More on Benazir Bhutto

This continues to get more and more insane. Nobody can get their stories coordinated. Again, I must ask who benefits from Benazir's death? President Musharaff? Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden? The Bush Crime Family? The War on Terror? I don't know, I only have questions. I do, however, believe that someone is quite pleased with the outcome of her demise. Keep in mind the U.S. brokered her return to Pakistan, well knowing this would probably happen. After the first attempt on her life failed, yet manage to kill 179 others, she requested an investigation with the CIA and United Nations assistance, she was denied by President Musharaff, and quite possibly the country that helped her return. The Telegraph in the U.K. has some serious accounts of what actually transpired http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/28/nosplit/wbhutto1228.xml
Security and Police had left their posts shortly before her departure, and various polls showed her somewhere between 35% and 67% in the lead to be Pakistan's President. In an interview with David Frost shortly after her return to Pakistan she spoke about the people in power who would be responsible for her death. Check it out, especially around the 6 minute mark, it will make your head spin.



It is abundently clear how serious this is, a nuclear Pakistan with their terrorist sanctuary is a danger to much of the world, our billions in aid going there is at risk, and Musharaff has been asked repeatedly to step down. Although, we know he's Bush's boy, and asking someone to step down is a tough task for these clowns. Keep posted for more on this, and keep it lit!

A loss to a world of Peace and compassion

We have questions, speculations, suspicions, and no answers. One thing is clear, the world lost a leader for Peace today. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto muddy's the process the Middle East has been facing for decades...progress. For anyone that has paid attention to,well what is happening in our world, it was clear that seeing her support that much of that region in the world is at a tipping point. For all of the sabre rattling of conflict with Arabs and Persians for oppressing women and dissent, and America must interfere to "promote freedom". Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for Benazir's death, although, with what we hear out of the news...my dog could crap in the house and Al Qaeda would say "it was an act of terror to continue the motives of the Mujahadeen". I don't know. I am sick and saddened by this. The guys at http://www.itsfirstfriday.com/ ,whom I rarely have much good to say about, gave a good analyis about this tragedy. They speculated on who "gains" from this act? Al Qaeda? Musharraf? We don't know. I do believe that with the sanctuary Pervez Musharaff gave to terrorist cells in Pakistan, and Benazir's "denouncing of extremism", his Presidential tenure was going to come to an end. In my opinion, his dictatorial leadership gains from this. Extremism in any form is regressive for any race, breed, or religion, as is corruption. I speak over and over on this blog about standing up, Benazir Bhutto did, and expected this as interviews and todays news reports imply. Two months ago, she stated that her death is on Pervez Musharraf. We will wait and see. I am disturbed at the seriousness that this means for the Middle East, the Western Europe, and America. If the First Friday guys are correct regarding a "coup", we could see a nuclear Al Qaeda, a continued Dem"ock"racy in Pervez's Pakistan,continued military occupation by the U.S. in the Middle East. I don't know...but I do know that her candidacy showed that the tipping point in the Muslim and Persian regions of the world are tipping in the right direction. Benazir, I thank you for standing up, and please look over us, you are a great loss to the world that seeks peace.

A happier New Year may be on the way

One final Christmas moment before the clock strikes 12

This Christmas...

Well, Merry ChristmaskwanzaIdehannukahsolstice. 'Tis the Season to enjoy it, no matter what your non-denomination. I was going to finish re-writting "It's beginning to look alot like christmas", to sound alot like "I'm beginning to win the war on christmas", but I won't, I don't need Bill O'Really sending the Fox News police after me. The absurdity of a war on christmas. The following clip, Sam Seder nails it. You need only watch the first two minutes, or if you have too much time on your hands, watch the whole thing.



This time of the year is special, no matter how you celebrate it. I have barely celebrated it since being single. But it doesn't matter. If shopping your ass off in the hustling malls is your thing, so be it. If saying "aaaahhhhh, look at the pretty lights", a holiday cheer,or whatever. I joked with co-workers, and friends about the "war on x-mas", but I have poor intel, and I am not prepared to wage a pre-emptive war. It's a time to let your spirit feel good, no matter how you achieve that is up to you. The way things are with credit card companies, your spirit gets broke around the first week of January. It's a time where you can do nothing, and see no one, or you can see friends and familiy, and hope there is no bickering. How about just reflect on the year, prepare for the forthcoming one, and be genuine to everybody. Get it? If you are having trouble remembering, maybe the following video will jog your memory a bit. So, on that note Happy Holidays! (there I Said it!)

Little dRUMMY Boy

Merry Christmas Anthony!

Number one in the two day Ghost of Wellstone Christmas Special

Happy Christmas (War is Over, if you want it)!

In memory

I dedicate this post to the Kucinich family, and before you assume why, read on. Presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich lost his younger brother on December 19. Perry Kucinich was 51 years old. As Dennis Kucinich's support has grown in recnt weeks and months, this is hit below the belt. According to www.kucinich.us , their family is "close knit", and Perry and Dennis spoke nearly everyday (which has got to be tough while being a Congressman and running for President. The artwork you see here is some of Perry's, and according to reports, he was showing in galleries in Northeast Ohio. The cause of death is unknown, but my heart, and probably everyone's goes out to Dennis and his family during this Holiday season. Supporters are still going to continue the effort of Strength through Peace during his time of mourning. Perry, Dennis, and family...God Bless and Merry Christmas (as tough as it may seem).

Run Rudy Run!

Rotten Rudy Giuliani has been dogged by many lately, and I am joining in. In this video you can witness "america's mayor"...ugh! Running from the disaster of 9/11 and spending more time talking to the media. That is not heroic. Just watch, and learn a bit from the firefighters union.

An interesting video from a peculiar man

Well, what did we hear growing up, "you too can someday be President". Well, George W. Bush proved that no matter how incompetent...you can. With the large field of candidates, including my guy, Dennis Kucinich whom I spend alot of effort promoting on this site. Other than that I take shots at the hell-bent,fearmongering,christian wacko GOP hopefuls. So, on that note, here's Former Senator Mike Gravel. Yes, he is a longshot candidate, but as Crooks and Liars said, you can't argue with the content.

A small gift to the right-wingers who visit this site...Merry Christmas!

An apology to an old friend (sort of)

Well, I made an attempt for a cheap shot jokingly. An old friend of mine runs a conservative shiny little glass website that consistently throws stones, and I decided 'tis the season to throw one back. They are running a year end "douchebag" poll. I gave a self-deprecating vote to Ghost of Wellstone...myself, and then proceeded to vote for my old friend. My comment was edited, not to my surprise. I took a cheap shot in fun and expressed my dismay at someone who lives liberally, votes and hangs with Christian Conservatives, yet avoids religion at every level, is against many programs that helped him/her get where they are now. Maybe I was wrong, maybe I wasn't? I offer this, a worldwide apology to the unnamed site and person. I admire where you have gotten, and love you as a friend. I also, as a longtime friend, would never jeopardize a friendship for partisan crap. That being said, I said nothing that would cause you to lose a job,a friend,a cause,a vote,a girl (well maybe),or my admiration. To take the "glass house" thing a step further, throw stones if you will...but remember, someone might throw a bigger one back. I love ya, sorry I offended,but I will always be there to check ya when it looks like you need it. I, like every Presidential candidate really want the job of "Douchebag of the Year". Take Care and keep it lit.

Have you seen this man?

You probably haven't, but guess what, neither have his attorneys or family. This is part one of two. Watch this, and check back in morning for part two, and my take. Visit www.takebackthemedia.com for if you are impatient.

Ladies and Gentlemen...The next President of the United States!

Why are you reading?

