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."

More on the moral high ground

What have we allowed 9/11 to turn us into?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/washington/04interrogate.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Winning in Iraq? Losing moral authority...

After a very civil and intellectual debate with a poster here on this board, I felt it was needed to discuss a comment he made at the end of our discussion. He or she stated they "supported winning". Winning is great when it comes to a ribbon, a Stanley Cup, or the World Series. This is by no means a shot at the poster, whom I enjoyed conversing with on this site, it is however the opening of debating "winning". If winning means more photos like what you see pictured, I would rather lose. I understood the elected leadership after 9/11 defining a war on terror by catching those responsible...

It morphed into Saddam's WMD's and then became an occupation. Our troops have responded with great admiration, and followed the orders given to them. I question the orders and who gave them. It is well known now that there were no WMD's, and the Republicans have no interest in leaving Iraq. It has been about profit and oil since day one. You need only follow the money trail. The oil companies and private contractors have reaped billions of dollars from the U.S. led occupation of Iraq, it has created a powder keg of hatred of the west. The argument of "they hate our freedoms" is garbage. Osama is not sitting in a cave somewhere bitching about the Bill of Rights, or Paris Hilton crawling over a soapy BMW. The Iraqi people are not stupid, they know their resources are being drained by foreign companies for profits they never see, they know defending themselves will land them 6ft under or in Guantanomo, they know to fire back on a young scared American is likely death for one of them. Our troops know all of this, and do what they can to get home to friends and family. Defending our freedoms is one thing, forcing them on others is dictorial. Iraq will never find political comprimise while bullets are flying overhead, and their oil gets privatized by foreign fat cats. So, winning = democracy in Iraq? Agreed. Achieving it is where the division on this discussion begins. President Bush did not lie when he stood in front of the banner "Mission Accomplished", it was, Saddam was removed, future plans were un-accomplished at that point. Well, what do we do now?

Damn Phony Soldiers in America

Well, the Conservative half-wits at First Friday spent the time to defend Druggy Limbaugh, and I posted a response they seem to not want to put up on their site, so here it is.

Prominent Democrats
Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) -- rifle platoon and company commander with the Fifth Marine Regiment in the An Hoa Basin west of Danang; was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. (1)
Representative Tim Walz, D-MN - Twenty-four years of service in the Army National Guard, retiring in 2005.
Representative Joe Sestak, D-PA - 31 years of service in the Navy, rising to the rank of Vice Admiral.
Representative Chris Carney, D-PA - Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve, Carney served multiple tours overseas and was activated for Operation Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Southern Watch.
Representative Patrick Murphy, D-PA - extensive career in the U.S. Army from 1993-2004; earned Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.
Representative Phil Hare, D-IL - Served in the United States Army Reserve for six years.
Representative Jack Murtha (D-PA) - distinguished 37-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a colonel in 1990. (1)
Former House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt - Missouri Air National Guard, 1965-71. (1, 2)
Representative David Bonior - Staff Sgt., United States Air Force 1968-72 (1, 2)
Former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle - 1st Lt., U.S. Air Force SAC 1969-72 (1, 2)
Former Vice President Al Gore - enlisted August 1969; sent to Vietnam January 1971 as an army journalist, assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade headquartered at Bien Hoa, an airbase twenty miles northeast of Saigon. More facts about Gore's Service
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Former Senator Bob Kerrey... Democrat... Lt. j.g., U.S. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam (1, 2)
Senator Daniel Inouye, US Army 1943-'47; Medal of Honor, World War Two (1, 2)
Senator John Kerry, Lt., U.S. Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat (1)
Representative Charles Rangel, Staff Sgt., U.S. Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea (1, 2)
Former Senator Max Cleland, Captain, U.S. Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam (1, 2)
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) - U.S. Army, 1951-1953. (1)
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) - Lt., U.S. Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74. (1, 2)
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) - U.S. Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91 (1)
Former Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC) - served as a U.S. Army officer in World War II, receiving the Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons. (1)
Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA) - Lt. Col., U.S. Army 1956-76; two tours in Vietnam, two Distinguished Flying Crosses as a helicopter pilot, two Bronze Stars, and the Soldier's Medal. (1, 2)
Former Representative "Pete" Peterson, Air Force Captain, POW, Ambassador to Viet Nam, and recipient of the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit. (1, 2)
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-CA: Staff sergeant/platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army; was wounded and received a Purple Heart. (1, 2)
Bill McBride, Democratic Candidate for Florida Governor - volunteered and served as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam; awarded Bronze Star with a combat "V." (1)
Gray Davis, former California Governor, Army Captain in Vietnam; received Bronze Star. (1)
Pete Stark, D-CA, served in the Air Force 1955-57
Wesley Clark, Democratic Presidential Candidate - 38-year career of public service in the Army, culminating as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO.
Prominent Republicans
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY - did not serve (1)
Senate Assistant Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-MI - avoided the draft, did not serve.
Senate Republican Conference Chairman Jon Kyl, R-AZ - did not serve.
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair John Ensign, R-NV - did not serve.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-OH - did not serve.
House Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-MO - did not serve.
House Republican Conerence Chair Adam Putnam, R-FL - did not serve.
House Republican Policy Committee Thaddeus McCotter, R-MI - did not serve.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-OK - did not serve.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani - did not serve.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney - did not serve in the military but did serve the Mormon Church on a 30-month mission to France.
Former Senator Fred Thompson - did not serve.
Senator John McCain - McCain's naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Why did the Bush campaign smear him so in 2000? At least Senators Cleland (D-GA), Kerry (D-MA), Kerrey (D-NE), Robb (D-VA) and Hagel (R-NE) defended him.

