February 28, 2007
A look back at 39%'s Executive Orders
Both EOW and Kuff have good pieces up on 39%'s Executive Orders since he became Governor. The issue, for many, is the legitimacy of the orders themselves (I happen to think that they're, for the most part, thoroughly unconstitutional since the Governor in Texas should be little more than a good looking eunuch). Of course, as EOW points out, Republicans only started complaining about them when they were affected by them.
Of course the most humorous part of all this is how little Republicans and “conservatives” cared about Gov. Perry’s abuse of these orders until it hit them between the eyes. As long as he was using them to screw the teacher’s unions and help big business they didn’t much care.
Giving this kind of power to someone you trust is no better an idea that handing it over to a tyrant. Eventually, they will find a way to use that power to do something you don't like.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Someone I know will buy this
Though I'll make fun of them I know that one of my beer swilling friends will buy one of these. From the picture you can obviously see that this is a beer chiller. It runs on batteries. Well, batteries, water and ice. I'm thinking the last two items are probably the most important. It's kind of like a downmarket version of the wine chillers at the grocery store. Way downmarket.
I'm sure someone will see this being at the Texas Motor Speedway. I just don't happen to know them so y'all ask around for me.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Killing the TTC and reforming TXDoT
Looks like some of our friends are starting to swing back to reality, following the lead of Senator Carona and the majority of Democrats who have said no to the TTC and want to reinstitute legislative control over TXDoT. Welcome back to reality, Sen. Ogden!
Ogden said he is concerned about the Transportation Department's plans to allow private contractors, for a large upfront fee, to build roads and charge tolls — perhaps forever. He said the department has as many as 21 projects under consideration, including one announced by Perry on Tuesday in the Dallas-Fort Worth area."Do we really want to be turning over state highways to private contractors?" Ogden asked.
The irony is that Ogden was the Senate author of the 2003 bill that expanded the commission's powers to construct roads.
"I'm trying to correct the sins of the past," Ogden said, adding that he is considering legislation that would end collection of tolls once a highway has been paid for. He said he is concerned about plans to use toll revenue, long after a highway is paid for, to build more roads.
He said legislators are hearing from constituents who want the agency's powers curbed.
"Every (legislative) member is paying a political price for what they are doing," Ogden said. "TxDOT needs to be more sensitive and accountable to the Legislature."
I'm willing to forgive, especially someone who is making amends for past wrongs. This is a massive shift and it's unfortunate that he wasn't joined by Last Term Krusee who, instead, sniped at Ogden.
Perry's office and state Rep. Mike Krusee, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, defended the state's toll road policy."The Legislature, including Sen. Ogden, had denied our cities adequate funding for transportation for years," said Krusee, R-Williamson County. "If we now remove the only effective tool, it's our cities and our citizens, not TxDOT, who will be harmed, with more congestion, more pollution and less economic opportunity."
He said that to abandon the state policy would return Texas to the days of 20-year highway projects.
Krusee's legislative district includes part of Williamson County, which is in Ogden's Senate district.
Krusee noted that toll roads Texas 130, Texas 45 and the Loop 1 extension have been built since the 2003 bill that he and Ogden co-sponsored.
"It's ironic that, after the senator's district benefited with literally billions of dollars of projects, he would prevent other cities from benefiting, too," Krusee said.
Billions in TOLL projects and the last I checked, Mikey, 130 wasn't exactly helping ease congestion through Wilco. Which is why Ogden is as pissed as the rest of us. You bitches couldn't even do toll roads right which makes me think you're thoroughly incompetent in all areas of your life. You picked the most expensive funding option, screwed your constituents and now want to complain about them being pissed at you?
This brings up an interesting point about the incompetence of Rep. Krusee, often touted as someone who 'understands transportation'. It's been pretty clear, viewing the practical effects of Krusee's ideas when implemented in the real world, that Mike Krusee knows as much about transportation as I know about lacrosse. So, let's dispense with this bullshit about the brilliance of Mike Krusee. It's his incompetence that is beginning to cause a lot of problems for Republicans in the House and Senate, many whom continue, much like good lemmings, to follow Krusee's lead.
What they don't know is the rumor that Krusee knows he can't win in 2008, has accepted that and has decided to throw everyone under the bus. Hear that, Republicans in the House? You're following a guy who is already politically dead, knows it and has decided to bring everything down around him. Ever heard of suicide by cop? This guy's planning suicide by voter and he doesn't care about collateral damage hurting anyone else.
So, let me make it very clear for those of you in the Republican caucus in the House, especially those on the Transportation Committee... you all have targets on your back and there are a massive number of political guns, including traditionally REPUBLICAN guns, pointed in your direction. Let Kolkhorst's bill out of committee. Right now it's the only chance you have to save yourselves from a primary opponent and a well funded Democratic opponent in 2008. Seriously, you'd be better off following Rep. Coleman's lead on transportation in the House. More Republicans like him right now than you can imagine.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
SprintNextel throws a punch at Verizon, AT&T
This didn't get much notice, but SprintNextel is rolling our a new pricing plan... unlimited voice, messaging and data for $120/monthly. For another $30, you can add in wireless access for your home computer.
Current Analysis analyst William Ho said in a research note that the trial plans “have the effect of a grenade blast, damaging not only wireless competitors but also landline carriers (both traditional wireline and cable) with an attractive wireline substitution story (both voice and data).”However, Ho went on to note that “although Sprint is the first national carrier to offer unlimited voice, messaging and Web access, it’s still a trial with limited availability.”
Right now I'm paying more than $310/month to Cingular and will tell you honestly that if SprintNextel rolls this out in Austin, it'll be worth it to me to break my contract with them. I'd recoup the contract termination fee in a little over a month and I've no special love for Cingular (what do you expect when their 'network' drops me from EDGE to GSM all the time?).
Posted by mcblogger at 09:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Edwards releases health care plan
Sen. Edwards took last week to announce his health care plan which was completely drowned out by the ClintObama catfight (rwar!).
John Edwards has a bold plan to transform America's health care system and provide universal health care for every man, woman and child in America.Under the Edwards Plan:
* Families without insurance will get coverage at an affordable price.
* Families with insurance will pay less and get more security and choices.
* Businesses and other employers will find it cheaper and easier to insure their workers.The Edwards Plan achieves universal coverage by:
* Requiring businesses and other employers to either cover their employees or help finance their health insurance.
