Well, his grandparents and his mother may have lived in Kansas for a time, but portraying Obama or his mother as ordinary middle Americans raised and taught to love the American way of life is quite a stretch.

  Stanley Ann Dunham Obama Soetoro
November 29, 1942 - November 7, 1995

In an interview, Barack Obama referred to his mother as ‘the dominant figure in my formative years..… The values she taught me continue to be my touchstone when it comes to how I go about the world of politics.‘  So I thought I would try to find out a little something about his mother and the values she held and taught him.

You might think Barack's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, lived her whole life in Kansas because in his best-selling book, "Dreams From My Father" and in campaign speeches, Obama frequently describes the story of his mother, who died of cancer in 1995, as a tale of the Heartland. She's the white woman from the flatlands of Kansas and the only daughter of parents who grew up in the "dab-smack, landlocked center of the country," in towns "too small to warrant boldface on a roadmap." 

 But by the time Stanley Ann reached high school age in 1956 , she and her family were long gone from Kansas, and after moving to and from several states, they had ended up in Washington State where she attended and graduated from Mercer Island High School near Seattle where board member John Stenhouse testified before the House Un-American Activities Subcommittee that he had been a member of the Communist Party. 

Two of the teachers from the school Stanley Ann attended were notorious for their Marxist views. Teachers Val Foubert and Jim Wichterman taught students to reject the things many people believe are the bedrock values of America, and the curriculum included attacks on Christianity, the traditional family, and pupils were assigned readings by Karl Marx. The hallway between Foubert's and Wichterman classrooms was nicknamed “anarchy ally."   This is a website dedicated to the memory of Val Foubert who died in 2007.   http://www.valfoubert.com/

Obama plays up on his Methodist and Baptist grandparents in Kansas, when, in fact, Stanley Ann's mother and father attended a Unitarian Church in Seattle, not Methodist or Baptist. Their church in Bellevue, Washington, was nicknamed "the little red church."

At some point after her graduation from high school, they all ended up in Hawaii.  I haven't been able to find out exactly why and when that occurred, but apparently not long after she graduated from high school.  And while attending the University of Hawaii, she met Barack Obama, Sr. who left Ann and their son, Barack, in 1963 to attend Harvard in Boston. Press reports claim Ann Dunham and Barack Obama Sr. were divorced around this time; however, no evidence has yet been presented to show they were ever married.  

There's just another question as to when and where they were married, much like the story going around now about the authenticity or lack thereof of Barack's birth certificate.  There seems to be much controversy as to why he doesn't just produce a certified copy of the birth certificate and put those questions to rest.

At one time early in Obama's candidacy, I heard him tell the story of how his mother had cancer and died in 1995 worrying about her lack of insurance.  At that time, I was picturing her somewhere in Kansas unable to get the treatments she needed due to some failure of the United States government to provide her with insurance and/or medical care when, in fact, she was in Hawaii, having lived most of her adult life in Indonesia with her second husband, Lolo Soetoro.  I don't know, that just shocked me that she wasn't in Kansas.

So after learning more about Barack's background and getting a clearer understanding of his mother's belief system, it at least helps explain his associations with Jeremiah Wright and others and why he didn't find their world view to be that unusual.    Just to be clear, I have absolutely no interest in who Barack Obama chooses to associate with or what church he wants to go to or what beliefs he holds -- none.  That is, until he announces he wants to be President of the United States.  And it is a good thing there have been some who have looked beyond the surface to find out more about this man.   But, unfortunately, the portrait most often put forward by the media is not complete.

The link below takes you to a detailed article from the Chicago Tribune about Stanley Ann Dunham.  It is well worth reading, if time permits.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0703270151mar27,0,1310554.story?page=1

Posted: 07.11.08

With Independence Day nearly upon us, I thought I'd take the time to pay tribute with some pure Americana songs.  "Heartland" is one of those make-you-feel-good to be an American songs.  How young am I that this video is the first time I ever knew that George Strait had long hair at one time???  And I've been listening to country music for quite a while now.  Well sit back and relax and feel good to be an American!

