Safe, Legal and Well-done
In an article published in the New York Times on January 22, 2006 (available here to TimesSelect subscribers, here for mere mortals), William Saletan takes the "safe, legal and rare" position to an extreme. He says it's time for prochoicers to "declare war on abortion".
Katha Pollit's response, Prochoice Puritans in The Nation, correctly shows the logical consequences of that position: it will ultimately limit legitimate birth control and needlessly stigmatize obstetricians, gyncecologists and possibly pharmacists.
Let's all get the positioning right on this one: abortion should be safe, legal and well-done.
Recently, my wife got into an argument with someone over birth-control
drugs like RU-486, which acts early in pregnancy by preventing the
blastocyst from implanting itself in the wall of the uterus. This
person called those kind of drugs an "abortifacient". I
call them birth control. And I call them none of my business.
Getting in the way of a woman using that sort of birth control is
something I don't want the state to do other than ensuring the
safety of the treatment to the patient: the woman.
As a man, I take a rather radical approach to this issue: I realize I
don't have a say in whether any woman carries a pregnancy to term.
It's not my body. I can't enslave another human being's body and
force them to tend a field of cotton. What would make me think I can
hijack a woman's body to carry a blastocyst she doesn't want?
I guess I'm a 13th Amendment abortion-rights advocate.
I propose this ad-hoc definition of the beginning of human
life: when the woman carrying says it starts. When is a blastocyst,
an embryo, a fetus human? When the woman carrying it says it is.
No sooner. (With appropriate exceptions for those not of sound mind,
of course.)
Yep, this intoduces subjectivity into the law. Cry me a river. To the
men in the audience: That's the way it is, guys. We don't get a vote.
We are like the District of Columbia congressional delegation when it
comes to reproductive rights: we can observe and advise, but we are
powerless.
We wuz robbed by Mother Nature, and we'd better get used to it.
Katha Pollit's response, Prochoice Puritans in The Nation, correctly shows the logical consequences of that position: it will ultimately limit legitimate birth control and needlessly stigmatize obstetricians, gyncecologists and possibly pharmacists.
Let's all get the positioning right on this one: abortion should be safe, legal and well-done.
Recently, my wife got into an argument with someone over birth-control
drugs like RU-486, which acts early in pregnancy by preventing the
blastocyst from implanting itself in the wall of the uterus. This
person called those kind of drugs an "abortifacient". I
call them birth control. And I call them none of my business.
Getting in the way of a woman using that sort of birth control is
something I don't want the state to do other than ensuring the
safety of the treatment to the patient: the woman.
As a man, I take a rather radical approach to this issue: I realize I
don't have a say in whether any woman carries a pregnancy to term.
It's not my body. I can't enslave another human being's body and
force them to tend a field of cotton. What would make me think I can
hijack a woman's body to carry a blastocyst she doesn't want?
I guess I'm a 13th Amendment abortion-rights advocate.
I propose this ad-hoc definition of the beginning of human
life: when the woman carrying says it starts. When is a blastocyst,
an embryo, a fetus human? When the woman carrying it says it is.
No sooner. (With appropriate exceptions for those not of sound mind,
of course.)
Yep, this intoduces subjectivity into the law. Cry me a river. To the
men in the audience: That's the way it is, guys. We don't get a vote.
We are like the District of Columbia congressional delegation when it
comes to reproductive rights: we can observe and advise, but we are
powerless.
We wuz robbed by Mother Nature, and we'd better get used to it.
The Mental State Of The Union...
Imagine if you will a man who believes that every word from the president's mouth is true and sincere. Imagine a man who believes that the president is competent and just in his actions. Imagine that this man believes that anyone with a differing opinion is, "un-American" and, "un-Patriotic". And, imagine if you will, a town that has a newspaper that will print any nonsense that spews from a conservative's mouth. No, you haven't entered, "The Twilight Zone", you have entered my office (queue that music that goes something like, "Dee doo dee doo..." you know what I'm talking about).
It was a typical morning in the office. I arrive at my usual time - 30 minutes late. I grab a cup of coffee and check my email. One particular email catches my eye. Subject line: FYI. I open it, anticipating some useful information and this is what I see:
"The Enquirer wrote me requesting an article (due to my past letters to the editor submissions) concerning the Presidential State of the Union Address. The subject was, "What would you like to hear the President say in the State of the Union Address?"
My letter was published in the enquirer.com. It is the 4th one down...
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/EDIT0202/601290311/-1/all"
I knew what to expect. Here is a man with conservative views. We debate the issues of the day on a daily basis. It can't be any worse than what I hear every day right? Well, yea, right, but when he tells us those things are work, we think that he has to be kidding - I mean, no one really believes that, do they?
So, in a typical work day fashion, I would like to address what he says in his letter in the same manner that we (meaning me and the other Dem) would at work. Make sure to read the article first, just so you know what I'm talking about and remember - this is exactly how it would play out at work.
I would like the president to counter some of the meritless accusations and rhetoric that have affected his popularity.
You mean the same popularity that he had in 2000 when he won the popular vote? What was it? Something like Gore: 50,999,897, Bush: 50,456,002?
I am a person of principle, which means that I will do what I feel is right, regardless of how it is perceived or portrayed
He is a person of principle like a lemming is a free thinker. Doing what feels right means coming back from lunch and repeating Rush's talking points to us and when we question him on Rush's sources, he gets angry.
Sometimes, that means my decisions or actions, though meant in the best interest of all, may be unpopular.
Best interest of all? Tell me again what your view is on welfare, social security, and health care. Now what were your views on global warming, gun control, and unions? Best interest for all which means best interest in what he's interested in.
He turned around the failing economy he inherited from Clinton-Gore with tax cuts for everybody, and it was portrayed that he was giving "tax cuts for the rich."
Ah yes, I remember President Clinton's economic policy well (sigh). Because of their investment in technology, my salary doubled in less than a year. Damn you Bill Clinton! Yep, Bush gave tax cuts to everybody (everybody that is considered the wealthiest 1%). And it has done miracles for the economy. And he's right, those tax cuts do affect everyone.
He has prevented another successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil by taking the fight to the would-be terrorists overseas.
He could have prevented the first successful attack if he took the time just to read the title of his PDB. Would-be terrorists? As in Iraq would-be terrorists if we attack them? Can you tell me again who committed the attack on the World Trade Center? Iraq? Osama bin Laden? Right, now where is he? Is the president looking for him?
He exercised his power to allow our counterterrorism investigators to listen to international al-Qaida phone calls to stop future terror attacks, and it was called "spying on average citizens."
I asked him if he knew what the FISA was. Yep, you guessed it, he said no. And he is of the mind that you shouldn't be worried if you have done no wrong. That's right, but just mention taking away his gun.
If people hear lies enough, they start to believe some of them.
Very true and you're a shining example.
I would like the Bush administration to be more responsive to some of these wildly inflammatory and sometimes downright idiotic charges.
This brought a tear to my eye because I believe that he was directing this comment at me and my cohort. I feel special. Please, give me a moment.
So, there you have it. A few minutes of Fox And Friends in the morning, Rush at lunch, and some Hannity at dinner time and you too can be a walking billboard for lunacy.
This has been another episode of, "The Twilight Zone". You can go back to your normal life but I have to live it again tomorrow.
It was a typical morning in the office. I arrive at my usual time - 30 minutes late. I grab a cup of coffee and check my email. One particular email catches my eye. Subject line: FYI. I open it, anticipating some useful information and this is what I see:
"The Enquirer wrote me requesting an article (due to my past letters to the editor submissions) concerning the Presidential State of the Union Address. The subject was, "What would you like to hear the President say in the State of the Union Address?"
My letter was published in the enquirer.com. It is the 4th one down...
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/EDIT0202/601290311/-1/all"
I knew what to expect. Here is a man with conservative views. We debate the issues of the day on a daily basis. It can't be any worse than what I hear every day right? Well, yea, right, but when he tells us those things are work, we think that he has to be kidding - I mean, no one really believes that, do they?
So, in a typical work day fashion, I would like to address what he says in his letter in the same manner that we (meaning me and the other Dem) would at work. Make sure to read the article first, just so you know what I'm talking about and remember - this is exactly how it would play out at work.
I would like the president to counter some of the meritless accusations and rhetoric that have affected his popularity.
You mean the same popularity that he had in 2000 when he won the popular vote? What was it? Something like Gore: 50,999,897, Bush: 50,456,002?
I am a person of principle, which means that I will do what I feel is right, regardless of how it is perceived or portrayed
He is a person of principle like a lemming is a free thinker. Doing what feels right means coming back from lunch and repeating Rush's talking points to us and when we question him on Rush's sources, he gets angry.
Sometimes, that means my decisions or actions, though meant in the best interest of all, may be unpopular.
Best interest of all? Tell me again what your view is on welfare, social security, and health care. Now what were your views on global warming, gun control, and unions? Best interest for all which means best interest in what he's interested in.
He turned around the failing economy he inherited from Clinton-Gore with tax cuts for everybody, and it was portrayed that he was giving "tax cuts for the rich."
Ah yes, I remember President Clinton's economic policy well (sigh). Because of their investment in technology, my salary doubled in less than a year. Damn you Bill Clinton! Yep, Bush gave tax cuts to everybody (everybody that is considered the wealthiest 1%). And it has done miracles for the economy. And he's right, those tax cuts do affect everyone.
He has prevented another successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil by taking the fight to the would-be terrorists overseas.
He could have prevented the first successful attack if he took the time just to read the title of his PDB. Would-be terrorists? As in Iraq would-be terrorists if we attack them? Can you tell me again who committed the attack on the World Trade Center? Iraq? Osama bin Laden? Right, now where is he? Is the president looking for him?
He exercised his power to allow our counterterrorism investigators to listen to international al-Qaida phone calls to stop future terror attacks, and it was called "spying on average citizens."
I asked him if he knew what the FISA was. Yep, you guessed it, he said no. And he is of the mind that you shouldn't be worried if you have done no wrong. That's right, but just mention taking away his gun.
If people hear lies enough, they start to believe some of them.
Very true and you're a shining example.
I would like the Bush administration to be more responsive to some of these wildly inflammatory and sometimes downright idiotic charges.
This brought a tear to my eye because I believe that he was directing this comment at me and my cohort. I feel special. Please, give me a moment.
So, there you have it. A few minutes of Fox And Friends in the morning, Rush at lunch, and some Hannity at dinner time and you too can be a walking billboard for lunacy.
This has been another episode of, "The Twilight Zone". You can go back to your normal life but I have to live it again tomorrow.
Screw-up Menu
Excuse me, but who exactly did UC president Nancy Zimpher pay to get a dish named after her at Jeff Ruby's Precinct? She's been here not even two years and has done nothing to distinguish herself other than alienate half of the alumni. If you want to honor a college president, why not Xavier's, or Joseph Steger? Granted the dish sounds quite tasty, but I'm not inclined to 'eat Nancy'. Besides, if Jeff wanted to name a dish after her, this one is more appropriate:
Steak Zimpher is a $30, 16 ounce steak. However, after you order it, Nancy takes over the restaurant and turns it into an all-vegetarian menu because she's concerned more about providing healthy meals than about feeding people what they want to eat. Your steak will now be a 16 ounce block of tofu. However, you will still be expected to pay the $30, and will be condemned by the ownership as being anti-heart health if you do not pledge your full support of the restaurant and continue to pay premium prices for vegan meals.
Steak Zimpher is a $30, 16 ounce steak. However, after you order it, Nancy takes over the restaurant and turns it into an all-vegetarian menu because she's concerned more about providing healthy meals than about feeding people what they want to eat. Your steak will now be a 16 ounce block of tofu. However, you will still be expected to pay the $30, and will be condemned by the ownership as being anti-heart health if you do not pledge your full support of the restaurant and continue to pay premium prices for vegan meals.
You spin me right round
L.A. Times columnist Jon Chait does one hell of a job blowing holes in pretty much every claim that Karl "Spanky" Rove has made about the Dems being soft on terrorism. There's not much for me to add, just read and get angry.
Alito is in
In the end, it wasn't even close. The Senate voted 72-25 to end debtate on Scalito's nomination. The question now is what immediate effect is this going to have. With Ohio and other states proposing laws that ban all abortions, there's a chance abortion might end up before the court again. In the meantime, as Kos points out, we need to get more Democrats into the senate. You know what that means: DeWine's gotta go!
Hackett campaign update
Paul Hackett's campaign has raised $465,779.31 from 8,675 peeps in the first quarter of his campaign. Way to go, Paul!
Another Ohio GOP corruption scandal
Two lawyers are claiming that their refusal to donate to Jim Petro's campaign cost their firms state business. The interesting part? Both lawyers are Republicans.
So does this mean Blackwell is going to be our next guv'nor?
So does this mean Blackwell is going to be our next guv'nor?
Just for fun...and because this is the kind of story you all probably expect out of me
Why do I get the feeling we don't yet know everything about this dominatrix story?
08 Watch: Frist is full of shit
Well, I'll tell you what I learned from it, which is obvious. The American people don't want you involved in these decisions.This is the same "doctor" who made a diagnosis from his office using a video screen. It should be obvious that this Dobson-lover is trying to emerge as the "centrist" in the Republican party, whatever that means. Don't forget this is the moron who flip-flopped on stem-cell research.