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Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert - avoided the draft, did not serve.
Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey - avoided the draft, did not serve.
Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay - avoided the draft, did not serve (1). "So many minority youths had volunteered ... that there was literally no room for patriotic folks like himself."
Former House Majority Whip Roy Blunt - did not serve
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist - did not serve. (An impressive medical resume, but not such a friend to cats in Boston.)
Rick Santorum, R-PA, formerly third ranking Republican in the Senate - did not serve. (1)
George Felix Allen, former Republican Senator from Virginia - a supporter of Nixon and the Vietnam war, did not serve. (1)
Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld - served in the U.S. Navy (1954-57) as an aviator and flight instructor. (1) Served as President Reagan's Special Envoy to the Middle East and met with Saddam Hussein twice in 1983 and 1984.
GW Bush - decided that a six-year Nat'l Guard commitment really means four years. Still says that he's "been to war." Huh?
VP Cheney - several deferments (1, 2), the last by marriage (in his own words, "had other priorities than military service") (1)
Former Att'y Gen. John Ashcroft - did not serve (1, 2); received seven deferment to teach business ed at SW Missouri State And They Call Him General -->
Jeb Bush, Florida Governor - did not serve. (1)

Karl Rove - avoided the draft, did not serve (1), too busy being a Republican.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich - avoided the draft, did not serve (1, 2)
Former President Ronald Reagan - due to poor eyesight, served in a noncombat role making movies for the Army in southern California during WWII. He later seems to have confused his role as an actor playing a tail gunner with the real thing.
"B-1" Bob Dornan - avoided Korean War combat duty by enrolling in college acting classes (Orange County Weekly article). Enlisted only after the fighting was over in Korea.
Phil Gramm - avoided the draft, did not serve, four (?) student deferments
Former Senator Bob Dole - an honorable man. http://www.bobdole.org/bio/wwII.php
Chuck Hagel - two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star, Vietnam. http://www.senate.gov/~hagel/Information/bio.htm
Duke Cunningham - nominated for the Medal of Honor, received the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air Medals, the Purple Heart, and several other decorations Recently entered plea bargain on felony charges of bribery, etc. etc.
Senator Jeff Sessions U.S. Army Reserves, 1973-1986
Colin Powell. What are we to make of Powell? On the one hand, a long career as a military manager. On the other hand, accused of covering up the My Lai massacre. Back on that first hand, one of the seemingly sane voices in this administration when it comes to Iraq (or at least he used to be). On the other hand, a clear hypocrite ("I am angry that so many of the sons of the powerful and well-placed... managed to wangle slots in Reserve and National Guard units...")
Representative Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), served in USMC in Vietnam; wounded in action.