My heart goes out to Ms Helga Gamp, the letter writer, since we're essentially in the same army. But I'm not surprised at all by her encounters with her tc. Talk about offering your right cheek after being slapped on your left or grinning and bearing with being stabbed in the back while looking at your stabber and continuing to extend a hand.

Because it is a fact, a sad one, but fact nonetheless, that town councils tend to view cat caregivers with us-vs-them view, though of course there are also stories of TCOs who are more eager and understanding than caregivers in their areas on Dawn's old blog. (I wish I had one around the vicinity.)

However, tcs tend to find nothing wrong with bending over backward for the most frivolous complaints, even coming up with a ZERO stray agenda.

Neighbours don't have to be strangers, but how much are officious tea/block parties helping to close the gap? A glance at the bored looks of the scraggles of participants is rather telling.

Relationships and ties can only be hothoused so much. If the authorities would climb down off their high-caddy, they might just see how organically grassroots are growing under their feet, without their benign interference. Any interference thus far that they have in fact bestowed on such organic grassroots served more to trample on and mess things up. Case in point: Tampines tc (latest salvo here). The kampong spirit would do well with some careful and progressive nurturing, rather than forced down residents' throats as great milestones.

"THE road ahead for the Housing Board (HDB) is to meet the housing needs of a growing population with increasingly different needs and aspirations," so said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan. But housing needs are not just about brick-and-mortar issues, never mind accolades about its contributions to superficial cohesion.

EDIT 20080625: Outside of Singapore, caregiver groups do hit brickwalls too, "Compassion often eludes feral cats; groups out to save them"

"The G8 members are beside the plate." Bono, U2 and Bob Geldof, committed to the NGO ONE, were yesterday in Paris to remind the major powers, including the EU, commitments have not held: "In 2005, the G8 promised to increase by 22 billion dollars its aid to Africa by 2010. So far, 14% of this sum has been paid [3 billion dollars, 1.93 billion euros, ie]. " In 2007, France has even reduced by $ 66 million its official development assistance for Africa. The U2 singer insisted the issue of the French presidency of the EU recalling that Nicolas Sarkozy had repeatedly raised interest lobbying ONE against extreme poverty and major epidemics: "It is your credibility that is going out, China and India are investing heavily in Africa. Europe is being missed his turn. Beyond moral considerations, it is economically stupid. "

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $19.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1401200028

Synopsis from publisher:
A new volume reprinting Garth Ennis' and Steve Dillon's final HELLBLAZER arc in issues #78-83 as well as the special one-shot HEARTLAND John Constantine heads towards a final showdown with a revenge-crazed Satan during a raging race riot, and in addition to desperately trying to save his dwindling number of living friends, Constantine also has one final reunion with his lost love Kit.

Notes:
This is the tenth collection of the Hellblazer comic book series. This is the sixth collection of Garth Ennis's run on the series. All reprinted material was written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Steve Dillon. The cover by Glenn Fabry was originally used for the cover of issue #83.
Following the run contained in this graphic novel, artist Sean Phillips replaced Steve Dillon on the series. Jamie Delano, original writer for the series, returned for issue #84, which has been reprinted in John Constantine: Hellblazer - Rare Cuts. Phillips was next joined by writer Eddie Campbell for a story arc in issues #85 to 89. Paul Jenkins then took over writing duties for issues #90 to 128. During Phillips' lengthy run, a few artists filled in, such as Pat McEown (issue #94), Al Davison (#101), Charles Adlard (#108), and Warren Pleece (#115). Pleece then took over art duties for the series with issues #121 to 128. These issues have yet to be reprinted or collected.

