"As first lady and as a U.S. senator, Hillary Clinton visited more than 80 nations, but for a majority of the world's population, her unique quality may be her gender. Senator Clinton understands that improving the status of women is not simply a moral imperative; it is necessary to building democracies around the globe. Improving the status of women is key to creating stable families, stable communities, and stable countries. Women's ability to control the size of their families, regardless of economics, nationality, or culture, has a direct impact on their economic well-being and that of their children... Senator Clinton understands that women's quality of life directly affects the major issues confronting the globe: national security, environmental sustainability, and global poverty."

Planned Parenthood, American Democrats, and democratically aligned world particiipants applaud the election of Barack Obama as President-elect, and Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cecile-ric hards/sen-clinton-champions-wom_b_147389 .html

After a tumultuous week on this site, no meta's, just the facts.  

I don't need to tell many here that I struggled with the nomination of Barack Obama as the Dem candidate to become POTUS.  To set the record straight, I voted for Barack Obama to become our president.  And I've been happy with that decision ever since I made it (Nov. 3).  Not only has Obama stepped up to the plate, in an unprecedented effort, to assure, re-assure, post-assure, and anyotherkinkdof-assure our populace, and the populace of the world, that he will seek to mitigate the troubles facing our country and the world, he has a sense of humor while doing it:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/24 /obama-press-conference-me_n_146019.html

Today, President-elect Obama apologized for the egregious error of seating a White Sox fan in the Cubs section of his news conference.

For me the most striking phrase in Olbermann's comment is "This is what your religion tells you to do?".  Citing religious beliefs for intolerance is the same logic that has been used to subjugate minorities since the beginning of time.  One day, we will learn.

On November 4, residents of CA, FL, and AZ voted to deny same-sex couples the right to marry.  In AR, residents denied gay and lesbian couples the right to adopt or foster children.  Amongst many who support equal rights for all citizens, there is much disappointment and anger over these electoral results. Rainbow flags are flowing at half-mast around the country.

Much has been written about the African American position on gay marriage and gay adoption.  Why have AA's overwhemingly supported the denial of equal protection to gays and lesbians that they themselves have struggled so hard to attain?  Much has been written about the influence the Mormon church had in the passing of Proposition 8.  What historical claim to the notion that marriage should be between one man and one woman do Mormons have?  IMO, the factor that binds these two disparate demographics together in denying gays and lesbians equal rights is religion.

In a move that can only be described as an attempt to "ruffle feathers", today Russian President Dmitry Medvedev pledged to station missiles on its territory near the Polish border.  Such a move, the Russian president insists, would be to counter the proposal by George W. Bush to station an anti-missile system in Poland.

"Medvedev was very assertive in his delivery," said Ronald Smith, chief strategist at Alfa Bank in Moscow. "(He) appeared to be staking out strong positions on various issues ahead of the entry of the new American presidential administration."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081105/wl_n m/us_russia_medvedev1_6

Engagement by the foreign policy team of President-elect Barack Obama, no doubt, will result in a course of action to address minimizing Russia's attempt to escalate an arms race.  Russia has just said:  "game on".  I have no doubt "Barack got game!".

Congress, both the House and the Senate, seems poised to enact "Wall Stree Bail-out" legislation.  This is good news.  If you want to buy a new car, if you want to buy a new home, if you're saving for your child's education, if you're saving for your retirement, this is good news.  

Without a bailout plan, the credit markets freeze!  We are now hearing about the fear financial firms have in making loans.  They are hesitant to  provide financing to eachother, and they are hesitant to provide financing to you and me.  We are hearing about the credit freeze because Congress has realized it must explain to us why this legislation is important for us.

When "Wall Street Bail-out" legislation passes, what will happen next?

The DOW JONES Industials have dived close to 700 points upon news that the House of Representatives failed in passing the "Wall Street Bail-out" legislation.  Many think this is good news.  Political purity above all else.  When you get your IRA, 401K, cash investments quarterly statement, please tell me if you think this is good news.  You may not complain if you've lost 10%, 20%, or more in the value of your investments if you did not support this legislation.  More than most will be adversely affected by actions (read:  lack of actions) undertaken today.  

The good news, oil is trading down today.  You and I will save a couple pennies at the pump.   YIPPEE!

Un-fricking-believable!

It was apparent, at least that's how it came across to me, that editing of Sarah Palin's inaugural interview, conducted by Charles Gibson of the ABC network, was heavy handed.  I find there are two reasons why the editing of Palin's inaugural interview was so obvious:

1.  ABC edited for time
2.  the RNC had a final review before release

The result, IMO, was a Republican V.P. candidate, who came across as determined, confident, and knowledgable.  

Well, duh!  I hope so.  She is running for one of the highest elected offices this country has to offer.  I would expect no less.  

So what!  Lipstick and all, nothing has changed.  Americans can support more of the same; or Americans can support changes that will improve their lives.  Lipstick and all, that's an easy decision.  It is for me.