Saturday, June 17, 2006
AOL News - Grand Jury Won't Indict Rep. Cynthia McKinney
AOL News - Grand Jury Won't Indict Rep. Cynthia McKinney: "WASHINGTON (AP) - A grand jury declined to indict Rep. Cynthia McKinney on Friday in connection with a confrontation in which she admitted hitting a police officer who tried to stop her from entering a House office building. . ."
A Number To You, A Son To Me
Sen. Reid Strikes Back At WH For Calling Dead Troops "A Number": "It's Somebody's Son Or Daughter"... | The Huffington Post: "Today on the Senate floor, Democratic Leader Harry Reid condemned White House Press Secretary Tony Snow's remarks that the 2,500 troops killed in Iraq so far are 'a number.'
In the Senate yesterday, we had a moment of silence because we lost our 2,500th troop in Iraq. It was a solemn milestone which we observed in this Chamber.
Over at the White House, I guess they have a different feeling. In all the news around the country today, there's a quote from Tony Snow, the President's Press Secretary, who said in response to the news, 'it's a number.'
'It's a number.'
I say to the White House, it's more than a number. It's somebody's son or daughter, someone's father or mother, a neighbor, an uncle, or an aunt. . ."
In the Senate yesterday, we had a moment of silence because we lost our 2,500th troop in Iraq. It was a solemn milestone which we observed in this Chamber.
Over at the White House, I guess they have a different feeling. In all the news around the country today, there's a quote from Tony Snow, the President's Press Secretary, who said in response to the news, 'it's a number.'
'It's a number.'
I say to the White House, it's more than a number. It's somebody's son or daughter, someone's father or mother, a neighbor, an uncle, or an aunt. . ."
Friday, June 16, 2006
Bush Says "No" To Border Cops
All Headline News - Bush Again Declines To Meet With Border Officials - June 16, 2006: "Bush Again Declines To Meet With Border Officials
June 16, 2006 2:15 p.m. EST
Julie Farby - All Headline News Staff Writer
Washington, DC (AHN)-President Bush has refused to meet with border law-enforcement officials from Texas for a second time, angering both lawmakers and sheriffs.
Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas requested the meeting for members of the Southwestern Sheriffs' Border Coalition, a group that includes all 26 border-county sheriffs from California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The sheriffs wanted to speak to the president about the increasing dangers in their communities and along the border.
Poe says, 'The president is the busiest man in the world but he needs to take the time to talk to the border sheriffs and learn what's happening in the real world from them,' adding that, 'We can't understand why he refuses to meet with them. . .'"
June 16, 2006 2:15 p.m. EST
Julie Farby - All Headline News Staff Writer
Washington, DC (AHN)-President Bush has refused to meet with border law-enforcement officials from Texas for a second time, angering both lawmakers and sheriffs.
Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas requested the meeting for members of the Southwestern Sheriffs' Border Coalition, a group that includes all 26 border-county sheriffs from California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The sheriffs wanted to speak to the president about the increasing dangers in their communities and along the border.
Poe says, 'The president is the busiest man in the world but he needs to take the time to talk to the border sheriffs and learn what's happening in the real world from them,' adding that, 'We can't understand why he refuses to meet with them. . .'"
Army Can't Pay Power Bill
Firedoglake - Firedoglake weblog: "Fort Sam Houston has received 1,300 utility service termination notices for delinquent bill payments, which officials blamed on a major budget shortfall.
'CPS Energy warned commanders at the post to pay $4.2 million by Wednesday or risk losing power. The post is three months behind on its bills, but both Army and utility officials said the two parties were talking and no cutoff was imminent.
'Who would imagine us not paying our bill?' said Col. Wendy Martinson, Fort Sam Houston’s garrison commander. 'I worry about it. I can’t sleep at night.'
The post, which trains medics, faces a $26 million budget shortfall this year — a problem that officials said is symptomatic of the financial woes facing posts worldwide…. . .'"
Breath-taking. Amazing. Gee.
'CPS Energy warned commanders at the post to pay $4.2 million by Wednesday or risk losing power. The post is three months behind on its bills, but both Army and utility officials said the two parties were talking and no cutoff was imminent.