Reprints:

1. Hellblazer #78 (1994)
2. Hellblazer #79 (1994)
3. Hellblazer #80 (1994)
4. Hellblazer #81 (1994)
5. Hellblazer #82 (1994)
6. Hellblazer #83 (1994)
7. Heartland #1 (1997)

Moments later the man simply walked out the door, right towards his car. I looked at Alex, sort of confused after seeing what I had just seen. I turned towards the cashiers and belted out "someone just left wearing a hat from the store". They looked confused, so I repeated it a couple times. They finally understood what I was trying to say, but said that the alarm didn't go off, so they weren't going to go after the man. Just then, Alex noticed that the man was walking back into the store. He clearly forgot he was wearing the hat and came back to return it. Now, the funny part of this story isn't that the alarm didn't go off when the man left the store, it's the fact that it did go off when he came back to return the hat. Alex and I heard the alarm go off as the man reentered the store, turned to each other and laughed.

Ahh Winners... At least you can catch them if they decide to come back into the store with the stolen item...

Peace 

There can never be too many Wal-Marts in a concentrated area for me. In a city of 700,000 I can count 4 Wal-Marts, all within a 15 minute or less drive from my house. I am a huge fan of Wal-Mart. I don't know if it's the artificial florescent lighting, the fact that there are always people at any Wal-Mart any time of the day, or if it's their "Every Day Low Prices"; but every time I walk into the retail giant I feel like I am at home. It may be why I have no money in my bank account... (Yikes!)

Canada's 300th Wal-Mart will be opened 6a-12a daily, so make sure you stop by and check it out. I know I will!

Peace 

(*--For the record, home of 5 Orthodox churches, visible at orthodoxyinamerica.org.)

I do have some choices picked out, but at this time, haven't listened to some of them.  Here are the choices, tell me what you think.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, also.

• I loved her first ~ Heartland
• The way you look tonight ~ Frank Sinatra or Michael Buble
• Unforgettable ~ Natalie Cole
• Lullaby ~ Billie Joel
• What a Wonderful World
• You are so Beautiful
• You Raise Me Up ~ Josh Groban
• Blessed ~ Elton John
• Whenever you Remember ~ Carrie Underwood

The gunman worked from a parking structure just thirty yards away?point-blank range for a trained military sniper like James Barr. His victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But why does Barr want Reacher at his side? There are good reasons why Reacher is the last person Barr would want to see. But when Reacher hears Barr?s own words, he understands. And a slam-dunk case explodes. Soon Reacher is teamed with a young defense lawyer who is working against her D.A. father and dueling with a prosecution team that has an explosive secret of its own. Like most things Reacher has known in life, this case is a complex battlefield. But, as always, in battle, Reacher is at his best.

Moving in the shadows, picking his spots, Reacher gets closer and closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. And for Reacher, the only way to take him down is to know his ruthlessness and respect his cunning?and then match him shot for shot?.

From the Hardcover edition.

Order One Shot from Amazon for $5.59

Don't have Amazon Kindle? You can always purchase it from here
Or if you prefer to read the Print editions instead, you can get it from here

Other Kindle Books of Interest
The Enemy
Persuader
The Hard Way
Without Fail
Killing Floor

Kit is a resourceful young girl determined to help her family when they land on tough times in the midst of the Great Depression. Julia Ormond, Chris O'Donnell, Jane Krakowski and Joan Cusack round-out the familiar cast.

Check out the trailer for this fun family flick--it's perfect for girls, boys, moms and dads!

[wpvideo u6vOQlVL]

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is also the latest FILM Project selection. The FILM Project is creating a one-of-a-kind cirriculum to pair with the movie and the book its based on. Learn more about FILM today!

Do you live in or near New York City, LA, Chicago, Dallas or Alpharetta, GA? Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is playing exclusive engagements in these cities on June 20--that's a whole week before the movie hits theaters! Stay tuned for updates on how you can enter to win tickets to this exciting advanced screening--details coming soon!

Who can crush you with one statement like that?

Jeff and Mr. Pollack chatted like old friends; fitting, really, as that's exactly what they were.  Pollack's ties to Indiana--he was born in Lafayette--brought him back to the Hoosier state often.  Jeff remembered his visit to the Festival in 1993 during an interview with WISH-TV:

It was a time when, who really knew what this film festival was about? And we really didn't know what we were doing a whole lot back then, I think. But he was extremely gracious...In my career with Heartland I've met a lot of famous people. But no one more generous and giving and helpful than Sydney Pollack.