New template: What do you think?
Peeps, I've been messing with the DL template and here's a candidate template for our blog:
http://testingthedltemplate.blogspot.com
It has three columns, so there's more space to put things on either side. Let me know what you think of it, how it looks in your browser, criticisms, comments, etc.
Update: Okay, the new template is up and running. Let me know if anything seems out of place, too small, too large, too sexy, etc.
http://testingthedltemplate.blogspot.com
It has three columns, so there's more space to put things on either side. Let me know what you think of it, how it looks in your browser, criticisms, comments, etc.
Update: Okay, the new template is up and running. Let me know if anything seems out of place, too small, too large, too sexy, etc.
Do you hate the promos for local news?
Check out this piece from Jimmy Kimmel's show. (via Mia Culpa)
Opinions on Oil Prices?
Here is an article on record setting earnings by Exxon. On CBS Sunday Morning last week, Ben Stein commented that oil companies are profit-driven like any other corporation and that they have the right to set prices wherever they want as long as we, the people, keep buying their "refined products." I think we need to seriously cut our dependence on oil as quickly as possible, although I have no brilliant ideas on how to do it. I'm interested to see what anyone else has to say.
Obama: Doesn't support fillabuster
He joins Reid and Schumer in fillabuster opposition. Senator Obama cast Alito as a judge "who is contrary to core American values, bot just liberal values." Obama believes there is one way to guarantee that judges who are appointed to the Supreme Court are judges that reflect our values. And that's to win elections.
Do you support a fillabuster?
Do you support a fillabuster?
Dancing Liberally--Designated Driving Lesson
The party last night was fabulizing. We danced liberally and ran down the street naked. Whoops, did you blink and miss it?
A girl on girl kiss was the talk of the evening, and someone was heard whispering, "Drinking Liberally was never this cool before..."
All the while, buzz about the Hackett campaign gathering was discussed--and musing about the veracity of time spent north of Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown is really thumbs up or thumbs down?
Will Strickland get the groundswell of support needed to kick ass in Southern OH?
Will Thor Jacobs give Schmidt for brains a marathon run for the money? Stay tuned to that tightly pulled bun, and pinafore sweater for details.
Did Jean have a bad botox moment? Her sunken drawn checks give pause to wonder. Speaking of fashion faux paux-s, was Sherrod Brown really wearing that oh-so-80's bell bottom ensemble?
Please...the fashion police speaketh, and all will listen. Because, afterall, someone has to drive you big boozers home.
A girl on girl kiss was the talk of the evening, and someone was heard whispering, "Drinking Liberally was never this cool before..."
All the while, buzz about the Hackett campaign gathering was discussed--and musing about the veracity of time spent north of Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown is really thumbs up or thumbs down?
Will Strickland get the groundswell of support needed to kick ass in Southern OH?
Will Thor Jacobs give Schmidt for brains a marathon run for the money? Stay tuned to that tightly pulled bun, and pinafore sweater for details.
Did Jean have a bad botox moment? Her sunken drawn checks give pause to wonder. Speaking of fashion faux paux-s, was Sherrod Brown really wearing that oh-so-80's bell bottom ensemble?
Please...the fashion police speaketh, and all will listen. Because, afterall, someone has to drive you big boozers home.
Rummie is a liar
Reuters is reporting that that 50,000 soldiers are being forced into extended duty. Of course, the powers that be will continue to claim that the army is not stetched thin. Remember, Rumhole said just a couple of days ago that everything's fine.
Movie Time
Here's a list of Corporate Crime movies. For the most part, it's not too bad, but they have made some obvious omissions:
Where is Trading Places? Hilarious and anti-big business. Ok, maybe it's a stretch but I think it resonates as much as Pootie Tang. And I thought that Boiler Room was as good as some on the list. (maybe due to the eerie similarities with a previous job I had)
And, where the hell is Office Space? I know, I know. What is the corporate crime in Office Space, you ask? The Corporation is the crime!!! Fight the power!! I mean, what movie better illustrates problems with corporations?
Any other movies they missed?
Where is Trading Places? Hilarious and anti-big business. Ok, maybe it's a stretch but I think it resonates as much as Pootie Tang. And I thought that Boiler Room was as good as some on the list. (maybe due to the eerie similarities with a previous job I had)
And, where the hell is Office Space? I know, I know. What is the corporate crime in Office Space, you ask? The Corporation is the crime!!! Fight the power!! I mean, what movie better illustrates problems with corporations?
Any other movies they missed?
Round up
From the department of "Really!-I-had-no-idea!": Men are from Mars, women are from Venus. Do we really need an international survey to tell us this?
From the department of "Why-am-I-not-surprised": Post-Katrina promises go unfulfilled. Did anyone expect anything different from The Incompetent OneTM?
From the department of "Look-who's-grown-a-new-pair": Kerry wants to filibuster Alito" (audio link). My spidey sense tells me someone wants to run again in '08.
From the department of "There's-a-joke-in-here-somewhere": Spelling sued for harassment. I predict at least twenty instances of the headline "Bad spelling."
From the department of "Why-am-I-not-surprised": Post-Katrina promises go unfulfilled. Did anyone expect anything different from The Incompetent OneTM?
From the department of "Look-who's-grown-a-new-pair": Kerry wants to filibuster Alito" (audio link). My spidey sense tells me someone wants to run again in '08.
From the department of "There's-a-joke-in-here-somewhere": Spelling sued for harassment. I predict at least twenty instances of the headline "Bad spelling."
Target fires pharmacist
Update: Same story, different chain. Now, Walgreen is getting sued.
Original: Target fired Heather Williams, a pharmacist, for refusing to fill prescriptions. And now she's considering a lawsuit.
Williams decides she knows better than the doctors who wrote the prescriptions, refuses to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception and as a result gets fired. Whom does she blame? Planned Parenthood! And if that weren't crazy enough, she goes on to say, "I want my right not to fill something, much as they have their right to get Plan B filled." I've never seen this right to not fill prescriptions listed anywhere. Have you?
Original: Target fired Heather Williams, a pharmacist, for refusing to fill prescriptions. And now she's considering a lawsuit.
Williams decides she knows better than the doctors who wrote the prescriptions, refuses to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception and as a result gets fired. Whom does she blame? Planned Parenthood! And if that weren't crazy enough, she goes on to say, "I want my right not to fill something, much as they have their right to get Plan B filled." I've never seen this right to not fill prescriptions listed anywhere. Have you?
The Dems Worst Enemy: Us?!?
The Iraq quagmire. The Alito nomination. Our crumbling healthcare system. Perfect fodder for the Dems to attack, right?
Wrong. Seems that some Dems have their panties in a wad over: us. Yep, they're attacking blogs like Huff Po and Daily Kos for being too "left" and not supporting their attempts to move the Party closer to the center.
Example: Governor Timothy M. Kaine, in response to Arianna Huffington's criticism that John Murtha should have been chosen instead of him to give the response to Bush's SOTU address Tuesday, said:
"Blogs can take up a lot of time if you're on them. You can get a lot done if you're not bitterly partisan."
Wrong. Seems that some Dems have their panties in a wad over: us. Yep, they're attacking blogs like Huff Po and Daily Kos for being too "left" and not supporting their attempts to move the Party closer to the center.
Example: Governor Timothy M. Kaine, in response to Arianna Huffington's criticism that John Murtha should have been chosen instead of him to give the response to Bush's SOTU address Tuesday, said:
"Blogs can take up a lot of time if you're on them. You can get a lot done if you're not bitterly partisan."
Can you wear 15 pieces of flair on a hockey jersey?
If you can get up to Columbus a week from Wednesday, be sure to go to the Blue Jackets' game to catch their tribute to the greatest movie ever made.
No more domestic spying
(been there, done that, made law against it!)
[All this bullshit about national security concerns justifying breaking the FISA
laws is amazing, yet nearly half the country says they support it.
Remember the uproar and prosecution for the people who eavesdropped on
Newt Gingrich's cell phone? Do our government officials deserve no less?
Remember, our government only has the rights specifically enumerated to them in the law and the constitution. It's time to start taking their money and 'priviledges' away, just like I do with my teenage kids when they get uppity.
FISA was put in place based after the last illegal NSA listening program, COINTELPRO and other programs, on the paranoid actions of the Nixon and Hoover (J edgar).
There are some wonderful documents at George Mason University's National Security Archive. (http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv)
There's a whole section called 'NSA declassified' - which contains Bush transition team memos written in 2000, that talk about issues with the new technologies.
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB24/index.htm#doc25
While there, check out Bill Moyer's speech ("kingdom of the half blind")
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/anniversary/moyers.htm
Executive priviledge, the last refuge of a scoundrel
- CS
]
Rove Offers Republicans A Battle Plan For Elections
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 21, 2006; A01
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove offered a biting preview
of the 2006 midterm elections yesterday, drawing sharp distinctions
with the Democrats over the campaign against terrorism, tax cuts and
judicial philosophy, and describing the opposition party as
backward-looking and bereft of ideas.
"At the core, we are dealing with two parties that have fundamentally
different views on national security," Rove said. "Republicans have a
post-9/11 worldview and many Democrats have a pre-9/11 worldview. That
doesn't make them unpatriotic -- not at all. But it does make them
wrong -- deeply and profoundly and consistently wrong."
Rove spoke at the winter meeting of the Republican National Committee
and, with RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, provided a campaign blueprint for
fighting the Democrats. They spoke at the beginning of an important
election year in which Republicans are battling historical trends,
public unrest over Iraq and a spreading corruption scandal that
together threaten to reduce the GOP majorities in the House and the
Senate and possibly shift control of one or both chambers to the
Democrats.
At a time when Democrats have staked their hopes in large part on the
issue of corruption, Rove and Mehlman showed that Republicans plan to
contest the elections on themes that have helped expand their
majorities under President Bush. They see national security and the
vigorous prosecution of the campaign against terrorism at the heart of
the GOP appeal to voters.
Rove's RNC address was a rare public appearance at a time when he
remains under investigation in the CIA leak case that resulted in the
indictment and resignation of Vice President Cheney's chief of staff,
I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Despite the investigation, Rove is still
Bush's top political adviser.
Taking no questions from the audience or the news media, Rove used his
platform to excoriate Democrats for "wild and reckless and false
charges" against Bush on the issue of domestic spying
Mehlman and Rove ... defended Bush's use of warrantless eavesdropping to gather
intelligence about possible terrorist plots. "Do Nancy Pelosi and
Howard Dean really think that when the NSA is listening in on
terrorists planning attacks on America, they need to hang up when
those terrorists dial their sleeper cells in the United States?"
Mehlman asked. Pelosi (D-Calif.) is the House minority leader.
...
laws is amazing, yet nearly half the country says they support it.
Remember the uproar and prosecution for the people who eavesdropped on
Newt Gingrich's cell phone? Do our government officials deserve no less?
Remember, our government only has the rights specifically enumerated to them in the law and the constitution. It's time to start taking their money and 'priviledges' away, just like I do with my teenage kids when they get uppity.
FISA was put in place based after the last illegal NSA listening program, COINTELPRO and other programs, on the paranoid actions of the Nixon and Hoover (J edgar).
There are some wonderful documents at George Mason University's National Security Archive. (http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv)
There's a whole section called 'NSA declassified' - which contains Bush transition team memos written in 2000, that talk about issues with the new technologies.
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB24/index.htm#doc25
While there, check out Bill Moyer's speech ("kingdom of the half blind")
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/anniversary/moyers.htm
Executive priviledge, the last refuge of a scoundrel
- CS
]
Rove Offers Republicans A Battle Plan For Elections
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 21, 2006; A01
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove offered a biting preview
of the 2006 midterm elections yesterday, drawing sharp distinctions
with the Democrats over the campaign against terrorism, tax cuts and
judicial philosophy, and describing the opposition party as
backward-looking and bereft of ideas.
"At the core, we are dealing with two parties that have fundamentally
different views on national security," Rove said. "Republicans have a
post-9/11 worldview and many Democrats have a pre-9/11 worldview. That
doesn't make them unpatriotic -- not at all. But it does make them
wrong -- deeply and profoundly and consistently wrong."
Rove spoke at the winter meeting of the Republican National Committee
and, with RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, provided a campaign blueprint for
fighting the Democrats. They spoke at the beginning of an important
election year in which Republicans are battling historical trends,
public unrest over Iraq and a spreading corruption scandal that
together threaten to reduce the GOP majorities in the House and the
Senate and possibly shift control of one or both chambers to the
Democrats.
At a time when Democrats have staked their hopes in large part on the
issue of corruption, Rove and Mehlman showed that Republicans plan to
contest the elections on themes that have helped expand their
majorities under President Bush. They see national security and the
vigorous prosecution of the campaign against terrorism at the heart of
the GOP appeal to voters.
Rove's RNC address was a rare public appearance at a time when he
remains under investigation in the CIA leak case that resulted in the
indictment and resignation of Vice President Cheney's chief of staff,
I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Despite the investigation, Rove is still
Bush's top political adviser.
