The Supremes have dismissed the notion that President Bush alone can determine how to wage war and defend the county.
We still are a nation of laws, and after five years of crashing through the legal china shop, King George was reminded that he alone was not "The Decider." As the Washington Post sums it up, "A Governing Philosophy Rebuffed....Ruling Emphasizes Constitutional Boundaries."
The Court ruling rejecting Bush's military tribunals for terrorism suspects strikes at the core of a presidency and administration run amok. Anyone second-guessing Bush's tyrannical rule as he tore great chunks out of our traditional constitutional safeguards and values was labeled unpatriotic.
The great umbrella of terrorism gave "The Decider" the cover he needed, only his decisions were patriotic.
Yet this latest example of his abuse of power is but the tip of the iceberg. "The Decider" has put into motion the ultimate threat to our laws, constitution and country...a virtual demolishing of our borders, language and culture.
By signing, without consultation with the electorate or Congress, the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America agreement (SPP) with Mexico and Canada, he has formed a "trilateral partnership" to create a super-regional and economic entity, a North American Union. A big step toward a "One World Order."
Without asking us!
This explains "The Decider's" lack of concern over the enforcement of our borders and the illegal alien invasion.... instead he is negotiating for amnesty and citizenship for millions, mainly from Mexico. But the problem is much deeper than just "The Decider."
The 1965 Voting Rights Act legislation is up for renewal. It has a provision for bilingual ballots... which shouldn't be needed if everyone seeking citizenship speaks English as the law requires. However, a Senate effort to end this bilingual provision on Wednesday was defeated because 192 Democrats joined 61 Republicans to vote against it.
Our government needs a major housecleaning!
They are not heeding the alarm of the U.S. citizens who want to preserve our Union.... the one that so many fought and died for.... the one that was founded as a shining example of freedom and the rule of law.... the one that the ruling elite is trying to discard for their own political and economic advantage.
Don't talk to us about patriotism Bush and Congress.... you don't know the meaning of the word.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Supremes Wham Bush Whims
American Justice pulled her Bush-tattered cloak around her today and showed the world a flash of her former dignity through a Supreme Court ruling.
As Washington Post staff writer William Branigin reports, "The Supreme Court today delivered a stunning rebuke to the Bush administration over its plans to try Guantanamo detainees before military commissions, ruling that the commissions are unconstitutional.
"In a 5-3 decision, the court said trials were not authorized under U.S. law or the Geneva Conventions."
So the Constitution still does stand for something besides being an election-year vehicle for time-wasting GOP amendments that limit rights and freedoms.
This ruling confirms the GOP Congress and Bush administration can't strip the Supreme and federal courts of jurisdiction. Bush and his neocons can't lock up individuals under claims of wartime powers without benefit of traditional protections such as jury trial. International treaties, such as the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war, apply to those the Bush administration deems "enemy combatants."
It's about time someone slaps the Bush hand that has made a shambles of the rule of law, human rights, international respect, and the government's traditional "checks and balances."
The decision, written by Justice John Paul Stevens, points out that rules and procedures cannot be changed at the "whim of the Executive."
So the Supremes wham Bush's whims. A blow for justice.
As Washington Post staff writer William Branigin reports, "The Supreme Court today delivered a stunning rebuke to the Bush administration over its plans to try Guantanamo detainees before military commissions, ruling that the commissions are unconstitutional.
"In a 5-3 decision, the court said trials were not authorized under U.S. law or the Geneva Conventions."
So the Constitution still does stand for something besides being an election-year vehicle for time-wasting GOP amendments that limit rights and freedoms.
This ruling confirms the GOP Congress and Bush administration can't strip the Supreme and federal courts of jurisdiction. Bush and his neocons can't lock up individuals under claims of wartime powers without benefit of traditional protections such as jury trial. International treaties, such as the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war, apply to those the Bush administration deems "enemy combatants."
It's about time someone slaps the Bush hand that has made a shambles of the rule of law, human rights, international respect, and the government's traditional "checks and balances."
The decision, written by Justice John Paul Stevens, points out that rules and procedures cannot be changed at the "whim of the Executive."
So the Supremes wham Bush's whims. A blow for justice.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Satan Made Utah Do It
Have we been Rove-Bush snookered on immigration reform?
We have been made to believe that Tuesday's Utah Republican primary election win by U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon over political novice John Jacob was a test of the country's "consensus on immigration policy," .... the Bush-Senate illegal alien amnesty policy that is.
GOP political guru "Turd Blossom" Rove framed the election results that way, the Bush-Cannon approach to immigration, against Jacob's "millions of illegal immigrants" forced to return home campaign. The led, fed and regurgitating media told you so....over and over.... case closed.
The Bush administration dismantling of the country under the guise of "immigration reform" can move forward.
Not so fast.
Let's look at this supposedly immigration-issue-settling primary in Utah.
The five-term incumbent, Cannon, voted for a House bill last December that would "toughen border security, criminalize people who help illegal immigrants and made being in the U.S. without the required papers a felony." He also supports the Bush proposal for a guest-worker program.
This sounds like a moderate approach.... secure the borders first, then talk about the illegal alien problem.
His defeated political newcomer, John Jacob, who wants to send millions of illegal aliens home, suggested last week that "Satan has had a hand in difficulties faced by his campaign." Ooops. Maybe a little.... ahh.... out of touch.
This wasn't a test, not even close. Still, despite Jacob's scorched-earth illegal alien approach and "Satan" rant, he still garnered 25,589, or about 44 per cent of the vote against an entrenched opponent.
Don't let the GOP spinners win this one.
This Utah primary wasn't the immigration policy test, the test is in November.
We have been made to believe that Tuesday's Utah Republican primary election win by U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon over political novice John Jacob was a test of the country's "consensus on immigration policy," .... the Bush-Senate illegal alien amnesty policy that is.
