Steve Shives
I'm not especially intelligent or eloquent, but I'm honest, independent, and prolific, so I'm bound to stumble across an insight now and then.
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- 2/27/2007
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Working on a bachelor's degreeMotto
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Displaying Results 1 - 114 (of 114) for Yahoo! Voices
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An Atheist's Christmas PoemChristmas without Christ is not only possible; it's beautiful.
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Schmoddy and Gruzzy and the Flatulence in the StreetSchmoddy and Gruzzy, they were a couple of squirrels. Friends for years, those two.
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Barack Obama Releases His Long-form Birth Certificate, and Birthers Don't CareBirthers finally got a look at the piece of evidence they've been planning to ignore all along. -
Attention Donald Trump: It Doesn't Matter Where Obama was BornBirther claims of being born in Kenya, even if true, are irrelevant. The law says Barack Obama is a natural born American '" period. -
The Parable of the Absent FatherHer Father was a great man, her Mother told her. Now he lived Upstairs. The Girl had never met her Father. She was prohibited from visiting the second floor, though it didn't much matter; she had never found a door that might lead up there, anyway.
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Vatican: "We're the Real Victims Here"Faced with the most damning sex abuse allegations to date, the Catholic Church has responded with the sort of humility and contrition we have come to expect from the world's oldest, richest and most powerful religious sect - which is to say, none at all.
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My Name is Steve Shives, and I'm an AtheistGod is a story we tell to make ourselves feel better. It can be a beautiful idea, and a comforting one. And it's one I've never been able to believe. -
America Only Has the Best Healthcare in the World If You Can Afford itIt's time to bring universal healthcare to the United States of America. We can afford it, we desperately need it, and there is not a single morally permissible reason not to do it.
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The Top 5 Superhero Films of the 2000sWriters and artists have been creating mature superhero stories in comics for decades, but not until this decade did studios realize superhero films with brains and depth could not only be made, but be insanely profitable. -
The Ten Best TV Detectives of the 2000sThis almost-over decade of the '00s was a big one for detectives. It saw the detective explore new genre territory and return to old stomping grounds, and it saw a flood of talented actors come to TV to portray a small army of flawed, fascinating heroes. -
The Ten Best Movies of the 2000s: ComedyThe end of the '00s can mean only one thing: everyone and his mother writing and sharing their Ten Best Movies lists. As you can see, I'm no better than they are. -
The Ten Best Movies of the 2000s: DramaWith the end of the '00s only a few days away I, as a writer who sometimes comments on the movies, am legally obligated to assemble a list of the best films of the past ten years. Since I suspect prison just wouldn't agree with me, I will obey. -
Don's Late Letter"I hope you will not be too disappointed to know I am a sailor, not a soldier," he wrote. "There are lots of those in here, too. It doesn't matter what service we are in, really. We are all here for the same reason."
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Let's Honor Our Veterans - by Revoking Their BenefitsOur precious veterans are imprisoned within a socialist government healthcare system! Frankly, it makes me want to vomit. -
Christianity's Black Heart:Nevermind that you never asked Jesus to die for you. Christianity teaches that he did. In order to be a Christian, you must allow his death to stand in for your own. You must allow someone else to be punished for your crimes. -
Want to Pay for National Health Care? Tax the ChurchesObviously I'm saying this because I am openly and stridently antireligious. But that doesn't mean it isn't a good idea, or that I'm not willing to give the churches a fair shake. They deserve the same fair shake afforded charitable organizations. -
The Footprints of ApolloLook at almost any of the countless famous photographs of an Apollo astronaut on the lunar surface. What do you see? No face. No skin color. No sex. No age. Who went to the Moon? We did. -
Vacation Bible School is No Way to Spend a SummerTake the kids to the Smithsonian instead. -
The World's Oldest Bible is Just More Evidence of the ObviousMost Christians don't hear about the history of their holy scriptures at church on Sunday. There's a reason for that. -
The Recommendation to Discharge Dan Choi is Disappointing, but Not SurprisingReforming the bigoted culture of the military may be challenging, and might take awhile, but there's no other choice - not just for a gay American like Dan Choi, but for all of us. -
The Most Important Pro Wrestler Who Ever LivedAsk your average fan who was the most important pro wrestler ever and he'll answer either Ric Flair or Hulk Hogan. But there was someone more important, the key figure in wrestling's transition from a legit sport to the product we see today. -
Support Lt. Dan Choi and Help to End the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" PolicyFiring a soldier as capable and dedicated to the service of his country as Lt. Choi should only be done for a good reason. Bigotry is not a good reason.
