Friday, July 3, 2009

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MOUNTAIN OF DEBT: Rising debt may be next crisis Top
WASHINGTON — The Founding Fathers left one legacy not celebrated on Independence Day but which affects us all. It's the national debt. The country first got into debt to help pay for the Revolutionary War. Growing ever since, the debt stands today at a staggering $11.5 trillion _ equivalent to over $37,000 for each and every American. And it's expanding by over $1 trillion a year. The mountain of debt easily could become the next full-fledged economic crisis without firm action from Washington, economists of all stripes warn. "Unless we demonstrate a strong commitment to fiscal sustainability in the longer term, we will have neither financial stability nor healthy economic growth," Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently told Congress. Higher taxes, or reduced federal benefits and services _ or a combination of both _ may be the inevitable consequences. The debt is complicating efforts by President Barack Obama and Congress to cope with the worst recession in decades as stimulus and bailout spending combine with lower tax revenues to widen the gap. Interest payments on the debt alone cost $452 billion last year _ the largest federal spending category after Medicare-Medicaid, Social Security and defense. It's quickly crowding out all other government spending. And the Treasury is finding it harder to find new lenders. The United States went into the red the first time in 1790 when it assumed $75 million in the war debts of the Continental Congress. Alexander Hamilton, the first treasury secretary, said, "A national debt, if not excessive, will be to us a national blessing." Some blessing. Since then, the nation has only been free of debt once, in 1834-1835. The national debt has expanded during times of war and usually contracted in times of peace, while staying on a generally upward trajectory. Over the past several decades, it has climbed sharply _ except for a respite from 1998 to 2000, when there were annual budget surpluses, reflecting in large part what turned out to be an overheated economy. The debt soared with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and economic stimulus spending under President George W. Bush and now Obama. The odometer-style "debt clock" near Times Square _ put in place in 1989 when the debt was a mere $2.7 trillion _ ran out of numbers and had to be shut down when the debt surged past $10 trillion in 2008. The clock has since been refurbished so higher numbers fit. There are several debt clocks on Web sites maintained by public interest groups that let you watch hundreds, thousands, millions zip by in a matter of seconds. The debt gap is "something that keeps me awake at night," Obama says. He pledged to cut the budget "deficit" roughly in half by the end of his first term. But "deficit" just means the difference between government receipts and spending in a single budget year. This year's deficit is now estimated at about $1.85 trillion. Deficits don't reflect holdover indebtedness from previous years. Some spending items _ such as emergency appropriations bills and receipts in the Social Security program _ aren't included, either, although they are part of the national debt. The national debt is a broader, and more telling, way to look at the government's balance sheets than glancing at deficits. According to the Treasury Department, which updates the number "to the penny" every few days, the national debt was $11,518,472,742,288 on Wednesday. The overall debt is now slightly over 80 percent of the annual output of the entire U.S. economy, as measured by the gross domestic product. By historical standards, it's not proportionately as high as during World War II, when it briefly rose to 120 percent of GDP. But it's still a huge liability. Also, the United States is not the only nation struggling under a huge national debt. Among major countries, Japan, Italy, India, France, Germany and Canada have comparable debts as percentages of their GDPs. Where does the government borrow all this money from? The debt is largely financed by the sale of Treasury bonds and bills. Even today, amid global economic turmoil, those still are seen as one of the world's safest investments. That's one of the rare upsides of U.S. government borrowing. Treasury securities are suitable for individual investors and popular with other countries, especially China, Japan and the Persian Gulf oil exporters, the three top foreign holders of U.S. debt. But as the U.S. spends trillions to stabilize the recession-wracked economy, helping to force down the value of the dollar, the securities become less attractive as investments. Some major foreign lenders are already paring back on their purchases of U.S. bonds and other securities. And if major holders of U.S. debt were to flee, it would send shock waves through the global economy _ and sharply force up U.S. interest rates. As time goes by, demographics suggest things will get worse before they get better, even after the recession ends, as more baby boomers retire and begin collecting Social Security and Medicare benefits. While the president remains personally popular, polls show there is rising public concern over his handling of the economy and the government's mushrooming debt _ and what it might mean for future generations. If things can't be turned around, including establishing a more efficient health care system, "We are on an utterly unsustainable fiscal course," said the White House budget director, Peter Orszag. Some budget-restraint activists claim even the debt understates the nation's true liabilities. The Peter G. Peterson Foundation, established by a former commerce secretary and investment banker, argues that the $11.4 trillion debt figures does not take into account roughly $45 trillion in unlisted liabilities and unfunded retirement and health care commitments. That would put the nation's full obligations at $56 trillion, or roughly $184,000 per American, according to this calculation. ___ On the Net: Treasury Department "to the penny" national debt breakdown: http://tinyurl.com/yrxrsh Peter G. Peterson Foundation independent assessment of the national debt: http://www.pgpf.org/ "Deficits do Matter" debt clock: http://tinyurl.com/l6mvjb More on Economy
 
Paul Rieckhoff: Coming Home from War is No 4th of July Picnic Top
