So Much for Liberal Media Bias

Here's the ad that ABC refused to run during the debates, while still running all sorts of propaganda for Big Coal and Big Oil:

Sierra Club Ready to Expose Big Coal Lies During Debate

From the Sierra Club:

Sign Up for Mobile Coal Alerts During the Presidential Debates
From The Sierra Club

The dirty coal industry is planning to launch a major advertising blitz during the presidential debates. The Sierra Club will be keeping them accountable by monitoring the ads for ‘bogus coal moments’ where they attempt to spread misinformation.

Sign up to receive a mobile alert when a ‘bogus coal moment’ occurs during the debates. The Sierra Club will text you updates throughout the debates.

Text the keyword DIRTY to 69866 from your mobile phone.

If a VP Candidate Lies at a Convention and Everyone Ignores It, Is It Still a Lie?

Those of you who are afflicted by Palinmania, here's what I don't understand... is anyone actually paying any attention to this liar? Or are we leaving her alone because it's not nice to pick on a woman (which is, ironically, the same complaint the GOP was making about media treatment of Hillary Clinton)?

Follow the Oil Money

Why Won't McCain Sign the GI Bill?

Why won't McCain co-sponsor the new GI Bill? Why won't the champion of national defense support those who are doing the defending?

McCain's Spiritual Guide

He's joining up with the biggest poison in our society - racism and ignorance born of racism. Anyone who supports those who use the Bible to sow hatred needs to be rejected outright.

John McCain vs. John McCain

He'll say anything to get elected. And he can't keep up with what he's said before. It's pathetic.

What is this 'Iraq war' charge on my bill?

Do you want to be paying for a war that isn't of any benefit to our country? I sure don't. And I certainly don't want our men and women dying for it!

McCain's YouTube Problem Just Became a Nightmare

And the GOP accused John Kerry of waffling. McCain will say ANYTHING to get elected, even if it's not true and even if he said the opposite before!

John McCain: Reformed Maverick

It's sort of sad, really. I used to like McCain, before he sold out to get the GOP nomination. Now he's just another GOP party apparatchik.

Notre Dame Football Primer 2.0

Learn it. Live it. Love it.

Pledge to Stop Using Bottled Water!

Earlier I posted about how much money you can save by not using bottled water. Now, I'm going to ask you to pledge to not use bottled water! You can do so at the New American Dream website... please join those of us who no longer use bottled water, and use refillable bottles with tap water (which is pretty much the same as bottled water, don't let the marketers fool you!).

Joe Biden - Riding the Rails Daily

I have to admit, though I know the name Joseph Biden, I don't know much about him. And I'm trying to improve on that so I know who my choices are in the upcoming election. But watching this video is almost enough to make me ink him in NOW. He's truly among the people. Take a gander:

This says a couple things to me. First, he's taking a form of transportation that has low impact on the environment, and doing it daily. Second, he's taking a form of transportation that puts him in touch with his constituents (and anyone else who wants to listen) daily. He's concerned both about the environment and about being in touch.

Compare this with the impressions of the public that John McCain has, and his talk about the recession we're in being "psychological."

There's really no contest.

Reasons Not to Drill Offshore

There's been a lot of talk in the news lately about opening up our coastlines to offshore drilling for oil, and it absolutely astounds me that people are actually taking this suggestion seriously. I can think of no reason that this is a good idea, and plenty of reasons that the idea should be kicked to the curb:

1. We need to be moving away from the use of oil, period. It's damaging our very livelihood on this planet, as has been indicated by all the research on global warming and its causes, not to mention health risks associated with oil use.

2. Drilling offshore won't produce any oil for ten years, much like drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It won't do a thing to alleviate the fuel issues we're having now.

3. Allowing drilling offshore WILL increase the hold that Big Oil companies have on our public lands, which opens them up to all sorts of other development. Big Oil has enough of a hold on this country as it is, it's time to start reducing that hold.

4. Big Oil already has 68 million acres of leases that they're not even drilling. If they haven't used all the land they've already been given, there's no point in giving them more. Here's a frightening map of that land.

So do what you can to encourage your representatives and senators to quash any idea of giving up our shorelines. It's only what's right!

Olympics Moments

Despite my intentions, I didn't get to see nearly as much of the Olympics this year as I wanted. This was partially due to just being busy, and partially due to NBC's coverage of the Olympics.

First, my favorite moments of the Olympics, in order (and the things I actually saw):

1. The men's 400 freestyle relay, where Jason Lezak overtook France's Alain Bernard after being a body length behind to win the gold. That was easily the best race ever - in any sport.
   
   
2. The men's 100 butterfly, where Michael Phelps ran down Serbia's Milorad Cavic to win by .01 seconds. That showed just how technical swimming and stroke work can win you a race. And it was inspiring, too.
   
   
3. Jonathon Horton's performance in men's gymnastics. Here's a guy who was suddenly called upon to be his team's leader after the Hamm brothers pulled up lame, and he rose to the occasion admirably, having a wonderful performance and keeping his team's mind on the prize.
   
   
4. Alexander Artemov's pommel horse routine in the men's gymnastics team competition. He took some risks with a high-difficulty routine and nailed it, cementing a medal for the men's team. Beautiful work.
   
   
5. Team USA Men's Volleyball winning the gold medal on the final day. This team, whose leadership in coach Hugh McCutcheon was possibly on the rocks due to the tragedy involving his father-in-law in Beijing, rose to beat the world's best on the way to their gold medal. And watching McCutcheon have to step out of the gymnasium for a moment after being gang-hugged by his assistant coaches, and then step back in fully composed to enjoy the ceremony was moving beyond belief.
   
   
6. Team USA's Lebron James and Kobe Bryant watching Michael Phelps win his final gold medal. A lot is said about how the USA Basketball team is nothing but a group of pampered millionaires playing for some glory. Well, this sight proved that wrong for me. Lebron and Kobe were absolutely jubilant in the crowd watching that historic moment, and it showed me that deep inside, we're all just fans, no matter what the sport. And it also showed me the pride they feel for their country.
   
   
7. To continue: Team USA's gutsy win against Spain in the final. This was an actual team, not just a collection of superstars, with the best coach in the country leading them. And the pride they showed to be wearing USA on their jerseys was palpable.
   
   
8. Usain Bolt's double-take at the camera before one of his races. The guy's a character. I got a bit tired of his posturing after the two wins he had, but loved that.
   

I also watched a lot of handball this time. I love watching the sports I don't normally get to see, and that's obviously one of them. I particularly enjoyed the gold medal match between France and Iceland. I was pulling for Iceland, not because I share the typical American's dislike of France but rather because Iceland hadn't won a gold in a summer games...ever, I think they were saying. Still a great game, and with some fantastic athleticism.

I didn't watch some of the stuff this time that I watched last time - I missed almost all the rowing, unfortunately. I love the whitewater kayaking and saw just a little bit of it. I also didn't see any wrestling or judo, two sports I've never done but have ultimate respect for. I watched some of the cycling, but the coverage was so spotty that it was hard to watch after experiencing the Tour de France.

I saw WAY too much gymnastics, diving, and more shots of divers and gymnasts stretching and standing around than I care to talk about (but will anyway). I understand that NBC is trying to increase viewership and that many of the ladies' demographic watch the Olympics for these sports. But I'd really love to see them pay more attention to the variety of sports than the ones that are their cash cows. At least show highlights of great performances, no matter what the sport! And having the constant shots of Shawn Johnson or Laura Wilkinson waiting around for their turn to compete on an event was so annoying. Show the sports, please, not the stories. Let the stories get created by themselves. That's what journalism and especially sports journalism is about.