Re "bigots":

"These are the same people who, let me suggest, are not so much concerned about how they live their own lives as they are with forcing other people to accept how they live, to validate the lives they have made for themselves."

It's always the ones who want to restrict others who claim the others are restricting them. How?

Let's just admit it's about the erosion of your perceived control, and call it a day.

It is to nail the head to the hit.

She's my representative. And I thought she understood that you never, EVER, talk to AIPAC on the phone about anything larger than a set of cutlery, or a shrubbery. A nice one, not too expensive.

And get the receipt so you can itemize. What on earth was she thinking?

FINALLY - Cheney doesn't matter either. There is nobody worse in American life.

pretty much defines the person who only has eyes in the back of their head. And still needs glasses.

I'm with Joseph Romm - A+ for human and environmental vision, statesmanship, and, oh yes, effort.

President Obama's answer was clear and to the point - doing something deeply against our principles diminishes us. And I don't believe he conceded any part of the Cheney/neocon point.

Their claim is that torture is effective; Obama merely said it might be easier, but it's not the road to go. He didn't suggest that it worked, and judging from those who would know firsthand (McCain included), it doesn't.

Homer Simpson, on hitting "rock bottom." (Although I hope Andrew is right.)

that Cheney is speaking as the corporate animal he is first and last, and is doing damage control for his (and Limbaugh's) brand? And that is has nothing to do with love of country, but with love of control (a subject clearly dear to his heart)?

(And also as a preemptive strike against prosecution, because we all know how well that tactic worked out for him and Halliburton. Cha-ching.)

The American health care system, compared to other, admittedly smaller, countries, is one of the greatest sources of shame we have, right up there with torture equivocation, global warming "debate", peek-a-boo Habeas Corpus and Dick Cheney himself. I applaud Mr. Obama's efforts to deal with all of these toxic leftovers of the Bush Supremacy at the same time. I don't expect miracles, and I trust him more than any other recent president to have his heart and eventual policy in the right place.

However, this is one issue that if not solved by the end of his term will mark this fundamentally decent and principled man as a complete failure. If Obama cannot break the stranglehold of Insurance and Big Pharma on our hearts, minds and bodies, we're goners.

God give him the strength, the balls, and a kick in the pants right about now.

Great article from Bill Moyers, an absolute national treasure.

"Andrew, you cynic.

We finally have a president that is an adult, instead of Little Lord Fauntleroy. Everywhere I go (I live in Los Angeles) I can feel it. Whatever else may happen, as long as we all know we have someone competent in charge, we all know things will work out ok.

It's as simple as that.

-- runfastandwin"

Ditto. Plus -it's almost sum-sum-summertime, and we're still heading towards the solstice. Days getting longer, great weather, grown-up-at-the-wheel. I'm close to losing my home, but if I can hang on for another month or two, I might be alright. Believe me - that's more than enough reason to celebrate. (Just don't ask me in August.)

My dog is feeling good too, enjoying the lilt in the air, moving around a lot. Are we consumin' humans really so different?

This thread is ostensibly about a doctor who was murdered in his church. Just as a reminder Odog:

- the women who came to Dr. Tiller did so for help with pregnancies that represented a severe problem for them

- they came of their own free will (he didn't pull them out of a supermarket line)

- Dr. Tiller was accused and completely acquitted (after 45 minutes deliberation) of medical misconduct - the abortions were legal

- he was in church, worshipping the same Lord that supposedly you or I do

- Dr. Tiller is not Bill Ayers

- regardless of what you think of Ayers' actions, he didn't kill anyone

If I'm disturbed by late term abortions, I still have no right to demonize, or murder, the women affected or the doctors who help them.

BTW, I remember vividly the rhetoric used by Ayers, Weathermen, SDS and the like. You sound just the same. Way to go.

Succinct.

does the existence, or not, of the death penalty have to do with someone hopped-up on anti-abortion rhetoric finding his target. Don't Republicans believe in preventative medicine too?

I always read your posts - you're obviously an intelligent guy with broad interests, who can speak clearly and with sub-clauses. I don't disagree with everything you say (just most of it) - although it often amazes me to see you squeeze a big mind into such narrow talking points. Still, you have the courage of your convictions and you're frequently much more civil than your critics, and I respect you for that.

But it's crazy to excuse the hysterical language that fuels an anti-abortion murder by touting the relative "harshness" of Republican punishment. First of all, it's ludicrous to maintain that only Red States are capable of fair and just legal punishment. Secondly, why can't the "responsible Republican leaders and conservative pro-life leaders" speak up, responsibly, before it gets all vigilante-like? I believe there are plenty of responsible Republicans who can and will oppose blatant ideological murder. Let's hear from them, without spin filters.

Dr. Tiller was gunned down, period.