I'll never forget my Independence Day at war. On July 4, 2003, I was in Baghdad, preparing to return home with my infantry platoon after six months fighting Saddam's Army and an insurgency that was just beginning to exact its toll on coalition forces. On that day, however, my expectations were thwarted, as my men and I were notified that our combat tour would be extended indefinitely. So instead of enjoying fireworks stateside, my unit watched AK tracer trails zip across the sky, walked patrols instead of parades, and ate MREs instead of hot dogs. Many Americans will never see the inside of a Humvee on the Fourth of July. Instead, they will enjoy three-day weekends capped by barbecues, block parties, and roman candles. I'm extremely proud to be an American, but real patriotism is more than just picnics. And anyone who has served in any war will tell you that. Ironically, for veterans, the Fourth of July can be a difficult holiday to celebrate. With every uniform that marches by in parades, we remember our friends that did not make it home. The sounds of fireworks remind us of incoming mortar rounds. And as large crowds gather to celebrate America's birthday, we sometimes find ourselves scanning the masses for potential danger. But the impact of war isn't limited to July 4th. In case you haven't been tracking the figures, our military is in crisis-mode, trying to fend off a silent killer among its ranks. Almost 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are suffering from mental health injuries like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and less than half are receiving the help they need. Left untreated, the ramifications are clear: divorce, substance abuse, unemployment, and suicide. Already, we've lost as many soldiers to suicide this year as to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. This frightening trend has triggered military stand-downs, and finally gotten the attention of the media. The alarm has been sounded. But our troops are still waiting on real action from Washington. And families of servicemembers like Specialist Joshua Omvig from Gillette, Wyoming--who suffered in silence until combat stress led him to take his own life--are left wondering what could have been. The military must take immediate steps to reduce unnecessary stress on the force, and our nation's lawmakers must also take an active role. For months, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been petitioning lawmakers on Capitol Hill to include a provision in the Pentagon's annual defense bill that would provide mandatory mental health screenings by licensed mental health professionals to all servicemembers. These screenings would go a long way towards reducing the stigma associated with mental health injuries, and identifying those that need care the most. In just a few weeks, Congress will recess for the summer, and before they do, they must have ensured that every returning veteran gets the care they deserve. Six years ago today, my men and I held the hand of a fledgling democracy as it struggled for its own independence. This week, I watched as U.S. troops pulled back from towns and cities in Iraq as Iraqis celebrated their own "National Sovereignty Day." For Americans, this means that more troops will be coming home, and for that, we should be thankful. But we must be ready to welcome them. Parades and applause are nice, but real support comes in the form of robust mental health care for our returning troops. As we celebrate the birth of our great nation, it's time to appropriately honor those who have stood on the front lines of freedom and sacrificed in the name of liberty. Every second Congress wastes, more lives are on the line. Crossposted at IAVA.org . More on Afghanistan
 
Evan Handler: Palin Resigns to Accept Post as Lunatic Laureate Top
I'll try to be brief. People should do whatever they choose. Get married, get divorced. Run for office, resign from office. Volunteer to clean up a highway, run screaming naked down the street. Have your fun, baby, and don't let no one keep you from it. What people should not do is have their fun, all the while insisting they're doing it for someone else's benefit. Deep within her rambling and disjointed "announcement" this morning, Sarah Palin stated that she's not going to seek reelection as Governor of Alaska. Then, she went on to say she'll be leaving office before her term is up because serving out the term she was elected to serve wouldn't be best for the people who voted her in . In other words, I'm leaving you - but only because it's the best thing I can do for you . It's easy to criticize, I know. But today I feel qualified. Because this is the identical excuse I gave to every girlfriend I broke up with in my twenties and thirties. I don't think many of them fell for it back then. I know they've all wised up since. The question on my mind today is, how many of Sarah's millions of admirers will feel flattered by her most recent selfless and beneficent decision? You can fool all of the people some of the time. And you can fool some of the people all of the time. And you can fool some of the people all of the time. And you can fool some of the people all of the time... EvanHandler.com More on Sarah Palin
 
South Carolina Serial Killer Has Residents Terrified, Holed Up Their Homes Top
GAFFNEY, S.C. — Terrified residents canceled Fourth of July plans and holed up in their homes Friday as investigators hunted a serial killer believed to have shot four people to death. Tanya Phillips had been looking forward to a backyard barbecue at her brother's house but instead planned to stay home with her doors locked. "I'm not taking any chances," said Phillips, 32, a mother of two who works in a day-care center. "I'll go out during the day, but not at night. I just don't feel safe." Plenty of evidence links the killings, though officials have not yet determined how the victims are connected or if they knew whoever shot them, said Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton. "Yes, we have a serial killer," he said at a news conference in this rural community 50 miles south of Charlotte, N.C. So far, all investigators have to go on is a sketch of a suspect and a description of a possible getaway vehicle, though police would not say who provided that information. The latest victims were found in their family's small furniture and appliance shop near downtown Gaffney around closing time Thursday. Stephen Tyler, 45, was killed, and his 15-year-old daughter was shot and seriously injured. Tyler's wife, his older daughter and an employee found them in Tyler Home Center, County Coroner Dennis Fowler said. A day earlier and about seven miles away, family members found the bodies of 83-year-old Hazel Linder and her 50-year-old daughter, Gena Linder Parker, bound and shot in