Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill Linked to US Christian Group
Peter Tachell writing in The Guardian finds the British Commonwealth of Nations is but a Commonwealth of homophobes. Indeed, apart from perhaps Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, gay men are most severely persecuted in the former British colonies now independent that make up the Commonwealth. Of the 53 current members of the Commonwealth, more than 40 still criminalize same-sex relations, mostly under anti-sodomy laws that were originally imposed by the British government in the 19th century, during the period of colonial rule. The most draconian laws are found in The Gambia, Nigeria, Guyana, Sierra Leon

On the Trail: NY-23 and Texas
Two updates on races around the country. NY-23 Congressional District After conceding the NY-23 congressional race to Democrat Bill Owens for the second time last week, the darling of the Tea Party crowd Doug Hoffman has announced his intention to run again for the seat in 2010. More at CNN. Texas Governor's Race Fort Worth attorney and former US Ambassador Tom Schieffer dropped out the Texas governor's race earlier this week and urged the remaining Democratic candidates to unite behind Houston Mayor Bill White as the pa

Open Thread
With the holiday, it's been a quiet week in the diaries. So in lieu of a Diary Rescue until midweek, what's on your mind? Tags: Open Thread (all tags)

Nader Mulling Senate Bid in Connecticut
The Associated Press reports that consumer advocate and former Presidential candidate Ralph Nader continues to mull a Senate run in Connecticut against Democratic incumbent Chris Dodd. Nader would run as a Green party candidate. Ralph Nader says he wants to gauge the level of grass-roots support before deciding whether to make a bid to represent Connecticut in the Senate. The 75-year-old consumer advocate and Connecticut native said Friday that he is "absorbing" feedback about a possible bid. He was appearing at a book signing at the Noah Webster Library in We

Bus Rapid Transit Systems
Bus Rapid Transit Systems, or BRTs, are not a new technology. Called subways on wheels, they date to the 1970s and were first implemented in Curitiba, Brazil but until Bogotá, Colombia copied and improved on the system a decade ago they remained more of a novelty. Today, BRT systems can be found the world over with more cities studying the feasibility of adding lines. In 2006, Los Angeles opened its Orange line and on Monday, the city of Everett, Washington is opening a $29.6 million 17-mile bus line, called Swift. By comparison, Charlotte's light rail project is running $44.5 million p