* Making insurance affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking innovative steps to contain health care costs.
* Creating regional "Health Markets" to let every American share the bargaining power to purchase an affordable, high-quality health plan, increase choices among insurance plans, and cut costs for businesses offering insurance.
* Once these steps have been taken, requiring all American residents to get insurance.Securing universal healthcare for every American will require the active involvement of millions of Americans.
Love the plan and I think it's great that he's rolling it out early. I still think this race is going to come down to Edwards and Obama. Last week kinda made that clear to me. While both Obama and Clinton staffs came across as petty bitches, Obama had THE money quote
"It's not clear to me why I'd be apologizing for someone else's remark,"
and came away with the win vs. Hizzally. However, Edwards by staying out of it altogether, came away the winner for the week.
The loser? Bill Richardson
Another Democratic presidential candidate, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, said at the candidate forum that Obama should denounce Geffen's comments. "We Democrats should all sign a pledge that we all be positive," Richardson said.
Pussy. I hope he's the next one to jump out of the race.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 27, 2007
Chippendales in Lubbock
I know y'all were worried about the Chippendales dancers that were arrested in Lubbuttocks. So, I thought an update was in order from the HouChron (via Off the Kuff)
A troupe of Chippendales dancers won't face criminal charges for a West Texas performance featuring "pelvic thrusts" that prompted police to shut down the show and jail the dancers.The Lubbock County District Attorney's Office told police Thursday that eight dancers, their manager, a promoter and a manager at the sports bar won't be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges, and city officials also said they wouldn't pursue the case.
The men were arrested Feb. 16 at Jake's Sports Cafe during the first of three sold-out shows for the troupe famous for it's beefcake dancers. Police alleged that the dancers were performing a sexually oriented show without the proper permits. The show was shut down after one dancer, whom police said has his pants open, made "pelvic thrusts" in front of a woman's face.
The group spent a night in jail before being released without having to post bond.
Scott Stephenson, owner of Jake's Sports Cafe, said he plans to invite the all-male review back.
You all know the saying about holding out both hands, wishing for one to fill up and... well, if you don't know the rest just email me. Yes, I'll ask how long you've lived in Texas.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Jokes of My Father's
My Father is all the time sending me jokes he thinks are hysterical. Sometimes they actually are a little funny and may help explain why I am the way I am (my Father thought this joke was H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S)
A man was on the water for his weekly fishing trip. He began his day with an 8 pound bass on the first cast and a 7 pound on the second. On the third cast he had just caught his first ever bass over 11 pounds when his cell phone rang. It was a doctor notifying him that his wife had just been in a terrible accident and was in critical condition and in the ICU. The man told the doctor to inform his wife where he was and that he'd be there as soon as possible. As he hung up he realized he was leaving what was shaping up to be his best day ever on the water.He decided to get in a couple of more casts before heading to the hospital. He ended up fishing the rest of the morning, finishing his trip with a stringer like he'd never seen, with 3 bass over 10 pounds. He was jubilant.... Then he remembered his wife. Feeling guilty he dashed to the hospital. He saw the doctor in the corridor and asked about his wife's condition. The doctor glared at him and shouted, "You went ahead and finished your fishing trip didn't you!
"I hope you're proud of yourself! While you were out for the past four hours enjoying yourself on the pond your wife has been languishing in the ICU! It's just as well you went ahead and finished because it will be more than likely the last fishing trip you ever take!" "For the rest of her life she will require 'round the clock care. And you'll be her care giver!" The man was feeling so guilty he broke down and sobbed.
The doctor then snickered and said, "Just messing with you. She's dead. What'd you catch?"
Normally, I hate fishing jokes. Truth be told, I usually hate any joke my Dad finds funny, because usually it's not funny and I'm loaded 3/4 of the time. If it ain't funny when you're drunk, it ain't funny. This one actually made me laugh a bit.
Yeah, I'm not drinking during the day anymore.
ANYWAY, I'm sure the next installment of DadJokes will come soon when my Father decides to forward another joke about fags that he got from one of his huntin' buddies. Can't wait!
Posted by mcblogger at 03:30 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
TTC 35 is even more expensive than we thought....
Kuff, Muckracker, EOW and Somervell County Salon all had posts up about the State Audit on just how much the Trans-Texas Corridor is REALLY going to cost. I apologize to our fabulous readers for not joining them, but they were doing such a good job and I was distracted. By candy. Seriously, Dots mixed with Mike and Ikes. I'm a fool for them and will do anything to enjoy their sickeningly sweet fruit-like flavor.
You probably won't get it. But you will understand all about cost overruns in Ric Williamson's Texas Transportation Commission, not to mention all the fun TTC stuff we've been talking about like...
1) No accountability of the private partner
2) GUARANTEED profit to the private partner
3) FAR MORE EXPENSIVE than we were told... as much as $100 BILLION. Reconstructing 35 would be far cheaper.
4) Non-compete agreements! No improvements to 35
5) The upfront money could disappear...
And the list of problems and defects goes on and on. It's time the Lege killed this turkey and instructed TXDoT to abrogate the contracts and pay nothing more to Cintra-Zachry (go ahead, Zachry... sue. You'll go broke with no business in the state and you'll never get the settlement. There are people who've been waiting since the 1970's for money from the state). Oh, and let's remember everyone who fucked us over with this deal... people like 39%, Krusee, CradDICK and Todd Staples . Let's none of us forget them or TTC Chair Ric Williamson whose gross incompetence gave Cintra-Zachry the deal of the century, risk free thanks to Texas taxpayers.
Take a bow, Ric! Your negotiating skills are on par with those of the great Neville Chamberlain. With your business acumen it's surprising you weren't picked up by the management teams at Enron or WorldCom.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Iran into a little problem
Condisleezahad some harsh words for Iran
"We have the common goal to encourage Iran back to the bargaining table," Rice said after a meeting in Berlin with her counterparts from Russia, Germany and the European Union. "The hope is that the sanctions show the Iranians the isolation that they are enduring, that isolation is likely to increase over time and that it is time to take a different course."