Despite a career that started in acting, he found his niche behind the camera.  The filmmaker's extensive resume lists credit after credit as producer on projects you probably never even realized he had a hand in.  I know I didn't.  I suppose it's a testament to his quiet strength and humility of spirit.

Our thoughts and prayers at Heartland go out to Mr. Pollack's family; his is a cinematic voice that will truly be missed. 

This wine tastes sensational, full of sugar with a slight tannic edge and a great dark berry taste. I also detect notes of cedar in this one, but this might be left over chips of cedar from my hours in the garage building a planter out of cedar for my Habenero plant.

I did not realize until I scanned the blog that I have reviewed this wine once before. Certainly time away has treated it well, and it was as good as it was last time. Still full of sediment too.

This is the exact kind of win that I want more of. I will be sure to get the 2006 of this as well (I already have the 2005 stocked away too). It is interesting that I have not enjoyed some of the other Heartland wines quite so much, but the world don't move to the beat of just one drum.

Hundreds of people came out to learn about Heartland for the first time or catch up on what we've been up to this year. Two lucky visitors entered our Truly Moving Picture trivia game and won a DVD set of Award winners and an All-Festival Pass for this year's screenings. Don't you wish you'd stopped by?!

Vision Racing driver Ed Carpenter also hung out at the Heartland booth signing autographs next to his car. Vision Racing has been a sponsor and supporter of Heartland for years, and their presence only boosted the excitement already buzzing around the booth.

Check out all the pictures from the event, and stay tuned for news on when we'll be Around Indy again soon!

At the NRA Annual Meeting there were some very poignant stickers being worn by many of the attendees. I found their message to be pretty telling. If you can't tell from the picture, they say:

"I'm a BITTER Gun Owner and I VOTE."

I don't think we can overestimate how much Obama's 'bitter' comments have hurt him in middle America. His position on 2nd Amendment rights is appalling and he is virtually guaranteed to lose all voters who place gun rights high on their priority list. What has been taken as even more insulting is that he chose to make those comments in San Francisco, of all places.

Obama is not just hurting among the 'guns and religion' crowd either. Obama has consistently shown an indifference towards many of the values that middle America holds dear. I believe this rings true when we see the way he has ignored the voters of Kentucky, choosing to abandon the state to Hillary. This will not be forgotten in November. Despite what has been said in the press, Kentucky is not a carbon-copy of West Virginia. While Kentucky has a small minority population (the smallest of any Southern state) it is also a border state with three large urban centers that consistently vote Democrat. Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky all contain modest black populations and have long been dominated by Democrats. They also hold a large part of the state's population. What does Obama's disregard for these areas say about his chances here in the fall?

Kentucky elected its first Republican governor in several decades in 2003. Four years later they returned the governor's mansion to the Democrats, who will likely hold it for the next few election cycles. So this should be a state worth fighting for. Obama's abandonment of Kentucky may be a mistake he regrets in the next few months.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky." We believe this is advice that Obama should have taken to heart.

Well, at least she didn’t promise them coal mines

It was no surprise to anyone that Hillary Clinton would win the Moutain State, West Virginia yesterday in its Democratic primary contest. She beat Barack Obama by well over 50 percentage point and demonstrated once again that when it comes to appealing to ignorant, embittered, maginalized white folks, she can beat the Senator from Illinois.

There is a compelling case that many are making that due to the fact that Sen. Clinton does so well in rounding up votes from the rough-around-the-edges crowd (white folks in particular), she should be the nominee. After all, someone's gotta beat McCain, right?

I wont deny that Clinton does well with lower educated white folks. The polls show it, the history indicates it and even some of the comments made from some of the people who came out less to vote for Hillary but to vote against Sen. Obama. Among their complaints about the man who could become the nation's first black president, that he's Muslim, hates America, doesn't salute the flag.

These of course are all nonsensical. Sen. Obama is not Muslim, has lead the Senate in reciting the pledge (which is of course a pretty empty gesture) and also seems to embody something extraordinarily American, which is that someone from lower middle class origins can rise to prominence here and do well with a good work ethic and a thirst for education. That of course should be a selling point for any candidate, Democratic or Republican. Then again, when you're dealing with hillbillies, it aint so easy to get these things across.