Linder's home. Blanton would not say if Tyler and his daughter were also bound. The killing spree began last Saturday about 10 miles from Tyler Home Center, where peach farmer Kline Cash, 63, was found shot in his living room. Blanton said the killer may have first spoken with Cash's wife about buying hay. She left and came home a few hours later to find her husband's body. Investigators said it appears he was robbed, but they have not determined if anything was taken in the other killings. Cherokee County, home to about 54,000 people, had just six homicides in all of 2008, and half that the year before. Residents have "their guard up and their gun handy," said state Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, who recalled the area being terrorized once before, in the 1960s, by a serial killer dubbed the Gaffney Strangler. Otherwise, Gaffney is most famous for a giant water tank shaped like a peach that can be seen from Interstate 85. "There is no greater fear than the fear of the unknown and nobody knows. You can cut the tension with a knife," Peeler said. "People are locking their doors, even in broad daylight." The Fourth of July is a busy weekend, with thousands of people expected to attend fireworks displays in several communities. "You want to live a normal life," Phillips said as she stood outside a grocery store. "But you just can't." Every available police officer will work the weekend, Blanton said, acknowledging that there is "real fear in the county." He urged people to take precautions such as going out in groups and calling 911 if their cars break down and they are stuck on the side of the road. "If someone breaks into my house, I'm armed and ready," said Mike Daniels, 53, a retired Army sergeant. "And I won't hesitate to shoot first and ask questions later." Hazel Smith, 47, said neighbors feel vulnerable. "If he killed once, he'll kill again," she said sitting on the front porch with her friends. "Tonight, I'm going to stay inside and pray, pray a little harder that he gets caught." The latest shootings happened less than a half-mile from the sheriff's office, where at least 30 investigators were already working on the case. Blanton said a profiler has suggested Tyler and his daughter might have been shot to taunt investigators, but he said his only concern is solving the case. "We had a 15-year-old girl shot; he killed an 83-year-old woman," Blanton said. "The good people of this community don't deserve that." The sheriff reminded people they have a right to protect themselves and advised salesmen and others to avoid knocking on strangers' doors with so many on heightened alert. "People are going to start shooting at shadows," Blanton said. ___ Associated Press Writers Jim Davenport and Jeffrey Collins contributed to this report from Columbia.
 
Sarah Palin "Out Of Politics, Period" (VIDEO) Top
Reporters are beginning to piece together an explanation for Sarah Palin's abrupt resignation announcement that stands in stark contrast to the reasoning Palin offered in her speech. Speaking on MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell reported that, according to "people very close to Sarah Palin," she has "told her supporters that she is out of politics, period. She is fed up with politics. She doesn't like her life. She feels that she needs to raise her family. She's sick of the commute from Wasilla to the capital. And she really does not want to run for higher office, that this is not a case where she is stepping down in order to clear the way for a presidential run. In fact, she has told some of her biggest backers in the national Republican Party that they are free to choose other candidates for 2012, which of course opens new avenues for Mitt Romney, for Tim Pawlenty, for other potential candidates who are definitely in the running." Here's video: Meanwhile, Alaska-based reporter-blogger Shannyn Moore is hearing potentially more damaging revelations are to come. "For weeks the rumors of a criminal investigation against the governor have been brewing," she writes. She spoke of the rumors with MSNBC's David Shuster, saying the talk of a criminal probe into Palin has been circulating for six to eight weeks, and that today's press conference seemed to be Palin's effort at "damage control for news to come out later." Moore also noted that it made little sense for Palin to resign now to prepare for a presidential run, especially considering she continued on as governor during the 2008 presidential campaign unlike Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who both turned over power to their Lieutenant Governors when they were running for national office. Writing for the Daily Beast, Max Blumenthal pinpointed a burgeoning story that may be the source of the rumblings in Alaska: Many political observers in Alaska are fixated on rumors that federal investigators have been seizing paperwork from SBS in recent months, searching for evidence that Palin and her husband Todd steered lucrative contracts to the well-connected company in exchange for gifts like the construction of their home on pristine Lake Lucille in 2002. The home was built just two months before Palin began campaigning for governor, a job which would have provided her enhanced power to grant building contracts in the wide open state. More on Sarah Palin
 
Neil Zevnik: Appreciating Cilantro: Redeeming Parsley's Bad-Boy Cousin Top
A version of this post appears in my "Eat Smart" column in the July issue of Better Nutrition Magazine . Mention the word "cilantro" in any social gathering and you're likely to get one of two responses: a rapturous "Love it!", or an exhalation sounding very much like "ptui!". The fresh form of the annual herb Coriandrum sativum is truly one of those "love it or hate it" foodstuffs that invoke an extreme of passion. Those who rave about it will cite its distinct fresh herbaceousness and unique flavor; those who disparage it will demean its "soapy" aftertaste and overwhelming pungency. I discovered there is even a website called "Ihatecilantro.com"! I confess, I am a member of the cilantro lovers brigade -- I'll pile heaps of the leaves on my nachos, stir a handful into a pasta, and make a pesto of them for grilled salmon. But no matter which camp you fall into, it cannot be denied that there are definite health benefits to be had from cilantro that can be useful to us all. THEN Basically there are two components to the plant, causing it to be both herb and spice: the fresh leaves and stems -- known variously as cilantro, Chinese parsley, or Mexican parsley -- and the dried seeds, known as coriander or coriander