Hi All,

I want to forewarn you that there may be some disruptions on the site. I am taking the plunge and upgrading the site's software. This will be a multi-step process. The upgrade is necessary for security (damn the spammers and hackers) and to add capabilities not available with the current version of the software.

The upgrade has required a redesign of all of the site templates - a major task for this site, and one prone to a problem or two.

Given the complexity of this particular upgrade, please email me with any problems that you run into - or things you like or dislike.

Thank you for your continued patronage of Uncommon Thought, and for your patience while it undergoes reconstruction.

By John Chuckman

I am disappointed with the view of some knowledgeable commentators over Scotland's release of the dying man who was convicted of the Lockerbie-airline bombing.

By Stratofrog

Dr. Christsakes took a yawning breath and pushed the oars deeper into the Stygian river. Sticks and stones can break my bones, he thought, but death panels won't hurt my business. His ferry to the other side was full of previously middleclass baby-boomers and his palliative crew was busy setting the final rigging in the cool autumn air. The pre-fabricated riverboat made flat line waves as they began their once-in-a-lifetime death trip across the river. Ironically, some religiously yearned to survive it. Since the recent election, it had been determined that rising insurance premiums were a pre-existing perdition and that those without healthcare would be forced to wander the banks of America for one hundred years.

By Ramzy Baroud

With elections just around the corner in Afghanistan, it might be timely to reflect on the US engagement with that stricken nation and consider just how much foreign intervention has contributed to the prospect and possibility of free and democratic elections. More, it is fitting to consider what kind of example the US and its allies have given to the people of Afghanistan, if they have bestowed any wisdom and guidance for a nation facing a turbulent and uncertain future, to say the least.

By Rob Kall. Republished from OpEdNews.

The health reform debate is roaring, as it should be, and we are engaged in pressing the spineless Dems - including Obama - to stand up to the insurance companies and rescue American health care. We are in danger of distracting ourselves from another important situation: the US Attorneys appointed by Bush are still in place. These appointments were the brainchild of Karl Rove, and their express purpose was to pursue political prosecutions of Democratic office-holders, and to create cases of "voter fraud" in order to divert attention from very real election theft. It is beholden on President Obama and his AG Eric Holder to remove these political hacks and to charge them with criminal behavior where appropriate.

By Stratofrog

Editor's note: Here is another literary friction by Stratofrog. While most can figure out the cast of characters, here's some help. Widdledub is George W. Bush, and Blunderdick is Richard Cheney

EERIE, Pa. Recently reclusing and reproofing his forthcoming storybook at a library in Texas, Widdledub finally broke his silence on Oh-Balm-Ah, speaking to $1500 dollar tables at The Manufacturit & Busyness Association's 104th Annual Wingnutteroo. Breathing in the parrhasia and breathing out his displeasia he took to the stage benighted and feckless with a large helping of arcane verbal tendencies. Widdle began by serving up enigmatic drift and wooly treasons for his "Eight Year Reign of Error:"

By Rowan Wolf

In the heat of healthcare reform and the mobilization of radical shock troops, the economy has drifted with little public discussion. When it comes up, it is frequently within the context that "the worst is behind us;" "we're leveling off;" or "recovery is just around the corner." While I wish all of this was true, I am concerned that it is not. While I wish that the Obama administration were being more honest, I believe they are engaging in the same type of spin we became accustomed to under the Bush administration.

We all know the privileged need our support or they might lose their ill gotten gains. Here's Billionaires for Wealthcare by Humanleague002.

Thanks Kelly for bringing this to my attention