The behavior exhibited by the Islamic people demanding the execution of the teacher who named a teddy bear "Muhammad" should send chills down the spines of people around the world. (click here to read article)

If this behavior is not seen as fanatical, what behavior would cross the line?

The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, was found guilty of "insulting religion" and is now in the eye of a fire storm.

Imagine if Christians demanded the execution of people who insulted Christ or Christianity. Perhaps if the teddy bear had been placed in a jar of urine and put on exhibit at a major museum with the label "Piss Muhammad" well then maybe one might understand the upset.

Wait- when Christians expressed anger towards the "Piss Christ" photograph, that won an award in a visual arts competition supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, they were labeled zealots and chastised for wanting to limit free speech.

But of course there is no Freedom of Speech in Sudan-unless the purpose of the speech is to denounce Christians, the United States or to demand the execution of a 50 year old woman who left a life of comfort in England to try to help some poor Muslim children get an education.

We should all be afraid. Very, very afraid.

There is nothing funny about an exhibit at the NY public library showing photographs of President Bush and several prominent figures in his administration manipulated to simulate mug shots. (click here for NY Daily News article)

Libraries don't seem to be places in which artists should look to make political statements. For the curator to assert that this exhibit is a "relevant example" of political commentary merely raises a concern about the judgement of the curator.

While public libraries exist for many reasons, political commentary wouldn't seem to be one of their primary responsibilities. Most communities, especially those in the New York area, have museums and galleries ready and able to offer talented artists forums to display quality work.

This is most likely a central reason why the display ended up in the library- the quality of the works probably couldn't meet the standards required by either galleries or museums.

I am waiting to hear about the next exhibit showing real mug shots of liberals. I am guessing it will be awhile...

Much to the dismay of leftists in America, Venezuelans have risen to protest the efforts of President Hugo Chavez to declare himself permanent Grand Puba of Venezuela. (click here for AP report)

Of course, Chavez asserts his referendum to eliminate term limits serves to give a stronger voice to the people...

His referendum to increase the power of the President is also only in the best interests of the citizens who need him to protect them from themselves...

Thankfully, there are brave people in Venezuela willing to stand up, risking their lives and their freedom, to protect their country. Hopefully, they will succeed in stopping Chavez from becoming another dictator in the image of Castro.

Update- The teacher who let 7 year old students name a teddy bear Muhammad will be jailed for 15 days in a prison in Sudan but the court has taken pity on her and decided not to whip her. Oh, she gets credit for time served- only 10 days to go... (click here for Fox News report)

How much time in prison do the murderers in Darfur face? (click here for info on Darfur)

Really unbelievable...

Remember when Democratic Presidential candidates refused to participate in a Fox News sponsored debate because they feared Brit Hume might be rough on them...

Thankfully, Republican candidates don't exhibit the same cowardice: they agreed to attend a CNN debate, held last night and moderated by the not so moderate Anderson Cooper.

As details about the debate, cosponsored by YouTube, emerge we should all be a little saddened by the failure of CNN to actually manage it's debate.

Remember: this is a debate amongst Republican candidates who are each attempting to convince Republican primary voters that he will best represent the Republican Party in the general election next November. A logical conclusion: questions should come from concerned Republican voters trying to gather information they need to make decisions going into the primary season.

CNN knew better: Democratic questioners would better steer the debate towards Democratic issues...

As Michell Malkin has now pointed out (click here to read article) several of the questioners were closeted (at least last night) Democrats. When a former Brigadier General uses his title to influence perception of him, he shouldn't be so cowardly as to hide his affiliation with Hillary Clinton. Likewise the Log Cabin Republican hid his support of Obama. The list seems to go on and on.

Anderson Cooper would like, I think, to be taken seriously. His efforts last night did not serve him well.

Next fall, when each party has a nominee for President, I hope the debates citizens see will challenge the participants with questions from a broad spectrum of likely voters. If CNN runs the show, this outcome is clearly not likely.

One would hope that the Sudanese government would be focusing on serious matters like genocide in Darfur...

No, the real problem in the Sudan is a Teddy Bear named Muhammad by a group of elementary school students. (click here to read about teacher) (click here for AP story)How a teacher could allow such blasphemy! Are these people kidding? No. The poor teacher who allowed the naming of the bear, a 54 year old British woman, languishes in jail, awaiting her fate. Her possible punishment includes up to 40 lashes, up to 6 months in prison and a fine. Her charge: Inciting Religious hatred.

The Muslim extremists demanding she be punished have done more to incite disgust about Islam than anything this teacher could have done with her innocent teddy bear.