I was recently at a bar, a burger and a beer seemed like a good idea, it also seemed like a good time to catch up on some reading. I am swiftly getting through Thom Hartmann's "What Would Jefferson Do?". And by george, I had that Bill Hicks moment, when a person, who you could tell, has had some entanglements with the process of reading. I was asked "Why are you reading?", not what I was reading. I simply responded "I don't know". I know very well why I read I just didn't feel like discussing it. Oddly, this is the same bar where I was while reading the New York Times and was asked why I cared about what was going on in New York. I did not have foresight that time to see how bad a conversation it would be. I proceeded to explain that it was an international paper. That was 30 minutes I will never get back. I am one who can find value in everyone, once I get it through my head that I cannot discuss books, foreign policy, independent films, better music like the Replacements or Wilco, the anti-war rally I attended, etc etc. If you are here, you probably understand. I was having this exact conversation at work tonight with two friends, and it does my heart good to see people who actually think and read. One is currently reading something to the effect of "evolve your brain", the other, she is working her way through Anneli Rufus' "Party of One: The Loner's Manifesto", which is on my shortlist. She went on to tell that in her short life, while growing up, her mother discouraged her from reading anything but textbooks and she had to hide it. The reasoning, was that she did not want her to get "bias opinions and buy into them". My other worker and I joked that most kids hide drinking or drug use, or that unfortunate arrest for disturbing the peace. So, why do we read? an escape? enlightenment? or ....
are you ready? To educate yourself? I read for all of the aforementioned reasons, so I thought I would share some titles with you that I consider neccessary. Late Senator Paul Wellstone's "The Conscience of a Liberal", I know this one comes as no surprise to anyone who has visited this site or knows me. Paul Wellstone captured what is a clear "compassionate agenda". In this book, we are taken on a walk through principles and ideals of a man who could get along with any, yet pursued policies that helped all. A liberal Democrat we sure could use now. Another would be McSeeney's classic "How We are Hungry", a collection of short stories by Dave Eggers. I would be here all night running you through that, but I will mention a story written from a dog's point of view titled "After I was thrown in the River and after I'd drown". A moving piece, especially if you are a dog lover. Next, Thom Hartmann's "Screwed". When I get to read Thom, or listen to him on the radio, I immediately feel smarter. Whether it is politics, understanding other relegions, economics, and the state of the middle-class right now. "Screwed" gives a well researched look at what corporate greed, slimy politicians, war, and the hatred for the New Deal has done to the middle-class. But, hey, at least the war on the middle-class is going well! There are a few reasons read, my year end list is coming in week, just before the year ends. Take care.

Just for Sh**s and giggles

Thank you Harry Shearer!!!!

Who is Ron Paul

I see a number of disturbing comments on Ron Paul. I will say one thing, he is right when it comes to the war, and he sounds human compared to worthless amount of dna that sums up the other GOP candidates. One thing that gets me about Ron Paul, is that he wants the government out of lives except for a womans womb. Hmmm.

Comment on Standing up!

I exchanged little holiday e-mails with Billy over at www.puppetgov.com . Afterwards, I got to thinking about folks who actually stand up for rights,ideals,the underdogs in the world. I cannot support George Bush's war in Iraq, I cannot support relegious ideologues who run around pushing their agenda in my face (this includes all relegions), I cannot support efforts that tell women the have no right to choose and no right to privacy, and cannot tolerate liars running my country. So, on that note, I would like to thank every person who has had the backbone to STAND UP! AND SAY I KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG! This old movie clip came to mind, and I am a huge fan, so sharing it is a must.

My life has meaning and value GOD DAMNIT!

This video was easy to repost while giving thought and prayer to my childhood babysitter who has suffered an annuyerism and an upcoming battle with hospital and insurance companies. I plan a post on the hopeful outcome as it occurs. Stay tuned. As I spent a day off lazily, I listened to some music, read, and mindlessly watched some tv. As I listened to some of Steve Earle's monologue prior to a live performance of "Christmas Time in Washington", he spoke of heroes. As he states, their his heroes cause it's his fucking song! I would like to add my quick little list. First, I would name my Mom, Judy thank you. You raised me liberally, and sometiimes to your own regret since you are sometimes socially conservative. You taught me compassion, you taught me that there is no race other than human. You taught me to stand up when I see something or someone being wronged.You are my hero. Thom Hartmann is also my hero, he's my hero because with his voice m-f I get to know that you really can learn, really learn something new everyday. Dennis Kucinich is my hero, because he recognizes that we are only as strong as our weakest link. He sees that building a stronger bond takes all of us no matter where you are from. Plus, he continues to stand up for true American values as you see in the aforementioned text. Greg Palast is my hero, he's my hero because he has stood up over and over to U.S corporate media who hated him for telling the truth, and said "fine", and took a job with BBC and got a larger outlet to tell the truth. Linda and her husband, and their mother Fran, their my heroes because once all is said and done, God willing a recovery, will give 'em hell over an f'd up system that puts payment and profit before someone's life. I urge everyone to look around at your heroes, thank them, and listen to them, find out what they stand for or what they are mad at. Then I want you stand up, and get MAD! Watch the video, and keep it lit. Oh yeah, Steve Earle, you're my hero too, you have weathered the storm brother, and you got the wife I should have.

It's Friday, and it's almost X-Mas, a little gift from DailyKos and Bill in Maine

The Democratic Leadership's New Oath of Office:

I, [State your name], do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully warm my chair in Congress. And will, to the best of my ability, remember to put my coat on the correct peg in the cloakroom, flush after I go pee or poopies, show up to work fully clothed, brush my teeth twice a day, hold hands when crossing the street, use the plastic safety scissors instead of the sharp ones that the grownups keep in the high-up drawer, give the President all my lunch money, and use my indoor voice at all times.

I promise to collapse, cave and kowtow in the name of political calculation, even when soldiers are dying daily in a war I have the power to stop,

To convince Americans that I lack courage, conviction and common sense in the pursuit of a brass ring that can't be grabbed for another year,

To do everything in my power to meet the needs of my Republican friends and colleagues across the aisle, lest they get upset with me and give me wedgies. So help me god.

The Republican Leadership's New Oath of Office:

I, [State your name], do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully do whatever the hell I feel like and get away with it. Goddamn this is great. Oh look! There's a Democrat! Wedgie squad...Go!!!

Thank ya, Jesus!

Robert Wexler wants hearings, let's all join him

Rep. Wexler of Florida wants impeachment hearings for this criminal White House. Join him at www.wexlerwantshearings.com Visit the site and sign the petition. For the future of our country, we need our lawmakers to examine the criminal behavior of George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney. Thank you Congressman Wexler for bringing the issue to the table again.

Drinking with Soldiers

Well, I have not had a beer with this soldier, but there are few I have. I within the last few months had a pal return from duty in Iraq, and I recnetly had drinks with a young guy I now would consider my Air Force friend in Germany while he was home on leave for his Grandfather's funeral. We talked to great extent about society and the culture on the outskirts of Detroit, politics, the war, and better beer...Oh yeah, and his Liberal Grandfather. (I didn't really forget that part!)

The right-wingers had a field day with John Kerry's botched joke about ending up in Iraq if you don't get an education came to mind as I post this. I got the joke ! George Bush is a half-wit, I believe nearly every soldier and upstart blogger could do a more competent job...even Senators who shouldn't tell jokes could. My buddy who just returned a few months back came to me at the pub after few beers before his deployment, had reservations and had dozens of questions about news of the war, the lies, the scandals, the politics etc. I told him to be safe, do his job, pay attention to his brothers and sisters backs who are watching his, and keep up with the politics of all of it and don't break the law. After giving him my friendship and all the info I could mutter after a few beers, I thought to remind him that he was the same soldier who bought me a Busch Beer after John Kerry was defeated in 2004. I declined politely for a habit of 1.) better taste and 2.) the obvious. Afterwards, we laughed and decided it was shot o'clock.

People call it partisan to be against the war in Iraq, it's not, it's human. Look no further than the protests around the globe, from the start to the present, look no further than www.votevets.org or www.ivaw.org . Speaking with my newest military beer drinkin friend, whom I will refer to as "G", we oddly agreed. Not much a surprise, since he refered to his Grandfather as a liberal, possibly more than myself. This kid was smart, I think possibly a bit from Grandpa, and otherwise to just paying attention and a little bit to the Air Force. He is a little bit out of harms way being Air Force, but is unsure of this debacle, like many in the world who knew it long ago. By looking things up like voting records,history,financial records, and theologywe can see the war economy's true motivation.

