I've been reading over the book, The Supreme Court by Jeffery Rosen and I came upon this interesting gem. In William Douglas' concurring opinion to Roe v. Wade the judge declared that there were three sweeping categories of rights protected under the Consititution that were not explictly mentioned:
"First is the autonomous control over the development and expression of one's intellect, interests, tastes, and personality...Second is the freedom of choice in the basic decisions of one's life respecting marriage, divorce, procreation, contraception, and the education and upbringing of children...Third is the freedom to care for one's health and person, freedom from bodily restraint or compulsion, freedom to walk, stroll, or loaf."
Notice in his second section, there's nothing he mentions about gender when it comes to respecting marriage. The basis for a case? Ummm...
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
24 or Law & Order
I'm posting up a couple of links here and here about the ongoing war of words (or plans as it were) regarding what the US should do about Iran's (ghostly) nuclear program. The Reynolds/ Hewitt plan calls for "...should be responding quietly, killing radical mullahs and Iranian atomic scientists" Nothing new (in fact I do believe that smaller Black Op units are the army of the future, if for no other reason that modern technology has made the individual warrior more deadly, and Black Op missions lead to lower body counts (the "if you're going to drive drunk best to put you in a Mini Cooper and strap yourself in" ideology)), but the debate is now being phrased as the battle for modern culture referances. As Yglesias succinctly puts it:
"American agents are infiltrating Iran killing Iranian scientists and religious leaders and none of them get caught. How? Are there really dozens of Farsi-speaking ninjas working for the CIA? I was going to compare this to a fun-but-stupid movie like The Bourne Identity but the point of that movie (and its sequal) is actually that if you somehow did build a hyper-competent utterly secret government agency it would likely become a cesspool of corruption and abuses of power."
The sad thing is that the influence of the fictional counter-intellegence/ super-spy really does affect our judgement as Americans, and it's alot less liberal an influence than the Right wants us to believe.
"American agents are infiltrating Iran killing Iranian scientists and religious leaders and none of them get caught. How? Are there really dozens of Farsi-speaking ninjas working for the CIA? I was going to compare this to a fun-but-stupid movie like The Bourne Identity but the point of that movie (and its sequal) is actually that if you somehow did build a hyper-competent utterly secret government agency it would likely become a cesspool of corruption and abuses of power."
The sad thing is that the influence of the fictional counter-intellegence/ super-spy really does affect our judgement as Americans, and it's alot less liberal an influence than the Right wants us to believe.
Obama watch...
Obama tells Aussie PM right where he can shove it:
"The 45-year-old senator waded into a major foreign policy row just one day after formally announcing his candidacy, telling Mr Howard he should dispatch 20,000 Australians to Iraq if he wanted to back up his comments.
"I think it's flattering that one of George Bush's allies on the other side of the world started attacking me the day after I announced," Mr Obama told reporters in the mid-western US state of Iowa.
"I would also note that we have close to 140,000 troops in Iraq, and my understanding is Mr Howard has deployed 1400, so if he is ... to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest that he calls up another 20,000 Australians and sends them to Iraq.
"Otherwise it's just a bunch of empty rhetoric.""
But isn't that Bush's plan?
"The 45-year-old senator waded into a major foreign policy row just one day after formally announcing his candidacy, telling Mr Howard he should dispatch 20,000 Australians to Iraq if he wanted to back up his comments.
"I think it's flattering that one of George Bush's allies on the other side of the world started attacking me the day after I announced," Mr Obama told reporters in the mid-western US state of Iowa.
"I would also note that we have close to 140,000 troops in Iraq, and my understanding is Mr Howard has deployed 1400, so if he is ... to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest that he calls up another 20,000 Australians and sends them to Iraq.
"Otherwise it's just a bunch of empty rhetoric.""
But isn't that Bush's plan?
President Giuliani the cons and cons...
One of Sully's readers makes some insightful reasons why the former Mayor of NYC might get the nod:
"The three Big Dogs throughout 2005 were Rice, McCain, and Rudy. Once Condi had made it clear that she wasn't going forward (at least as a Presidential candidate), Mitt Romney was able to move up to the top tier. Romney has tried to corral the "conservative" wing that was supposed to coalesce around the Washington Beltway's conservative candidate, George Allen. However, the flips and flops outlined by you as well as those conservatives not posting on the Corner appear to have damaged Romney in the short term. McCain is not trusted by the base.
You've overblown the power of the "Christianists". You'll see this when Rudy walks away with South Carolina and gets the support of guys like Haley Barbour and Jeb Bush (who is already, silently, in Rudy's corner). "Christianists" don't win elections; Republicans do. That's what the polling is saying - people in our party are recovering a more Republican identity and embracing the idea of a larger tent. All that was needed was for the exclusionary wing to play themselves out ..."
Meanwhile over at TPM they got their hands on a juicy 450 memo that the 1993 Giuliani campaign created to address their canidate's weak points. Most of them still apply today, including such issues as:
"The report raised Giuliani's first marriage — to his second cousin — as a major liability. "In reviewing the news stories describing this event and others in his private life, there are numerous inconsistencies and questionable circumstances about how long the two were married, whether Giuliani knew he was marrying his second cousin, whether he dated other women while still married, and ultimately, how consistent he has been about his personal life."
• On Giuliani's honesty about their familial relationship: "He grew up with her, vacationed with her, married her, then divorced her and had the marriage annulled ... Despite their time together building sand castles out on Long Island, Giuliani claimed, first, he knew, and then he didn't know, Gina was his second cousin."
• Rudy's first marriage was not fully dissolved when he began dating Donna Hanover, who he would later marry — and then divorce after an adultery scandal in 2000.
• On Giuliani's exceptional deferment from the draft to work as a law clerk: "A 'one in a million occurrence' ... Ironically, after avoiding the fighting Giuliani worked in a department supposed to punish others who did the same."
• Giuliani was a Democrat as late as 1972, supporting George McGovern, but later switched to the Republicans in 1980, when doing so would get him ahead in the Justice Department."
All good points and the personal issues I think are more of an anathema for Republicans rather than Democrats including his support for abortion. But Sully sums up my deep passionate personal reasons for not wanting to see Giuliani elected:
"My major fear with Giuliani is civil liberties. He hasn't met one he wouldn't get rid of. And I doubt the mayor who backed the NYPD in the Diallo case is going to stop torture."
Giuliani--no hyperbole--is a fascist. Unfortunately he came into power after Mayor Dinkins, who had tremendous problems with the cops who refused to work with him. Crime increased, and when Giuliani came in he had the green light to give the police more power. And more power he gave them, like Chris Walken asking Will Farell for more cowbell. Living in Harlem I remember Goonliani's street sweeps where cops would jump out of cars and search entire blocks, throwing twenty or more kids to the ground. Civil liberties aren't in the man's dictionary, unless you were white and living on Park Avenue. It was one of the most degrading spectacles I'd ever witnessed. Emperor Palpatine would blush with shame.
"The three Big Dogs throughout 2005 were Rice, McCain, and Rudy. Once Condi had made it clear that she wasn't going forward (at least as a Presidential candidate), Mitt Romney was able to move up to the top tier. Romney has tried to corral the "conservative" wing that was supposed to coalesce around the Washington Beltway's conservative candidate, George Allen. However, the flips and flops outlined by you as well as those conservatives not posting on the Corner appear to have damaged Romney in the short term. McCain is not trusted by the base.
You've overblown the power of the "Christianists". You'll see this when Rudy walks away with South Carolina and gets the support of guys like Haley Barbour and Jeb Bush (who is already, silently, in Rudy's corner). "Christianists" don't win elections; Republicans do. That's what the polling is saying - people in our party are recovering a more Republican identity and embracing the idea of a larger tent. All that was needed was for the exclusionary wing to play themselves out ..."
Meanwhile over at TPM they got their hands on a juicy 450 memo that the 1993 Giuliani campaign created to address their canidate's weak points. Most of them still apply today, including such issues as:
"The report raised Giuliani's first marriage — to his second cousin — as a major liability. "In reviewing the news stories describing this event and others in his private life, there are numerous inconsistencies and questionable circumstances about how long the two were married, whether Giuliani knew he was marrying his second cousin, whether he dated other women while still married, and ultimately, how consistent he has been about his personal life."
• On Giuliani's honesty about their familial relationship: "He grew up with her, vacationed with her, married her, then divorced her and had the marriage annulled ... Despite their time together building sand castles out on Long Island, Giuliani claimed, first, he knew, and then he didn't know, Gina was his second cousin."
• Rudy's first marriage was not fully dissolved when he began dating Donna Hanover, who he would later marry — and then divorce after an adultery scandal in 2000.
• On Giuliani's exceptional deferment from the draft to work as a law clerk: "A 'one in a million occurrence' ... Ironically, after avoiding the fighting Giuliani worked in a department supposed to punish others who did the same."
• Giuliani was a Democrat as late as 1972, supporting George McGovern, but later switched to the Republicans in 1980, when doing so would get him ahead in the Justice Department."
All good points and the personal issues I think are more of an anathema for Republicans rather than Democrats including his support for abortion. But Sully sums up my deep passionate personal reasons for not wanting to see Giuliani elected:
"My major fear with Giuliani is civil liberties. He hasn't met one he wouldn't get rid of. And I doubt the mayor who backed the NYPD in the Diallo case is going to stop torture."
Giuliani--no hyperbole--is a fascist. Unfortunately he came into power after Mayor Dinkins, who had tremendous problems with the cops who refused to work with him. Crime increased, and when Giuliani came in he had the green light to give the police more power. And more power he gave them, like Chris Walken asking Will Farell for more cowbell. Living in Harlem I remember Goonliani's street sweeps where cops would jump out of cars and search entire blocks, throwing twenty or more kids to the ground. Civil liberties aren't in the man's dictionary, unless you were white and living on Park Avenue. It was one of the most degrading spectacles I'd ever witnessed. Emperor Palpatine would blush with shame.
North Korea to cease nuke program...
From the NY Daily News. I suppose Kim Jong-ll needs more time to torture people. Nice to know he's got his priorities in order.
Monday, February 12, 2007
I still have my doubts...
...but I listen to Juan Cole.
Fact is Iran may not be as 'guilty' as the US makes them out to be but they still suck just as much as the rest. Still, when the Pentagon makes up a PPT presentation you know something's fishy.
Fact is Iran may not be as 'guilty' as the US makes them out to be but they still suck just as much as the rest. Still, when the Pentagon makes up a PPT presentation you know something's fishy.
Enough already!
From the Agonist:
"Originally posted at The Seminal.
A bill introduced last week by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) is beginning to raise eyebrows.
[It] would require ISPs to record all users' surfing activity, IM conversations and email traffic indefinitely.
The bill, dubbed the Safety Act by sponsor Lamar Smith, a republican congressman from Texas, would impose fines and a prison term of one year on ISPs which failed to keep full records. (emphasis mine)"
Not saying that the governement doesn't already do it, but enough is enough. America is America because of our civil rights and when those get torn away we might as well be China with Reality TV.
"Originally posted at The Seminal.
A bill introduced last week by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) is beginning to raise eyebrows.
[It] would require ISPs to record all users' surfing activity, IM conversations and email traffic indefinitely.
The bill, dubbed the Safety Act by sponsor Lamar Smith, a republican congressman from Texas, would impose fines and a prison term of one year on ISPs which failed to keep full records. (emphasis mine)"
Not saying that the governement doesn't already do it, but enough is enough. America is America because of our civil rights and when those get torn away we might as well be China with Reality TV.
Intellectual Two Face??