'Who would imagine us not paying our bill?' said Col. Wendy Martinson, Fort Sam Houston’s garrison commander. 'I worry about it. I can’t sleep at night.'
The post, which trains medics, faces a $26 million budget shortfall this year — a problem that officials said is symptomatic of the financial woes facing posts worldwide…. . .'"
Breath-taking. Amazing. Gee.
Cher Helps Troops
Crooks and Liars: "Cher stands up for the troops
Cher stands up for the troops
"'Cher has donated more than $130,000 to the group Operation Helmet, which pays about $100 to modify the inside of soldiers' helmets to make them better able to absorb shock from a bomb blast...'"
"Why aren't the right wing pundits talking about this issue? A Hollywood star has to help our troops when the administration sends them out without the proper equipment."
Cher stands up for the troops
"'Cher has donated more than $130,000 to the group Operation Helmet, which pays about $100 to modify the inside of soldiers' helmets to make them better able to absorb shock from a bomb blast...'"
"Why aren't the right wing pundits talking about this issue? A Hollywood star has to help our troops when the administration sends them out without the proper equipment."
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Move Along. Nothing To See Here.
Hastert Accused Of Secretly Profiteering From $3 Million Real Estate Deal... | The Huffington Post: "Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert and two partners turned a profit of more than $3 million on property they accumulated and sold in just over three years near the route of a proposed controversial freeway on the western fringe of suburban Chicago, according to land records and financial disclosure reports released Wednesday.
Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean rejected the notion that the land, located 5 1/2 miles from the proposed Prairie Parkway route, rose in value because of the highway project. The speaker long has been an aggressive proponent of the highway and helped secure more than $200 million in federal funding through an earmark in federal transportation legislation.
The property near Plano, Ill., was sold three months after the transportation bill was signed into law. It was purchased by a real estate developer who is planning to build more than 1,500 homes on the land. . ."
Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean rejected the notion that the land, located 5 1/2 miles from the proposed Prairie Parkway route, rose in value because of the highway project. The speaker long has been an aggressive proponent of the highway and helped secure more than $200 million in federal funding through an earmark in federal transportation legislation.
The property near Plano, Ill., was sold three months after the transportation bill was signed into law. It was purchased by a real estate developer who is planning to build more than 1,500 homes on the land. . ."
Good Move, Mr.Bush
Bush plan: world's largest ocean reserve | csmonitor.com:
"A Montana-sized chunk of ocean would be off limits to fishing boats and tourists in a bid to protect fragile reefs.
By Peter N. Spotts | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
With the stroke of a pen, President Bush has established the largest ocean wildlife reserve in the world, centered along a string of islands, reefs, and atolls that stretch 1,400 miles northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands.
Other reef systems, such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef, are larger. But only a third of that UN-designated World Heritage reef is protected, analysts say, leaving far more of it open to exploitation. . ."
I really don't want to rain on this bright light, but it's awfully easy to do this kind of stuff when there are no gay whales or creationist dolphins or corporate barnacles involved.
"A Montana-sized chunk of ocean would be off limits to fishing boats and tourists in a bid to protect fragile reefs.
By Peter N. Spotts | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
With the stroke of a pen, President Bush has established the largest ocean wildlife reserve in the world, centered along a string of islands, reefs, and atolls that stretch 1,400 miles northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands.
Other reef systems, such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef, are larger. But only a third of that UN-designated World Heritage reef is protected, analysts say, leaving far more of it open to exploitation. . ."
I really don't want to rain on this bright light, but it's awfully easy to do this kind of stuff when there are no gay whales or creationist dolphins or corporate barnacles involved.
Profiling Non-Citizens
JunkYardBlog: June 11, 2006 - June 17, 2006 Archives: "Federal Judge: Okay to Detain Illegal Immigrants Based on Religion or National Origin
In what seems like a tremendous victory for common sense, a Brooklyn judge has ruled that law enforcement officials can
A: detain illegal immigrants noncitizens scheduled for deportation indefinitely, for any unspecified reason, and
B: detain them up based on all sorts of categories that would be extremely suspect if they were U.S. citizens—including religion, national origin, or race.