Taking no questions from the audience or the news media, Rove used his
platform to excoriate Democrats for "wild and reckless and false
charges" against Bush on the issue of domestic spying
Mehlman and Rove ... defended Bush's use of warrantless eavesdropping to gather
intelligence about possible terrorist plots. "Do Nancy Pelosi and
Howard Dean really think that when the NSA is listening in on
terrorists planning attacks on America, they need to hang up when
those terrorists dial their sleeper cells in the United States?"
Mehlman asked. Pelosi (D-Calif.) is the House minority leader.
...
Electoral Dysfunction with Jerry Springer
The Hamilton County Democratic Forum presents....
Electoral Dysfunction
One party Rule- it's time to break the Rule!
Electoral Dysfunction
One party Rule- it's time to break the Rule!
7PM Thursday February 2, 2006
Jerry Springer Chris Redfern, Ohio Democratic Party Chair
Jerry Springer Chris Redfern, Ohio Democratic Party Chair
20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio
Phone 731-8000
Phone 731-8000
You can't call it anything but dysfunction when a single party holds every major statewide office, with the exception of one. This dysfunction manifests itself in corruption.
To borrow a line from DNC Chair Howard Dean-
"This is the year when the corruption, cronyism, and incompetence of the Republican Party collides with a powerful grassroots Democratic campaign. They won't know what hit them."
A Meet & Greet will follow the program in the lobby of the 20th Century - a time to mingle and talk politics with our guests and members.
~Cash Bar~
LIVE BLOGGING FROM THE EVENT
Are you a political blogger? Would you like to blog live?
Register today: calebfaux AT gmail.com
Are you a political blogger? Would you like to blog live?
Register today: calebfaux AT gmail.com
Working for the Weekend!!!
Since no one has blogged yet today, and it's close to quittin' time, let's do what radio stations across the nation do around this time: play Loverboy!!!
This Is Wire Tap
Oh if I could only be a White House correspondent today. I would love to sit in on the press gaggle to watch Scott McClellan squirm out of this one. One day wiretapping is unconstitutional, the next day it's necessary. Oh what a tangled web we weave...
Who Supports Terrorism?
According to this story from All Things Considered, people who paid ransoms to terrorist groups to free their kidnapped loved ones do--and can't be given asylum here as a result.
So, let's apply this logic to another example. The CIA gave money to Osama Bin Laden and Afghan rebels in the late 80s to fight the Soviets. On September 11th, 2001, Osama Bin Laden masterminded the worst terrorist act in US history. Does that mean that the CIA supports terrorism?
So, let's apply this logic to another example. The CIA gave money to Osama Bin Laden and Afghan rebels in the late 80s to fight the Soviets. On September 11th, 2001, Osama Bin Laden masterminded the worst terrorist act in US history. Does that mean that the CIA supports terrorism?
Really, Mr. President?
The incompetent one now says that Bin Laden must be taken seriously. Really, Mr. President? What a wonderful idea! A bit slow on the uptake, aren't we?
What the fuck are we then doing in Iraq? Why the hell didn't we first finish the job in Afghanistan? Just asking.
What the fuck are we then doing in Iraq? Why the hell didn't we first finish the job in Afghanistan? Just asking.
At least it's better than Freedom Fries
(to be read in the voice of Jon Stewart imitating the voice of G.W. Bush)
"See, what we do is, we take the domestic spying program, and then we change the name to something else. That way, when the independent counsel comes to ask for the spying documents, I say 'nope, don't have any of those lying around here, just these terrorist surveillance thingies'. I used the same trick to get out of that ticket for having an open container while driving, I just changed the label on the beer can to 'Not Budweiser'. He he he!"
(end voice)
One more thing: how can we still be in wartime? I thought the mission was accomplished? Just a thought.
"See, what we do is, we take the domestic spying program, and then we change the name to something else. That way, when the independent counsel comes to ask for the spying documents, I say 'nope, don't have any of those lying around here, just these terrorist surveillance thingies'. I used the same trick to get out of that ticket for having an open container while driving, I just changed the label on the beer can to 'Not Budweiser'. He he he!"
(end voice)
One more thing: how can we still be in wartime? I thought the mission was accomplished? Just a thought.
A "great deal"
Bush plans to reimburse over 20 states that provided emergency coverage to low-income residents who nearly went without life-saving medications because their data was missing in the new Medicare Drug Plan database or they couldn't afford the exorbitant medicine costs that they weren't supposed to pay.
Bush has bragged about being the "CEO President." The debacle of the new Medicare Drug Plan proves that he's neither.
Bush has bragged about being the "CEO President." The debacle of the new Medicare Drug Plan proves that he's neither.
So, we should just trust that they know the Constitution?
Hey everyone!! This is my first post, so I hope I'm doing it right.
This is more scary stuff from Big Brother. They know the Constitution so well, so don't worry! It's only our civil liberties, after all.
This is more scary stuff from Big Brother. They know the Constitution so well, so don't worry! It's only our civil liberties, after all.
Army Stretched to Breaking Point
So says a retired Army officer who wrote the report under a Pentagon contract. Thank you, George, Dick and Rummie.
Incompetence
The Bush administration has mismanaged every disaster that has hit the country since 2001, despite early warning. Remember the "Bin Laden determined to strike" PDB? Now we find out that Katrina was no different; these asswipes knew about it but were too inept to do anything.
The documents are the latest indication that the federal government knew beforehand of the catastrophic damage that a storm of Katrina's magnitude could cause.
A country of clairvoyants, I hope
I fear that Judge Sam Allito is about to be confirmed to be the newest supreme court justice. Our only hope is most Americans have some sort of clairvoyant powers. A CNN/USA Today/Gallup surveyfound that only about one in three Americans believe Alito would vote, as critics fear, to reverse the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
Tom Brinkman is surely the one out of three.
Tom Brinkman is surely the one out of three.
Drinking Liberally - 1/24/06
Greetings all,
We had an excellent turnout last week, including some new faces that we hope become more familiar (that's what we like, return customers). And this week gives us many topics to discuss and generally rant about, so come on down and join the discussion. As always, we will meet at The Comet at 4579 Hamilton Road on Tuesday, January 24th. We'll get started at 7:30, and who knows where the evening will take us. If you haven't been to The Comet before, you're missing out on one of Cincinnati's best small bars. They've got several refrigerators full of beer, and burritos and quesadillas so tasty you'd offend entire segments of America to get your hands on them.
Not sure what to talk about on Tuesday? Here's some ideas:
We had an excellent turnout last week, including some new faces that we hope become more familiar (that's what we like, return customers). And this week gives us many topics to discuss and generally rant about, so come on down and join the discussion. As always, we will meet at The Comet at 4579 Hamilton Road on Tuesday, January 24th. We'll get started at 7:30, and who knows where the evening will take us. If you haven't been to The Comet before, you're missing out on one of Cincinnati's best small bars. They've got several refrigerators full of beer, and burritos and quesadillas so tasty you'd offend entire segments of America to get your hands on them.
Not sure what to talk about on Tuesday? Here's some ideas:
- Where have you hidden the photos that show you meeting with indicted lobbyists?
- Now that CNN has hired multiple arch-conservatives, and Chris Matthews has clearly gone off the deep end, where will you get your national news from?
- Would you like to run for the Ohio state congress?
- Are you excited for the ceremonial groundbreaking on The Banks, even though there's still no plan for what's going there?
- Random thought: in a primary, which TV president would you vote for, 24's David Palmer or The West Wing's Jed Bartlet? And would you have any doubt that either would be more equipped for the job than Bush?
We hope to see you all down at The Comet on Tuesday.
Boccieri seeks to make military funerals a place to grieve
Ohio State Representative Boccierri, and I mean no disrepect, but he's also a hottie, seeks to keep far right activists from disrupting military funerals.
Boccieri, introduced legislation today aimed at inhibiting protests at funerals for Iraqi War Veterans. Members of a Kansas-based group are demonstrating at veterans funerals saying the military deaths in Iraq are punishment from God, and they’re organizing to come to Ohio. I won't name the group here, since I don't advocate their anti-war tactics, but I will give you the link to the Ohio State Democratic Website, where you can view the entire story. One word of warning, the pic of Boccieri doesn't do him justice.
Boccieri, introduced legislation today aimed at inhibiting protests at funerals for Iraqi War Veterans. Members of a Kansas-based group are demonstrating at veterans funerals saying the military deaths in Iraq are punishment from God, and they’re organizing to come to Ohio. I won't name the group here, since I don't advocate their anti-war tactics, but I will give you the link to the Ohio State Democratic Website, where you can view the entire story. One word of warning, the pic of Boccieri doesn't do him justice.
Wonk round-up
In the news...
Lost Liberty, you can check in anytime you want
What ever happened to the man who wants to take Supreme Court Justice Souter's home away from him for the purpose of building an inn? Well he surfaced again this weekend in Weare, New Hampshire, where he proposes building The Lost Liberty Inn, to build support for his cause. Logan Clements and his supporters gathered enough signatures, 25, to bring the matter before the voters on March 14th. If you're interesting in the fight check out http://www.natural-rights.org/.
Blackwell's November ballot initiative kills fun 4 all
No pick 4, No Buckeye Football, and no books. That's what could happen according to fiscal experts if Blackwell's Tax and Expenditure Limitation passes reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer today.
Wanted: A viable democratic candidate for District 34
Only three weeks left to apply, this one won't last. Work just 3 days a week with Summers off!
Represent 110,000 of your neighbors in the State General Assembly! Write and pass laws, how cool is that?
This district has lacked good reperesentation for over 5 years, maybe longer. It's time for a change! It wouldn't be too hard to impress your constituents, considering the current rep is responsible for; the concealed carry law, and the current House Bill under consideration that is set to trigger reconsideration of Roe v. Wade. (If you write or sponsor a bill that is illegal, you should be held accountable in a court of law.)
Duties & Responsibilities: State representatives listen to the concerns of their constituents and speak for them. They develop solutions to the needs of their districts through legislative action.
Qualifications: Minimum members of the House must be U.S. Citizens, must reside in the district for at least one year before election day, must not hold another state, federal or local public office while serving in the House.
The idea candidate would be action oriented, honest, intelligent, inspiring, and someone people can look up to, pro-choice, and want to protect the rights of all Ohioans! Candidate should have a spotless background, Oh, and to be electable you should have all of the above and be charismatic and personable and able to raise campaign money without compromising your ethics.
A neophyte politician would be a good change of pace, considering that the democratic candidates of the past have been lack-luster. Desired candidate is willing to protect the core democratic values, and can appeal to conservative voters who want change.
Residency Requirement: Must be a resident of the district, have resided in the district for one year preceding the election and be a registered elector (voter).
Compensation: Fifty-one thousand six hundred seventy-four dollars a year. Travel reimbursement per mile each way, no more than once a week. Medical Insurance.
If elected you will serve a two year term with the possibility of serving 8 years total. All applications must be received by The Hamilton County Board of Elections by February 16th.
Your first campaign event can be at Drinking Liberally. Life is short; make a difference now!
Represent 110,000 of your neighbors in the State General Assembly! Write and pass laws, how cool is that?
This district has lacked good reperesentation for over 5 years, maybe longer. It's time for a change! It wouldn't be too hard to impress your constituents, considering the current rep is responsible for; the concealed carry law, and the current House Bill under consideration that is set to trigger reconsideration of Roe v. Wade. (If you write or sponsor a bill that is illegal, you should be held accountable in a court of law.)
Duties & Responsibilities: State representatives listen to the concerns of their constituents and speak for them. They develop solutions to the needs of their districts through legislative action.
Qualifications: Minimum members of the House must be U.S. Citizens, must reside in the district for at least one year before election day, must not hold another state, federal or local public office while serving in the House.
The idea candidate would be action oriented, honest, intelligent, inspiring, and someone people can look up to, pro-choice, and want to protect the rights of all Ohioans! Candidate should have a spotless background, Oh, and to be electable you should have all of the above and be charismatic and personable and able to raise campaign money without compromising your ethics.
A neophyte politician would be a good change of pace, considering that the democratic candidates of the past have been lack-luster. Desired candidate is willing to protect the core democratic values, and can appeal to conservative voters who want change.
Residency Requirement: Must be a resident of the district, have resided in the district for one year preceding the election and be a registered elector (voter).
Compensation: Fifty-one thousand six hundred seventy-four dollars a year. Travel reimbursement per mile each way, no more than once a week. Medical Insurance.
If elected you will serve a two year term with the possibility of serving 8 years total. All applications must be received by The Hamilton County Board of Elections by February 16th.
Your first campaign event can be at Drinking Liberally. Life is short; make a difference now!
Pundits Gone Wild
Unbelievable. Chris Matthews manages to offend Arabs, liberals, and gays all in one day, plus he refers to Michael Savage as 'wonderful'. All he needs to do is tell a Jewish joke, a Polish joke, and drop an n-bomb tonight and he'll have pissed off everyone.
You might think that the former Democratic staffer might be going crazy, but when you realize that his brother is running for lieutenant governor, it all makes sense. He's trying to suck up to the right to help out a family member.
You might think that the former Democratic staffer might be going crazy, but when you realize that his brother is running for lieutenant governor, it all makes sense. He's trying to suck up to the right to help out a family member.
I Wish I Could Quit You George!
