Here's the good news... And the bad news.
The war on terror in Mumbai was on Saturday wrapped up by the security forces who eliminated three terrorists in Taj hotel after 60 hours of intense battle with the band of ultras who struck the country's financial capital killing 195 people. ( Watch )
"All operations are over. The NSG has formally reported that the operations are complete and now Taj, Oberoi and Nariman House are being sanitised. There are no more terrorists now in Mumbai. All have been liquidated or captured alive," M L Kumawat, Special Secretary in the Union Home Ministry told reporters in Delhi.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Ugh... CA-44
Our rising star came so close... But it wasn't enough to win. Well, we can try again in 2010. This isn't over yet!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Mumbai Update
We have some bad news out of India. The death toll from the terrorist attack on Mumbai has now risen to 160. At least 320 people are seriously injured. The terrorists have been defeated at the Oberai hotel, but terrorists are still on the run in the Taj. Five people were recently found dead at the Mumbai Jewish Center when terrorists were finally defeated there.
No one quite knows yet who is really responsible for this carnage. Some are already blaming Pakistan. Others say it's NOT the Pakistani government, but rather rogue ex-intelligence agents who may have been behind the attacks. Meanwhile, others think this was an al-Qaeda attacks... And others think Kashmiri separatists committed these attacks.
Please stay tuned here for continued updates, and go ahead & view CNN.com for the latest news.
No one quite knows yet who is really responsible for this carnage. Some are already blaming Pakistan. Others say it's NOT the Pakistani government, but rather rogue ex-intelligence agents who may have been behind the attacks. Meanwhile, others think this was an al-Qaeda attacks... And others think Kashmiri separatists committed these attacks.
Please stay tuned here for continued updates, and go ahead & view CNN.com for the latest news.
Day After Thanksgiving Open Thread
So what are you up to today? I'm at home right now. I used to go shopping on this day, but instead of doing that this year I'll be giving some very special gifts that I can "buy" from home. (Hint: Check my earlier diaries here to see what I'm talking about.)
So what's happening near you? What's up? Go ahead & chat away today.
So what's happening near you? What's up? Go ahead & chat away today.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Mumbai Still Under Attack
The Guardian has all the latest on the terrorist attacks in India. So far, at least 125 people are unconfirmed dead. The US State Department now believes that at least one American has died. At least 327 more people are seriously injured, including three Americans and many more foreigners.
Stay tuned as I'll try to update you as often as I can on what's happening in Mumbai.
Stay tuned as I'll try to update you as often as I can on what's happening in Mumbai.
Thanksgiving Open Thread
It's Tofurky Day today! So what are you thankful for? Share with us.
Oh yes, and have a happy holiday.
Oh yes, and have a happy holiday.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Ungrateful Bastid'
I'll be so thankful in 2012 if we can kick this asshole out of the Senate. What a f*cking traitor.
From The NY Times
More details on what's happening in India:
Coordinated terrorist attacks struck the heart of Mumbai, India's commercial capital, on Wednesday night, killing dozens in machine-gun and grenade assaults on at least two five-star hotels, the city's largest train station, a movie theater and a hospital.
Even by the standards of terrorism in India, which has suffered a rising number of terrorist attacks this year, the assaults were particularly brazen and drastically different in scale and execution. The attackers used boats to reach the urban peninsula where they hit, and their targets were sites popular with tourists.
The Mumbai police said the attacks killed at least 80 people and wounded 240, according to preliminary reports. Guests who had escaped the hotels told television stations that the attackers were taking hostages, singling out Americans and Britons. A previously unknown group claimed responsibility, though that claim could not be confirmed. It remained unclear whether there was any link to outside terrorist groups.
Coordinated terrorist attacks struck the heart of Mumbai, India's commercial capital, on Wednesday night, killing dozens in machine-gun and grenade assaults on at least two five-star hotels, the city's largest train station, a movie theater and a hospital.
