July 31, 2007
EXCLUSIVE! Pictures of Fred Thompson and his child bride
(h/t to Harry Balczak who astutely pointed out how much the Creature and Fred Thompson look alike)
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Noriega for Texas, an introduction
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Yeah, it's time Congress took control
You've seen it over the last two weeks or so, just as I have. The news about various Executive Orders designed, ostensibly, to protect this country but in reality will do nothing more than rationalize the conversion of this country from a Constitutional Republic to a Dictatorship. Oh, it will be done for our safety and security. All under the guise of 'continuity of government' and 'protection of the homeland from enemies internal and external'.
It's also bullshit and, unlike 2001, we aren't ready to accept it. Not by a long shot.
The executive orders are also wholly illegal. The Constitution of the United States makes no provision for it's suspension. There is no 'hold' clause. The Rights guaranteed within are absolute and can not be waived. No signing statement can overcome that, and no act of Congress can undo it, save the Amendment process. And now, it would seem, we have our legal reason for impeaching the President, violation of his Oath of Office.
Don't waste time calling the Democrats in Congress... call the Republicans. The Democrats would love nothing more than to remove him from office. FIrst, there needs to be a limit on Presidential pardons that restricts them to specific illegal acts, not a blanket for all crimes committed in the United States. With that out of the way, begin the impeachment process and amend the UCMJ to make sure that the military knows that there ARE unequivocal limits on the power of their Commander in Chief.
We live in an inherently unsafe world. We always have, though we've insulated ourselves with fences, military spending and a belief that we are protected. The fact of the matter is that no one can stop someone hellbent on killing people from doing just that. Banning all guns will not make us anymore safe than a police state. It's time Americans remembered what it MEANS to be American. Our freedom and liberty is far more important than transitory security.
Congress must act. If ever there was an issue that deserved bipartisan support, this is it.
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Interesting take on last weeks debate
Regarding the questions on GLBT issues, one guy was happy with no one. Except for Kucinich. He's most upset with Senator Obama's response and while I'm loathe to agree with someone who thinks Kucinich hung the moon (he was playing to the crowd), Sen. Obama's response was one of the weakest I've ever heard. Including Sister Ruth's response when a child asked her why she drank so much.
Unfortunately, among the five Democrats asked to respond to one of these two questions on Monday, only Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich failed to disappoint.None, however, offered as dispiriting an answer as did Barack Obama, so widely admired for the promise of candor and vigor he conveys in his demeanor and discourse.
Clustered alongside the now obligatory Democratic profession that equal rights must be guaranteed for all Americans, gays and lesbians included, the Illinois Democrat said, "With respect to marriage, it's my belief that it's up to the individual denominations to make a decision as to whether they want to recognize marriage or not."
Why does Obama continue to give credence to the canard that equal civil marriage laws will somehow pose a threat to the prerogative of any religious institution to determine which unions are eligible for its blessings.
Reverend Longcrier specifically asked how it could be "acceptable to use religion to deny gay Americans their full and equal rights," raising the troubling prospect that in his practiced answers Obama in fact has no real interest in being responsive to a question. The amendment that CNN moderator Anderson Cooper made to Longcrier's query, pressing Obama to explain how barring gay marriage differed from preventing interracial unions, made the candidate's non-answer even more stark.
Americans have rightly come to expect the Democrats to be the guarantors of the Constitution's separation of church and state, yet Obama, a lawmaker, editor of the Law Review while at Harvard, and a former constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago, ignored that responsibility.
This man knows better.
And if he doesn't know his law, he surely knows his politics. Suggesting that religious institutions have primacy in deciding who can gain civil marriage rights plays directly into the hands of Christian conservatives.
Denominations? That wasn't the question and quit being an asshole, McJerky. Beside, anyone who would be impressed with your pseudo-religious crap won't be voting for you anyway... mostly because of the color of your skin.
Discrimination's a bitch, ain't it Senator?
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Don't you just hate it....
