1. Wake up America: The University of Nebraska decided to disinvite former terrorist, yet still radical progressive, William Ayers from speaking during a conference at the university after donors and contributors raised bloody hell when they heard about the wild plans. Good riddance on the one hand, sweet irony on the other; Ayers and his ilk are the same ones who have tried to force conservative voices out of academia. And no, that’s not a correct use of ‘on the one hand, on the other,’ but we did that on purpose in order to deceive you into believe that we would actually object to the disinvite in any way.

2. In what can rightfully be called definite proof that the New York Times has become the propaganda outlet of the Democratic Party, the paper published a hit piece on Cindy McCain, Senator John McCain’s wife, American Power Blog reports. The NYT reporter even went so far as to send an e-mail to a 16-year old friend of one of McCain’s children, asking the friend ‘how to best approach’ an article about Mrs. McCain. The friend wasn’t duped, however, and forward the e-mail to her friend and, thus, to the McCains.

3. Via Fausta’s Blog comes the news that Cuba’s communist government announced it had found massive oil reserves in its offshore fields. These offshore fields are… in the Gulf. Where Democrats and some Republicans have prevented the U.S. from drilling. As for the size: 20 billion barrels. Yes, that’s a lot. Can’t the U.S. just take it? I mean, the war in Iraq has virtually come to an end, how about (another? ooh, risky remark that) war for oil?

4. Independent candidate for president Ralph Nader continues to criticize the establishment of both parties, Wall Street and everyone else in positions of power, The Moderate Voice reports. Despite the fact that Nader has said the exact same things for decades by now, we still like the guy: he’s honest and direct. He has a strong and firm opinion, but is more interested in actual policy debate than partisan bickering. Which is probably why decided not to work in the Democratic Party (where he could’ve become big). 

5. Spencer Ackerman, aka Attackerman, isn’t very fond of Sarah Palin, or of conservative ‘journalists’ and columnists unable to express one single coherent thought. We knew that, but he wrote quite an entertaining and witty post attacking ‘Palin conservatives’ and Fred Barnes today, so we’ll link to it. Why? Because we like Ackerman, even if he’s one of the most arrogant liberal commentators around. Then again, we like arrogance. Sometimes.

6. Conservatives have been busily debating each other for days over the direction of the Republican Party, the role of the elites vs. the footsoldiers, and so on. Especially two posts by Ross Dhoutat are well worth your time. The only problem: the debate comes two years too late.

7. Steve Benen points out a distortion repeated time and again by the McCain campaign. That’s important work. We wonder when Benen will finally take the time to do the same with Obama’s willful distortions, spins, and even downright lies. Then again, since we could say the same about every partisan blogger out there (either left or right), we’ll link to his article nonetheless. 

8. Our last quick link of the day: Sweetness and Light reports that Barack Obama has called for the prosecution of those who prosecute ACORN. But, be sure, there are no further ties between him and the organization busily trying to commit voter fraud.