GOP political guru "Turd Blossom" Rove framed the election results that way, the Bush-Cannon approach to immigration, against Jacob's "millions of illegal immigrants" forced to return home campaign. The led, fed and regurgitating media told you so....over and over.... case closed.
The Bush administration dismantling of the country under the guise of "immigration reform" can move forward.
Not so fast.
Let's look at this supposedly immigration-issue-settling primary in Utah.
The five-term incumbent, Cannon, voted for a House bill last December that would "toughen border security, criminalize people who help illegal immigrants and made being in the U.S. without the required papers a felony." He also supports the Bush proposal for a guest-worker program.
This sounds like a moderate approach.... secure the borders first, then talk about the illegal alien problem.
His defeated political newcomer, John Jacob, who wants to send millions of illegal aliens home, suggested last week that "Satan has had a hand in difficulties faced by his campaign." Ooops. Maybe a little.... ahh.... out of touch.
This wasn't a test, not even close. Still, despite Jacob's scorched-earth illegal alien approach and "Satan" rant, he still garnered 25,589, or about 44 per cent of the vote against an entrenched opponent.
Don't let the GOP spinners win this one.
This Utah primary wasn't the immigration policy test, the test is in November.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Bush Climate Fairy Tales
President Bush had a serious discussion in the White House about global warming.... with scientists?
No silly. With Michael Crichton whose 2004 novel, "State of Fear," suggests that "global warming is an unproven theory and an overstated threat." Crichton's views in this novel helped him win the coveted.... (fanfare please)..... American Association of Petroleum Geologists' annual journalism award.
But isn't the Bush administration staying "on top of" climate changes?
"On top of" is the right description but wrong connotation.... it was reported in April by the Washington Post that scientists doing climate research for NOAA, NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey and other federal science agencies have been muzzled by the Bush administration who has "made it hard for them to speak forthrightly to the public about global warming."
NOAA scientists cite repeated instances in which the administration played down the threat of climate change in their documents and news releases, and have "questioned some predictions and cautioned that mandatory limits on carbon dioxide could damage the nation's economy."
Oil company profits, that is the economy Bush is worried about.
How well is the economy going to do if the "climate system has exceeded a critical threshold" sending tropical-zone glaciers into full retreat, melting them completely "in the near future" .... which is what the article appearing Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests.
What does the brown-nosing novelist of oil award fame, Crichton, have to say about that? Maybe he'll dedicate a novel called "Science, Who Needs It?" to Bush and his oil cronies.
According to the Washington Post staff writer Doug Struck, scientist Lonnie G. Thompson.... who for 23 years has been taking core samples from the ancient ice of glaciers.... warned in her NAS article that humans "may not have the luxury of adapting to slow changes."
But hey, be happy. As sea levels rise and the magnitude of storms increase we'll still have our Bush fairy tales to keep us entertained.
No silly. With Michael Crichton whose 2004 novel, "State of Fear," suggests that "global warming is an unproven theory and an overstated threat." Crichton's views in this novel helped him win the coveted.... (fanfare please)..... American Association of Petroleum Geologists' annual journalism award.
But isn't the Bush administration staying "on top of" climate changes?
"On top of" is the right description but wrong connotation.... it was reported in April by the Washington Post that scientists doing climate research for NOAA, NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey and other federal science agencies have been muzzled by the Bush administration who has "made it hard for them to speak forthrightly to the public about global warming."
NOAA scientists cite repeated instances in which the administration played down the threat of climate change in their documents and news releases, and have "questioned some predictions and cautioned that mandatory limits on carbon dioxide could damage the nation's economy."
Oil company profits, that is the economy Bush is worried about.
How well is the economy going to do if the "climate system has exceeded a critical threshold" sending tropical-zone glaciers into full retreat, melting them completely "in the near future" .... which is what the article appearing Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests.
What does the brown-nosing novelist of oil award fame, Crichton, have to say about that? Maybe he'll dedicate a novel called "Science, Who Needs It?" to Bush and his oil cronies.
According to the Washington Post staff writer Doug Struck, scientist Lonnie G. Thompson.... who for 23 years has been taking core samples from the ancient ice of glaciers.... warned in her NAS article that humans "may not have the luxury of adapting to slow changes."
But hey, be happy. As sea levels rise and the magnitude of storms increase we'll still have our Bush fairy tales to keep us entertained.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Is The Fix In For Mexico?
Although there will be an election in Mexico on July 2, the outcome may not be what the voters want, or the country needs? Why? "Millions of poor Mexicans have been threatened with exclusion from health care and social assistance programs if they do not vote for various candidates.... others, in mostly rural areas, have been given cash payoffs of $40 to $60 for their votes."
One study faulted Mexican president Vicente Fox's government for not taking a more aggressive stand against coercive practices, and that "there has been almost no effort to prosecute public officials for vote-buying or coercion."
It's sad that the fledgling democracy in Mexico is in the grips of "Your Land Is My Land" Fox who is so interested in shaping our laws to favor his illegal alien invaders in the United States, rather than enforcing his own laws and improving his own country.
But we can't be too quick to point the finger. Our own election process is in question too, perhaps broken. Our elections may have been stolen in 2000 and 2004. If both democracies are to survive, elections must be honest and laws enforced.
The stakes are high.... and el Presidente Bush and Fox are in no hurry to either reform election processes or to enforce U.S. immigration laws.
Bush and Fox, two unscrupulous power-brokers swinging their democracy-wrecking balls.
One study faulted Mexican president Vicente Fox's government for not taking a more aggressive stand against coercive practices, and that "there has been almost no effort to prosecute public officials for vote-buying or coercion."
It's sad that the fledgling democracy in Mexico is in the grips of "Your Land Is My Land" Fox who is so interested in shaping our laws to favor his illegal alien invaders in the United States, rather than enforcing his own laws and improving his own country.