From the NYtimes, the story of a grad student who's just finished his dissertation in geosciences from the University of Rhode Island. The problem? He endorses Intellegent Design:
"For him, Dr. Ross said, the methods and theories of paleontology are one “paradigm” for studying the past, and Scripture is another. In the paleontological paradigm, he said, the dates in his dissertation are entirely appropriate. The fact that as a young earth creationist he has a different view just means, he said, “that I am separating the different paradigms.”
He likened his situation to that of a socialist studying economics in a department with a supply-side bent. “People hold all sorts of opinions different from the department in which they graduate,” he said. “What’s that to anybody else?”"
Opinion is one thing, emperical fact is another. I can't see how someone can hold on to a theory based on superstitution and at the same time hold onto the contrapositive scientific theory. It would seem to lead towards sometype of a intellectual schizophrenia. Now the question that the Times addresses is whether the intitution (in this case the Uni. of Rhode Island) should give him a degree since his personal beliefs run counter to the very paradigm of what he's studying. Their approach to this question though seems more political then intellectually honest. In other words, it's not whether he holds a diverging perspective, it's rather does his degree validate his religious beliefs? My answer? It's not up to the university to judge, and a student should not be denied the fruits of his work because of personal beliefs that run counter to the traditional foundation of his work. It would be like denying a person a PhD in American History because they believe Communism is the best system of government. If a person does the work (and from the article this guy's work within the school has been exemplary) within the correct framwork of the program and scientific discourse then he should recieve his degree. It has been the province of religion to silence and ostracize dissenting views. Academia should not engage in the same prejudice, even when the ideals run counter to the emperical view as long as the course work does not reflect that personal belief.
"For him, Dr. Ross said, the methods and theories of paleontology are one “paradigm” for studying the past, and Scripture is another. In the paleontological paradigm, he said, the dates in his dissertation are entirely appropriate. The fact that as a young earth creationist he has a different view just means, he said, “that I am separating the different paradigms.”
He likened his situation to that of a socialist studying economics in a department with a supply-side bent. “People hold all sorts of opinions different from the department in which they graduate,” he said. “What’s that to anybody else?”"
Opinion is one thing, emperical fact is another. I can't see how someone can hold on to a theory based on superstitution and at the same time hold onto the contrapositive scientific theory. It would seem to lead towards sometype of a intellectual schizophrenia. Now the question that the Times addresses is whether the intitution (in this case the Uni. of Rhode Island) should give him a degree since his personal beliefs run counter to the very paradigm of what he's studying. Their approach to this question though seems more political then intellectually honest. In other words, it's not whether he holds a diverging perspective, it's rather does his degree validate his religious beliefs? My answer? It's not up to the university to judge, and a student should not be denied the fruits of his work because of personal beliefs that run counter to the traditional foundation of his work. It would be like denying a person a PhD in American History because they believe Communism is the best system of government. If a person does the work (and from the article this guy's work within the school has been exemplary) within the correct framwork of the program and scientific discourse then he should recieve his degree. It has been the province of religion to silence and ostracize dissenting views. Academia should not engage in the same prejudice, even when the ideals run counter to the emperical view as long as the course work does not reflect that personal belief.
Is Rummy getting sued?
Sully thinks so:
"Wonkette now confirms a reader's observation:
Donald Rumsfeld has now been spotted repeatedly visiting the swank Washington DC law firm of Williams & Connelly. If this firm has one claim to fame, then it's representing the high and mighty inside the Beltway when they get into criminal law trouble. So let's guess which of Rumsfeld's legal issues have taken him there: he's a) being sued for damages by Iraqis and Afghans, b) facing an indictment on war crimes in Germany; c) getting pulled into all kinds of dirt on Iraq contract corruption.
Rummy and Cheney: they're going to need a lot of lawyers in the years ahead."
Don't forget about Bush.
"Wonkette now confirms a reader's observation:
Donald Rumsfeld has now been spotted repeatedly visiting the swank Washington DC law firm of Williams & Connelly. If this firm has one claim to fame, then it's representing the high and mighty inside the Beltway when they get into criminal law trouble. So let's guess which of Rumsfeld's legal issues have taken him there: he's a) being sued for damages by Iraqis and Afghans, b) facing an indictment on war crimes in Germany; c) getting pulled into all kinds of dirt on Iraq contract corruption.
Rummy and Cheney: they're going to need a lot of lawyers in the years ahead."
Don't forget about Bush.
If we need to know about shrimps on a barbie we'll call you...
Some Australian dude rips Obama. Turns out this guy isn't Steve Irvin either.
Funny how the PM went after Obama for being anti-war but not any of the other canidates including forerunner Hilary Clinton, who has also expressed a willingness to pull US troops out of Iraq. Why...this couldn't be racism could it?
Funny how the PM went after Obama for being anti-war but not any of the other canidates including forerunner Hilary Clinton, who has also expressed a willingness to pull US troops out of Iraq. Why...this couldn't be racism could it?
And I completely believe you...
If I were deaf, dumb and completely dead. Money quote:
"TEHRAN, Iran - Iran on Monday rejected U.S. accusations that the highest levels of Iranian leadership have armed Shiite militants in Iraq with armor-piercing roadside bombs."
Sure, and Kim Kardashian isn't coming out with a sex tape, and Anna Nicole Smith didn't take drugs and there were WMDs in Iraq.
Wow. Those were alot of references. Eat your heart out Dennis Miller!
"TEHRAN, Iran - Iran on Monday rejected U.S. accusations that the highest levels of Iranian leadership have armed Shiite militants in Iraq with armor-piercing roadside bombs."
Sure, and Kim Kardashian isn't coming out with a sex tape, and Anna Nicole Smith didn't take drugs and there were WMDs in Iraq.
Wow. Those were alot of references. Eat your heart out Dennis Miller!
US base attack near Tokyo?
Actually footage taken.
Just kidding, but this is turning into an interesting story. We'll be watching this one closely.
How do you celebrate an anniversary in Iraq?
Blow something up of course. Then again, the anniversary was for a bombing so I suppose it does made some macabre sense.
Money quote:
"BAGHDAD, Iraq - Thunderous explosions and dense black smoke swirled through the center of Baghdad on Monday when at least two car bombs — one parked in an underground garage — tore through a crowded marketplace, setting off dozens of secondary explosions and killing at least 71 people, police said. Another bombing nearby killed at least nine."
And this is supposed to be in the "safe" section of Baghdad? Then again, calling any place in Iraq "safe" is like saying that there's a "cool" spot on the sun. Either way you're toast.
Grammy surprise...
You know, just when you think that the Grammy Awards have nothing to offer suddenly the remarkable happens. Last night the Police reunited and even more stunning--Stuart Copland didn't stab Sting in the eye. Amazing. I'm still trying to get the video posted up.
Other highlights--people who didn't deserve it won awards. Did the Dixie Chicks even have a new album out last year? I might have heard it but the Bush adminstration told me it was giving aid to the enemy. It's a political victory, but musically I don't know. Was there any thing of quality out this year? I'm still listening to Pearl Jam's Ten, so search me.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Racism from the Liberal Left?
John Ridley gives a good case for it. Money quote:
"And, please, would my people stop complaining every time somebody in the so-called liberal media asks the question: "Is America ready for a black president?" Yes, that question posits a negative. Yeah, the question really should be "can American stand one more rich old out of touch white guy as president," of course the question is in total abeyance of the fact that a black person has been four heart beats away from the presidency for the last seven years. But it's a nice safety valve. Kinda like when the faux liberals start a conversation with: "Do you want me to put some hip hop on?" or come back from vacation and say: "Oh my God, I'm as dark as you!""
It's the same kind of racism that makes the white media call Kramer a racist when we blacks understood that Kosmo just had a really bad day. And when white people have bad days and you add a few blacks in the mix you might just get a few "niggers" tossed around. Hey it's human nature, and we'd rather that than then getting dragged from the back of a pick up truck till our eyeballs fall out. Just ask George Jefferson.
"And, please, would my people stop complaining every time somebody in the so-called liberal media asks the question: "Is America ready for a black president?" Yes, that question posits a negative. Yeah, the question really should be "can American stand one more rich old out of touch white guy as president," of course the question is in total abeyance of the fact that a black person has been four heart beats away from the presidency for the last seven years. But it's a nice safety valve. Kinda like when the faux liberals start a conversation with: "Do you want me to put some hip hop on?" or come back from vacation and say: "Oh my God, I'm as dark as you!""
It's the same kind of racism that makes the white media call Kramer a racist when we blacks understood that Kosmo just had a really bad day. And when white people have bad days and you add a few blacks in the mix you might just get a few "niggers" tossed around. Hey it's human nature, and we'd rather that than then getting dragged from the back of a pick up truck till our eyeballs fall out. Just ask George Jefferson.
Here come the Sith...
...and they're bring Cobra and the Legion of Doom along for good measure. Here's how they plan to attack Obama:
"Now, Obama's about to endure a going-over that would make a proctologist blush. Why has he sometimes said his first name is Arabic, and other times Swahili? Why did he make up names in his first book, as the introduction acknowledges? Why did he say two years ago that he would "absolutely" serve out his Senate term, which ends in 2011, and that the idea of him running for president this cycle was "silly" and hype "that's been a little overblown"?
In interviews, strategists in both parties pointed to four big vulnerabilities: Obama's inexperience, the thinness of his policy record, his frank liberalism in a time when the party needs centrist voters and the wealth of targets that are provided by the personal recollections in his first book, from past drug use to conversations that cannot be documented.
Beginning with his announcement for president on Saturday, the long knives will be out for Obama from three directions: Reporters, perpetuating the boom and bust cycle of a ravenous media culture, will try to make up for fawning coverage of the past. Democratic rivals want to get him out of the way. And some top Republicans think the party would have a better chance with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., as the nominee, since she is a known quantity while
Obama can try to define himself as anything he wants.
Officials at the top of both parties calculate that Obama has risen too fast to sustain his popularity in the cauldron of a presidential campaign. Democrats talk of "vapid platitudes" that could produce a "soufflÃ-effect" an implosion as journalists and activists begin probing for substance behind Obama's appealing promise of "a different kind of politics" and "a new kind of politics.""
Whew glad this was put up, or else he'd have no idea what was coming. Being that as it is, here's a few tips I'd like to give the junior Senator:
1) Regarding of the origins of your name, think of the great Bard and his phrase "A rose by any other name..." Swahii or Arabic, don't both have great traditions which should be admired just as much as a German or English? Should Giuliani or Clinton be ashamed of their backgrounds?
2) You sought to protect the idenities of the people in your books, a silent covenent between you and those people. So far no one who has been outed or identified as those people has complained that they were mischaracterized, so why should we?
3) True you said that you would finish out your term, but you're fortunate enough to be so young in the game that you haven't been put on the record as flip-flopping on bigger and more important issues like your opponents. Point that out, and remember that ultimately that promise was a bond between you and your constituents in Illinois. If you should pay for that it would be there. (But I doubt it)
4) If your candidacy is "hype" remind the media that it's the people who will decide on how serious your chances are. I think that the candidacies of Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Rommey are just as much "hype" as yours if not more so. Fact is you're is still a long shot, but as any candidate will say it's still early in the ball game, and in the latter innings the game is up for grabs.
5) Your inexperience is a factor, but not overwhelming. Clinton's years in the Senate only overshadow you by one term, and Edwards by even less. Stress that your inexperience in Washington makes you a true outsider and thusly a sincere choice to those who don't want "business as usual"
6) Appeal to your strengths: You're the most elequent speaker the Democratic party has produced since Bobby Kennedy. Rhetorically you can run rings around your opponents, and, with the exception of Edwards and Kuchinich you're ready to phrase things in terms of class warfare which will be the battleground the Bush adminstration has left for 2008 as the people begin to recognize that our foriegn and fiscal policies were based more on class than national security. Use that "frank liberalism" to your advantage and you might (stress on might) have a chance.
