Politics: Links that caught my eye

International: Brazil to U.S.: Keep Your Money.

Brazil has rejected $40 million in U.S. funds for fighting AIDS because of demands that it condemn prostitution, a key participant in its flagship AIDS program. The move is seen by some observers as a rejection of Washington's head-in-the-sand linkage of neo-con morality and foreign aid.

How wonderful! Go, Brazil, go. Forward-thinking, pragmatic solutions not weighed down by dogma. What a concept!

Of course, on the home front there's more fabulous news from Our Fair Government:

National: The Real ID Act is about to pass.

The Real ID Act will therefore likely be enacted without being scrutinized by any hearings or debate. The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed its disappointment that the final measure includes this sweeping legislation that rolls back asylum laws, attacks immigrants and sets the stage for a national ID.

State Level: And Texas is banning gay foster parents; this bill has already passed the Texas House of Representatives. Language includes:

Section 264.1064c. "Notwithstanding the applicant's or foster parent's statement that the applicant or foster parent is not a homosexual or bisexual, if the department determines after a reasonable investigation that the applicant or foster parent is homosexual or bisexual the department may not: (1) allow the applicant to serve as a foster parent; (2) place the child with the foster parent; or (3) allow the child to remain in foster care with the foster parent."

Oy, America. What are you thinking?!