But we can't be too quick to point the finger. Our own election process is in question too, perhaps broken. Our elections may have been stolen in 2000 and 2004. If both democracies are to survive, elections must be honest and laws enforced.
The stakes are high.... and el Presidente Bush and Fox are in no hurry to either reform election processes or to enforce U.S. immigration laws.
Bush and Fox, two unscrupulous power-brokers swinging their democracy-wrecking balls.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Do-Nothing Congress In Session
We're in the throes of election-year legislating.
Sure-to-fail but GOP base-pleasing bills like a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and coming up this Monday for debate.... (drum roll please).... "a proposed constitutional amendment banning the desecration of the American flag."
Pleeeeeeze. Not again.
Instead, how about an amendment saying you can't fly the U.S. flag upside down under the Mexican flag. Now that might get the legislatively-jaded U.S. citizens excited.
Or, how about a constitutional ban on funky renditions of our national anthem... I can hear the musically-assaulted sports fans cheering now! No more off-key trills and breathy wording.... where do we vote!
While our do-nothing legislators are at it, how about a constitutional ban on base-pandering, time-wasting legislation!
Sure-to-fail but GOP base-pleasing bills like a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and coming up this Monday for debate.... (drum roll please).... "a proposed constitutional amendment banning the desecration of the American flag."
Pleeeeeeze. Not again.
Instead, how about an amendment saying you can't fly the U.S. flag upside down under the Mexican flag. Now that might get the legislatively-jaded U.S. citizens excited.
Or, how about a constitutional ban on funky renditions of our national anthem... I can hear the musically-assaulted sports fans cheering now! No more off-key trills and breathy wording.... where do we vote!
While our do-nothing legislators are at it, how about a constitutional ban on base-pandering, time-wasting legislation!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Hastert: A Target or Tarnished?
Looks like House Speaker, Dennis Hastert (R-IL) is in for a rough ride.
He loudly protested the historical first-time-in-over-200-years invasion by federal agents into the private office of a representative suspected of wrongdoing, even though that representative was a Democrat, on the grounds of separation of powers.... and he blocked the Bush White House illegal alien amnesty scheme. He now has a big target on his ample back, so one has to wonder....
The Washington Post in today's "Lawmakers' Profits Are Scrutinized" reports that Hastert seems to have made a "$2 million profit last year on the sale of land 5 1/2 miles from a highway project that he helped to finance with targeted federal funds."
But according a friend of Hastert, in 2002 he saw a post-and-beam house, fell in love with it and struck a deal with the owner on the spot, purchasing it and 195 acres for $2.1 million. This land was adjacent to his home. Long story short, he sold it six months ago for nearly $5 million.
The question is.... did the earmarked highway interchange which won't be built for years, which is 5 1/2 miles from this property, account for the increase in the value of his land...or was it simply the fact that "land prices are soaring as Chicago's sprawl moves ever westward."
The facts for the story come from a new watchdog organization called Sunlight Foundation and the allegations were first made on their Web site a week ago. This investigative site proclaims a worthy purpose, to uncover fiscal abuses by our lawmakers, especially in connection to "earmarks" in the federal budget. We applaud them for that.
Yet, their timing is curious. Hastert probably can't look to the White House for support, and the allegations only add fuel to the corruption fire that may propel him from his majority House leadership in November.
Hastert's attorney is demanding of the Sunlight Foundation "that the false, libelous and deflamatory matter be immediately withdrawn and corrected." Let's see how this develops.
He loudly protested the historical first-time-in-over-200-years invasion by federal agents into the private office of a representative suspected of wrongdoing, even though that representative was a Democrat, on the grounds of separation of powers.... and he blocked the Bush White House illegal alien amnesty scheme. He now has a big target on his ample back, so one has to wonder....
The Washington Post in today's "Lawmakers' Profits Are Scrutinized" reports that Hastert seems to have made a "$2 million profit last year on the sale of land 5 1/2 miles from a highway project that he helped to finance with targeted federal funds."
But according a friend of Hastert, in 2002 he saw a post-and-beam house, fell in love with it and struck a deal with the owner on the spot, purchasing it and 195 acres for $2.1 million. This land was adjacent to his home. Long story short, he sold it six months ago for nearly $5 million.
The question is.... did the earmarked highway interchange which won't be built for years, which is 5 1/2 miles from this property, account for the increase in the value of his land...or was it simply the fact that "land prices are soaring as Chicago's sprawl moves ever westward."
The facts for the story come from a new watchdog organization called Sunlight Foundation and the allegations were first made on their Web site a week ago. This investigative site proclaims a worthy purpose, to uncover fiscal abuses by our lawmakers, especially in connection to "earmarks" in the federal budget. We applaud them for that.
Yet, their timing is curious. Hastert probably can't look to the White House for support, and the allegations only add fuel to the corruption fire that may propel him from his majority House leadership in November.
Hastert's attorney is demanding of the Sunlight Foundation "that the false, libelous and deflamatory matter be immediately withdrawn and corrected." Let's see how this develops.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
The Party's Over!
Evidently Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) thinks Democrats should vote for him just because he is a Democrat, regardless of whether or not they agree with his GOP-leaning actions as Harold Meyerson points out today in the Washington Post.
Democrats have watched with surprise, and then with disgust, at his fawning over President Bush and his uncritical support for the Bush administration's conduct of the Iraq war.
What Lieberman may fail to grasp is that more than ever, the era of the straight-ticket party vote is OVER! For former yellow dog Democrats and traditional conservative GOP supporters alike.
The voting public's eyes have been opened. And they are dismayed.
Too often there is no difference between the parties, or traditional party values have been reversed or even abandoned, such as fiscal responsibility. Sadly, both parties have been bought and sold to special interests.