The case stems from a roundup of Muslim illegal immigrants and visa-overstayers in the wake of 9-11. The judge rejected the AG’s argument that September 11 was an exceptional circumstance that justified this action. No, he said, the government actually has this kind of power every day. We could round up all the noncitizens named, um, “Fred” tomorrow and hold them more or less indefinitely, after an immigration judge had ruled they were eligible for deportation (this key detail is downplayed in an otherwise pretty fair NY Times article). . ."
In what seems like a tremendous victory for common sense, a Brooklyn judge has ruled that law enforcement officials can
A: detain illegal immigrants noncitizens scheduled for deportation indefinitely, for any unspecified reason, and
B: detain them up based on all sorts of categories that would be extremely suspect if they were U.S. citizens—including religion, national origin, or race.
The case stems from a roundup of Muslim illegal immigrants and visa-overstayers in the wake of 9-11. The judge rejected the AG’s argument that September 11 was an exceptional circumstance that justified this action. No, he said, the government actually has this kind of power every day. We could round up all the noncitizens named, um, “Fred” tomorrow and hold them more or less indefinitely, after an immigration judge had ruled they were eligible for deportation (this key detail is downplayed in an otherwise pretty fair NY Times article). . ."
Daou on Coulter and Leno
A Watershed Moment: Media Use Coulter to Suggest Blogs Are Impotent: "A Watershed Moment: Media Use Coulter to Suggest Blogs Are Impotent
Anybody who watched Ann Coulter's June 14th appearance on the Tonight Show had to realize that it was a watershed moment in the war between the establishment media and the progressive netroots, a community fresh off the successful YearlyKos convention. It was also a signal to Democrats that liberal ideology can be denigrated with impunity. Had the words 'Jew' or 'Christian' or 'Conservative' been substituted for 'Liberal' we'd be waking up to a national scandal.
Never mind that Jay Leno and George Carlin sat like trembling lambs while Coulter spewed gutter-level invective at millions of Americans - we've already seen the same obsequiousness from Larry King, Matt Lauer (who ended his faux-debate with Coulter by saying 'always fun to have you') and others. The larger issue here is that despite an uproar from the progressive netroots, NBC saw fit to give Coulter a platform to continue her liberal-scapegoating and to slander women who lost their husbands on 9/11. (For the record, many rightwing bloggers denounced Coulter and several Democrats attacked her, but their focus was the substance of Coulter's words, not a criticism of the media outlets who continue to provide her a national forum.). . ."
You think maybe we need an "Open Letter to Jay Leno" blog to take this issue on? (Read the rest of the post to get the gist of the idea that the issue is the media, not the message)
Anybody who watched Ann Coulter's June 14th appearance on the Tonight Show had to realize that it was a watershed moment in the war between the establishment media and the progressive netroots, a community fresh off the successful YearlyKos convention. It was also a signal to Democrats that liberal ideology can be denigrated with impunity. Had the words 'Jew' or 'Christian' or 'Conservative' been substituted for 'Liberal' we'd be waking up to a national scandal.
Never mind that Jay Leno and George Carlin sat like trembling lambs while Coulter spewed gutter-level invective at millions of Americans - we've already seen the same obsequiousness from Larry King, Matt Lauer (who ended his faux-debate with Coulter by saying 'always fun to have you') and others. The larger issue here is that despite an uproar from the progressive netroots, NBC saw fit to give Coulter a platform to continue her liberal-scapegoating and to slander women who lost their husbands on 9/11. (For the record, many rightwing bloggers denounced Coulter and several Democrats attacked her, but their focus was the substance of Coulter's words, not a criticism of the media outlets who continue to provide her a national forum.). . ."
You think maybe we need an "Open Letter to Jay Leno" blog to take this issue on? (Read the rest of the post to get the gist of the idea that the issue is the media, not the message)
GOPers Jumping Ship
Welcome to MichaelMoore.com : Newsroom : The '06 Fix: "In Kansas, a Troubling Fissure for GOP
By Nicholas Riccardi / Los Angeles Times
TOPEKA, Kan. — Mark Parkinson got his start in Republican politics at age 19, as a precinct committeeman. He served six years as a Republican state legislator, eventually becoming state Republican chairman.