What should be exponentially troubling to most folks about the Clinton campaign is it willingness (purely Machiavellian) to play to the demographic of embittered, willfully ignorant, racist red necks. By saying that, I'm not implying that people who don't vote for Obama are racist, but that in those hot under the blue collar contests that the junior senator from Arkansas...errr, New York has one, the specter of race, more particularly, the fear of a black man in the White House, is a factor. Just take the polling done recently. A good portion of those who voted for Clinton over Obama said race was a factor for them. Put simply, "we don't want no nigger prezdent."

Of course the polling firms don't word it so strongly, but it doesn't take an Appalachian linguist to know what they're saying out there in West Virginia. Some folks just don't want a black president.

The Clinton campaign however is desperate. They need to make a compelling case that the party needs to scrap Obama and they need to do it fast. Instead of arguing that the policies of their camp are more sound or that Hillary has a better voting record in the Senate than Obama, they play up their appeal among white voters. Hillary Clinton has come out and said it. She told USA Today last week that she does better not only among whites, but less educated whites. In other words, she polls well among the people that are more prone to believe Obama prays five times a day facing Mecca, that he refuses to put his hand over his chest during the pledge and that he fundamentally hates America. Ironically, however, Sen. Clinton polls way better than Obama among those who she has the least in common with. That is of course unless Hillary really is a stuck-in-her-ways banjo-picking, dirt track redneck. Knowing her penchant for trying to be all things to all voters, it's not that hard to believe she's considered that route.

In the end, Obama may not poll well among a certain section of white people. We all know that. I'm not a big fan of Barack Obama, but I'll vote for him over Clinton and McCain any day. Why? Because I trust him more and find him more credible on the important issues of our day. I don't have any advanced degrees (just a bachelors), but I can tell you that the ones who have the least to benefit from Clinton and McCain are those who work the night shift or pour coffee in a truck stop for a living. Why? Case in point and one that I always go back to; there can be nothing worse for working class America than the Iraq War. Not only is every dollar that we commit to that sham likely to come out of some project or initiative that could better help provide sound health care, education or economic opportunies that benefit most, the ranks of those who must fight it are from working class poor.

Of course there are those who will tell you that it's working class people who are concerned about our freedoms so much that they don't mind sending a kid off to battle to ensure our liberty. That's nonsense though, as this war has done less to ensure our freedom and safety than it has to create an even more unstable situation in a part of the world we should aim not to rely on for anything. The more committed we are to Iraq, the less committed we are to ourselves and that is especially true of how we approach the growing number of Americans living in rural and urban poverty, without living wages and completely without health insurance and the ability to save money and make money.

The big turd in the punch bowl for the Clinton campaign is the two obvious arguments that are being missed here. The first is that Democrats will generally speaking vote for Democrats (it's unfortunate sometimes) and whether the nominee is a white woman or a mixed-race black man, the lever they press will have a D next to it. The second is that people who hold on to racist notions often hold on to other discriminatory ideals. If it's not Senator Obama's race that will become a factor it will be Hillary Clinton's gender. West Virginia is the state that brought President Bush two elections. It's likely for the third straight election they'll go for a Republican. There's no need to pander. There's no need to bend the ideals of the Democratic party to fit the whims of a percentage of willfully ignorant rubes in that state. You can sell your soul, but in the end it is required of you.

I don't make any claims that Obama is a great politician. But one thing is refreshing about him and that is that he has come out and said things to various constituencies that may not like it. Case in point, he told voters in Indiana he thought ethanol was a bad idea because it drives up food prices and that a federal gas tax holiday was a bad idea because it doesn't account for real savings or ensure that there wont be price goughing. Refreshingly, many people in Indiana with white skin understood that argument and agreed with it. Some even cast their ballot for Sen. Obama.

