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Like fellow actress Angelina Jolie , Alyssa Milano shows that she's more than just a Hollywood stereotype: I learned about NTDs [Neglected Tropical Diseases] when I heard Dr. Peter Hotez speak at least year's Clinton Global Initiative and I felt compelled to help raise awareness of this injustice. In the past year, we have made tremendous progress in educating people about the impact of NTDs on the developing world -- but the fact of the matter is that most people still don't know what they are. These diseases are rightfully called "neglected" because the lives they destroy are those of "the poorest of the poor" -- one billion men, women and children who have no power, who have no voice. Diseases like river blindness, that's caused by black flies that bite their victims near the eyes and leave behind parasitic worms to destroy sight. And snail fever, which you get by simply bathing or washing in a stream, and which causes severe liver or kidney dama...

ESPN's Sports Guy (Bill Simmons) breaks down IsiahGate as only he can . For example: Q: Considering the Knicks have thrown money around like a drunken billionaire at a strip joint over the past seven years, why didn't they pay off Browne Sanders so none of these seedy allegations saw the light of day? A: That's a great question. I'm glad I asked it. For an accuser in a sports-related sexual harassment trial, Browne Sanders has strong credentials: She's a former college basketball star at Northwestern, a married mother of three children and one of the few notable African-American female executives in professional sports. Even if her allegations were proven to be false, the last thing the Knicks needed was a potentially damaging and embarrassing trial, especially when they could have settled with Browne Sanders for half the money it cost to buy out Rose. Of course, when James Dolan is involved, all semblance of logic has to be thrown out the window. (If they ever buil...

John McCain said this : I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles ... personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith. But that doesn't mean that I'm sure that someone who is Muslim would not make a good president. Then followed that up by covering his ass some more: I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the candidate best able to lead the country and defend our political values. He still insisted that "the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation." Joe Lieberman's initial response to this? I have known John McCain very well for many years and I know that he does not have a bigoted bone in his body. I know that he is fair and just to all Americans regardless of their faith. Lieberman is an Orthodox Jew. Now going by John McCain's comments, he's given the impression that Lieberman's religion is at best unAmerican and at worst...

I saw the Blackwater hearing on C-SPAN today, and all I can say is "Wow." I understand that the official story will say that the Democrats mercilessly attacked a former Navy Seal-turned businessman, but here's what I saw: A very smug Chairman that seemed to no little about his own operation, and seemed to care even less about the negative ramifications of the actions of his company. Way too many Republicans who were willing to sabotage the hearing and blindly praise the aforementioned Chairman instead of trying to get some information. Some frustrated Democrats who could get some very simplistic questions answered. There were also veiled attempts by some Republicans to equate the employees of Blackwater USA to the US Military. That (regardless of what the employees did prior to working for Blackwater) is ridiculous, but considering that the Blackwater VP is Mitt Romney's BFF , I can't say this particular tactic is surprising. Oh, by the way: despite the specific ...

The Congressional Democrats who voted "shame, shame" on the MoveOn.org ad should have least made sure that they didn't take any friggin' money from the group before they voted . You can find the list here . This just makes those Democrats who voted look even more foolish.

It starts like this: My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is far from over. When I decided to run for president and when I accepted my party’s nomination, I did so with the grim realization that much of my first term would be largely dedicated to undoing all the damage of the previous administration. In the last eight years, we have seen crimes committed against humanity of virtually all walks of life by the men sitting behind me. We have seen the neglect and subjugation of those in the Third World and those of us here in our once-great nation. We have witnessed like powerless bystanders crimes not committed in ignorance of the law but in the ignoring of it. Read the rest here .

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised that any ol' joe would use their blogtime to count the benefits of slavery, but a guy who does movie reviews ? Sigh. And field negro? Don't be sorry ; the man is obviously a horny squirrel...as in "fucking nuts."

We could file this under: "Almost Biblical:" SAO PAULO, Brazil - A 51-year-old surrogate mother for her daughter has given birth to her own twin grandchildren in northeastern Brazil, the delivery hospital said. Rosinete Palmeira Serrao, a government health worker, gave birth to twin boys by Caesarean section on Thursday at the Santa Joana Hospital in the city of Recife, the hospital said in a statement on its Web site. What's more stunning than the Brazilian law on this (which says that only "close family" members can participate in such a procedure) is that none of her cousins stepped up.

The Good: Gilbert's rehab seem to be going well . The Bad: The resolution between Brendan Haywood and coach Eddie Jordan seems tenuous at best . The Ugly: After this season, Gilbert and Jamison can both opt out, and there's no signs of GM Ernie Grunfeld's potential backup plan.

On Monday, we'll find out if Congress feels the same way about Rush Limbaugh's comments as they did about the MoveOn.org ad regarding General Petraeus' Iraq report.