Cheney took things a bit further
At a joint news conference with Prime Minister John Howard during a visit to Australia, Cheney said the United States was “deeply concerned” about Iran’s activities, including the “aggressive” sponsoring of terrorist group Hezbollah and inflammatory statements by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Cheney said top U.S. officials would meet soon with European allies to decide the next step toward planned tough sanctions against Iran if it continues enriching uranium.
“But I’ve also made the point, and the president has made the point, that all options are on the table,” he said, leaving open the possibility of military action.
Then the Iranian Foreign Minister called Cheney's bluff
“We do not see America in a position to impose another crisis on its taxpayers inside America by starting another war in the region,” Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters Saturday.
And, of course, he's right. Which leaves us only able to fight Iran with patience, which is what all of us have been saying all along. Russia, like the vast majority of Americans, is sick of our unilateralism.
In any relationship, disagreements arise. But observers make a grave error when they mistake the honest and open airing of concerns as some sort of casus belli. President Bush rightly emphasized the other day that, while differences exist between our two countries, "there's also a relationship in which we can find common ground to solve problems." Russia is ready to work with the United States on an equal and mutually respectful basis.Another Cold War? Certainly not. A democratic world in which a strong Russia coexists with a strong United States, as well as a strong Europe, China, India, Brazil and others? That is Vladimir Putin's vision -- and it is well worth considering.
The problems we all face are OUR problems and we have to work together to solve them. Just as we were able to tget the North Korean's to return to the table, so too can we obtain an agreement with Iran that provides for non-proliferation. It's really our only choice.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I'm sooo copying and pasting JC on this one...
Of course, by 'JC' I mean the Houston Bay Area's own John Coby.
Who did you think I was going to quote?
From a Rick Perry press release on insurance:"If the industry hasn't figured this out, listen up," Perry said. "Texans are fed up and I will sign legislation that prevents a handful of companies from bringing the state to its knees. I am offering solutions that put Texans first. I call on the industry to do the same."
Perry continues:
Perry called for stiff regulation of the insurance industry in light of soaring insurance rates that have socked some Texans with 200 percent premium increases.
And Perry add even more:
"As a Republican, I generally support deregulation as a means to lower cost and improve services for consumers," Perry said. "But like former President Teddy Roosevelt, I disdain unfair market practices where one, or a handful of companies, use their power to manipulate the market."
Unfortunately, this load of crap by Rick Perry was said in a May 2002 press release. Contrary to what Perry promised in 2002, insurance rates have skyrocketed by over 200%. Texas now has the highest rates in the nation and with less coverage.
And yet he was re-elected in 2006 with 39% of the vote. Texans deserves Rick Perry and every rate increase they get.
Tort reform hasn't done the job (there will be another post about that soon).
Posted by mcblogger at 09:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 26, 2007
Get to know City Council Candidates
Not from Austin because there are no city elections this year. This time, it's Houston and Dallas. Who's Playin' has a post up about John McClelland, a great Democrat who's running for Dallas City Council. Dallas is north of Austin for those of you unfamiliar with that GIANT BLOB CITY WAY FAR NORTH ON 35.
Then, of course, there is the lovely, the incredible,Melissa Noriega who is running for Houston City Council (why?the?hell?). I think she's setting her sights too low, but that's just me. Kuff has an interview with her that's worth paying attention to. At some point, Melissa is going to be playing on a bigger stage. At least she better.
Seriously, I'm mean and I want her on a Statewide ballot.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
What is KKR up to?
You've no doubt heard the news that shareholders at TXU have accepted the LBO offer from KKR. You've probably also heard about the commitment the new owners have made to taking the company in a much greener direction. That last part has left some wondering WTF are thinking? Is it pure social responsibility or business genius?
KKR and Texas Pacific Group agreed over the weekend to drop most of TXU's ambitious plans for building new coal-fired power plants, a move designed to win support for the deal from environmentalists and other critics of the company. The new buyers also agreed to support a mandatory national program to cap emissions of greenhouse gases and pledged not to build coal-fired plants outside Texas.
I'm voting for the latter, here's why...
1) Value added services - the technology to deliver broadband over power lines has been in existence for a while. It's a new revenue stream for TXU that will require a minimal upfront investment since they already have the distribution system in place.
2) The additional plants were a stupid move, over committing to a legacy generation system while technology continues to advance rapidly.
3) Then there is this
The Natural Resources Defense Council said the new buyers have agreed to withdraw permit applications for eight of the 11 proposed plants and decline to propose new coal plants outside Texas and support caps on emissions linked to global warming.The buyers also agreed to support a system of trading credits for cutting emissions, called cap and trade.
Pollution credits... by voluntarily reducing emissions, they'll end up with some pollution credits they can sell and realize a gain on. Every single year, it's a revenue stream they can tap without any new investment. While pollution credits aren't worth much now, they are going to be worth something much more down the road.
4) They are planning a massive expansion of wind and cheap solar capacity in West Texas, coupled with an investment in upgrading the distribution grid. Over time, wind power and passive solar are cheaper than coal by virtue of a free input. This is long term thinking that will reap big rewards down the road while earning huge PR benefits. See again #3 for the secondary impact on pollution credit sales.
The credits are the big thing. As the EU moves to tighten restrictions these will be become inherently more valuable worldwide. The US will soon be moving in that direction. The reason the cap and trade system has not really worked is that companies have never had to face real consequences. That's changing and the system will start to show some of the promised benefits.
Oh, and the KKR/TPG group stands to make a ton of money, not only off operations but through the eventual sale of the enterprise back to the public.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
So much for the great economy...
The fastest growing socio-economic group in the US? Those living in P-O-V-E-R-T-Y!
The McClatchy analysis found that the number of severely poor Americans grew by 26 percent from 2000 to 2005. That's 56 percent faster than the overall poverty population grew in the same period. McClatchy's review also found statistically significant increases in the percentage of the population in severe poverty in 65 of 215 large U.S. counties, and similar increases in 28 states. The review also suggested that the rise in severely poor residents isn't confined to large urban counties but extends to suburban and rural areas.The plight of the severely poor is a distressing sidebar to an unusual economic expansion. Worker productivity has increased dramatically since the brief recession of 2001, but wages and job growth have lagged behind. At the same time, the share of national income going to corporate profits has dwarfed the amount going to wages and salaries. That helps explain why the median household income of working-age families, adjusted for inflation, has fallen for five straight years.
As a result, welfare rolls are growing...