seed. Its use is recorded as far back as 5000 BC, which makes it one of the oldest known spices. The Egyptians cultivated it, and associated it with immortality - coriander seeds were found in the tomb of that most famous of Pharaohs, King Tut; the Romans used it to preserve meats, and the Greeks used it in perfumes. It is even mentioned in the Bible, to describe the shape of the manna that fell from the heavens. Folk medicine over the centuries in various countries has utilized coriander for a variety of maladies. In Iran, it was employed as a treatment for anxiety and insomnia; in India, an infusion of it was used as a diuretic; and holistic medicine in several cultures found it useful for curbing flatulence -- always a desirable benefit... NOW Modern medicine has identified a number of beneficial qualities in coriander that help place it high on the list of healing spices. Studies have shown coriander to be helpful in controlling blood sugar, cholesterol, and free radical production, by stimulating the production of insulin, reducing damaged fats in cell membranes, and increasing HDL levels. It appears that the volatile oils in the cilantro leaves, which are rich in phytonutrients, may have antimicrobial properties as well. But perhaps the most intriguing and unique property of coriander is an antibacterial compound recently isolated by researchers, called dodecenal, found equally in the seed and leaves of the plant. This surprisingly potent antibiotic has been proven to be twice as effective in killing Salmonella as the most commonly-used antibiotic drug in current use. In fact, scientists have isolated an additional eight similar compounds in cilantro, thus placing it at the forefront of the current medical arsenal in warding off and possibly even treating Salmonella. Powerful medicine indeed! HOW So now you know how excellent an herb cilantro can be. Time to get some into your daily diet! A few tips on selecting, storing, and using: - cilantro should be fresh, perky, and bright green, with no wilting - to store, trim the bottoms of the bunch, place in a jar of water as if it were flowers, cover with plastic and refrigerate - for the seed, best to buy it whole and grind as needed - easy to do with a mortar & pestle; or keep the jar of ground spice tightly sealed in a dark place - always rinse fresh cilantro well just before using - it's often very sandy. And add it only at the last minute if your dish is something hot - cooking cilantro destroys the flavor. There is a multitude of simple ways to incorporate cilantro into your daily diet: sprinkle a little ground coriander on fish before grilling, stir some chopped fresh cilantro into a quick chicken-vegetable soup, or make a dip for veggies with non-fat yoghurt, chopped spring onions & cilantro. Or make a healthy, delicious meal of the sandwich and salsa below! Eggplant & Chickpea Pita Pocket This mildly exotic sandwich makes an excellent luncheon, or pair with a crunchy green salad for a quick and easy light supper on a warm summer evening! 1/2 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 cup chopped brown onion 1 large eggplant, cut into 1-inch dice (about 4 cups) 1 15-oz. can organic chickpeas, rinsed & drained 1/2 cup mango chutney 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 4 pita breads, cut in half to make 8 pockets 1 cup Yellow Tomato Salsa (recipe follows) Heat olive oil, coriander and cumin in large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add onions, cook over medium hit until just softened (about 4 minutes), stirring often. Add eggplant and continue to cook until eggplant is soft but not soggy. Remove from heat, stir in chickpeas, chutney & lemon juice. Allow to cool to room temperature. (Can be refrigerated for later use.) Spoon about 2/3 cup of the mixture into each pita pocket; top with about 2 tablespoons of salsa. Serves 4-8, depending on how hungry you are! Heirloom Tomato Salsa You can find heirloom tomatoes at your local farmers market, or even at your local supermarket these days. And the extra salsa is great with organic blue corn chips! 3 lbs. yellow heirloom tomatoes, chopped and drained 3/4 cup chopped white onion 1/3 cup chopped green onions 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 teaspoon chopped fresh jalapeno pepper (or use Serrano for more heat!) 1 tablespoon fruity olive oil 2 teaspoons white vinegar 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoon fresh lime juice Salt & pepper to taste Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate for a few hours to let flavors blend. Will keep for several days. Makes about 3 ½ cups. More on Food
 
Wimbledon Final 2009: Federer Versus Roddick Top
WIMBLEDON, England — Rising, rising, rising, high above the most famous patch of grass in tennis, Roger Federer channeled Pete Sampras on match point in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday, tucking both feet back beneath his body and uncorking an overhead smash. And now, after years of chasing Sampras, Federer is poised to surpass him. A victory over No. 6-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States in Sunday's final at the All England Club would give Federer his 15th Grand Slam singles championship, breaking a tie with Sampras for the most in history. It also would give Federer a sixth Wimbledon title and a return to No. 1 in the rankings. As it is, No. 2 Federer's overwhelming 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 victory over No. 24 Tommy Haas of Germany in Friday's opening match on Centre Court put the Swiss star in a seventh consecutive Wimbledon final and 20th career Grand Slam final _ establishing two other marks. "I'm very proud of all the records I've achieved, because I never thought I would be that successful as a kid. You know, I would have been happy winning a couple tournaments and maybe collecting Wimbledon," the 27-year-old Federer said. "It's quite staggering." Yes, Roger, it certainly is. When he finished off Haas with that Sampraslike leaping putaway, Federer simply waited at the net to shake hands. Then he gave a little wave of his racket in the direction of his pregnant wife, his parents and other supporters in the guest seats above a scoreboard, before making the same gesture toward the Royal Box, where past greats of the game Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver were among the invited guests. Winning a Wimbledon semifinal _ indeed, any Grand Slam semifinal _ is all so very been-there, done-that for Federer: He is 20-3 in major semis over his career, reaching 16 of the past 17 major finals. "I know what's on the line," Federer