But two weeks ago, Parkinson announced he was running for lieutenant governor — as a Democrat. He said he no longer felt welcome in the increasingly conservative Kansas Republican Party.
Parkinson became the third Republican politician in the last nine months to startle this red state by switching to the minority party. The other two are targeting GOP incumbents in the attorney general's office and in the state House of Representatives.
Political observers say the fracture within the Kansas GOP may foreshadow the future for the national party. The division between moderates and social conservatives is expected to define the contest for the party's 2008 presidential nomination. . ."
By Nicholas Riccardi / Los Angeles Times
TOPEKA, Kan. — Mark Parkinson got his start in Republican politics at age 19, as a precinct committeeman. He served six years as a Republican state legislator, eventually becoming state Republican chairman.
But two weeks ago, Parkinson announced he was running for lieutenant governor — as a Democrat. He said he no longer felt welcome in the increasingly conservative Kansas Republican Party.
Parkinson became the third Republican politician in the last nine months to startle this red state by switching to the minority party. The other two are targeting GOP incumbents in the attorney general's office and in the state House of Representatives.
Political observers say the fracture within the Kansas GOP may foreshadow the future for the national party. The division between moderates and social conservatives is expected to define the contest for the party's 2008 presidential nomination. . ."
Sullivan on Iranian Bird Flu Prevention
Andrew Sullivan | The Daily Dish: "'Ramin also claimed that the spread of bird flu was a conspiracy plot cause[d] by the failure of America, Israel and Britain in the Middle East. Ramin pointed out that to cover up and hide their failures, these countries have spread the news about the bird flu to preoccupy and distract public opinion for some 5 to 6 months. 'Nobody asks how a bird that had the flu could fly from Australia to Siberia,' he said, adding that even the Iranian minister of health had claimed to have stopped the disease at Iran's borders. He claimed the holocaust story and bird flu rumors are interrelated. He attributed the killing of millions of chicken was to control the price and amount [of] chicken in the market.'
A crazy poster at DU or LGF? Nah, just the advisor to the president of Iran."
See? Nutty incompetence is not confined to the government of the United States. (Or else KFC is incredibly powerful.)
Molly Talks Iraq
Truthdig - Reports - Molly Ivins: Eye to Eye in Iraq: ". . .The trouble with Iraq is what keeps happening there. We haven’t rebuilt the place—in fact, it keeps getting worse in terms of basic services. You have to admit, leaving a place worse off than Saddam Hussein kept it is not a bragging point. Number of people killed keeps going up, signs of militias out of control, sectarian violence, spreading anarchy ... not good.
Years ago, Mrs. T. Cullen Davis, of tacky Texas murder trial fame, said as her husband tried to grab a fabulous necklace he gave her, “This ain’t no takesie-backsie.” (You may now take a deep breath while considering the depth of that comment.)
I feel that Iraq is also a “no takesie-backsie.” It is a putrid human, social and political disaster, and getting worse, not better. The people who got us into this should not be forgiven—they should not even get a “bounce” from it. There is only one thing I want from them—to get us and our Army out of there, instead of cavalierly announcing that will be left to “future presidents.” "
We broke it. . .
Years ago, Mrs. T. Cullen Davis, of tacky Texas murder trial fame, said as her husband tried to grab a fabulous necklace he gave her, “This ain’t no takesie-backsie.” (You may now take a deep breath while considering the depth of that comment.)
I feel that Iraq is also a “no takesie-backsie.” It is a putrid human, social and political disaster, and getting worse, not better. The people who got us into this should not be forgiven—they should not even get a “bounce” from it. There is only one thing I want from them—to get us and our Army out of there, instead of cavalierly announcing that will be left to “future presidents.” "
We broke it. . .
Moon Money Buys No Influence
Consortiumnews.com: ". . .The Chronicle obtained indirect confirmation that Moon’s money was passing through the Houston foundation to the Bush library from Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath. Asked whether Moon’s $1 million had ended up there, McGrath responded, “We’re in an uncomfortable position. … If a donor doesn’t want to be identified we need to honor their privacy.”