The welfare state is bigger than ever despite a decade of policies designed to wean poor people from public aid.The number of families receiving cash benefits from welfare has plummeted since the government imposed time limits on the payments a decade ago. But other programs for the poor, including Medicaid, food stamps and disability benefits, are bursting with new enrollees.
The result, according to an Associated Press analysis: Nearly one in six people rely on some form of public assistance, a larger share than at any time since the government started measuring two decades ago.
Where does Texas rank in all this? #2. We have the second largest percentage of our population living in poverty.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
And now they fix the problems at Walter Reed
While it comes only after people have bitched and screamed (on the left, natch) about how badly how returning injured are being treated, it's good to see something's being done. My only question is how the hell the Republicans let it get this bad? I want blood on this one.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 25, 2007
KKR to buy TXU?
Possibly, but it has to get past Texas regulators first.
OK, I know... that made laugh a little as well. They should really write it up as "KKR will assume control after the transaction is approved by TXU shareholders and rubberstamped by Texas regulators".
I don't know how I feel about all this. I've known people who have worked with KKR and I know they usually like to trim employment with layoffs after acquiring a company. I know they like sharp, focused management teams. I also know that if there is any hope for TXU to compete in a truly competitive environment, this is probably the only way because they sure as hell haven't been able to do it so far.
I'm not so much for workforce reductions, unless it's to trim bloated upper management who are in my opinion the ultimate liability to shareholder value.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:46 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 24, 2007
Guns don't kill people
People kill people!
Adams was with 12 American tourists who hired a driver to explore Costa Rica for a few hours. They were climbing out of the van to visit a Caribbean beach when three men wearing ski masks ran toward them, she said. One held a gun to her head, while the other two pulled out knives.
Suddenly, one of the tourists, a U.S. military veteran trained in self defense, jumped out of the van and put the gunman in a headlock, according to Limon police chief Luis Hernandez.
Hernandez said the American, whom he refused to identify, struggled with the robber, breaking his collarbone and eventually killing him. Police identified the dead man as Warner Segura, 20. The other two assailants fled.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 03:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Again with the dollar coin?
The US Mint is once again introducing the dollar coin, this time a very special Presidential dollar coin that will bear a bust of Washington (shown here, in case you're a retard and didn't recognize the first President) or another, lesser President like Adams, Jefferson or Madison. The mint is thinking by the time Madison rolls out, these coins will be so hated that everyone will demand they be pulled. So they have only announced coins for the first four Presidents. I know this will be hugely disappointing to the knuckle dragging mongo's out there who will be eagerly awaiting the George W. Bush coin.
Seriously, most people don't understand and don't want the dollar coin. Of course, opposition from the majority of the citizens of this country has never been a reason for the government to stop doing something.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 23, 2007
Handicapping the Presidential candidates
A few weeks ago we did a run down on McCain and Kerry detailing the reasons each was a stupid choice for Presidential candidate in 2008. Of course, Kerry backed out (YAY!) but old man McCain just refuses to give up the ghost. He's kinda like a codger trying to return food at a restaurant.
Politico has taken things a step further and done an analysis on the main announced candidates from both parties. You'll notice the glaring omission on the R side of Newt Gingrich, though in fairness he won't make a decision until September (IMHO, he's the one to watch). Other than that it's a great breakdown on these folks.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Liveblogging at Obamathon
Katie over at Texas Blue is liveblogging the Obama rally downtown. If you can't make it, check out her post for details on what's happening!
Posted by mcblogger at 02:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Wal-Mart... not quite the great corporate citizen
Apparently, Wal-Mart is not alone nor is Texas the only state in which this is happening. Vince at Capitol Annex has more on this loophole in tax law that allows a parent company to 'rent' space from a REIT subsidiary, which then passes the profits back to the corporate parent. The kicker? The corporate parent gets to use the 'rent' as an expense, thereby reducing it's tax liability.
New York is currently devising laws to correct this problem. Republicans there are spinning it as a new tax when in fact it's simply the closure of a loophole (as it would be in Texas as well). Spitzer is having none of it.
"Our definition of a tax loophole is a provision that is taken advantage of by a few sophisticated taxpayers to reduce their fair tax liability in a way that was never intended at the time the provision was enacted," said Spitzer's budget director, Paul Francis. "Given Gov. Spitzer's pledge not to raise taxes, we carefully scrutinized all of our proposals to make sure they met this definition.""When we are asking other parts of the state budget to make sacrifices, it is only fair to ask that all taxpayers play fairly under a simple set of clearly understood tax rules," said Francis, former CFO of Priceline.com.
New York is estimating that it could bring in more than $400 Mn annually. I haven't seen an estimate for Texas yet but would be willing to bet it's more than that, possibly as much as $1 Bn annually.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vilsack departs the field...
... even though we've had nothing but nice things to say about him.
OK, maybe we've not been as supportive as we could have been. However, how the hell can I get charged up over a former Governor from a flyover state who thinks corn-based ethanol is hugely important? Can you say, captive of agribusiness? I knew you could.
Tom, don't feel bad about dropping out of the race. You were cursed with an unfortunate surname for a country that likes things simple and familiar. Don't let it get to you...a guy named Roosevelt probably couldn't win in this day and age either.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:32 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Obamathon at Town Lake
Everyone is excited except me because I'm on a conference call right now talking about interesting things like default rates and risk pools. Color. Me. Happy.
If you're interested in seeing Obama, please join Texans for Obama at Auditorium Shores. I can't go because I have to clean up a mess from yesterday that didn't get fixed (lawyers are fucking LAZY). However, Sister Ruth and The Mayor are going and they love them some Obama so no doubt they'll be sharing details as soon as they sober up return from the rally.
The Texans for Obama site has some helpful information on parking (it's going to suck) and bus service that will take you to or close to Auditorium Shores.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Privatize Bergstrom?
Ok... one privatization idea that might make sense
Mayor Will Wynn, at least, is convinced that the city should unload Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.The airport's revenue was $9.6 million above its expenses last fiscal year, city Aviation Director Jim Smith said, and the city has averaged $8.9 million in net income annually since 2001. But federal law prohibits the city from using that money outside the airport site, instead requiring that it be plowed back into airport improvements.
Governments nationwide have been entertaining offers for toll roads, state-run lotteries and airports from foreign investors awash in cash. Futrell said the city has received no airport lease proposal, verbally or in writing.