In the end, we can't continue to pander to hillbillies. Doing that has only gotten us in enough trouble. A hillbilly's wet dream currently occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and we're worse off because of that. That said, we can't simply nominate Hillary Clinton because she can, by virtue of pulling in the hillbillies, bring home the vote. It should be the merits of her argument that propel her to office, not her ability to stand on a flatbed or visit a speedway to give a speech. Obama may not poll well among less educated people, but in the end, why should we embrace people who hold idiotic views on what it means to be a secure and thriving nation. I for one believe that no matter what happens in November, you can't cut off your nose to spite your face. If you pander to assholes, you'll have to deliver for assholes. Of course, in saying this, I could be simply reflecting my own Muslim, plege-hating and anti-American views.

Better yet, vote for HillBilly. She can win the hillbillies.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian continues the saga of Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter Pevensie as they're beckoned back to Narnia to help save a civilization on the brink of extinction. Check out the trailer:

Visit the official site to book your tickets now--we're already hearing rumors that this one is selling out in some cities! Learn more about the Award here.

Prince Caspian is also part of the FILM Project, a youth-oriented service learning program that creates free, downloadable curriculum for use with book and the films adapted from them.

So get to the theater this weekend and check out this Award winner, then jump back here and tell us what you think!

UPDATE - Read the Press Release announcing the Award.

1. British Airways going all British

Okay. That is enough. No more PC please. I draw the line right here. I was okay with the "we don't want to our children to compete" stupidity in the schools when I was there. Yes, my child couldn't compete in sport because they did not want there to be winners and losers. Failure was out - now called deferred success. Puh-lease! I think it was because she was going to kick some Pom butt. And on and on they went with their stupid ideas of the state controlling everything. But they have stepped over the line now. Now they won't serve meat on British Airways flights anymore because some people have religious issues with beef (of course pork is out the window as well). Hang on a bloody moment here. You serve me tofu and soya and I'll show you a place where the sun don't shine. I have serious religious and cultural problems with eating anything but meat. It's in my blood and in my bones. I am African. We eat meat. I find it offensive that you will pander to others but ignore my religious requirements. You have the option of ordering specific food before you board your flight AND you offer two types of meals. Let them phone you and make arrangement. Don't you remember? We don't have phones in Africa... And there is a serious consequence for all others as well - the non-meat eating... hum... humans. Can you imagine what they are going to serve us now? Crap fish and chips or rubber eggs. I am changing to Air Namibia next time I fly to South Africa - they serve biltong bites. Really. I have standards. Squash me into a box in the middle seat. Make me wait in line for an hour or two. Provide me with bad service at ticketing. Strip search me in public. But take my meat away? Tell me, do you still serve salad - or what do you call it again? Hum, oh yes - chicken? BA - Beef Away.

2. Honey, I am right behind you 

So the Prius will bring out a new version in 2010. And the Volt will also hopefully make its debut. And now VW says they will bring their super fuel efficient 1L concept to the roads as well. 1L is metric for 1 liter per 100 km, or 1 gallon going a full 230 miles. Cool isn't it? Huh... No... Not even close. Volkswagen is German for Nation Wagon. Say what? You can't even fit the bloody dog in there - never mind a nation. Seating for two only. Could be romantic hey? Huh... No... The passenger sits behind the driver. I can now truly be a backseat driver. Thanks VW, but if this is your answer to fuel efficiency then at least give it a few skates for wheels to use in winter. This way we can us it as a toboggan when the snow and ice comes.

3. Doctor Watson I presume?

Those bloody Nigerians. So here we are. With Idang Alibi going on about how Dr Watson was right when he said Africans are more stupid than the whities. Or rather, that black people are, in his humble opinion, not as intelligent as white people. Nothing humble about that mate. He goes on and on about how they are more stupid because of the failed Africans states. And that all other states are just fine. Guess what? I got angry. So here is more longer than usual response.