7) But no matter what--don't shoot yourself in the foot. Meaning that you have plenty of time in your career and a bright future ahead. Take strong stands but don't overreach and please, please don't take any advice from John Kerry. Oh please Jesus, don't do that.
"Now, Obama's about to endure a going-over that would make a proctologist blush. Why has he sometimes said his first name is Arabic, and other times Swahili? Why did he make up names in his first book, as the introduction acknowledges? Why did he say two years ago that he would "absolutely" serve out his Senate term, which ends in 2011, and that the idea of him running for president this cycle was "silly" and hype "that's been a little overblown"?
In interviews, strategists in both parties pointed to four big vulnerabilities: Obama's inexperience, the thinness of his policy record, his frank liberalism in a time when the party needs centrist voters and the wealth of targets that are provided by the personal recollections in his first book, from past drug use to conversations that cannot be documented.
Beginning with his announcement for president on Saturday, the long knives will be out for Obama from three directions: Reporters, perpetuating the boom and bust cycle of a ravenous media culture, will try to make up for fawning coverage of the past. Democratic rivals want to get him out of the way. And some top Republicans think the party would have a better chance with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., as the nominee, since she is a known quantity while
Obama can try to define himself as anything he wants.
Officials at the top of both parties calculate that Obama has risen too fast to sustain his popularity in the cauldron of a presidential campaign. Democrats talk of "vapid platitudes" that could produce a "soufflÃ-effect" an implosion as journalists and activists begin probing for substance behind Obama's appealing promise of "a different kind of politics" and "a new kind of politics.""
Whew glad this was put up, or else he'd have no idea what was coming. Being that as it is, here's a few tips I'd like to give the junior Senator:
1) Regarding of the origins of your name, think of the great Bard and his phrase "A rose by any other name..." Swahii or Arabic, don't both have great traditions which should be admired just as much as a German or English? Should Giuliani or Clinton be ashamed of their backgrounds?
2) You sought to protect the idenities of the people in your books, a silent covenent between you and those people. So far no one who has been outed or identified as those people has complained that they were mischaracterized, so why should we?
3) True you said that you would finish out your term, but you're fortunate enough to be so young in the game that you haven't been put on the record as flip-flopping on bigger and more important issues like your opponents. Point that out, and remember that ultimately that promise was a bond between you and your constituents in Illinois. If you should pay for that it would be there. (But I doubt it)
4) If your candidacy is "hype" remind the media that it's the people who will decide on how serious your chances are. I think that the candidacies of Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Rommey are just as much "hype" as yours if not more so. Fact is you're is still a long shot, but as any candidate will say it's still early in the ball game, and in the latter innings the game is up for grabs.
5) Your inexperience is a factor, but not overwhelming. Clinton's years in the Senate only overshadow you by one term, and Edwards by even less. Stress that your inexperience in Washington makes you a true outsider and thusly a sincere choice to those who don't want "business as usual"
6) Appeal to your strengths: You're the most elequent speaker the Democratic party has produced since Bobby Kennedy. Rhetorically you can run rings around your opponents, and, with the exception of Edwards and Kuchinich you're ready to phrase things in terms of class warfare which will be the battleground the Bush adminstration has left for 2008 as the people begin to recognize that our foriegn and fiscal policies were based more on class than national security. Use that "frank liberalism" to your advantage and you might (stress on might) have a chance.
7) But no matter what--don't shoot yourself in the foot. Meaning that you have plenty of time in your career and a bright future ahead. Take strong stands but don't overreach and please, please don't take any advice from John Kerry. Oh please Jesus, don't do that.
Was Anna Nicole Smith murdered?
I don't know...a history of drugs, yo-yo diets, and reality TV...feed your favorite conspiracy theory. I know I will, in fact if you really wanna know who killed Anna Nicole Smith I'll tell you. His name rhymes with Bick Bheney, and he hired his aide Booter Gibby to commit the act. Why? Why the hell not? Did they really have to out Valerie Plame? Well if you really want a reason maybe it was to quiet this, or this.
Yes, and I will accept the award for first person to tie Anna Nicole's death to Dick Cheney and the Libby trial. Thank you to all my fans.
File this one under D, for despicable
Homeless people dumped on the streets by hospitals. From MSNBC.com:
"LOS ANGELES - A hospital van dropped off a paraplegic man on Skid Row, allegedly leaving him crawling in the street with nothing more than a soiled gown and a broken colostomy bag, police said."
I don't know what we need more universal health insurance, or better hospital workers. What I do know is that whoever ordered the drop and whomever was in that van need to get to be fired immediately. Someone who would do something as cold and callous as that shouldn't be allowed around the sick.
"LOS ANGELES - A hospital van dropped off a paraplegic man on Skid Row, allegedly leaving him crawling in the street with nothing more than a soiled gown and a broken colostomy bag, police said."
I don't know what we need more universal health insurance, or better hospital workers. What I do know is that whoever ordered the drop and whomever was in that van need to get to be fired immediately. Someone who would do something as cold and callous as that shouldn't be allowed around the sick.
Public Land, Private Funds
Juan Gonzalez over at the Daily News has a nice expose about a private party that Mayor Bloomberg's company had on Randalls Island last year. Problem is, Randalls Island like Central Park is public land and from what I see in the article Bloomberg LP took up the entire space:
"East Harlem residents who crossed the footbridge into Randalls Island hoping to enjoy the park were confronted during those days by an unusual police presence, metal barriers and signs that read: "Private Event - Do Not Enter."
Now usually I wouldn't care to comment about something like this. Personally I think that public lands should be leased on a periodic basic to private companies. The land should be leased at a time when the public would be less likely to use it, and the money collected can be then put into the development of the land. Sounds proper doesn't it. But as you keep reading you notice that Randalls Island Sports Foundation (the group in charge of Randalls Island) hasn't quite been on the up and up:
"Randalls Island Sports Foundation officials refused this week to answer questions about how much the company paid to use the park or what the foundation's policy is for private parties on the island... It is part of the reason why East Harlem leaders and citywide advocates are battling a City Hall plan to give 20 of Manhattan's richest private schools exclusive use on weekday afternoons for the next 20 years to most of the more than 60 new ballfields that will soon be built or renovated on the island. That contract, which was secretly hatched between the foundation and the private schools over the past year, will be voted on Wednesday by the city's Franchise and Concessions Review Committee."
From top to bottom, from the Bush Adminstration to petty-ante (in comparision) sweetheart deals like this the problem the people have with the government is the lack of transparency. It's not that we're anti-capitalist or anti-corporation, but that we're anti-secrets. Hevesi had to pay the piper--will you?
PS: Ok, that was a bit of hyperbole. I highly doubt there will be a Randalls Island-gate, but some clarity with the public on the part of Bloomberg would be nice.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Not saying that I need to do it...
...but if you ever need to hide weed from the cops then check this out.
The other stuff on the drug war is pretty interesting too.
Hat Tip: Wizard of Covenington
The other stuff on the drug war is pretty interesting too.
Hat Tip: Wizard of Covenington
Breaking news
Anna Nicole Smith has just passed away to that Playboy mansion in the sky.
My first instinct was to insert a joke here, but beyond that being in tremendously bad taste, I do have fond memories of her from my adolescent high school years. She represents a bit of childhood nostalgia; and is by far my favorite Playboy model ever. That picture is how I'll always remember her. Before Trimspa, and before that horrible E! show.
Here's to you Anna, you have to us heterosexual men far more than we ever gave to you, especially your late husband.
Yeah I know I said no jokes but what can I do? I'm a jerk.
By the way...
...in case you haven't noticed I haven't posted anything about that whole astronaut/kidnapping/love triangle thing. Why? Because I could care less.
Nope, I won't even give you a link. Go read an In Touch magazine you loser.
Nope, I won't even give you a link. Go read an In Touch magazine you loser.
An end to the Edwards/ Blogger Contraversy?
Probably not, but I like the Edwards response:
“The tone and the sentiment of some of Amanda Marcotte's and Melissa McEwen's posts personally offended me. It's not how I talk to people, and it's not how I expect the people who work for me to talk to people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that kind of intolerant language will not be permitted from anyone on my campaign, whether it's intended as satire, humor, or anything else. But I also believe in giving everyone a fair shake. I've talked to Amanda and Melissa; they have both assured me that it was never their intention to malign anyone's faith, and I take them at their word. We're beginning a great debate about the future of our country, and we can't let it be hijacked. It will take discipline, focus, and courage to build the America we believe in.”
Get ready for the Right to complain about his wiffy language (I'm copyrighting that word "wiffy"(as in soft or waffling) by the way), but I think he makes some good points and ultimately, as long as Marcotte and McEwen keep from dropping the F-bomb, I think he'll score more points then he loses. Anyway every one will forget about this mess in a week. They'll be talking about this instead.
Fuck.
“The tone and the sentiment of some of Amanda Marcotte's and Melissa McEwen's posts personally offended me. It's not how I talk to people, and it's not how I expect the people who work for me to talk to people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that kind of intolerant language will not be permitted from anyone on my campaign, whether it's intended as satire, humor, or anything else. But I also believe in giving everyone a fair shake. I've talked to Amanda and Melissa; they have both assured me that it was never their intention to malign anyone's faith, and I take them at their word. We're beginning a great debate about the future of our country, and we can't let it be hijacked. It will take discipline, focus, and courage to build the America we believe in.”
Get ready for the Right to complain about his wiffy language (I'm copyrighting that word "wiffy"(as in soft or waffling) by the way), but I think he makes some good points and ultimately, as long as Marcotte and McEwen keep from dropping the F-bomb, I think he'll score more points then he loses. Anyway every one will forget about this mess in a week. They'll be talking about this instead.
Fuck.
Time for Plan B
Some of my frat brothers and I take a yearly trip. This year we were thinking about going to Thailand. Then I saw this:
"While Bangkok is still abuzz over whodunit over the New Year’s Eve bombings, the southern insurgency continues to escalate. The level of killing has gone up to over two people a day, minor by Iraqi standards, but still the most lethal conflict in Southeast Asia, bar none; and it has the potential to grow dramatically in 2007. "
Yeeeeahhhh...Barcelona anyone?
"While Bangkok is still abuzz over whodunit over the New Year’s Eve bombings, the southern insurgency continues to escalate. The level of killing has gone up to over two people a day, minor by Iraqi standards, but still the most lethal conflict in Southeast Asia, bar none; and it has the potential to grow dramatically in 2007. "
Yeeeeahhhh...Barcelona anyone?
The BEST JOKE EVER
I was just checking out Media Matters, and they had this post about how McCain bloggers called Chelsea Clinton "ugly." Well I really don't know, or care about the name calling (hey, she isn't Halle Berry and I'm not Brad Pitt), but the actual joke is a killer:
"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."
Thirty years from now, this will be included in the updated edition of The People's History
From Stories in America:
"I was arrested yesterday, Monday February 5th, along with 10 others in the first of many action of a sustained campaign to end the Iraq War called “The Occupation Project”Senator McCain was targeted yesterday because he is a staunch supporter of the ongoing occupation of Iraq. The message brought to McCain’s Capitol Hill office by Voices For Creative Non-Violence, CodePINK, Veterans For Peace was “Stop Funding the War!” Two time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Kathy Kelly was among those arrested. There were also coordinated actions at McCain’s offices in his homestate of Arizona, as well as other demonstrations nationwide including sit-ins at Barrak Obama’s and Dick Durbin’s offices in Chicago which resulted in 8 additional arrests."
Not quite sure why Obama was targeted, but I enjoy hearing about our people making their voices heard rather than sitting on their couch watching American Idol.
Yeah, right...
From the Denver post:
"The Rev. Ted Haggard emerged from three weeks of intensive counseling convinced he is "completely heterosexual" and told an oversight board that his sexual contact with men was limited to his accuser."