When bad things happen to someone you just don't like?
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July 30, 2007
TPA Roundup
It's Monday, and that means it is time for another Texas Progressive Alliance Texas Blog Round-Up. This week's round-up is brought to you by Capitol Annex.
Diarist Libby Shaw at Texas Kaos has had enough, and she shares the letter she wrote Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn in Tell Me That Our Elected U.S. Lawmakers Do Not Embrace a W. Monarchy.
Could Be True ponders the often asked question (by the Right), "Why Post Election Information in Spanish" at South Texas Chisme.
Vince at Capitol Annex reveals a letter
House Speaker Tom Craddick sent to former Parliamentarian Denise Davis telling her to keep her mouth shut about her time as Parliamentarian.
Texas Education just took another hit thanks to Governor Perry, according to a post by TXSharon at Bluedaze. Rick Perry appointed Dr. Don McLeroy as the Chairman of the Texas State Board of Education. McLeroy is known for his radical fundamentalist views. This is especially bad because textbooks are up for review this year.
Hal at Half Empty ponders early endorsements in the Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate in An Endorsement Is Worth Watt Price?
Matt at Stop Cornyn lets us know that John Kerry has announced a contest to Remove Republican Roadblocks (like John Cornyn).
Karl-Thomas at Burnt Orange Report tells us about Town Lake
being named after Lady Bird Johnson.
Muse at Musings has the invite to LTC Rick Noriega's change of command ceremony at the Alamo on August 4th. Noriega will take command of the 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, which can trace its history back to the Republic of Texas. The event is open to the public.
Thought we were done with Accenture and HHSC privatization? Charles at Off the Kuff says think again.
Stace at Dos Centavos tells us about a Pew study which finds Latino political participation is not matching up to Latino population growth. Will demographic changes be enough to put Democrats over the top?
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News points to a peer reviewed study that shows illegal immigrants are not criminals--they go to jail at an amazing low one-fifth rate of current citizens. Perhaps we should promote immigration to reduce the crime rate in the United States?
Dembones at Eye On Williamson County posts on the similarities between the new "right-wing" talking points on Iraq and the change in rhetoric by Rep. John Carter (R-Round Rock) on bringing troops home from Iraq in John Carter Heeds Grover Norquist Talking Points.
John C. at Bay Area Houston, in Raising Campaign Cash 2007 from Bob Perry tells us that, during the first part of 2007, Bob Perry didn't get close to his record contributions of 2006 of $4.5 Million. In 2007 he only donated $471,000 with $250,000 doing to Texans for Lawsuit Reform. HillCo PAC, another fine anti-consumer organization received $50,000 and Lt. Governor Dewhurst received $25,000.
Texas Toad at North Texas Liberal tells us that Carrollton attorney Karen Guerra is set to run as a Democrat for the 16th District Court in 2008.
Steve at Who's Playin'? tell us about three North Texas men calling for impeachment with a freeway banner over I-35 in Lewisville during rush hour.
Mayor McSleaze at McBlogger takes on recent changes in the dress code for visitors at the White House.
And, don't forget about these other Texas Progressive Alliance Members:
Three Wise Men,
In The Pink Texas,
Marc's Miscellany,
Common Sense,
The Agonist,
People's Republic of Seabrook,
McBlogger,
B and B,
Brains and Eggs,
Feet To The Fire, and
Who's Playin'.
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I would love to see the guy that did this...
See more here.
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Tolls : Bipartisan coalition takes initial steps to kill TTC
Late last week, a bipartisan majority in the House passed the Hunter-Kaptur Amendment to the 2008 Transportation Appropriations Bill.
The House approved an amendment crafted by Kaptur, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA-52), a Republican, which prohibits the use of federal funds for Bush Administration officials to participate in continental working groups under the secretive Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). The proposal to create the NAFTA Super Highway has become a topic of enormous controversy in Texas and the heartland states.“The Hunter-Kaptur Amendment,” Kaptur said, “was a victory for openness in trade negotiations, highway safety, good wages, and fair trade policies. The grip of global corporations was loosened last night as House members cheered this amendment’s passage and its call for transparency and oversight over the Executive Branch in trade proceedings.”
