For the past week we've all been trying to decide how to characterize Major Nidal Malik Hasan. Some want to paint him as a loner who's just generally upset at the world.  Others want to portray him as a military psychiatrist gone bad, unable to deal with the countless war stories he's heard.

From MSNBC. Dede Scozzafava speaks out (tears and all) in this Washington Post article about what she experienced in her campaign for NY-23.

Dick Armey and his organization FreedomWorks, have helped to launch a website called Don't Kill Grandma.  Armey has been a very busy man these last few months, stirring the far right into a foaming-at-the mouth frenzy.

I know it's been a full year since the election of our first African American President but I still get goose bumps when I think about that night.

As most of you know, a former Marine turned diplomat resigned in protest over the war in Afghanistan. No matter what your views on this war, I think we can all respect this man for having the integrity to make this very difficult decision.

Last week, the administration cut executive pay at the seven largest TARP companies.  You can argue that this move is just symbolic and does nothing to address the need for more regulation, but most seem to agree that this was nevertheless a good idea.

When President Obama was in NOLA, a nine year old boy asked why so many people hated him.  This insightful op-ed piece from the LSU Daily Reveille discusses the question and answer.  When I read things like this from the younger generation, I know that we will be leaving the future of our nation in capable hands.  Kudos to Matthew Albright, the young author.

Another chilly day in Buffalo, so I have warm chicken soup on my mind...

I just arrived back from my amazing week-end in Washington, DC and I can't wipe the smile from my face nor the excitement from my heartbeat.

Unless hell freezes over, no more than 1 or 2 Republican Senators or members of the House will vote for health care reform.  Thankfully, that hasn't stopped a growing list of governors, former members of congress and other Republican officials from giving support to this Democratic Party-led effort.