Good Muslim people around the world should take a stand and denounce the jailing of this woman, who clearly did not intend to offend anyone. When any religion takes such extreme action, followers should not be shocked at the response of non-believers. If this isn't an incredible example of the need for a separation between church and state...

Some interesting notes: The school involved is a private, English language school founded by Christians. 90% of the school's students are Muslim.

Perhaps Christian groups should reevaluate their support of private schools that would accept their money but then teach students that those groups represent Satan. This situation should be a wake-up call to Christians around the world. Islam does not support efforts to educate Muslim students about Christianity or Western culture in general unless the lessons are anti-Christian or anti- western lifestyles.

The secular multiculturalism embraced by the left promotes tolerance and acceptance of Islam. Where is the tolerance in Islam. Surely this woman has not experienced it.

Her case has now gone before a court in Sudan. Here's hoping reason prevails...

The youth in regions of France are rioting again... (click here for Fox report) To date, more than 100 police officers have been injured by these young people. Buildings have been destroyed and cars burned. People who attempt to justify this behavior with any sort of excuse or condone this sort of behavior can not be trusted to offer guidance that will lead to actual solutions.

Is it their youth that has led to the rioting? Is there something more happening in France? Could religion again be playing a role in the violent, destructive acts of these "youth" across these "poor" neighborhoods? It seems there is at least a possibility that the real issue relates to religious tension. Many of these youth are in fact Muslim youth who are acting out against non-Muslim authority. There are reports that at least some of the youth are encouraged by elders in their community.

The article linked to above includes the statement: "Youths, many of them Arab and black children of immigrants, again appeared to be lashing out at police and other targets seen to represent a French establishment they feel has left them behind."

Comment/ Question: Has the French establishment left them behind or have they refused to become a part of a culture that has existed for centuries prior to their immigration to the country? Maybe these youth need to accept the culture into which they have moved and make an effort to join in.

When immigrants believe they do not have to assimilate into the culture of the country they have chosen to join and also believe that the majority culture should instead accommodate them, there will inevitably be conflict. The United States faces a similar problem with many immigrants, particularly those from Central and South America. A government can not force immigrants to integrate into local communities but it can create policies that steer people towards appropriate behavior.

The French government is behind the curve again. (Click here for article.) NOW WHAT ARE THE FRENCH TO DO?

In addition to developing public policy that encourages immigrants to begin to take an active role in building their community, candor will be required. If France is ever to solve the problems of rioting in these neighborhoods the government will have to begin to aggressively prosecute all youth involved in the riots. The rioters have helped create their own plight. The French will also need to expressly identify the role of fundamentalist Islamic ideology in the breakdown of these communities.

The people in these neighborhoods must accept their responsibility for their circumstances. Members of the communities must condemn the violence and demand the restoration of order. People must turn in the members of their community who engaged in activity that harmed individuals or property. Those who have burned the libraries would have been far better off reading books.

When Sarkozy meets with ministers from the areas awash in violence (click here for Reuters story) he should stick to his positions expressed during the campaign- these youth are thugs.

Musharraf stepping down as the leader of the Pakistani military opens a door- it just isn't clear where the door leads. (click her for NY Times article)

Musharraf has been a clear ally in his efforts to beat back terrorist groups in Pakistan. His actions in recent weeks seemed to arise as desperate attempts to protect Pakistan from a growing influence of terrorist groups within Pakistan. While his intentions may have been noble the consequences may be great. As Musharraf attempts to maintain control as the civilian leader of a country teetering on the edge of turmoil he, our government and the people of Pakistan must carefully navigate the waters in which his opposition swim.

Those opposed to Musharraf's rule may make his efforts to maintain any semblance of stability difficult. The return of Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister, may pose a threat to peace in Pakistan and the Middle East. Sharif hopes to convince Benazir Bhutto to join him in challenging Musharraf's rule. (click here to read Hindustan Times) Sharif has begun reaching out to Bhutto, hoping to forge an alliance against Musharref. Hopefully Bhutto will look skeptically at Sharif's gestures of congeniality. Sharif would surely use Bhutto to undermine Musharraf but one would be insane to believe that he has any real long term interest in working with Bhutto, who claims to support democratic reforms.

The world should fear any sort of Sharif victory- he supported Shariah law and has strong ties to fundamentalist Islam. And this is the man who brought nuclear weapons to Pakistan.

The U.S. relationship with Pakistan has remained critical in the war on terror. Over the next several months Pakistan will struggle to choose its path. We must hope that the people of Pakistan reject fundamentalism and continue to support leaders who want to work with the U.S. to fight terrorism. At this point that should rule out Sharif.

