Elections in the US are next Tuesday, but two days before that Nicaragua is holding it’s own national election. Check out this Common Dreams article by Ben Beachy of Witness for Peace on how the US is involved. I traveled to Nicaragua in November of 2004 with WFP and roomed with Ben while visiting coffee […]

In September Congress passed the Military Commissions Act allowing this and any future President & Sec. of Defense to declare someone, anyone, an enemy combatant and basically strip them of rights we hold dear. In the words of a New York Times news analysis: “In effect it allows the president to identify enemies, imprison them […]

Colombia’s civil war continues as 30,000 die each year and over 3.6 millions persons are displaced. Some 6,000 children are enrolled in non-State armed groups. UNICEF is working for the demobilization of children in armed groups and they need our help. War is a terrible way of life in Colombia, it’s even worse for children […]

This weekend is the 28th Annual Hunger Walk in Louisville. This event raises thousands of dollars that go directly to feed people who are hungry here in Louisville and around the world. If you can’t walk, be sure to find a way to donate. Most likely your local place of worship is participating. Another group […]

From Reporters Without Borders: The United States (53rd) has fallen nine places since last year, after being in 17th position in the first year of the Index, in 2002. Relations between the media and the Bush administration sharply deteriorated after the president used the pretext of “national security” to regard as suspicious any journalist who […]

Time to listen to Adam Brodsky’s Uncivil Rights again. Transcript of Olbermann’s commentary at truthout.org. [youtube]ZXofTYFTH7A[/youtube]

That’s the name of John Reed’s book about the Russian Revolution of 1917. Warren Beatty’s Reds tells his story. This week the movie was released for the first time ever on DVD in a 25th Anniversary Special Edition. This is one of my all time favorite movies. In many ways it is more relevant today […]

Today, Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank he founded won the Nobel Peace Prize. Essentially, this award is testimony to the impact of microcredit. Tiny, microloans can make a world of difference to those who receive them, and are a wonderful, no risk way for others to use their wealth to change the […]

It’s been getting cooler here in the ‘Ville lately. And cooler temps mean two things at our house. Cuddle weather and soup. Don’t worry, this post isn’t about cuddling, it’s about cooking. We have a fine Italian meatball soup in the fridge, and I’ve been pairing it with sandwiches or bread for a couple days […]

I guess you can tell this detainee bill fiasco is really under my skin. Read Molly Ivins’ column on truthdig for an example of what type of behavior we legalized last week and a few points on how Bill Frist and others “improved” the compromise bill.