Wynn said he has been lobbying his council peers for several months on the subject, picking up on a move by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to lease that city's Midway Airport.
"There's no financial reason whatsoever for the city to own the airport, as by law we can make not one penny from its operations or even property rentals," Wynn said Tuesday. "So why not explore a sale or a long-term lease that could net us hundreds of millions of dollars upfront that we could put toward any number of community needs, such as transportation?"
Of course, any 'lease' would have go to paying down the bonds used to finance the creation of ABIA. Honestly, this may be one of the few privatization ideas that makes sense.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Austin Chamber of Commerce loves them some tolls
Recently I got a mailer from TakeOnTraffic.org, which is an education initiative funded by the Greater Austin CoC to inform the people of Austin that they need roads. Masters of the obvious, these folks.
Tolls, tolls and more tolls appears to be on tap if the GACoC has their way. One has to wonder what they'll get out of it, especially since I'd be willing to bet most members of the CoC aren't so much for tolls... they just want traffic off the roads (we'll get to that in a bit). Most of the site is pretty worthless (the design's not bad... the information is. For example there is a lot of information about why we need roads. Which is pretty stupid because no one is arguing that point save maybe morons). The Transportation Funding section is the real meat of the site... the rest of it is as substantial and worthwhile as a rice cake.
Gasoline taxes. This is the main source of revenue for highways right now. However, the state gas tax hasn’t been raised since 1991. With gas prices already reaching record highs, it’s unlikely that the state will ever raise this tax enough to pay for all of Texas’ unmet transportation needs.
Yeah, not so much at record highs anymore and around current, lower, prices, alternatives still make a lot of sense which puts an upward cap on gasoline prices. However, let's not even get into that. Let's focus instead on the idea that the state won't raise the gas tax. This is as much BS as anything else on this site. The state has been made very aware that it's cheaper to do that than anything else.
However, it may soon be possible for regions like Central Texas to institute local gasoline taxes. To meet our immediate needs, a Travis County gas tax would have to be set between 30 and 50 cents per gallon. This could have a severe impact on lower-income residents and on the regional economy.
That number for the gas tax is just wrong. We already know that it'll cost much less, even without indexing which the state is going to eventually pass. Further, the idea that gas taxes hurt lower-income residents more than tolls is absurd. For one thing, if tolls are used for expansion of 35 through central Austin, we'll all be paying the price. That's the most obvious issue. The less obvious issue is that tolls are going to increase the cost of goods sold for every business through increased transport to market costs. That'll be passed on even to consumers who don't use cars.
The other reason we'll be effected is that traffic won't disappear on 35 because there isn't a free 130 to take traffic away. 130 was always intended to be a bypass to 35 through Austin Metro for traffic moving north to south and vice versa. We already know that most trucking companies aren't going to use the toll roads. Which means that traffic in central Austin will continue to be bad and everyone will suffer. Take the tolls off 130 and watch the congestion on 35 disappear.
Finally, let's consider the only cost metric that makes sense, cost per mile. On the toll roads, the absolute best you can do is $0.12 per mile. With the gas tax (at even an inflated $0.17 per gallon), the per mile break down if your car (like most) gets 20 miles per gallon is $0.0085 per mile. Less than a penny per mile for new roads and improvements to existing roads is hell of a lot better than $0.12 per mile.
Sales taxes. This is main source of revenue for public transportation in Central Texas. Right now, state law limits the combined sales tax paid in local communities. However, Texas may allow regions to raise this limit to fund transportation improvements.To meet our immediate needs would mean adding two or three cents to the sales tax paid now in Travis County. Sales tax can be a volatile revenue source, going up and down dramatically depending on economic trends. This makes it tricky to use sales tax to fund projects that, even under the best conditions, take years to build.
Nah, leave the sales tax alone. For one thing, it's more regressive than any other tax. For another, it'll just put a clamp on economic activity and more and more people will travel out of the area to shop (just ask people in NoCal how often they drive up to Southern Oregon).
Property taxes. Bonds repaid with property taxes are the main source of revenue for city streets and county roads in Central Texas. Also, tax-backed bonds have paid for right-of-way for current highway projects. The region has already ramped up its use of tax-backed bonds to get projects like SH130 moving.To fund the system we need would require increasing Travis County property taxes as much as $200 a year for the next 20 years. Devoting such a large chunk of local bond capacity to transportation means less money for other capital improvements—like police and fire stations, jails and cultural facilities, parks and libraries—that are funded through tax-backed bonds.
Yeah, property taxes are kinda dumb anyway as they are the ultimate delinking of a tax to the ability to pay it. Just because you live in an $850,000 home doesn't mean you can pay almost $26,500 in property taxes. Yeah, let's crap all over the this idea.
Tolls. The tolls collected on new roads like SH 130 pay back the bonds that financed initial construction. Once those bonds are paid off, tolls can be lowered to the level needed to simply pay for maintenance. Or they can be used to fund other needed projects — like sidewalks, bike lanes, or bus service — that help make up a comprehensive system.
Not so much because tolls on 130 are dedicated to TXDoT. Much like the tolls on the North Dallas Tollway, they aren't going away. EVER. The Chamber of Commerce is definitely inaccurate here. Show me the mechanism that makes them go away then, maybe, we'll talk. So far there's nothing. Of course, you can argue that revenue from one road will go to build another and if you're going to do that (benefiting two different user groups) then you may as well implement a gas tax that covers everyone as cheaply as possible.
Tolls have been controversial in Central Texas, especially for projects where new toll lanes would be built in existing highway corridors. (No project in Central Texas involves tolling existing highway lanes.) Clear policies and accountable leadership are needed to make sure tolling is implemented wisely. However, compared to taxes, tolls have the advantage of only affecting the people who choose to drive on those roads, while still producing enough revenue to make a difference.
Yeah, the problem, as Senator Watson is finding out, is not accountability, it's the fairness of tolls themselves and how much more expensive they are than gas taxes. That's why tolls are going to be DOA and our leaders that support them are going to have some real problems down the road. Tolls almost cost the Chair of the House Transportation Committee his seat in this last cycle (what, you thought we'd get through this without mentioning Krusee even once?).
