Odds and Ends

Working on Columbus Day sucks. I miss my bed. Anyway, here's the news...

Found two good opinion pieces... One makes the point that "The truth of the matter is that only the presence of U.S. forces allows the group called 'al Qaeda in Iraq' (AQI) to survive and function, and setting a timetable for the occupation to end is the best way to beat them." A good read. The second discusses the point (that really should be obvious) that "the consequences of an attack on Iran would be devastating, both in the region and beyond."

Sesame Street is working on a special DVD to help families of injured veterans.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan: The country "has entered a period of political limbo, caught between Gen. Pervez Musharraf's presidential election win and a future Supreme Court ruling on whether he was even eligible to run." An important story to follow.

Like scandals involving the religious right and moral hypocrisy? Then you are in luck, folks!

John Mellencamp has written a new song about the racially-charged 'Jena 6' scandal in Louisiana. The mayor of Jena is dismissing the song as "inflammatory".

Finally, the government launches a new campaign to convince kids that abstinence rocks.