Never has that been more clear than with the shameful immigration reform bill that Bush is pushing to please illegal alien-hiring employers and to woe the Hispanic vote... and to keep some nefarious pledge to Mexican President Vicente "Your Land is My Land" Fox. Bush is supported by Senate GOP party soldiers and Democrats too eager to help the illegal alien at the expense of the country.
The lone holdouts are the majority GOP in the House... and it remains to be seen if this is just an election year stall or a true recognition by House lawmakers that they represent the people.... and that the people want the borders secured and lawbreaking employers held accountable before even considering amnesty.
The Democrats are launching a Web site with the goal of trying to help "Democrats resolve their policy differences and win more elections." But this may be missing the point.... instead remove the emphasis on Democrat and Republican labels, the "red state" and "blue state" designations. Candidates who represent the interests of corporations and illegal aliens over those of the voting U.S. citizen will lose in November. Regardless of party affiliation.
Lieberman, and all lawmakers running for election this November.... more than ever voters are looking at what you stand for and not at what party you represent.
Democrats have watched with surprise, and then with disgust, at his fawning over President Bush and his uncritical support for the Bush administration's conduct of the Iraq war.
What Lieberman may fail to grasp is that more than ever, the era of the straight-ticket party vote is OVER! For former yellow dog Democrats and traditional conservative GOP supporters alike.
The voting public's eyes have been opened. And they are dismayed.
Too often there is no difference between the parties, or traditional party values have been reversed or even abandoned, such as fiscal responsibility. Sadly, both parties have been bought and sold to special interests.
Never has that been more clear than with the shameful immigration reform bill that Bush is pushing to please illegal alien-hiring employers and to woe the Hispanic vote... and to keep some nefarious pledge to Mexican President Vicente "Your Land is My Land" Fox. Bush is supported by Senate GOP party soldiers and Democrats too eager to help the illegal alien at the expense of the country.
The lone holdouts are the majority GOP in the House... and it remains to be seen if this is just an election year stall or a true recognition by House lawmakers that they represent the people.... and that the people want the borders secured and lawbreaking employers held accountable before even considering amnesty.
The Democrats are launching a Web site with the goal of trying to help "Democrats resolve their policy differences and win more elections." But this may be missing the point.... instead remove the emphasis on Democrat and Republican labels, the "red state" and "blue state" designations. Candidates who represent the interests of corporations and illegal aliens over those of the voting U.S. citizen will lose in November. Regardless of party affiliation.
Lieberman, and all lawmakers running for election this November.... more than ever voters are looking at what you stand for and not at what party you represent.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Rumsfeld Spins, We Pay
Here are four headlines in today's Washington Post:
"Tanker Inquiry Finds Rumsfeld's Attention Was Elsewhere"
This is the largest defense procurement scandal in recent decades.... when Defense Secretary Rumsfeld was asked in April of 2005 to raise his hand and swear to tell the truth about this procurement, he whined to investigators, "I find it strange," on the grounds that as a government official "the laws apply to me" anyway.
Ah yes, the laws. Funny things. They show up at the most inconvenient times.
In this Rumsfeld interview he cited poor memory, loose office procedures and distraction with the wars to explain why he was unsure how his DOD squandered nearly $30 billion.
What was the $30 billion supposed to buy? An unneeded, procurement-violations tanker purchased from Boeing. Rumsfeld in this just-disclosed interview made it clear.... "he does wars, not defense procurement."
His "focus" was on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. So how did that work out?
"Two Missing U.S. Soldiers Found Dead"
The two missing young U.S. soldiers bodies have been found. "The head of operations at the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, said the Soldiers had been 'barbarically' killed and that there were traces of torture on their bodies." This is but a part of the bloody price we are paying for the Rumsfeld-focused, Cheney-Bush mandated war.
But, watch for the far Right rewriting of history. Liberal-hating Michael Savage said on his radio broadcast last night that the reason we didn't have enough troops in Iraq was because the evil liberals in Congress stayed Bush's hand. The truth.... Rumsfeld wouldn't listen to his own generals who wanted more "boots on the ground."
"Japan Plans to Bring Troops Home as Iraqis Take Over"
True, it is really just symbolic since Japan has just 550 troops in Iraq. But that is also what makes it so important. Symbolically, one of our staunch allies, Japan, is saying "enough." This newly dubbed "humanitarian war of liberation" has an odor... remember we asked our allies to join us because of Iraq's WMD. Now the reasons for the war are being repackaged, and Rumsfeld is doing the marketing. Japan wants out.
"In Tribal Pakistan, a Tide of Militancy"
This article is sobering. "A tide of Islamic militancy is spreading across" the tribal areas of northwest Pakistan that hugs the Afghan border. Some observers say the U.S. and Pakistan's heavy-handed military tactics have alienated the populace and won new supporters for the Taliban movement across the border in Afghanistan. This quote from a Pakistani English teacher: "U.S. forces were 'savages and barbarians' while the Taliban were 'religious scholars and sincere people.'"
Note to Rumsfeld: You can't win a war unless you win the hearts and minds of the people.
Now we, the voting U.S. citizens, need to "focus" on ridding ourselves of this Rumsfeld-Cheney-Bush cabal and their ilk.
"Tanker Inquiry Finds Rumsfeld's Attention Was Elsewhere"
This is the largest defense procurement scandal in recent decades.... when Defense Secretary Rumsfeld was asked in April of 2005 to raise his hand and swear to tell the truth about this procurement, he whined to investigators, "I find it strange," on the grounds that as a government official "the laws apply to me" anyway.
Ah yes, the laws. Funny things. They show up at the most inconvenient times.
In this Rumsfeld interview he cited poor memory, loose office procedures and distraction with the wars to explain why he was unsure how his DOD squandered nearly $30 billion.
What was the $30 billion supposed to buy? An unneeded, procurement-violations tanker purchased from Boeing. Rumsfeld in this just-disclosed interview made it clear.... "he does wars, not defense procurement."