I thank these soldiers for their efforts and patriotism, I personally thank "J" and "G", "J" knows the obvious reasons that I won't mention, but "G" I thank for the conversation of intelect, his grandfather, and of course the drinks he paid for. For those of you who are paying attention, vote with your brain and heart (they do work and unison), think of these soldiers and every other, think that liberalism is not as bad a word as you think and if you can't get past it call yourself a Progressive, or god help you a conservative. If you are a military fella, keep smart, keep safe, and don't tell our cute friends home to join just cause you have a crush!!! That means you "G"!!!!!!!!!! I will talk to all of you soon, watch your backs, and yes...CHEERS!!!!!!!!

A must read from Huffington Post

The vets of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have gotten pretty shoddy treatment from our Congress. Republicans, as well as some Democrats, but not nearly as many, have blocked numerous bills including funding,dwell time, healthcare etc. etc. Jon Soltz posted this at Huffington Post, and I hope we all pay attention, and see how important 2008 is for our country, our vets, and our future.


Jon Soltz BIO I'M A FAN OF THIS BLOGGER
One Of Our Own Is Going to Take Down McConnell
Posted December 13, 2007 11:03 AM (EST)


As an Iraq war veteran, today is pretty exciting for me and all the other vets I talk with. Today, one of our own took the first step towards knocking off Senator Mitch McConnell in 2008. Iraq War Veteran Andrew Horne jumped into the race.

Andrew Horne, who had to step down as a Senior Advisor to VoteVets.org to run this race, not only has a good shot to beat McConnell, he has a tremendous shot. That's got us Iraq veterans pumped because not only will we have a voice in the Senate that comes from our own ranks, but we're also going to take down the guy who is the single most responsible person in Congress for the war in Iraq, as well as the defeat of pro-troop, pro-veteran legislation.

Let's take just a small walk through the record of Mitch McConnell (Warning: Hold your nose):

• He led the filibuster of the Webb-Hagel "Dwell Time" amendment that would have given our exhausted troops as much time at home as in the field.

• He led the all-night filibuster of legislation that would have set us on a real change of course in Iraq, that would have allowed us to give Iraqis more responsibility, while freeing U.S. forces to take on the real threat to America -- al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

• He consistently worked his side of the aisle against the same veterans he's been fighting tooth and nail to keep in Iraq, beating back amendments to ensure a funding stream for veterans' health care, increase Veterans' medical services by closing corporate tax loopholes, and guarantee full-funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• And, most recently, he callously quipped that we ought not feel too bad about those who died in Iraq, because, afterall, "remember, these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers."

Andrew Horne is going to serve Kentucky well. I've known Andrew for a couple of years now, and he's one of the brightest, toughest guys I've ever encountered. But, more importantly, he's fiercely loyal. At any point over the last couple of years, he could have broken away from the veterans movement and tried to make a name for himself. But, he didn't. He felt a profound sense of responsibility to those he was fighting alongside, something that we all feel in the military. Kentucky can trust that he's never going to abandon them and "go Washington" like Mitch McConnell.

But, more importantly for the readers on here, Andrew's candidacy represents the best shot beat the largest obstruction to veterans care and responsible use of the military that Congress has ever seen.

For all McConnell has done to hurt troops and veterans, how sweetly ironic it is that it's going to be an Iraq War Marine that sends him packing.

That's why, today, I'm truly, truly excited.

Read more about Andrew and consider making at donation at www.AndrewHorne.org

My President Will be....

Dennis Kucinich with a running mate in Senator Feingold

For the lazy, heres 4 minutes of why a vote for Dennis is reasonable

Ghost of Wellstone Endorses...

Yep, you guessed it...Dennis Kucinch. Rep. Kucinich has been the only candidate to genuinely speak truth to power, the only one to speak truthfully about accomplishing peace, the only candidate to hold the Bush Crime Family accountable only to be let down by a slim Democratic Majority, and possibly an equally criminal Republican Minority, he has been the only candidate to speak for the working families that make up most of the country.

Furthermore, Dennis and his lovely wife Elizabeth are the only ones on the campaign trail promoting a Dept. of Peace. In my opinion, a Department of Peace is the only viable remedy to end this debacle in the Middle East. As for Iraq, Dennis is for an immediate pullout. Dennis' 12-point plan can be read at www.kucinich.us . President Kucinich, also proposes a viable plan to secure jobs for Americans IN America. Withdrawing from the WTO and canceling NAFTA will help prevent American companies from outsourcing jobs overseas and across borders. Dennis is the candidate I believe can rebuild our longstanding patriotic pride that we hold so close to our hearts, stability to the Middle East by taking diplomatic measures with not just our allies, but our adversaries. I also firmly stand behind the idea that Dennis Kucinch will heal the distrust many, if not most Americans have for their Government. I encourage everyone to visit www.kucinich.us to learn about the candidate that in 8 years of hard work and Passion will hopefully have us only debating the idea of who has actually seen an unidentified flying object and who has not. VOTE KUCINICH! VOTE YOUR CONSCIOUS!

Special Comment

I have been away for a month, to the day to be exact. Now to play catch up...
With the amount of news and scandals of the Bush Crime Family, I can count on Keith Olbermann to sum up the Liar in Chief's continued lies about Iran and WWIII, the NIE Report, and fearmongering. Here you go

Agreeing with Norquist...Ugh!!!!

It pains me to do this since I disagree with his employees and Grover Norquist himself, but an amendment to ban dynastys..I'm all for it http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Constitutional_amendment_would_aim_to_prevent_1111.html

This post is dedicated to the students at Morton West High, Karen Kennedy @ Democracy Interactive, and all of us who stand up!

The recent news of Chicago area H.S. students who protested the Iraq War in their cafeteria was upsetting to say the least. I, as an American who agrees with the students, applaud them, and their parents who stood up for them. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northwest/chi-mortonprotest_09nov09,0,3003640.story
Karen at www.democracyinteractive.com discussed this at length with friends in the chatroom. I have been ticketed, I have been threatened, I have been in jail for related reasons. She expressed reservations of protests, and though her heart and brain are properly being used, I say we need to stand up. These students did, Benazir Bhutto did in Pakistan, Dennis Kucinich has. With Bush's signing statements, the Patriot Act etc. we have our rights eroding as I type this. The neo-con agenda has long been, silence dissent, promote Democ"k"racy elsewhere! The longevity of protesting for decades has angered some and defined some,certainly defined a couple of generations of the last forty years. Because we are able to fear arrest, or being pepper sprayed, we hold the compassion to stand up. The odd thing now is that if you compare the icons that inspired us, Martin Luther King,Bobby Kennedy,Pete Seeger,Edwin Starr,Neil Young,John Lennon,David Crosby,Marvin Gaye or Rosa Parks to name a handful. Nowadays, we are threatened, but we have Mike Malloy, we have Thom Hartmann,we need look no further than Cindy Sheehan or Code Pink these days, or how about the Morton West students in Ill.? Karen, I offer this video to you and everyone else who has stood up, and we must continue the effort to make sure this @#%$%#^^ never happens again, not in my country!

Thom Hartmann...brilliant in exposing the truth of neo-con foolishness

As I have stated before, many people have told me to stay away, not bother, and don't engage conservatives in political dialogue. Mike Malloy and Peter Werbe have both told me "don't bother". While I have the utmost respect for the aforementioned, I do believe we will not change their minds, they have been brainwashed for too long. However, I also believe that we must be aware that we look to our surroundings, who is listening and/or watching, if we offer hope to them we make progress in a Progressive country....ours! Take less than 10 minutes of your day, listen to this clip of Thom Hartmann interview Lisa D'Pasquele of the American Conservative Union and hear how, if we are to engage in converasation in hot topics such as the war,politics, and Bush Admin. blunders this is how it should be done. Knowledge is power, arm yourself. And as Thom says, "we're going to take back this country!"

