Pretty tasteless. Who would even think of that?

Of course, they are buttons being sold by Republicanmarket which boasts providing "Patriotic and Republican Products." Maybe they are still behaving in the 19th century.

They had another button which featured Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), with the phrase: "Life's a bitch, don't vote for one."

One said, "Press 1 for English. Press 2 for Deportation."

Another said, "I will hold my nose when I vote for McCain."

I wouldn't be surprised if an Asian-American was running for President, the company would substitute "Yellow" for Yellow House.

At least make it humorous or put some sort of political slogan in a positive way.

Think Progress blog

america blog

In the ranking, the WEF focuses on information and communication technologies (ICT), such as cellular connectivity and broadband Internet, noting that "ICT has evolved into the 'general-purpose technology' of our time … responsible for a large part of productivity increases."

Rankings are based on a combination of hard data from organizations like the International Telecommunications Union and responses to the WEF's Executive Opinion Survey on topics such as business adoption of technology and laws relating to ICT. About 11,000 business executives in 131 countries participate in the survey.

1) Sweden
2) Iceland
3) Switzerland
4) Netherlands
5) Denmark
6) Hong Kong
7) South Korea
8) Norway
9) United States
10) Luxembourg

Link

Carlin, who had a history of heart and drug-dependency problems, died at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.

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One of the very few comics that basically did a lot of straight-talk about the demise of humanity and corruption-ridden society.

He will be missed very badly.

Link

For the 2008 presidential election, GOP insiders are worried that former congressman Bob Barr may play the spoiler between Senator McCain and Barack Obama. Barr's Libertarian Party may be indeed a long shot for the American presidency but political experts believe that some die-hard conservatives who still feel about McCain's credentials may choose to vote for the independent candidate in protest.

Dan Schnur, GOP consultant called Bob "the Ralph Nader of 2008." Of course, Ralph Nader is running again for the presidency but as an independent.

Due to the tight race between McCain and Obama, third-party candidates may prove the difference in deciding which major party will win the election.

However, both major parties regard these third-parties as spoilers and a waste of people's votes. This is what I take offense to.

I am also displeased to see how some state Republican parties are trying to prohibit Barr's Libertarian Party from appearing on the election ballot. Of course, the Democrats have done the same thing to Ralph Nader in 2000 and 2004. Currently, the Libertarian Party is already on the ballot in 30 states, with petition drives this summer aiming at 20 others.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said voting for Barr is the same as voting for Democrat Barack Obama. I really wish I can see a campaign ad where the voter has to choose the lesser of two evils: the Democrats or the Republicans. Gingrich seems intent on brainwashing the public into ignoring third-party candidates because they have no influence, but if voters give those parties a chance, they can make a better difference than what our two major parties have done in the past several decades.

Do not blame us for voting third-party. If Obama or McCain lost the election, it is because their message and vision did not resonate with the majority of our American voters.

I really think the GOP party has lost its way. Die-hard and fiscal conservatives should vote for Bob Barr or even write-in Ron Paul just to give the party a message. Its neo-con agenda cannot be the way of the Republican Party.

Link

After following American Airlines in charging money for your first checked bags, it has announced that effective August 18, US Airways will charge $2 for soda, fruit juice, coffee, and bottled water.

Also, alcoholic drinks will go from $5 to $7.

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In addition, the airline will eliminate a standard feature included in almost every frequent flyer elite program. Beginning August 6, US Airways Preferred Members will no longer earn extra miles when flying on the airline or any of their partners.

Their statement:

"Miles issued through the Dividend Miles program represent a real and significant economic cost. Each mile that is issued can result in the loss of revenue for the company. By reducing the number of bonus miles issued, US Airways is in a better position to withstand the impact of record fuel prices."

Plus they tacked on an additional $25/35/50 award ticket processing fee for flights booked on or after August 6.

Christina Gallach said the decision, made over dinner during the first day of a planned two-day summit in Brussels, Belgium, will be formally confirmed on Monday during an EU council meeting.

The diplomatic sanctions, which limited visits to the Communist island by senior EU personnel, were imposed in 2003 after concerns were raised about human rights in Cuba. The sanctions were suspended in 2005, so lifting them now could be considered a symbolic move.

Link

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The US embargo will soon reach 50 years. Have we finally seen the light? Perhaps we should follow our previous examples with Vietnam, China, and South Africa and lift economic sanctions.

All we get is Fidel's laugh having survived Kennedy though Bush.

Isn't it time to try something new?

The former presidential candidate has reemerged with a new Web site spotlighting the soaring budget deficit -- more than $9.3 trillion and growing.

"We live in the greatest country in the history of man. We've been so successful for so long that we now take our success for granted," Perot says in a video posted on PerotCharts.com.

Link

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David Walker, the former U.S. comptroller general and nation's top accountant, consulted with Perot on the need to cut spending in Washington.

While we may seem to be mesmerized with Obama's call for change, and McCain's Straight Talk, both candidate fail to list solutions for combating our national deficit and debt.

Of course both candidates would submit budget plans to cut or eliminate our deficit, neither one wants to tell the American public about the huge NATIONAL DEBT that we have.

As of 6/18/2008, the total national debt is $9.392 trillion. (link)

Within the next decade or so, it will no longer be Democrats versus Republicans. The demographics with regards to the federal budget and spending will divide between the young and old. Could the AARP and legions of senior citizens vote to keep Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security alive at the expense of federal domestic programs and higher taxes on the young and working class?

Can tax cuts bring more growth in the long run? Or what if tax cuts are not enough? Should there be some tax increases on certain groups? Should we focus more on accountability and spending cuts? But then we have to make sure there is oversight on agencies and departments doing competitive pricing. Or is it too late?

Pilot Patrick Smith explains why the airline industry is on overload--and how you can make flying a little friendlier (link)

Link

Playlist of the full video (5 parts)

Courtesy of C-SPAN

Real ID faces criticism because of the federal mandate, costs to states and privacy concerns. The Bush administration says the law will hinder terrorists, illegal immigrants and other wrongdoers.

Link

One of these individuals is Donna E. Shalala, a former president of Hunter College and current president of the University of Miami in Florida who was secretary of health and human services under President Bill Clinton. (NY Times)

(Of course, the NY Times is incorrect about the Hunter College fact)

She was also former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

However, according to the Democracy Project, Donna Shalala does not deserve this award. It is also puzzled why the Bush White House would choose to select her in the first place.

Shalala was the architect of the infamous speech code at Wisconsin which, before it was declared unconstitutional in 1991, was among the most draconian in the nation. She was even declared the "Queen of PC" by education expert Checker Finn.

It has been argued by her supporters that the speech codes was adopted by the university's Board of Regents, and that Shalala was opposed to anything that interfered with the free exchange of speech. Of course, she did not publicly oppose the speech code which was considered unconstitutional.

She also crafted the "Madison Plan" at UW, through which she mandated quotas for hiring minority professors, doubling the number of minority undergraduates, passed an ethnic studies requirement, and opened a multicultural center.

Even at the University of Miami, her administration has worked to clamp down on dissent -- in particular, conservative student groups. She used her influence as President to skew the recognition policy in the Committee on Student Organizations to suppress free speech for the sake of political correctness and liberal thought.

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It seems she has been politically adept in creating a consensus throughout her career, yet her authoritarian management policy has created an atmosphere of peer pressure designed to ensure conformity with her views. Yes, she will advocate diversity, exchange of different viewpoints, but ultimately, she will agree with you if only you agree with her views and conclusions.

Bob Parker should just not give him the prize, then have security kicked him out of the building.