His "focus" was on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. So how did that work out?
"Two Missing U.S. Soldiers Found Dead"
The two missing young U.S. soldiers bodies have been found. "The head of operations at the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, said the Soldiers had been 'barbarically' killed and that there were traces of torture on their bodies." This is but a part of the bloody price we are paying for the Rumsfeld-focused, Cheney-Bush mandated war.
But, watch for the far Right rewriting of history. Liberal-hating Michael Savage said on his radio broadcast last night that the reason we didn't have enough troops in Iraq was because the evil liberals in Congress stayed Bush's hand. The truth.... Rumsfeld wouldn't listen to his own generals who wanted more "boots on the ground."
"Japan Plans to Bring Troops Home as Iraqis Take Over"
True, it is really just symbolic since Japan has just 550 troops in Iraq. But that is also what makes it so important. Symbolically, one of our staunch allies, Japan, is saying "enough." This newly dubbed "humanitarian war of liberation" has an odor... remember we asked our allies to join us because of Iraq's WMD. Now the reasons for the war are being repackaged, and Rumsfeld is doing the marketing. Japan wants out.
"In Tribal Pakistan, a Tide of Militancy"
This article is sobering. "A tide of Islamic militancy is spreading across" the tribal areas of northwest Pakistan that hugs the Afghan border. Some observers say the U.S. and Pakistan's heavy-handed military tactics have alienated the populace and won new supporters for the Taliban movement across the border in Afghanistan. This quote from a Pakistani English teacher: "U.S. forces were 'savages and barbarians' while the Taliban were 'religious scholars and sincere people.'"
Note to Rumsfeld: You can't win a war unless you win the hearts and minds of the people.
Now we, the voting U.S. citizens, need to "focus" on ridding ourselves of this Rumsfeld-Cheney-Bush cabal and their ilk.
Monday, June 19, 2006
The Chicks Get It
What gives with the knee-jerk bashing and Right radio boycott of the Dixie Chicks.
Their crime?
Chick Maines said to concertgoers in England...."we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
That's it. Bush as an embarrassment. Ohhhhhhh. The sky is falling!
The Chick remark pales in comparison to the remark by Ann Coulter,... the Right's revered Preying Mantis... in her recent trash-talk book, that some of the 9/11 widows were "enjoying their husbands deaths." But did Right book store owners refuse to carry her book?
Seems like the Chicks are still cutting edge. First entertainers to recognize Bush as an international embarrassment, and now the first to embed a blogger on tour. A fresh departure from superficial fan blogging.
You go Chicks!
Their crime?
Chick Maines said to concertgoers in England...."we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
That's it. Bush as an embarrassment. Ohhhhhhh. The sky is falling!
The Chick remark pales in comparison to the remark by Ann Coulter,... the Right's revered Preying Mantis... in her recent trash-talk book, that some of the 9/11 widows were "enjoying their husbands deaths." But did Right book store owners refuse to carry her book?
Seems like the Chicks are still cutting edge. First entertainers to recognize Bush as an international embarrassment, and now the first to embed a blogger on tour. A fresh departure from superficial fan blogging.
You go Chicks!
Friday, June 16, 2006
On Church, State and Science
This morning's back page headline read: "Physicist says pope tried to influence his research."
It seems that Pope John Paul II asked British scientist Stephen Hawking not to study the start of time. Hawking said the pope told him, "It's OK to study the universe and where it began. But we should not inquire into the beginning itself because that was the moment of creation and the work of God."
Happily, this attempt to restrict the brilliant Hawking's inquiry into the age-old questions.... Why are we here? Where did we come from?.... didn't stop his groundbreaking research in theoretical physics, although he joked "I didn't fancy the thought of being handed over to the Inquisition like Galileo."
Attempts by church leaders to stifle inquiry or influence governments is not news. The willingness to examine, question and resist this interference is.
That is why the enlightened editorial by E. J. Dionne, Jr. in the Washington Post, "A Shift Among the Evangelicals'" is encouraging.
As he points out, the upset victory of the Rev. Frank Page, who was recently elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, is "very significant, both to the nation's religious life and to politics." Page defeated candidates supported by staunch Baptist conservatives who have dominated the Convention since the mid-1980s.
It may mean, insofar as evangelical politics are concerned, that some "are tired of just fighting liberals."
So, is it possible the heated, divisive political sermonizing has finally gone too far, reached it's unsustainable radicalism and may now return to more positive messages?... dare I say it, return to the spiritual.
Is it too much to hope that the Hawkings and Southern Bapists of the world presage the coming reversal of church interference in and influence over matters of State and science?
I leave you with a refreshing quote from the newly elected Rev. Page....... "I believe in the word of God, I'm just not mad about it."
It seems that Pope John Paul II asked British scientist Stephen Hawking not to study the start of time. Hawking said the pope told him, "It's OK to study the universe and where it began. But we should not inquire into the beginning itself because that was the moment of creation and the work of God."
Happily, this attempt to restrict the brilliant Hawking's inquiry into the age-old questions.... Why are we here? Where did we come from?.... didn't stop his groundbreaking research in theoretical physics, although he joked "I didn't fancy the thought of being handed over to the Inquisition like Galileo."
Attempts by church leaders to stifle inquiry or influence governments is not news. The willingness to examine, question and resist this interference is.
That is why the enlightened editorial by E. J. Dionne, Jr. in the Washington Post, "A Shift Among the Evangelicals'" is encouraging.
As he points out, the upset victory of the Rev. Frank Page, who was recently elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, is "very significant, both to the nation's religious life and to politics." Page defeated candidates supported by staunch Baptist conservatives who have dominated the Convention since the mid-1980s.
It may mean, insofar as evangelical politics are concerned, that some "are tired of just fighting liberals."
