Thought-provoking brief interview with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair...  well worth watching.

What are your thoughts in response?

here's a fascinating paper on the christian roots of abolitionism.

See also two source documents...

"Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and faith started being used to drive us apart....  Faith got hijacked, partly because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, all too eager to exploit what divides us.... At every opportunity, they've told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage, school prayer and intelligent design....  I don't know what Bible they're reading, but it doesn't jibe with my version."

Who's the real 'hijacker' here?      This deserves more commentary...  though I'm too busy at the moment.  Later perhaps.  What are your thoughts?

SPIEGEL: Mr. Shikwati, the G8 summit at Gleneagles is about to beef up the development aid for Africa...

Shikwati: ... for God's sake, please just stop.

SPIEGEL: Stop? The industrialized nations of the West want to eliminate hunger and poverty.

Shikwati: Such intentions have been damaging our continent for the past 40 years. If the industrial nations really want to help the Africans, they should finally terminate this awful aid. The countries that have collected the most development aid are also the ones that are in the worst shape. Despite the billions that have poured in to Africa, the continent remains poor.

Fascinating article...

Ought your beliefs about God and morality to affect the way you vote?   Ought your beliefs to affect the way you govern, if you're a politician?   Thought-provoking question...

"America the Beautiful"?   Or  "America the Dying"?

I realize that both might be true.   But which do you think is most accurate?

If you have any interest in world politics, or Iraq, or Iran, or Europe, or America, or conservativism, or liberalism, or if you want to listen to a funny interview, or if you want to hear two immensely talented public speakers from diametrically opposed worldviews having an energetic 10-minute discussion on world politics, check out this BBC interview with John Bolton, former US ambassador to the UN.    If that link doesn't work for you, try this one.

Some parts will make you want to cheer (whether you're liberal OR conservative), and other parts will make you just say, "ouch!"   My favorite part was the part about America allegedly "squandering its moral authority in the world" or something like that (i.e. by the Iraq invasion by the 'coalition').  I wish Bolton had taken that one up in more detail.

I find myself quite amazed at how fast Bolton can think on his feet.   I'd be tongue tied for a while after some of those questions.  I guess he's used to it from the UN.

This short animation from Iraq is amazing and very thought provoking.

These cartoons, drawn just prior to the last global war, are just as appropriate today as when they were first made... though less politically correct today.  Terrorism and its state sponsors (such as Iran and Syria) and the forces behind the global Caliphate have replaced the Nazis.  Pelosi and Carter and crew have replaced Chamberlain.  Bush might be likened to Franklin D. Roosevelt in some ways.  Who will replace Winston Churchill and Harry S Truman?

Perhaps you'll be as surprised as I was to discover that the author of these cartoons was none other than dear Dr. Seuss.

Wow.  You'll never hear this type of story from a New York Times reporter ensconced safely in 'the green zone.'  Or from a BBC reporter traveling with terrorists.   Because this report portrays the coalition fighters as skillful, gentle, and very courageous.

Is freedom worth fighting for?  For others, and for ourselves?