Ok, let's see:
- World renowned actor
- Dates ridiculously hot women and got to make out with Jennifer Lopez on screen
- Had the balls to walk away from ER at its apex
- Rips Republicans as a hobby
- Makes a jack-off joke on national TV and pisses off the father of a criminal
Yep, George Clooney. Coolest man in the world.
Come Together: Beatles Tribute
After chugging a few Shiner Bocks at Bigg's, come to the Poison Room (formerly the Viper Room) on 301 West 5th Street to hear all your favorite Beatles songs performed by some of Cinti's finest bands, including the Newbees, featuring my fabulous friend Sharon Udoh. Show starts at 10:00PM, and admittance is a mere $5.
Drink and Shop!
Tonight the Biggs in Hyde Park Plaza is hosting a beer tasting of Shiner Bock and Sam Adams.$5.00 Time 6:30-8:30, inside the Awakenings coffee shop inside Biggs. This might be a whole new way to pick-up dates at the Grocery!
If you go tell them D.L. sent you.
If you go tell them D.L. sent you.
Polls in your blogs
Blogpoll provides a free and easy way of adding polls to your blogs.
It's a simple process. All you have to do is fill out a form in three steps:
Blogpoll will give you a snippet of javascript, like so:
<script language="javascript" src="http://www.blogpoll.com/poll/view_Poll.php?type=java&poll_id=42102"> </script>
Add the script to your blog as one continuous line and you're done! When you hit "Publish Post" button, blogger will complain with a "Tag not allowed" message. Check the box that says "Stop showing errors" and continue. Here's a sample poll from blogpoll:
It's a simple process. All you have to do is fill out a form in three steps:
- Select the number of questions.
- Set the question and the answers.
- Optionally, select background and foreground colors, size, etc.
Blogpoll will give you a snippet of javascript, like so:
<script language="javascript" src="http://www.blogpoll.com/poll/view_Poll.php?type=java&poll_id=42102"> </script>
Add the script to your blog as one continuous line and you're done! When you hit "Publish Post" button, blogger will complain with a "Tag not allowed" message. Check the box that says "Stop showing errors" and continue. Here's a sample poll from blogpoll:
Executives in trouble reach a new low
How can you tell if this kind of story is true? Just a question from a skeptical liberal. This is about Scrushy, the HealthSouth guy, paying for positive news stories and paying the black community for support.
I'm disgusted.
I'm disgusted.
Insights into a disturbed mind
Since I haven't had my mind focused on politics for a couple days, here are some of the random thoughts that clutter my brain so I can get back to normal. And yes, I'm completely plagarizing Bill Simmons' style for this. So sue me. Really, please do, we could use the publicity.
"Spreading peanut butter on a slice of toast without ripping a hole in it" should be an Olympic sport.
Nothing stops me in my tracks like the Proactiv face cleaning solution commercial where P. Diddy describes how it "...moisturizes my situation, and preserves my sexy". How he's not president is beyond me.
How could they have both Dancing With the Stars and Skating With Celebrities without inviting Coolio or Omarosa? Aren't they contractually obligated to be on a reality show at least once every six months? What else is keeping them busy? (Dancing, three words: Stacy Keibler...yum)
How do Jason Priestly and Brian Austin Green get roles in prime-time shows, and we can't find a spot for Ian Ziering somewhere?
If I had to rate the best inventions of the past 10 years, shuffle mode and TiVo would be at the top of the list...and Scarborough Country would definitely be last.
When the TV historians look back in 20 years, the Real World/Road Rules Challenge season without Abe, Theo, Veronica, Tonya, or the Miz will be the equivalent of the Anthony Michael Hall Saturday Night Live season.
No trip to Jungle Jim's is complete without Boar's Head cold cuts, a 6-pack of good beer, and Bubbies' pickles.
Every time I get excited over how incredible the rookie class in the NHL is this year, I realize that it's only because the soul-less bastards cancelled the season last year, so there are actually two year's worth of rookies...and then I have an aneurism.
Random thoughts on 24: did they use W's decision making abilities as a basis for President Logan? Do you get hazard pay for having to reach inside Jean Smart's blouse? Has Edgar changed his clothes since last season? And does anyone else keep a spray bottle of lemon juice nearby so they can blind themselves every time he looks stalkingly at Chloe?
I spend more time examining a carton of eggs at the grocery than I spent researching my digital camera purchase.
Ok, I'll say it: Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman are the same person. Even God couldn't hit back-to-back homeruns like that. They're like Mark McGwire and the Brawny paper towel guy, you've never seen them in the same room at the same time.
"Spreading peanut butter on a slice of toast without ripping a hole in it" should be an Olympic sport.
Nothing stops me in my tracks like the Proactiv face cleaning solution commercial where P. Diddy describes how it "...moisturizes my situation, and preserves my sexy". How he's not president is beyond me.
How could they have both Dancing With the Stars and Skating With Celebrities without inviting Coolio or Omarosa? Aren't they contractually obligated to be on a reality show at least once every six months? What else is keeping them busy? (Dancing, three words: Stacy Keibler...yum)
How do Jason Priestly and Brian Austin Green get roles in prime-time shows, and we can't find a spot for Ian Ziering somewhere?
If I had to rate the best inventions of the past 10 years, shuffle mode and TiVo would be at the top of the list...and Scarborough Country would definitely be last.
When the TV historians look back in 20 years, the Real World/Road Rules Challenge season without Abe, Theo, Veronica, Tonya, or the Miz will be the equivalent of the Anthony Michael Hall Saturday Night Live season.
No trip to Jungle Jim's is complete without Boar's Head cold cuts, a 6-pack of good beer, and Bubbies' pickles.
Every time I get excited over how incredible the rookie class in the NHL is this year, I realize that it's only because the soul-less bastards cancelled the season last year, so there are actually two year's worth of rookies...and then I have an aneurism.
Random thoughts on 24: did they use W's decision making abilities as a basis for President Logan? Do you get hazard pay for having to reach inside Jean Smart's blouse? Has Edgar changed his clothes since last season? And does anyone else keep a spray bottle of lemon juice nearby so they can blind themselves every time he looks stalkingly at Chloe?
I spend more time examining a carton of eggs at the grocery than I spent researching my digital camera purchase.
Ok, I'll say it: Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman are the same person. Even God couldn't hit back-to-back homeruns like that. They're like Mark McGwire and the Brawny paper towel guy, you've never seen them in the same room at the same time.
Alito watch
Kos is keeping track of who's on which side. As expected, Nebraska's Nelson is voting for Alito.
Lest we get complacent
The attacks on Roe continue:
Among the states getting F's in NARAL's report are Indiana and Ohio, where conservative lawmakers are introducing bills to ban abortion outright. They hope their measures become law and then face legal challenges that lead to a Supreme Court reconsideration of the 1973 Roe ruling that established abortion rights nationwide.
Blogging from Firefox
For all my peeps who use Firefox, now there's an easy way to blog. Install the Performancing for Firefox extension and restart Firefox.
Click on the button in the status bar and it gives you a blogging pane right in your Firefox window. Here's a screenshot.
If you don't use Firefox, you're SOOL. Sorry!
Click on the button in the status bar and it gives you a blogging pane right in your Firefox window. Here's a screenshot.
If you don't use Firefox, you're SOOL. Sorry!
Tip of the Hat to: SFGate.com
Columbus hot spot of culture of coruption
Well the event with Dean was not quite as earthshaking as one would hope. Dean and ODP leaders stood together in front of Taft's ceremonial office to sign a national petition for Congress to restore honest leadership to government.
National leaders have focused on Columbus, because Ohio has been the focal point of a pay-to-play culture that is now focused on Washington. In Ohio, GOP public officials and their staff members who have been under scrutiny include former House Speaker Larry Householder, former State Treasurer Joe Deters, former GOP operative Tom Noe, Congressman Bob Ney and Governor Bob Taft the first sitting Ohio Governor ever convicted of an ethics offense.
The event coincides with the unveiling of an ethics package on Capitol Hill by Congressional leaders geared toward ending the post-Abramoff atmosphere that has consumed the nation’s political landscape as the GOP’s sole control of Ohio and more recently Congress comes under intense scrutiny.
Please sign this petition, and keep the leadership's feet to the fire to actually get things done, not just protest and make proclamations. Let's see some real change.
National leaders have focused on Columbus, because Ohio has been the focal point of a pay-to-play culture that is now focused on Washington. In Ohio, GOP public officials and their staff members who have been under scrutiny include former House Speaker Larry Householder, former State Treasurer Joe Deters, former GOP operative Tom Noe, Congressman Bob Ney and Governor Bob Taft the first sitting Ohio Governor ever convicted of an ethics offense.
The event coincides with the unveiling of an ethics package on Capitol Hill by Congressional leaders geared toward ending the post-Abramoff atmosphere that has consumed the nation’s political landscape as the GOP’s sole control of Ohio and more recently Congress comes under intense scrutiny.
Please sign this petition, and keep the leadership's feet to the fire to actually get things done, not just protest and make proclamations. Let's see some real change.
ID Defeat: California
Remember the school board in Cali that tried to get away with teaching Intelligent Design as a philosophy course? Fortunately, a group of a concerned parents successfully sued to have the class canceled.
Write to Drink
Cool job, Dream job, call it what you will but City Beat is searching for a new columnist. The topic-wine, beer and spirits.
The ad reads;Writer must enjoy moderate alcohol consumption, know her or his way around a wine list and a liquor store, and be a lively writer with a nose for adventure.
As a public service I'll insert the entire ad here.
City Beat seeks a columnist to cover wine, beer and spirits in an entertaining and educational monthly column for the Dining section. Writer must enjoy moderate alcohol consumption, know her or his way around a wine list and a liquor store, and be a lively writer with a nose for adventure. Pay: Minimal. Fame and glory: Inestimable, intereested? E-mail a breif summary of writing background and wine/beer/spirits expertise with a 400-word sample column on this topic: "I'm hosting an Ides of March Party. What alcoholic beverages should I serve?" to Contributing Editor Craig Bida (cbida@citybeat.com) by January 31,2006.
If you get the job, you owe me a drink!
The ad reads;Writer must enjoy moderate alcohol consumption, know her or his way around a wine list and a liquor store, and be a lively writer with a nose for adventure.
As a public service I'll insert the entire ad here.
City Beat seeks a columnist to cover wine, beer and spirits in an entertaining and educational monthly column for the Dining section. Writer must enjoy moderate alcohol consumption, know her or his way around a wine list and a liquor store, and be a lively writer with a nose for adventure. Pay: Minimal. Fame and glory: Inestimable, intereested? E-mail a breif summary of writing background and wine/beer/spirits expertise with a 400-word sample column on this topic: "I'm hosting an Ides of March Party. What alcoholic beverages should I serve?" to Contributing Editor Craig Bida (cbida@citybeat.com) by January 31,2006.
If you get the job, you owe me a drink!
"Disagree Responsibly"
President Bush says that criticism of the Iraq war is hurting the troops morale.
Paul Hackett disagrees. Watch the video clip from yesterday's Today Show that's on the Brad Blog.
Paul Hackett disagrees. Watch the video clip from yesterday's Today Show that's on the Brad Blog.
Hope they enjoyed Wally World
Well now we know why the Dems had no coherent strategy for the SCOTUS hearings. Fucking pathetic. They should all be ashamed of themselves.
Howard Dean, Ohio Democratic leaders to discuss ethics reform
The chairman of the DNC, Howard Dean, will join Ohio House and Senate Democrats in launching a national campaign to demonstrate Democrats' commitment to honest leadership on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. at the Ohio Statehouse.
It appears the DNC has been listening to us. We wanted a unified message to take to the streets. It appears they will be unveiling it tomorrow.
The event will coincide with the unveiling of a package of reforms being introduced in Washington by the Democratic leadership in Congress. Democrats across America will stand united on Wednesday in shining a spotlight on the Republican culture of corruption and in highlighting efforts to restore honest leadership at all levels of government.
It appears the DNC has been listening to us. We wanted a unified message to take to the streets. It appears they will be unveiling it tomorrow.
The event will coincide with the unveiling of a package of reforms being introduced in Washington by the Democratic leadership in Congress. Democrats across America will stand united on Wednesday in shining a spotlight on the Republican culture of corruption and in highlighting efforts to restore honest leadership at all levels of government.
Paul says what everyone is thinking; pisses off OGOP leader
Senate candidate Paul Hackett, as always, says what is on his mind, and once again it created a flurry of response and donations to his campain. Are the republicans ever going to get it? If you mess with Paul, all it does is make his coffers fill.
Sunday the Columbus Dispatch ran a story on Paul with a quote that is typical Paul.
"The Republican Party has been hijacked by the religious fanatics that, in my opinion, aren't a whole lot different than Osama bin Laden and a lot of the other religious nuts around the world," he said. "The challenge is for the rest of us moderate Americans and citizens of the world to put down the fork and spoon, turn off the TV, and participate in the process and try to push back on these radical nuts - and they are nuts."
The Ohio Republican Party took notice of it Bob Bennet responded.
Paul Hackett's attempt to compare Christian conservatives to terrorists is abhorrent and completely inappropriate. These intolerant views have no place in the public debate, and I hope his fellow Democrats reject this divisive hate speech. Hackett has shown repeatedly that he will say or do anything to get attention, and it's unfortunate that views like his are embraced by the Democratic Party. I think, Mr. Hackett, you've once again proven who real "radical nut" is.