No, it's not the end of all federal money and financing for TTC. However, it's a first step that desperately needed to be taken. The next one will be changing bias at the federal level from private to public financing for transportation projects.
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July 29, 2007
They Hate Us For Our Flip Flops
Thinking about standing in line in the summer heat to tour the White House? Better plan ahead, Tourist Guy!
New signs are posted around the White House indicating a new strict enforcement of the dress code, the Washington Post reported Thursday. The code applies to all visitors and staff members, including tourists.
Some tourists are finding the strict clothing restrictions at the White House un-American.
The forbidden items include jeans, sneakers, mini-skirts, t-shirts, tank tops and absolutely no flip flops.
Some historians believe that peoples' desires to wear bluejeans and listen to rock music helped cause the collapse of the Soviet Empire a couple of decades ago. Mister Bush, tear down this dress code!
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July 28, 2007
Edwards : The Hair Video
Damn. Nice work, y'all!
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July 27, 2007
35E Freeway in Lewisville during rush hour
YOU GO WHO'S PLAYIN'!
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Edwards is leading the debate
From the WSJ no less...
This week, the former North Carolina senator has made his most prominent bid yet to place the oft-ignored issue of poverty prominently on the 2008 agenda, with a four-day tour of some of the most run-down parts of the South and Midwest, beginning with his sixth trip this campaign to this city, devastated by Hurricane Katrina. He has talked about the issue more than any of his rivals, and was the first to craft a "poverty" plank in his platform.About the time Mr. Edwards announced plans for his tour, one of his better-positioned rivals, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, posted a poverty plan on his Website. Mr. Edwards ended his tour -- wending through a poultry plant and an industrial neighborhood hit by factory closing -- Wednesday in Kentucky. On that day, Mr. Obama delivered a major speech on the subject in Washington, D.C.
An Obama campaign official dismissed as "absurd" the notion that Mr. Edwards drove the debate on poverty or any other issues. But some voters feel otherwise. "I appreciate Edwards because he's at least talking about poverty," said Scott Myers-Lipton, a San Jose State University professor who caught Mr. Edwards speaking in New Orleans. "He's the only one talking about it."
"He's a serious candidate and he's not to be discounted just because he lags in the national polls," says Democratic pollster Mark Mellman, who is neutral in the nomination contest. "It's a smart strategy for the front-runners to follow him."
Say what you will about the other contenders, Edwards is the one bringing the party as a whole back to progressive ideals that appeal to the vast majority of Americans.
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Wealth Condensation...
In case you were wondering what 'trickle-down' and 'supply side' economics really means, here's a great resource for you in understanding how wealth gets concentrated in an economy.
Maybe it's time to reimplement a progressive tax system? You know, one that actually taxes unearned income as much as earned income?
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Stupid catch phrase becomes a beer
From the Dept. of Jumping on a Bandwagon filled with nothing but Stupid...
A local microbrewery has launched a beer for one of America's most recognizable rednecks: Larry the Cable Guy.Git-R-Done beer, named for the comedian's famous catchphrase, was launched Saturday by SchillingBridge Winery & MicroBrewery, from the small town where the 44-year-old actor-comedian grew up.
The owners of the small family winery say the light beer is made from high-quality ingredients with more "flavor and body" than popular corporate beers.
Mike Schilling, who runs the winery with his wife, Sharon, is confident Git-R-Done beer will appeal to the comedian's fan base.
"Rednecks love quality, too," he said.
Yeah, that last line made me laugh as well. Rednecks are all the time buying expensive microbrews.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:12 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Hot Dog Security
(via Wired)
In a very frank conversation with the Chicago Tribune's editorial board, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told the nation his "gut feeling" is that something Al Qaeda is afoot this summer.A DHS cafeteria employee then rang us to fill us in on the new Homeland Security Threat Level system.