Bill O' Really's pro-bono work for Mike Malloy

In Billo fashion, hoping that truthseekers and liberals be picked up and jailed, he latest on 11/9/07 was 6 minutes worth of promoting the Mike Malloy Show. Malomo Blue in Sweden was kind enough to get this up on youtube. Those of us in the www.democracyinteractive.com chatroom during friday's Malloy show laughed from Sweden,to Detroit, to Az, to Chicago, to San Diego whiles Mike played this audio...

Bill and Hillary...cat killers!?

Over at Fox News, or News for Dumb Fux to be realistic. They offered time to Kathleen Willey, former White House employee in Bill Clinton's White House. She is another Clinton sexual assault accuser, and in her new book, she now claims Hillary ordered the killing of her cats on Hannity and Colmes. Thank Jesus for Alan debunking every allegation she has, but the cat killings is just absurd, even for the staunchest Hillary hater. The funniest part is Fox Noise continuing to give this news time. The story was not only debunked by Colmes, but alledged feline hitman Jack Paladino, the books publisher World Ahead Media, and FBI documents have shown her to be a habitual liar since the suicide death of her husband in 1993. The worst part about this is Fox News took this as a serious piece, and continued the following morning, where it was discussed at length, and ended with Brian Kilmeade asked "does the name Fluffy mean anything to you?", of course he was referring to the cats actual name, ironically named Bullseye...cute huh? Fox continues it's rabid obsession with the Clintons, Rosie, Liberals, and Keith Olbermann to the point that they discredit themselves to the point that self-professed "Fair and Balanced" is truly uncredible. I hope the News for Dumb Fux police team doesn't come for me ....scary!

If Clear Channel won't play it, I will

Clear Channel has ordered it's music stations to not play anything from Bruce Springsteen's latest release "Magic". Hmmm, because it opposes the war in Iraq?

The Pap attack

Requiem For the Last Soldier to Die in Iraq Read by Mike Malloy

A big cheer for Ed Schultz!!

Moderate Liberal Ed Schultz, who with one of the highest rated Progressive, tends to lack staunch liberals to his audience now and again. For myself, give me Thom Hartmann, and Mike Malloy. Ed's rhetoric sometimes sounds like a talking points memo from the DNC offices. However, I enjoy his show, usaually tend to agree with him some of the time. Ed certainly should have every leftie in the country buying him a cold one. He and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fl) discussed Dennis Kucinich's HR 333 to impeach vice president Dick Cheney. Many Democrats blocked this from coming to a debate. The heated conversation between Ed and the Congresswoman was splendid. Wasserman-Schultz took her stand as many other Democrats did...weak. Ed took her to task for not supporting the resolution, and you could easily hear she was irritated. She fired back with everything Congress is working on from the War, healthcare, etc. She made a comment Ed shredded as soon as she stated "Ed this is not on the front page of papers". I will leave his follow up to your imagination. Ed then continued to persistently nail her on how and why this is an issue to the American People. Dick Shooter Cheney has been hovering around 10-11% approval for a few years now, and is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors. We need to send a message that we will not allow another Presidency this disastorous. Dennis Kucinich listened to many troubled Americans who have voiced their opinion, who have wandered around in protests wondering where the defense of our Constitution is. Thank you Dennis, you have given us a voice on the floor. Debbie, you have failed us, you have failed the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party. Apparently, due to the efforts of Reps. Kucinich, and Wexler, John Conyers will hold hearings on this. Thank God! If weak kneed Dems choose to only look to headlines, polls, and 08, they will alienate their base. If this were not on the minds of many Americans , why did Speaker Pelosi make a non-issue the first thing off the table? Ed, and the Reps, and American citizens...Thank you and Cheers! Impeach Now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pt. 2 from Malmo at Democrcracy Interactive

From my friend at www.democracyinteractive.com

Kucinich on the Floor!!!!!

Fred Phelps, Its First Friday.Com, and Max Blumenthal

While purusing news sites and blogs, we all know there is a tremendous amount of news and opinion out there. You may have found this. Late last week I dug into the story of the Westboro Baptist Church recieving a judgement against them in the sum of $10.9 Million for punitive damages, and compensatory damages. If you have not read the story, here. Fred Phelps and his flock of half-wits preach pure bigotry and hatred of gay and lesbian citiziens of our country, and in doing so protest the funerals of soldiers killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yeah, that makes sense doen't it? Their rational for this, is "God is punishing our country for tolerance of sodomites" I applaud the of family Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder for seeking damages, the courts and jury for awarding it, and even Congress for their efforts to bar protests at Federal Cemetaries...I hope they are not done yet. WBC's actions are however protected under free speech laws. Well, I am a card carrying member of the ACLU, so you know where I stand, I however take issue with the decency of this. If the soldier died defending the a country that tolerates gays, then I would guess he's not going to care if he's dead, right? So al they are doing is tormenting the already mourning members of his/her families. As for the the judgement, it is known that Phelps and his pack of braindead thugs will seek an appeal. I certainly hope the courts in Maryland and around the country stand behind this order and proceed with decency. As for free speech, we all know right from wrong. I may say the Republican Party is full of gay-hating-gay Republicans, or George W. Bush is a lying son of bitch, pc...probably not, but I never refer to Muslims and Arabs as C**** Jockeys, or African Americans as the "N" word, would not hang a noose on my neighbors door etc. Which brings me to the guys at First Friday. I asked them to team up with me on this issue of Free Speech and decency, through a mutual friend they declined. My thought on the issue was that I am against the war, they are self-proclaimed conservatives who support the war. I thought it was a good chance for the up and coming all-stars of the Conservacrit Party and Anti-war liberal to take a stand on support for our military and their families. Put the partisan bickering aside about who supports the troops more, take on what pretends it's a church. But nope, not even a nibble. I was, to say the least surprised. Knowing one of the FF guys for 20+ years, I know he is socially liberal by most accounts, yet rubs elbows with Republican Christian Elite and then plays host to the world famous atheist Christopher Hitchens, and won't speak out against a group of indecent thugs like Phelps and Co. Hmmm, I smell hypocrisy like a fart in a car here.

Ahhhh, now that I got that rant out, I bring you to Max Blumenthal. I have long read his articles for the Nation and Huff Post, but his video blogs are what have me cheering him on lately. From his award winning performance at this years CPAC. To his recent visit to the Value Voters Summit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvhn43BmdWM et al. Max's commitment to equal rights and the values the Bill of Rights and the American way are admirable. I admire Max's passive wit to expose the likes Ann Coulter, Mitt Romney, Rotten Rudy, extremist christian Republican groups, Larry Craig for their hypocrisy. Oh, yeah, at the VVS, one that stuck out for me was Star Parker's proclaimation the they "want the sodomites quaranined", or James Dobson "quarantined restrooms". I consider myself a follower of Jesus, not any religion, I am proud of that, and can withstand criticism of that statement. I am not afraid, I do not look a Max Blumenthal or remember Paul Wellstone, and think that looks great I think I will be Jewish, or see a gay male couple and fear it could jepordize any relations I have with women, or yes, even you Star Parker, whom I found to be a very attractive black woman, and thought if I were only black....hmmm, and a bigoted Republican hatemonger, who hangs with those looking for the Second Coming tomorrow. Max keep up your efforts, and we need to press the likes of Fred Phelps, the guys at FF who rub elbows with the likes of the Heritage Foundations misguided ideals, Tom Delay, with all of their fears of diversity and ask them what exactly is it you are afraid of?

**Note, I am not aware of any actual Oscars Mr. Blumenthal has recieved, but if he will accept it? He will be awarded the Ghost Of Wellstone award which is simply a thank you and a couple drinks.

A must read for every soldier, family member, oh hell...every american

This is from the New York Times, read by Mike Malloy on tonight's show. Very moving, and is enough to show what the majority of the Anti-War movement and Vets against the war have learned.