Radical Nut? I don't think so. Paul is the only one to say what a lot of people are thinking, but don't have the guts to say.
Hackett responded with this.
I said it. I meant it. I stand behind it.
This is where the Republicans miscalculated. This crossfire resulted in a flurry of responses on the blogs and all the while the Hackett coffers were filling. I could here the cha-ching from here. I think the best chatter happened on Americablog
I think it's time for us to put down that fork and get busy getting Paul elected. You can do it with money or with time, both are needed. Check out the Hackett for Senate website for info.
Sunday the Columbus Dispatch ran a story on Paul with a quote that is typical Paul.
"The Republican Party has been hijacked by the religious fanatics that, in my opinion, aren't a whole lot different than Osama bin Laden and a lot of the other religious nuts around the world," he said. "The challenge is for the rest of us moderate Americans and citizens of the world to put down the fork and spoon, turn off the TV, and participate in the process and try to push back on these radical nuts - and they are nuts."
The Ohio Republican Party took notice of it Bob Bennet responded.
Paul Hackett's attempt to compare Christian conservatives to terrorists is abhorrent and completely inappropriate. These intolerant views have no place in the public debate, and I hope his fellow Democrats reject this divisive hate speech. Hackett has shown repeatedly that he will say or do anything to get attention, and it's unfortunate that views like his are embraced by the Democratic Party. I think, Mr. Hackett, you've once again proven who real "radical nut" is.
Radical Nut? I don't think so. Paul is the only one to say what a lot of people are thinking, but don't have the guts to say.
Hackett responded with this.
I said it. I meant it. I stand behind it.
This is where the Republicans miscalculated. This crossfire resulted in a flurry of responses on the blogs and all the while the Hackett coffers were filling. I could here the cha-ching from here. I think the best chatter happened on Americablog
I think it's time for us to put down that fork and get busy getting Paul elected. You can do it with money or with time, both are needed. Check out the Hackett for Senate website for info.
Thoughts from The Max
As I look past on this past week, I can't help but think that the Democrats missed a huge opportunity to connect with the public and get their message across.
Let's be realistic; there's almost no chance that Alito won't get through committee, and it's likely no matter what came out of the hearings that he'll be confirmed. But I think this offered an excellent opportunity for the left to show the country just what kind of person that the president wants on the court, and what the right is willing to get behind.
Maybe I'm wishing for too much, but my hope would have been that the Democrats on committee would have come in with a cohesive game plan. Each of the initial questioners should have focused on one aspect of Alito's history for their half-hour, and then had the final senator tie it all together into a neat little package for the country to see. Instead, what I saw was a bunch of disjointed, self-interested individuals thristy for air time.
This wouldn't have been that difficult to pull off. Alito's positions have more inconsistencies than the typical episode of 24. There was plenty there to work with, but rather than use their time wisely to accomplish this goal, the Democratic senators instead used it to babble on incessantly about totally tangential topics.
Other than the clip of Alito's wife crying (which really deserves its own separate treatment), the one enduring moment of these hearings will be Joe Biden going on about whatever with Ivy League schools, and then putting on a Princeton ballcap. Freaking brilliant. The one chance you have to question a SCOTUS nominee and you spend five minutes on that crap. In the words of Mel Sharples, Joe, you stow it!
The problem is, after all of this, the leadership of the party will still wonder why the public doesn't support our side. And this is the fundamental issue that party leadership never seems to get. It's not enough just to try and make a few points here and there, and then let that be that and leave it up to the people to make their own conclusions. You have to summarize everything and show the average person why you're right and they're wrong.
Think of it this way; would a trial lawyer go through the examinations, and then not deliver a closing argument that ties it all together? Or moreover, would he piss away part of his exam time to make nice with the parties of the trial? It defies logic that the left doesn't get this.
In the words of George Carlin, if you've ever wondered how stupid the public is, think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half the people are stupider than that. The right gets that, and they use it to their advantage. Until we do the same, things aren't going to get any better.
Let's be realistic; there's almost no chance that Alito won't get through committee, and it's likely no matter what came out of the hearings that he'll be confirmed. But I think this offered an excellent opportunity for the left to show the country just what kind of person that the president wants on the court, and what the right is willing to get behind.
Maybe I'm wishing for too much, but my hope would have been that the Democrats on committee would have come in with a cohesive game plan. Each of the initial questioners should have focused on one aspect of Alito's history for their half-hour, and then had the final senator tie it all together into a neat little package for the country to see. Instead, what I saw was a bunch of disjointed, self-interested individuals thristy for air time.
This wouldn't have been that difficult to pull off. Alito's positions have more inconsistencies than the typical episode of 24. There was plenty there to work with, but rather than use their time wisely to accomplish this goal, the Democratic senators instead used it to babble on incessantly about totally tangential topics.
Other than the clip of Alito's wife crying (which really deserves its own separate treatment), the one enduring moment of these hearings will be Joe Biden going on about whatever with Ivy League schools, and then putting on a Princeton ballcap. Freaking brilliant. The one chance you have to question a SCOTUS nominee and you spend five minutes on that crap. In the words of Mel Sharples, Joe, you stow it!
The problem is, after all of this, the leadership of the party will still wonder why the public doesn't support our side. And this is the fundamental issue that party leadership never seems to get. It's not enough just to try and make a few points here and there, and then let that be that and leave it up to the people to make their own conclusions. You have to summarize everything and show the average person why you're right and they're wrong.
Think of it this way; would a trial lawyer go through the examinations, and then not deliver a closing argument that ties it all together? Or moreover, would he piss away part of his exam time to make nice with the parties of the trial? It defies logic that the left doesn't get this.
In the words of George Carlin, if you've ever wondered how stupid the public is, think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half the people are stupider than that. The right gets that, and they use it to their advantage. Until we do the same, things aren't going to get any better.
In Honor Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
August 28, 1963
Washington, DC
Bush Lied, People Spied
Reports are beginning to surface that Bush authorized wiretapping operations even before 9/11. The president has repeatedly used 9/11 as the excuse for the increased eavesdropping.
Story here.
Story here.
Busting Up A Starbucks
What do you do when you are a rock star with a bad hip? You can always serve coffee.
Words of wisdom from America's pre-eminent TV psychiatrist
"If you want to be a winner in love, you want to be a winner in relationships, then do what it takes." - Dr. Phil
Wow. How many people buy his books every year to get pearls of wisdom that a 7 year old could give? And how much does that fat jackass make every year? And just think, you can get this and 49 other completely useless quotes for just $12.99/month. Forgive me if I save that money for something useful.
Wow. How many people buy his books every year to get pearls of wisdom that a 7 year old could give? And how much does that fat jackass make every year? And just think, you can get this and 49 other completely useless quotes for just $12.99/month. Forgive me if I save that money for something useful.
If you can't win the argument, lying helps
Kevin Drum is 100% correct. Democrats had better start crafting their message on the NSA spying issue, and they had better get cracking on developing a plan for Iran, because like it or not, it's coming.
Satan for Governor, no really
Truth is stranger than fiction. Johnathon the Impaler Sharkey, a Satanic Preist and sangunianrian vampyre, and a hecate witch and he is running for governor of Minnesota. Named for JFK, a dejected republican, is running on his own party's ticket, the VWP; the Vampyres,Witches and Pagans . You got to read about him to beleive it.His campaign kicks offs today on Friday the 13th.
Boomer Betrays Bengals
You will recall from a previous post by Zack Morris that the rumors of a halftime scuffle in the Bengals locker room were no longer rumors and the event did occur. If this story remained in Cincinnati, then I say no harm, no foul. But, this is not the case. On an early morning radio show in Pittsburgh, our own Super Bowl quarterback, Boomer Esiason reported that the incident did happen. Boomer told the Pittsburgh listeners that Chad was crying about not getting the ball more but that's not all, Boomer also called Chad a, "knucklehead" and, "not everyone can be a Hines Ward".
Reporters are rarely invited to a locker room at halftime. If Boomer was in the locker room it was because he was invited, not because he's a reporter, but because he was a former Bengal and the quarterback that took the team to the Super Bowl. It would be one thing for Boomer to appear on a Cincinnati radio station and say what he said, but to go to Pittsburgh and say this? Absolute betrayal. Boomer should be ashamed of himself and I believe he owes Marvin Lewis an apology.
And... Boomer Esiason is legally brain dead to me.
Reporters are rarely invited to a locker room at halftime. If Boomer was in the locker room it was because he was invited, not because he's a reporter, but because he was a former Bengal and the quarterback that took the team to the Super Bowl. It would be one thing for Boomer to appear on a Cincinnati radio station and say what he said, but to go to Pittsburgh and say this? Absolute betrayal. Boomer should be ashamed of himself and I believe he owes Marvin Lewis an apology.
And... Boomer Esiason is legally brain dead to me.
An open letter to Chad Johnson
Dear Mr. Ohio Riverdance Man,
I am particularly troubled by the rumors of your halftime dust-up with head coach Marvin Lewis and receivers coach Hue Jackson. I’m also more troubled by your explanation, or lack thereof, of what exactly happened in the locker room and why you continue to deny that the incident happened.
You say that we weren’t there, so we don’t know. Fair enough, I didn’t see it with my own two eyes, so I can’t say for certain that it happened. However, there are several events that have taken place since the end of Sunday’s game that make one wonder how something didn’t happen. If nothing occurred, then help me understand the following circumstances:
Coach Lewis stating after the game that ‘we came into this season as one team, and we need to make sure that we leave as one team’
John Thornton making a statement to the effect that there were some guys that were more concerned with their own numbers and situation than they were with whether the team won or lost
Anthony Mitchell and Madieu Williams going on Bengal Line Monday night and referring to fireworks at halftime, and reportedly both kicking each other, presumably to get each other to not disclose too much information
Thornton then clarifying his remarks on Tuesday that he was not referring to any rookies (the assumption was he was initially referring to Odell Thurman and his free-lancing ways)
Bengals game analyst Dave Lapham and FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer both reporting that an incident did in fact occur at halftime
No one from the organization, whether it be players, coaches, public relations, or anyone else, standing up and denying the reports of any confrontation
The last two are particularly damning. Think about it; why would Lapham make this up? If he did, his credibility within the locker room, and likely his career with the Bengals newtwork, would be shot. And don’t you think that it would be in Marvin’s best interest to refute this rumor if it wasn’t true? Seems to me he’d be extremely interested in protecting one of his top three players from unnecessary controversy. But four days later and we haven’t heard anything.
Look, you can keep denying and saying we weren’t there, and I guess that’s your prerogative. But just like people get convicted of murders without a body or even a weapon, you can be judged guilty in the court of public opinion on circumstantial evidence. And frankly, it bothers us that, in the biggest game for this team in 15 years, with the star quarterback knocked out of the game, our franchise receiver feels the need to pout at halftime about the number of balls being thrown to him WHEN WE WERE LEADING!!
So go ahead and keep it up, but do us a favor; if this is going to be an ongoing thing with you, if you’re going to continue to whine about your numbers, if you’re going to continue to be a distraction, and most importantly if you plan on holding out through training camp, please do us a favor and let management know so they can get you out of here. We’ve waited far too long for this franchise to get where it is to have you bring it down like Terrell Owens did to Philadelphia.
Sincerely,
Zack Morris
Bayside High School, Class of 1993
I am particularly troubled by the rumors of your halftime dust-up with head coach Marvin Lewis and receivers coach Hue Jackson. I’m also more troubled by your explanation, or lack thereof, of what exactly happened in the locker room and why you continue to deny that the incident happened.
You say that we weren’t there, so we don’t know. Fair enough, I didn’t see it with my own two eyes, so I can’t say for certain that it happened. However, there are several events that have taken place since the end of Sunday’s game that make one wonder how something didn’t happen. If nothing occurred, then help me understand the following circumstances:
Coach Lewis stating after the game that ‘we came into this season as one team, and we need to make sure that we leave as one team’
John Thornton making a statement to the effect that there were some guys that were more concerned with their own numbers and situation than they were with whether the team won or lost
Anthony Mitchell and Madieu Williams going on Bengal Line Monday night and referring to fireworks at halftime, and reportedly both kicking each other, presumably to get each other to not disclose too much information
Thornton then clarifying his remarks on Tuesday that he was not referring to any rookies (the assumption was he was initially referring to Odell Thurman and his free-lancing ways)
Bengals game analyst Dave Lapham and FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer both reporting that an incident did in fact occur at halftime
No one from the organization, whether it be players, coaches, public relations, or anyone else, standing up and denying the reports of any confrontation
The last two are particularly damning. Think about it; why would Lapham make this up? If he did, his credibility within the locker room, and likely his career with the Bengals newtwork, would be shot. And don’t you think that it would be in Marvin’s best interest to refute this rumor if it wasn’t true? Seems to me he’d be extremely interested in protecting one of his top three players from unnecessary controversy. But four days later and we haven’t heard anything.
Look, you can keep denying and saying we weren’t there, and I guess that’s your prerogative. But just like people get convicted of murders without a body or even a weapon, you can be judged guilty in the court of public opinion on circumstantial evidence. And frankly, it bothers us that, in the biggest game for this team in 15 years, with the star quarterback knocked out of the game, our franchise receiver feels the need to pout at halftime about the number of balls being thrown to him WHEN WE WERE LEADING!!
