Whether Barack Obama chooses (for political reasons) to acknowledge this simple fact or not, General Wesley Clark's comments about John McCain's abilities in flying a jet and serving honorably as a POW not necessarily making him fit to be the single most important leader of the free world, were entirely within reason and fair play.  I will tell you why.

I wish NASA would put John Bolton on the next MARS rocket ship project.  He could report on the plausibility of launching a pre-emptive strike against whatever life exists on the red planet.

I have personally experienced the result of the polarization of national political bickering with friendships I have held for many decades.  And it's truly unfortunate.

As time passes we are seeing the passage of the WW II and Korean generation of military veterans, yet patriotism remains alive and well in all corners of America, not just military households.  This diary is a reflection about Memorial Day 2008, a series of self-contained thoughts and observations contained in a single entry.

raises an issue we knew was waiting to be raised sooner or later.  In defending his not supporting Jim Webb's new GI Bill, McCain basically announced to the public, in a fury, [paraphrasing here], that 'I don't need someone who never served to tell me what is right for veterans.  He never served his country.'  What I want to talk about is how we can react to McCain's tirade.

The recent exchange between Chris Matthews and the right-wing nut DJ from Los Angeles crystallizes America's general public problem: they are intellectually lazy, fearful, and unwilling to adjust to the realities of the 21st century

Whither now, Israel?  We are now observing Israel's 60th birthday. Where does Israel stand in the arena of global relations?  What are her legacies from 1948 to the present?  What are the dynamics of America's relations with her?  What should be happening now?

It is January 2009 and Barack Obama has just been sworn in as President.  It is a new day in the United States, the country collectively awaits a new chapter to begin. . .

The contractor firm selected to run the GOP late this summer has lobby ties to the repressive military regime in Myanmar.

We all know it will happen: some innocuous "patriotic" GOP facist group from Texas or somewhere else will generate a "September surprise" against Barack Obama.  What will it look like this time around?

ALL RIGHT.  SORRY for the Offense.  No more horsie tales of any sort.

One saving grace for Obama may well be his choice for his running mate.  It could well tip the scales in his favor, regardless of who McBush selects as his VP.

Let's not ignore some of the reality David Brooks has brought to the table in his opinion pieces about the most recent debate between Hillary and Obama.  He has some valid points.

Someone please explain what Hillary is talking about with this jab at Obama's 'bitter and angry' comment the other day in San Francisco.  'Cause I surely don't understand what she's getting at.

Thoughtful insight offered by David Gergen, former GOP advisor to GHW Bush.

The author examines his life where he encountered undercurrents of racism, and how he was more of a spectator than someone willing to do anything about it.

PBS' Gwen Ifel had what I think was a substantive, serious discussion with Barack Obama.  It stunned me to think that we might have someone with this man's thoughtful eloquence in the White House.  What will the world do?

A remarkable Open House took place in the International District in Seattle this afternoon, March 15, 2008: the dedication of the Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Hall.  Attendees included many Washington state elected officials, Governor Chris Gregoire, Congr Jim McDermott, Congr Dave Reichert, and other luminaries.