So, is it possible the heated, divisive political sermonizing has finally gone too far, reached it's unsustainable radicalism and may now return to more positive messages?... dare I say it, return to the spiritual.
Is it too much to hope that the Hawkings and Southern Bapists of the world presage the coming reversal of church interference in and influence over matters of State and science?
I leave you with a refreshing quote from the newly elected Rev. Page....... "I believe in the word of God, I'm just not mad about it."
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
GOP Shell Games
Karl Rove, White House political wizard, is still safe behind his soiled cape. Free to continue his political slight-of-hand illusions for the Bush administration.
Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald has told Rove that he does not expect to seek charges against him in connection with the outing of CIA undercover officer Valerie Plame.
This leaves former aide to VP Dick Cheney, "Scooter" Libby, twisting alone in the wind on charges of perjury, false statements and obstruction of justice. The 2 1/2 year Fitzgerald investigation has yet to charge anyone with the actual CIA operatives-endangering leak.
As Rove and the Bush administration continue to "dodge the bullet" from the legal system, our "checks and balances" safeguards are being negated by the GOP choke hold over the executive and legislative branches of government.
If you can bear to learn more about how the GOP operates, read the heavily footnoted investigative article by Robert Kennedy, Jr. in Rolling Stone, "Was the 2004 Election Stolen?".
For it's not just total power that corrupts, but also the pursuit of that total power.
Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald has told Rove that he does not expect to seek charges against him in connection with the outing of CIA undercover officer Valerie Plame.
This leaves former aide to VP Dick Cheney, "Scooter" Libby, twisting alone in the wind on charges of perjury, false statements and obstruction of justice. The 2 1/2 year Fitzgerald investigation has yet to charge anyone with the actual CIA operatives-endangering leak.
As Rove and the Bush administration continue to "dodge the bullet" from the legal system, our "checks and balances" safeguards are being negated by the GOP choke hold over the executive and legislative branches of government.
If you can bear to learn more about how the GOP operates, read the heavily footnoted investigative article by Robert Kennedy, Jr. in Rolling Stone, "Was the 2004 Election Stolen?".
For it's not just total power that corrupts, but also the pursuit of that total power.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Money Talks
This Gringo Pesos speaks volumes.... it is what some Republicans suggest be sent to the party in response to Bush administration immigration policies.
The way things work..... the more money a party or campaign can raise, the more they can spend to influence the voters. Even though that vote may not be in the best interests of the propaganda-saturated voter.
Corporations are typically the king makers, giving lots of money to candidates who will give them legislative preference and clout .... usually the GOP political contenders. So.... it is a big deal when there is a "surge in small, individual contributions" fueling Democratic races this year and tightening the typical advantage of big- money corporations.
Not to be overlooked is the growing disenchantment of the GOP conservative base with the Bush administration's determined drift away from their core values.
While these conservatives aren't necessarily the biggest GOP contributors (although some are), they have been faithful contributors nonetheless. If they suspend their financial support of GOP candidates, it could level the funding playing field in the November elections.
Then, maybe the best candidate, and the electorate, will win.
Friday, June 09, 2006
The Hammer's Final Blow
"The Hammer's" final blow was delivered to a House chamber "crammed on the Republican side, virtually empty on the Democratic side."
But this ethics-required leave-taking yesterday by Former House Majority Leader, Tom DeLay, wasn't soon enough to spare the country his divisive religious right "iron fisted" leadership of the House.
After the GOP seized control of the House in 1994, DeLay was instrumental in propelling the country down a "the ends justify the means" partisan governing path that embraced power-broker corporate lobbyists who wrote legislation and handed out payoffs.
And, although DeLay attacked big-government liberalism in his farewell to the House, the "growth of government and special-interest spending accelerated" under his GOP rule. The stink of his corrupting influence wafted through the halls of Congress for over two decades, infecting its members and destroying the trust of the electorate.
As DeLay exits "stage right," the country has the opportunity to come together and deliver the message "no more" in November.
But this ethics-required leave-taking yesterday by Former House Majority Leader, Tom DeLay, wasn't soon enough to spare the country his divisive religious right "iron fisted" leadership of the House.
After the GOP seized control of the House in 1994, DeLay was instrumental in propelling the country down a "the ends justify the means" partisan governing path that embraced power-broker corporate lobbyists who wrote legislation and handed out payoffs.
And, although DeLay attacked big-government liberalism in his farewell to the House, the "growth of government and special-interest spending accelerated" under his GOP rule. The stink of his corrupting influence wafted through the halls of Congress for over two decades, infecting its members and destroying the trust of the electorate.
As DeLay exits "stage right," the country has the opportunity to come together and deliver the message "no more" in November.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Save Our Nation Too
President Bush and the White House are having a very good day.
Abu Musah al-Zarqawi, the evil face of al-Qaeda in Iraq, is dead.
This is the biggest poll-changing, war-justifying good news coming from Iraq since Saddam was captured in 2003.
This morning Bush made a Rose Garden statement, a "somber yet celebratory appearance for which he was joined by several of his top aides, including Vice President Dick Cheney, national security adviser Stephen Hadley and Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove."
On another positive note, the three appointments for the vacant Iraq ministries.... defense, national security and interior.... have been filled.
Does this news from Iraq ease somewhat the concern over the war and knock it from it's pinncale of voter worries? Will this put an even bigger focus in November on domestic concerns, like porous U.S. borders and the invasion illegal immigrants?
We can hope.
Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and Bush like to say about Iraq.... we need to "get the job done."
The voters will be looking for this same determination from the White House in addressing their top-of-the-polls concern over preserving and securing the home front.
Abu Musah al-Zarqawi, the evil face of al-Qaeda in Iraq, is dead.
This is the biggest poll-changing, war-justifying good news coming from Iraq since Saddam was captured in 2003.
