Is the torch relay a shining symbol of the purity of the Olympics worthy of our respect, or is it merely a shameless political tool that deserves to attract protests? This report by an Australian journalist puts it into perspective and describes the event in San Francisco. It is worth reading the source for its Aussie rhetorical style alone, but in case the link is transient I will paste the most pertinent part ... Read this and 9 comments.

The way that the rest of the world views Americans has been debated on several of our blogs. The most supported view seems to be that we have always been hated and no amount of generosity in sending aid to those who need it, or expensive forces to restore law and order in failed states, seems to be changing ... Read this and 13 comments.

I clicked on one of the advertising links on Omninerd and was taken to a bogus con site that I trust is an insult to the intelligence of ... Read this and 14 comments.

Conspiracy theorists see free trade agreements as a diabolical plot to take their liberty. What an American classic this YouTube post ... Read this and 19 comments.

The ability of America to fight a war is dependent upon the money supply to fund it. Here is a (possibly simplistic) analysis from a non ... Read this and 69 comments.

Our ancestors fought to free us from the domination of Great Britain. They were very brave to take on a superpower like that, and they succeeded, achieving our constitution and bringing democracy and freedom to the ... Read this and 26 comments.

All the Christian sects, but particularly the American fundamentalist, evangelical, protestants, make a big thing about Christ being our personal savior. Ignoring the problem of how it could be personal as well as covering all mankind forever, I would like to ask them all about what I think is the most basic problem for any person trying to come to grips with ... Read this and 239 comments.