Dick Morris has this to say about Hillary Clinton’s need to destroy American conservatives:

Hillary Clinton’s handlers like to promote her image as an embattled warrior — a relentless foot soldier dedicated to the dual crusades of fighting for the exalted principles of goodness and light while simultaneously defeating the ever-present forces of darkness and evil. A modern-day Celtic warrior queen or Joan of Arc — that’s the spin on Hillary.| MORE ›

Reuters says:

Afghanistan’s Taliban plan to abduct and kill more nationals from foreign countries whose troops serve under NATO and the U.S. military in the country, a spokesman for the Islamic movement warned on Monday.

The vow comes just days after the Taliban released 19 South Korean hostages after their government struck a deal that critics said sets a dangerous precedent that could spur more kidnappings and make life even more dangerous for foreigners.| MORE ›

Michael posted some interesting Dutch poll numbers earlier today. They represent exactly what I have argued a little while ago in my essay called ‘Dutch Confusion’. The traditional parties have lost their appeal and new outfits on both the left and right are increasingly able to pick up disgruntled and directionless floating voters. Beware the next election.

Crossposted on Peaktalk

As a European it was never clear to me how Labor Day came to be celebrated in September, as May 1 of course was the day to unite and march forward under a red banner. Brendan Koerner has done some research and explains why today is a day off:

Though May 1 became an important day for Socialists and Communists, state governments and less radical labor leaders feared that the date was too emotionally charged.| MORE ›

Michael has posted already on the panic developing throughout the blogosphere over the prospects of a looming war with the Islamic Republic of Iran. In addition to pointing out the apparent frenzy caused by a supposed “three-day blitz” plan coming out of the Pentagon, he also raises a valuable point about alternatives and options.| MORE ›

Michael invited me to mention my book club pick for September, which happens to be Richard Wright’s Native Son. If you click here, details can be read as to how to earn a free book.  Also, a great, in-depth review of the book can be found here. It was originally posted on The Moderate Voice. 

So I encourage you to participate. It’s not that difficult, considering all you need do is submit a question…

Bridget Magnus, one of my favorite bloggers, has an excellent post at her blog on the mortgage nightmare currently plaguing the country. It’s a nice compliment to Marc’s earlier post on the subject:

Rising prices convinced Joe and Jane that they needed to act quickly; they didn’t want to be priced out of the market, and they didn’t want to miss what was increasingly presented as a sure-fire investment opportunity they could live in.| MORE ›

Two Republican senators have been in the news lately and not for anything good. David Vitter of Louisiana had his telephone number show up:

in the phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates, the alleged prostitution ring run in the nation’s capital by Deborah Jeane Palfrey. Palfrey, who faces, federal racketeering and conspiracy charges, says she runs a legal escort service. Prosecutors say the business netted more than $2 million from 1993 to 2006.| MORE ›

Not sure why, but I feel like talking about the power of pop.  Maybe it was Megan McArdle’s Friday posts on musical taste.  Maybe it’s Bill Haley and his wonderful Comets, who had the ability to start a riot in Germany in 1958 just by playing a simple song about rock n’ roll.  Either way…I’m in a mood.  It’s a holiday weekend (in America…sorry Michael), and it’s time we discuss heady issues like what is pop music, what feels good and what is the meaning of happy.| MORE ›

President Bush outline a plan today that would help bail out hundreds of thousands of borrowers who have been unable to pay off their mortgages.

CNN says:

Foreclosure rates have soared over the past year as homeowners struggle to pay off loans that have become more expensive as they mature.| MORE ›