The New York Times reports today that the city of Philadelphia has taken a big step in the fight against discrimination. The city will evict Boy Scouts of America from their city-owned property after the Scouts refused to change their policy barring homosexuals from joining the program.

"Municipal officials said the clash stemmed from a duty to defend civil rights and an obligation to abide by a local law that bars taxpayer support for any group that discriminates." 

It's encouraging to hear more and more people including LGBT rights as civil rights. How long can they deny that marriage is a civil right? Wasn't it decided in 1967?

The Boy Scouts have leased the property from the city since 1928.

The Scouts claim that the loss of their $1 per year lease will force them to cut programs benefitting needy (straight) children across the city.

"Accused Flasher Gives Small Weener Defense."

Ok, stop with your pretensions, I know you have all seen MTV’s show, The Hills.

Radar Magazine recently interviewed the notorious boyfriend character, Spencer Pratt, who mentioned that he plans to someday by president. No, he does not mean president of the polo team, he means president president. As in, OF THE UNITED STATES.

If our country ever faces a candidate drought serious enough that anyone would consider a semi-reality tv star to lead the country, you can reach me in Canada.

Anti-semite?

The truth comes out.

RE: an early blog post 

Big news on the campaign trail: Stephen Colbert announced his presidential candidacy last night on the Colbert Report. But don't order a new batch of Stewart/Colbert '08 bumper stickers. Colbert announced some of his possible running mates: Huckabee, Putin, and Colbert. 

CNN reports that despite broad support for the bill in Congress, President Bush vetoed a bill to renew and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Critics of the bill cite the cost of the program, estimated at $12 billion annually. This veto comes days after the adminstration requested approximately $190 billion to be spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I think the priorities of the administration speak for themselves.

The New York Times reported today that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear an Indiana case involving voting rights. A law passed in the state in 2005 mandates that voters must show a government issued identification card before exercising their most basic right. The case is to be heard this summer and resolved before 2008 ballots start rolling in. The case will prove to be important as precedent, considering various states have passed laws mandating a government issued ID, with some of the laws being overturned.

Opponents of the law are casting themselves as champions of voting rights, while supporters claim the law’s purpose is to reduce voter fraud. The problem is, no one has ever been accused of voter fraud in Indiana. Ever. Seriously.

The New York Times' website has posted a video report compiled by journalists who spent several months in Baghdad. The report is an honest look at the city and its surrounding neighborhoods, and gives a suggestive analysis of the effects of the U.S. troop surge. It’s nearly eight minutes long and worth watching. The realities of life for Iraqis are captivating and appalling. They live in constant fear of attack, from Shiite militias, Sunni insurgents, or American troops. The report characterizes the region as “paralyzed by sectarianism and distrust.” Many of the area's once booming markets are deserted. At an anti-American protest, a man says he wants all American troops out of his city. The report emphasizes a group of children who speak of threats received by their families and their subsequent displacement. They remain hopeful and proud; one girl claims “Iraq will always be beautiful, no matter what.”

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expresses her discontent with current situation in Iraq and the administration’s denial of fault in today’s Washington Post. Albright’s influence, experience, and wisdom are undeniable, yet it is likely that her advice will fall on deaf ears. Albright highlights the list of “missions” the administration has tried to sell to Americans, and wishfully encourages President Bush to admit at least some of his many errors (or deceptions). Albright also notes that the “big decisions” about Iraq will be in the hands of the next president, stressing the importance of the 2008 elections. Albright agrees with other policy experts and figureheads in stating that the “only option” in Iraq is “coordinated international assistance.” While I hope that Bush takes Albright’s advice into consideration, I’m sure that the 2008 presidential candidates will take notice. The article is worth a read, and can be especially sobering if you have been listening to Bush’s talks of progress.