There is, of course, an upward density limit that forces a conversion to mass transit and less emphasis on roads. In most of Austin, which is a very compact city for the western US, some would say we are already there. That's what I'd like to see policy makers focus on as well expansion of (and improvements to) the freeway system. Even those who live in the burbs have, to some extent, been subsidizing public transportation through sales taxes for years. I point this out because I'm sick of hearing the argument that central Austin doesn't want to subsidize freeways for the burbs. One has to ask of the short sighted people, 'Who the hell do you think subsidized MoPac and 35?'
Decades ago there was a debate over tolling vs. gas taxes for transportation in this country. For the most part, tolls lost because they were more expensive.
Guess what? THAT HASN'T CHANGED.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:03 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 22, 2007
Paging Warren Chisum! Paging Warren Chisum! Would Warren Chisum please pick up the white courtesy phone?
The Day the Earth Stood Still Being Remade for 2008 - Confirmed!
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 07:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A car theft deterrent I'd like to see
This is a Tesla coil that some nut mounted to the top of the car and I LOVE it. No joke, I'm not worried about someone stealing my car (they'd have to clean it before they could get anything for it). I just think it would be cool. Because I'm a dork who wouldn't mind electrocuting the strays that might venture too close.
Cats and dogs, dumbass. Not the stray humans. Though it would be kinda funny. If it was Warren Chisum who would probably think it was some sort of demon surrounding my car which I summoned into existence with help from the Jews while we were plotting how to make everyone think the earth rotates around the sun.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Conservatives not pleased about NK deal
Connecticut native George W. Bush's idea about ignoring North Korea didn't work out so well. The change in strategy to one of negotiating and helping is bearing fruit (which is what Democrats had been saying for years), however that isn't stopping conservatives from grumbling
John R. Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, called the agreement -- in which North Korea would freeze its main nuclear facility in exchange for an initial supply of fuel oil -- "a bad deal" that violated principles that were closely held in the beginning of the Bush administration.
Yeah, principles like stupidity, arrogance and a complete disregard for what might actually, you know, work. It's funny that Bolton would call this a 'bad deal' since everyone thought he was a 'bad ambassador'.
Bolton's comments, the barbs from conservative publications and the Abrams e-mails reflected deep concerns among conservatives that the agreement could turn out to be an important and troubling turning point. Current and former Bush officials said they fear that after six years they are losing control of foreign policy to more pragmatic forces. The shift, they said, has become especially apparent with the departure of Donald H. Rumsfeld, who as defense secretary was often seen as a counterweight to State.
Losing control to more pragmatic forces? Hope springs eternal. I think we can all agree that less pragmatic forces have done fuckall for the country.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
So how are the Republicans treating the returning troops?
The common perception of Walter Reed is of a surgical hospital that shines as the crown jewel of military medicine. But 5 1/2 years of sustained combat have transformed the venerable 113-acre institution into something else entirely -- a holding ground for physically and psychologically damaged outpatients. Almost 700 of them -- the majority soldiers, with some Marines -- have been released from hospital beds but still need treatment or are awaiting bureaucratic decisions before being discharged or returned to active duty.They suffer from brain injuries, severed arms and legs, organ and back damage, and various degrees of post-traumatic stress. Their legions have grown so exponentially -- they outnumber hospital patients at Walter Reed 17 to 1 -- that they take up every available bed on post and spill into dozens of nearby hotels and apartments leased by the Army. The average stay is 10 months, but some have been stuck there for as long as two years.
Not all of the quarters are as bleak as Duncan's, but the despair of Building 18 symbolizes a larger problem in Walter Reed's treatment of the wounded, according to dozens of soldiers, family members, veterans aid groups, and current and former Walter Reed staff members interviewed by two Washington Post reporters, who spent more than four months visiting the outpatient world without the knowledge or permission of Walter Reed officials. Many agreed to be quoted by name; others said they feared Army retribution if they complained publicly.
Keep in mind this even before the cuts Bush wants to make have taken effect. Check out The Mayor's post regarding the Snowjob on this issue.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Carona's hearing
In one week, Senator Carona will be hosting a public hearing on transportation. Eye on Williamson has more here, including some great information about why the TTC and 'innovative' public/private partnerships are a super bad idea.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 21, 2007
Keep Austin Blue welcomes Kronberg, Rodriguez and Strama
Yeah, I'm about to bail and head down to the Mother Egan's for Keep Austin Blue if my cold remains in check.
Keep Austin Blue Social Hour (3rd Wednesday of the Month) Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007with
Harvey Kronberg, News 8 Austin political analyst and publisher of The Quorum Report
Eddie Rodriguez, State Representative HD-51
and
Mark Strama,State Representative HD- 50
TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
PLACE: Mother Egan’s Irish Pub (715 W. 6th St)
Come drink if the mood suits you.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
You need some ugly in your life
This rug is specifically designed for the modern world with channels for all the cables that make our homes so much fun. It's also totally ugly. Yes, we'll laugh at you if you buy one.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Nationalize TXU?
I am so sick of whiny ass corporations it's starting to make me sick. The problem is, we have a corporate welfare system in this country where we coddle corporations and shareholders and yet these people still complain about how horrible any regulation is. Tell you what, if you think having to go before a regulatory agency is such a horrible circumstance, imagine how much less you'd like it if the state legislated the dissolution of the company. I'm serious about this y'all. Why is it that TXU, with nothing but advantages, can't manage to outperform Austin Energy, a small municipal utility?
Maybe it's time we nationalized the power companies and brought them fully under the control of the state. Having a publicly owned utility has certainly worked to the benefit of consumers in Austin. Why shouldn't everyone in Texas enjoy that? It's clear from all of Kim Morgan's whining that they just can't cut it...
TXU spokeswoman Kim Morgan said the company is "disappointed" in the decision."Every day that a solution is delayed leaves older, less efficient power plants online too long — affecting prices and clean air," Morgan said. "And it brings us one day closer to the potential of widespread blackouts.
Kim, your employer damages public health as part of it's business providing power to people in Texas. Naturally, those people want to know their health is protected and TXU cleans up it's act going forward. That's why regulation exists, to restrict corporations from going too far in search of profit. Keep in mind, corporations exist only to make it easier for people to pool capital and operate a business. They aren't, in and of themselves, something that has more rights than any individual. The existence of TXU is TOLERATED by individuals who authorize the state to charter them. That can change quickly and your bitching is making that more and more likely. If I were you, I'd rethink my attitude, thank Judge Yelenosky, and talk about how happy TXU is to be allowed to operate in Texas.