Even by the standards of terrorism in India, which has suffered a rising number of terrorist attacks this year, the assaults were particularly brazen and drastically different in scale and execution. The attackers used boats to reach the urban peninsula where they hit, and their targets were sites popular with tourists.
The Mumbai police said the attacks killed at least 80 people and wounded 240, according to preliminary reports. Guests who had escaped the hotels told television stations that the attackers were taking hostages, singling out Americans and Britons. A previously unknown group claimed responsibility, though that claim could not be confirmed. It remained unclear whether there was any link to outside terrorist groups.
Terrorists Strike Mumbai
At least 80 are confirmed dead. Over 120 are injured. This sad event is still unfolding as hostages are still being held captive in one of the city's hotels.
This attack hasn't just hit India. It's reminded the entire world just how interdependent we are, that continued tensions in India can cause global mayhem. An Indian Islamist group (possibly tied to al-Qaeda) has already claimed credit for this attack, but it's not yet known who is actually responsible for this. Expect India & the entire South Asia region to be one of President Obama's major foreign policy challenges as he takes office.
So while we give thanks here in the US, please don't forget the people in India who have been affected by this gruesome attack. Hopefully the remaining hostages will be freed soon & healing can begin for all.
Obama Meets Palin
Oh, jeez! This should be fun! I wonder what their first words to each other will be. ;-)
"Clinton" and "Progressive" Aren't Opposed to Each Other
Why can't more "progressive bloggers" discover the common sense that BTD uses all the time?
[W]hen will SOME Democrats learn to appreciate the achievements of Bill Clinton? When will they learn that denigrating the last previous Democratic President is counterproductive? When will they learn that President-Elect Obama is ideologically in tune with both President Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton?
Of course, unlike President Clinton, President-Elect Obama has the opportunity (indeed the necessity) to enact much bolder policies. But if and when he does, you'll probably find that a lot of his ideas are not new - they may have been first proposed by yep, President Bill Clinton.
Let's see...
Rescind outrageous tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy? Check.
Expand health care access to those in need? Check.
Use diplomacy first to solve foreign crises instead of brute military force? Check.
And there are many more examples of President-Elect Obama promising to carry out what President Clinton started. So why won't certain "progressive Democrats" give President Clinton any credit for anything good that happened in this nation before Dubya Bush f*cked it all up?
[W]hen will SOME Democrats learn to appreciate the achievements of Bill Clinton? When will they learn that denigrating the last previous Democratic President is counterproductive? When will they learn that President-Elect Obama is ideologically in tune with both President Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton?
Of course, unlike President Clinton, President-Elect Obama has the opportunity (indeed the necessity) to enact much bolder policies. But if and when he does, you'll probably find that a lot of his ideas are not new - they may have been first proposed by yep, President Bill Clinton.
Let's see...
Rescind outrageous tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy? Check.
Expand health care access to those in need? Check.
Use diplomacy first to solve foreign crises instead of brute military force? Check.
And there are many more examples of President-Elect Obama promising to carry out what President Clinton started. So why won't certain "progressive Democrats" give President Clinton any credit for anything good that happened in this nation before Dubya Bush f*cked it all up?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wherein Las Vegas Makes Me Proud
Whoo-hoo! I guess all it takes is a threat to civil rights to get people moving... Even in Vegas! I only hope this is the beginning of a strong movement for equality in Nevada & nationwide.
This Week's Strategy Session
So where do we stand now? Democrats have now won the White House, at least 58 Senate seats, and at least 255 House seats. We still have a Senate seat to win in Georgia, a Senate seat in limbo in Minnesota, and 5 House seats in limbo. We still have an illegal discriminatory intitative to overturn in California, a legally questionable discriminatory initiative to overturn in Florida, and the entire 2010 election to start preparing for.
So where do we begin? Well, let's start in Georgia. Jim Martin needs our help right now.
I mean it. We are so close to winning. But if we slack off, we'll probably lose. Georgia is still a Red State, so most voters there are naturally inclined to elect Republicans.
