Midday Open Thread

• Today marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, and while progress has been made over the past 20 years, there remains much to be done, from research to  training, and of course, access and affordability.
• John Cole's take on the Republican goal of "union busting on a grand scale":

  It could not be clearer. I do not know what the best thing to do with the auto industry is, and I am sick and tired of all these bailouts. However, I do think it is important that people realize that when Republicans reject a bailout of the auto-industry, that they are not doing so out of principle. If anything should be clear, when it comes to spending, the GOP has no principles. Instead, their no vote will be about something else- protecting the big money backers, the captains of industry and the folks who, unlike everyone else, has done well in the past few years.

• Nancy Pelosi hopes to have an economic recovery bill ready for Barack Obama's signature on January 20th.
• It took 17 years for Gulf War syndrome to be officially recognized, but there is still no focus on treating the men and women who have been suffering for nearly two decades.
• While the Bush administration still claims victory in Iraq, the killing continues on a daily basis.
• Save your soul!
• All things considered, this award really needs to change its name :

  Warren will present President Bush with the first "International Medal of PEACE" from the Global PEACE Coalition in recognition of his unprecedented contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases. The "International Medal of PEACE" is given for outstanding contribution toward alleviating the five global giants recognized by the Coalition, including pandemic diseases, extreme poverty, illiteracy, self-centered leadership and spiritual emptiness.

• Condoleezza Rice is heading to India to show "solidarity" with the people of India following last week's terrorist attacks in Mombai.
• Former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's partner in crime and text-messaging has pleaded guilty to perjury and obstruction of justice and was sentenced to four months in jail, five years probation, and $100,000 in fines.
• Notice to the slobs and/or Republicans among us:

  A vigorous hand wash or shower could cause a person to be less judgmental.

  A new study, set for publication in the December issue of the journal Psychological Science, reveals that when a person feels physically clean, he or she cuts others more moral slack.