• KUDOS to Keith Olbermann of MSNBC for continuing to do a decent Edward R. Murrow impression by challenging the dominating paradigm foisted on the public by the Bush administration. On last night’s Countdown, Olbermann took on the recently passed Military Commissions Act of 2006 and the resulting “death of habeas corpus.â€? What was of particular interest in this report was the contrast between Bush’s strenuous push for this amoral legislation and his inexplicable delay in signing off on the bill since it passed some two weeks ago. Perhaps the ever fickle White House is working on yet another signing statement. more…

• KUDOS to Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) for publicly deviating in some fashion from her Republican colleagues on the war in Iraq. Yesterday, she issued a statement in which she expressed concern about the worsening conditions in Iraq and asserted that “there must be no question among the (Bush) administration, the Congress and the Iraqi unity government that staying the course is neither an option nor a plan.â€? True enough, Senator. Now, how about backing up that tough talk with a plan for withdrawal? Time’s a-wasting. Eleven days into the month, and there have already been 40 U.S. fatalities in Iraq! more…

• KUDOS to Myranda Hutchinson, a 7-year-old girl from Ohio who won an 8-pound lobster at a local grocery store and—perhaps inspired by the movie, Free Willy, or simply short of melted butter—chose to free Bubba the crustacean. “Thanks to a bit of chance, someone at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium ‘knowing a guy,’ and Myranda’s parents paying $280 for a plane ride, Bubba scuttled away into the Atlantic Oceanâ€? earlier this week. Way to go, Myranda. Your compassion and generosity of spirit are truly an inspiration. more…

• KUDOS to the American Friends Service Committee and other groups in Massachusetts for their efforts to gather enough signatures to put a resolution on next month’s ballot that “asks voters in all or parts of 139 municipalities whether their state representative should be instructed to vote in favor of a resolution calling on President Bush and Congress to end the war and bring the soldiers home.â€? My current hometown of Easthampton is one of the communities that will offer this important ballot question, which—while non-binding—gives the public “a rare chance to register their opinion on the war in Iraq.â€? Any guesses as to how I will vote? 😉 more…