said. "I hope I can play another good match." His previous match against Haas, on June 1 in the fourth round of the French Open, was much tighter. Haas won the first two sets that day _ drew within five points of victory, even _ before Federer came back en route to winning the title at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam and tie Sampras with 14 Grand Slam championships. This time, Federer was quite close to perfect. He won a remarkable 72 of 83 points on his serve, did not face a single break point and finished with 49 winners and only 15 unforced errors. "You know, that's the way it goes playing against him," Haas said. "There aren't really any weaknesses." Roddick celebrated rather emotionally after finishing off No. 3 Andy Murray of Britain 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) in Friday's second semifinal. The 2003 U.S. Open champion, still seeking a second major title, dropped to his knees, leaned forward and covered his head with his hands. Leaving the court, Roddick paused to enjoy the moment, thankful that all of the changes he's made over the past several months paid dividends: tweaking his diet to drop 15 pounds, hiring a new coach, working more than ever to improve his returns, his volleys, his backhand. "To be honest, the last couple of years, I didn't know if I'd ever get a chance to play for another Grand Slam title," Roddick said. "Now I get to. It's just a dream." This part might cause some nightmares before Sunday: Roddick is 2-18 against Federer, including losses in the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon finals, as well as the 2006 U.S. Open final. "I've had plenty of time to study his game, to understand his game," Federer said. "He's always played me also quite differently every single time." Then again, Roddick was 2-6 previously against Murray, who was trying to become the first British man to reach the Wimbledon final since the 1930s and, of course, received plenty of partisan support from the 15,000 or so spectators. Roddick joked beforehand he'd be pretending that all those shouts of "Come on, Andy!" were for him, but he was outsmarted: Instead of the usual first-name cheers, the crowd yelled support for their man "Murray!" Didn't matter. Roddick was too good on the most important points and that made the difference on a day Murray compiled more aces (25-21), more winners (76-64) and fewer unforced errors (20-24). Roddick won far more points at the net, 48-15, and put in a far higher percentage of first serves, 75-52, while hitting much harder than Murray, reaching a tournament-high 143 mph. "If he serves like that," Murray said, "he's got a chance against anyone." There was only one break point in the first set, and it came with Murray serving while trailing 5-4. Murray went ahead 30-love, but Roddick took the next four points, showing off some of the newfound versatility in his game. He got to break point with a drop-shot winner on a 10-stroke exchange. And he ended the set with a booming backhand down the line that forced Murray into a forehand error on the point's 17th stroke. The stands were close to silent, and it was clear Murray needed to do something to get the fans _ and himself _ going. He did just that, breaking Roddick at love to open the second set, then holding with the help of three aces in a row to go up 2-0. After serving out that set, Murray was on the verge of beginning the third the exact same way. But Roddick saved three break points to hold for 1-0. "You're probably not going to get out of a love-40 hole too often against a guy who returns like him," Roddick said. "So that was definitely key." Roddick broke to 3-1, and at 5-2 was two points away from taking the third set. But Murray eventually broke back and, in the tiebreaker, he held a set point at 6-5. On a 13-stroke exchange, Roddick misplayed a forehand volley in such a way that it turned into a winner. "He apologized," Murray said. Moments later, Murray shanked one forehand long, then dumped a passing try into the net, and Roddick owned the lead and momentum. Less than an hour later, Roddick owned the match, improving to 26-4 in tiebreakers this season when he smacked a forehand approach shot and Murray put a backhand into the net. A year ago, Roddick lost in the second round at Wimbledon, prompting some serious soul-searching. He was traveling in the States the day of the 2008 Wimbledon final, which Federer lost to nemesis Rafael Nadal 9-7 in the fifth set in fading light. Roddick wound up staying at the airport to watch the end of the match on TV. Now it will be Roddick trying to beat Federer with a Wimbledon championship at stake. And Federer trying to beat Roddick with history at stake. "Obviously you can't really say enough to kind of signify what Roger's career has been to this point," Roddick said. As for Federer's bid to collect No. 15, Roddick said: "I'd love to delay it for another Grand Slam." More on Sports
 
Chris Weigant: Friday Talking Points [84] -- The Rockets' Red Glare, The Bombs Bursting In Air Top
What separates humans from animals can be summed up as one simple thing -- the mastery of fire. Even "using tools" doesn't cut it anymore, as apes have been shown to use their own tools to achieve their own modest goals. When you get right down to it, the sole dividing line between us and the other creatures which crawl this planet can be drawn at the mastery of fire. Animals are still scared of fire. Humans, now, are not. This may sound like a strange beginning to my annual Independence Day column, but I write today in praise of recreational explosions. In a word, fireworks. Fireworks and the Fourth Of July are inextricably linked in American history, beginning with the first time the holiday was celebrated, in 1777, one year after the Declaration of Independence. Celebrating the Fourth with fireworks is not some modern invention, but actually started at the creation of the holiday's celebration. Now, Francis Scott Key wasn't watching an Independence Day celebration when he wrote our national anthem, he was prisoner on a British warship as they shelled Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, in September of 1814. He was watching non-recreational explosions. Explosions with a purpose, you might say. He watched all night -- by "the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air" -- and saw the next morning (by the dawn's early light) that our flag was, indeed, still there. He was so pleased that he dashed off a poem about the experience on a scrap of paper. If you go to a public event tomorrow, you will no doubt sing the first verse of this