In war a repressed and stigmatized person, be they soldier or civilian, simply wants to reach out. It is clear Bradley Manning identifies with a deeper gender identity than most people are willing to even begin understanding. The chat logs of his conversations are reminiscent of some of the same feelings that go unvoiced by the vast majority of soldiers: questioning the purpose of our mission when politics has mired us in prisons of moral turpitude. That Bradley voiced his concerns proves he was the least unstable and most moral of all the members of his team. That he happens to be gay or transgender gives our community a new hero who brings great credit to the moral force of our people in this world.

With news of the “hybrid” plan coming out of the Senate, all of us have to be wondering “What is the White House thinking?!?” Here is a little run down of just that.

Their irresponsible position is that corporations and billionaires should not have to share the sacrifices needed to keep our economy on track for recovery. That is why they vehemently oppose efforts to cut corporate welfare and to eliminate subsidies for the oil companies. Unlike most Americans, who believe we should pull together to find real solutions, these politicians are intent on dividing Americans by destroying programs that have broad public support. At the same time, they have done all in their power to create instability in the economy and put more Americans out of work.

The chat logs have been a bedrock for a press that has been working to build an understanding of why Manning was motivated to do what he is alleged to have done. In documentaries, like the PBS FRONTLINE documentary WikiSecrets, the chat logs are what compel narrator Martin Smith to go on a crusade in search for a connection between Assange and Manning.

It is never a good idea to tell someone “Don’t call my bluff”. It undermines your position. Either you’re ready to win or you’re bluffing, but either way you leave that up to the opponent to figure out. After all if you taunt them, they might just call your bluff from pure spite.

Cantor offered a temporary extension three times last night, and by both Democratic and GOP accounts, that’s what made Obama snap. You gotta feel sorry for the guy. His most ardent supporters are the dumbest motherfuckers in the world, and they don’t realize he thinks they are digging his political grave.

The headlines will blare today about the rough appropriation of an Australian soap opera that occurred in the White House last night, with Eric Cantor’s ego deeply bruised and glasses fogged, after the President reportedly said “I have reached the point where I say enough. Would Ronald Reagan be sitting here? I’ve reached my limit. This may bring my presidency down, but I will not yield on this… Eric, don’t call my bluff. I’m going to the American people with this,” and walked out of the room. Problem for Cantor is that the meeting was wrapping up anyway, and it wasn’t as angry and abrupt as he made it sound, others in the room allege.

John McCain has now signed on for Mitch McConnell’s debt limit plan. I don’t think there’s much doubt that the votes are there in the Senate – even over 60 if someone like Jim DeMint or Rand Paul filibusters – to pass the bill. The House is another matter, as Eric Cantor has gone rogue and is making his leadership play by creating wild demands that nobody will accept. Ultimately, the President still wants a bipartisan deal, but I still think it’s a good bet that the bomb gets defused, one way or another.

Surely the best kind of defender for Rupert Murdoch comes forth.

Of A Revolution (O.A.R.) — Crazy Game of Poker.