Note the delegate who is being carried out by DNC security and police officers keeps on smoking his cigarette the whole time he is being carried out. My prediction — if there are any floor fights in Denver this year, you won’t see anyone smoking a cigarette.

Video: DNC security punch Dan Rather in stomach

Will Denver’s 2008 Democratic Convention turn into a slug-fest if Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama aren’t able to settle their differences?

Video: Hillary Clinton plans to fight it out on the convention floor

Post from: Christopher Hedges

Will 2008 Be A 1968 Repeat?

A video by photojournalists who were embedded with Staff Sgt. Chad Caldwell’s unit shows them recalling their time with him in Mosul, Iraq. Other included videos show segments featuring SSG Caldwell serving his nation along with others in his unit.

SSG Chad Caldwell was killed April 30 in Mosul, Iraq — just a few weeks before he was scheduled to come home.

My prayers are with his family.

Video: Photojournalists remember Staff Sgt. Chad Caldwell who was killed in Mosul, Iraq in April.

Video: Under Fire In Mosul

Video: Soliders carry lucky charms in Iraq

Post from: Christopher Hedges

Remembering SSG Chad Caldwell

Video: What John McCain would do as president

Post from: Christopher Hedges

John McCain Says What He’ll Do

Post from: Christopher Hedges

At Least It Isn’t dot Biz

Post from: Christopher Hedges

Is It Really Like This In The Coal Mines?

Reports Chuck Squatriglia for Wired in “Radical Cyclists Take To LA Freeways To Say Bikes Are Better“:

For the second time in two months, a bunch of Los Angeles bike advocates calling themselves Crimanimalz took to one of the busiest freeways in the world to make the case that, when your freeways are gridlocked, bikes are better.

About 30 cyclists rode onto the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) at the height of Friday’s rush-hour commute and went east to the San Diego Freeway (I-405), where they rode north to the Santa Monica Boulevard exit, moving easily through traffic. In all, they rode more than two miles.

“There’s thousands of cars and you’re just flying by,” said one of the group, called RichToTheIE, by phone on Wednesday. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

I’m planning to ride my bike to work to get into better shape and to save on some energy expenses, but I don’t think I’m planning on trying to take I-65 or I-80 / I-94 anytime soon! I’m actually going to ride a little out of my way to avoid traffic — it might take a little longer and a few more miles, but it will make the bike ride more enjoyable.

I’m also not planning to get all radicalized in support of bike riding. Biking will just be a utilitarian exercise to improve my health, burn off some stress, save some E85, and get a better sense of the surrounding area that one can’t get while zooming by at 45MPH.

If you watch the video below showing Crimanimalz take over the LA Freeway, make sure to keep an eye out for the guy on the bike that made of three or four stacked bike frames rolling in between cars stuck in the traffic jam. I’d be afraid of tipping over and falling off of an overpass if I was riding a bike that extended 10+ feet into the air.

Video: Radical Biker Crimanimalz take over LA Freeway May 9

Post from: Christopher Hedges

Radical Bikers Take Over Freeway

Without getting into the politics of the situation, there is something fun about polar bears. I wonder if it is because of the Coke commercials that play during Christmas time showing polar bears enjoying a soft drink while playing in the snow?

I remember seeing a documentary about a town in Canada where polar bears roam freely. While polar bears are beautiful creatures, one must always remember that they are dangerous animals, as well. The town had bars over every window and an alert system to let people know if polar bears were getting ready to over run the village in search of food.

The video clips that come with the news stories announcing the addition of polar bears to the endangered species list show the majesty of the polar bears. There’s something that we always appreciate in animals that are powerful, yet also beautiful.

Video: Polar Bears to be added to endangered species list

Video: Polar bears’ habitat is melting

Post from: Christopher Hedges

Save The Polar Bears

Now the competition really begins — will David Cook win? Or, will the next American Idol be David Archuleta?

Video: Syesha Mercado is out but it’s guaranteed that a David will be the next American Idol

Post from: Christopher Hedges

Syesha Mercado Is Out

AltFuelPrices.com needs you to report alternative fuel prices.

Looking for a way to keep track of alternative fuel prices in the area and across the nation?  Want to help others find the lowest prices for E85 and other alternatives to regular unleaded?  Don’t want to drive out to the local filling station and wonder if another nearby outlet has a better price on alternative fuels?

Altfuelprices.com lets users of E85 and other alternative fuels — such as LPG, hydrogen and CNG — report prices in their area as a service to users of alternative and flex fuel vehicles.

If you drive by an E85 or other alternative fuel outlet, take a moment to note the price and report it to the forum so that you can help others find the lowest prices for alternative fuels.

Writes the creator of AltFuelPrices:

AltFuelPrices.com was originally started as CNGPrices.com when I purchased a CNG powered vehicle. There were plenty of sites out there that would tell you how much it costs to buy gas at different gas staions, but that information was lacking for alternative fuel stations, including my new CNG car. With the quickly increasing popularity of alternative fuel cars and trucks, and with a recent purchase of my own Honda Civic GX, I wanted to know CNG prices near me. So I whipped up this site to do just that. Hopefully it will also be a good resource to others who have or are looking to purchase an alternative vehicle.

Post from: Christopher Hedges

Nationwide E85 / Alt Fuel Reporting

Here’s the announcement letter that was sent out to Indiana Republican Committee members (via Hoosier Access):

May 11, 2008

State Committee Members,

With the primary election behind us, I wanted to write to you regarding the upcoming 2008 Indiana Republican State Convention where we will nominate our candidates for Lt. Governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction and Attorney General.

I once again look forward to running and continue serving with our Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. Becky is a trusted and valued partner in our administration. She has done as much as any Hoosier to put Indiana back on track. It is simply not possible to believe we would have accomplished as much as we have these last three and a half years without Becky as our legislative quarterback.

As you know Dr. Suellen Reed has chosen not to seek re-election as Superintendent of Public Instruction. Dr. Reed has lived out a lifelong commitment to the future of Indiana’s children. She’s a special person with a huge heart for kids and although her role is changing, I know she will continue to have a profound impact on the lives of Indiana’s future leaders.

We are fortunate to have an excellent candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction in Dr. Tony Bennett, who has served the students and families of Indiana for two decades as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. Tony, with a strong background in curriculum, instruction, and strategic planning, has a record of success in improving the performance of school districts. I am convinced his enthusiasm, record of accomplishment, and commitment to taxpayers will make him an excellent partner at the State House.

We also have two outstanding men running for Attorney General. I have known both Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and Greg Zoeller for years. I like and admire them both very much.

I have heard from a large number of party and civic leaders making the point that three-quarters of our 2008 ticket should not come from one geographical area, and I find I must agree. Fairness, balance, and political common sense all argue for supporting Mayor Jon Costas. I ask you to join me in doing so.

Mayor Costas is a proven vote-getter and progressive leader of one of the best cities in our state. He’s gained a reputation as a results-oriented problem solver whose city has been recognized for its efficiency and sound fiscal management. Jon is an accomplished attorney with nineteen years of private practice experience.

As the party of purpose in Indiana, we must do all we can to ensure that every corner of our state is involved in shaping and leading our comeback. It has always been our approach to reach out to every part of Indiana. I look forward to seeing all of you on June 2nd at the convention.

Very Sincerely, Mitch

Post from: Christopher Hedges

Mitch’s Endorsement of Costas Big NWI News