Alaska instant runoff votingOn Tuesday, Alaska voters decide whether to use instant runoff voting (IRV).  If it passes, and it looks like it could, Alaska will be the first state to go to IRV.  This could be big, and lead to other…

U.S. should not act alone against Iraq, James Baker  Former Secretary of State, James Baker said Sunday the political and economic cost of ousting Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein could be great if the United States acts alone and urged the…

Good point… Terrorist Caught In U.S.. A “terrorist” cell has been captured by police in Flordia – but it’s not what you think. Will this “enemy combatant” see time in jail, without a lawyer? Unlikely. [kuro5hin.org] This “terrorist” apparently wanted…

Drugs, thugs, and banks Afghan heroin crop nears record levels Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is close to record levels a year after being nearly wiped out under the hard-line Taliban regime, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “It is…

California state quarter design contest Help the State of California choose a design for the California state quarter. The Governor’s website has full information on the contest and lots of really boring ideas.  Birds, surfers, Yosemite – yawn.  How uninspired. California…

McDonalds introduces… the McAfrica burger! In a stunning display of bad taste and stupidity, McDonalds introduced a McAfrica burger in Norway and immediately got hosed down by infuriated food relief organizations.  Considering that millions are starving in Africa, the relief…

Death penalty countries – bad company indeed Countries with death penalties are run by despots or have heavy influence from religious fundamentalists. This country included.  Secular democracies generally do not have death penalties. With few exceptions, the nations that have abolished…

China ready to adopt Kyoto climate change treaty China said on Thursday it is close to approving the Kyoto climate pact, a move that would give the protocol the backing of one of the world’s top polluters and further isolate…