But when asked whether the $1 million was intended to curry favor with the Bush family to get President George W. Bush to grant a pardon for Moon’s 1982 felony tax fraud conviction, McGrath answered, “If that’s why he gave the grant, he’s throwing his money away. … That’s not the way the Bushes operate. . .”"
...and the moon is made of green cheese.
But when asked whether the $1 million was intended to curry favor with the Bush family to get President George W. Bush to grant a pardon for Moon’s 1982 felony tax fraud conviction, McGrath answered, “If that’s why he gave the grant, he’s throwing his money away. … That’s not the way the Bushes operate. . .”"
...and the moon is made of green cheese.
When An Emergency Jet Is Not
Leavitt Chided for Using CDC Jet for Trips - Forbes.com: "Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt's trips seemed routine - visits to dozens of cities to launch the Medicare drug benefit and to help states plan for a potential pandemic. How he got there is creating controversy.
Leavitt was criticized Wednesday for using a jet leased by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for emergencies. HHS estimated the cost of the flights at $720,000, and Democrats called it a waste of resources to do what Rep. John Lewis of Georgia called 'public relations for the president. . .' "
Some people think this is not a problem or an issue. I disagree.
Leavitt was criticized Wednesday for using a jet leased by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for emergencies. HHS estimated the cost of the flights at $720,000, and Democrats called it a waste of resources to do what Rep. John Lewis of Georgia called 'public relations for the president. . .' "
Some people think this is not a problem or an issue. I disagree.
Marsh V. Malkin
Democrat Taylor Marsh Blogs Politics: ". . .But I'm serious, honey. In your quick one liner, which I offer above, you link to Hot Air's post that goes through this long harangue to prove some point about progressives during Hillary Clinton's speech at Take Back America, only what you've both actually done is prove that you're both very wrong. I had it up on the web in mp3 file before anyone, so you could have saved yourselves the embarrassment, but spreading the truth is never your goal.
Let me start by saying that if you had any morals or conscience you both would be ashamed for using the troops like this, even if it is to make a political point. That you are willing to use the troops, to manipulate film to produce fantasy, so that you can toy with our soldiers for your own benefit and gratification, not to mention the feeding of your large, over wrought and well fed egos, is typical of today's Republican Party, but it's still pathetic.
But let me slip you a little fact. If you were employed by any reputable organization you would be first suspended for your actions, then upon investigation you would be fired for purposefully and willfully manufacturing a story out of tape, by cropping and editing portions out so that the final product fit your version and vision of some truth that doesn't exist in reality. . ."
I complained about this yesterday but it seems to be one of those stories that just won't go away. Anyway, I'm sure Sen.Clinton (notice I'm not dissing her by calling her "Hillary," since I am not acquainted with her) is thankful that Malkin uncoiled and slithered from beneath that warm rock and started lying about the Senator's speech. Now all the focus is on the lie about the event, rather than the event itself. Mrs. Clinton sez "Thanks, Mrs. Malkin."
Let me start by saying that if you had any morals or conscience you both would be ashamed for using the troops like this, even if it is to make a political point. That you are willing to use the troops, to manipulate film to produce fantasy, so that you can toy with our soldiers for your own benefit and gratification, not to mention the feeding of your large, over wrought and well fed egos, is typical of today's Republican Party, but it's still pathetic.
But let me slip you a little fact. If you were employed by any reputable organization you would be first suspended for your actions, then upon investigation you would be fired for purposefully and willfully manufacturing a story out of tape, by cropping and editing portions out so that the final product fit your version and vision of some truth that doesn't exist in reality. . ."
I complained about this yesterday but it seems to be one of those stories that just won't go away. Anyway, I'm sure Sen.Clinton (notice I'm not dissing her by calling her "Hillary," since I am not acquainted with her) is thankful that Malkin uncoiled and slithered from beneath that warm rock and started lying about the Senator's speech. Now all the focus is on the lie about the event, rather than the event itself. Mrs. Clinton sez "Thanks, Mrs. Malkin."
Why Are We Fighting For Iraq?
