Book Review - 'The Hebrew Republic,' by Bernard Avishai - Review - NYTimes.com

This sounds to me to be an approach that might yet bring peace to this troubled corner of the Mediterranean. Let's all give it some serious consideration whether we be Israelis and/or Jews or all others.

Op-Ed Columnist - Gail Collins - Unity Is Crowded - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com

I'm a no-erosion type OBAMA supporter. At least I don't want to see his stands on issues about which I care a lot changed a great deal. Are there some issues where I would like him to change his views? Sure. But I think Gail COLLINS, as she so often does, has gotten the chock on the line in this column. I hope OBAMA is listening and soon draws that line and steps very rarely beyond it in reshaping his "message".

Sud de France

This is the site for a region of France in the far south. They are trying to promote all of their agricultural products under a mark - Sud de France (South of France).

Does North Carolina do the same? Do we see many products of North Carolina that carry a North Carolina label?

New Role for Lara Logan, CBS Correspondent Critical of War Coverage - NYTimes.com

Sea of Trash - Pollution in the World's Oceans - NYTimes.com

Il est urgent de sauver les sols - Rendez-vous - Le Monde.fr

"Charte de la diversité : entreprises et collectivités s’engagent à Nice" - WebTime Media

"The New Progressive Book Club Is Geared to Liberals" - NYTimes.com

What a great opportunity this presents for localizing this to places like Chapel Hill. It could all be organized on the book club's website, which may already be its plan.

"Produits Casino - Aide culinaire - 4 muffins blancs"

Which US supermarkets provide this type of information about their products?

"Would-be voters support Irish veto of EU treaty" - The Associated Press

"Critics and News Executives Split Over Sexism in Clinton Coverage" - NYTimes.com

Some people really enjoy taking on the media. Give them any issue, and they will blame the "big", usually, media for it or for the way it turned out.

In the rough and tumble of political discourse, some people will say things that they really mean and regret saying them later in order not to offend. Others will say things they did not mean, but inadvertently saidnonetheless. There are many permutations of that; the point is that we as a country accept this and value it.

For those who prefer highly balanced and sterilized "media" "coverage" where all reporting and commentary is run through dozens of rinse cycles before it is presented, you are welcome to that world. I prefer the one that lets reporters and commentators say what's on their minds and allow them or others to change or correct the impression or the facts.

This campaign is very important. Let's not burden it with someone's irritation over an imperfect world. Get on with life, instead.

"Administration Strategy for Detention Now in Disarray" - washingtonpost.com

Beyond this decision is the even more important division it demonstrates between John McCAIN and Barack OBAMA. Neither candidate is perfect, of course, but I think we can count on OBAMA to fight for the rights of all people, as demonstrated here, and for John McCAIN to advocate the interersts of a select group, also as shown here. In picking the next justice to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, I fervently hope it will be someone much closer to OBAMA's thinking than to McCAIN's.

"American Exception - Out of Step With Allies, U.S. Defends Freedom to Offend" - NYTimes.com

Ways to Design Gas Savings into U.S. Roads : NPR

McDonald's Holds the Tomatoes, Fearing Salmonella : NPR

"Uncertainty as Tribune Prepares to Retrench" - NYTimes.com

"For New Journalists, All Bets, but Not Mikes, Are Off" - NYTimes.com

"Irish voters likely to sink EU treaty, poll shows" - The Guardian

It's astounding that this vote has not gotten more coverage in the US, of all places. I speak as an Irishman in saying so.

"Paper Or Pricey Plastic?" - NYTimes.com

Higher prices do have their benefits. One could add to that headline "...or Bring Your Own", the best solution.