The biggest reason that peace and anti-war protests are ineffective is due to their complete lack of mainstream media coverage.

Hundreds of thousands of people protested against the Iraq war throughout the world before it started- but you never would have known it by watching American media.

The ideology of the American media (very conservative) has a vested interest in NOT covering anti-war sentiment because it goes against their own self interest. Despite the fact that most Americans share the desire for this war to end- the media will only highlight the extremist behavior of some protesters and some groups in order to paint the entire anti-war crowd as "loony" or "Un-American".

One of the greatest travesties in our nation is the fact that we no longer have a free press. The media is a right-wing, corporate owned monopoly that will not allow facts to trickle down to the public. Do you really think that NBC - owned by one of the largest weapons manufacturers in the United States- is going to cover anti-war protests in any meaningful way? Please.

What other Eisenhower administration policy do we still follow to the letter?

I'm no fan of Communism, but a fifty year old embargo seems a bit outdated and hypocritical, especially when you consider that China- a Communist country- is given Most Favored Nation trading status with the USA.

If anything, it'd be nice to get some Cuban cigars.

If I had a dollar from every letter posted here by a ferociously angry Atheist I could take the day off.

Just sayin'

My letter was sarcasm, not a lack of sympathy.

Put your knives away, please.

Lieberman can cozy up to whomever he wants at this point- no matter how blatantly offensive their opinions or views may be, because he knows he's on borrowed time. When the Democrats get a majority in the senate after November, they won't have to put up with the double crossing senator from Connecticut any longer. He'll be out on his ass.

NOW can we impeach?!?

If Bush or Cheney or Addington don't end up behind bars in the next few years for all of this then our country is fucked beyond repair and the rule of law is nothing more than a joke.

I remember reading a few years ago that Inouye had enough damning information and evidence during Iran Contra, that congress could have easily impeached Reagan.

Why didn't they? Inouye didn't think that America "could handle another impeachment". So under the rug it was swept. Treasonous behavior was ignored, the crooks got away with it, thousands died in Central America and no one was the wiser. Even the fall guy got a radio talk show out of the deal.

Inouye and others exactly like him (Nancy Pelosi- I'm looking at YOU) have to remember that the checks and balances of our system are meant to keep our system functioning. If that means you investigate every administration that blatantly steps out of line- you do it.

Inouye's inaction during the Reagan administration gave rise to the mentality of the Bush administration, and the freewheeling thuggery of people like Dick Cheney.

If we fail to bring justice to this administration - considering how blatantly they've broken the law- I shudder to think what could happen in the future. If there is no justice now for these criminals, we're sending the message that breaking the law will go unpunished.

Real friends are considerate- they show up on time, they keep to their commitments and they can empathize with you. That means they don't dominate your activities, or wrench control from you and your plans. That means they don't leave you in the middle of Crackton and show up 45 minutes late.

Most importantly- true friends can put their own ego and desires aside (at times) for your benefit. True friends realize that sometimes you put the other person first.

I see the pattern of behavior and you see it too. She's not interested in being in any social situation where her worshipful gaggle isn't present. If she were a true friend she would be comfortable being alone with you- hiking, dining or having that heart to heart. That's what true friends are. People who can share group activities with you, and can also share the intimate moments of alone time.

I know what it feels like because I've been there too- treated like a pet dog and following people I thought were friends- but never treated as an equal. It sucks. And the loss of self esteem and self respect is not worth it, even if you've had fun together in the past.

Let it go, mourn it, and meet people with whom you can share mutual respect, and fun times with.

"I don't doubt that some of this is connected with the Texas-evangelical culture. It's part of that culture to be tone-deaf to solemnity -- to be on a casual, relaxed, even back-slapping basis with Jesus Christ, because one knows beyond a doubt that one is saved. The irony of the use of "awesome" in this subculture is that in fact it excludes all possibility of genuine awe."

I couldn't agree more. To truly have an experience of awe, one must be humbled by something greater than oneself. This can happen in a religious context, an encounter with the natural world, or with an encounter with another person or people. Being humbled is not to be embarassed or lessened somehow.

I doubt that Bush has been humbled by something. Irritated, yes.

But this also reflects our larger culture. We have no sense of solemnity or reverence. That is one aspect of the evangelical culture that I find so revolting- the casualness of the way evangelicals approach their faith cheapens the entire thing.

that Obama's victory in November will be a lot like Reagan's in 1984.