Here is a continuation of “hot links” from around the blogosphere documenting President-elect Barack Obama’s countdown to inauguration day. It is obvious to all that he is compressing time, making the most out of every day. SEE FOR YOURSELF…..

Swiss voters have approved a radical health policy that offers prescription heroin to addicts on a permanent basis. Under the scheme, addicts visit clinics up to twice a day, where they inject the drug under medical supervision.

The holiday tree in the Washington state Capitol this year will be joined by a Christian nativity scene and an atheistic billboard. Why all the hoopla? Could it be the mention of atheism and the billboard that reads,” Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds?”

Barack Obama’s selection of Eric Holder as his attorney general is a very discouraging sign for anyone who hoped the new administration would de-escalate the war on drugs. When Holder was U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.Holder pushed for stiffer marijuana penalties stating he is considering not only prosecuting more marijuana cases but also asking the D.C. Council to enact stiffer penalties for the sale and use of marijuana.

It seems that religious fear and fanaticism is not solely an American problem as it is alive and well in other countries, like Australia for instance. Australia is supposed to be a secular society, but the Atheist Foundation of Australia says the nation’s biggest outdoor advertising company has refused to run its advertisements. One of the humorous messages the foundation hoped to put on the back of buses was, “Sleep in on Sunday mornings.” But the foundation says Australia’s biggest outdoor advertising company, APN Outdoor, had a problem with it. (GOOD FOR THEM!)

Atheism, the term, the “ist” is so passe….so old school that it does not do myself, the user, any justice. Identifying myself as a Bright is a better description of who I am and what I believe however the moniker has the drawback of not being well recognized therefore requiring further explanation….which is a hassle.

The Lang Report is starting its new “Hot Links” series for our new (and much improved) President of the United States. Our new Commander-in-Chief has produced a “collective hallelujah” around the world! So in celebration, we are provifing a one-stop shop for current information on President Obama’s activities.

Jim Ramstad, (R-MN) who is rumored to be Obama’s choice for drug czar may, on the surface, look like the ideal man for the job. This is primarily because he is a recovering alcoholic himself so most would assume that he would have a unique insight and empathy for the problem. This is not necessarily so as “recovering people” have the same prejudices and diversity of beliefs that everyone has. In fact, people in recovery may be even more judgmental then the average “joe”.” Let me explain….

Score one FOR the god squad and AGAINST free speech and expression. An Ontario billboard company is removing a controversial billboard promoting atheism after receiving complaints, according to the “Freedom From Religion Foundation,” The billboard was at a busy corner and said, “Imagine No Religion” in large letters on a stained-glass background.

After eight years of disappointment, frustration and legal wrangling with the Bush administration, environmental groups think Barack Obama could be the nation’s greenest president. A genuine “environmentalist.”