He talks as if every African state is a failed state. And that all others are just fine. Just fine. Well sorry - the world isn't black and white (no pun intended). So, North Korea is just fine I take it? And Bangladesh? And most of the old Soviet states? And Latin America that have loads of European blood running through their veins? It's easy and intellectually lazy to do that. For every Lagos there is a Laos. Also, he forgets to mention those African states who are not failing and are stable and growing. Senegal anyone? Or Mozambique now that the Cold War affect is over. And Botswana that has a huge HIV/Aids problem but still manages to outgrow the majority of countries in the world. Too easy and lazy of him to write a piece of crap that shows his own intellect. Sorry brother, I am not you and neither are most of us thank you. Go back to university and go and study how to be a journalist. Africa do have a series of failed states. But it isn't a black thing. There are too many other failed states to tell us it isn't a "black thing". And don't forget Zambia. One of the least corrupt and violent countries in the world - and acknowledged as such. Had mostly good governments. Except before "Ma" and after Kenneth Kaunda - Chiluba didn't play nice. But he wasn't really Zambian. And never been in a war - inside or outside its borders. More Swiss than the Swiss. And still one of the poorest countries in the world. Why? Because this isn't some "American Dream" where those who work hard will come out on top. Whether you are an individual or a country, the one thing we have learned over the last 100 years is that those who are poor will remain poor and with limited opportunities no matter where they live. Yes, you have exceptions, but the American Dream doesn't work for most people. No matter how hard they work. The bridge between poor and rich is increasing each and every day. Whether you live in America or you are a country in Africa. Even with the high growth rates - how long do you think Mozambique and Botswana must grow before it will reach the "upper status"? Do the math - it doesn't work. No matter how hard you try. And there is no lottery for states either. And neither can you win a bucket of common sense either.

4.  Heartland no brainchild

Like all good scientists Heartland took the brave step of publishing the names of all those scientists who support their claim that Climate Change is no biggie. I think they should have just kept their list and tell us they have 500 names and leave it at that. It is turning out to be as accurate as the WMD statements. And like President Bush supporters, the scientists on the list decided to take the rat route off the ship. It seems as if the 500 aren't 500 at all. You see, many of the scientist on the list actually believe in Climate Change. Oops. Look guys, how can we trust you with real science if you can't even count properly? Climate Change isn't social science you know - it is real science. Get the social science bit right and then we can talk. It seems as if you count with your heart instead of your head. Good for Bush, but no good for science.

5. Hillary and Bob - BGFF

Nooo link needed here - It's about Hillary C and Bob Mugabe. If you don't know anything about them then... I don't know - do a google search. And no BGFF does not stand for Best Guy/Girl Friends Forever. It means Bye Go Finally F-off. It's time they both go. Hillary keeps on losing supporters faster than Bob is losing his marbles. And that says a lot. But Hillary is a bit like Bob here. Refusing to accept it is all over. The other guy won - just accept it and live with it. So I have a little plan. Why don't you two go to on a nice little island retreat for two. Just you two lovebirds. Maybe Bikini Atoll or Christmas Island. Bikini because we should pay A Toll to see either of you in one. And Christmas Island because Hillary needs a few presents to make up for the money she blew at 3 am. Bob won't have a problem with the radioactivity - he might just grow a brain. We all live in hope.

That's all folks. Bye-bye all. Have a great weekend and see you on the other side. I promise to be lighter and brighter next week. It will be a fun week - I promise.

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Heartland was founded in 1990 offering you modern yet antique looking ranges.  These ranges are available in a variety of choices and colors.  Take a look at the Classic Series 48" electric range that offers modern functionality like convection and self-cleaning with a retro style ventilation system.  You can also choose a dual-fuel range or a gas range.  You have an assortment of colors to choose such as almond, black, blue, green, red and white.  To complete your kitchen, Heartland also offers matching refrigerators, wall ovens and dishwashers.

Most people associate the name AGA with good food and fine living, and although it's often thought of as quintessentially British, the AGA actually began life in Sweden.  Whether it's their traditional radiant heat cookers or more conventional dual-fuel ranges, they have a model to suit your need for performance and your desire for style.  Their popular Legacy ranges are available in an assortment of colors such as brick red, cobalt blue, cream and stainless steel, just to name a few.  This range has 2.2 cu. ft. convection oven with 5 burners offering heat output from 850 BTU to 15,000 BTU.  You can even compliment this range with AGA's bottom-mount refrigerators, range hoods, dishwashers and under-counter refrigeration.

