...


TODAY'S POLITICAL CARTOON



HISTORY LESSON
After an eloquent and passionate speech before the DNC, Jimmy Carter's life is one worth a revisit.

STRANGE HAPPENINGS
Moore is taking his fight to Bush's neighborhood.

I've heard of making an ass out of a mayor, but a mayor out of an ass?