Requiem for the Last American Soldier to Die in Iraq
By Brian Turner
At some point in the future, soldiers will pack up their rucks, equipment will be loaded into huge shipping containers, C-130s will rise wheels-up off the tarmac, and Navy transport ships will cross the high seas to return home once again. At some point — the timing of which I don’t have the slightest guess at — the war in Iraq will end. And I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately — I’ve been thinking about the last American soldier to die in Iraq.
Tonight, at 3 a.m., a hunter’s moon shines down into the misty ravines of Vermont’s Green Mountains. I’m standing out on the back deck of a friend’s house, listening to the quiet of the woods. At the Fairbanks Museum in nearby St. Johnsbury, the lights have been turned off for hours and all is dark inside the glass display cases, filled with Civil War memorabilia. The checkerboard of Jefferson Davis. Smoothbore rifles. Canteens. Reading glasses. Letters written home.Four or five miles outside of town, past a long stretch of water where the moon is crossing over, a blue and white house sits in a small clearing not far from where I stand now. Chimney smoke rises from a fire burned down to embers. A couple spoon each other in sleep, exhausted from lovemaking. One of them is beginning to snore. I want them to wake up and make love again, even if they need the sleep and tomorrow’s workday holds more work than they might imagine.
Who can say where that last soldier is now, at this very moment? Kettlemen City. Turlock. Wichita. Fredricksburg. Omaha. Duluth. She may be in the truck idling beside us in traffic as we wait for the light to turn green. He may be ordering a slice of key lime pie at Denny’s, sitting at a booth with his friends after bowling all night. What name waits to be etched on a stone not yet erected in America? Somewhere out in the vast stretches of our country, somewhere out in Whitman’s America, out among the wide expanse of grasses, somewhere here among us the last soldier may lie dreaming in bed before the dawn as the sun sets over Iraq.
***
At the Spar in Tacoma, Wash., the bartender — Jolene — is about to flip the lights for last call. Let her wait a moment longer. If she can wait a few minutes more, the young woman at the end of the bar will finally do what she’s been wanting to do for hours. And it will surprise the young man she’s been talking with — she’ll kiss him. It will never be seen on a movie screen or written down in a book for people to enjoy centuries later. No one at the bar will even notice it taking place. But they should, because it’s one of the all-time best kisses ever. As cheesy and hyper-romantic as it sounds, this is a kiss for the ages, and it’s as good as they get.
***
Let the quiet moments of a life be recognized and not glossed over with thoughts of the past or thoughts of the future. For a rare, brief moment — let this moment be savored and fully lived. Maybe that soldier will drive a thresher in the Kansas sun today. Maybe she’ll cheer at a Red Sox game as her husband laments the fate of his Yankees. Maybe he’s in Hollister, Calif., thinking of the 100 things he’d written as a child — the list he titled “Things To Do Before I Die”:
1. write a book2. travel down the amazon3. travel down the nile4. visit each continent5. live in a foreign country6. learn to speak foreign languages7. be a major-league baseball player8. publish in Playboy magazine9. ride a motorcycle across America10. cross an ocean by boat11. scuba dive12. climb a mountain13. go to every major league baseball park, especially Yankee Stadium14. be a tourist on a moon mission with NASA or another space agency15. ride on an elephant and a camel16. visit Angor Wat, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall, the Hermitage, the Louvre, Stonehenge17. invent something useful and helpful for people18. …and on and on…
How many items will he have crossed off that list before he must put it away again?
***
Could that last soldier be in front of a video camera in Hollister right now, recording a final message in case she doesn’t make it back, making a videotape for a child who will never know its own mother?
If you’re watching this then it means I’m not around anymore. I imagine you’re probably in your late teens now. Maybe Mt. Kilimanjaro no longer has snow on its peak. Maybe the ice shelves on the northern coasts of Alaska have melted back and polar bears are dwindling in number. I always wanted to get up there and see Alaska. Maybe you’ll make it up there one day yourself. I wonder if it’s somehow possible for you to buy a plane ticket to Baghdad, to visit Iraq as a tourist. Will you visit the places where I’ve been? Will you talk to the people there? Will you tell them my name?
***
What will the name be? Anthony. Lynette. Fernando. Paula. Joshua. Letitia. Roger… Who will carve it in stone and who will leave flowers there as the years pass by? Who will remember this soldier and what will those memories be? Does he have brothers and sisters? Will his father sink into the grass in the backyard when he is told the news? Will his mother stare into the street with eyes gone hollow and vacant, the cars passing each day with their polished enamel reflecting the sunlight? What will the officer say when he knocks on that door?
***
The next time I’m waiting for a transfer flight in Dallas, or in Denver, or in Chicago, I’m going to make a point to watch for soldiers in uniform. If one of them is eating alone and watching football on a wall-mounted television, I’ll anonymously pick up the check for them, like someone did for me once when I was in my desert fatigues and preparing to deploy overseas.
***
Maybe, just maybe, as I stand here in the quiet moonlight of Vermont, the American who will one day be the very last American soldier to die in Iraq — maybe that soldier is doing a night jump in Ft. Bragg, N.C. Each parachute opens its canopy over the darkness below — the wind an exhilaration, a cold rush of adrenaline, the jump an exercise in being fully alive and in the moment, a way of learning how it feels to fall within the rain, the way rain itself falls, to be a part of it all, the earth’s gravity pulling with its inexorable embrace.