Ok here we have a dude caught with another dude smoking Meth and going at it like Rock 'Em Sock 'em robots except they're not hitting each other with their fists. He gets caught and he gets treatment...for his homosexuality. It just shows you the mentality of the Rev. Haggard's followers that they would rather have their leader get treated for his homosexuality rather than his...CRYSTAL METH ADDICTION. That's like if my fiance caught me licking whipped cream off of another woman, and sent me to Weight Watchers.
"The Rev. Ted Haggard emerged from three weeks of intensive counseling convinced he is "completely heterosexual" and told an oversight board that his sexual contact with men was limited to his accuser."
Ok here we have a dude caught with another dude smoking Meth and going at it like Rock 'Em Sock 'em robots except they're not hitting each other with their fists. He gets caught and he gets treatment...for his homosexuality. It just shows you the mentality of the Rev. Haggard's followers that they would rather have their leader get treated for his homosexuality rather than his...CRYSTAL METH ADDICTION. That's like if my fiance caught me licking whipped cream off of another woman, and sent me to Weight Watchers.
A video for our times
I came across this video by the Gorillaz, and as I was watching it I thought that it was a great metaphor for our times. It really captures the desperation and suffering of the innocent. Enjoy.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Faith
I wanted to post a response to a letter someone sent into Sully, quote:
"I've never had faith, and I've always wanted it. My father is a Baptist minister (the liberal New England kind) and I've seen the joy that belief has brought to people. I've heard stories of 'miracles' from people I know and trust. I've been through stage 3 cancer and a year of debilitating treatment. I actually thought, at the beginning of my cancer odyssey, that the upside might be some sort of revelation. A brush of death might bring my road to Damascus experience. Instead, I just had a lot of uncomfortable feelings about all the people who told me they were praying for me. I've always wanted that peace and sense of security that people who put their trust in God and Christ seem to have. But it's never been there. Ever."
I feel sorry for this person. But what I really feel sorry about is that it seems from this that they feel that faith is something that can only be found in religion or belief in a higher deity. Does faith necessarily have to come from a higher power? I don't believe so. I call myself agnostic (pretty much because I can't deny that there might (stress on might) be a God), but I think I have plenty of faith which guides my life and gives me hope. For instance I have faith that the next episodes of Prison Break and Heroes are going to rock. I have faith that I will live to see the Knicks win an NBA championship. I have faith in myself; a belief that I will publish a novel (even if I have to self-publish and sell my book on the street) and get my PhD, and, even further more, that I am a decent person who has worth. Ihave faith that the world is not going to hell, because I believe that people are primarily decent and not self-destructive. I have faith that good trumps evil. I have faith that AK does beat Ax more times than not no matter now many time people draw out against me. I have faith in the laws of averages, mathematics, physics, and, in general, science. I have faith that the smallest things can be wonderful if you really study them, and it is the appreciation of that beauty that makes life worth living.
Take it for what you will, but that's my faith.
"I've never had faith, and I've always wanted it. My father is a Baptist minister (the liberal New England kind) and I've seen the joy that belief has brought to people. I've heard stories of 'miracles' from people I know and trust. I've been through stage 3 cancer and a year of debilitating treatment. I actually thought, at the beginning of my cancer odyssey, that the upside might be some sort of revelation. A brush of death might bring my road to Damascus experience. Instead, I just had a lot of uncomfortable feelings about all the people who told me they were praying for me. I've always wanted that peace and sense of security that people who put their trust in God and Christ seem to have. But it's never been there. Ever."
I feel sorry for this person. But what I really feel sorry about is that it seems from this that they feel that faith is something that can only be found in religion or belief in a higher deity. Does faith necessarily have to come from a higher power? I don't believe so. I call myself agnostic (pretty much because I can't deny that there might (stress on might) be a God), but I think I have plenty of faith which guides my life and gives me hope. For instance I have faith that the next episodes of Prison Break and Heroes are going to rock. I have faith that I will live to see the Knicks win an NBA championship. I have faith in myself; a belief that I will publish a novel (even if I have to self-publish and sell my book on the street) and get my PhD, and, even further more, that I am a decent person who has worth. Ihave faith that the world is not going to hell, because I believe that people are primarily decent and not self-destructive. I have faith that good trumps evil. I have faith that AK does beat Ax more times than not no matter now many time people draw out against me. I have faith in the laws of averages, mathematics, physics, and, in general, science. I have faith that the smallest things can be wonderful if you really study them, and it is the appreciation of that beauty that makes life worth living.
Take it for what you will, but that's my faith.
Disgusting
This from the New York Observer, an ad against Republican State Senate canidate Craig Johnson.
PS: Johnson won. Here's one up for the side of good taste.
Iran War Watch
From the NY Daily News:
"BAGHDAD - The alleged abduction of an Iranian diplomat is threatening to escalate the tense standoff between Iran and the United States - and could swell into a major diplomatic crisis for Iraq's fragile, Shiite-dominated government. Iran has blamed the U.S. for the kidnapping - or possibly arrest - on Sunday in Baghdad of Jalal Sharafi, a second secretary at the Iranian Embassy.
Tehran said it holds the Americans responsible for his safety.
U.S. authorities deny any role in the disappearance."
But as I reported here, the US new policy towards Iran in Iraq has been:
"The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program, according to government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the effort."
Things are heating up...and not in a good way.
"BAGHDAD - The alleged abduction of an Iranian diplomat is threatening to escalate the tense standoff between Iran and the United States - and could swell into a major diplomatic crisis for Iraq's fragile, Shiite-dominated government. Iran has blamed the U.S. for the kidnapping - or possibly arrest - on Sunday in Baghdad of Jalal Sharafi, a second secretary at the Iranian Embassy.
Tehran said it holds the Americans responsible for his safety.
U.S. authorities deny any role in the disappearance."
But as I reported here, the US new policy towards Iran in Iraq has been:
"The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program, according to government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the effort."
Things are heating up...and not in a good way.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Mel Gibson's peeps...
Not just Joe Pesci and Danny Glover. Full story here about the other Christian nutjobs. There's fanatics all around.
Par for the course...
So it turns out there's a big hoopla about the Super Bowl Snickers Ad that showed two men kissing each other. More specifically, people are upset about the ad's additional web content that allowed the audience to vote on the commercial's ending. Now I saw the ad and I laughed--it seemed pretty silly--but when I looked over the web content I can certainly understand why gay rights groups would get upset, since it's obvious that some of these endings were insensitive, and perhaps downright violent.
But before everyone starts talking about how this is a political and anti-gay attack from a Pro-Republican company, I would like to mention a personal story in regards to the advertising industry.
Once I participated in a focus group for a Beck's beer series of ads. For those unfamiliar with a focus group, it's where a group of people from some particular demographic is gathered in a room, watches an ad, and gives feedback. (And for an hour or so work, the 100$ ain't too shabby). Anyway, the ads we saw were supposed to be focused on the idea of men who make choices. The one I remember the most was a guy who's at a concert with his friend and his friend's girlfriend. The friend goes to get a beer and the girlfriend comes on to the guy. His choice: does he kiss her or tell his friend. If he kisses her then she blackmails him, and if he doesn't then his friend is caught on the big screen making out with some other girl--the implication being that his friend passed up an opportunity.
The focus group voted down this one citing that it was just plain depressing. But I was wondering why in this ad (a theme continued throughout all the ads) were women cast as shrews and whores. In the other ads women were either breaking some guy's heart by sleeping their their friends (and in one sick case, their Dad), or leaving them for not being wealthy enough. Sure, beer might be consumed by a majority of guys but is this the male image of women? Is it the company's image?
But then I realized that the advertisers aren't concerned with political correctness, and their feelings about women are irrelevant . Their primary concern is creating controversy. Get enough people heated, sickened, or feeling anything strongly and you've sold the product. Regardless of what we (the focus group) thought of the ads we all agreed that we'd remember them, and sure enough I bought a Becks on the way home. What all these gay rights groups don't understand is that by protesting this ad they're only helping Mars Co. sell more candy. We're all mind-slaves to the idiot box, and, like a Chinese finger-puzzle, our revolting only strengthens our bonds.
But before everyone starts talking about how this is a political and anti-gay attack from a Pro-Republican company, I would like to mention a personal story in regards to the advertising industry.
Once I participated in a focus group for a Beck's beer series of ads. For those unfamiliar with a focus group, it's where a group of people from some particular demographic is gathered in a room, watches an ad, and gives feedback. (And for an hour or so work, the 100$ ain't too shabby). Anyway, the ads we saw were supposed to be focused on the idea of men who make choices. The one I remember the most was a guy who's at a concert with his friend and his friend's girlfriend. The friend goes to get a beer and the girlfriend comes on to the guy. His choice: does he kiss her or tell his friend. If he kisses her then she blackmails him, and if he doesn't then his friend is caught on the big screen making out with some other girl--the implication being that his friend passed up an opportunity.
The focus group voted down this one citing that it was just plain depressing. But I was wondering why in this ad (a theme continued throughout all the ads) were women cast as shrews and whores. In the other ads women were either breaking some guy's heart by sleeping their their friends (and in one sick case, their Dad), or leaving them for not being wealthy enough. Sure, beer might be consumed by a majority of guys but is this the male image of women? Is it the company's image?
But then I realized that the advertisers aren't concerned with political correctness, and their feelings about women are irrelevant . Their primary concern is creating controversy. Get enough people heated, sickened, or feeling anything strongly and you've sold the product. Regardless of what we (the focus group) thought of the ads we all agreed that we'd remember them, and sure enough I bought a Becks on the way home. What all these gay rights groups don't understand is that by protesting this ad they're only helping Mars Co. sell more candy. We're all mind-slaves to the idiot box, and, like a Chinese finger-puzzle, our revolting only strengthens our bonds.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Bush to ask for more money for wars...
From MSNBC.com:
"WASHINGTON - The Bush administration will ask for another $100 billion for military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan this year and seek $145 billion for 2008, a senior administration official said Friday."
Fiscally this is ending up a nightmare. I just realized yesterday how much money the tax man pulls out of my check, and I keep thinking, "But I don't want it to go to the war. I really don't." Yet the GOP is supposed to be the party of so-called "fiscial responsiblity". I think we're discovering that the only difference between the two parties isn't the difference between small and big government but how the respective parties big government would like to spend your money. Personally, I'd rather have universal health coverage and free college tuition than have my well earned money go to eternal war.
"WASHINGTON - The Bush administration will ask for another $100 billion for military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan this year and seek $145 billion for 2008, a senior administration official said Friday."
Fiscally this is ending up a nightmare. I just realized yesterday how much money the tax man pulls out of my check, and I keep thinking, "But I don't want it to go to the war. I really don't." Yet the GOP is supposed to be the party of so-called "fiscial responsiblity". I think we're discovering that the only difference between the two parties isn't the difference between small and big government but how the respective parties big government would like to spend your money. Personally, I'd rather have universal health coverage and free college tuition than have my well earned money go to eternal war.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Hannibal Rising...only to sink again
...or maybe he just bobbles on the surface.
Yesterday, along with my fiance, I attended the New York premiere of the movie Hannibal Rising, and let me tell you, the experience of attending a movie premiere was a great deal more interesting the movie. Though ironically, what made the former more interesting than the latter was mundaneness of both events.
