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!)

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….

A Texas judge has set a Friday arraignment for Vice President Dick Cheney, former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, a state senator and others named in indictments accusing them of responsibility for prisoner abuse in a South Texas federal detention center. Presiding Judge Manuel Banales said Wednesday he will allow them to waive arraignment or have their attorneys present rather than appear in person at the hearing. This is a time for rejoicing and an indication that there is a new Marshall in town,,,and his name is JUSTICE!

President John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address, boldy challenged Americans and those of my generation, asking us “not what our country can do for us; but what we can do for your country”…..and the Peace Corps was born! Now, almost half a century later, soon to be President Barack Obama, picks up JFK’s torch to once again challenge a new generation to get involved and participate in shaping America’s future. As the new administration takes shape, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will call on Americans from every walk of life to serve.

For the first time, the weekly Democratic address has been released as a web video and will also continue to air on the radio. President-elect Obama plans to publish these weekly updates through the Transition and then from the White House. Today’s address from the President-elect concerns the current economic crisis highlighting details like unemployment insurance claims rising to their highest levels since September 11, 2001 and the loss of jobs for ten straight months — nearly 1.2 million jobs this year and many of them in our struggling auto industry. There’s more….(VIDEO)

From time to time we highlight Keith Olbermann’s articulate and passionate Special Comment which he delivers at the end of his show, Countdown with Keith Olbermann. This past Monday he gave us an especially powerful comment titled. “Gay marriage is a question of love, Everyone deserves the same chance at permanence and happiness” The Lang Report is offering both the Video and the transcript below to give our readers a choice; in principle, the same choice that Olbermann, (although much more serious) speaks of.

Viva la difference! What a breath of fresh air it was to watch President-elect Barack Obama strut out before the White House Press Corps to participate in his first press conference after the election. How long has it been since we witnessed a press conference that wasn’t evasive, condescending and loaded with lies and half-truths? In his first public appearance since Tuesday’s victory speech, President-elect Barack Obama sent a clear signal that he intends to move deliberately during his transition and resist pressure to flesh out details of his governing agenda or in other ways act like a president until he is sworn in next January.

Barack Obama cruised to victory Tuesday night in an historic triumph that promised change, overcame centuries of prejudice and fulfilled Martin Luther King’s dream that a man be judged not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. From Africa to the Middle and Far East, to North and South America and beyond….the world Rejoices as Barack Obama becomes President-elect to the United States of America. Here is a sample of New York Times correspondents as they begin sharing reactions from around the world to this historic occasion.

When asked about war, most people would probably say that they don’t advocate for it unless provoked by serious events. Recent American history has the Unites States having entered into several wars that could and probably should have been avoided except one….the War on Poverty. The War on Poverty is the name for legislation first introduced by United States President Lyndon B. Johnson during his State of the Union address on January 8, 1964. This legislation was proposed by Johnson in response to the difficult economic conditions associated with a national poverty rate of around 19% (current rate approx. 12%).

I received this comment yesterday and thought that the statement made was one that most Americans need to hear and understand. That the United States is the most religious country on the planet and, in my opinion, the most hypocritical. The lesson to be learned from the enclosed comment is that we would be far better off if we could further separate our churches from our state.