BUSH IS THE FIRST AMERICAN PRESIDENT [OVER LAST 100 YEARS] WHO HAS NEVER ATTENDED A FUNERAL FOR A FALLEN SOLDIER ... A SOLDIER WHO FOUGHT IN IRAQ SO GREEDY RICH WHITE BASTARDS CAN STEAL OIL RESOURCES ... KERRY PAYS HIS RESPECTS AT A RECENT FUNERAL

Former U.S. presidential candidate, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) (standing, R) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) (Standing 2nd R) watch alongside family members of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Dimitrios Gavriel during his military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington DC, December 2, 2004. Gavriel, from Haverhill, Massachusetts died November 19 while fighting in Al Anbar Province in Iraq and his funeral is the 99th 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. REUTERS/Jason Reed

[Duchess Note ... Swing on over to "Friends of Friday Forum" [http://friendsoffridayforum.blogspot.com/] and read a terrific commentary on Bush's recent visit to Canada. It was penned by a good friend of mine and Pearl Jam pal from Ottawa.]

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The enormous gap between what US leaders do in the world and what Americans THINK their leaders are doing is one of the great propaganda accomplishments of the dominant political mythology. Michael Parenti [political scientist & author]

INSIDE POLITICS
Sunday, November 28, 2004
by Sabrina Eaton, Plain Dealer/Cleveland News

Sage of the left ... Just because Dennis Kucinich's presidential campaign is shutting down doesn't mean the congressman from Cleveland will shut up, an e-mail from his campaign pledges. "Dennis will remain a leader in Congress and a leader in America," said the missive, which told supporters the campaign is officially debt-free four months after Kucinich ended his quixotic presidential bid. It said the campaign's "www.kucinich.us" Website would "relaunch shortly, to serve as a platform for education and organizing around issues with Dennis Kucinich as our spokesperson, teacher and leader." The presidential campaign is over, but Dennis is still just beginning," it promised. "Our work has never been more urgent, the unity of all never more important to celebrate, and the way we express our shared American values so critical."

AS WE ROLL INTO ANOTHER WEEKEND OF FUN ACTIVITIES - HERE IS ABIT OF WORLD NEWS

WOULD JESUS BAN THIS AD?
John Nichols, The Nation
The United Church of Christ wants to spread a message of respect and inclusion for all. But the mainstream media won't let them. Watch the ad that the networks found too "controversial" to air.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/20652/

IS THIS AMERICAN?
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
One's first response to the report by the International Red Cross about torture at Guantanamo is denial.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/20654/

NARRATING THROUGH THE NON-FICTION
Larry Beinhart, BuzzFlash
Narrative is one of the fundamental tools we use for organizing our lives. A trip to the grocery is organized as a narrative. So is a political campaign. So is a war.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20655/

IT'S TIME TO LOOK TO THE CAMPUS
Ben Waxman, WireTap
"If progressives want to rebuild their political infrastructure, then nurturing a vibrant and organized progressive movement among students should be a major priority."
http://www.alternet.org/wiretap/20644/

PARTYING WITH MY PARENTS
Tony Newman, AlterNet
My parents' goal for their two kids was not to practice the unrealistic mission of abstinence, but to keep us safe. In this regard they were incredibly successful.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20626/

RU ASHAMED?
Claire Barnett, AlterNet
A physician who performs abortions finds that RU-486, the abortion pill, is safe. What is dangerous is the way society stigmatizes women who take it.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/20646/

HIGHWAYS, BYWAYS, AND 'SIDEWAYS'
Sean Axmaker, GreenCine
The creators of 'Sideways' discuss their writing partnership, the state of personal filmmaking in Hollywood today, and, of course, wine.
http://www.alternet.org/movies/20641/