The premiere, at the 66st Lincoln Center IMAX theater had the red carpet and the photographers, at least that's what I saw as I and the rest of the audience went up the back way. Inside we were assigned seats which were simply awful. I think they gave me the mathematically second worse seat in the house. No matter, since there was plenty of space because the whole place was at about about half capacity. All that ado for naught. Word was we were suppose to take our assigned places until the "celebrities" took their seats, but as my friend who worked at the theater said, 'what celebrities? Every one is an unknown in that film!' Which I soon discovered once the lights went down. The only dude I remembered in that whole flick was the guy who played Danny Deckchair. I could have been sitting next to Hannibal himself and wouldn't have known. Which leads me to the second thing. For a movie premiere the audience was surprisingly common. My fiance and I happen to attend many sneak previews for movies (just run a Google search--you'll be surprised how many test audiences you can participate in), and many times its just a good slice of New York, from the poorest black woman to the Fifth avenue princess with the fur coat. This audience was no different and, as one, we proceeded to immediately break the rules, stealing and bartering for better seats. I think Harvey Weinstein had some company in the back row. Oh yeah he was there too. He's pretty fat, though it could have just been wads of money he had strapped to his belly. Remember, Hollywood people are pretty eccentric.
After all that the movie itself was a pretty big let down. The kid who plays the young Hannibal was good--no Anthony Hopkins--but good. In fact the performances all around were quite solid. What was the greatest let down for me was the script, penned by Thomas Harris the creator of the Hannibal series and writer of the original novels. Usually as sophisticated as his protagonist, this story was a typical revenge flick that just happened to star Hannibal Lecter, though with a touch here and there it could have stared anyone from Bruce Wayne to Stephen Segal. You do get a sense of where Hannibal's particular 'craving' comes from, but while undeniably traumatizing, the event doesn't get visceral enough to be convincing. You keep thinking that for Hannibal to be who he is the 'event' means nothing and that, like Dexter (the Showtime character) he's just your run of the mill sociopath who hides behind a myth. Regardless, unless you're a huge fan of the series you'd be better off renting this one on a rainy day.
But then again, I'm not Rex Reed, I'm just a face in the crowd.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Iraq Toxin Follow-up
Youtube clip of the week.
I know it's early, but this is beyond hysterical. If I were the groom I would have to call the whole thing off. Did he know how insane his fiance was?
A step in the right direction
Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposes expansive increase in New York education. Money quote:
"Gov. Eliot Spitzer declared on Monday that he would propose a major increase in state aid for New York’s public schools in his first budget and would seek vastly expanded oversight of local school districts, including wide powers to remove school boards or force the dismissal of superintendents for repeated failures."
Good idea. The NY school system falls short of where it needs to be, by far. Especially when one considers that we already spend 15 billion just in New York City alone. Under Mayor Bloomberg huge strides have been made in funding, but the UFT hasn't held up their end of the deal. Hopefully they will be made more accountable.
"Gov. Eliot Spitzer declared on Monday that he would propose a major increase in state aid for New York’s public schools in his first budget and would seek vastly expanded oversight of local school districts, including wide powers to remove school boards or force the dismissal of superintendents for repeated failures."
Good idea. The NY school system falls short of where it needs to be, by far. Especially when one considers that we already spend 15 billion just in New York City alone. Under Mayor Bloomberg huge strides have been made in funding, but the UFT hasn't held up their end of the deal. Hopefully they will be made more accountable.
The economy is up...or are we down?
So the economy grew 3.5 percent in the 4th quarter. Sounds good but the jury's still out on how exactly the economy did for the low and middle class, especially since:
"That’s even more impressive considering the economy was hit by the housing slump. Investment in home building for all of last year was slashed by 4.2 percent, the most in 15 years.
GDP measures the value of all goods and services produced within the United States and is the best barometer of the country’s economic standing.
“Housing and autos hit the economy with their best punch, and the economy is still standing. It is dancing,” said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group."
As I've mentioned before, the "science" of economics seems so mysterious that I wonder if Greenspan got his degree from Hogwarts. My only indicator of economic strength is how many gifts are given to me around Christmas. I made out like a bandit, so I guess it can't be all that bad.
"That’s even more impressive considering the economy was hit by the housing slump. Investment in home building for all of last year was slashed by 4.2 percent, the most in 15 years.
GDP measures the value of all goods and services produced within the United States and is the best barometer of the country’s economic standing.
“Housing and autos hit the economy with their best punch, and the economy is still standing. It is dancing,” said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group."
As I've mentioned before, the "science" of economics seems so mysterious that I wonder if Greenspan got his degree from Hogwarts. My only indicator of economic strength is how many gifts are given to me around Christmas. I made out like a bandit, so I guess it can't be all that bad.
Lest you forget that there's a "conservative" in office
Millions wasted in Iraq reconstruction aid:
"WASHINGTON - The U.S. government wasted tens of millions of dollars in Iraq reconstruction aid, including scores of unaccounted-for weapons and a never-used camp for housing police trainers with an Olympic-size swimming pool, investigators say."
"...scores of unaccounted-for weapons." That's always comforting to hear, especially when we know whose hands those weapons end up in.
"WASHINGTON - The U.S. government wasted tens of millions of dollars in Iraq reconstruction aid, including scores of unaccounted-for weapons and a never-used camp for housing police trainers with an Olympic-size swimming pool, investigators say."
"...scores of unaccounted-for weapons." That's always comforting to hear, especially when we know whose hands those weapons end up in.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Climate scientists feel the political pressure...
According to Bush's last SOTU, climate change is a big worry. But if that's the case why has his adminstation been trying to hush it up?
Answer:
They don't want Al Gore to get an Oscar.
Answer:
They don't want Al Gore to get an Oscar.
The definition of irony...
So last night I'm watching Prison Break, which I watch religiously right before Heroes (best show on the air right now), and something happens, so...insanely ironic that I almost shit myself:
For those who don't follow the show, or who missed last night's episode, our two heroes make a video describing the government conspiracy in which the President, and other members of the CIA, etc have framed them, and killed others. The video is aired on Fox News. The CIA agent who's hunting the fugitives down, seeing the video tells his underling "Get some Arabs, burn down a forest, I don't care just get that off the air!" Later, Fox News reports a heightened terror alert as suspected terrorists are caught.
Seriously, it couldn't get more sickly ironic if Donald Trump took off his face and he was Rosie O'Donnell.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Tiger watch...
7 straight now. If Woods isn't a reason for people to start watching golf then I don't know who is (except for Happy Gilmore...if Happy Gilmore was a PGA golfer, I'd become a roadie). I missed the Bear, not missing Tiger.
Note: ummm the best golfers seem to be named after tough ass animals. I'm going to name my kid rhino. And it won't matter if its a boy or a girl.
Note: ummm the best golfers seem to be named after tough ass animals. I'm going to name my kid rhino. And it won't matter if its a boy or a girl.
Cros is going to have a field day...
...and I wouldn't blame him after looking at this. Look, Kerry has the right as an American citizen to say whatever he wants, and most of it I agree with--but to do it at this time with that person is politically irresponsible. Funny thing, but in many ways I'm reminded of what happened when Bill Cosby made his comments about blacks that ignited so much controversy. Most of the anger felt by blacks about his comments weren't about their valadity (and many were very valid)I but came because Cosby exposed so many 'black" issues to a "white" audience (through the television, not the live audience). This latest Kerry gaffe is the same sort of thing, and people are getting angry at Kerry for expressing his dissent with the Bush adminstration in front of so-called "American enemies" (Khatami isn't Pres of Iran anymore). Wingnuts wanna label it 'treason,' and while I wouldn't go that far it does display Kerry's absence of tact; the same lack that lost him the presidency in 2004. Thank God Kerry is out of 2008.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Someone needs to step up their game...
Look I'm a proud liberal. I'll be happy to tell anyone that. But just because I am, doesn't mean I need to walk blindly in the path of anything or anyone who subscribes to being liberal. You have cake hole liberals just like you have cake hole conservatives (although one side has way more than the other...I'll let you figure that one out).
Crooksandliars.com may be the most popular liberal blog outside of Dailykos.com, but with posts like this, its a wonder they have any support:
"Look at this Yahoo headline of a Reuters story:
Bomb kills 15, Bush critic Pelosi visits Baghdad
"Bush critic"? That's the best descriptive Yahoo can think of to give Pelosi?
Not "Speaker of the House" Pelosi? Not "Third in Line for the Presidency" Pelosi?
Not even "California Congresswoman" Pelosi?
But, yes, all you lurking Freepers, keep crying that the media is liberal."
Seriously...this is the best you can do? Attacking Yahoo because they called Nancy Pelosi a "Bush critic?" Maybe if they had called her a "movie critic," maybe I could see...no I couldn't because who gives a F-CK! Who the hell are you even trying to convince that the media isn't left wing? The right? Riiiggghhhttt cause they all just love to check out Crooksandliars.com right after they smoke a joint and donate ten percent of their paycheck to the ACLU. Well at least you didn't follow up that post with videos of Lewis Black and Elton John. Oh wait, you did.
If I want MTV news, I'll watch MTV.
Crooksandliars.com may be the most popular liberal blog outside of Dailykos.com, but with posts like this, its a wonder they have any support:
"Look at this Yahoo headline of a Reuters story:
Bomb kills 15, Bush critic Pelosi visits Baghdad
"Bush critic"? That's the best descriptive Yahoo can think of to give Pelosi?
Not "Speaker of the House" Pelosi? Not "Third in Line for the Presidency" Pelosi?
Not even "California Congresswoman" Pelosi?
But, yes, all you lurking Freepers, keep crying that the media is liberal."
Seriously...this is the best you can do? Attacking Yahoo because they called Nancy Pelosi a "Bush critic?" Maybe if they had called her a "movie critic," maybe I could see...no I couldn't because who gives a F-CK! Who the hell are you even trying to convince that the media isn't left wing? The right? Riiiggghhhttt cause they all just love to check out Crooksandliars.com right after they smoke a joint and donate ten percent of their paycheck to the ACLU. Well at least you didn't follow up that post with videos of Lewis Black and Elton John. Oh wait, you did.
If I want MTV news, I'll watch MTV.
More Iraq footage...
Just because Bush refuses to look at the situation on the ground doesn't mean you can't.
Get ready for some intense serious ass whoopin!!!
Prenote: The following Youtube video depecting Iraq officers (Shia) beating unnammed Sunni suspects as US soliders watch was posted up on Sully's blog here. AS says the beating "... shows what this president is now risking: that the U.S. will become a party to one side in a sectarian civil war. " Now Mickey Kaus points out a few things Sully missed in his description of the event such as one US troop breaking it up, and the fact that the vic had been caught with a bag full of mortars.
Fact is, both pundits are right. These men have been placed into a tremendously organic type of situation where natural instinct, cruel and barbaric natural instinct, takes control. Remember the shoebomber and the beatdown he recieved from the passengers on the airplane that he tried to destroy? Would you have called that revenge or a bias attack? When is the situation fight or flight and when is it political? Personally, if I was in Iraq whether it be on the US side or the Iraqi side (you can pick your favorite sect in the latter) I can tell you one thing, the longer I was there and the more people I killed the more I'd be lovin it. And after a while, in the middle of that killzone, it wouldn't much matter whose throat I had my hands around.
Think about that as you watch this.
We seriously need to plus down.
Fact is, both pundits are right. These men have been placed into a tremendously organic type of situation where natural instinct, cruel and barbaric natural instinct, takes control. Remember the shoebomber and the beatdown he recieved from the passengers on the airplane that he tried to destroy? Would you have called that revenge or a bias attack? When is the situation fight or flight and when is it political? Personally, if I was in Iraq whether it be on the US side or the Iraqi side (you can pick your favorite sect in the latter) I can tell you one thing, the longer I was there and the more people I killed the more I'd be lovin it. And after a while, in the middle of that killzone, it wouldn't much matter whose throat I had my hands around.
Think about that as you watch this.
We seriously need to plus down.
Friday, January 26, 2007
More on the new Iran policy
Found here. Money quote:
"It's a policy with a long list of potential consequences, especially "if Iran responds with escalation," putting "U.S. citizens and national interests at greater risk in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere."
But perhaps that's the point?"