The thing that consistently amazes me is that more shareholders aren't pissed as hell about the job being done by Kim and her fellow employees. These shareholders stand to lose substantial capital if these companies go too far in their efforts to control the regulatory environment. Further, the greed of management in charging dramatically higher prices than companies like Austin Energy could well backfire and trigger the nationalization of the company. I'd also like to know exactly what the pollution footprint of TXU REALLY is. Trust me, Kim, there are some questions you don't want asked so I like I said it's really best to keep your mouth shut. Thank God Judge Yelenosky decided to override 39%'s fast track EO because 39% doesn't give a shit about public health unless it's being effected by HPV.
State District Judge Stephen Yelenosky ruled that four environmental groups "are likely to prevail on their argument that the governor lacks the authority" to issue an executive order telling a state agency to hold hearings and reach a decision by a specific deadline.Yelenosky ordered the State Office of Administrative Hearings to ignore Perry's demand that hearings on new power plants be limited to six months.
He did not specifically halt a hearing scheduled for today on TXU Corp.'s request for permits for six coal-fired plants, but he told the state's administrative law judge to reconsider requests for a delay from environmental groups.
While Yelenosky's order did not specifically relate to the controversy over the human papillomavirus vaccine, HPV, it was the first judicial ruling that indicated a governor does not have the power to direct state agency operations by executive order.
Kim doesn't understand that if TXU can't deliver power under the regulations established by the state of Texas then there is little point for TXU to exist as a public company. Given the comparison between electricity prices in Austin and Dallas, one has to wonder if there is any case for the continued existence of TXU. At the very least, the shareholders should be moving to rid themselves of the management team rapidly.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:22 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Tony Snowjob: Bush Knew About It Before He Didn't Know About It
It seems that all previous statements about the shameful conditions at Walter Reed are now inoperative.
During yesterday’s White House press briefing, Tony Snow tried to play down the neglect uncovered at Walter Reed by portraying it as old news. President Bush “certainly has been aware of the conditions in the wards where he has visited, Snow said, affirming that the administration was aware of Walter Reed’s conditions “before the articles appeared in the paper.”
The White House has since backtracked from Snow’s comments. In a small addendum added to the bottom of yesterday’s briefing transcript on the White House website, a note now reads that Bush “first learned of the troubling allegations regarding Walter Reed from the stories this weekend in the Washington Post,” and that he is “deeply concerned” by the conditions:
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 11:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bush rediscovers Afghanistan
You know when, at the beginning of winter, you'll find money in a coat pocket? It's always a nice treat. I'm all the time forgetting that I left money in pockets. So I understand how Connecticut native George Bush could forget about Afghanistan. I'm glad to see he's finally rediscovered it (we've been bitching about it for a while)
Bush announced that he will extend a temporary increase of 3,200 U.S. troops in Afghanistan "for the foreseeable future" and urged Congress to give him $11.8 billion more to accelerate training, reconstruction and counter-narcotics programs. He also insisted that NATO allies should drop restrictions on their forces in Afghanistan and join the fight against Islamic extremists."America and our allies are going to stand with these folks," the president said in an address to the American Enterprise Institute. "That's the message I want to deliver to the Afghanistan people today. Free debates are important. But our commitment is strong. We will train you, we will help you, and we will stand with you as you defend your new democracy."
The speech was the first Bush has devoted to Afghanistan during his second term, reflecting the shifting priorities in Washington as the Iraq war has turned increasingly violent and consumed more of the president's attention. But though Iraq dominated the debate, remnants of the ousted Taliban government have regrouped and launched a potent new challenge. Attacks on U.S., Afghan and other coalition forces nearly tripled last year, and the Taliban by some estimates controls four times as much territory as in 2005.
One has to wonder why we rushed into Iraq before we crushed these clowns. Maybe now we'll correct the mistake and finally help the Afghani's really get back up on their feet.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 20, 2007
Jennifer Kim gets a little less funny
Sorry about the delay on this one... the AusChron has more on how Kim handles a traffic stop:
KVUE dredged another skeleton out of Kim's closet in their coverage of the controversy last night. Sayeth the ABC affiliate, "Documents show in September 2006, Kim was pulled over by an Austin police officer for speeding in the 7300 block of Ben White. During the traffic stop, she admits asking the officer if he knew who she was."It gets so much better:
"Kim said in hindsight, she should not have asked the question in the manner she did. She said she was only interested in learning more about which Austin police officers lived inside and outside of the city because the officer didn't know her."
Not to be a bitch but COME ON, COUNCILWOMAN KIM! I'd have more respect for you if you at least owned it and said you were sorry. This apology non-apology is just infuriating.
It also made us laugh a little.
Posted by mcblogger at 06:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Flowers, specifically. Free trade in general
While giving testimony on trade issues last week, the following exchange occurred between US Trade Rep Susan C. Schwab and Rep. Pascrell.
"Imports do matter," Schwab assured him. "They matter to people who went out and bought roses today for their sweetheart, where they were able to buy inexpensive flowers at Safeway or Costco, where maybe a few years ago it would have been much more expensive to buy long-stemmed roses. That's trade."Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) took no comfort from Schwab's point. "Those very flowers come from countries that have child labor and forced labor, and that's why the prices are cheaper," he said. "And if we don't concern ourselves about that, then we are not the country we pretend to be."
Not to mention all the American flower growers (yeah, there are many of them) who have been put out of business by cheap imports. This is just one example of where free trade isn't exactly free. We need to really examine our trade commitments and what they will mean to people here in the US.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bush tries to privatize the land
B&B has a great post up Connecticut native George W. Bush's attempt to sell off federal land. What is it with Republicans and selling public assets?
For the second year in a row, the Bush administration has proposed selling off as much as 300,000 acres of national forests and other public land to help pay for rural schools and roads.And for the second year, Western lawmakers and environmentalists blasted the plan, saying short-term gains would be offset by the permanent loss of the land.
Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., the new chairman of an Appropriations subcommittee that oversees environmental spending, pronounced the plan dead on arrival. “They are just not going to do this. It's not going to happen,” Dicks said Monday.
