Ralph Nader has formed a presidential exploratory committee, and said in an interview Wednesday that he will launch another presidential bid if he's convinced he can raise enough money to appear on the vast majority of state ballots this fall.

Nader, who ran as an independent candidate in each of the past three presidential elections, told ABCNews.com that he will run in 2008 if he is convinced over the next month that he would be able to raise $10 million over the course of the campaign attract enough lawyers willing to work free of charge to get his name on state ballots.

Nader said he filed papers with

President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed a deal on Monday arranging for permanent bases and “investment opportunities” for the Bush Administration in Iraq. In return, Nouri al-Maliki and his government will get protection from the United States military against any threats to Maliki’s power (at least until Bush decides to renege on the deal). The Bush Administration is calling this arrangement an enduring relationship with a democratic Iraq”.“

This is not breaking news. Many of you will have seen the picture and even the video which is readily available on rawstory.com

The photo showing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama neglecting to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem at Senator Tom Harkin's Steak Fry event on September 16 in Indianola, Iowa.

The implication is of cource that failing to display the proper hand-over-heart etiquette constitutes evidence that Barack Obama is unpatriotic and therefore unfit to hold the office

That is all.

 :)

Cecil Bothwell has been fired from the Mountain Xpress, allegedly because he contributed to Elaine Lite's campaign .

Yes, the same Cecil Bothwell who won Mountain Xpress's "Best Local Reporter" for 2007 - has just been fired for political activity at Asheville's flag-ship alternative paper.

I'm shocked and disappointed. Not only is this a huge insult to the progressive community who have supported the Xpress through think and thin, but it also sends a warning to every person of conscience that fighting unrestrained development is a dangerous career move.

I find it hard to believe they fired Cecil for his political views alone. I suspect this move signifies the owners of the Mountain Xpress plan to sell the paper soon. When a media company gears up for sale, one of the first things they do is get rid of uppity employees who might be a problem for new owners. Furthermore, at the age of 57, he probably uses more health insurance than the average.

I'll be doing more reporting on this as the story develops. Stay tuned.

ON EDIT @ 04:45 PM EST: Jon Elliston, Managing Editor at the Xpress, just telephoned me to deny that Cecil was fired for supporting Lite. He also denies the paper is for sale. He says Cecil will continue working as a contributing writer.

The Social Security is broken Myth

Periodically we hear news that the Social Security system is going to be bankrupt in the near future and Congress needs to act. Solutions to fix the system seem always have the component of dismantling the program as part of it.

The latest instalment is a

October 14, 1979 the first national gay and lesbian march for civil rights in Washington, D.C., drew over 100,000 demanding an end to all social, economic, judicial, and legal oppression of lesbian and gay people.

See pictures

I know many have written about Mr. Morales and his Movement towards Socialism (MAS) so this is not "breaking news" but following his recent appearance on John Stewards I noticed a lot of negative accusations on the web.

I have to ask why? Why are we in the United States so opposed to left leaning leaders like Chavez and Morales? We claim that we love

This is a summery of a Washington Post article . It gives us all a lot to think about the direction the US is headed. Why do you ask am I posting this? Well after being told for 17 years that this is the greatest country in the world I think it is time we citizens take a look at reality!

5 Myths about sick old Europe

1. The sclerotic European economy is incapable of leading the world.

the EU15 has become the largest economic force in the world constituting a third of the total world economy

2. Nobody wants to invest in European

When a company distributes children toys with lead paint in them consumers exercising their right to choose will punish them for a while by boycotting the company. It's only fair. Well, toy maker Mattel is not going to give consumers that right.

Mattel offers this solution on their web site:

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel for instructions on how to receive a free replacement toy of equal value.