The news of Israel taking ground troops into Gaza is truly saddening. It's so much more sad when you understand Israel has chosen to do so now, right before George W. Bush leaves office.

It seems like Israel is simply trying to get away with something before a new administration comes in that might tell them to KNOCK IT OFF!

Given the economic crisis the U.S. is engaged in, it's time all funding for Israel be pulled. The results of course would be Israel would negotiate peace immediately. Level the playing field, remove financial support for Israel and the world would have none of this baloney.

Seriously, Big Al was one of the first out of the gate going after the imbecile right like O'Reilly and Limbaugh. God bless him for calling a turd a turd.

BTW, nothing like some good humor too. Loved Al's line, "I'm the New York Jew who actually grew up in Minnesota." The man is fearless and that's what we need.

I dearly look forward to Al Franken asking questions at Senate hearings...that's going to be great!

I played HS school sports but not football. I had a great time but now in my 40s, if I knew then what injuries (non brain) would do and feel like now, I'd would have been more cautious.

In HS I had two serious but not "major" injuries, same ankle twice and a shoulder. No biggie in my 20s or 30s but in my 40s both the ankle and shoulder bother me. Early arthritis in the ankle and joint stiffness in the shoulder and some to the related spine area.

I can only surmise that if it was a head injury, the same effect would occur, but with with obviously greater impairment to living. I can live with a creaky ankle but the brain is another story.

Also -- I remember my mother telling me, injuries tend to come back later in life to haunt you. Of course she was right, and she used simple common sense.

Proceed with caution.

As always a pleasure to read Garrison Keillor and FINALLY eight years of hell and destruction turned away as a major league boob got on the chopper and went away.

God bless America for the ability to change and move forward.

The Obama Administration is already kicking butt. Nice. These guys must be thinking 24 months to make a dent, not 48. I wouldn't bet against them either. These guys are sharp led by a sharper leader.

To point -- if Mr. Romm wants the media on point, why fuel them with the word "radical"? Isn't pragmatist enough? I think so.

Yes at first you'll be looked at oddly but once you settle in you'll be just another queer dude struggling with issues but then you'll start to feel better and no one will care. Heck there's even gay-friendly churches you can minister to. Life is way too short of even a right wing fundie to be suffocated in a closet.

Pastor Ted...come on out!

MMA is new and different, not as slimy as boxing given the purses are smaller and promoters have less to gain...but it's way more homo-erotic. It's sorta metrosexual's take on machismo or something. If there's anything better then trying to give another guy a broken nose and brain hemorrhage, it's a submission hold, dry hump and intimate barrage to the face.

Okay I'm half joking...just not sure what half.

Bravo for stating the obvious -- that the last 8 years were a HUGE GINORMUS failure. What's the debt for the Iraq War? Oh right $3 trillion and perhaps more. What's the debt for the massive deregulation fiasco...another $3 trillion?

Holy mother...and these clowns are mouthing?

Tell the GOP to STFU and then kick the mo'fo'ers to the curb.

Enough already.

Murakami in his sparse yet complex words proves his genius and reveals his soul once again. His insight to what makes a novelist (a great one) is profound as well.

An egg against a wall. It is that simple.

I too stand on the side of the egg. It is the human condition.

I almost cried at watching President Obama this evening deliver his address to Congress. Finally someone competent, who can think, speak and has leadership ability!!! It's so surreal given the past 8 years. We might get out of this mess.

Regarding Jindal -- indeed, with his Mr. Rodger's delivery he's doomed.

Has the GOP fallen this far? Lets hope so. In fact it should be Palin-Limbaugh in '12, with Palin playing the lead and the heavy and Limbaugh playing the male cheerleader role. That would be gold I tell you GOLD!!!

As for his comment, "talent on loan from God", sounds like something Hitler would say.

Rarely do I wish harm on anyone, even W., but perhaps Rush will get lock jaw or his throat will seize up.

Tom Ammiano is a true leader looking for solutions and win-win situations.

I mean my god increase revenues, fill the coffers, save bucks on law enforcement, save money on prisons, create a tourist haven and let people get a buzz in hard time? BRILLIANT.

To those ney sayers, well don't smoke any pot if you don't like it. Don't let your kids smoke any (good luck) and don't hang with anyone that smokes any but enjoy the windfall -- lower personal taxes, funds for education, health, infrastructure, fewer cops at risk.

Like DUH! Bring it on.

Grow lights and hydroponics are used for rapid growth AND because detection inside (where they're used) is near impossible without a tip or hunch. Legalize it and growing it goes outdoors.

As for legalization driving prices down, that's probably true. OTOH, expanded consumption and tourism might produce other revenues. Beyond that, jobs would be created in related industries that are currently part of the underground economy.