So go ahead and keep it up, but do us a favor; if this is going to be an ongoing thing with you, if you’re going to continue to whine about your numbers, if you’re going to continue to be a distraction, and most importantly if you plan on holding out through training camp, please do us a favor and let management know so they can get you out of here. We’ve waited far too long for this franchise to get where it is to have you bring it down like Terrell Owens did to Philadelphia.
Sincerely,
Zack Morris
Bayside High School, Class of 1993
Alito...Ohh Woah Ohh Ohh
One of the regulars talked about a live blogging site of the SCOTUS hearings. Does anyone have a favorite blog site that has done a good job at covering them?
The Warming Of The Globe
If you haven't seen this yet, take a look at this video courtesy of onegoodmove. Hilarious!
"Liberals and Godless tax raisers are trying to make me look bad by using such things as facts."
"Liberals and Godless tax raisers are trying to make me look bad by using such things as facts."
ID Watch: Ohio
We might as well throw this into the mix. The state school board rejected throwing out their lesson plan on evolution.
Story here.
Story here.
ID Watch: Kentucky
In his state of the Commonwealth speech last night, Gov. Fletcher said that schools should have the freedom to teach intelligent design. Read more from the Lexington Herald-Leader.
ID Watch: California
According to the lawsuit, a California public school board approved the course "Philosophy of Design," which openly discusses intelligent design as an alternative to evolution. The school superintendent was told by attorneys that as long as the course had "philosophy" in the title, it would not be subject to the same ruling as in Dover, Pa.
Methinks this school should offer the course "Philosophy of FSM"...
(Thanks BoingBoing!)
Methinks this school should offer the course "Philosophy of FSM"...
(Thanks BoingBoing!)
Here's Your Sign...
How did a Kerry supporter get $10 from the Missouri GOP? Read this and find out! This is a classic!
Newt Gingrich: Brain Dead to U.S....
Right after this post.
Sure, there are numerous reasons why Newt deserves to be on the Brain Dead board. His comments that women are unfit for military duty due to “monthly infections.” Shutting down the government because Clinton “snubbed” him on Air Force One. Giving his first wife divorce papers while she lay in a hospital bed, recuperating from cancer treatment.
However, I’d like to nominate him for some recent exploits. Taking a cue from Madonna, Newt has re-invented himself as a public policy “intellectual” and political commentator-for-hire. Where he once attacked Democrats for corruption (Contract with America? That was sooo 90s), he is now unleashing his ire on Republicans, in particular, Jack Abramoff. As he was quoted in Salon, "People did the wrong things and they should not be allowed to get away with it."
For once, I agree with him: they should not be allowed to get away with it. Including Gingrich himself. He should not be allowed to commentate on NPR (as he did a few days ago), considering that he wanted to “zero out” public broadcasting at the height of his power. And he should not be allowed to commentate on the Abramaoff scandal, as he himself was reprimanded by the House in the 90s for ethical violations and ordered to pay a $300,000 penalty.
Pot. Kettle. Black.
So, without further ado, I would like to proclaim Newt Gingrich Brain Dead to U.S. Stick a feeding tube in him, he’s done.
Sure, there are numerous reasons why Newt deserves to be on the Brain Dead board. His comments that women are unfit for military duty due to “monthly infections.” Shutting down the government because Clinton “snubbed” him on Air Force One. Giving his first wife divorce papers while she lay in a hospital bed, recuperating from cancer treatment.
However, I’d like to nominate him for some recent exploits. Taking a cue from Madonna, Newt has re-invented himself as a public policy “intellectual” and political commentator-for-hire. Where he once attacked Democrats for corruption (Contract with America? That was sooo 90s), he is now unleashing his ire on Republicans, in particular, Jack Abramoff. As he was quoted in Salon, "People did the wrong things and they should not be allowed to get away with it."
For once, I agree with him: they should not be allowed to get away with it. Including Gingrich himself. He should not be allowed to commentate on NPR (as he did a few days ago), considering that he wanted to “zero out” public broadcasting at the height of his power. And he should not be allowed to commentate on the Abramaoff scandal, as he himself was reprimanded by the House in the 90s for ethical violations and ordered to pay a $300,000 penalty.
Pot. Kettle. Black.
So, without further ado, I would like to proclaim Newt Gingrich Brain Dead to U.S. Stick a feeding tube in him, he’s done.
Brain Dead to U.S.
Should we consider adding a brain dead to U.S. list to the blog? Will this ANNOY someone?
Last night D.L. members put an idea on the table for us to venture in the same waters as Bill O'Reilly and Colbert. We put our own spin to this.
Brain Dead to U.S. would be our enemies list. If we refer to them in a post it is proposed we label them the "undearly departed". Can we come up with a better line?
Candidates for this list are: Ann Coulter, why, you ask, should she be considered brain dead? See Nattie's post on 12/30/05 titled: Ann Coulter, hot or not. Heimlich and Dewine, the plotting duo who are trying to dismantle Hamilton County one piece at a time, always refer to them in the same breath. Lastly our old friend, Jean Schmidt, who, do I have to remind you, embarrassed the second district on the floor of Congress in November. Evidently she didn't realize 1) there are cameras in Congress, 2) she needs to understand what she says on the floor of the congress and 3) her district does not support the "War" in Iraq. I would also like to say that she bears a striking resemblence to the Sparkle Motion Lady in Donnie Darko. Jean, I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.
Please add more if you wish. Be sure to include some of their most offensive crimes.
The other list is our ON Notice list. Candidates for this list are: Congressman Boehner, who is keeping $27,500 that he got from the Abramoff debacle, but still thinks he should be the majority leader; the Enquirer, a paper whose editorial section leans so far to the right it needs a chiropractor's help to get balanced. The Enquirer's saving grace, I understand, is the Sports Section. Please add more if you wish, be sure to include why they are on the list and why they are only on notice.
Have fun adding to the list!
Last night D.L. members put an idea on the table for us to venture in the same waters as Bill O'Reilly and Colbert. We put our own spin to this.
Brain Dead to U.S. would be our enemies list. If we refer to them in a post it is proposed we label them the "undearly departed". Can we come up with a better line?
Candidates for this list are: Ann Coulter, why, you ask, should she be considered brain dead? See Nattie's post on 12/30/05 titled: Ann Coulter, hot or not. Heimlich and Dewine, the plotting duo who are trying to dismantle Hamilton County one piece at a time, always refer to them in the same breath. Lastly our old friend, Jean Schmidt, who, do I have to remind you, embarrassed the second district on the floor of Congress in November. Evidently she didn't realize 1) there are cameras in Congress, 2) she needs to understand what she says on the floor of the congress and 3) her district does not support the "War" in Iraq. I would also like to say that she bears a striking resemblence to the Sparkle Motion Lady in Donnie Darko. Jean, I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.
Please add more if you wish. Be sure to include some of their most offensive crimes.
The other list is our ON Notice list. Candidates for this list are: Congressman Boehner, who is keeping $27,500 that he got from the Abramoff debacle, but still thinks he should be the majority leader; the Enquirer, a paper whose editorial section leans so far to the right it needs a chiropractor's help to get balanced. The Enquirer's saving grace, I understand, is the Sports Section. Please add more if you wish, be sure to include why they are on the list and why they are only on notice.
Have fun adding to the list!
Did we wait 15 years for this?
As if the Carson Palmer injury wasn't enough to deal with, Bengals broadcaster Dave Lapham confirms that this rumored incident did in fact happen. Excuse me while I go scrape the skin off my face with a microplane.
Lowrying the boom on the Republicans
When Rich Lowry is telling the right that they need to shape up, you know that things are bad for them. Although I am somewhat put off by the insinuation that the Republicans are showing how much more serious they are about cleaning things up than the Democrats were in blowjob-gate. None of them cared about any of this until Abramoff cut his deal; all of a sudden then they developed a conscience and tried to make these changes. They're only doing this because they know they have to. Still, this is pretty good stuff from a hardline conservative like Lowry. (thanks to AmericaBlog for picking up the story)
Daylight come and me need to SHUT UP!!
I'm all for free speech, but somebody needs to slap a big old piece of packing tape over Harry's mouth.
Today's Quote
"Choosing is existence: to the extent that you don't choose, you
don't exist."
- John Barth, End of the Road.
To receive Quote of the Day: To subscribe or unsubscribe, email quotationoftheday_request@yahoo.ca
http://ca.geocities.com/quotationoftheday/index.html
don't exist."
- John Barth, End of the Road.
To receive Quote of the Day: To subscribe or unsubscribe, email quotationoftheday_request@yahoo.ca
http://ca.geocities.com/quotationoftheday/index.html
Bitchin' Camaro!!!
"So you'd better get out of my way,
When I run through your yard,
Because I've got a bitchin' Camaro
And an Exxon credit card!!!"
Dead Milkmen
When I run through your yard,
Because I've got a bitchin' Camaro
And an Exxon credit card!!!"
Dead Milkmen
Truthiness: Word of the Year
Impressive, considering that this was the Word on the Colbert Report's first episode.
First question for Alito
"So, what annoys you?"
Forget Roe v. Wade! THIS is the real constitutional issue! (And, if you read my posts, I am guilty as charged.)
Forget Roe v. Wade! THIS is the real constitutional issue! (And, if you read my posts, I am guilty as charged.)
Drinking Liberally - 1/10/06
“The Republican Party’s symbol, the elephant, represents the astounding memory of people who, if you say anything bad about them, file it away in a Rolodex of spite, and then trample you to death.” – from America: The Calendar, by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Hi all,
Last week was a great start to the new year. We had a very good turnout with lots of great conversation, both political and otherwise. Plus we learned who Brother Theodore was, and you don’t get that at Republican gatherings. This week we will be at our usual establishment, The Comet at 4579 Hamilton Ave., on Tuesday, January 10th, starting at 7:30. They have over 100 beers (I recommend the Arrogant Bastard Ale in honor of our president), and burritos so good you’ll accept paid political favors to get your hands on one.
There’s plenty to discuss this week, so here’s some thoughts to get us going:
- Have you returned the money you received from Jack Abramoff?
- How embarrassed are you to be from the same state as John Boehner, who wants to replace Tom DeLay when he took money from the same people that got this whole scandal started in the first place?
- What will you be doing to celebrate the first day of Alito’s SCOTUS nomination hearings?
- Do you know anyone crazier than Pat Robertson, and if so can you bring him/her along this week?
- What local Republican politician would you like to purchase the cell phone records of (I’ll go with Si Leis)?
- Random thought: have you seen Brokeback Mountain? Thumbs up, thumbs down, other?
If you haven’t been out with the group before, this is a great time to come out and have a few with the group. After all, one of our regulars is likely to be wearing head to toe Longhorn burnt orange. You can’t miss that, can you?
Hope to see you on Tuesday!
Nattie Hattie's review of "Brokeback Mountain"...
As sung to the tune of the "Green Acres" theme song. (Spoiler alert! My review does give away some plot details, so proceed at your own risk.)
Brokeback Mountain is the place to be
Sheep herdin' is the life for me
A place where gay cowboys can live and ride
Leave Riverton, Ennis, and be by my side
Jack, Riverton is where I’d rather stay
And live like a straight divorcee
I just adore the fishing trips with you
God, I wish I knew how to quit you!
Double lives!
Mad wives!
Jack grumbles!
Ennis mumbles!
A movie you must see,
Mad props to Ang Lee,
Brokeback Mountain is the place to be!
Brokeback Mountain is the place to be
Sheep herdin' is the life for me
A place where gay cowboys can live and ride
Leave Riverton, Ennis, and be by my side
Jack, Riverton is where I’d rather stay
And live like a straight divorcee
I just adore the fishing trips with you
God, I wish I knew how to quit you!
Double lives!
Mad wives!
Jack grumbles!
Ennis mumbles!
A movie you must see,
Mad props to Ang Lee,
Brokeback Mountain is the place to be!
Is our President learning?
As Bush made 17 recess appointments this past week, including Julie Myers (registration required) as the lead of the Immigration and Customs Bureau, many have cried out that W hasn't learned anything from the Mike Brown debacle.
I disagree. He's learned that the best way to deal with dissenting opinion is to wait until they've left the room, and then make decisions without them. That way he can put his buddies in key positions without anyone else getting a say in the matter. So he is capable of learning something, even if it's the completely perverted opposite of what he should be learning.
I disagree. He's learned that the best way to deal with dissenting opinion is to wait until they've left the room, and then make decisions without them. That way he can put his buddies in key positions without anyone else getting a say in the matter. So he is capable of learning something, even if it's the completely perverted opposite of what he should be learning.
Myth of the liberal media debunked
See, all you have to do is preach on the moral decay of American culture while at the same time gamble away millions of dollars, then suggest that aborting all black babies would reduce the crime rate, and CNN will hire you as their conservative analyst. The only question is whether he is an up/downgrade over Robert Novak.
Why you might want the Steelers to win tomorrow
Check out this bet that mayor Mark Mallory has made with the mayor of Pittsburgh.
First of all, it's pretty clear that Mallory hasn't done this sort of thing before, because the losing mayor is supposed to do something for the winning mayor.