Just for Fun!

Some have done it, some have not...Simpsonsize yourself already! www.simpsonizeme.com It's fun and disturbing at the same time. Hmmmm....

Speaking as a member of MoveOn.org

MoveOn started in the late 90's in defense of President Clinton's pending impeachment. It's purpose was to get Congress to move on to more pressing issues. After the theft of the 2000 election and, and the disastorous venture into Iraq it grew beyond belief. They have been a target of the right-wing thugs for many years now. From Bill O' Reilly's rants about George Soros' money and what MoveOn accepted in donations, to Ann Coulter, Fox Noise and Rush Limbaugh, among others. It is clear that MoveOn has made a difference in Democracy for America, especially since it has irritated the GOP stranglehold of the media for decades. The recent rants about MoveOn came from their General Patreaus or General Betrayus ad in the New York Times in mid September. Left leaning outlets for news and opinion have been around for decades, and readily available to those who sought it out, but the right-wing noise machine drowned it out in the mainstream. After the aformentioned disasters, many well to do liberals of the country got involved financially, vocally, and began taking back the the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party. From George Bush to General Betrayus, to the Heritage Foundation, to Halliburton, to the entire Republican Party we said ""get out of my sight you lying ass sons a bitches!!!" We had enough, and now have a movement, regardless of how unorganized some of us are, we have a movement.

What does this mean? Well, it has the Conservatives and Republicrits scared. Many Republican congress persons have jumped ship, and more and more independents see a cozy spot in the diverse tent of the Democratic Party. The difference between us and them, well, we hold our elected officials accountable for their votes, words, and actions. Hillary Clinton is the front runner for President, well lefties across the country are taking her task for many votes, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has taken jabs from Cindy Sheehan and my favorite ladies in pink, Code Pink. Rep. John Conyers has also faced their criticisms. It is clear the Al Gore won the popular vote in 2000, 9/11 was handled poorly, the hunt for Bin Laden is a joke, the war in Iraq is and always was about oil, the Kerry loss in 2004 is up for debate, Katrina was a "heckuva" f*** up, the secret prisons and torture violates the Geneva Conventions and the Bush Crime Family would certainly be convicted if we had Nuremberg Trials today, the politiczation of every branch of government is disturbing, spying on American citizens violates the FISA law, Global Warming is real, the economy is sluggish at best. What do the Republicrits and their cronies do, say that's all a left wing smear campaign, and the liberal media is out to get us! Do you see a bit of paranoia on the Republican side of the aisle? I do. With that said, I want to thank MoveOn for extending their courage to take on those bigger than us, I want to thank the vets over at www.ivaw.org and www.votevets.org for telling us whats really happening in Iraq, Reps. Barbara Lee and Dennis Kucinich for their consistency in opposing the war and the criminal activities of the Republican party( oh, and Ron Paul most of the time), Stephanie Miller and Keith Olbermann for making us laugh at all of the absurdities, Mike Malloy and Randi Rhodes for making scream at the same absurdities....this list could go on and on...you know who you are. We have a movement and many of the aformentioned helped it along because it was always there. If you want to see the paranoia at it's finest visit www.itsfirstfriday.com , it's run by Heritage Foundation folks who think they are funny, and recently told me they are "dividers, not uniters". Keep in mind, one once worked for a former Republican Senator. Peace!