We smiled all through the following ad, (which we found via hubpolitics):



According to his website, Jim Ogonowski is a farmer in Dracut, Mass. and a retired Air Force Lt. Col.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference is holding its 11th annual summit over the next two days in Dakar, Senegal. This year's agenda for the 57 member organization of Islamic states includes the unveiling of a new charter, opposition to the US presence in Iraq, oppositional items related to Israel, as well as some commendable issues that would benefit citizens of Islamic countries if properly instituted. According to IRNA, the Islamic Republic News Agency:

Under the program, serious efforts will be made to enhance the scope of political participation, ensure equality, civil liberties and social justice, and promote transparency and accountability, and eliminate corruption in member countries.

In addition, attention should be paid to an obvious political tactic already seen in the US, Canada, the UK and continental Europe highlighted in an OIC report that will be presented at the Summit on international Islamophobia:

The OIC chief said a detailed report on Islamophobia, including the publication of cartoons blaspheming Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), would be presented to summit of leaders.

The report is an attempt to comprehensively record anti-Islamic speech and action around the world.

"The Islamophobes remain free to carry on their assault due to absence of necessary legal measures against the misuse or abuse of the right to freedom of expression," charges the report.

The Islamic Republic News Agency article doesn't indicate the presence of two major issues relative to Islam and Muslims: that American and international non-Muslim opinion of Islam might be improved by the discrediting of Islamist terrorism and violent jihad across the world by Muslims themselves. Secondly, if the agenda addresses Islamist genocide and mistreatment of Muslims, Christians and others still underway in Darfur, the IRNA article doesn't mention it. (Violence perpetrated on Muslims by other Muslims is a grave issue in Africa, but also one that spans the globe).

This is the 11th OIC Summit. This year the US is sending a representative, Sada Cumber, as an observer, according to the IRNA.

Image: Aerial view of Dakar by Ji-Elle. (Click image for larger version)

House and Senate are ready to let Bush tax cuts expire and raise other taxes on folks with income as low as $34,000. President Bush weighed in on the topic last night:

"The biggest issue in this campaign is going to be your taxes," Bush said Wednesday night at a GOP fundraiser. "I think the biggest issue in this campaign is which side of the political divide is going to let you keep your money, and which side is going to raise your taxes."

An informative article discusses proposed tax raises here, while on a related subject Texas Rainmaker graphically suggests that CHANGE wrought by the shift in the majority party in the 2006 election directly affected the economy and consumer confidence: it's here.

Although 70% of Qatar's 1 million residents are foreign born workers and most are Christians, Qatar formerly had no Christian churches. But several denominations' churches are now being planned for a Church district in Doha. The first one, a Catholic church called Our Lady of the Rosary, will open this Saturday according to AP.
Image: AP