Friday, June 23, 2006

"Little House On The Prairie"

Our latest feature article--about Prairie Opportunity and its efforts to reverse population loss in northwest North Dakota, a.k.a. "out-migration"--is a good introduction to what we're all about. Read the story, entitled Little House on the Prairie: Attracting the Modern-Day Ingalls Family and let us know what you think.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Q&A with Congressman Lynn Westmoreland

Late last week Republican Representative Lynn Westmoreland (GA) was interviewed by Steven Colbert on the Colbert Report. Predictably, Colbert asked Westmoreland to recite each of the Ten Commandments. Keep in mind that Westmoreland was responsible for co-sponoring a bill that would have required placing the Ten Commandments in all courthouses and public buildings.

Colbert: What are the Ten Commandments?
Westmoreland: You mean all of them...? Um... Don't murder.... Don't lie.... Don't steal.... Um... I can't name them all.

Westmoreland couldn't even recall, Do not take the Lord's name in vain. Heck, even a heathen could name more than three Commandments.

The rest of the interview was equally embarrassing. I guess this is what happens when a Republican can't rely on the talking points of the day.

Video of the interview can be seen here

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Ann Coulter is Representative of America

Today, Ann Coulter was greeted by a throng of cheering supporters at a bookstore in New York—there to sign copies of her latest book-length diatribe. Even if you accept the notion that Coulter makes completely outrageous statements just to get attention and sell books, the fact that she gets a humongous amount of mainstream media exposure (and can attract a crowd of rabid fans at a book signing) says a lot about American society in 2006. Ten or fifteen years ago Coulter would have been considered a part of the lunatic fringe; today she represents the views of a huge percentage of the Republican base.

Of course, her statements regarding the 9-11 widows have attracted the most attention. If you find your opinions aligned with Coulter think about this: Imagine one or more of your family members was killed in the next terrorist attack. How would you feel if a Coulter (or another talking head) garnered fame and fortune by claiming that you were “enjoying” the loss of your loved one(s) a bit too much, and that you had no right to speak your mind. Still feel the same way?