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The Fatcats Club: "Organized Outrage""I knew Letterman would cave sooner or later, that spineless lib, that so-called 'comedian,'" Sean Hannity said. "Their side always does," Michael Reagan said. "They have no principles, unlike my father, President Ronald Reagan."
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The Fatcats Club: "Ask and Tell""You locked yourself in the bunker again." Barack leaned forward and clasped his hands between his knees. "Didn't you, Joe?"
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I HAVE Taken the Limbaugh ChallengeI don't disagree with Rush Limbaugh because I've never really heard him,or just haven't taken the time to understand him. I've heard him plenty. I understand him perfectly. That's why I oppose him.
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Andrew Breitbart: Dishonest and DimAndrew Breitbart and others would burn the bridge Barack Obama is beginning guardedly to build. Good luck with that, Andrew.
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The Good RepublicanFortunately, there are Republican voices who see the importance of standing up to Limbaugh - voices like David Frum. He published a sharp critique of Rush in a blog article this past Tuesday - and he's not apologizing.
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Oh, How I've Longed for the Ping of the BatIt turns out how the NCAA switched to aluminum bats is actually an interesting and hilarious story. (Note: As ought to be self-evident very shortly, most of this just is not true at all.) -
Obama Vs. Jindal on the MeritsI didn't watch or hear either Barack's speech or Jindal's, so I'm in a perfect position to evaluate each address on the merits of what was said, not how they said it. -
First Line of My OBAMA Acrostic: O is for Omnibus BillsThere are one or two things from the first month of the Obama administration that I could stand to complain about, namely the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the stimulus bill.
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The Pastor and the Boss"What about 'Paradise By the Dashboard Light'? That's yours." "That's Meat Loaf's," Bruce said. "You might be thinking of 'Blinded By the Light.'" "That one's yours?" Rick asked. "I thought Manfred Mann did that one."
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Santa Ties One On"So what's your name?" Barney asked as he poured. "I haven't seen you in here before." "Kris," said the old man, raising the glass to his lips. "Ahh," Barney said, catching on. "Right. With a K."
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The Fatcats Club: "No, Mr. Obama - I Expect You to Die!"The president held his black Scottish Terrier with both arms. "Ah, gentlemen," he said. "I'm so pleased you could join me." He gestured at the two couches."Please take a seat."
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The Two Paps: A Contrast in Cemeteries; And, the Family Deer HuntI've gotten pretty good at spotting them as I've grown older, but I still can't stand up to the old man when it comes to looking for deer. He can still spot a deer through a quarter-mile of woods from a truck doing fifty miles an hour. -
Holy Moses!Making war on an entire race, burning their cities, murdering their children and taking their young women as sex slaves is all well and good, but even God has to draw the line somewhere.
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Two VoicesTwo acquaintances ran into each other at a bar on the night of Game Two of the 2008 American League Championship Series. Those details are not important. Neither is anything they said, particularly. But such is life.
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Gay Christians Embody the Best of the Philosophy of JesusI wish there was more attention paid to Christians like Mel White, who refuse to abandon their faith to the bigots. -
Babe Ruth, No. 35?The last pro uniform Babe Ruth ever wore was sold at auction at the Louisville Slugger Museum yesterday. It didn't belong to the Red Sox, or the Yankees, or the Braves. It belonged to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
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A Veterans Day Remembrance of the ArmisticeIt was a long war, and a bloody war, and ultimately a vain war. It was called the war to end all wars, yet just twenty years after it officially ended, Adolf Hitler's army invaded Poland. -
The Fatcats Club: "Postbellum"There's a place in New York where they all go when they're in town. Sometimes it can be a rowdy joint; other times it can be a mortuary. The Friday following the election it was the latter.
