Iowa Governor Launches Presidential Bid

The AP is reporting that Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack has officially entered the 2008 Presidential contest. Vilsack, whose second term as Governor will expire this January, is the first Democratic Party candidate to officially declare his candidacy.

http://breakingnews.nypost.com/dynamic/stories/V/VILSACK_2008?SITE=NYNYP&SECTION=HOME

LWS

Breaking News: Radiation Found on Two British Airways Aircraft

According to the Times of London, small amounts of radiation have been detected on two British Airways flights which recently returned from Moscow. The radiation was detected in connection with the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvineko. British Home Secretary John Reid will hold a news conference later on tonight to discuss the investigation.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2478909,00.html

LWS

The Google Revolution

Google has been accused of many things: patent infringement, intellectual copyright violations, and even (by some) of attempting to take over the world. But the Financial Times has leveled another accusation at the media mogul. Apparently, Google Earth has been boosting democratic activism in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain. According to last Sunday’s issue of the Financial Times, Google Earth is inspiring a revolution in the tiny kingdom.

Ever since the government of Bahrain blocked Google Earth due to its privacy violations of royal palaces, nearly everyone in the country has been Googling their nation. As is common with situation like this, the governmental ban has brought the use of the internet – and the visitation to banned websites – back in vogue. For instance, traffic on the website of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has increased three times. The opening up of Bahrain to technological advancement has had some surprising results.

Through using Google Earth, every Bahraini can see the societal stratification which exists in the region. Bahrain businessman Mahmood al-Yousif had this to say about the effect Google is having upon the country: “Some of the palaces take up more space than three or four villages nearby, and block access to the sea for fishermen. People knew this already. But they never saw it. All they saw were the surrounding walls.” Mr. Yousif and other activists believe that the increasing use of technology will lead to a more egalitarian society.

According to the Financial Times, unemployment is endemic among the lower classes. Up to 80% of the available land is owned by the aristocracy and royals, giving the lower classes little opportunity for advancement. As more and more people log on to the internet and visit their miniscule kingdom from cyberspace, the disproportionate wealth and land distribution will become even more apparent. In much the same way that technology is opening up China to outside influence, the increasing us of the internet – especially Google Earth – may bring the country of Bahrain out of the shadows and into the light of democracy

LWS

Gingrich: Free Speech Laws May Need to be Altered

Former Speaker of the House and possible Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said that the threat of terrorism may require an altering in this country's free speech laws. Speaking at the Manchester Awards Banquet, Gingrich signaled that a "different set of rules" need to be implemented in order to stop terrorist recruiting. What do you think?

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Gingrich+raises+alarm+at+event+honoring+those+who+stand+up+for+freedom+of+speech&articleId=d3f4ee4e-1e90-475a-b1b0-bbcd5baedd78

LWS

Impeached Judge will NOT become Committee Chairman

In a surprise decision, sources close to the new Speaker of the House indicate that Representative Alcee Hastings will not become the committee chair for the House Intelligence Committee. Who knows? Maybe it was the firestorm caused by this blog's article entitled "Culture of Corruption" that led Nancy Pelosi to side against Hastings. However, it is still not clear whether Hastings will run for a subcommittee chair.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/11/28/D8LM9OJO0.html

*Check this blog tomorrow for a commentary on the revolution Google Earth is inspiring in the Middle East*

LWS

Article of the Week

In the December 4th issue of the Weekly Standard, William Kristol and Robert Kagan have an excellent article regarding the doctrine of appeasment as it pertains to the War in Iraq. The authors argue that appeasing Iran, Syria, and Hamas in order to facilitate a withdraw from Iraq would damage US credibility, while winning us few friends.

http://weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=12993&R=EEC720677


LWS

Obama '08?

The Des Moines Register reported today that Illinois Senator Barack Obama has consulted top political advisors in Iowa regarding a possible 2008 Presidential run. Sources close to the first-term Senator disclose that Obama will likely make a decision regarding a Presidential run within the next few weeks.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/NEWS09/611260332

LWS