• July 4th, 2006 | The Bull | The Bull Speaks!
  What better way to begin the Carnival than with a post from The Bull who wishes the US of A a happy 230th birthday: Here’s to wishing our beloved Nation, the mighty United States of America, a very Happy Birthday!
• Bush Isn't God. Who Knew? | Madeleine Kane | Mad Kane
  With lyrical sophistication does Madeleine work out her frustration with the Bush Administation and it propensity for usurpation: The Supremes slapped George Dubya quite hard, Saying George, you ain't Czar, King, or God. Though our nation's at war, You can't break the law, So stop riding o'er Congress roughshod.
• How Not to Fear Death: Part 2 | Peter Kua | RadicalHop.com
  Peter Kua certainly doesn't shy away from the tough questions: All human beings, irrespective of sex, race, or creed will have to come to terms with death. There is no alternative escape. Death is an inevitable process of this world. It is not often that we are brave enough to come face to face with the thought...
• How to Earn More Money | Free Money Finance
  In a nice contrast to Peter's post, Free Money Finance also has good advice, but theirs is for what to do while you are still among the living: Your career is most valuable financial asset, offering you many benefits. can make the of it by getting a college degree and managing to its full potential. Doing this well earn millions dollars in extra income throughout lifetime.
• A Munich housing shortage keeps property demand high | Nubricks.com
  If you are looking for a house in Munich, Germany then Nubricks is your man, or is that mensch? Even if you are looking for a home elsewhere, his analysis will prove useful for understanding housing market dynamics. Since hosting the 1972 Olympic Games, Munich has secured its place as one of Europe’s Olympia Parkmost important sports cities. The real estate market in Munich remains competitive as affordable accommodation remains in short supply...
• Importing the American Spirit of Civic Responsibility to Germany | Sonja | Atlantic Review |
  Staying with the theme of Germany for a moment...Anti-Americanism is rampant and fashionable in Europe these days, nowhere more so that in Gearmany and France. Much of it is very ill-informed. Sonja takes on one of the more pervasive and pernicious myths that Germans hold about the US. Defying traditional European prejudices, American society is not based purely on the survival of the fittest. Quite on the contrary: public engagement here is much more common, volunteer services for the underprivileged are diverse and creative...
• Sell Side Comes to Investing Epiphany | William A. Trent | Stock Market Beat
  Speaking of myth-busting, William puts the final pin in the balloon of unrealistic expectations that was the tech bubble of the late 1990's: To some extent the whole concept of trading tech stocks is an ongoing bubble-era hangover. We used to be able to make so much money in tech stocks we believe that if we only try harder we will be able to do so once again.

Review: Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent | John | A DC Birding Blog

John's review of a book about Charles Darwin is a lesson in level-headed thinking: Lately the theory of evolution by natural selection has been in the news. One thing that tends to get drowned out in the attacks on "Darwinism" is the man himself: who was Charles Darwin, and how did he come to the conclusions he put forth in Origin of Species.

One Infuriating Thing About Living in a (Moronic) Police State | Kal's World

In stark contrast, Kal's post on in equalities in the legal system is a good old fashioned rant, the kind for which the blogosphere has become famous and, I might add, a better place: Brett "The Human Douchebag" Myers, a Philadelphia Phillies pitcher in town for the Phillies series with the Sox last weekend, was busted after publicly, in public, with the public looking on, hitting his wife in the face with a closed fist and pulling her off the ground by her hair. His bail? $200.

Another Origin of Species | Living the Scientific Life

Though the specifics of speciation are lost on me, I do believe the author's assertion that something scientifically significant was accomplished involving butterflies. Even if you can't understand the science, you'll enjoy the beautiful butterfly pics: Speciation typically occurs after one lineage splits into two separate and isolated breeding populations. But recently, a group of scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama revealed that it took them only a few months in the lab...

You should be rewarded with more Mitzvot | Muse | me-ander

If only I could learn this one thing that Muse had learned, how better my life would be: One thing I've learned after lots of hard work on my naturally hysterical personality, is that it doesn't pay to get upset when I have no control over things.

The "What If" Disease | The Radical Libertarian

Francois is a first rate thinker, philosopher who blogs. His latest missive is directed at statistis and the loathsome, illogical hypotheticals behind which they hide: Many statists suffer from the dreaded "What If" disease, (for) example: "What if... one company becomes so powerful that it monopolizes everything? Then they would become tyrannical and take over society."

