This was the first time I've been published in something other than a school paper, so rah-rah for me.

I was responding to an article by one of their right-wing "pollsters" Dr. David Hill.  He had a worthless argument about how people who complain about electronic voting machines can go Cheney themselves.  It was a horrible article and I really felt the need to respond.  And voting machines isn't even an issue I spend a lot of time losing sleep over!!

Anyway, here is my response (first item).  

U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) is led away in handcuffs after being arrested outside the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan by officers from the Uniformed Division of the United States Secret Service, in Washington July 13, 2004. Rangel was arrested after refusing to comply with police orders to leave the property while protesting the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, where Janjaweed militiamen are reportedly killing thousands of civilians.

[UPDATE: 3:50 PM by usslider]
Here is a real news story about the arrest from Newsday.

The 9/11 Commission today released new information about the attacks, including what were the backup plans of bin Laden and Atta.  This fascinating AP story reveals some of the intelligence extracted through interrogations since the attacks, including the initial plans for a 10-plane nationwide assault.

Among the "highlights":

Last night I finally got to see the movie 'Miracle' about the 1980 Olympic hockey team, and I was surprised at the political themes it presented.  I was expecting a "light-hearted romp" or maybe a feel-good sports movie a la 'Field of Dreams'.  But it became clear that the movie, as was the case in real life, was more than about just a hockey game.

Attention all campaign finance law experts...

I have a real problem on my hands.  I would like very much to donate to all of the dKos8 (what meager sum I can afford).  If you have donated to a political campaign, however, you have surely noticed the requirements one must meet in order to donate: these are not the funds of anyone else, I am a US citizen, blah blah blah.

There is one that prevents me from donating:  I am a federal government contractor (I think).

How can I find out if this applies to me?

According to The Hill, formerly endangered freshman Democratic Congressman Rodney Alexander has dodged a bullet in his quest to retain his GOP-leaning seat, as his main rival is expected to pull out of the running.  Alexander won the seat last year in a runoff over Lee Fletcher (who will not run again) by a few hundred votes, making him one of the GOP's main targets this cycle.

With college graduation time upon us, I always like to find out who is speaking at various universities' commencement ceremonies.  This year, we know that graduates of Louisiana State and Concordia (as mentioned in a previous diary) will be graced by the speaking finesse of Captain Codpiece.  

Last year, students at Syracuse University heard Bill Clinton speak.  Where is he this year, or was he too busy finishing "His Life"?  As for my own graduation last year from Boston University, we got George Will.  It could have been a lot worse - he didn't spout any conservative rhetoric, and spoke mostly about baseball.  He was actually a very eloquent speaker.

So what political figures (or anybody, really) are speaking at commencement ceremonies near you?

(take the fun and meaningless poll)

Forget the Cubbies - Go Sox!!!

But I can feel for the Chicago fans.  Everyone in the Boston area has been needing the defibulators lately.

Can we take 2 at the house that Ruth built?  God knows I'd rather have any of our other pitchers out there today than 72 year old Burkett.  Hell, throw Wakefield in there again.

And it's our most reliable hitters who haven't been coming through!  Nomar, Ortiz, Millar, Mueller (the batting champ!), and to a lesser extent Manny, have all been anemic. However, Walker has been a stud of Herculean proportions. They all need to COWBOY UP and get it done.  Neither Pettitte nor Clemens is unbeatable.

Go Saux!!!