However, this year is different. We have a great candidate in Jim Martin. We have a runoff election where it won't be too difficult to take advantage of our enthusiasm edge. We can win this election if we give it a try.
So why not go for it? What say you? And better yet, why not take some action if you're so inclined?
We'll need as many allies we can in Congress to implement President Obama's agenda of change. So why not take a shot at winning in Georgia? Now's the time to do it!
So where do we begin? Well, let's start in Georgia. Jim Martin needs our help right now.
I mean it. We are so close to winning. But if we slack off, we'll probably lose. Georgia is still a Red State, so most voters there are naturally inclined to elect Republicans.
However, this year is different. We have a great candidate in Jim Martin. We have a runoff election where it won't be too difficult to take advantage of our enthusiasm edge. We can win this election if we give it a try.
So why not go for it? What say you? And better yet, why not take some action if you're so inclined?
We'll need as many allies we can in Congress to implement President Obama's agenda of change. So why not take a shot at winning in Georgia? Now's the time to do it!
More Hilariousness...
This time from bloggers who criticize each other for being biased... Without recognizing their own bias.
The Court's Challenge
Today's New York Times is spot on the challenge the California Supreme Court now faces. When is it OK to misuse popular referendums to take away minority rights? Ever?
Arianna's Drama
Has Ms. HuffPo ever thought that maybe it's been her media colleagues who have fueled the "Clinton Drama" all along?
Monday, November 24, 2008
In Defense of Ideology?
Heh. I guess it's worth some thought. Who would have thought that liberalism/progressivism isn't so bad? ;-)
Whoops...
Nevada Rethuglicans look to be in a tailspin! Their one possibly legitimate challenger to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid looks like he's about to be indicted for mishandling state college savings funds. And they want to complain about supposed "Democratic corruption"? What about the rot plaguing their own house?
Haha. Give 'em hell, Harry. ;-)
Haha. Give 'em hell, Harry. ;-)
So Much for the "Black v. Gay Divide"
One of the most disingenuous memes from the post-Prop 8 fallout in California is that "African-Americans don't get along with gays and vice-versa". Nothing could be further from the truth... Especially for people who are African-American AND LGBT! Here, take a looksy at this protest in LA's historically black Leimert Park neighborhood last weekend.
See how everyone's getting along? See all those beautiful black & queer people marching for civil rights? Yes, it's for real!
So may be FINALLY stop hearing about this fictitious "black v. gay divide"?! Thanks.
See how everyone's getting along? See all those beautiful black & queer people marching for civil rights? Yes, it's for real!
So may be FINALLY stop hearing about this fictitious "black v. gay divide"?! Thanks.
The Gift of Equality
On Saturday night, I had the chance to go out to the local town square and join some friends in asking for a special gift for the holidays. We weren't asking for anything expensive or extravagant. All we really want is equality.
Yes, that's right. All we want is the gift of equality. This nation has simultaneously experienced a great leap forward in civil rights with the election of Barack Obama as our next President and a major setback in civil rights with the passage of same-sex marriage bans in California, Arizona, and Florida, along with an adoption ban in Arkansas. These last three weeks since the election have been so awkwardly painful not just for LGBT people, but for all people who want equal rights for all.
However, November 4, 2008, isn't the end date of this story of the long struggle for equality. Rather, it's just turned out to be a new beginning. People from all over America, even in "blood red" locales like Orange County, CA, have filled the streets to peacefully ask for equality.
That's what happened at our local vigil on Saturday. While others all around us went out to eat and drink and party, we were out to ask for the holiday gift of equal rights. We had students from the local college along with families from nearby neighborhoods. We had little children ask why their mommies couldn't marry, and we had young couples ask why they couldn't marry. Why can't all loving relationships be equally legally recognized?
