Okay, you got me.  It took you four freakin' months, for cripes' sakes, but you got me.  You finally figured out that it was me, from a farm in Nuevo Leon, and my cousin, Jalapeno, from a farm in Tamaulipas, that were the source of an outbreak of Salmonella across the US that led to a panic with all kinds of unintended consequences, including an unwarranted fear of my good friend Tomato.

Let me say upfront that I deeply regret any pain, suffering or angst that may have resulted from this unfortunate incident.

I have been as aggravated and outspoken as anyone over the remarks made by Geraldine Ferraro and the division and outrage they have spawned.  I deeply regret the overdone focus on race and gender as opposed to what we might be able to do TOGETHER to begin to heal this country and move it forward again.  Follow me to the jump for an idea that just might free us from the ditch.

The post below comes to me from my Sister, who has worked on a volunteer basis for the Obama Campaign in New Hampshire and Ohio.  This was written by a friend of hers, and embodies the feelings, conflict, and, ultimately, resolution for many women in New Hampshire and beyond.  I post it here for your consideration without further comment......

I have no idea whether Barack Obama plays poker, or even likes cards, but last night, in a masterful performance here in Phoenix, he flashed that million-dollar smile and laid down four aces.  I believe he is now on his way to victory in Arizona.

We were in the venerable (that means old) Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, original home of the Phoenix Suns.  With Super Bowl preparations nearing a fever-pitch, it was amazing that any venue could be secured.  So basketball player Obama used the hall, in front of nearly 15,000 fans, to "posterize" both Clinton and McCain w/a thunderous slam dunk!!!  Fast Break w/me to the jump to check out the score....

A poll just a week ago (Cronkite/Ch. 8) showed Barack Obama down 20 points in this state (Arizona) to Hillary Clinton.  After all, Bill won this state in 1996, back when he was on the Bridge to Tomorrow (as opposed to the Bridge to Yesteryear he has now mounted).  Latino 'Leaders' Rep. Ed Pastor and County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox had endorsed Hillary, and Latinos (they comprise some 30% of the State's population) seemed not to have much reason to board the Obama Bandwagon.  Then things began to change here.  Follow me to the jump to see what happened....

The Repuglicans' traditional cries for Fiscal Responsibility are in shreds every bit as much as their shouts for 'Family Values'.  Their over-the-top hypocrisy on both fronts is manifest, out there for all to see.

At the same time, as we prepare to right the ship, desperate needs for investment (infrastructure, education, and health care leap to mind) are in front of us.  

Here is a modest, and, I think, obvious proposal that may provide hope and simultaneously highlight the rampant profiteering in Iraq and elsewhere.  If I've tickled your curiosity, follow me to the jump.

An interesting idea popped up this morning on the front page of the Arizona Republic (azcentral.com)  Mayor Phil Gordon (yeah, he's up for re-election, but the African-American votes in Phoenix are not large in number) went to NOLA yesterday, met w/Mayor Ray Nagin, and is proposing direct city-to-city assistance.

Join me on the jump to see if you think this idea makes sense.

If you tuned in, as I did, hoping that Colin Powell, following a long silence, would finally stand up on his hind legs and decry the deceptive manner by which we were led into Iraq, or condemn its totally-bungled execution, you would be disappointed.  He, after all, had been marginalized by what his Chief of Staff, Lawrence Wilkerson, had called the "Cabal" led by Cheney and Rumsfeld, as they trumpeted cherry-picked intelligence and rushed us into this fiasco.  

They yanked him out of mothballs only to serve as the front man for the UN presentation, trading on the credibility and respect he enjoyed both here and throughout the world to present their sadly and fatally-flawed case for conflict.  He didn't even criticize George Tenet, he of the self-serving tome.  

While we Kossacks are daily enmeshed in the insidious tentacles of BushCo's Moonie-like and unrelenting pursuit of power and profit, with a generous side dish of wall-to-wall corruption, both economic and political, how to frame and explain for the average American voter???

I mean, let's face it, they're really good at this whole black-and-white, smear-till-you-drop, brief slogan thing!  The total lack of conscience is a big help for them.  