Secondly, has Mark really thought this through? With things the way they are downtown, does he really want to 'show off' the area? How's this going to play out?
Here's a pile of dirt. It's where we're going to put The Banks. We just lost our 17th developer for the project, but we'll get city council and the county commissioners to agree on something by 2025.
To your left is Great American Ballpark. Sure, it's not as nice as the one you have, and we don't have the neighborhood around it like yours does, but we're pretty proud of it for what little we had to spend on it. Plus it's crammed up right next to US Bank Arena, which is good if kids have tickets to a Backstreet Boys concert after a Reds game.
Oh, and that next stadium on your left, that's where we kicked your ass in January. But lucky you, you get a prime seat to watch a game there.
As we go through Over-The-Rhine, you can see we're having trouble getting businesses back down here. But we think once we let people drink in the streets that will all change. Eventually we plan on just giving the whole area to Nick Spencer.
Ooh, let's swing by Mirror Lake, you can get a great view of part of our skyline...and see everything Northern Kentucky has built up.
Hopefully the Bengals win, but man, I can't see this being a good thing for the city. Why couldn't he just bet a case of ribs for a case of IC Light (or some Primanti sandwiches, that's some good stuff).
First of all, it's pretty clear that Mallory hasn't done this sort of thing before, because the losing mayor is supposed to do something for the winning mayor.
Secondly, has Mark really thought this through? With things the way they are downtown, does he really want to 'show off' the area? How's this going to play out?
Here's a pile of dirt. It's where we're going to put The Banks. We just lost our 17th developer for the project, but we'll get city council and the county commissioners to agree on something by 2025.
To your left is Great American Ballpark. Sure, it's not as nice as the one you have, and we don't have the neighborhood around it like yours does, but we're pretty proud of it for what little we had to spend on it. Plus it's crammed up right next to US Bank Arena, which is good if kids have tickets to a Backstreet Boys concert after a Reds game.
Oh, and that next stadium on your left, that's where we kicked your ass in January. But lucky you, you get a prime seat to watch a game there.
As we go through Over-The-Rhine, you can see we're having trouble getting businesses back down here. But we think once we let people drink in the streets that will all change. Eventually we plan on just giving the whole area to Nick Spencer.
Ooh, let's swing by Mirror Lake, you can get a great view of part of our skyline...and see everything Northern Kentucky has built up.
Hopefully the Bengals win, but man, I can't see this being a good thing for the city. Why couldn't he just bet a case of ribs for a case of IC Light (or some Primanti sandwiches, that's some good stuff).
Justice Sunday III: Boogaloo's Revenge
It’s time for another Justice Sunday sequel. Justice Sunday III will be held this Sunday in Philadelphia. Once again, the fundies will scare their followers into believing that America is in trouble because of what they call, “activist” judges. They want their followers to believe that if these, “activist” judges get their way, you will be hauled away if you mumble, “God” in a public place.
What is an, “activist” judge anyway? To most of us, it is a judge that follows their own agenda and makes decisions based on their personal beliefs which ironically, is what the religious right wants in a judge as long as the judge’s beliefs follow their own faith.
And what a coincidence it is that Justice Sunday III comes at the same time of the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Be prepared to hear a lot of great things about Samuel Alito (none are mentioned here). All in all, it’s just another attempt by the right-wing ideologues to push their agenda through by disguising it as a, “Christian value.”
If it’s inspiration that you are looking for this Sunday, may I suggest this movie?
There are better things for me to do this weekend like watch the playoffs. I plan on waiting until Monday night to get the full report on Justice Sunday from Jon Stewart.
What is an, “activist” judge anyway? To most of us, it is a judge that follows their own agenda and makes decisions based on their personal beliefs which ironically, is what the religious right wants in a judge as long as the judge’s beliefs follow their own faith.
And what a coincidence it is that Justice Sunday III comes at the same time of the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Be prepared to hear a lot of great things about Samuel Alito (none are mentioned here). All in all, it’s just another attempt by the right-wing ideologues to push their agenda through by disguising it as a, “Christian value.”
If it’s inspiration that you are looking for this Sunday, may I suggest this movie?
There are better things for me to do this weekend like watch the playoffs. I plan on waiting until Monday night to get the full report on Justice Sunday from Jon Stewart.
Collateral damage
"U.S. says bomb hit wrong house in Iraq"
CNN:
CNN:
A bomb that killed six civilians Monday near Baiji, Iraq, missed its target by 65 feet (20 meters) and hit the wrong home, military officials said.So what does Scottie have to say?
They [the military] target the enemy, they target terrorists and the Saddam loyalists who are seeking to kill innocent civilians and disrupt the transition to democracy," McClellan said.Sure, Scottie. Whatever.
The God must be crazy...
...if he or she is letting Pat Robertson speak for him or her. Check out his latest rant.
Comment from PFAW's President, Ralph G. Neas.
Comment from PFAW's President, Ralph G. Neas.
Speaking of a Moment Of Zen...
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it's a picture of a right-wing idiot, it's more like a few two syllable words that are misspelled.
The Bullshit Age
We have a country that's run by idiots - brilliant, eh?
Stan Hertzman
January 4, 2006
How does this happen? Simple, we have become fallen victims to our own greed and, now, the tail's wagging the dog. Maybe I'm as naive as a Purim Bunny and it's always been this way, but, in the past ten years I've witnessed an unraveling of our poor, pitiful, young country beyond imagination. Just like us, everyday we bring new kids into this world to go through the gauntlet of life here in America, the good old (not really) U.S. of A. The self appointed port of freedom for planet Earth. The planet that we are destroying in a geometric fashion in an attempt to make it better, better, better...Hey, Dude.
This destruction is coming down in many ways. For one, we're addicted to fossil fuel aka CRUDE OIL This is a very recent addiction in relation to the timeline of this planet, man and progress.
This is the home of the brave and the home of the intelligence that merely 500 years ago thought our planet was FLAT! Our country was founded by a pack of breakaways looking for a new game - they were tired of the old ways. They were deists. They were restless takers. As their descendents, we, as did they, live on a big-ass ball that spins on its axis at over 1000 mph, and, generally forget that they're in constant motion, and feel like we are standing still. It's this same motion that keeps us alive and, subsequently, kills us - whack! Darn that gravity. We are obsessed with motion and are always scurrying about wanting to be somewhere else. Sadly enough , since balls are round and we're riding on a big one, the further we move away, the closer we get to where we started. It's only time and conditions that alter the new location. Not only does our ball spin around, it circles around the sun once a year. Now wonder the world is wound! Hello restlessness.
So, let's address time and conditions. This is BIG - really. It is the essence of so much of the game we play to justify our existence (life). Do we want time to progress, hence advocate change? Or, do we want time to stand still and have things just the way they were. Well, it's been said, ya can't have your cake and eat it too or, in modern terms, you can't have the planet and destroy it too. In plain speak, ones dealing with time and conditions is the source of playing the game of life. Since we all can probably agree that the all or none thing just doesn't win; we must look at winning and losing. No winners without losers, right? So, is winning the answer? Right again - NO. And to follow, modus tolens logic tells us that losing is also not the answer. Ah ha, where does this put us, after all we are gamers? Well, it puts us right where we are today. We are living in decisive, divisive times. We have taken the game from America to the world to it's dangerous boundary. As in the original Planet of the Apes - The Forbidden Zone - that real place that represents something gone terribly wrong. The place that exemplifies everything wrong with the game we're playing. The place where the relevance of time and conditions was taken for granted during the pursuit of winning and short term values. When winning is defined by the wealth you have and the power therefrom, then a certain self righteousness or cockiness begins to rule. This wealth and power gets to the heart of the plebiscite and insures the election of incompetent leaders, if they're even leaders at all. Of course, only those who don't get it become our leaders and, amazingly, we follow - for a while - depending upon time and conditions. Eventually, it becomes obvious (and this happens very fast) that this pervasive incompetence is just not a momentary fuck-up, but rather an erroneous strategy gone wrong. Again, someone thinking they knew something. No real capable, intelligent human would put themselves in this game thinking they can win by changing the rules, or, could they?
Mark Twain, Einstein, Vonnegut and I think we are way far over our heads with the evolution of leadership, how it's gained and the price we pay. May I get real current? Thanks. Let's talk Iraq, coal mining disasters (have you seen my wife, Mrs. Jones?) and the automotive industry. Are not we all a bit tired of hearing, I'm sorry, we had the wrong information, it's hard work, we did the best we could, sad but true, it was a miscommunication, someone made a mistake? Well, if there were The Dark Ages, The Renaissance and The Industrial Age, then, we are now up to our necks in The Bull Shit Age. Allegedly, we have the best of everything from technology to underwear (short of what Israel has that's better) - the best tools ever, so we're told, and are the most educated. Yet, in the face of this, the players of the game, common people, are more split than ever and about to revolt. They have given up on the game - even the winners. It's all about today, my this, that and the other. Does anyone care about tomorrow - the real tomorrow? The tomorrow that our children must live in? If we care about tomorrow, we have to care about today, but we can't forget about tomorrow in pursuit of the short term and those consequences.
Oh well, back to coal mining and cars - they are quite related. Did anybody say "FUEL?" The disasters of our time, in the face of all our advances, are met with pathetic results housed in poor leadership, communication, unexplained information trails, irresponsibility and deceit. How does one explain the headline today that 12 of 13 of the buried coal miners were found alive, when, in fact, only one has survived so far. Freedom of speech is one thing, but the way this went down was unconscionable. What about the time lapse? What about those reckless CNN interviews? What about the people? Heads have to roll. But, the point is, that it's all about fuel. True or not, CNN tossed out the figure that mining in China last year took 6000 lives. Hell, they might as well be in Iraq, but we're not at all up to speed on casualties there. See we're supplying our energy needs and, now, with the help of Willie Nelson, we may get pointed toward some better fuel options. Of course, one could be moderation of fuel usage; or, moderation of consumption; or, moderation of mobility; or ???????
So, we can't dwell in the House of Bull Shit forever. These old structures won't stand. We could just wait for an asteroid, global warming and a nuclear accident. We can't play the game the old way any more, the board's about to be thrown. Being passive won't get it, our kids are conditioned not to get it soon enough. We can't wait until American Joe and Josephine decide to heave the game, that'll be too late baby, though we really did try to make it. If we're serious about having real leaders who are intelligent and competent, then, we must change the game and pronto. There's no catching up in the old game, so bring on some new rules, enforce the law and pay attention to what's left of our Constitution before time and conditions make it and us obsolete.
Not only as Democrats, but also as Americans, we cannot justify failing to assume an aggressive role in taking corrective action to gain control of what is an obvious disaster in leadership and the mechanisms that set and keep this losing process in motion. There are many faulty components ranging from the media to money - too many to even specify, but, we cannot act in a disjointed manner and hope to achieve any results. Buying into the illusion that wrong doings will be found out and be corrected is a falsehood. The more wrongs to correct, the harder the task. Our path lies before us and goes in one direction and as Ken Kesey said, "either you're on the bus or you're off the bus."
P.S. I'm totally with Bill Maher when he says, "I'm pissed that more people aren't pissed."
Stan Hertzman
January 4, 2006
How does this happen? Simple, we have become fallen victims to our own greed and, now, the tail's wagging the dog. Maybe I'm as naive as a Purim Bunny and it's always been this way, but, in the past ten years I've witnessed an unraveling of our poor, pitiful, young country beyond imagination. Just like us, everyday we bring new kids into this world to go through the gauntlet of life here in America, the good old (not really) U.S. of A. The self appointed port of freedom for planet Earth. The planet that we are destroying in a geometric fashion in an attempt to make it better, better, better...Hey, Dude.
This destruction is coming down in many ways. For one, we're addicted to fossil fuel aka CRUDE OIL This is a very recent addiction in relation to the timeline of this planet, man and progress.
This is the home of the brave and the home of the intelligence that merely 500 years ago thought our planet was FLAT! Our country was founded by a pack of breakaways looking for a new game - they were tired of the old ways. They were deists. They were restless takers. As their descendents, we, as did they, live on a big-ass ball that spins on its axis at over 1000 mph, and, generally forget that they're in constant motion, and feel like we are standing still. It's this same motion that keeps us alive and, subsequently, kills us - whack! Darn that gravity. We are obsessed with motion and are always scurrying about wanting to be somewhere else. Sadly enough , since balls are round and we're riding on a big one, the further we move away, the closer we get to where we started. It's only time and conditions that alter the new location. Not only does our ball spin around, it circles around the sun once a year. Now wonder the world is wound! Hello restlessness.