Well, there is some good news. The California Supreme Court has agreed to answer that question, and a legal challenge is pending in Florida. Fortunately, we have great allies in court with a strong case to make for the invalidation of Proposition 8, the unconstitutional marriage ban in California. Meanwhile in Florida, civil rights groups are preparing to defend domestic partner benefits against the forces of hatred already using Amendment 2 to take them all away. And better yet, our progressive allies in California are already preparing for a campaign to secure our rights no matter what happens in court.
Still, we can't just expect victory. We must make victory happen! I mean it. We may not be able to argue in front of court, and we may not be able to develop campaign plans for 2010 & 2012. But believe it or not, we can still give each other the gift of equality this holiday season.
How so? We can give each other (or ourselves!) the gift of equality by supporting these organizations working for victory on the legal AND political fronts!
Legal:
ACLU LGBT Fund
Lambda Legal
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Political:
Courage Campaign's Repeal Prop 8 Plan
Equality California
Equality Florida
Equality Arizona
This isn't over, not by a long shot! We won't stop fighting until all people have their rights all over this nation. And really, wouldn't this gift be far more useful than that sporting goods gift card or clunky toaster that never gets used?
So come on, everyone, let's give the gift that all of us can cherish!
Yes, that's right. All we want is the gift of equality. This nation has simultaneously experienced a great leap forward in civil rights with the election of Barack Obama as our next President and a major setback in civil rights with the passage of same-sex marriage bans in California, Arizona, and Florida, along with an adoption ban in Arkansas. These last three weeks since the election have been so awkwardly painful not just for LGBT people, but for all people who want equal rights for all.
However, November 4, 2008, isn't the end date of this story of the long struggle for equality. Rather, it's just turned out to be a new beginning. People from all over America, even in "blood red" locales like Orange County, CA, have filled the streets to peacefully ask for equality.
That's what happened at our local vigil on Saturday. While others all around us went out to eat and drink and party, we were out to ask for the holiday gift of equal rights. We had students from the local college along with families from nearby neighborhoods. We had little children ask why their mommies couldn't marry, and we had young couples ask why they couldn't marry. Why can't all loving relationships be equally legally recognized?
Well, there is some good news. The California Supreme Court has agreed to answer that question, and a legal challenge is pending in Florida. Fortunately, we have great allies in court with a strong case to make for the invalidation of Proposition 8, the unconstitutional marriage ban in California. Meanwhile in Florida, civil rights groups are preparing to defend domestic partner benefits against the forces of hatred already using Amendment 2 to take them all away. And better yet, our progressive allies in California are already preparing for a campaign to secure our rights no matter what happens in court.
Still, we can't just expect victory. We must make victory happen! I mean it. We may not be able to argue in front of court, and we may not be able to develop campaign plans for 2010 & 2012. But believe it or not, we can still give each other the gift of equality this holiday season.
How so? We can give each other (or ourselves!) the gift of equality by supporting these organizations working for victory on the legal AND political fronts!
Legal:
ACLU LGBT Fund
Lambda Legal
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Political:
Courage Campaign's Repeal Prop 8 Plan
Equality California
Equality Florida
Equality Arizona
This isn't over, not by a long shot! We won't stop fighting until all people have their rights all over this nation. And really, wouldn't this gift be far more useful than that sporting goods gift card or clunky toaster that never gets used?
So come on, everyone, let's give the gift that all of us can cherish!
The Feminist in Chief?
Wow. I guess the President-Elect isn't such a "misogynist" after all. Will the PUMA McTrolls ever apologize for lying out of their teeth? I doubt it.
Whatever. Obama's showing his commitment to equality by putting powerful women in real positions of power in the new administration.
Whatever. Obama's showing his commitment to equality by putting powerful women in real positions of power in the new administration.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sweet 50!
Today is my fiftieth birthday. I am off on Tuesday to go to Manhattan to celebrate Thanksgiving with some friends. I'll be back on Saturday.
I am really happy today. Life has been a very rich event for me, and I have every reason to be grateful.
I am really happy today. Life has been a very rich event for me, and I have every reason to be grateful.
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