In 2004, the media informed us that there was a social security crisis, that social security will face a serious shortfall in 40 or more years. President Bush's "solution" was privatization, converting a portion of social security to private accounts that would be invested in the stock market. This would, of course, mean enormous profits for stock brokers and investment companies, major contributors to the Bush-Cheney presidential campaigns.

President Bush recently vetoed legislation that would stop the CIA from using water-boarding and other harsh methods of interrogation because such methods "have a proven track record of keeping America safe."  

Last October 10, 2007,on CNBC's The Big Idea, conservative writer Ann Coulter proclaimed that Jews need to be "perfected" and that they would be better off being Christian.

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There is a large, visible, albeit loosely organized gay community in Alabama's largest city. There are 24-hour gay bars, social, religious and political organizations, annual events, even entire neighborhoods that gays have transformed into friendly enclaves.

A new Christmas helper arrives this with the launch of the http://safetoy.mobi website specially crafted for mobile phones. Safetoy features tips on choosing and using toys safely, and the latest information about recalled toys in the US.

I came across a site mentioned on BBC News website called "Free Rice." It is a slightly silly but addictive little thing that actually adds up to helping the UN feed people. Joy and I are obsessing on it yesterday and today.

Basically, they get money from advertisers. They have vocabulary words and you pick the correct defination...for each one you get right, they donate money for 10 grains of rice to feed people through the UN. So far Joy and I made it to Vocab Level 50 four times (though we always drop back down to 48 or so as we get some wrong) and have gotten more than 11,000 grains of rice....which may be only a few good bowls of rice for someone out there, but what the hell. It's fun in a nerdy way and if enough of us do it, it can have a real effect.

Check out our cartoon on the top GOP candidates:

http://njdc.typepad.com/njd cs_blog/2007/10/new-njdc-ca rtoo.html

   So, when you get to your new home away from home. After you have straighten up and cleaned the place the way you want it! You unpack and set out the things, you will be using the next day.  So, far so, familiar!

   You, wake up in a new & strange place and now what are you going to do right after you use the facilities?

   I'm going down to inspect the conditions of the oil fields, walk the transport pipelines right to the end at Basra's seaport! The British troops are patroling the streets, chatting with the residents and...what they are doing? They are not toting any weapons! What da fug!

If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends, you talk to your enemies.
Moshe Dayan

Just yesterday I delivered the bad news that a judge (a Bush appointee) denied the request of NASA scientists for protection against invasion of their personal privacy by the Federal Government. I mentioned that the case was under appeal. Those who have been following this story will know that this case directly affects my wife, who will also be required to waive her rights if she wants to work at a NASA facility even though none of the work she does is sensitive. This has been hanging over our heads for weeks now.

Well, in this case, the courts moved fast. The appeal has been successful and the Ninth Circuit Court has issued an injunction against the oppressive implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive #12.

Articles in major newspapers in Texas have announced that public schools in Texas must now test all children each year, starting at grade 3, on pushups, sit-ups, and a mile run, and measure flexibility and body fat.

There are problems with this new law.

Al Gore is now an Ambassador to the world, and to me that far surpasses anything a president in the military industrial complex can do to motivate a global response to this crisis now. I have always believed that those who serve their conscience serve well. Mr. Gore is now living proof of that  in showing us all that we can and must do it too.

Predictably, the administration is claiming that the 2007 national test results (NAEP) support No Child Left Behind. They don't.  

In a press release issued Sept. 24, 2007, Education Secretary Spellings points out that reading scores for fourth grade English learners on a national test (the NAEP)  "jumped an unprecedented 20 points between 2000 and 2005."

"... (Iraqi leaders) understand that their success will require U.S. political, economic, and security engagement that extends beyond my Presidency. These Iraqi leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America." (President Bush, September 13, 2007)

Not mentioned in Bush's speech or in the Democratic response: Iraq is considering a production-sharing agreement that promises to bring huge profits to foreign oil companies over the next 30 years. The US has been heavily involved in the development of the plan.