AMERICAblog: Because a great nation deserves the truth: "
Thanks for coming, and, by the way, we're giving amnesty to terrorists and insurgents who killed your soldiers
by Joe in DC - 6/15/2006 09:52:00 AM
As a big thank you to Bush's surprise visit, Iraq's new prime minister is going to grant amnesty to terrorists and insurgents who attacked U.S. soldiers. That's not a serious enough crime in Iraq:
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday proposed a limited amnesty to help end the Sunni Arab insurgency as part of a national reconciliation plan that Maliki said would be released within days. The plan is likely to include pardons for those who had attacked only U.S. troops, a top adviser said....Reconciliation could include an amnesty for those 'who weren't involved in the shedding of Iraqi blood,' Maliki told reporters at a Baghdad news conference. 'Also, it includes talks with the armed men who opposed the political process and now want to turn back to political activity.'
No problem for those involved in the shedding of American blood. That sums up what the new Iraqi government thinks of the U.S. soldiers.
Exactly why do the Republicans in Congress feel so strongly about keeping U.S. troops in Iraq when the leadership of Iraq doesn't think killing them is a problem?" (my bold)
And that folks, is a damn good question.
Thanks for coming, and, by the way, we're giving amnesty to terrorists and insurgents who killed your soldiers
by Joe in DC - 6/15/2006 09:52:00 AM
As a big thank you to Bush's surprise visit, Iraq's new prime minister is going to grant amnesty to terrorists and insurgents who attacked U.S. soldiers. That's not a serious enough crime in Iraq:
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday proposed a limited amnesty to help end the Sunni Arab insurgency as part of a national reconciliation plan that Maliki said would be released within days. The plan is likely to include pardons for those who had attacked only U.S. troops, a top adviser said....Reconciliation could include an amnesty for those 'who weren't involved in the shedding of Iraqi blood,' Maliki told reporters at a Baghdad news conference. 'Also, it includes talks with the armed men who opposed the political process and now want to turn back to political activity.'
No problem for those involved in the shedding of American blood. That sums up what the new Iraqi government thinks of the U.S. soldiers.
Exactly why do the Republicans in Congress feel so strongly about keeping U.S. troops in Iraq when the leadership of Iraq doesn't think killing them is a problem?" (my bold)
And that folks, is a damn good question.
Bush's Baby Bounce
NBC/WSJ poll: Bush approval up slightly - Politics - MSNBC.com: "By Mark Murray
Political reporter
NBC News
Updated: 7:37 p.m. ET June 14, 2006
Mark Murray
Political reporter
WASHINGTON - After a week of positive news for the White House — including the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the formation of a new government in Iraq — the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that President Bush's standing has slightly improved, especially when it comes to the situation in Iraq. . ."
One point. That's one point.
Political reporter
NBC News
Updated: 7:37 p.m. ET June 14, 2006
Mark Murray
Political reporter
WASHINGTON - After a week of positive news for the White House — including the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the formation of a new government in Iraq — the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that President Bush's standing has slightly improved, especially when it comes to the situation in Iraq. . ."
One point. That's one point.
InterNation One Set To Rumble
HUMAN EVENTS ONLINE - Bush Administration Quietly Plans NAFTA Super Highway by Jerome R. Corsi: "
Bush Administration Quietly Plans NAFTA Super Highway
by Jerome R. Corsi
Posted Jun 12, 2006
Quietly but systematically, the Bush Administration is advancing the plan to build a huge NAFTA Super Highway, four football-fields-wide, through the heart of the U.S. along Interstate 35, from the Mexican border at Laredo, Tex., to the Canadian border north of Duluth, Minn.
Once complete, the new road will allow containers from the Far East to enter the United States through the Mexican port of Lazaro Cardenas, bypassing the Longshoreman’s Union in the process. The Mexican trucks, without the involvement of the Teamsters Union, will drive on what will be the nation’s most modern highway straight into the heart of America. The Mexican trucks will cross border in FAST lanes, checked only electronically by the new “SENTRI” system. The first customs stop will be a Mexican customs office in Kansas City.
As incredible as this plan may seem to some readers, the first Trans-Texas Corridor segment of the NAFTA Super Highway is ready to begin construction next year. . ."