His Name Was Wellstone By William Rivers Pitt t r u t h o u t Columnist
Thursday 01 November 2007
If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them.
- Paul Wellstone
Five years ago, Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota) died when his plane went down in the woods of northern Minnesota. The crash also took the lives of his wife Sheila, his daughter Marcia, campaign staffers Will McLaughlin, Tom Lapic and Mary McEvoy, along with pilots Michael Guess and Richard Conry.
This grim remembrance is a marker for the Democratic majority in Congress, a moment for unblinking self-assessment, a chance to compare and contrast the vast gulf between who Wellstone was in life and what his party has become since his death.
Wellstone's political life was dominated by his efforts to improve economic and social conditions for millions of Americans. He began as a community organizer during the 1970's, advocating on behalf of working families and the poor for better health care, affordable housing, better public education, day care and other essential programs and policies. Through these activities, he created a powerful network of activists, union members, farmers and other newly involved citizens.
The effectiveness of this network made the difference in his long-shot 1990 campaign for US Senate against Rudy Boschwitz, an entrenched incumbent with far greater financial resources. Over the next twelve years, Senator Wellstone served as a tireless advocate for environmental protections, labor rights, victims of domestic violence, veterans, campaign finance reform and sensible US foreign policy.
Wellstone's Senate career began, and tragically ended, in remarkably similar fashion. His first months in office were defined by his opposition to President George H. W. Bush's 1991 "Gulf War" against Iraq, and some twelve years later, his last weeks in office were defined by his vote against another Bush administration, and against another push for war in Iraq. On October 11, 2002, Wellstone was one of only twenty-three senators to cast a vote against the fateful Iraq War Resolution.
The week before, on October 3, Wellstone addressed the proposed attack upon and occupation of Iraq in a speech given from the floor of the Senate. "The United States could send tens of thousands of US troops to fight in Iraq," he said, "and in so doing, we could risk countless lives of US soldiers and innocent Iraqis."
"The United States could face soaring oil prices," he said, "and could spend billions, both on a war and on a years-long effort to stabilize Iraq after an invasion."
"Authorizing the pre-emptive, go-it-alone use of force now," he said, "right in the midst of continuing efforts to enlist the world community to back a tough new disarmament resolution on Iraq, could be a costly mistake for our country."
A week and a day later, the IWR passed in the Senate. Five days after that vote, it was signed into law by George W. Bush. Nine days after that signature, five years ago, Paul Wellstone was gone. His words from October 3, 2002, however, still remain. No other floor statement given by any senator before the IWR vote echoes with such prescience. Wellstone was right, and voted accordingly. He was a beacon in the darkness that has spread and spread until, five years later, this nation and the world entire have become almost completely cloaked in shadow.
After Wellstone's death, his staff released a transcript of his last 2002 midterm election campaign commercial, which had been slated for airing just before the November vote. "I don't represent the big oil companies," said Wellstone in the ad; "I don't represent the big pharmaceutical companies, I don't represent the Enrons of this world. But you know what, they already have great representation in Washington. It's the rest of the people that need it. I represent the people of Minnesota." Little else needs to be said; his own words are more than enough.
What can be said, on the other hand, about the Senate he served so well? What about the Democrats who now enjoy majority control but flee the very thought of representing the will of the American people? They called Wellstone "The conscience of the Senate," and that honorable title seems more true today than ever. Since that conscience died, the Democrats - time after time after time again - have performed unconscionable acts of cowardice, ambivalence and betrayal.
"Every now and then, we are tempted to double-check that the Democrats actually won control of Congress last year," read a recent editorial from The New York Times. "It was bad enough having a one-party government when Republicans controlled the White House and both houses of Congress. But the Democrats took over, and still the one-party system continues."
Indeed.
As reported by The New York Times on October 14, 2007: "The phone company Qwest Communications refused a proposal from the National Security Agency that the company's lawyers considered illegal in February 2001, nearly seven months before the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 ... documents unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Denver, first reported in The Rocky Mountain News on Thursday, claim for the first time that pressure on the company to participate in activities it saw as improper came as early as February (2001), nearly seven months before the terrorist attacks."
So.
The Bush administration was trying to spy on Americans back when 9-1-1 was only the telephone number for the police. Since the September 11 attacks, the administration has folded, spindled and mutilated the Constitution and Bill of Rights in a rampage of unchecked anti-American activities, ranging from illegal domestic surveillance, to legislative "signing statements" that gut the meaning from duly passed laws, to brazen defiance of legally served subpoenas, to wild-eyed arguments against gossamer FISA-court oversight of their cloak-and-dagger actions.
The tempo of this behavior appears poised to increase. A Washington Post article titled "To Implement Policy, Bush to Turn to Administrative Orders," appropriately published on Halloween, reported that "White House aides say the only way Bush seems to be able to influence the process is by vetoing legislation or by issuing administrative orders, as he has in recent weeks on veterans' health care, air-traffic congestion, protecting endangered fish and immigration. They say they expect Bush to issue more of such orders in the next several months, even as he speaks out on the need to limit spending and resist any tax increases."
And yet this Democratic Senate majority, with a slim few notable exceptions, fully intends to immunize the telecom companies who aided in the illegal and warrantless surveillance of Americans by Bush's big ears at NSA, thus derailing the last and best way to determine, via lawsuits and investigations, exactly how dirty the Bush administration is regarding this illegal spying program. The Democratic senators pushing hardest for telecom immunity also enjoy the financial largess of that very same industry.
And the Democrats may not stop there.
And that was just last week, the very week Paul Wellstone died five years before.
Some days after Wellstone's death, his friend Tom Schraw penned an essay for The Oregonian titled "When Your Conscience Dies." In it, he wrote, "When Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota died in a plane crash last week, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle described him as "the soul of the Senate." United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan described him as "a profoundly decent man, a man of principle, a man of conscience." Which leads to the question: What do you do when your soul dies, and your conscience goes away?"
What do you do?
According to the Democratic majority in Congress, what you do is nothing. You talk a good game and then wither away. You fold. You retreat. You whistle past the graveyard and cross your fingers. You betray the Constitution you swore to uphold. You betray the American people. You do not, under any circumstances, defy The President.
The conscience of the Senate died five years ago. His name was Paul Wellstone. His colleagues cannot have forgotten him so soon. Let them remember.
Let them act.

On Rescuing Dogs

Folks, this is Giles. Yes, I use his name for my posts. Don't blame him for every liberal rant I may post, just blame me or applaud me...whichever side of the fence you sit on. This post is what it means to rescue a dog, or cat. Thousand of animals are euthanized every year at shelters all over the country, not to mention the actions of {expletive}'s like Michael Vick. I have had the luxury all of my life being raised by a mother who passed on a compassion for all creatures, mostly dogs to look out for them. My ex and I did tremendous work in rescue work, I am grateful to www.michiganbassettrescue.org for finding displaced Bassetts, getting them into homes, and blessing us Hound folk. And for you Progressives out there, Bassetts can smell a lying Republican like a fart in a car. What you do, and don't do are serious thoughts prior to adopting an animal...Yes Ellen this means you too...read the Shelter's rules. Screeners and volunteers go through sometimes excruciating emotional distress caring for an animal at shelters. They screen you, not someone you later choose to give the dog or cat to. Not everyone is qualified. Take that seriously, and respect their expectations. These dogs and cats are not at shelters at our disposal, they are living creatures who need our help. They are there for many reasons, an owner was a complete ass who neglected them, an owner relinquisment, an owner dies etc. They would rather be on a couch knowing when they will be fed, walked, and let out. With Giles, he is my fourth Bassett, he landed in my lap out of nowhere, I met friends for drinks, was given a Labatt's and a polaroid of a hound, and the next day I had another dog.I adopted Sebastian, my first Bassett, from Bassett Resuce, Cassady came by way of the local police, and Dutch was rescued twice by myself. My ex and I also had Freda , the world's greatest Sheltie. What I am saying, is that with all the trying times we have now, with war, financial uncertainty, foreclosures, repos, and uncertainty of more war and taxes, a dog is the greatest investment. Even if you don't adopt, go to your local shelter and drop off a bag of food or litter, walk a dog, clean a cage, whatever, cut their grass or shovel their snow. Give an hour of your day off for a non-partisan act, although, I cannot say it enough, buy a bassett an elephant toy...and he will maul it...you figure it out. Just get out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dana toomuchcapuccino Perino responded to FEMA's fake California wildfire disaster we have been watching with strong emotions this past week and a half. She waxed on about the "error in judegement" the "no mal intent" "the White House does not condone this" etc etc . Well, Dana...We Do Not Believe You!!!! We think you are lying, we know that is your job, but you just are not even as good a liar as Snotty Scotty was, or as slick as Tony. FEMA had the arrogance of the Bush Crime Family when they had their own employees posing as reporters to throw softball questions to Harvey Johnson. This is nothing new to news hounds, who watched Jeff "Gay Hooker" Gannon throw softball questions to Bush when he was avoiding real tough ones. We came to learn, Gannon was a plant in the press corps. Everything since Bush announced his Presidency has been a failure, except for getting cronies to rig election machines in FL. and Oh. From 9/11, to the war in Iraq, to torture, to illegal spying,to Iran, to gay marriage, to comforting the families and spouses of soldiers killed in action,to Katrina, and now California burning! We cannot believe anything coming out of your mouths. For the GOP, I suggest staying as far away from this White House, all and any of it's cronies, corporate donors if you wish to have any credibility in upcoming elections. The same goes for my lousy Democrats. Nothing surprises the general public anymore, and certainly not Progressives. The link below is the CNN story. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/26/fema-under-fire-for-faking-news-conference/

I mean, when are the Democrats going to step up, say listen "we're not buying it anymore, we are going to do what voters asked of us, and hold all of you sons a bitches accountable for all of this!" I can name 3 Democrats off the top of my head that consistently stand up to these bullies...Henry Waxman, Russ Feingold, and Dennis Kucinich. There are some others, but I would hope all of them ask for some heads to roll in the Dept's of FEMA and DHS for misleading Californians, America, and the repressing the press from actually reporting. Peace! and Impeach Now!!!!

Meet the new GOP canidate for the Presidency

With all the questions being dodged by the current flock of right-wing wackos hoping to succeed George Bush, the GOP has finally found a canidate who will gleefully torture, send us back in time to the primate days. Read more about this grand canidate here http://www.salon.com/comics/tomo/2007/10/22/tomo/

Brrrrr!!! Not so fast George

A look at George W. Bush with his veto pen one begins to wonder what happened to the man who spoke of "compassionate conservatism"? Democrats and Republicans had the decency to pass a bill in the Senate that would expand funding for Home Heating and Energy Assistance for the elderly and poor . An end to the war to bring our troops out of harms, a healthcare bill to cover modest living familes children both veoted, and now a threat to veto this http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2332811920071024

Senator Harkin of Iowa was kind in his suggestion that the President is "getting bad advice". Here's my take...It has been clear with this White House, that once you begin following the money you find greed, contemp for the little guys (minorities, the poor, the sick, and the elderly), and a group who would rather blow things up for their amusement. Thanks for the good line Rep. Stark (I won't be issuing a an apology). Social programs, with all of their flaws, are a crutch for society. Granted, there are those who abuse benefits, but the number who do not outnumber the lazy. As a recipient of energy assistance, I would like to applaud the Senators who voted to make this bill veto proof.