You made it all up ! "Original sin" | Francois Tremblay | Goosing the Antithesis

Here Francois tackles the relationship between the triumvirate of truth, belief, and reality: Unlike the truth, which does not adapt to anything but reality, belief systems can evolve because they do not have to adhere to reality at all. But this means that belief systems do not fulfill actual human needs.

Sharia don’t like it | Andrew Ian Dodge | Dodgeblogium

Andrew has an excellent analysis of and commentary on the surprising results of a poll of British Muslims. He also gets the award for most clever title for a post in the Carnival. The Great British public collective shuddered this spring. And no, it wasn’t about the News of the World revelation that all professional footballers might not be the straightest men in the land. I am referring to that ISM poll of Muslims. The poll asked quite a few questions but the one that is receiving the most attention covers the adoption of Sharia law in the UK. The poll’s results were so shocking that a Labour MP Sadiq Khan, a Muslim himself, and a frequent voice for moderation, had the following to say after referring to the results as alarming...

NYT Reveals Timmy Durgin's Hiding Place | Buckley F. Williams | The Nose On Your Face

Buckley is one of the best political satirists around. Read his contribution to this carnival to understand why. I'm glad we're on the same side! New York Times reporter Erich Licthblau remains on a roll after his keen investigative skills have helped to locate three-year-old Timmy Durgin's favorite "hide 'n' seek" spot. Acting on a tip "from a concerned inside source", Hide_n_seek Licthblau revealed Durgin's hiding place in today's issue of the Times. The story, however, is not without controversy.

A cartoon you will not believe | Mike Luckovich | Stingray

Stingray is righteously indignant about a recent political cartoon equating al-Qaeda and the US military. See why for yourself. All I can say is go to the Atlanta Journal Constitution site on this cartoon and express your displeasure.

On overdoing processes | Tam Hanna | TamsPalm-the Palm OS Blog

Tam clearly understands a thing or two about project management and organizational behavior: When a process starts to slow you and your team down, it’s useful lifetime has ended and it needs to be removed or adjusted. Doing something just because a process demands it is pointless; “processes are for developers” instead of “developers are for processes."

Should the United Nations Determine Your Civil Rights? | Debt Free

This post raises and addresses question at the heart of the US role in the world community, questions which have no simple solution and about which there is going to be much debate in the future. Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Cambodia, Croatia, Mexico, South Africa and Britain. What do these countries have in common? They may have a say in your constitutional rights as an American citizen.

Winning Streep | Leslie Carbone

As the Da Vinci Code proves, it isn't easy to make films that are as good as the books that inspired them, let alone better. Leslie has found a rare example: It's been done. A movie has at last been made that is better than the book on which it is based. What movie? The Devil Wears Prada. Granted, the novel wasn't as difficult to surpass as, say, The Count of Monte Cristo...

Healthy Tips For Those Traveling | Kim | Emergiblog

Kim is an Emergency Room nurse. That makes her my hero... or is that heroine. But even heroic figures need rest and relaxation. Hers consists of a trip to the Emerald Isle. In this post she shares some travel tips: As a guide to those of you who may wish to travel to the land where Gaelic is as common as English, I present to you the following advice and observations. (Rule) 1. Do not block the view of the large screen tv in an irish pub when a world cup game is in progress.

Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera: The Difference Uncovered | Jack Yoest | Yoest.org

Fellow business-blogger clears up a long-standing question in my mind: what is the difference between Britney and Christina? So I ask Charmaine, isn't Britney Spears a God-fearing Jesus-loving celebrity superstar? Or is it Christina Aguilera? "Britney Spears," says Charmaine, who knows all things cultural.

End the Monopoly | Smilerz | Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of

Smilerz provides yet one more compelling example of why the public schools need competition: Do you want a slam dunk example of why public school monopolies need to end?

Decision making: Plans into action | Wayne Hurlbert | Blog Business World

Wayne explains the important and central role of decision-making in our daily and professional lives: Every day we make decisions. In fact, we make so many choices that we lose count of them and of their results. While many of the decisions we make are small ones, like whether or not to have another cup of coffee, many are large and crucial to our business.