This morning Bush made a Rose Garden statement, a "somber yet celebratory appearance for which he was joined by several of his top aides, including Vice President Dick Cheney, national security adviser Stephen Hadley and Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove."
On another positive note, the three appointments for the vacant Iraq ministries.... defense, national security and interior.... have been filled.
Does this news from Iraq ease somewhat the concern over the war and knock it from it's pinncale of voter worries? Will this put an even bigger focus in November on domestic concerns, like porous U.S. borders and the invasion illegal immigrants?
We can hope.
Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and Bush like to say about Iraq.... we need to "get the job done."
The voters will be looking for this same determination from the White House in addressing their top-of-the-polls concern over preserving and securing the home front.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
End of Days Starts In November
How ironic that radical right dogma-spewer, Ann Coulter, is purposely releasing her new book today.... the 6th day of the 6th month of the millennium's 6th year....bashing the "Godless" liberals.
Just a little too cute, and another good example of the current politics of division spawned by the Great Divider.... errr Decider.... in the White House. The whole theme of her book, which accuses liberalism of being a religion, is unfortunate. It just adds fuel to the politics of destruction that is the specialty of the GOP religious right.
A perfect example of this religious right philosophy is the current debate in the Senate over the proposed marriage amendment that the White House is trying to enshrine in the Constitution to appease the "Tinky Winky is Gay" Falwellites.
So, 6-6-06 doesn't scare the beleaguered U.S. citizens who, since the election of 2000, have been witnessing the pillaging their land by The Decider's three-headed Beast.... corporations, church and oil.
For this Beast and his White House Masters, the End of Days starts in November
Just a little too cute, and another good example of the current politics of division spawned by the Great Divider.... errr Decider.... in the White House. The whole theme of her book, which accuses liberalism of being a religion, is unfortunate. It just adds fuel to the politics of destruction that is the specialty of the GOP religious right.
A perfect example of this religious right philosophy is the current debate in the Senate over the proposed marriage amendment that the White House is trying to enshrine in the Constitution to appease the "Tinky Winky is Gay" Falwellites.
So, 6-6-06 doesn't scare the beleaguered U.S. citizens who, since the election of 2000, have been witnessing the pillaging their land by The Decider's three-headed Beast.... corporations, church and oil.
For this Beast and his White House Masters, the End of Days starts in November
Monday, June 05, 2006
Marriage Amendment Ploy
The country is facing dire issues.... mounting chaos in Iraq, increasing threats on both U.S. borders, soaring gas prices... so just what is happening on The Hill this week? The AP reports "Senate to Tackle Gay Marriage Ban." Say what?
Could this highly-charged political ploy be an attempt to attract our attention from the passage of other legislation this week?... like the "record-size emergency spending bill to continue U.S. military operations in Iraq" and hurricane relief.... an over $100 billion spending package.
Or the legislation rolling back the estate tax with a potential cost of $1 trillion (yes TRILLION) over the first ten of the affected years .
Does this make sound fiscal sense?.... spend more and take in less. Your government at work.
Back to the highly-publicized marriage amendment..... Bill "I Want To Be Your President" Frist, GOP Senate Majority Leader, one to never miss an opportunity to brown-nose the GOP conservative base, rushed to place this time-wasting amendment on the floor schedule.
While Bush in his Sunday radio address pushed for the amendment as a "defense of the stability of society," knowing full well that the amendment will never make it out of the Senate.
Note to Bush.... a Constitutional marriage amendment won't stabilize society, but OCEANS OF DEBT will destabilize our country for generations to come!
It is the monumental arrogance of Bush and his handlers that lead them to assume that the voting public won't see through this "red-meat to the base" marriage amendment maneuver.
This obvious pandering and reckless fiscal policy will cost them in November.
Could this highly-charged political ploy be an attempt to attract our attention from the passage of other legislation this week?... like the "record-size emergency spending bill to continue U.S. military operations in Iraq" and hurricane relief.... an over $100 billion spending package.
Or the legislation rolling back the estate tax with a potential cost of $1 trillion (yes TRILLION) over the first ten of the affected years .
Does this make sound fiscal sense?.... spend more and take in less. Your government at work.
Back to the highly-publicized marriage amendment..... Bill "I Want To Be Your President" Frist, GOP Senate Majority Leader, one to never miss an opportunity to brown-nose the GOP conservative base, rushed to place this time-wasting amendment on the floor schedule.
While Bush in his Sunday radio address pushed for the amendment as a "defense of the stability of society," knowing full well that the amendment will never make it out of the Senate.
Note to Bush.... a Constitutional marriage amendment won't stabilize society, but OCEANS OF DEBT will destabilize our country for generations to come!
It is the monumental arrogance of Bush and his handlers that lead them to assume that the voting public won't see through this "red-meat to the base" marriage amendment maneuver.
This obvious pandering and reckless fiscal policy will cost them in November.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Rumsfeld Sings a Happy Song
The U. S. American Forces Press dutifully reported that on Friday, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld "disputed the notion that violence in Iraq is a result of U.S. military intervention." Oh really.
Issa Khalaf Harat, a lieutenant colonel in Iraq's oil protection police, and the brother of one of the victims of the U.S.-vindicated attack in the village of Ishaqi where as many as a dozen civilians were killed, said: "We know they were not terrorists, they were not shooting at the Americans, and they were killed in cold blood." A cousin of one of the victims, Ahmed Hussein, proclaimed: "America is forcing us to go and join the resistance. If this goes on like this, in the end we will find ourselves forced to fight the Americans."
Another incident, the coverup-delayed probe into the March killing of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha, elicited clucking noises from Rumsfeld and the acknowledgement that he has not spoken to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki about the matter.
So while not even recognizing man-to-man, leader-to-leader, the furious concern and delicate position of the Iraqi prime minister, Rumsfeld and president Bush expectantly await a miracle from the 13-day-old government of Maliki.... filling the vacant ministry posts of interior, defense and national security. Rumsfeld is "optimistic that Iraqi leaders will do the right thing."