poem. But, although fireworks is a big part of Americans celebrating their own history, the public's love and fascination with them is much older than that. The concept of fireworks predates the discovery of gunpowder. This seems like a contradictory statement, but it's true. The Chinese, everyone knows, invented gunpowder long before the Western world became aware of it. But hundreds of years before gunpowder's discovery, the Chinese were using "firecrackers" already, to scare away evil spirits, and (later) at most celebrations (such as weddings). Nobody knows exactly when, but somewhere in the range of 2,000 years ago people discovered that if you threw green (undried) bamboo onto a fire, the air and sap trapped in the sealed chambers (which bamboo naturally makes as it grows) would heat up -- and then burst out of the bamboo with a loud noise. Bang! Later, some bright spark (that was entirely intentional) decided that the newfangled substance, gunpowder, would make an even more impressive bang when packed into bamboo... and the true firecracker was born. But we've got to go even further back into the mists of time to understand why we all go "ooh!" and "aah!" during fireworks displays. Because even cruder "fireworks" than exploding bamboo were likely the first form of what we now call "entertainment," if not the beginnings of religion as well. Thousands and thousands of years ago, the caveman "Ug" figured out how to tame fire (note: the names in this story are fictional and are totally a product of my fevered imagination -- I don't want the guys from the insurance commercials suing me or anything...). This was the crowning achievement of the human race at the time, and a good argument can be made that it was the crowning achievement of humanity -- indeed the defining achievement of humanity -- of all time. Fire meant heat, light, cooked food, and defense against the animals who were still scared of it. All of which meant the shaggy Ug and his band of fellow cave-dwellers had made the jump from being no more than animals themselves, to being what we refer to today as "human." The taming of fire still inspires wonderment, even to us modern humans today. Anyone who has ever stared into a campfire knows this, and anyone who hasn't is the poorer -- for not having experienced this primeval connection to Ug's first campfire. Because the fire at the mouth of Ug's cave was not only extremely useful, it was also entertaining. It was something to look at. Something magical. The flames leap around, solid matter is transformed into gas and energy, and the process itself is mesmerizing. But even this experience -- the only such entertainment Ug and his friends had ever seen -- eventually must have palled. So Ug decided to take things a step further. Picking up a branch with an end still smoldering and waving it around produced a thrill of another type. Sparks! Flames! Controlled by human hands! As I said, this may have also been the dawn of religion, giving the most mystical of Ug's group respect among his or her fellows by being the most creative master of fire. It also probably led to the invention of the torch, but this was a mere utilitarian byproduct. Later, fires would be introduced into ceremonies to mark different ideas (such as the attainment of adulthood, or victory over an enemy) by braving the fire in some way (leaping through a bonfire, or firewalking, for instance). Imagine yourself as a wandering caveman reporter back in Ug's day. You have heard stories which seem entirely unbelievable to your jaded journalistic mind, so you travel to check out what is really going on, for your readers in the UgTown Daily Post (Note to cynics: Yes, journalism predates fire, and has been conclusively linked to our lizard brain, meaning the dinosaurs were the first consumers of Fox News and its ilk. Ahem. Who's telling this story? Stop interrupting! Hrrmph.) When you get to Ug's cave, you are absolutely blown away. Not only has Ug tamed fire and invented the first fireplace, but he has also progressed to the point of having andirons and fireplace tools, and is working on inventing marshmallows to roast. Well, no, I made that part up, I have to admit. But, seriously, if your only experience of fire previously had been as a result of a lightning strike, or fleeing in terror from a wildfire, it would be brain-numbing indeed to see the fearful phenomenon tamed and being made useful. And, after it got dark, watching Ug's firewizards actually "play" with fire would have been the news of the millennium. Watching Ug (The name Ug, it should be noted, translates today as "Prometheus") pick up a firebrand and wave it around or knock it against a tree to cause a shower of sparks to fly upwards would have caused you to utter a new word or two in the human language: "Ooo!" or, perhaps: "Ahhh!" So as you celebrate the Fourth tomorrow, don't mock Dad for getting in touch with his primal self by actually taming fire and using it to cook the burgers and hotdogs. Because the pride and power he feels in cooking raw meat for his fellow men and women is what separates us from the animals sizzling on the grill. And, later on, when you ooo and aah at the fireworks (unless your local town has cut them due to budget problems), you will be experiencing not only pride of country and a history of fireworks on the Fourth that started on the very first celebration in 1777, but humanity's first step on its ascent towards mastering our domain instead of being mastered by it. So go out and enjoy some rockets, no matter what their color. Go out and get an adrenaline rush from a few bombs bursting, whether on the ground or in the air. Enjoy your independence, enjoy your pride of nation, and -- in a very fundamental way -- enjoy your humanity. Because the fireworks you view are not only just a thrill, they are also the bedrock of what it truly means to be human.   