Julius Caesar and the War on Terror | Jeremy Abrams | bardseyeview

What if the Global War on Terror were taking place 2000 years ago, during the Roman era? OK, so here we have a war council attended by Brutus and Cassius, two of the conspirators who have slain Julius Caesar. The pair have assembled armies to destroy the armies raised by Mark Antony and Octavius. Antony and Octavius represent the side of the civil war that remained loyal to Caesar and his concept of a benevolent dictatorship. Brutus and Cassius represent the concept of the Republic, which Caesar had destroyed under the banner of reform.

Bragging on my little toddler’s latest accomplishments | Lil Duck Duck

Reading this post about Lil Duck's 2-year old made me want to get married and have children:To think that less than two years ago, he was a tiny helpless thing in my belly, and now he jumps, talks, walks, gives kisses, demolishes my entire house in under an hour, and otherwise delights us with his presence - it’s just incredible...

Cucumber for beauty and health | Aparna | Beauty & Personality Grooming

After readings Aparna's post, I realize why the expression "cool as a cucumber" may one day replaced by "healthy as a cucumber." Cucumbers have a very high water content of around 96% and are excellent body rehydrators. It contains ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and caffeic acid, fiber, along with minerals like silica, potassium and magnesium. A widely cultivated vegetable in India, it has a cooling and refreshing effect on the body. This nature’s cool customer is also a beauty enhancer.

That sound you hear is the death rattle of the separation of Church and State | Jack Cluth | The People's Republic of Seabrook:

Jack has words of praise for Sen. Obama's call for Democrats to embrace religion publicly. He also has choice words for evangelicals: One of the political fallacies so prevalent in the American political dialogue today is the idea the being a Christian equates to be an intolerant, judgemental, self-righteous Evangelical zealot. Nothing could be further from the truth and in fact I would submit that it is highly likely that the silent majority of Christians are people who actually believe in things like tolerance, charity, and acceptance.

Congress’s Next Victim: Our Right To Contract | Doug Mataconis | Below The Beltway

Doug's a man on fire and flag burning amendments: As if the Flag Burning Amendment weren’t bad enough, there are a host of other flag-related proposals before Congress this week. One would bar Federal Courts from hearing lawsuits attempting to challenge the inclusion of the words “Under God”...

Kelo: One Year Later | Dan Melson | Searchlight Crusade

One year later, Dan looks at what the Kelo decision has wrought. He also has links to all of his Kelo-related posts at the end. A little over one year ago, the Supreme Court handed down the decison in Kelo, which held that the city of New London could condemn land to sell it to private developers in order to increase the tax base.

Declare Supreme Court Justices Enemy Combatants | Jon Swift

Unlike Madeliene who was pleased with the Supremes, or Dan who seems merely disappointed, John is flat out disgusted with them: Although I have not actually read the entire Constitution, I believe that in the Article that gives the President the power to designate enemy combatants there is nothing that explicitly protects members of the Supreme Court from being declared enemy combatants...Ouch!

Food fancies | Miriam | miriam's ideas

Miriam presents a dramatic reenactment of "Mr. Charm's" mercurial food preferences. We had a favorite Chinese restaurant. I suggested going there today, because I had to get something at a nearby store. He agreed. Not enthusiastically. We got to the restaurant. MrC: I don't know what to order. Me: Order the shrimp with lobster sauce. You always like that. MrC: I do not like it! So he orders something else he does not like. He doesn't like it this time either. No surprise there. (Toys with food. Ostentatiously)

How To Build A Community Campaigning Blog | Riversider | Humantide

The Rivesider has useful advice for organizing the netroots. Do you have an issue in your local community that you want to build a campaign around? Blogging is one way that you can bring power and authority to the voice of ordinary people - people whose voices are normally drowned out by the corporate media...

I Don't Know If This Is Malicious Or Not | Cait | Siempre, Cait

cait wonder whether there was malice behind someone's decision to publish maps and addresses of the homes of top adminisitration officials. My guess is yes. Providing maps and pictures of where the VP and other top Cabinent members spend their free time can't be a good idea, though. Can everyone say National Security?

Hare Trigger | Peace Moonbeam | The Peace Moonbeam Chronicles

Peace Moonbeam explains how cute cuddly rabbits can defend themselves against big mean hunters: This week we made real progress in the war against hunting. It all started with my offhand remark to some Bambi-killing Neanderthal that I'd consider hunting to be a sport when the prey is also armed.