“We're going to find a way to fund the (rural) schools program without selling even one acre of public land,” added Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called the plan a “betrayal,” and said he would “work around the clock ... to convince Congress to act honorably and fulfill the federal obligation to our rural counties.”
Is this some kind of bad joke?
Posted by mcblogger at 02:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Sometimes just a picture says it all
(via Wonkette)
Posted by mcblogger at 11:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Republicans sink to a new low
HB2 is set to pass and Vince at Capitol Annex has a great post up about what a disaster it is. The crux is that the tax cuts are going to require breaking the spending cap. To sell it to the public, the Republicans have tied it to a long held Democratic dream, property tax cuts for the elderly which are desperately needed. The kink in the whole plan is that the tax cuts promised to homeowners can't be paid for by the new business tax the Republicans passed last year. So they are having to take money out of general revenue (from CHIP, TXDoT, etc) to fund the property tax cuts.
Combined with SCR 20, which the House will consider on Tuesday (along with HB 2 on third reading), HB2 busts the spending cap utilizing funds from General Revenue to fund the property tax cuts. Further, it takes General Revenue funds that should be rightfully spent on other more paramount state needs and uses them to fund property tax cuts that won’t even make a significant annual dent in the average taxpayer’s bill.
The bipartisan Legislative Study Group has more
HB 2 is bad public policy because it uses money for other state priorities to pay for an under funded tax cut. An inadequate amount of revenue has been raised by the tax package that was passed during the 3rd Called Special Session of the 79th Legislature. Only $8.1 billion is available in the property tax fund to pay for the $14.2 billion needed to buy down local school maintenance-and-operations (M&O) tax rates from $1.50 per $100 of property valuation to $1.00. HB 2 spends $6.1 billion in current General Revenue to make up the amount lacking on tax cuts before the Legislature has the opportunity to review and debate the state budget. According to estimates from the Center for Public Policy Priorities, the $8.1 billion in the Property Tax Relief Fund would only buy down property taxes to $1.20 for the coming biennium instead of $1.00.To fund the property tax cuts for 2008, HB 2 spends $4,231,466,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund and an additional $2,724,934,000 from General Revenue. For 2009, HB 2 spends $3,846,492,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund and $3,846,492,000 from General Revenue. Budget decisions, including property tax cuts, for the 2008-2009 biennium should be made in the General Appropriations Act, HB 1, where all spending priorities can be debated side by side so that members can make a more informed decision.
Nevermind the fact that taxes are going to keep going up because home values in Texas keep going up. Which I guess is why Tom Pauken is bitching about appraisal caps. Again. Tom's a real dumbfuck, even for a Republican. What the Democrats proposed (increasing the homestead exemption) would do more to help people than some ridiculous cap. The larger problem is that property taxes are a shitty way to fund public services like schools because they are levied based on assets, not income. That is to say, the bill is delinked from the mechanism that allows it's payment. Of course, you don't hear Pauken or anyone else talking realistically about replacing property taxes with income taxes. Like I said, DUMBFUCKS.
Just as in 2003, the Republicans are screwing over the people of Texas, in the name of tax relief that won't last and at the expense of actually putting money into public schools. Glenn Smith has more over at BOR.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hagel should switch parties
It's interesting when Republicans start making sense. It almost makes you think they're Democrats. Don't get me wrong, Hagel is still a conservative, whatever in the hell that means, and probably would sooner see Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security dismantled than fixed. However, on the war he's been spot on and it's good to see.
Of course, the fact that nutter Republicans are attacking him also helps me think he's not such a bad guy. Here's an except from the GQ interview which is causing so much heat for Hagel.
GQ: And producing a National Intelligence Estimate that turned out to be doctored.Hagel: Oh yeah. All this stuff was doctored. Absolutely. But that's what we were presented with. And I'm not dismissing our responsibility to look into the thing, because there were senators who said, "I don't believe them." But I was told by the president--we all were--that he would exhaust every diplomatic effort.
GQ: You were told that personally?
Hagel: I remember specifically bringing it up with the president. I said, "This has to be like your father did it in 1991. We had every Middle East nation except one with us in 1991. The United Nations was with us."
GQ: Did he give you that assurance, that he would do the same thing as his father?
Hagel: Yep. He said, "That's what we're going to do." But the more I look back on this, the more I think that the administration knew there was some real hard question whether he really had any WMD. In January of 2003, if you recall, the inspectors at the IAEA, who knew more about what Saddam had than anybody, said, "Give us two more months before you go to war, because we don't think there's anything in there." They were the only ones in Iraq. We hadn't been in there. We didn't know what the hell was in there. And the president wouldn't do it! So to answer your question--Do I regret that vote? Yes, I do regret that vote.
GQ: And you feel like you were misled?
Hagel: I asked tough questions of Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld before the war: How are you going to govern? Who's going to govern? Where is the money coming from? What are you going to do with their army? How will you secure their borders? And I was assured every time I asked, "Senator, don't worry, we've got task forces on that, they've been working, they're coordinated," and so on.
GQ: Do you think they knew that was false?
Hagel: Oh, I eventually was sure they knew. Even before we actually invaded, I had a pretty clear sense of it--that this administration was hell-bent on going to war in Iraq.
GQ: Even if it meant deceiving Congress?
Hagel: That's right.
That's all anyone would have had to say in 2004. Pity they're only know talking about it.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:59 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
More ethically questionable deals in the Administration
A senior Justice Department official who recently resigned her post bought a nearly $1 million vacation home with a lobbyist for ConocoPhillips months before approving consent decrees that would give the oil company more time to pay millions of dollars in fines and meet pollution-cleanup rules at some of its refineries.Sue Ellen Wooldridge, former assistant attorney general in charge of environment and natural resources, bought a $980,000 home on Kiawah Island, S.C., last March with ConocoPhillips lobbyist Don R. Duncan. A third owner of the house is J. Steven Griles, a former deputy interior secretary, who has been informed he is a target in the federal investigation of Jack Abramoff's lobbying activities.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:17 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
February 19, 2007
Time to sac up...
Jeez, Joe. Did you have to screw us?
Hat tip to Truth Serum
Posted by mcblogger at 05:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tolls : Cintra fucks Indiana and TTC 69 fast tracked
Posted by mcblogger at 02:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Best on screen kiss...
No, it wasn't the kiss between Rep. Cuellar and Connecticut native George W. Bush during the 2004 SOTU.