Sometimes the Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week award is given out for impressive achievement or deed. Sometimes it is given out for sheer impressiveness itself. But this week, the MIDOTW award is given for impressive patience, persistence, and grace under pressure. Because the Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week this week was Senator-Elect Al Franken. For calmly fighting his way all the way up to Minnesota's Supreme Court against disgruntled incumbent Norm Coleman, Franken wins this week's award hands down. The length of time between the election last November and being sworn in (next Tuesday, reportedly) means that Franken will enter the Senate as its most junior member -- more junior than every other new senator who won election last year. This lack of seniority means Franken will be the last in line for choice spots on key committees, but even with this handicap I expect him to do well in the Senate for the great state of Minnesota. I also expect virtually everyone to be massively disappointed in Al, because I predict he will not be the "go-to" guy for humorous quotes on current events. The media will try their mightiest to get Al to tell us what he really thinks, in the funniest way possible -- but Franken has already shown he is smarter than that. He has said his model for what he intends to do in the Senate is another person who entered with her fame preceding her. Or "infamy," according to some. And Hillary Clinton impressed a lot of people by putting her shoulder to the wheel and her nose to the grindstone in an effort to be the best senator for her state she knew how, without inserting herself into the limelight in the process. Watch for Franken to very quietly learn his new job and learn to be as productive and effective as possible. All of which means he may be keeping his head so far down in the coming months that he may not qualify for a MIDOTW award for quite a while. But, the future aside, Al Franken has more than earned his Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week award for sheer stick-to-it-ness. We all look forward to next week, when we can finally start calling him an unmodified "Senator Franken." Well done, Al. [ Senator-Elect Al Franken does not have an official Senate webpage... yet. But you can congratulate him in a few days by checking back to the official Senate page for the Minnesota delegation to watch for when his page does go live. ]   You know what? It's almost our nation's birthday. I simply can't get into the spirit of chastising wayward Democrats this week, so I have unilaterally decided not to hand out a Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week award this week. If you don't agree with this decision, and feel that there were egregiously disappointing Democrats who really deserved this week's MDDOTW award, let me know in the comments.   Volume 84 (7/3/09) In a similarly American tradition of slacking off instead of doing actual work the Friday before a holiday weekend, I am not providing talking points to Democrats today. Instead I present the full lyrics of our national anthem. If you've never read past the first verse, check it out. And if you get the chance, go visit Fort McHenry in Baltimore, or the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., to see the original star-spangled banner of which Key wrote. It's worth the trip. And have a glorious Fourth Of July tomorrow, of course!   The Star-Spangled Banner Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!   Chris Weigant blogs at: ChrisWeigant.com Full archives of FTP columns: FridayTalkingPoints.com Cross-posted at: Democratic Underground   More on Al Franken
 
North Korea Fires Missiles: Reports Top
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired two missiles off it eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, in yet another provocative move after U.N. sanctions were imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test. The missiles were fired between 8 a.m. (2300 GMT) and 8:30 a.m. (2330 GMT), South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. It did not say the range of the missiles. "Our military is fully ready to counter any North Korean threats and provocations based on strong South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture," the statement said. A Yonhap news agency report said North Korea fired two short-range missiles that appeared to be Scud missiles. The agency quoted a South Korean government official it did not identify. Yonhap originally reported the missiles were mid-range. North Korea fired four short-range missiles off the east coast on Thursday. Speculation had been high that the communist country might launch more missiles in coming days. North Korea had warned shipping to stay away from its east coast effective through July 10. South Korea's military said Friday it was closely monitoring North Korean military sites, believing more missile launches were likely. Saturday's launches came on July 4, or U.S. Independence Day. The North has a record of timing missile tests for the U.S. national day. In 2006, Pyongyang fired off a barrage of missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 that broke apart and fell into the ocean less than a minute after liftoff. Those launches while Americans were celebrating the Fourth of July holiday also came amid nuclear tensions with the U.S. The bigger question is whether the North will attempt a long-range missile launch toward the United States, a move that would directly flout a U.N. sanctions resolution punishing Pyongyang for its May 25 nuclear test. Firing a ballistic missile on July 4 would be a snub to Washington, which has been trying to muster international support for a tough enforcement of the U.N. resolution that bans Pyongyang from any further nuclear or ballistic missile tests. Despite early speculation fueled by Japanese media and the North Korean warning to shipping, spy satellites have apparently not detected any of the preparations that would normally presage a launch. Meanwhile, the chief of U.S. Naval operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, said the American military was ready for any North Korean missile tests. "Our ships and forces here are prepared for the tracking of the missiles and observing the activities that are going on," Roughead said after meeting Japanese military officials in Tokyo on Saturday. ___ Associated Press writer Yuri Kageyama contributed to this report from Tokyo. More on North Korea
 
Cynthia Boaz: Independence Day for Everyone Top