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HistoryForty years after the murder of Martin Luther King Jr., and within the lifetimes of many who remember when the color of one's skin determined where they could eat, drink, or use the bathroom, the U.S elected Barack Obama its next president.
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My Learned and Well Considered Pre-Election Day Advice to YouJust a few suggestions on how to vote this year, from someone with no relevant expertise whom you never asked in the first place.
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Incredible Dentists that Defy Intelligent DesignDr. Jobe Martin stumbled quite accidentally on a shocking truth: the theory of evolution is totally wrong and, as it turns out, the creation account in the Book of Genesis is 100% literally true. Did I mention Dr. Jobe Martin is a dentist? -
John McCain: "Sarah Palin is a Pig!"Barack Obama didn't call Sarah Palin a pig. He's got too much class to ever do that. I, however, am not running for any office, and am just not that classy of a guy when you get right down to it, so I will call her a pig all day long.
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The Fatcats Club: "The Wool and Copper Desk Set"George slapped the table. "Then that settles it. We get America a wool and copper desk set to mark our seventh 9/11 anniversary. Josh, you take care of that for me. Get a nice one, don't be stingy."
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What the "Drill Now" Advocates Forget to MentionSure, the petroleum in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge is "ours" in the sense that it is beneath American soil, but what the "Drill Here" crowd fails to grasp is that the petroleum extracted from the ground by the oil companies will not belong to them. -
Ten Reforms that Would Improve American Government ImmediatelySomeone should speak out - however faintly - in favor of some changes that would benefit the people more than the parties and compel the government to work for the people instead of itself. -
Gay Equality Won't Be Won by Gays AloneWhere are the straight men and women standing alongside gays and lesbians fighting for their rights?
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The Fatcats Club: "Caution: You're About to Enter a No-Shame Zone""Oh, and I wanted to ask you," the sound tech said as Bill started to walk away, "could you get me Shepard Smith's autograph?" Bill froze. Slowly, slowly he turned to face the sound tech. "Shepard? Autograph?"
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"Stop in Less Often, Bill"The toilet flushed. Bill ran the faucet, but not long enough to have actually washed his hands, and walked back out into the living room. He noticed the beer still sitting on the counter. "Better put that on ice else it'll get warm."
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The Perfect(ish) ReligionIf I were an unprincipled, opportunistic con artist who wished to found a religion in order to increase my personal wealth and influence (the only honest motive for such an operation), what religion would I found? -
What Would Jesus Teach?Sierra thought a bit about what I had said. "Then does that mean God didn't make everything?"
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Mary on Top of the MountainAn earnest young woman named Mary climbed to the top of the highest mountain and called out to God. -
Jesus Could Be a DickCrack open a Bible and you'll discover that the Jesus presented in the gospels is a much bigger asshole than Willem Dafoe played him as. -
Conversation with the CatAt this she leapt up on the desk and examined the monitor. "¿Es pornografía?" "No," I said with a chuckle. This cat.
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Film Review: Expelled: No Intelligence AllowedOne of my fears going in was that it would be little more than a retread of the arguments I'm already all too familiar with. Instead, Expelled pulls off the impressive trick of arguing in favor of intelligent design, without discussing what it is, or what it says. -
How it Probably HappenedGod's friend narrowed his eyes. "And . . . what would be the advantage of creating a universe?" "I don't really know," said God. "Something to do. And eventually it'll be full of all sorts of fascinating things, like galaxies and stars and baseball."
