After dark

Human bees.

Human beings are naturally hierarchical and they like arranging themselves into hierarchies of skill, age, wealth, competence, experience, whatever. We can deny it if we want, but we all know that when the chips are down and the anarchists have formed the anarchists' association, the first thing they do is elect a governing committee.

Anarchists crack me up.

As an NC State fan, I'm morally obligated to cheer against John Calipari.

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There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracks. They fear the future, mistrust the present, and invoke the security of the comfortable past which, in fact, never existed. - Robert F. Kennedy

A teenage friend of mine writes:

I just found out I have 5 cavities that rack up the bill to $1,200. as you know, I do not have that kind of money laying around, and they refuse payments due to my small income. so, I was wondering if anyone knew if you could just walk into canada and go to a dentist and get it done for free? I will be living near canada when I move and want to try it. but I don't know how it works.

Followed by a comment from another teenage friend:

god i hate this cheapass country

There you have it.

Didn't get the job, but heard it was close. Either way, I met some great people at the Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation and the North Carolina Coalition for a Moratorium.

I hope that all of the anti-death penalty folks here will check them out and support them in any way you can.

Their passion and dedication is like nothing I have ever seen before. Experiencing their work first-hand is something I will never forget.

I've just finished this novel...it just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Highly recommended.

Elizabeth Edwards has joined the Center for American Progress. She will be focusing on bringing Universal Health Care to every American, in addition to doing what she does best: telling the truth.

The Fix

"Keep the Faith"

Under the Dome now has it. I've waited for this. I have openly asked for her to back away but didn't expect an apology. This is really big. I don't ask that a candidate match my views perfectly. I know it isn't completely in the Governor's hands, but this gives me some hope that we might be able to elect a governor who would lead on this issue.

As taxes come due on April 15th, the National Priorities Project offers its annual report on how the federal government spent 2007 income tax dollars: over 40 percent went towards military spending, while education received just over 4 percent.

In Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?, NPP provides a breakdown of how the federal government spent the median household's 2007 tax payment in each state and almost 200 cities.

With the current Administration's priorities to fund a half a trillion dollar war in Iraq and a yearly military budget of the same amount, the breakdown of the income tax dollar is as predictable as it is shocking. While the federal government spent 42.2 percent of every 2007 income tax dollar towards military spending, anti-poverty programs received 8.7 percent and funding for the environment, energy and science received just 2.6 percent. You can contrast this breakdown with the cost of the Iraq War to your state, city or congressional district.

As NPP spokesperson Greg Speeter noted, "Every elected official owes their taxpaying constituents an accounting for spending their tax dollars on war and excessive weapon systems while people struggle to hold onto their jobs and their homes."

NPP's latest tax day publication also looks ahead at the Bush Administration's proposed federal spending and tax cuts for Fiscal Year 2009. Under the President's proposal, the Iraq War would receive another $139 billion in Iraq War spending, bringing the total allocated to the war to $745 billion. Also under the President's proposal, tax cuts for the richest 10 percent would cost $116.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2009. At the same time, spending on renewable energy and conservation would receive $1.3 billion.

Voters have made clear in the latest polls that they are not happy with the country's current direction. With a quick look at how the government spent last year's income tax dollars, it's easy to see why.

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