Funding Homophobia In Africa

The Bush administration may not have meant this (yes, I know, the benefit of the doubt again) but it comes with the territory when you're funding abstinence-only programs in Uganda. Ed Brayton comments here.

A Time to Investigate

The NYT investigates how U.S. tortue policies have crumbled via the current administration. It's all there. Dig in.

Andrew Sullivan asks the important question: "We have war criminals in the White House. What are we going to do about it?"

Oh, and just so everyone will stop quoting Bono and praising him as an international spokesman against torture, let's not forget someone said it first (and better):

He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

-Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146

"Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job."

Steve Clemons, filling in for newlywed Andrew Sullivan (Congrats, Andrew!), posts a highly appropriate suggestion , today, on the 2nd anniversary of Katrina. The ethics of Mississippi governor Haley Barbour have been called into question more times than I can count, but who knew they were this twisted?

"Many Mississippians have benefited from Governor Haley Barbour's efforts to rebuild the state's devastated Gulf Coast in the two years since Hurricane Katrina.

The $15 billion or more in federal aid the former Republican national chairman attracted has reopened casinos and helped residents move to new or repaired homes.

Among the beneficiaries are Barbour's own family and friends, who have earned hundreds of thousands of dollars from hurricane-related business. A nephew, one of two who are lobbyists, saw his fees more than double in the year after his uncle appointed him to a special reconstruction panel.

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in June raided a company owned by the wife of a third nephew, which maintained federal emergency-management trailers.

Meanwhile, the governor's own former lobbying firm, which he says is still making payments to him, has represented at least four clients with business linked to the recovery."

The Nation's Walter Mosley suggests a more somber marker.

"If we call ourselves Americans (and mean it), then we are all victims of Katrina. If we breathe the air or eat fresh fruit, if we call on our cellphones, drink water from a plastic bottle or just nibble on a chocolate bar, then we are Katrina; we are the rising waters around the ankles of this world.

When the day comes to mark off the two-year point since the deluge descended on the Gulf of Mexico, we should take care not to make too much noise. We shouldn't march in that shadow of time or even protest. Rather, we should sit alone in a room with our imaginations open to feel what they experienced on that day: the waters rising, rising and us climbing stairs and ladders, chairs and fire escapes; sitting on rooftops while bodies float by; calling out to passing boats and helicopters that go by in mute witness; being pressed to the roof by the rising tide and being engulfed shouting, shouting out for the ones we love underwater, unheard; the darkness swirling around us as we die with no one coming to save us, or themselves."

Meanwhile, at a New Orleans charter school, President Bush and Laura "pray to Santa Jesus" to mark the occasion.



From the NYT:

"The front page of The Times-Picayune advertised a scathing editorial above the masthead: ''Treat us fairly, Mr. President.'' It chided the Bush administration for giving Republican-dominated Mississippi a share of federal money disproportionate to the lesser impact the storm had there than in largely Democratic Louisiana. ''We ought to get no less help from our government than any other victims of this disaster,'' it said.

It is the president's 15th visit to the Gulf Coast since the massive hurricane obliterated coastal Mississippi, inundated most of the Big Easy with floodwaters and killed 1,600 people in Louisiana and Mississippi when it roared onto land the morning of Aug. 29, 2005 -- but only his second stop in these parts since last year's anniversary."

This is not an endorsement.

Via T-shirt Hell.
Thanks, Nate.

Gonzales to resign

Buen riddance!

93-year-old charged with cocaine trafficking

It's never too late to learn. Well, maybe not always.
Click it for the photo alone. You'll thank me. I'm not being a link-tease.
Hey! You know what? At least he's a working 93-year-old. He could just be sitting around watching Jeopardy in his Lay-Z-Boy, sucking the life out of social security.

Update!!!

Actually, I'm a tease. Updates coming soon. Janie and I still don't have internet. S.O.S.
Hope you're all well!

'Law and Order' President?

You may know him best as Arthur Branch, one of the more recent D.A.'s on Law & Order. Offscreen he's former (TN) Senate member, Fred Thompson. If that still doesn't ring a bell, don't worry, you're not alone. The majority of voters know little of his Senate record or acting gigs, but that doesn't seem to be a handicap. According to a recent poll (tired of hearing that yet?), Thompson is sandwiched between Rudy Giuliani and John Mccain, pulling in 21% of Republican support. With this much backing early on (Fredheads, they're calling themselves) and still without a formal bid, Thompson is clearly someone to take note of in the red camp.

On the issues, Thompson says he:

Opposes gun control. "You check my record. You'll find I'm pretty consistent on that issue."

Opposes same-sex marriage, but would let states decide on civil unions. "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and judges shouldn't be allowed to change that."

Opposes abortion. "I think Roe vs. Wade was bad law and bad medical science. And the way to address that is through good judges. I don't think the court ought to wake up one day and make new social policy for the country. It's contrary to what it's been the past 200 years."

Supports President Bush's troop surge in Iraq. "Wars are full of mistakes. You rectify things. I think we're doing that now."

Supports an immediate pardon for former White House Aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby. "This is a trial that never would have been brought in any other part of the world. This is a miscarriage of justice. One man and his wife and 14-year-old and 10-year-old children are bearing the brunt of a political maelstrom here that produced something that never should have come about."

Does he have a wife named Babs, too? Not quite, but his current wife, Jeri Thompson, is an attorney and a political media consultant at the Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, and McPherson law firm in Washington, D.C.

Personally, I'd like to see Sam Waterson get in the game. Anyone? Ah, it's Friday. Give me one.

Radio: Stay tuned for President Ronald Reagan's weekly radio address.
Peter: Ronald Reagan? The actor? He's president?
Brian: Peter, you're the one from the future, you should know - ah, forget it.