Iran War Watch Part III
(Today is the day for sequels huh?)
Bush gives US troops authorization to kill Iranians within Iraq. Money quote:
"The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program, according to government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the effort.
See right here is the reason why I'm for a pull out in Iraq..."catch and release?" It's a shitty way to fish and an even shitter way to wage a war. I don't believe we should have "gone to war" in the first place, but much like the Surge or Plus Up or whatever you want to call it, our strategy has been one of fighting with one hand tied behind or back (or half our brain, which ever analogy you wish). Either fight the damm thing or get out. Jezz!
Note: "The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program" To Washington: Don't matter how many Iranian operatives you kill or capture, they're not giving up their program. We still haven't pulled out of Iraq no matter how many of our soldiers have been killed or captured, and unlike Iran we're actually supposed to care for our own.
Bush gives US troops authorization to kill Iranians within Iraq. Money quote:
"The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program, according to government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the effort.
For more than a year, U.S. forces in Iraq have secretly detained dozens of suspected Iranian agents, holding them for three to four days at a time. The "catch and release" policy was designed to avoid escalating tensions with Iran and yet intimidate its emissaries. U.S. forces collected DNA samples from some of the Iranians without their knowledge, subjected others to retina scans, and fingerprinted and photographed all of them before letting them go."
See right here is the reason why I'm for a pull out in Iraq..."catch and release?" It's a shitty way to fish and an even shitter way to wage a war. I don't believe we should have "gone to war" in the first place, but much like the Surge or Plus Up or whatever you want to call it, our strategy has been one of fighting with one hand tied behind or back (or half our brain, which ever analogy you wish). Either fight the damm thing or get out. Jezz!
Note: "The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program" To Washington: Don't matter how many Iranian operatives you kill or capture, they're not giving up their program. We still haven't pulled out of Iraq no matter how many of our soldiers have been killed or captured, and unlike Iran we're actually supposed to care for our own.
Things that make me yawn part II
Just in case you were beginning to think that I was a partisan hack, here's yet another case of plagiarism charges being leveled against a Senator in DC. Except this time it's against a Republican. You would need a number in negative scientific notation to indicate how little I care about this. This is incredible nitpicking. That's not important...this is important.
Slow Friday...
As just about everyone knows, Friday is like the slowest news day around other than Sunday. I'm off of work, but I'm not sure how much I'll be posting today. In fact it seems like a perfect day to work on my novel. Still, I'll be around so if anything juicy comes up (like a Morton's steak, ummm steak) you'll be the first to know.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Iraq Toxin: Secret War against US GIs?
A real eye opening article from Wired.com on a new strain of antibotic resistant bacteria that's attacking American soliders in Iraq. Money quote:
"Since OPERATION Iraqi Freedom began in 2003, more than 700 US soldiers have been infected or colonized with Acinetobacter baumannii. A significant number of additional cases have been found in the Canadian and British armed forces, and among wounded Iraqi civilians. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology has recorded seven deaths caused by the bacteria in US hospitals along the evacuation chain. Four were unlucky civilians who picked up the bug at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, while undergoing treatment for other life-threatening conditions. Another was a 63-year-old woman, also chronically ill, who shared a ward at Landstuhl with infected coalition troops."
Even more frightening:
"A nurse explained to me, "It's this bug that grows in the soil over there and gets blown into their wounds by IEDs. These poor guys are covered with it. Around here we call it Iraqibacter." Rumors were circulating at the hospital that insurgents dosed their homemade bombs with the flesh of dead animals."
Note: It seems to me that the number of antibotic resistant bacteria worldwide is on the rise, or at least is a natural issue. Also this isn't a problem that is unique to Iraq. However if you read over the article there are several political issues that stem from this, including a possible cover up by the US government:
"The Marine Corps public affairs office sent out the customary press release attributing Gadsden's [Marine injured in Iraq] death to "injuries as a result of enemy action." But then a few weeks later, Zeada's [Gadsden's mother] dentist told her a Florida newspaper was reporting that her son had died of bacterial meningitis. Aided by US representative Bill Young, Zeada - who works as a cardiac-care technician in South Carolina - demanded an investigation.
She discovered that an autopsy was performed shortly after her son's death. The coroner recorded the "manner of death" as "homicide (explosion during war operation)" but determined the actual cause of death to be a bacterial infection. The organism that killed Gadsden, called Nocardia, had clogged the blood vessels leading to his brain. But the acinetobacter had been steadily draining his vital resources when he could least afford it. For weeks, it had been flourishing in his body, undetected by the doctors at Haley, resisting a constant assault by the most potent antibiotics in the medical arsenal.
"No one said that my son had anything like that," Zeada says. "I never had to wear gloves or a mask, and none of the nurses did either. No one had any information.""
Not trying to conjure up some type of X-files conspiracy here, but it seems to the story would be worth some media coverage.
Hat Tip: Geezer Power
"Since OPERATION Iraqi Freedom began in 2003, more than 700 US soldiers have been infected or colonized with Acinetobacter baumannii. A significant number of additional cases have been found in the Canadian and British armed forces, and among wounded Iraqi civilians. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology has recorded seven deaths caused by the bacteria in US hospitals along the evacuation chain. Four were unlucky civilians who picked up the bug at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, while undergoing treatment for other life-threatening conditions. Another was a 63-year-old woman, also chronically ill, who shared a ward at Landstuhl with infected coalition troops."
Even more frightening:
"A nurse explained to me, "It's this bug that grows in the soil over there and gets blown into their wounds by IEDs. These poor guys are covered with it. Around here we call it Iraqibacter." Rumors were circulating at the hospital that insurgents dosed their homemade bombs with the flesh of dead animals."
Note: It seems to me that the number of antibotic resistant bacteria worldwide is on the rise, or at least is a natural issue. Also this isn't a problem that is unique to Iraq. However if you read over the article there are several political issues that stem from this, including a possible cover up by the US government:
"The Marine Corps public affairs office sent out the customary press release attributing Gadsden's [Marine injured in Iraq] death to "injuries as a result of enemy action." But then a few weeks later, Zeada's [Gadsden's mother] dentist told her a Florida newspaper was reporting that her son had died of bacterial meningitis. Aided by US representative Bill Young, Zeada - who works as a cardiac-care technician in South Carolina - demanded an investigation.
She discovered that an autopsy was performed shortly after her son's death. The coroner recorded the "manner of death" as "homicide (explosion during war operation)" but determined the actual cause of death to be a bacterial infection. The organism that killed Gadsden, called Nocardia, had clogged the blood vessels leading to his brain. But the acinetobacter had been steadily draining his vital resources when he could least afford it. For weeks, it had been flourishing in his body, undetected by the doctors at Haley, resisting a constant assault by the most potent antibiotics in the medical arsenal.
"No one said that my son had anything like that," Zeada says. "I never had to wear gloves or a mask, and none of the nurses did either. No one had any information.""
Not trying to conjure up some type of X-files conspiracy here, but it seems to the story would be worth some media coverage.
Hat Tip: Geezer Power
Wanna see something scary?
Then check out this site. Be sure to have your bowels empty before reading.
UPDATE: I still love the freedom of speech.
UPDATE: I still love the freedom of speech.
The Neo-neo conservative?
Could be the one to take us to war? With a campaign slogan like "Peace Through Strength" one must wonder. If you thought GWB was a pussy then maybe this is your guy.
Obama on Health Coverage...
...on Hufpo. Here's a teaser:
"Sen. Obama knows words, and he knows how to use them. I don't think it's an accident that he uses language to raise very high expectations for his coming healthcare plan. Here are some of the things he says in his speech:
""Plans that tinker and halfway measures now belong to yesterday."
"In the 2008 campaign, affordable, universal health care for every single American must not be a question of whether, it must be a question of how."
"For too long, this debate has been stunted by what I call the smallness of our politics - the idea that there isn't much we can agree on or do about the major challenges facing our country."
"Caution is what's costly."
The Senator closes with an impassioned description of the fight to create Medicare, and the political courage that was needed to overcome resistance to change. That's raising the stakes very high for his own proposal."
Sounds good to me.
UPDATE: Find the complete text of Obama's health care speech here.
"Sen. Obama knows words, and he knows how to use them. I don't think it's an accident that he uses language to raise very high expectations for his coming healthcare plan. Here are some of the things he says in his speech:
""Plans that tinker and halfway measures now belong to yesterday."
"In the 2008 campaign, affordable, universal health care for every single American must not be a question of whether, it must be a question of how."
"For too long, this debate has been stunted by what I call the smallness of our politics - the idea that there isn't much we can agree on or do about the major challenges facing our country."
"Caution is what's costly."
The Senator closes with an impassioned description of the fight to create Medicare, and the political courage that was needed to overcome resistance to change. That's raising the stakes very high for his own proposal."
Sounds good to me.
UPDATE: Find the complete text of Obama's health care speech here.
The context of Obama...
Articles like this one from the Washington Post worry me. Money quote:
"The question of how Obama chooses to define and approach race looms large as he moves closer to formally launching his campaign next month. Although he rides a wave of enthusiasm among Democrats who like his vision of a different kind of politics and see him as an alternative to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), it is not clear that his multiracial message can excite black voters hungry for affirmation of their top concerns."
Articles like this do and, I presume, will continue to confuse his multiracial background with his message. Of course it is early into his presidencial bid and he hasn't yet had the time to introduce himself properly to the general public, but as someone who's read The Audacity of Hope I see his message as anything but relying on race. Yes, he does recognize his heritage and has an entire chapter of his book devoted to race relations in the US; but, like the rest of Audacity, he talks this subject in the context of its changing affect on the American fabric, and how this issue falls lock step into the issues of class and economy that affect all Americans. One of his greatest challenges will be defining himself as something other than "the black guy" but I feel he's already on the right path. My worry is that he will be traveling faster than the rest of the media.
"The question of how Obama chooses to define and approach race looms large as he moves closer to formally launching his campaign next month. Although he rides a wave of enthusiasm among Democrats who like his vision of a different kind of politics and see him as an alternative to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), it is not clear that his multiracial message can excite black voters hungry for affirmation of their top concerns."
Articles like this do and, I presume, will continue to confuse his multiracial background with his message. Of course it is early into his presidencial bid and he hasn't yet had the time to introduce himself properly to the general public, but as someone who's read The Audacity of Hope I see his message as anything but relying on race. Yes, he does recognize his heritage and has an entire chapter of his book devoted to race relations in the US; but, like the rest of Audacity, he talks this subject in the context of its changing affect on the American fabric, and how this issue falls lock step into the issues of class and economy that affect all Americans. One of his greatest challenges will be defining himself as something other than "the black guy" but I feel he's already on the right path. My worry is that he will be traveling faster than the rest of the media.
Search Bush's words...if you dare...
The NYTimes has a cool little gadget that allows you to find out the number of times Bush used certain words in his State of the Union speeches. Notice the absence "Osama" and "Bin Laden" .
Something Cros and I can agree on...
...he'd do better opening for Michael Richards, or starring in a MTV reality show. And he knows it. Poor dude.
More Clintonesque than Hillary?
Not sure, but Obama's slamming Fox News and the right-wing media:
"In the past week, many of you have read a now thoroughly-debunked story by Insight Magazine, owned by the Washington Times, which cites unnamed sources close to a political campaign that claim Senator Obama was enrolled for “at least four years” in an Indonesian “Madrassa”. The article says the “sources” believe the Madrassa was “espousing Wahhabism,” a form of radical Islam.
Insight Magazine published these allegations without a single named source, and without doing any independent reporting to confirm or deny the allegations. Fox News quickly parroted the charges, and Fox and Friends host Steve Doocy went so far as to ask, “Why didn’t anybody ever mention that that man right there was raised — spent the first decade of his life, raised by his Muslim father — as a Muslim and was educated in a Madrassa?”