So, let's address time and conditions. This is BIG - really. It is the essence of so much of the game we play to justify our existence (life). Do we want time to progress, hence advocate change? Or, do we want time to stand still and have things just the way they were. Well, it's been said, ya can't have your cake and eat it too or, in modern terms, you can't have the planet and destroy it too. In plain speak, ones dealing with time and conditions is the source of playing the game of life. Since we all can probably agree that the all or none thing just doesn't win; we must look at winning and losing. No winners without losers, right? So, is winning the answer? Right again - NO. And to follow, modus tolens logic tells us that losing is also not the answer. Ah ha, where does this put us, after all we are gamers? Well, it puts us right where we are today. We are living in decisive, divisive times. We have taken the game from America to the world to it's dangerous boundary. As in the original Planet of the Apes - The Forbidden Zone - that real place that represents something gone terribly wrong. The place that exemplifies everything wrong with the game we're playing. The place where the relevance of time and conditions was taken for granted during the pursuit of winning and short term values. When winning is defined by the wealth you have and the power therefrom, then a certain self righteousness or cockiness begins to rule. This wealth and power gets to the heart of the plebiscite and insures the election of incompetent leaders, if they're even leaders at all. Of course, only those who don't get it become our leaders and, amazingly, we follow - for a while - depending upon time and conditions. Eventually, it becomes obvious (and this happens very fast) that this pervasive incompetence is just not a momentary fuck-up, but rather an erroneous strategy gone wrong. Again, someone thinking they knew something. No real capable, intelligent human would put themselves in this game thinking they can win by changing the rules, or, could they?
Mark Twain, Einstein, Vonnegut and I think we are way far over our heads with the evolution of leadership, how it's gained and the price we pay. May I get real current? Thanks. Let's talk Iraq, coal mining disasters (have you seen my wife, Mrs. Jones?) and the automotive industry. Are not we all a bit tired of hearing, I'm sorry, we had the wrong information, it's hard work, we did the best we could, sad but true, it was a miscommunication, someone made a mistake? Well, if there were The Dark Ages, The Renaissance and The Industrial Age, then, we are now up to our necks in The Bull Shit Age. Allegedly, we have the best of everything from technology to underwear (short of what Israel has that's better) - the best tools ever, so we're told, and are the most educated. Yet, in the face of this, the players of the game, common people, are more split than ever and about to revolt. They have given up on the game - even the winners. It's all about today, my this, that and the other. Does anyone care about tomorrow - the real tomorrow? The tomorrow that our children must live in? If we care about tomorrow, we have to care about today, but we can't forget about tomorrow in pursuit of the short term and those consequences.
Oh well, back to coal mining and cars - they are quite related. Did anybody say "FUEL?" The disasters of our time, in the face of all our advances, are met with pathetic results housed in poor leadership, communication, unexplained information trails, irresponsibility and deceit. How does one explain the headline today that 12 of 13 of the buried coal miners were found alive, when, in fact, only one has survived so far. Freedom of speech is one thing, but the way this went down was unconscionable. What about the time lapse? What about those reckless CNN interviews? What about the people? Heads have to roll. But, the point is, that it's all about fuel. True or not, CNN tossed out the figure that mining in China last year took 6000 lives. Hell, they might as well be in Iraq, but we're not at all up to speed on casualties there. See we're supplying our energy needs and, now, with the help of Willie Nelson, we may get pointed toward some better fuel options. Of course, one could be moderation of fuel usage; or, moderation of consumption; or, moderation of mobility; or ???????
So, we can't dwell in the House of Bull Shit forever. These old structures won't stand. We could just wait for an asteroid, global warming and a nuclear accident. We can't play the game the old way any more, the board's about to be thrown. Being passive won't get it, our kids are conditioned not to get it soon enough. We can't wait until American Joe and Josephine decide to heave the game, that'll be too late baby, though we really did try to make it. If we're serious about having real leaders who are intelligent and competent, then, we must change the game and pronto. There's no catching up in the old game, so bring on some new rules, enforce the law and pay attention to what's left of our Constitution before time and conditions make it and us obsolete.
Not only as Democrats, but also as Americans, we cannot justify failing to assume an aggressive role in taking corrective action to gain control of what is an obvious disaster in leadership and the mechanisms that set and keep this losing process in motion. There are many faulty components ranging from the media to money - too many to even specify, but, we cannot act in a disjointed manner and hope to achieve any results. Buying into the illusion that wrong doings will be found out and be corrected is a falsehood. The more wrongs to correct, the harder the task. Our path lies before us and goes in one direction and as Ken Kesey said, "either you're on the bus or you're off the bus."
P.S. I'm totally with Bill Maher when he says, "I'm pissed that more people aren't pissed."
Just one question for USC
Who's your daddy?
I don't mean to gloat, but what a night it was! I am still a little hung over, more from the game than the beer at Mulligan's. Vince Young played amazingly well, with 467 total yards and three touchdowns. He knew he had a point to make: he is second to none.
I don't mean to gloat, but what a night it was! I am still a little hung over, more from the game than the beer at Mulligan's. Vince Young played amazingly well, with 467 total yards and three touchdowns. He knew he had a point to make: he is second to none.
Who's keeping the money?
You guessed it Ohio GOP'ers. Rep. John Boehner and Rep. Steve "Combover" Chabot are keeping the money donated to their campaigns or PAC's by Jack Abramoff. Boehner received a whopping 27,500 dollars from Abramoff and his associates or tribes he represented. Chabot received 3,000 dollars from Abramhoff. Sen. Mike Dewine received 1,000 dollars from Abramhoff and is considering what to do with it.
Are we surprised they took the money? No. Are we happy that they are keeping it making their election defeat a done deal. Yes!
Are we surprised they took the money? No. Are we happy that they are keeping it making their election defeat a done deal. Yes!
Rose Bowl Prediction
My prediction: I will be asleep when the game ends (I'm guessing about 12:30/1:00 a.m.).
But when I wake up tomorrow, the headline will read, "THREE-PETE! USC 52, Texas 27". Actually the paper will only have the 2nd quarter score since they go to press so early.
And if I'm wrong...well let's just say I hold no responsibility for any gambling losses that occur as a result of my prognostications (see my erroneous NFL predictions for reference).
But when I wake up tomorrow, the headline will read, "THREE-PETE! USC 52, Texas 27". Actually the paper will only have the 2nd quarter score since they go to press so early.
And if I'm wrong...well let's just say I hold no responsibility for any gambling losses that occur as a result of my prognostications (see my erroneous NFL predictions for reference).
If you feel a little ill and need to clean out your stomach...
...go ahead and read this article on whether the poor deserve life support, this should do the trick. The interesting thing to me is, he's unintentionally saying that Terry Schiavo didn't deserve to live unless she could pay her bills. Funny, you never heard Frist, DeLay, Bush, or anyone else discuss that aspect of the case.
DeLay tactics
Why is Tom in a big hurry to go to trial? Apparently, because Newt "called on House Republicans to elect a new majority leader to permanently replace" him. Good ole' internal squabbles, gotta love 'em!
Stupid Pundit Tricks
Eschaton has a clip of the O'Reilly interview on Letterman last night. Grab a falafel and watch it on your lunch break!
"Last throes"
Hard evidence the insurgency is dying; from the AP:
A suicide bomber killed at least 30 people Wednesday at the funeral for the nephew of a Shiite politician, and 13 people were killed in other violence in Iraq, making Wednesday the deadliest day since the Dec. 15 parliamentary elections.
Hell hath no fury ...
... like a woman scorned. Catchy sayings aside, there's a moral to this story: keep your mouth shut if you are going to defraud Indian tribes, accept kickbacks and be a fraudster.
Premature Invocation
Big doings across the western state line, as a fight's a brewin' over pre-legislative session prayer and their content.
I've never understood the reasoning behind saying a prayer in public before work, other than because they've always done it. Religion ought to be a private matter, and if people feel the need to gather and pray they should do it on their own time. But since that ship has sailed, the only hope is to keep the prayers non-sectarian.
I've never understood the reasoning behind saying a prayer in public before work, other than because they've always done it. Religion ought to be a private matter, and if people feel the need to gather and pray they should do it on their own time. But since that ship has sailed, the only hope is to keep the prayers non-sectarian.
WaPo Op-Ed: "A Life, Wasted"
But [US soldiers'] deaths will not be in vain if Americans stop hiding behind flag-draped hero masks and stop whispering their opposition to this war. Until then, the lives of other sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers may be wasted as well.This is a must-read.
Thought for the day
That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.Mine's, umm ... beer. What's yours?
--Henry David Thoreau
Ok, Someone has to be the designated driver
It might as well be me.
My friend and partner in too many adventures to mention, invited me to join your blog. The irony is that I do not drink, so I am therefore, your designated driver. Plan to take me with you wherever you go. I will make sure you arrive safely.
My dog, Cartman wanted me to adopt his namesake for this blog, but I told him that I didn't want to sign off each post with "Screw You Guys, I'm Going Home." Ok, my dog likes South Park, what can I tell you...
I look forward to getting to know all of you better.
Here's my question of the moment...What is the difference between blogging and commenting?
My friend and partner in too many adventures to mention, invited me to join your blog. The irony is that I do not drink, so I am therefore, your designated driver. Plan to take me with you wherever you go. I will make sure you arrive safely.
My dog, Cartman wanted me to adopt his namesake for this blog, but I told him that I didn't want to sign off each post with "Screw You Guys, I'm Going Home." Ok, my dog likes South Park, what can I tell you...
I look forward to getting to know all of you better.
Here's my question of the moment...What is the difference between blogging and commenting?
Drinking Liberally - 1/3/06
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable New Year's Eve (and have recovered from any ensuing hangovers). So now that all of the festivities are behind us, please come out to The Comet at 4579 Hamilton Road on Tuesday, and try out one of their monster burritos or sample their extensive beer collection. We'll start up about 7:30, and end when the last of us decides to leave. Some thoughts and topics for this week:
- Have you checked your phone for wiretaps, and if you've found one who are you calling to have some fun with it?
- Why is Bob McEwan referring to himself as Congressman (remember, he's probably going to replace Schmidt as the Republican nominee for that district in November)?
- What are realistic Democratic hopes for 2006, and how do we get there?
- Pre-Heaven and Hell Party discussion (thrown by the Know Theatre, not by Barack Obama and Tom DeLay)
- Random topic: thoughts on the Rose Bowl and the Bengals playoff game?
Hope to see you all there on Tuesday.
More site changes
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose...
Or so they say. But "they" are wrong! "They" don't know Jack. Or Ritchie.
More changes this time. I have:
1) Pared down the font sizes.
2) Added horizantal rules between days of posts.
3) Changed some of the spacings.
All this to try and fit in more text and to make things looks a little prettier. But then, one man's pretty is, well, another man's shitty. So, let me know if anything looks weird, out of proportion, or otherwise fugly.
Oh, I've added a link to the Comet web-site in the description bar, and a link to Google maps.
Lastly, I've added links to BorgBlog (thanks, Another Dem!) and Maggie Downs' article on DL in the Enquirer (thanks, Zack!).
Please keep the links and ideas coming. By the way, those who buy me a beer get their links posted much faster. Plus, you'll get a free autographed photograph of yours truly from the 2005 December issue of What A Stud.
Or so they say. But "they" are wrong! "They" don't know Jack. Or Ritchie.
More changes this time. I have:
1) Pared down the font sizes.
2) Added horizantal rules between days of posts.
3) Changed some of the spacings.
All this to try and fit in more text and to make things looks a little prettier. But then, one man's pretty is, well, another man's shitty. So, let me know if anything looks weird, out of proportion, or otherwise fugly.
Oh, I've added a link to the Comet web-site in the description bar, and a link to Google maps.
Lastly, I've added links to BorgBlog (thanks, Another Dem!) and Maggie Downs' article on DL in the Enquirer (thanks, Zack!).
Please keep the links and ideas coming. By the way, those who buy me a beer get their links posted much faster. Plus, you'll get a free autographed photograph of yours truly from the 2005 December issue of What A Stud.
The Wes Flinn Honorary review of an Enquirer letter to the editor
Mr. Arthur Smith is a perfect example of the knee-jerk reactionaries we have to deal with on the right.
Never mind that the President authorized wiretaps without a warrant, not only breaking the law, but circumventing the Constitution. We shouldn't be looking into the legality of his actions, but rather we should go after whomever leaked this information to the New York Times. It makes one wonder whether he feels the same actions should be taken to uncover the leaker in the Valerie Plame incident. After all, that leaker compromised a CIA agent's identity; the leaker to the NYT simply pointed out an illegal activity that was going on. I doubt this is the case though.
He is right on one thing though: we should go after the NYT. And we should ask them why they sat on this story for a year, and whether this story was set to run prior to the 2004 presidential election? It's always funny how the right harps on the Times as this liberal bastion of journalism, but fails to acknowledge that they endorsed Bush, endorsed the Iraq war, and now allowed this administration to bully them into holding off on publishing this damaging story.
But they'll never answer to us, because they won't even respond to questions from their own ombudsman.
Never mind that the President authorized wiretaps without a warrant, not only breaking the law, but circumventing the Constitution. We shouldn't be looking into the legality of his actions, but rather we should go after whomever leaked this information to the New York Times. It makes one wonder whether he feels the same actions should be taken to uncover the leaker in the Valerie Plame incident. After all, that leaker compromised a CIA agent's identity; the leaker to the NYT simply pointed out an illegal activity that was going on. I doubt this is the case though.
He is right on one thing though: we should go after the NYT. And we should ask them why they sat on this story for a year, and whether this story was set to run prior to the 2004 presidential election? It's always funny how the right harps on the Times as this liberal bastion of journalism, but fails to acknowledge that they endorsed Bush, endorsed the Iraq war, and now allowed this administration to bully them into holding off on publishing this damaging story.
But they'll never answer to us, because they won't even respond to questions from their own ombudsman.
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