Happy Friday!

I'm not going to do it. I won't even type her name. My mouth is shut. Meanwhile, enjoy this video!






Sorry for all the videos. I've been lazy, lately. Headed down to Blues Fest! Yeah, baby!

New Wheels on the Block

I...I...I'm so confused. Do I laugh? Applaud? Cry?



Stop taking life so seriously for 5 minutes and laugh at yourself, today. These guys obviously can.

Honda Scraps Pricey Accord Hybrid

Who wants to spend 10 grand more on their mother's hybrid? Smart move cutting it when they did.

It's pretty sad when GM is making wiser choices for consumers and the environment than the other guys.

As a public transportation "enthusiast", I humbly ask, who is still driving an average SUV? The space excuse isn't really valid anymore with all the hybrid versions. I understand the off-road driving and hazardous weather conditions, but I don't see many mountains here in Chicago? I'm not attacking principles; I'm just genuinely curious. Gas just hit $4.00/gallon in Chicago. Ouch. Pretty soon we're all going to be cruisin' in tiny Euro cars.
Beep, beep!

Larry David and Wife Split Up

Does this mean no more Cheryl on Curb? Say it ain't so.

I've always had a strange fascination with this man, mostly due to his crazy antics on the hit show, Curb Your Enthusiasm. He says and does what we're all thinking. Admit it. Ahem, Larry, if you're reading, would you like to grab a "vanilla bullshit latte cappa thing", sometime?

"It's the top of the hour, on Larry King Live"

How can you not love Larry King? He's out there every night, bless his heart, grilling everyone from Syliva Browne to the President of the United States. He's seventy-freaking-three and sharp as a tack. He doesn't use the Internet and is definitely more informed than most of the population.

This is too cute (wait for the end):


Hot mic, hot mic!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the ol' birthday, especially Amelia-all the way from Baltimore. It was a much-needed night out.
I'm on vacation from blogging for a bit. Work, summer classes, San Francisco...lots going on. Happy Memorial Day!



Love,
Kim

A Reality or a Bipartisan Dream?

Whether or not we agree on the benefits or even the validity of this "new Washington reality" is irrelevant, though it is hard to ignore clips like this:

Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, the Republican whip, said, “I would argue that the White House is coming to terms with the reality of the situation in Washington, and they don’t have any choice. We can all get into our partisan crouches and get nothing, or we can go through a process of responsible negotiations.”

It seems unlikely that the shift in power will result in much more than a change of side dish. What will become of this bipartisan "deal" on immigration? Can these tie-breakers make it to the main dish (Iraq)?

Let's not forget that Cheney is still clinging to his "immune" status, so where does that leave the rest of the administration?

Sheryl Gay Stolberg asks similar questions in Sunday's NYT's.

Orgasm* in a Bottle

BibiCaffè, a sparkling espresso drink with hints of vanilla and caramel, has been a symbol of quality and promise of good taste for Italians since 1941. This enduring European brand, imported from Calabria, Italy, is based on a century old recipe that has been handed down from one generation to the next within the De Sarro and Torchia families. The BibiCaffè brand, with its distinctive glass bottle, striking red label and exceptional espresso flavor signifies fine Italian craftsmanship and is a sophisticated alternative for coffee connoisseurs.



* Said sparkling beverage may not produce sexual orgasm. Individual results vary.

Happy Friday!

Silly wabbit, baseball's not for women!
Play Ball with Babe Ruth - "Fancy Curves" (I couldn't make that title up if I tried. Okay, maybe I could.)

Low on cash this weekend? Head out to some of the Chicago Spaces and Places tours. This Saturday and Sunday, all day, City of Chicago and Starbucks will be hosting a myriad of architectural and locational tours throughout the Chicago area. I'm looking forward to the river tour and Bronzeville, if I can get tickets (which are free and available at 224 S. Michigan Ave. at 7:30 each morning). See you out there!



If you're interested, photos of my Memphis trip can be viewed here.
I had an amazing time, but wished it to be longer, as always. You'll see a few shots of Caruthersville, MO - my dad's hometown, Beale St., GRACELAND (yes, my first trip), the Memphis Botanic Gardens, and road hair! Thanks to everyone for their gracious southern hospitality. I'll see you all in July for Elaine's bridal shower.

"Pam, why don't you work with Phallus on a sketch?"

"Phallus?"
"Sorry, Phyllis. I've got penis on the brain."
-The Office

The Chicago City Council approved plans today for the controversial Chicago Spire skyscraper.
Great, just what the Chicago skyline needs: a reminder of my first vibrator, minus the purple gel and sparkles.

I really think the first draft was much more interesting, more architecturally advanced, but Mayor Daley favors model #4.



More info re: location, height, etc. here, if you care.

Roger Clemens Returns to New York

Clemens is back. Somewhere Bill Simmons' head is exploding.

(Squeeeeeeaaaaaaaal!)

The Cure for Cancer: HIV?

What a pleasant idea.

I still agree with Chris Rock:

You think they're gonna cure AlDS? No, they can't even cure athlete's foot.
They ain't curing AlDS. Shit, they ain't never curing AlDS. Don't even think about that shit.

They ain't curing it,'cause there ain't no money in the cure. The money's in the medicine. That's how you get paid, on the comeback. That's how a drug dealer makes his money, on the comeback.

That's all the government is: a bunch of motherfucking drug dealers, on the comeback.

They ain't curing no AlDS. That's all it is.
You think they're gonna cure AlDS? They're still mad at all the money they lost on polio!

Curing AlDS? Shit, that's like Cadillac
making a car that lasts for years. And you know they can do it...but they ain't gonna do nothing that fucking dumb.