All of the claims about Senator Obama raised in the Insight Magazine piece were thoroughly debunked by CNN, which, instead of relying on unnamed sources, sent a reporter to Obama’s former school in Jakarta to check the facts.
If Doocy or the staff at Fox and Friends had taken [time] to check their facts, or simply made a call to his office, they would have learned that Senator Obama was not educated in a Madrassa, was not raised as a Muslim, and was not raised by his father – an atheist Obama met once in his life before he died.
Later in the day, Fox News host John Gibson again discussed the Insight Magazine story without any attempt to independently confirm the charges.
All of the claims about Senator Obama’s faith and education raised in the Insight Magazine story and repeated on Fox News are false. Senator Obama was raised in a secular household in Indonesia by his stepfather and mother. Obama’s stepfather worked for a U.S. oil company, and sent his stepson to two years of Catholic school, as well as two years of public school. As Obama described it, “Without the money to go to the international school that most expatriate children attended, I went to local Indonesian schools and ran the streets with the children of farmers, servants, tailors, and clerks.” [The Audacity of Hope, p. 274]
To be clear, Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised a Muslim, and is a committed Christian who attends the United Church of Christ in Chicago. Furthermore, the Indonesian school Obama attended in Jakarta is a public school that is not and never has been a Madrassa.
These malicious, irresponsible charges are precisely the kind of politics the American people have grown tired of, and that Senator Obama is trying to change by focusing on bringing people together to solve our common problems."
Good for him. Clinton laid it out best with his "Untouchables" method of dealing with the media. You come at me, I'm coming back at you doubly hard. Keep it up.
Hat Tip: TPM
"In the past week, many of you have read a now thoroughly-debunked story by Insight Magazine, owned by the Washington Times, which cites unnamed sources close to a political campaign that claim Senator Obama was enrolled for “at least four years” in an Indonesian “Madrassa”. The article says the “sources” believe the Madrassa was “espousing Wahhabism,” a form of radical Islam.
Insight Magazine published these allegations without a single named source, and without doing any independent reporting to confirm or deny the allegations. Fox News quickly parroted the charges, and Fox and Friends host Steve Doocy went so far as to ask, “Why didn’t anybody ever mention that that man right there was raised — spent the first decade of his life, raised by his Muslim father — as a Muslim and was educated in a Madrassa?”
All of the claims about Senator Obama raised in the Insight Magazine piece were thoroughly debunked by CNN, which, instead of relying on unnamed sources, sent a reporter to Obama’s former school in Jakarta to check the facts.
If Doocy or the staff at Fox and Friends had taken [time] to check their facts, or simply made a call to his office, they would have learned that Senator Obama was not educated in a Madrassa, was not raised as a Muslim, and was not raised by his father – an atheist Obama met once in his life before he died.
Later in the day, Fox News host John Gibson again discussed the Insight Magazine story without any attempt to independently confirm the charges.
All of the claims about Senator Obama’s faith and education raised in the Insight Magazine story and repeated on Fox News are false. Senator Obama was raised in a secular household in Indonesia by his stepfather and mother. Obama’s stepfather worked for a U.S. oil company, and sent his stepson to two years of Catholic school, as well as two years of public school. As Obama described it, “Without the money to go to the international school that most expatriate children attended, I went to local Indonesian schools and ran the streets with the children of farmers, servants, tailors, and clerks.” [The Audacity of Hope, p. 274]
To be clear, Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised a Muslim, and is a committed Christian who attends the United Church of Christ in Chicago. Furthermore, the Indonesian school Obama attended in Jakarta is a public school that is not and never has been a Madrassa.
These malicious, irresponsible charges are precisely the kind of politics the American people have grown tired of, and that Senator Obama is trying to change by focusing on bringing people together to solve our common problems."
Good for him. Clinton laid it out best with his "Untouchables" method of dealing with the media. You come at me, I'm coming back at you doubly hard. Keep it up.
Hat Tip: TPM
Jim Webb for VP?
After his strong rebuttal to Bush's SOTU and winning that highly publicized race against George Allen, Hil could do worse. But can she get over his misogyny?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The Thundercats are taken more seriously...
...then poor Dennis Kucinich.
I know, I know he looks like a Smurf, he's pretty much a hippy, and he's negative in that "who'd I'd like to have a beer with in a bar" poll (You know the one that idiots use to vote on a canidate), but he's also one of the most honest, dependable, and stand-up politicians around.
Yes, I'm for Barack Obama all the way because, experience aside, I find his positions, rehetoric, and political philsophy the best in Washington right now, but not showing Kuchinich respect, especially in light of his anti-war stance degrades our American political debate.
Rock on D.
I wouldn't want to be in Sully's shoes...
...after this one.
The fact is, beyond all the talk about the Di Vinci code's commerical success no religious figure in modern history has come up with a satsfactory conclusion of where religion--and not just Christianity--should fit into our lives. I think it should be noticed how the end of the film (not the book--I can't remember how that ends) Tom Hanks' character kneels over the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Not because of some unreasonable divinity that's subscribed to her, but because of her humanity which begs admiration and emulation. Our new religion (and why shouldn't it be called that?) should be based on human deeds, because it is those very deeds that we can pragmatically imitate, just as it is human sins that we fall victim to. Now I'm not saying that we should form a Church of Martin Luther King Jr, or Albert Einstein, but the time is coming when our adoration should be reserved for Earthly matters which still and always will astound us as much as the evil that men and women do rends our hearts. This I think is the keystone of Sam Harris' argument. It's nuclear power vs. Sully's steam engine and in that battle there is no contest.
The fact is, beyond all the talk about the Di Vinci code's commerical success no religious figure in modern history has come up with a satsfactory conclusion of where religion--and not just Christianity--should fit into our lives. I think it should be noticed how the end of the film (not the book--I can't remember how that ends) Tom Hanks' character kneels over the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Not because of some unreasonable divinity that's subscribed to her, but because of her humanity which begs admiration and emulation. Our new religion (and why shouldn't it be called that?) should be based on human deeds, because it is those very deeds that we can pragmatically imitate, just as it is human sins that we fall victim to. Now I'm not saying that we should form a Church of Martin Luther King Jr, or Albert Einstein, but the time is coming when our adoration should be reserved for Earthly matters which still and always will astound us as much as the evil that men and women do rends our hearts. This I think is the keystone of Sam Harris' argument. It's nuclear power vs. Sully's steam engine and in that battle there is no contest.
Things that bore me...
White man denied entrance into the Tennessee Congressional Black Caucus.
There's a side of me, my rational Martin Luther King Jr side, that says that this is an abandonment of the Dream, and if I were in government I'd definately push to get him installed...
But there's another side of me, my Charlie Murphy side, that says, F-ck this fool.
Fact: This is the first time a white man has been denied entrance into any group in Tennessee. True story, look it up.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
More glitches on Blogger...
9:59: Just read the title...tried three times to post and still get a problem message. Now Bush is talking about the New York subway hero and the creator of Baby Einstein. If he carts out Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie I'm leaving the US.
Live blogging with the SOTU
9:52: Been trying forever to get a post up on blogger without success. So far it feels like I've been prevented from posting by every technical glitch ever. But so far it can be summed up as bad, bad and ugly. Not much new added here. Liked what he said about energy, but that seems mostly hot air, and he mentioned nothing about a gas tax. His sections on National defense and Iraq sounded like stump speeches from two years ago, except where he tried, pathetically, to turn the Iraq civil war into an American problem. And adding another 92,000 to the Armed Forces--with a build up against Iran. Good luck with that. Still--there is no doubt that Bush is at his best when he talks about terrorism and fear, but it remains to be seen if we can be scared anymore.
Lee Majors isn't the only Fall Guy...
Scooter's lawyer charges that his client is being set up as Rove's scapegoat.
"A dramatic split inside the Bush White House is coming to light on the first day of the Lewis Libby trial. At this moment, defense lawyer Ted Wells is making an impassioned opening argument, and much of it is a hard-edged attack on Libby's former White House colleague Karl Rove."
Um...if you didn't know this then drink an anthrax cocktail. And if you don't believe that Karl Rove or the Bush White House is capable of setting Scooter Libby up then you need to be phased out. In any event, anyone named Scooter needs to get some jail time.
Iran War Watch Part II
Here was the first, and now this from MSNBC.com:
"DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A second U.S. aircraft carrier strike group now steaming toward the Middle East is Washington’s way of warning Iran to back down in its attempts to dominate the region, a top U.S. diplomat said here Tuesday"
And just in case you were worried, no, we still won't talk to them:
"Nicholas Burns, U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, ruled out direct negotiations with Iran and said a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran was “not possible” until Iran halts uranium enrichment."
Seriously, the Iran war is going to rock like 20 times more than the Iraq war. You know why? They actually have an army.
"DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A second U.S. aircraft carrier strike group now steaming toward the Middle East is Washington’s way of warning Iran to back down in its attempts to dominate the region, a top U.S. diplomat said here Tuesday"
And just in case you were worried, no, we still won't talk to them:
"Nicholas Burns, U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, ruled out direct negotiations with Iran and said a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran was “not possible” until Iran halts uranium enrichment."
Seriously, the Iran war is going to rock like 20 times more than the Iraq war. You know why? They actually have an army.
Monday, January 22, 2007
So what do you call a democracy when it doesn't want to be a democracy anymore?
Answer: Venezuela
"Venezuela's National Assembly has given its initial approval to a measure that would grant President Hugo Chavez the power to rule by decree for 18 months. Legislators voted unanimously for the bill Thursday in Caracas. A second session of the legislature, which is controlled by allies of Mr. Chavez, is expected to give the bill final approval next week."
And before everyone jumps off the handle about how Ven is becoming a totalitarian state, I'd ask you to tell me the differance between ruling by decree and signing statements. Either way Chavez wouldn't be getting all this power if America wasn't putting the full court press on him. Think it over.
Hat Tip: Cros
"Venezuela's National Assembly has given its initial approval to a measure that would grant President Hugo Chavez the power to rule by decree for 18 months. Legislators voted unanimously for the bill Thursday in Caracas. A second session of the legislature, which is controlled by allies of Mr. Chavez, is expected to give the bill final approval next week."
And before everyone jumps off the handle about how Ven is becoming a totalitarian state, I'd ask you to tell me the differance between ruling by decree and signing statements. Either way Chavez wouldn't be getting all this power if America wasn't putting the full court press on him. Think it over.
Hat Tip: Cros
What have you done for me lately....
Wanted to reprint a letter off of TPM that I found interesting (please excuse any copyright infractions):
"When was the last time you watched a tape of Clinton's SOTU from 1999? I showed sections of it to my Media and Public Opinion class last fall and it's really a mind-blowing contrast to this year. This was right in the middle of impeachment and Clinton delivered a speech that was powerful and angry. He went through a list of accomplishments, of course, but these were actual accomplishments. Economic growth, jobs growth, surplus, peace.... on and on. One forgets. So he delivered this incredible speech to an audience -- the Republicans in Congress -- who clearly did not want to be there and did not want to hear it -- but also the larger American public, who were of course far more receptive to his message. He was clearly angry that, given all of these amazing accomplisments, he was facing impeachment over a petty sex scandal.
So, here's my question to you: can you think of one thing between last year's SOTU and this year's SOTU that Bush can claim as an accomplishment? Did even one thing go right for Bush this year? OK, I'll spot him modest job growth, modest economic growth and some stock market growth. I suppose that's something. But how about anything that he actually had anything to do with? On the other hand there's Iraq, North Korea, China, Hamas, etc. etc. So what is he going to talk about?"
I'm not sure, but I bet whatever he says will have the words: 9/11, surge, islamofacists, terrorists, evildoers, hate our freedoms, Democracy, and 9/11 in there.