The longer explanation:* Fried, Bacon-Wrapped Tijuana Danger Dog Topped With Jalapenos, Onions and Mayo
* Chicago Dog With Everything
* Hebrew National Kosher Dog With Relish and Onions
* Microwaved Oscar Meyer Wieners on White Bread Roll with Ketchup
* Steamed Tofu Pup on Sprouted Wheat RollThough Chertoff didn't explicitly make it clear in his statement, I'm pretty sure the nation is now at Threat Level Chicago Dog with Everything.
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July 26, 2007
Dan Grant's strong fundraising numbers
Kuff has more on Dan Grant's strong fundraising number for Q2. In it, he raised basically on par with the other declared candidate for the Democratic nomination in CD 10, Larry Joe Doherty. Both raised just under $80m in Q2, putting both in a great position vs. the Republican incumbent, Mike McCaul.
The interesting thing? Larry Joe was the odds on favorite for fundraising, given his status as a television personality. However, Grant's take over the quarter proves he's going to be in this for the long run and has what it takes to raise enough to beat McCaul.
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Dregs : Speakers Race Opinions; Noriega slams Cornyn
Noriega joked that he ought to come down more often to the Valley, so that the region gets more attention from Cornyn. He said it was quite remarkable that Cornyn would announce a bill for a VA hospital in the Valley within days of confirming his decision to set up an exploratory committee."I need to come back more often so the Valley can, maybe, get their levees fixed, get their interstate built, get better health care," Noriega said. "I'll keep coming back so that the Valley can finally be paid attention, after six years of the junior Senator not knowing where the Valley was on the map. If it holds people's feet to the fire, I am coming down here more often."
Noriega said his intention was to "speak truth to power" over the coming months on behalf of millions of Texans who have not had proper representation in the U.S. Senate for the past six years. "This senator decided early on to represent one Texan - the President of the United States. He has carried George Bush's brief case. He has not represented the 22 million people that live in the state of Texas," Noriega said.
Noriega offered an example of what he believes is inadequate representation. "You have a united border leadership saying that a border wall will not work. Not to listen to that advice is not to represent the people of South Texas," Noriega said. "The question is will Texas voters hold him (Cornyn) accountable for voting for the border wall on two occasions? No one is holding his feet to the fire."
[...]
Noriega was just as critical of Cornyn over his help for Valley veterans. Last week, Cornyn announced he was filing legislation that would require the VA to report on the inpatient care needs of Valley veterans.
`The veterans have been screaming for a VA hospital for years. It has taken Mr. Cornyn six years and the threat of opposition to finally speak up on the issue," Noriega said. "A veterans' hospital would have been my issue the first year, not the sixth year. Not when it is election time."
Noriega said his duties in the National Guard in the Valley have included "putting people on buses, either to Kingsville, to El Paso, or to Sam Houston, so some poor guy can get an appointment he made four months ago." He said more people need to realize that Texas does not end in San Antonio.
"This is one of the most patriotic parts of the state. You look at the number of people who serve from the Valley, it is quite impressive. It's powerful and it's moving. The people should have a voice," Noriega said.
Now would be a great time to go and drop a $1 or two to Rick... go on, it'll make you feel good!
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July 25, 2007
Deficits as far as the eye can see
Just a little more about Cheney, this time the great ideas he had on the economy...
So Greenspan sent Cheney a study by one of the central bank's senior economists showing that big deficits lead to higher long-term interest rates, according to a person with firsthand knowledge. Higher rates, Greenspan believed, would wipe out any short-term benefit from a tax cut.
And history has shown, Greenspan's senior economist was right.
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Stratfor : US Presidential Race and geopolitics
Strategic Forecasting has a great email out regarding the Presidential race and how it's being read around the world. Their analysis is spot on and I'm posting the entire text after the jump...not to mention a really good analysis on who the Democrats should be focusing on for a win given historical trends (Edwards).
