"The Lebanese, and Palestinians in Gaza and Lebanon, may be trapped in a war beyond their control. But even with that, they need not behave as victims, victimizing each other and leading themselves down a path of self-destruction."

When combined with the recent overt condemnation of Israeli apartheid and exposure of the corrupting political control of the Israeli Lobby, the June 10-11 rally merely confirms what people who know how to use binoculars already know--Israel is committing genocide, and the U.S. is complicit.

"Memorial Day 2007 comes at a disastrous time. Political power brokers and media elites insist on opting for a mix-merge of tragedy and farce. A key reality is that we won’t be able to change the militaristic direction of the country without effectively confronting the congressional Democrats who are fueling the engines of destruction."

To commemorate the death of arguably the most noxious Christian bigot ever to meddle in U.S. politics, I thought I’d reprint this humorous column from Feb. 14, 1999, concerning Jerry Falwell’s blithering over the sex (!) of Tinky Winky, the purple Teletubby.

"Despite the hyperactivity that characterizes the contest thus far, all signs point to the fact that it is far too early for a clear picture to emerge of how the contest will play out."

"It's hard to make war on a people after looking them in the eye and speaking with them. It's just as hard to abandon a people after you've spoken to them and heard of their plight."

“Wherever there is power, there is a temptation to encourage irrational credulity in those who are subject to the power in question.”

-- Bertrand Russell

"On more than one occasion during the two-day meetings I wished that the U.S. networks had been present to cover the proceedings (not just to join in the debate). Such coverage would have shattered many preconceptions that exist in the West about the quality and commitment to excellence my colleagues bring to their profession. I also wished that the U.S. networks would engage in the same type of public self-criticism, asking themselves the same tough questions. In light of their shameful performance in the lead-up to the Iraq war, such self-examination is sorely needed."