The Dept. Of Health and Human Services are overwhelmed with masses of poor and elderly folks at this time of year. I stood in that line last year, it is not a good time. Some people manipulate the benefits over and over, most simply look at their income, the news of heating costs going up, and simply fear freezing their butts off in cold America now through March. People in general prefer a hand up, not a hand out, yet in these trying times of low wages, transportation needs, health care, food, and then get hit with energy bills. It is scary. We should not expect of elected officials to be casual when voting on helping their constituients, but compassionate enough to give Dept's like Health and Human Services the tools they need to screen applicants, and provide well maintained funds to help them prevent sickness, and further financial despair.

On Judgement

Much has been said of what a President thinks, or feels. I read a right-wingers thought recently that said a President should not have a heart because mistakes are made to frequently with error. Something to that effect...it seemed so far fetched and absurd to remember it in full text. One would hope that the heart and head function in unison, but in America, with all it's cynicism, we have many with no heart, or no brain. This is where I come to judgement. From his recollection, and performance we know George W. Bush has none of the aforementioned qualities, so I won't run through the details. With 2008 around the corner, it is important to look at the current canidates. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner, has hired Sandy Berger,former head of the NSA to her campaign. This is the man who stole secret files, hid them in his socks, and later destroyed them. Poor Judgement! Rotten Rudy (Republicrit frontrunner), who nominated Bernard Kerik to top cop, and later recommened him to head the Dept. of Homeland Security. Kerik, and Interstate Industrial Corp. have ties to organized crime.Poor Judgement! Mike Gravel, Democratic canidate (who cares, I know)files two different bankcruptcy claims, and then complains about bad spending records...Poor Judgement! Mitt Romney, the Liberal Gov. of Mass. , now the most Conservative canidate...yeah right...thought it was reasonable to support liberal causes like a right to choose for every woman, gay rights etc. Now thinks it is ok to retract that record, not to mention blowing off an ms patient, and traveling with his Irish Setter on the roof of his car. Poor Judgement! I could run through all the canidates, but you get the point...or do you? Prior to the invasion/occupation of Iraq Presidential canidates Barack Obama, Ron Paul, and Dennis Kucinich opposed the idea, predicting disaster. They along with millions across the globe predicted what we are in now..a mess. Foresight? Appears that way doesn't it. Senator Obama has voted to continue to funding the war in Iraq, which I curse him for, although Rep. Paul and Kucinich have been consistent.

Thoughts on the right-wing breakdown of SCHIP

An expansion of the SCHIP program would insure millions of kids...that is a fact. The right-wing slime machine smeared 12 year old Graeme Frost, and now are going after Bethany Wilkerson...a two year old. Bethany was born with a serious heart condition, went on to survive through insurance her family recieved through SCHIP. The Heritage Foundations thoughts on the "millions of new smokers needed to pay for it" is simply brainless. As a smoker, I hate the idea of paying more than I already do, but it is a habit I chose. Instead, I offer repealing Bush's tax cuts, and redirecting them to the middle and lower income familes. By repealing the tax cuts, we could $directed into a health care fund. This debacle is much like the Social Security debate we have been having since the Republican Party raised the idea of privatizing it. SS can be easily saved by raising the ceiling on the current first $97,000 of earned income. Health care and Social Security are investments, that allow us rights.

Both of these possible solutions give the righties fits. They run on the platform of "see Democrats wanna raise your taxes. To a degree they are right, but not really. As economist after economist report, proper management of tax dollars paid could cover all children in the U.S., as well as, the elderly. As I stated in an earlier post, we need look no further than what is spent in Iraq, http://www.nationalpriorities.org/Cost-of-War/Cost-of-War-3.html

and what amount is spend on military industrial complex, this link shows that 31% of our tax dollars is spent needlesly on arming police, and overseas combat http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2008/index.html

So, instead of partisan bickering, hashing out ideas on how to care for our countries citizens should be on the forefront. Yet, it is not. The President said as early as today "one way to ensure that I am relevant; that's one way to ensure that I am in the process. And I intend to use the veto." Hmmm, that hardly seems to be an effective way to Govern. The partisan attacks on children,smokers, the poor, the elderly, on the middle-class (which is on it's death bed are unfounded, and certainly not constructive. Over at National Review, families who recieved SCHIP funds are derided because they had a child they found they have trouble affording insurance for, and it is suggested they should not of had it. Well, my question to the pro lifers against SCHIP, which will it be "baby killers" or simply insure them? I have said over and over, once you follow the money, you could get sick and then need insurance you can't afford.

Missed the meeting with First Friday and Steven Weber

I have a talent for tardiness, and the blog entries at www.itsfirstfriday.com featured Steven Weber. You know, the guy from Studio 60, and Wings. Well, FF attacks anyone without a lapel and a wide-stance, they chose to go after Mr. Weber. You can read much of posts here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-weber . What struck me, was that Steven Weber is as foolish as I. Peter Werbe and Mike Malloy once told me, "Kyle, why bother even dealing with conservatives, there is no point", I agree with them to a degree. I am sure Mr. Weber would too. The conversations usually start out with a "I cannot believe you can think that?!", from both sides. Then ends with the conservative yelling and drowning out the intelligent,soft-spoken, kind hearted liberal. In the case of FF and Steven Weber, the guys at FF attempt to be funny, as did their opposition. Mr. Weber made a strong case though, it was how dismayed people are with politics. http://firstfriday.wordpress.com/2007/10/11/paranoia-alert-steven-weber-actor-plays-politics-play-being-the-operative-word/

It is clear that we cannot trust 98% of our Government, but Al Gore said it best when he said "Democracy is a conversation". It is just too bad conservatives like FF talk out of both sides of their collective mouths, and regurgitate RNC talking points. Mr. Weber's efforts are applauded, and he knows whats going on, as do I. So, I would like to appalud the Hollywood types for using a voice loud enough to speak out at the crimes, hypocrisy, the wide-stances, and the warmongering right. That means you Steven. The conversation started in 2000, and the legacy George Bush leaves is that thousands of moderates and liberals gave up the glory days of Bill Clinton, stained dresses, and the smears from News for Dumb Fux and get informed, pissed and started taking on the right. It's not that we will change their minds, it's changing the minds of those reading and listening. Cheers! Oh, yeah...and Peace!

A quick read...important

You Get A Souvenir Coin If You Aren't "Hostile"


Tears rolled down George W. Bush's cheeks. Twice, Hildi Halley handed him a tissue. Otherwise, she didn't let up on the president.
``I hold you responsible for my husband's death,'' she says she told him as they sat facing one another, alone in a teacher's lounge, their knees almost touching. ``You made a mistake, and it's your responsibility as a Christian man to end this war.''
``I'm really not here to discuss public policy with you,'' she says Bush told her at the meeting in August 2006, two months after her husband, Army National Guard Captain Patrick Damon, died in Afghanistan.
As the president rose to leave after 20 minutes, he said he hoped the visit would help the Falmouth, Maine, woman heal. Halley, 42, replied, ``What would really help my healing is if you'd start finding a way to bring our troops home.''
[snip]
``Now he's dead,'' Halley, an artist, says she told Bush, no longer able to contain her anger. ``For what? I've lost my soul mate.''
``I am so sorry for your loss,'' Bush said more than once.
Their conversation ended shortly after Halley began urging Bush to end the war. ``We see things differently,'' he told her.
Halley says the encounter wasn't ``sharp,'' even with her strong words and emotions. As they parted, they shook hands, he kissed her on the cheek and gave her a souvenir presidential coin.
[snip]
Another person who criticized Bush to his face was Elaine Johnson of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Her son, Army specialist Darius Jennings, died with 15 others when their Chinook helicopter was shot down near Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 2, 2003.
In her meeting later that month, she says, she repeatedly pressed Bush for a rationale for the war. She says he failed to deliver a satisfactory answer.
``Miss Jones, you sound a little hostile,'' Bush said, according to Jones, who was an industrial quality inspector.
``Of course I feel hostile. My only son was killed and I can't get an answer,'' Jones, 44, says she replied.
Bush moved on to a different cluster of family members in the large meeting room at Fort Carson in Colorado. As Bush departed, Jones says, she tried again.
``Could you tell me what is the mission?'' she called out. Bush didn't respond.
Posted by Holden Caulfield on October 10, 2007 at 09:28 in War in Iraq Permalink

Where is the Neo-Con outcry??????