Romney's speech at a medical school in Iowa yesterday provided an opportunity for voters to better understand his positions on health care policy. (click here for AP story)

Some highlights:

• Caps on non-economic and punitive medical malpractice awards seems a good place to start
• Creation of health courts to ensure judges have knowledge about medical liability
• State implemented sanctions against attorneys or individuals who repeatedly file frivolous malpractice claims

Romney correctly points out the need for a health care system that promotes individual responsibility through the use of free market principles.

During his speech, he outlined a plan to insure all Americans within four years of implementation. (click here to read plan)

As the Republican and Democratic races heats up, people need to look at policy proposals not respond to sound bites. Health care spending will cripple our economy if we, the people, do not begin to take a more active role in the reformation of the system.

As Democrats push Hillarycare, or any other government managed system, we must all accept the truth that all government plans will lead to rationing by the government. Do we really want the government controlling access to health care?

Free market principles can save our system but the ship must be turned quickly. Romney's plan is a great example of possible reform.

Thanks to the anti-strib blog (Anti-Strib: Let’s Test Your Logic) for the comments on the growing numbers of STDs in the U.S., particularly amongst women aged 15-24. The post is correct- sex is dangerous and we should be warning kids of the dangers and telling them to wait.

In the mean time, women (and men) should pay attention to the CDC Report on trends in sexually transmitted diseases. (Click here to read)

While the country has recently discovered schools in Portland, Maine have been distributing birth control to students in middle school, this practice has been in place around the country for years. In MN, there is no minimum age at which children can access birth control through public clinics, often run in collaboration with the schools.

A growing number of girls are getting Depo shots in junior and senior high. While no one knows what sort of impact these massive doses of hormones might have on these young women in the long run, a short term consequence is the reality that girls will be pressured by the young man )or sadly young men) in their lives to get the shot to avoid pregnancy. Once the girls are on the shot these same young men are even less likely to wear a condom. A result- more STDs.

Another thing to think about- up to 20% of these young women who acquire an STD could end up infertile because of scarring by the infection. I am sure the schools are explaining this and other risks to the kids in school...

Unbelievable discussion about how to deal with teachers and education.

The idea that the solution to our growing failure in the public schools is MORE public schooling is so far off base I don't know where to begin. The last thing we should do is have government run preschool for all children. While the teachers' unions would love to ensure more of their dues paying members have access to jobs, kids need parents.

For the kids who are already in daycare or preschool programs paid for by responsible parents, expanding the public school program simply shifts the responsibility of payment from the parents to the tax base. For the kids who are sitting at home with a parent who isn't parenting, the school becomes the de facto parent and a free babysitter for an irresponsible parent.

While teachers are important and should have the proven ability to teach a content-based curriculum, teachers are NOT the key to education- PARENTS are the key to education. Teachers may be able to save a very small percentage of kids who sadly have derelict parents but the majority of kids who are failing in our schools are doing so because they have parents who are neglecting their children's education.

Until we honestly talk about failing parents we will NEVER solve the problem of failing schools. Attentive parents need to have the option to move their children to better schools, which are often characterized by attentive, involved parents. Again, the key to every child's ultimate success at school, or at home.

The Citizen's Council on Health Care sponsored a great forum today- excellent speakers offered common sense solutions to begin moving our health care towards a patient-centered free market system.

Speakers included:

Sue Blevins of the Institute for Health Freedom

Richard Dolinar, M.D. of the Heartland Institute

David Gratzer, M.D. of the Manhattan Institute

MN State Representative Tom Emmer

Gratzer has a book available at Amazon: The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care (Click here for info on The Cure).

Highlights included discussion of the failings of the Canadian health care system- manifested in wait lists of 6 months to two years for even basic procedures like MRIs. The result of single payer systems: rationing. In response to the poor quality of care available through the government system, private systems are beginning to pop up in Canada.

It seems a little ironic that as politicians like HRod and Edwards are touting single payer government run health care programs, citizens of countries who have had to live with a single payer system are beginning to move towards privatization.

The participants also discussed the need to move from an employer-based system to one in which individuals purchase their own insurance in the same manner individuals purchase home, and car insurance. This transition may be one of the most important changes required to save the American health care system.

Clearly our health care system is plagued by a growing number of problems. United Statesians need to begin aggressively pursuing real health care reform that embraces a free market approach to care delivery. We must work quickly to stop any further progression towards expanding government programs.

While we must not allow people with severe disabilities to fall through large cracks in a private system, we should not force all people to accept a lower quality of health care to ensure that a system exists for a small percentage of people.

Thanks to The Citizens' Council on Health Care for sponsoring such a great event.