InterCountry One? NarcoOne? Name that highway.
When it comes to making money, and in this case an additional extra goodie--union busting, the Bush Administration can move at warp speed. Anything else, including national security, not so fast.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Congress Raises Itself
Sploid: Crooks in Congress take a pay hike: "They're rocked by scandal almost daily, their job approval rating hovers around 30% and their salary is more four times that of the average American. No wonder folks in Congress gave themselves a raise.
Not only did Congress bump its own pay $3,300 to $168,500, they wouldn't even let the matter be put up for discussion. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, tried in vain to put the cost of living adjustment before the House. . ."
As always, Sploid is over-the-top, but they have captured the way I feel about it. Crooks, indeed. Maybe the minimum wage ought to be tied to Congressional pay raises. . . wonder what that would do to the poverty rate in the U.S.?
Not only did Congress bump its own pay $3,300 to $168,500, they wouldn't even let the matter be put up for discussion. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, tried in vain to put the cost of living adjustment before the House. . ."
As always, Sploid is over-the-top, but they have captured the way I feel about it. Crooks, indeed. Maybe the minimum wage ought to be tied to Congressional pay raises. . . wonder what that would do to the poverty rate in the U.S.?
Malkin Using Troops To Spread A Lie
from Crooks and Liars:
Crooks and Liars: "Malkin's distortions about Hillary and the troops
Michelle is at it again. She says that leftwingers booed the troops as Hillary is giving a speech at the Take Back America function.
Michelle: 'First, Hillary! says we should support our troops…and the leftwingers in the audience boo her.'
Go watch the video she links to. It's only twenty three seconds long. Do you hear any boos? Sounds like 'Bring them home' to me. Why didn't she allow the video to continue?
Barbara says:
'What Malkin cuts off is that people were shouting “BRING THEM HOME!” They were not booing the troops. They were booing Hillary for not supporting the troops. I sat in that hall and know good and well no one in that crowd booed the troops. In fact, as I recall, during other speeches (like John Kerry’s, to the same audience) the same audience applauded expressions of support for the troops.'
Politics TV has Hillary's full speech here. The part Malkin edits starts around the 24:35 mark
Does it look like the way Malkin portrays it? Michelle is obviously trying to be the new Coulter and is doing a fine impersonation of her. People like them use the soldiers every chance they get. Aren't the troops being hurt enough? Are conservatives really happy with the way Malkin operates? After Coulter's smearing of the 9/11 widows . . ."
Few things are more infuriating than using our troops, my son, your daughter, to foist a political agenda off on the American public. Malkin is not the first, nor will she be the last, especially since the President of the United States is a role model for this sort of behavior. Check C&L for the video; it really is irritating.
Crooks and Liars: "Malkin's distortions about Hillary and the troops
Michelle is at it again. She says that leftwingers booed the troops as Hillary is giving a speech at the Take Back America function.
Michelle: 'First, Hillary! says we should support our troops…and the leftwingers in the audience boo her.'
Go watch the video she links to. It's only twenty three seconds long. Do you hear any boos? Sounds like 'Bring them home' to me. Why didn't she allow the video to continue?
Barbara says:
'What Malkin cuts off is that people were shouting “BRING THEM HOME!” They were not booing the troops. They were booing Hillary for not supporting the troops. I sat in that hall and know good and well no one in that crowd booed the troops. In fact, as I recall, during other speeches (like John Kerry’s, to the same audience) the same audience applauded expressions of support for the troops.'
Politics TV has Hillary's full speech here. The part Malkin edits starts around the 24:35 mark
Does it look like the way Malkin portrays it? Michelle is obviously trying to be the new Coulter and is doing a fine impersonation of her. People like them use the soldiers every chance they get. Aren't the troops being hurt enough? Are conservatives really happy with the way Malkin operates? After Coulter's smearing of the 9/11 widows . . ."
Few things are more infuriating than using our troops, my son, your daughter, to foist a political agenda off on the American public. Malkin is not the first, nor will she be the last, especially since the President of the United States is a role model for this sort of behavior. Check C&L for the video; it really is irritating.
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