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And for You Homeschool Types Who Aren't Religious Nutcases . .My previous article stated that the majority of homeschoolers are fundamentalist Christian. That isn't the case. Most of the replies I've received have been from homeschool parents who aren't fundamentalists and are teaching their kids evolution. To them I say thank you. -
Homeschoolers Who Don't Learn Science Shouldn't Receive a DiplomaThere are many, many things I find dubious about the practice of parents homeschooling their children. Most disturbing is the virulent strain of religious fundamentalism. The area of study most affected by this is science.
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God's First (and Last) Pre-Flood Inspection"It's so big that it sprang leaks on all sides as soon as we put it in the water. Now it's been in the water so long that the wood is starting to warp." Noah turned back to God. "I really don't see how this is going to work."
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John McCain: Still Cursin' like a MarineRepublicans of America, please, I beseech you: vote for this man.
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An Open Letter to New HampshireThis isn't directed at all of you. I'm talking just to the 39% who cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton. You know who you are, and you have a lot of explaining to do. -
Alan Keyes is Not Making Sense, but He is Running for PresidentIf America is as conservative as conservative pundits are always saying, why no love for Alan Keyes? -
Ron Paul: Not Just a Nutjob - a Poorly Informed NutjobIf you're into questioning the bravery of Medal of Honor winners over what books they read, and character assassination of Abe Lincoln, Ron Paul might be the candidate for you! -
Deaf by DesignShould deaf parents have the right to use genetic screening to select deafness for their children?
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The Case for Christ-Free ChristmasWhen I'm with my family during Christmastime, we sing no hymns, we say no prayers, and Jesus, most assuredly, is not among our reasons for the season. -
The Conspiracy Theorist Self-TestPeople who interrupt Bill Maher tapings are easy to spot, but what about those who are still predominantly sane, but find themselves drawn to the ideas of groups like 9/11 Truth? There must be some way to check yourself before you go charging off the deep end. -
Ahmadinejad Denied More Than the Holocaust This TimeHaving read Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks both at Columbia and the U.N., I think he was shown all the deference he deserved. -
The American Free Press: Water-Boy for Anti-Semites and Loony Conspiracy TheoristsWhen a fringe conspiracy theorist cites a newspaper article to support his contention that George W. Bush planned 9/11 to help the Jews steal Iraq's oil, say, chances are that article was published in the American Free Press. -
Where I was September 11, 2001I was nowhere important, and I have no harrowing story of loss or survival. But I remember where I was, what I was doing, and how I felt.
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Six Years On, 9/11 Still WrenchesPut the politics aside for a moment and remember the people.
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The Worst Films Ever Made, No. 3: Loose ChangeFilm School 101: How Not to Make a Documentary -
Why Labor Day is a CrockSure, a day to honor the working people of the United States sounds like a lovely idea, but that's not what Labor Day is really all about, is it?
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John Taylor Bowles: Nazi for PresidentThink the current crop of candidates sucks? They'll all look like Lincoln next to this guy. -
A Belated Apology to Michael MedvedMichael Medved: radio host, film critic, Republican, and - surprisingly, to many of us who hadn't taken the time to listen to his show before forming an opinion on him - one of the good guys. -
A Few Considered Words on Barry BondsNow that Bonds has broken the record, what does it mean and what does he deserve? -
The Worst Films Ever Made, No. 2: Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the ClonesCertainly I wasn't expecting anything great, or even good, but . . . Yoda had a lightsaber fight, for Christ's sake! -
The Fatcats Club: "Out for Lunch"There's a little park not far from the Fox News studios in New York City where some of them go to relax from time to time during the week . . .
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Stop in Less Often, BillSome people just don't know when to leave.
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The Proud Life and Sad Death of RikidozanChris Benoit wasn't the first wrestler to meet a sad and violent end, not by a long shot. -
The Fatcats Club: "Out for Lunch"There's a park in New York City not far from the Fox News studios where they call go to relax sometimes during the week . . .
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An Occasion for FireworksWhat Americans are really celebrating on July 4th. -
Why Supporting Same-Sex Marriage is the Only Moral ChoiceArguments against gay marriage don't hold water. Giving gay unions the same recognition as straight ones is the only right thing to do.