Kudos to the members of Congress who are proposing legislation targeting illegal immigrants. There may not be a lot of easy solutions but there are things the federal government can do to begin to eat away at this problem

Representative Peter King of New York is proposing a bill to prevent states from issuing driver's licenses. (Click here for info on bill.) While Spitzer has withdrawn his proposal in spite of support from Hillary Clinton (click here for article on Clinton support) there will be more to come in the future. A driver's license can open the curtain to the voting booth. We must protect the voting booth from fraudulent voting. Go Congressman King!

Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee has worked on behalf of small business to protect an employer's right to demand workers speak English. (Click to read.) She is now going to propose a bill to allow local law enforcement to detain illegal aliens. Her recent efforts to help defend our country against illegal aliens deserve recognition!

To see report cards on Congressional members' records on illegal immigration click here.

66% of NYU students would sell their votes in exchange for tuition to college. (Click here for article.) Can someone give them iPods if they promise not to vote? Why would anyone want people with such shallow views to influence our political system? Their parents must be so proud of them...

I don't want to be saddled with the government people like this deserve.

At some point will American consumers begin to question why so many toys are still being made in China? As if the lead in the toys hasn't been bad enough, now our kids' toys might be coated with a chemical that breaks down into the date rape drug! (Click here for article.)

How is it possible that a toy destined for young children ends up containing a chemical that permanently harms or kills children who ingest it? Kids mouth toys and kids often chew on their toys. Do Chinese children behave differently than American kids? My kids loved the Aqua Dots but they will not have them again. Thankfully, my toddler didn't ingest the small beads...

Are we to believe these seemingly continuous incidents of toxins in toys are accidental? At what point does this negligence become criminal?

Enough is enough already. The United States government must do all it can to hold manufacturers accountable for the quality or lack of quality, of the toys they create.

Judicial Watch has filed a couple of important lawsuits recently. (Click here for JW site.)

First, JW is attempting to prevent NY Governor Spitzer from giving illegal aliens driver licenses. Spitzer's plan will no doubt lead to increased voter fraud as illegals have easier access to the polls with a driver's license. The solution to the problems with illegal aliens is not to make it easier for these people to violate our laws. The solution is to make life harder for them.

Spitzer's desire to allow "all New Yorkers the opportunity to apply for driver's licenses without regard to immigration status" is an insult to those people who have followed our laws and are either in this country legally or patiently waiting for permission to enter our country.

Spitzer's plan is dangerous and all Americans should be concerned about this effort to assist illegals in their ongoing efforts to avoid accountability for their actions.

Second, JW has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration demanding the release of archived records related to First Lady HRod's National Task Force on Health Care reform. There are millions of pages of documents JW has been unable to access, despite HRod's claims they are all available.

Why would the Clintons delay the release of these records? Hopefully, Judicial Watch will find out...

Things are getting more desperate in Pakistan- not a good thing when a destabilized country is in possession of nuclear weapons...

Rice and Bush need to continue to "encourage" Musharraf to return to civilian rule but it is likely that Musharraf is concerned that free elections won't be free and there is a real risk of takeover by Islamic extremists. His allegation that activist judges, who have determined that Musharraf must step down as President when his current term expires, are undermining his efforts to fight the terrorists who seek increased control in the country are spurring him on.

This very complicated situation has international implications. (See Washington post article.)

How do we know who we can trust in Pakistan? The press reports that attorneys are being arrested. Do we know if these attorneys seek freedom and democracy or support rule by fundamentalists? I hope the human rights activists really do seek more freedom for the people and are not people who seek to further Islamic rule in Pakistan.

How do the people in Pakistan know who they can trust?

We should all hope the situation doesn't deteriorate further and that Musharraf works with people like Benazir Bhutto to ensure the survival of a free and democratic Pakistan.

The situation in Pakistan continues to deteriorate and Pakistani President Musharraf's actions seem to be accelerating the crisis. The current state of emergency, the suspension of the Constitution and the power grab taken to secure his position are not building confidence in the Pakistani population.

As Musharraf's minions arrest attorneys, interfere with news coverage and threaten to maintain the state of emergency until the government decides it is no longer necessary, unrest continues to grow. (click here to read)

Benazir Bhutto provides a troubling commentary on the events of the last few weeks available at CNN.com (Click here to read) She will increasingly become the voice of a desperate population, especially if Musharraf continues down the path he is on tonight.

Musharraf claims that an activist Supreme Court has forced him to take his extreme actions. His actions are stifling to freedom in Pakistan and damaging the image of Pakistan throughout the world.

Here's hoping Musharraf begins moving his country back towards freedom and democratic processes before the country spirals completely out of control, as a destabilized Pakistan creates increased instability in the Middle East.