I’m so glad Atrios is on top of this. I’m sure the Americans for Bayh people will tell me how somehow Senator Bayh is standing on principle, but I don’t see it.
Dear Evan Bayh,
Do you stand behind what you said one Bayh ago (two months):
Bayh said if the Iraqi factions “get their political act together — and we will know this in the next six to eight weeks… if they can form a government… then there’s something to work with there.” If not, then “we’re out.”
Or are you just full of shit? Is it time to get out? Given your statement from one Bayh ago and the state of things in Iraq now, I am waiting for you to make a call for us to get out of Iraq now.
I’m waiting, Senator. Or are you too busy voting to make it even harder for a girl in an abusive family situation to get an abortion and criminalize those who would help?
(I can’t wait to hear the justification from AfB for that one. I know I know, almost all red state Senate Dems voted for it. Doesn’t make it right.)
Back from the Pitchfork Music Festival. Great, but tiring, weekend. Back in the office. 
Full report and some pictures soon.
Another great story on the ESPN.com E-Ticket highlighting an effort to help children in tough areas of the world through sport. This one, Hooping with the Enemy, highlights a program called Playing For Peace that starts basketball programs in areas torn by two groups (Northern Ireland, South Africa, Israel/Palestine and soon Cyprus). This article specifically focuses on the efforts in Israel.
It really does give hope that the kids, through programs like this, can begin learning to interact with their neighbors instead of hate them. I know some on the left deride sports, but give ideas like this a chance.
Pini [Israeli] greets Khaled [Palestinian] as he walks through the door. They warm up together, then shake hands with the other team before the game. Finally, the game begins. Khaled grabs a rebound and streaks up the floor. He makes a perfect pass to Pini for a layup. They high-five as they trot back down the floor.
Later in the game, Pini drives to the basket. As a couple of defenders collapse on him, he makes a perfect dish to Khaled for a layup. They run back downcourt and do a chest bump. Their smiles are contagious. The crowd is loud, standing and cheering.
Jews and Muslims playing together for peace.
After the game, Pini and Khaled, their arms around each other, head to the treat vendor for hot dogs and soda.
As I leave for my flight home, Ahmed [a Palestinian coach] is standing in the shadows. We say goodbye, and he makes one final request. “Do me a favor,” he says. “Don’t write what I told you. I said I don’t believe in peace. Maybe I do now. I see this tonight.
“Maybe it is not too late for us.”
You can donate to Playing for Peace here.
The Army kicked out a Arabic lunquist. because he’s gay. Those are our priorities in a post-9/11 world apparently. Idiots.
I’m having some fun browsing OpenSecrets and came across something that shocked me. Democrat Tom Hayhurst has outraised incumbent Republican Mark Souder and currently has over twice as much Cash On Hand.Here are the numbers:
Thomas Eldon Hayhurst (D)
Raised: $206,989
Spent: $59,230
Cash on hand: $147,758
Last Report: 6/30/2006
Mark E. Souder (R)*
Raised: $171,247
Spent: $125,976
Cash on hand: $68,358
Last Report: 6/30/2006
The question is, are there any polls in the 3rd? Is this a case of “He’s so safe he doesn’t bother to raise money”? Even so, if things swing the way alot of the polls are showing, even Republican districts have polling showing a majority of voters siding with Democrats, or at least against Republicans on the big issues. If there’s a big wind that sweeps Democrats into office in November, could we see a huge upset in Indiana’s 3rd?
I don’t know a whole lot about that district except that it’s largely rural. Ft. Wayne is the biggest city in the distrct and recently(?) elected a Democratic mayor (which I beleive is pretty rare). Any readers who know the 3rd, please leave your impressions in the comments.
Go pay Tom Hayhurst a visit: http://www.tomhayhurstforcongress.com/
You can also see my breakdown of Souder’s attendance and voting record here.
Hey Indianapolis area blog readers! Remeber that tonight is Drinking Liberally!
Drinking Liberally: Indianapolis
7pm-whenever
Spencer’s Stadium Tavern
802 S. West Street (SW corner of West & McCarty)
map: http://tinyurl.com/ann6t
Look for the redhead with glasses and a beard. Be there or be a rhombus. I mean it. If you don’t come I will send out my army of ninja bears to find you and bring you there. Trust me, you don’t mess with the ninja bears.
(It’s been one of those days. heh)
Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., said without an organized, official language, “we are all going to descend into chaos.” He said knowledge of English should be a requirement for immigrants seeking permission to work in the United States.
Yes. Chaos. However will we be able to survive it?
Maybe Rep. Souder should get in on the Americans Supporting their Society, Hostettler Online Language as English bill of 2006 with Rep. Hostettler.
I sure hope Rep. Souder would also support funding for programs that would help teach English to immigrants if we make English the official language and not just let them to figure it out on their own. I mean, surely he has their best interests at heart and isn’t just playing on xenophobic fears in an election year!
This site really makes me want to get into film photography. They have some increidbly cool unique cameras in their shop, too.
Hm. Interesting news in Terms & Conditions Land. Apparently YouTube has modified their policy to take more ownership over the content posted. it will be interesting to see this pan out.
The part that bugs me is the “prepare derivative works …. and perform the User Submissions” part. The other parts could just be legalese for “we have the right to serve it up on a website” but derivative works and perform seems to suggest that YouTube could take your content and repackage it into other media such as DVDs, sell it for commercial use, etc. That seems more than a little wrong.
I for one would like to see YouTube adopt a policy similar to Flickr as well as offer both Copyright and Creative Commons options for the content you post.
Since when did the GOP become the party bragging about the amount of pork they can stick into our national budgets?