Volunteers for these posts anyone? In Iraq over the weekend:
Issa Khalaf Harat, a lieutenant colonel in Iraq's oil protection police, and the brother of one of the victims of the U.S.-vindicated attack in the village of Ishaqi where as many as a dozen civilians were killed, said: "We know they were not terrorists, they were not shooting at the Americans, and they were killed in cold blood." A cousin of one of the victims, Ahmed Hussein, proclaimed: "America is forcing us to go and join the resistance. If this goes on like this, in the end we will find ourselves forced to fight the Americans."
Another incident, the coverup-delayed probe into the March killing of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha, elicited clucking noises from Rumsfeld and the acknowledgement that he has not spoken to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki about the matter.
So while not even recognizing man-to-man, leader-to-leader, the furious concern and delicate position of the Iraqi prime minister, Rumsfeld and president Bush expectantly await a miracle from the 13-day-old government of Maliki.... filling the vacant ministry posts of interior, defense and national security. Rumsfeld is "optimistic that Iraqi leaders will do the right thing."
Volunteers for these posts anyone? In Iraq over the weekend:
- Parliament members canceled their meeting Sunday which was intended to nominate candidates for the vacant ministry posts...Maliki said it was "almost impossible" to find candidates who had broad support among all the factions.
- Iraq's most prominent insurgent leader, Abuj Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, in a four-hour video taped "sermon" on Friday urged Sunnis to come to the defense of the sect against their Shiite enemies... and to "forget about those advocating the end of sectarianism and calling for national unity."
- In Basra on Saturday night, at least 27 people were killed in a bomb explosion, and scores more were injured.
- In Baghdad, Sunday, gunmen killed four state communications employees outside their office.....
- And, 19 minibus passengers were executed in Uthaim, 12 were Shiite Muslim high school students.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Bush Blows His Bubble
So, is Bush, our "my way or the highway" president, getting all touchy, feely on the neocons.
It's astounding, revolutionary, breathtaking.... he actually solicited an opinion.... Iraq war critic, Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey was invited to the Oval office and allowed to speak his mind. After returning from Iraq, McCaffrey and five other specialists, briefed Bush for 90 minutes on Tuesday. McCaffrey said afterward, "The president seemed open to views." Imagine.
Bush has softened his stand on other issues too. Some say it is the influence of his new chief of staff, Joshua Bolten, or maybe Bush's press is finally getting to him. Newsweek's cover story on him as "Bush in the Bubble," sums him up as "the most isolated president in modern history."
Might not be the legacy he is shooting for.
Or maybe his new moderation is a Paul Revere "elections are coming" ride of desperation, engineered by the White House's savvy new press secretary, Tony Snow.
Here's hoping if Bush is going to start listening to opinions, he listens to the opinions of his U.S. citizens too. We're screaming "secure our borders and ports first"....
It would be a start.
It's astounding, revolutionary, breathtaking.... he actually solicited an opinion.... Iraq war critic, Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey was invited to the Oval office and allowed to speak his mind. After returning from Iraq, McCaffrey and five other specialists, briefed Bush for 90 minutes on Tuesday. McCaffrey said afterward, "The president seemed open to views." Imagine.
Bush has softened his stand on other issues too. Some say it is the influence of his new chief of staff, Joshua Bolten, or maybe Bush's press is finally getting to him. Newsweek's cover story on him as "Bush in the Bubble," sums him up as "the most isolated president in modern history."
Might not be the legacy he is shooting for.
Or maybe his new moderation is a Paul Revere "elections are coming" ride of desperation, engineered by the White House's savvy new press secretary, Tony Snow.
Here's hoping if Bush is going to start listening to opinions, he listens to the opinions of his U.S. citizens too. We're screaming "secure our borders and ports first"....
It would be a start.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Good News, Bad News
The headline reads: "Six Powers Reach Accord On Iran Plan."
Good news it seems. We'll be reading lots of such headlines in the coming weeks before the November elections. The Bush administration handlers know the country is in no mood for an expanded war. Time to make nice.
Let's give Secretary of State Rice her due, whenever the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, France, Germany and the European Union agree on acceptable boundaries for Iran's nuclear ambitions, it is positive news. We await the details.
But you know....there's the good news, and then there's the bad news.
Yesterday President Bush announced his support of the proposed marriage amendment to the Constitution. Let's see.... what he likes are decent, hardworking people who love their families and contribute to the economy..... especially if they are illegal aliens.... gay U.S. citizens get none of his "compassion."
Of course, King George knows full well that this marriage amendment will never make it out of the Senate, but hey.... keep the religious right happy.
This political lollipop is designed to divert the Silent Majority's attention away from the deadly, and daily worse, situation in Iraq; and the nation-changing explosion of illegal aliens.
It'll take more than lollipops to sweeten the Bush blunders.
Good news it seems. We'll be reading lots of such headlines in the coming weeks before the November elections. The Bush administration handlers know the country is in no mood for an expanded war. Time to make nice.
Let's give Secretary of State Rice her due, whenever the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, France, Germany and the European Union agree on acceptable boundaries for Iran's nuclear ambitions, it is positive news. We await the details.
But you know....there's the good news, and then there's the bad news.
Yesterday President Bush announced his support of the proposed marriage amendment to the Constitution. Let's see.... what he likes are decent, hardworking people who love their families and contribute to the economy..... especially if they are illegal aliens.... gay U.S. citizens get none of his "compassion."
Of course, King George knows full well that this marriage amendment will never make it out of the Senate, but hey.... keep the religious right happy.
This political lollipop is designed to divert the Silent Majority's attention away from the deadly, and daily worse, situation in Iraq; and the nation-changing explosion of illegal aliens.
It'll take more than lollipops to sweeten the Bush blunders.
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