Well, Coultergeist is at it again. Appearing on the Donny Deutsch show on CNBC, Coulter suggested that Jews could be perfected by becoming christian. Well, this is no surprise coming from Ann, she has in past called Al Gore, Bill Clinton, and John Edwards homosexuals, suggested John Edwards be killed in a terrorist plot, called people like myself "godless", wished the New York Times building would be destroyed in a terrorist attack...jeesh, the list could take over my whole blog.

I would like to ask, where are the conservatives denouncing her? Y'know, the ones who were outraged by the MoveOn ad in the NYT's last month, the ones who jump to Bush and Cheney's defense over lies and war, or torture, the ones who had the gall to defend Druggy Limbaugh, Bill O'really....where are they? The guys at First Friday are too busy attacking the noble efforts of Al Gore and President Carter, so I guess we'll give them a pass...yeah right...FF, was another conservative taken out of context? That must be it.

The point here is, when someone left of center says something or does something stupid, liberals call it like it is, or fess up and say "you know, I agree with that person, or thought", a conservative behaves immorally, or publicly says moronic things, and they are "taken out of context". I guess this explains alot, most liberals say they do not belong to any organized party...I 'm a Democrat...that's because if it is wrong,it's wrong. Context is irrelevant if your hateful words equal lies,hypocrisy, and bigotry.

Something to celebrate as a Maple Leafs fan

Yes, I know my team has not won the Stanley Cup since 1967, but last night's game deserves a big cheer to Captain Mats Sundin. Mats' 12 years in Toronto have certainly been up and down, from no shows in the playoffs, to conference finals, from injury riddled teams, to playing with Leaf greats like Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, and Felix Potvin. Mats has shown great leadership, perseverence, and certainly talent with all the class in the world.

In last nights 8-1 route of the New York Islanders, Mats was deserving of becoming the all-time points leader and all-time goal leader in Maple Leaf history. Scoring his 390th goal, and earning his 917th point, which ranks fourth in NHL history. I beleive hockey fans, and certainly Leafs fans are proud of this moment, and grateful for Mats time in Toronto. Now it's time to end the Cup draught. Cheers!

Truths and myths over the SCHIP program

Well, alot has been said George W. Bush vetoed the childrens insurance program proposed by the Democratic Party. Oddly, Bush always seems to love the attention he and magic veto pen get when vetoes something...think of the photo shoot for vetoing stem cell research, or the Iraq Funding. This time it was done quietly. I suppose President Bush couldn't act tough and macho when it comes to children not old enough to serve in Iraq. So, all his little henchmen in the conservative blogosphere came to his aid. The marching orders were posted over at www.freerepublic.com , regurgitated by Michele Malkin and the half wits at First Friday. Their mission, protect the veto pen, and attack a 12 year old boy named Graeme Frost.

Graeme Frost gave the Democratic radio response following the the veto. As most of us have heard by now, he and his sister recieved state funded health care following a car accident in 2004. The Frost family lives a humble life in Maryland. They live in a home they purchased in 1990 for $55,000, send their children to an academy for a modest tuition, since nearly all of it is on a scholarship, Mr. Frost, as a woodworker earns $45,000 a year. Yet the neo-cons feel they should not have to help pay healthcare costs for a 12 year old.No, I will not give out their address like Michele Malkin did. The neo-con attack on the Frost family stated that whiloe the Frost children attend private schools Karen Tumulty posted a very through article over at http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1670210,00.html

At www.nationalpriorities.org , the keep a running ticker of the cost of the Iraq war. As I write this, we are spending $459,152,468,537.00, that amount of money could provide care to 274,941,630 children. The neo-cons cry the free market will suffer. I ask, when did"promote general welfare" define profit for HMO's and drug companies? There is wild spending with our tax dollars, so much it would make some of our heads spin. I wonder how my conservative friend would feel if taxpayers decided that pell grants were spending we could eliminate? He did however go to school on the goverment dime, ahhh, more hipocrisy for neo-cons. I would rather see my tax dollars spent on childrens healthcare, social programs, communtiy cleanup, Medicaid and Medicare than secret service protection for Saudi Prince Bandar Bush, the foolish war in Iraq, and yes George and Dick's salaries.

Maybe it's the anti-war progressive in me

These are images from Iran you won't see on Fox Noise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFfHjNximGg

If there was any question about her gender...it is now solved

In an interview with the New York Observer, conservative commentator, frequent Fox guest, and alleged plagiarist Ann Coulter left this choice quote, which the Observer highlighted as "On women:"
COULTER: If we took away women's right to vote, we'd never have to worry about another Democrat president. It's kind of a pipe dream, it's a personal fantasy of mine, but I don't think it's going to happen. And it is a good way of making the point that women are voting so stupidly, at least single women.
It also makes the point, it is kind of embarrassing, the Democratic Party ought to be hanging its head in shame, that it has so much difficulty getting men to vote for it. I mean, you do see it’s the party of women and 'We’ll pay for health care and tuition and day care -- and here, what else can we give you, soccer moms?'
Coulter has her own voting woes, left unmentioned in the interview, which is intended to promote her latest book, "If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans."
In 2006, Coulter allegedly violated Florida law by voting in the wrong precinct. The short version, according to The Brad Blog, which has closely followed the ongoing story:
"She committed third-degree voter fraud in Palm Beach County when she lied on her registration. Period. Dead to rights. She also lied on her driver's license down there (another third-degree felony) and knowingly voted at the wrong precinct (first degree misdemeanor). Again, all dead to rights. The link above offers all the proof any attorney with balls bigger than Coulter's would need. And here's her fraudulent Voter Registration form to boot."
According to Brad blog, "an FBI agent interceded inappropriately in the case to claim she was being 'stalked,'" but that an early August report in the Palm Beach Post said that the Florida Election Commission was still investigating.
"The Coulter voting saga is now known as FEC Case No. 07-211. The investigator assigned, Tallahassee's Margie Wade, wouldn't confirm she caught the case; FEC complaints are supposed to be confidential," Jose Lambiet wrote for the Florida paper. "Still, Page Two is told Coulter already has been notified she's under investigation."
As noted last November by RAW STORY (article link) after the midterm elections, Republican officials boasted that their "highly sophisticated get-out-the-vote operation" in the final hours would keep Congress in their control. But at least two "notorious" and high profile party members didn't do enough to aid the cause, a Florida newspaper revealed.
"Mark Foley, the former U.S. congressman in rehab for alcohol and sex-related problems, didn't send an absentee ballot request to the St. Lucie County elections office," Jose Lambiet wrote for the Palm Beach Post. "Conservative pundit Ann Coulter, accused of voting in the wrong precinct earlier this year, didn't cast her ballot, contributing further to the demise of the GOP in Congress."
"No 'I Voted' stickers for them," Lambiet added.
The gossip column in Wednesday's NY Daily News relates, in further Coulter-related news, "Meanwhile, Media Matters, the liberal watchdog group that forced Don Imus off the air, challenged NBC to explain why it "continues to provide Coulter with an open forum." The group's action was prompted by "Today's" Monday interview of Coulter by Meredith Viera — after Matt Lauer, Brian Williams and Jay Leno all criticized Coulter's 9/11 widow comments.
Said an NBC exec: 'Regardless of what you think of Ann Coulter, she's a compelling interview."