Anyone who has read the "14 Characteristics of Fascism" understands what a perfect fit the Nazi/Fascist comparison is, but they have somewhat co-opted and devalued that thru such idiotic minions as O'Lielly and Glenn Beck.  

In an excellent piece in this morning's Arizona Republic, reporters Dennis Wagner and Billy House expose what may be the (or a) real motive behind the recent wholesale dismissal of US Attorneys around the country.  

The article focuses on until-recently Phoenix US Attorney Paul Charlton, who apparently took significant umbrage at the DOJ assertion that he and his colleagues were let go due to "performance" issues. Bristling at this characterization, Charlton asserted yesterday that he left office in January for 'principled reasons, not performance issues". He said there had been "policy disputes" w/DOJ higher-ups, in his first public comments since leaving office.

Yesterday I shared here in comments some vivid memories of one of America's great unsung heroes, Rev. Leon Howard Sullivan.  I had the great honor and privilege of working for "Doc", as he was affectionately known, here in Phoenix, where he spent considerable time and where he and his family ultimately retired before his passing a few years back.  

Some very vivid recollections came back to me strongly last summer as I visited the South African Embassy in DC for a reception as part of Sister Cities International's Annual Convention.  Please join me for more on the jump.

There has been much consternation in the last few days on the impact of the "Barack Boomlet" on the Democratic side in the contest for the 2008 Presidential nomination.  

While there's little doubt the effect is significant, it may do much more to decimate the Repugs' chances of fielding a candidate who can be successful.  Follow me over the jump to see if you agree.

Well, folks, no big surprise, but the Bushies and their collaborators in the MSM look to be spinning furiously to control the coverage of the Katrina Anniversary tomorrow.  

From both Timmeh and Nora, there is breathless talk of the fraud and scams.  Are they talking about the $15 billion or more swept up by such as Fluor and Bechtel in no-bid or low-bid contracts for work for which they have little or no experience?  Are they pointing to the billions in wasted and virtually-useless trailers?  The money going first to big business, casinos, high-end citizens snuck in by Haley Barbour's waiver of income guidelines???  Of course not!!!

Follow me to the jump to see what they're up to....

We've had the wind at our back a bit lately, and that never hurts.  With Montana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Missouri all leaning our way or within the margin of error, the attention during the last week has been on the tremendous progress realized in both Virginia and Tennessee.  With significant help from their opponents, both Jim Webb and Harold Ford, Jr. have real momentum now, and are looking like genuinely-strong contenders for those critical seats.  

But this is certainly no time to rest on whatever laurels we might have.  In fact, I think it's time to up the ante, and really apply the pressure to the Repugs!!!  For my why and how, join me across the jump!

Toward the end of last week, half of America reacted in panic to the news of the purported Air Bomb Plot emanating from London.  Officials in London and on this side of the Pond scrambled frantically to react retroactively and ham-handedly (again!!) to the latest scare.

In the midst of all this consternation, however, one individual calmly put forth a simple idea with lots of benefits.  

Follow me to the jump to find out more...

The heavens of justice opened briefly today as it was announced that "four no-bid contracts awarded by FEMA to house Katrina evacuees have ballooned in value from $400 million to about $3.4 billion, prompting renewed scrutiny from Congress and federal auditors about the disaster agency's management of the aftermath of the storm."

It's about time somebody got after this massive corruption in the face of so much suffering!  

Check out the article at azcentral.com

Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has unleashed a vicious and telling swipe at the President of his own party.  

Romney, a potential '08 Presidential candidate, recently regained the spotlight as, with approval of Mass.' Democratic legislature, he took over full control of the investigation, inspection and repairs vis-a-vis Boston's Big Dig.  Join me over the jump for the smack-down!

It would have been a signal event at any time, this unlikely road trip of Mayors from both Israel and Palestine, traveling, speaking, and 'hanging' together, all clearly committed to their joint endeavor.  The fact that it took place against a backdrop of rockets and carnage at home made their calm determination all the more remarkable.  Follow me to the jump for a little hope...