In the wake of a surge of anti-Muslim hysteria, fueled by Republican politicians and radical fundamentalist Christian clergy, there will be readings from the Quran in a number of churches in Gainesville, Florida on September 12 as a response to the planned “Burn a Koran Day” on September 11 at another Gainesville church.

Welcome Dave Neiwert and John Amato, Hosted by Watertiger. [As a courtesy to our guests, please keep comments to the book.  Please take other conversations to a previous thread.  - bev] Over the Cliff: How the Obama Election Drove The American Right Insane To say that the election of the first African-American President of the [...]

The right wing has generally driven charity from its interpretation of religion. In the Middle East, radical wingnuts are sure that any charity is assistance of terrorism. The attempt to eliminate distribution of needed assistance by local organizations – that are continually involved in aid to the communities – only interferes with the assistance we ought to be giving freely.

To be clear: We should never do something or not do something based solely on the degree of enthusiasm exhibited by the bin Ladenist conspiracy theorists. And those who object to Cordoba House based on are to be pitied and reasoned with in the spirit of comity and brotherhood, even if they won’t extend those sentiments to their fellow Americans.

Greg Sargent notes, as I have, that multiple Senate Democratic candidates are now coming out against letting the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire. I think the answer lies with the massive lobbying campaign behind extension, and also the money from those same high-end donors needed to run statewide Senate campaigns.

But given this reality, it’s all the more noteworthy that some of these same candidates have no problem offering full-throated support to Elizabeth Warren’s nomination for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Jack Conway (KY), Elaine Marshall (NC) and now Paul Hodes (NH) have all voiced their support.

It seems compulsory government-sponsored religious indoctrination is making a comeback, courtesy of Major General James E. Chambers. Given the oath he swore to support and defend the constitution — including that whole “freedom of religion” part in the first amendment — someone may want to inquire as to his fitness to wear those two stars. Oathbreakers do not make good generals.

In remarks made by President Obama yesterday, Senate Republicans were taken to task for their obstruction of the small business lending bill. However, it seems more that the president is unwilling to take a new direction in helping small businesses.

Because we could all use some good news: – Half of Republicans sampled in a recent poll favor letting the portion of the Bush tax cuts that apply to the rich expire, and to continue only the tax breaks for the non-rich. That’s pretty close to the position President Obama is taking, and if he [...]

A good friend of mine, Dr. Joey McDonald, tells the story that there are only two kinds of people who like change: a wet baby and the person standing outside a convenience store with an empty cup, wanting our change. I know I must be human then, because like nearly everyone I know, I resist change. This is sad and troubling, because we know that the only constant in our lives is Change. As Euripides said, in 400 something BC:

“What can we take on trust in this uncertain life? Happiness, greatness, pride – nothing is secure, nothing keeps.”

In The Navy — from episode 524 of The Muppet Show.

Grab your popcorn, put your feet up on the seatback in front of ya, and no spitballs aimed at the ushers please. This is Late Late Night FireDogLake, where off topic is the topic … so dive in. What’s on your mind?