Straight from Italy, Emilia-Romagna, a region world-famous for its food is Bertazonni.  Precision-engineered to the highest specifications by the Bertazonni family, who have been making high-quality ranges since the beginning of the last century.  Bertazonni offers their Heritage Series 36" gas range and canopy range hood.  It is available in quality colors of black, cream or burgundy.  The color on this range is made from the same quality paint as their neighbor, Ferrari and Maserati.  This range has 3.6 cu. ft. oven capacity with European convection and a triple-ring power burner.  At the same time it gives you the vintage look that completes your 50's look kitchen.

Not to be out done, European manufacturers have also gotten into the act.  Brands like Ariston and Hotpoint have American 50's style refrigerators, but perhaps the most prolific is Smeg with a single door, a top freezer and a bottom freezer model available in a number of bold colors.

As it turns out, that the number is a fabrication. Our friends over at DeSmogBlog sent questionnaires to each signer, and received back some interesting quotes. Here's a sampling of the responses they got:

I am very shocked to see my name in the list of "500 Scientists with Documented Doubts of Man-Made Global Warming Scares". Because none of my research publications has ever indicated that the global warming is not as a consequence of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, I view that the inclusion of my name in such list without my permission or consensus has damaged my professional reputation as an atmospheric scientist."

Dr. Ming Cai, Associate Professor, Department of Meteorology, Florida State University.

They have taken our ice core research in Wyoming and twisted it to meet their own agenda. This is not science."

Dr. Paul F. Schuster, Hydrologist, US Geological Survey

I am horrified to find my name on such a list. I have spent the last 20 years arguing the opposite."

Dr. David Sugden. Professor of Geography, University of Edinburgh

I have NO doubts ..the recent changes in global climate ARE man-induced. I insist that you immediately remove my name from this list since I did not give you permission to put it there."

Dr. Gregory Cutter, Professor, Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University

The list of rejections goes on and on, exposing deniers for who they really are -- pawns of the fossil fuel industry, and fabricators. Next time somebody asks you about the "500 scientists who do not believe global warming is real," tell them the real story: That youth are leading the way to a safe climate -- that we are building an unstoppable movement more powerful than the special interests.

Don't be dirty. The ellipses is used as foreshadowing, not as a childish pun. Although that would've been funnier. Damn.

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DeSmogBlog decided to take a look at Heartland's list: emailing the scientists to ask them about the situation. From 500 Scientists with Documented Doubts of Man-Made Global Warming Scares:

• The Heartland "article purports to list scientists whose work contradicts the overwhelming scientific agreement that human-induced climate change is endangering the world as we know it."
• "DeSmogBlog ... emailed 122 of the scientists ... calling their attention to the list."
• "in less than 24 hours - three dozen of those scientists had responded in outrage, denying that their research supports Avery's conclusions and demanding that their names be removed."

Hmmm, maybe Heartland should change the title from 500 scientists to 464 scientists maybe have documented doubts of man-made global warming scares until, of course, they are asked whether they agree with this article's assertion.

DeSmogBlog has some pretty impressive quotes.  For example,

I am horrified to find my name on such a list. I have spent the last 20 years arguing the opposite.

Dr. David Sugden. Professor of Geography, University of Edinburgh

This ones seems pretty unclear, doesn't it.  Easy why Heartland could be confused and reverse the understanding of 20 years of a professor's work.

I have NO doubts ..the recent changes in global climate ARE man-induced. I insist that you immediately remove my name from this list since I did not give you permission to put it there.

Dr. Gregory Cutter, Professor, Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University

Hmmm ... Will Heartland remove Cutter from their list?

I don't believe any of my work can be used to support any of the statements listed in the article.

Dr. Robert Whittaker, Professor of Biogeography, University of Oxford

Evidently Heartland disagrees with how one should understand and interpret Professor Whittaker's life work.

Skeptical about skeptics.  A pretty good rule of thumb.