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The New Creation Museum: A $25,000,000 Monument to StupidityKen Ham's state-of-the-art new facility looks heavy on mythology and light on truth. -
Spelling Bee Protesters Should Spend Less Time Protesting and More Time Learning to Spell!Simplified spelling is not the solution to illiteracy. -
What Makes True Wisdom?In the dissonance, whose voices deserve a listen?
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The Pastor Had No Clothes: Jerry Falwell's Hypocritical LegacyGod and Christians alike deserved a better spokesman than Jerry Falwell.
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The Key to Biblical ProphecyMany Christians earnestly believe that the Bible is revealing the future to them, a future that is near and which they will see in their lifetimes. But it isn't.
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Talking Computers to Replace Reading and Writing by 2050?William Crossman thinks talking computers should completely replace written language. William Crossman is insane.
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Religion Doesn't Excuse IgnoranceTeach Muslim students that the Holocaust happened - because it did.
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Government Conspiracy: Wherein the Author Disparages a Number of Notable Conspiracy TheoriesMy biggest problem with most conspiracy theories is that they aren't even close to being true.
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Virginia Tech Tragedy: Teaches Us What We Already KnowThe lessons aren't easy, and they aren't new, either.
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Happy Tax SeasonEveryone hates income taxes, but do we even have to pay them? -
Black Leadership: Trumped-Up Imus Outrage Exposes the Poverty of Black LeadershipAfrican Americans deserve a better spokesman than Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson.
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Imus and Rosie: Give Them a Break AlreadySilencing dissonant voices helps no one.
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Film Review: Superman ReturnsOverlooked in theaters and largely misunderstood, but destined to become a classic. -
God Vs. Global WarmingThere's a deeper motive for reasonable people to oppose conservation.
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Worst Films Ever Made, No. 1: The Batman FilmsFrom Batman to Batman Begins, and not a decent flick in the bunch. -
Speak No Ill of the Dying?What's so wrong with saying Tony Snow had it coming?
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Free Speech Doesn't Have to Be Pretty"It's not just freedom for the thought you love; it's freedom for the thought you hate the most" --Larry Flynt
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WrestleMania Matches that Kick My AssA full-nelson slam down memory lane.
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How Much Civil Liberty is Enough for a Child Molester?Does the right to privacy of a convicted sex offender trump the right of a parent to know who's living in their child's neighborhood? In a free society, the difficult answer is yes.
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Iraq: Can't Win, Can't Break Even, Can't QuitAfter four years, what are our options?
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Archie Bunker Will Teach You the Socratic MethodIf Archie and Meathead could eventually reach an understanding, what excuse do the rest of us have? -
Gays Deserve Better: Reactions to General Pace Prove Cowardice Abounds in Both PartiesGays deserve better and so does everyone else. -
Gay Rights Are Civil RightsThe question is not, "Do people choose to be gay?" but "Do we choose to live in a truly free society?"
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An Absence of Guts: The Secret to Success in Presidential PoliticsWhat happened to the old John McCain?
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Gas Prices Are Driven by GreedRefinery maintenance and crude prices aren't the only reasons fuel costs so much.
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The Meaningless Death of Captain AmericaDoes the recent death of Marvel Comics' star spangled crusader signify the death of the American way?
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Bull Testicles and Bare Breasts: The Anatomy of ObscenityA recently introduced bill in the Maryland House of Delegates would ban obscene displays of human and animal anatomy, but is this sort of thing the government's job? -
Ann Coulter's CPAC Speech: Where is the Republican Outrage?The limp reaction of Republican presidential front-runners to Coulter's "faggot" slur is inexcusable.
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Walter Reed is the Symptom, Not the DiseaseMembers of the military have been mistreated by their government before this latest scandal.
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An Open Letter to Barack ObamaIs this guy for real? If he is, can he stay that way? -
"The Fatcats Club""There is a place in New York where they all hang out - Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Coulter, Ingraham, Liddy when he's in town. They have their regular table where they all sit, right in the middle of the room, where they can see everybody and everybody can see them."