I remember as a child that whenever the 4th of July rolled around, I would try earnestly to reflect on the significance of the holiday. That is not an easy task for a person submerged in the fanfare of commercialism and the somewhat superficial patriotism of flags and fireworks. I always understood that I was supposed to be grateful for something; that we were celebrating a day of great importance to the lifestyle I was privileged to live. And I tried my best to somberly but enthusiastically show the appropriate reverence. Although I later came to know well the history behind the holiday, the cultural expressions of it still left me feeling somewhat empty. Which is not to say that I don't usually enjoy my 4th of July celebrations- I do, especially since we turned the day into an annual family reunion about 20 years ago. But it seems to me that there is often something missing amongst the cookouts, beers, and fireworks. I find it honorable that so many communities take the day to remembers fallen soldiers and express thanks to those currently serving. And yes, patriotism does have something to do with being grateful for what we have as Americans and with knowing that our liberties came at a cost. What about those living without their freedom? What about the millions of people around the world suffering under severe repression, deprivation, and a lack of the most basic dignities? It seems to me that in order to honor the holiday we call "Independence Day," in the United States, it is our obligation to reflect upon how we might use our liberties to help those seeking theirs. In dozens of countries around the world- places such as Iran, Burma, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Egypt, Vietnam, Pakistan, Palestine, Belarus, and Tibet- there are vast numbers of people who daily risk their lives in the struggle for the same freedom and civil liberties that many of us take for granted, even on the day most sacred to our own history of independence from arbitrary rule. Perhaps it is time to redefine what the terms patriotism and citizenship really mean in the post-post-Cold War world. President Obama assisted this effort enormously when he spoke directly to tyrants who would "cling to power [by] silencing dissent" and that "we will hold out a hand if you will unclench your fist." In those few words, he acknowledged that the United States and its citizens can no longer ignore the interests of peoples around the world, and that if we are to survive, we must find a way to work together; to locate and capitalize on our mutual interests as human beings first, and citizens of an increasingly-interconnected world second. What a contrast to the black-and-white worldview of President Obama's predecessor who told the world "Either you're with us, or you're with the terrorists." There was no gray area in that version of reality- no room for discussion, no opening in which to examine our common humanity. It is not a coincidence that in the past eight years, our progress as a people has been eclipsed by the exploitation of our own prejudices, greed, and fear. And this stunted evolution goes beyond reckless foreign policy. For nearly a decade, the United States has lagged behind the rest of the industrialized democratic world on issues as diverse as health care, environmental protection, stem cell research, and gay rights. It is necessary to reconsider the notions of patriotism and citizenship not just because it is the sane, humane thing to do, but because states themselves are becoming increasingly irrelevant on the global stage. Power is increasingly found in transnational actors- from multinational corporations to international organizations- and sub-state actors- from democracy movements in places like Iran and Burma to vibrant civic organizations in the developed democracies. I see it as our job as patriotic Americans to encourage the only natural result of these shifts in power--to promote more global justice through the mechanisms of liberty. In the next decade, there should be no place in the world- including the United States- where people occasionally find themselves having to choose between being a good citizen and being a good human being. We have an opportunity today- on our own independence day- to recognize that our patriotic obligations extend beyond our own borders, and that our political, economic, and spiritual development is intricately tied up in the corresponding development of others. We must finally acknowledge as a people that our right to exercise the liberties with which we are gifted comes with a corresponding obligation to help promote those same liberties for others yet to obtain them. If we fail to come to that understanding, the freedom that we celebrate every July 4th is wasted. More on Burma
 
GOP Official Who Emailed With Palin Moments Before Decision, Explains Her Move Top
The head of the Republican Governor's Association said on Friday that in emails sent to him moments before she announced her resignation as governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin discussed expanding the role she played in the Republican Party. "Part of her decision is she wants to spend more time campaigning for candidates," Nick Ayers, the executive director of the RGA, told Fox News. "She felt like she needed to make her colleagues around the country aware, so she had given us a brief heads up," Ayers said of getting the emails. "We have known for a couple of days she was considering not running for re-election but it was news today that she had gone ahead and made the decision to fully step down and resign." In relaying his conversation with Palin, Ayers provided one of the most direct, on the record explanations for what exactly drove the Alaska Governor's decision to step aside. Palin's announcement seemed to come as a complete surprise to officials in the state as well as those close to her. Her brother said he had no clue what she was planning prior to the mid-day press conference. The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, one of Palin's strongest backers, said he initially felt shock and bewilderment at the Governor's decision to step down from her post at the end of July. Moments later, however, he was playing up the move as, perhaps, the opening move in the 2012 Republican primary - and a sage one at that. "Haven't conservatives been lamenting the lack of a national leader?" he asked, in a post on the Standard's site . "Well, now she'll try to be that." While Ayers may have had a direct heads up as to Palin's intentions, he wasn't entirely on cue with the Governor's talking points. Asked why Palin was stepping down as opposed to finishing her term (which ends in 2010), the RGA header cited pesky bloggers and activists as the reason. Palin had insisted she didn't want to put Alaskans through two years of a lame-duck governorship. "I don't think this is buckling to pressure," said Ayers. "I think this is her coming to the realization that the legislature in Alaska and that some bloggers and activists in Alaska are going to do everything they can to stymie her progress. This is a governor who didn't run for the office because she wanted a title. She wanted to make significant change in the state. She realized that that was no longer going to be able to happen, because things had become so partisan there." More on Sarah Palin
 

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