United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, called for an immediate end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the UN Security Council met to discuss the deepening Middle East crisis.

All Things Beautiful writes, “I must say to watch CNN's correspondent Nic Robertson run around with the out of breath, hyperventilating Hezbollah Press monkey who is showing him around the bombed buildings, and looking above every other second repeating that they are at that very moment standing in the most dangerous place about to be shelled again, whilst pointing to the buildings and giving the ‘killing innocent women and children’propaganda, was beyond the pale. In view of the fact that the spot they were standing in had been practically raised to the ground, IDF would have had to be blind to come back and waste any more rockets on completed missions. In between every sentence he would gasp and then start screaming how they will never surrender. Tell it to someone who cares, I say, or even better, someone who is listening. This is what happens when cowards hide under the skirts of their women and children in civilian housing complexes...�

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For the first time, US President George W. Bush used his presidential veto power on a bill involving federal funding for stem-cell research.

"This bill would support the taking of innocent human life in the hope of finding medical benefits for others," said Bush. "It crosses a moral boundary that our decent society needs to respect. So I vetoed it."

Heathencarla writes, “…I also have to wonder, if the reasoning behind allowing stem cell research is to stop the suffering of people with these horrible diseases, then why do so many of you vote down doctor assisted suicide? That only makes a person live through their misery longer? (just blanket statements not meant to single any one particular person or people out.�

And Rightly So says, “I really believe the American (and world’s) people have been duped into thinking there are no alternatives except to use embryos. It’s all based on theory too, not fact. What gets me is people are so stubborn they refuse to even LOOK at the promise some of these alternatives offer…�

Cynthia writes, “I cannot comprehend how one man can place more value over a "possibility" than an actual person. With this technology, human life can be improved greatly. There are so many benefits to forging ahead.�

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Scorching summer heat continues across the US. Officials in many states are urging people to stay cool as forecasters predict high temperatures will continue for several more days.

Julie in Kansas writes, “…oh i am not complaining , i like the heat ... but 110 ,now that is just crazy.on the bright side ... it gives me a reason to go swimming..{i really don't think massachusetts ever got like this} ....and i have never been this tan. life is good…�

Contributing Editor Erin Kotecki Vest also blogs at Queen of Spain and DotMoms.