The operation today which resulted in the freedom of imprisoned presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages (including 3 Americans) without a single shot fired was a masterpiece of counter-intelligence operations on the part of the armed forces of Colombia. Regardless of your views on the conflict in Colombia or the government of that nation the freedom of these 15 hostages is something to be celebrated.

From Betancourt's son:

It is an immense joy, an indescribable joy, I still cannot believe it. I am waiting to talk to my mother by phone. I want to tell her that I love her and that she has been missed.

I'm getting a little worried and concerned by Obama's "rejection" of self-evident truths which he finds politically uncomfortable. The most recent example is his "rejection" of General Clark's statements on McCain's military service.

This is incredibly disheartening news for those of us who have been following events in Zimbabwe.

While McCain raised $21.5 million for the month of May Obama outraised him by $500,000 for a total of $22 million for the month. This is Obama's weakest month of 2008.

Don't shoot the messenger - All I'm doing is posting totals to compare to McCain's haul for last month.

A personal interest of mine and area in which I've carried out field research is the status of the Greek Orthodox communities in Turkey, in particular in Istanbul and Imvros and Tenedos as well as the ethnic-Turkish population living in Greek Thrace. What follows is a paper I wrote on the topic.

Many of us here at Daily Kos who consider ourselves friends of Israel have long taken issue with the stranglehold AIPAC holds on those who consider themselves to be "pro-Israel." We're pro-Israel as well but AIPAC tends to skew towards a right-wing Likud-like view of Israeli security while many American Jews tend to view Israel's security as being increasingly tied into a stable and democratic Middle East - one with a peaceful Palestinian state on Israel's borders committed to co-existence and democracy.

Last week Eritrea attacked the armed forces of Djibouti on Ras Doumeira, which is a strategic promontory overlooking the Red Sea. Djiboutin soldiers and civilians were killed in the Eritrean attack, which was recently condemned by the UN Security Council.

Politico released a list of former Clinton supporters who are now backing McCain - and what a list it is. If I felt sure about Obama's chances before reading this list I must say I am deeply worried about them now.

Glenn Greenwald pointed out something strange today: the Conservative party in the UK recently almost brought down the UK government by making a principled stand against a Labor party proposal to allow a 42-day detention period for those accused of terrorist offenses.

Before anyone gets themselves in a lather over the issue of former senator Sam Nunn as a potential VP let me say that I realize we're in the early stages of this search and that he's prolly not a serious candidate. But his name is being bandied about enough that I thought we should make clear his record and exactly why Nunn is an unacceptable choice as Obama's VP.

As Robert Mugabe's campaign of terror and violence escalates in Zimbabwe the world watches, seemingly helplessly as innocent Zimbabweans suffer. What can be done?

In a sign that Israel is prepared to go it alone in resorting to military means to stop Iran's unlawful nuclear program Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and chief of staff, said "the Iranian threat must be stopped by all means."

Fashion legend Yves St. Laurent died today in Paris. He was 71.

On this fine pre-summer day I thought I'd cruise through the symptoms of groupthink as outlined by Irving Janis in 1977. I've added the symptom and the correlating reaction from Hillary's forces. Enjoy.

I've got to run to class but I saw this news this morning and wanted to put it up for you guys. It looks like we might be heading for a victory in November 2008 on this issue in California - despite what an earlier poll said.

I was recently discussing the issue of Puerto Rican statehood with a Puerto Rican friend of mine here in NY. We have two separate opinions - and it got me thinking - what do other people think of the complex issues surrounding Puerto Rican independence, statehood or continuing commonwealth status?

Today the Texas 3rd District Court of Appeals ruled that Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) errored when it removed more than 450 children from the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) YFZ ranch in Eldorado, TX last month.

Fresh off my graduation yesterday and already back in school I've got good news for all Oregonian Obamaites and others.