"When was the last time you watched a tape of Clinton's SOTU from 1999? I showed sections of it to my Media and Public Opinion class last fall and it's really a mind-blowing contrast to this year. This was right in the middle of impeachment and Clinton delivered a speech that was powerful and angry. He went through a list of accomplishments, of course, but these were actual accomplishments. Economic growth, jobs growth, surplus, peace.... on and on. One forgets. So he delivered this incredible speech to an audience -- the Republicans in Congress -- who clearly did not want to be there and did not want to hear it -- but also the larger American public, who were of course far more receptive to his message. He was clearly angry that, given all of these amazing accomplisments, he was facing impeachment over a petty sex scandal.
So, here's my question to you: can you think of one thing between last year's SOTU and this year's SOTU that Bush can claim as an accomplishment? Did even one thing go right for Bush this year? OK, I'll spot him modest job growth, modest economic growth and some stock market growth. I suppose that's something. But how about anything that he actually had anything to do with? On the other hand there's Iraq, North Korea, China, Hamas, etc. etc. So what is he going to talk about?"
I'm not sure, but I bet whatever he says will have the words: 9/11, surge, islamofacists, terrorists, evildoers, hate our freedoms, Democracy, and 9/11 in there.
Iraqi insurgents to attack America...
They're planning to fight us over here, so they won't have to fight us over there. Or something like that...
If you don't know where the above reference comes from then smash your head into your monitor right now.
If you don't know where the above reference comes from then smash your head into your monitor right now.
Gone too far...
Usually I love Get Your War on, but Iraqi Crybaby Theatre has gone to far...
Seriously though, I really do wonder what they're having for lunch at the American Enterprise Institute. Personally, I think it's Bald Eagle Stew flavored with Dred Scott with Habeas Corpus Cake for desert.
Seriously though, I really do wonder what they're having for lunch at the American Enterprise Institute. Personally, I think it's Bald Eagle Stew flavored with Dred Scott with Habeas Corpus Cake for desert.
The friends you keep says alot about you...
Just look at Richard Perle's recent comments:
"...President George Bush will order an attack on Iran if it becomes clear to him that Iran is set to acquire nuclear weapons capabilities while he is still in office, Richard Perle told the Herzliya Conference on Sunday. Perle is close to the Bush administration, particularly to Vice President Richard Cheney. "
I'm so AMPED for this....
"...President George Bush will order an attack on Iran if it becomes clear to him that Iran is set to acquire nuclear weapons capabilities while he is still in office, Richard Perle told the Herzliya Conference on Sunday. Perle is close to the Bush administration, particularly to Vice President Richard Cheney. "
I'm so AMPED for this....
Who said he doesn't have a timetable????
More deaths in Iraq. 27 Americans in the last 2 days-That's 13.5 every day. That means that 21,000 troops get killed in about 1,500 days, and that is going to be WAY after Bush leaves office. What do you think about that Mr. President?
Just as I thought.
Just as I thought.
Bill Buckley vs. Noam Chomsky
When I think about how AMPED I was over this I couldn't help thinking...man I am SUCH a loser. This one's for you GOON!
Part I
Part II
Hat tip: Sully (Who else?)
Part I
Part II
Hat tip: Sully (Who else?)
Because I'm bored...
Hey brave readers,
It's only because I'm bored that I decided to post today. For those of you that are still out there (A surprisingly good many it seems. Since I've stopped posting I've picked up 200 more hits. The more noise the less I speak? Maybe it's a good lesson for us all), I just wanted to say hi. I've been working on another novel since classes ended last semester, and while I'd love to blame that for my lack of posting that would just be a lie. The truth is that I haven't had much to say. Maybe it's because of the Democrats win last year, and the fact that my elation feels similar to how I felt when i was a kid watching Star Wars when the Death Star was destroyed, and I won't get riled up again until Rove slices off Obama's hand sometime this fall. Something seems missing, and no matter how much I try I just can't pin down what it is. Sully's debate with Sam Harris regaring doubt and moderate Christianity has been interesting, but that's been about that.
Ah well Heroes and Prison Break are returning tonight. And I've been playing God Of War for the PS2. Maybe that will inspire me to write, or care for that matter.
It's only because I'm bored that I decided to post today. For those of you that are still out there (A surprisingly good many it seems. Since I've stopped posting I've picked up 200 more hits. The more noise the less I speak? Maybe it's a good lesson for us all), I just wanted to say hi. I've been working on another novel since classes ended last semester, and while I'd love to blame that for my lack of posting that would just be a lie. The truth is that I haven't had much to say. Maybe it's because of the Democrats win last year, and the fact that my elation feels similar to how I felt when i was a kid watching Star Wars when the Death Star was destroyed, and I won't get riled up again until Rove slices off Obama's hand sometime this fall. Something seems missing, and no matter how much I try I just can't pin down what it is. Sully's debate with Sam Harris regaring doubt and moderate Christianity has been interesting, but that's been about that.
Ah well Heroes and Prison Break are returning tonight. And I've been playing God Of War for the PS2. Maybe that will inspire me to write, or care for that matter.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Hope for the Klan...
Maybe they'll have a conference to discover whether slavery existed...oh wait, they admit that, they just want it to return.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
2,000 hits...
Somewhere along the way this blog got it's 2,000th hit. I'd like to thank all those who made this possible, and for checking me out when I have had posts, and the more numerous times when I haven't.
If I get 8,000 more doesn't Blogger send me a tote bag or something?
If I get 8,000 more doesn't Blogger send me a tote bag or something?
Talk about putting the cart before the horse...
I'm putting 3,000 dollars away to celebrate winning the Nobel Prize in literature next year. Tomorrow I'll be in Central Park hunting pigeons for dinner.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The real Democratic agenda!
Can be found here.
You and I know it's a joke, but does Karl Rove? He's broken from reality. Rush might, but he'll lie about it.
I'm going to be SUCH a pompous ass for the next two years.
You and I know it's a joke, but does Karl Rove? He's broken from reality. Rush might, but he'll lie about it.
I'm going to be SUCH a pompous ass for the next two years.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Dems take the entire senate...
How do I know? They interrupted Lost to tell me. Webb takes Virginia. I've never been so happy to be so wrong. Finally we can get back to a slow, inefficient, and correct government. Sweet, sweet checks and balances!
How badly did people want Republicans out of office?
So badly they voted a dead Democrat in over a live Republican.
"PIERRE, S.D. - A woman who died two months ago won a county commissioner's race in Jerauld County on Tuesday.
Democrat Marie Steichen, of Woonsocket, got 100 votes, defeating incumbent Republican Merlin Feistner, of Woonsocket, who had 64 votes. "
"PIERRE, S.D. - A woman who died two months ago won a county commissioner's race in Jerauld County on Tuesday.
Democrat Marie Steichen, of Woonsocket, got 100 votes, defeating incumbent Republican Merlin Feistner, of Woonsocket, who had 64 votes. "
It ain't over till the fat man (Webb) sings...
Now it's down to one.
I'm still expecting the Senate to split though. Expect the snub vote to win the day.
"Dat Allen, he's be an alright guy."
PS: Not for nothing...but looking at the figures above, less than a half a million people get a Senator? Hell, if that's the case then Harlem should have like ten.
Not to say that I'm a bad winner...but suck it GOP...
Nancy Pelosi, the new and first female Speaker of the House, called the Democratic victory last night, "A Victory for America." I disagree. Calling this a victory for America is completely subjective. It's like when an athlete says, "God was on our side" after a win. It sounds great to the team who won, but after listening to the Republicans speak those words for the last six odd years they ring shallow. I prefer to think of this not as a victory, not as a referendum on the war, but as Americans of all faiths, cultures, and races getting together to say together, in one voice, "F Bush. F him right in his ear, and while you're at it F Cheney, F Rice, and the rest of your crew."
There's a smile on my face as I write this, but not because the Democrats won. I've mentioned before that I have a problems with the Democratic party, and they have a long ways to go to truly find their ways back into my heart (except for you Obama--I will always love you :) But I'm smiling because Bush lost. Let's not forget that, as it once was about the economy stupid! This election was about Bush dummy! He has everything to lose, and hopefully he will be drained of every drop. I'm not talking about Impeachment--though I'm all for it--but what I am talking about is the pride and arrogance he's shown through out his presidency. The only thing Bush has decided on since he's been in power is that he refuses to work within the confines of the Constitution of the United States, and now that he's been cut down a peg, we'll find out how truly bipartisan he is. Sadly I think that Bush never has, and never will, play well with others.
By the way, everyone seems to have forgotten that the Senate is too close to call. There is still a slight chance that the Dems could take it, and yet, I'm still sticking with my orginal call of Allen holding his seat. Way I figure, he could stomp on Maya Angelou while wearing a Klan outfit, and they would still elect him--"Ain't no way dem city folk gonna tell us who ta vote fo!"
Another side note: Didn't Bill standing in the background of Hillary's victory speech last night look sorta eerie?
What a beautiful day!
There's a smile on my face as I write this, but not because the Democrats won. I've mentioned before that I have a problems with the Democratic party, and they have a long ways to go to truly find their ways back into my heart (except for you Obama--I will always love you :) But I'm smiling because Bush lost. Let's not forget that, as it once was about the economy stupid! This election was about Bush dummy! He has everything to lose, and hopefully he will be drained of every drop. I'm not talking about Impeachment--though I'm all for it--but what I am talking about is the pride and arrogance he's shown through out his presidency. The only thing Bush has decided on since he's been in power is that he refuses to work within the confines of the Constitution of the United States, and now that he's been cut down a peg, we'll find out how truly bipartisan he is. Sadly I think that Bush never has, and never will, play well with others.
By the way, everyone seems to have forgotten that the Senate is too close to call. There is still a slight chance that the Dems could take it, and yet, I'm still sticking with my orginal call of Allen holding his seat. Way I figure, he could stomp on Maya Angelou while wearing a Klan outfit, and they would still elect him--"Ain't no way dem city folk gonna tell us who ta vote fo!"
Another side note: Didn't Bill standing in the background of Hillary's victory speech last night look sorta eerie?
What a beautiful day!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Something we all missed during the election hype...
Yes folks, somewhere in the middle of all Decision 06 stuff Saddam was convicted and sentenced. My question is--what should be done about his execution? Now since the Iraqis don't have the same ideas about Cruel and Unusual punishment as America used to (and yes, that's not a typo), and since this guy did some real damage to real people, I think it would benefit everyone if we could think of some revenue gathering ideas for his execution that would help out Saddam's victims. Here's a few that I thought of, and please feel free to add your own.
1) Hang him and then make a real life "Weekend at Bernie's" featuring his corpse. Feel free to use his body in the next "Borat" movie as well.
2) Have a special, world-wide, edition of "Deal or no Deal" in which the contestants are nothing but Saddam victims. Saddam will be kept in a cage the entire time, and every time the contestants say "No deal" they also get to kick him in the nuts. If a person wins the million dollars they get the money and Saddam is executed at the winner's whim.
3) Mike Tyson vs. Saddam Hussein in a bare knuckle brawl--promoted by Don King--also pay-per-view worldwide. Tyson could use the confidence.
4) The Running Man
1) Hang him and then make a real life "Weekend at Bernie's" featuring his corpse. Feel free to use his body in the next "Borat" movie as well.
2) Have a special, world-wide, edition of "Deal or no Deal" in which the contestants are nothing but Saddam victims. Saddam will be kept in a cage the entire time, and every time the contestants say "No deal" they also get to kick him in the nuts. If a person wins the million dollars they get the money and Saddam is executed at the winner's whim.
3) Mike Tyson vs. Saddam Hussein in a bare knuckle brawl--promoted by Don King--also pay-per-view worldwide. Tyson could use the confidence.
4) The Running Man
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