Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce, on the Diane Rhem show on Tues and speaking about Cuba. From his mouth to the Republican Party’s ears: (paraphrasing)

“We support the people of Cuba and recognize that their economic position is dire, but we will not provide to the Cuban governnment the means to act against our interests.”

So in the meantime people suffer but that’s just too bad - America’s geopolitical interests trump all.

Does this not sound like the Democrats position wrt Bush’s effort to prolong the occupation of Iraq? Except, of course, that part where it is actually Republican interests that are served in Iraq, not American interests.

Come to think of it, that’s probably true about Cuba as well.

Jake

I’ve been reading over at Feministing. I admit to being all but unlettered in Feminist history and thought. I have what I consider to be a grounding in basic humanity (we are all human beings, there are power issues, our experience of life is both singularly mysterious and completely shared) but that doesn’t really qualify me to comment upon Jessica’s call for essays to fill a new book she is preparing. I think the call itself is interesting, while the proposed title is confusing and awkward - so awkward that Jessica and Jaclyn have had their heads handed to them by whole hosts of self described feminist blogs.  Read more 

I’ve been thinking about what to do with the leftovers of the Bush regime when that swinging door finally hits him on the ass on the way out. This  Read more 

Kermit (not that Kermit, Kermit Roosevelt, a professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania) in this Christian Science Monitor article says the Roberts court agreed with the public in this latest flurry of 5/4 decisions; that in fact, the court provides a “mirror” in which we can see ourselves.  Read more 

Here you find a 29 year old Afghani woman who is not long for this world. She says she does not foresee a long life. I believe her.

Malalai Joya  Read more 

Following after an earlier post by lambert.

Ok, so I read the trilogy - more thoughts maybe later.

For now:  Read more 

Kevin Drum points out that “….Retail sales in April were down 2.4%, “the most wretched year-over-year showing by major retailers since the International Council of Shopping Centers began tracking the data in 1970,” according to the LA Times.”  Read more 

Now that I have your attention, think about this from Time via Kevin Drum:  Read more 

2 thoughts -

1) April consumer credit is way up, the highest since Nov, and a total surprise to everyone who should know. Nov is right before Christmas, so that is naturally a high spot. What happens in April?  Read more 

Odd, this.

From the May 4 Daily Oklahoman, the OKC paper.

Fri May 4, 2007
Hate crime bill OK’d

Chris Casteel
Washington Bureau  Read more 

I think it was Rush, with his “feminazi”.  Read more 

I’ve been reading Paul Starr’s “Freedom’s Power”, and while I have a ways to go yet, one thing has already struck me forcibly - the rise of the authoritarian right was aided by media consolidation.  Read more 

SciAm has a blog article on sex and arousal. It seems that women are more or less equally turned on by images of men or women, without regard to their stated orientation.  Read more 

I followed xan’s link to Hecate’s post about a Twisty post. Then I went to ilykadamen- Occasionally Conversations with my man are Instructive to read her discussion on men who get upset (or even pissed off) at being lumped in with the mother rapers, and the father rapers, and all the other occupants of the W bench.  Read more 

Tom Bevan, Real Clear Politics, The Pelosi Effect?

writes that Pelosi’s Syrian adventure was her first real public relations disaster. He then wonders if it will effect Clinton’s race.

My question - was it really a public relations disaster? I am too biased - I don’t believe anything the Bush admin says, and I don’t believe ANY right wing opinionaters - so while I judge that Pelosi did well, it is entirely possible that my judgment is skewed. Did Pelosi piss off anyone other than the vrwnm?

Jake  Read more 

More stuff inspired by MJS.

One Morning at the Coyote Diner
Or
How the Maranek Lost His Mojo  Read more 

There once was a Bush boi from Texas
Who was wont to place all of his betses
On men who were fools
Or worse, who were ghouls
It’s clear he wasn’t one of the Mensas

Jake

This is how global warming will become common sense.  Read more 

The Talk Left Story by TChris comes hard on the heels of the scandal in the Texas Juvenile Corrections System.  Read more 

Jim Webb has stood for some good stuff since becoming a Senator. How in the HELL could he imagine that it’s ok to carry loaded pistols, and who knows what all else, in DC?  Read more 

Is this cool or what?

Think Progress Inhofe  Read more 

Two of Buckley’s recent opinions on NRO are illuminating, and disturbing.  Read more 

While reading through the latest Newsweek Poll, I stumbled upon this surprising fact - a greater portion of evangelical Republicans (eRs) have been divorced than the population as a whole.  Read more 

I was in college in 1970. Kent State, Vietnam, Nixon - it all had little effect upon me. I stayed below the radar, even as the campus I attended exploded around me.  Read more 

Ok, I’m in Vancouver, BC, it’s late and I’m tired, but God only knows when I’ll get another chance to post this thought - at least while I still remember it.  Read more