Gaming the U.S. Elections By George FriedmanDomestic politics in most countries normally are of little interest geopolitically. On the whole this is true of the United States as well. Most political debates are more operatic than meaningful, most political actors are interchangeable and the distinctions between candidates rarely make a difference. The policies they advocate are so transformed by Congress and the Supreme Court -- the checks and balances the Founding Fathers liked so much, coupled with federalism -- that the president rarely decides anything.
That is not how the world perceives the role, however. In spite of evidence to the contrary, the president of the United States is perceived as the ultimate "decider," someone whose power determines the course of action of the world's strongest nation. Therefore, when presidents weaken, the behavior of foreign powers tends to shift, and when elections approach, their behavior shifts even more. The expectation of change on the burning issue of Iraq is based on the misperception that the American presidency is inherently powerful or that presidents shape the consensus rather than react to it.
The inability of Congress to make any decisive move on Iraq demonstrates that immobility isn't built only into the presidency. The two houses of Congress are designed to be gridlocked. Moreover, the congressional indecision reveals that behind all of the arias being sung, there is a basic consensus on Iraq: the United States should not have gone into Iraq and now that it is there, it should leave. There is more to it than that, though. The real consensus is that the United States should not simply leave, but rather do it in such a way that it retains the benefits of staying without actually having to be there. To sum up the contradiction, all of the players on the stage want to have their cake and eat it, too. We are only being a trifle ironic. When all is said and done, that is the policy the system has generated.
The United States has been in roughly this same position with the same policy since World War II. The first time was in 1952 in Korea, when the war was at a stalemate, the initial rationale for it forgotten and Harry Truman's popularity about the same as President George W. Bush's is now. The second time was in 1968, when any hope of success in the Vietnam War appeared to be slipping away and Lyndon Johnson's presidency collapsed.
In both cases, the new president followed the logic of the popular consensus, regardless of whether it made sense. In the Korean instance, the national position favored decisive action more than withdrawal -- as long as the war would end. In Vietnam the demand was for an end to the war, but without a defeat -- which was not going to happen.
During Korea, Dwight D. Eisenhower appeared a formidable enemy to the Chinese and his secret threat of using nuclear weapons seemed credible. The war ended in a negotiated stalemate. In the case of Vietnam, the public desire to get out of Vietnam without a defeat allowed Richard Nixon to be elected on a platform of having a secret plan to end the war. He then continued the war for four years, playing off the fundamental contradiction in the consensus. Adlai Stevenson, who ran against Eisenhower, might not have been nearly as effective in convincing the Chinese to close the deal on Korea, but we doubt that Hubert Humphrey would have differed much from Nixon -- or that Bobby Kennedy, once in power, would have matched his rhetoric with action.
Yet the fact is that the world does not see the limits of the presidency. In the case of Iraq, the perception of the various players in Iraq and in the region is that the president of the United States matters a great deal. Each of them is trying to determine whether he should deal with the current president or with his successor. They wonder who the next president will be and try to forecast the policies that will break the strange consensus that has been reached.
Therefore, we need to begin handicapping the presidency as we did in 2004, looking for patterns. In other words, policy implications aside, let's treat the election as we might a geopolitical problem, looking for predictive patterns. Let's begin with what we regard as the three rules of American presidential politics since 1960:
The first rule is that no Democrat from outside the old Confederacy has won the White House since John F. Kennedy. Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were all from the Confederacy. Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis and John Kerry were from way outside the Confederacy. Al Gore was from the Confederacy but lost, proving that this is necessary, but not a sufficient basis for a Democratic win. The reason for this rule is simple. Until 1964, the American South was solidly democratic. In 1964 the Deep South flipped Republican and stayed there. If the South and mountain states go Republican, then the Democrats must do extraordinarily well in the rest of the country. They usually don't do extraordinarily well, so they need a candidate that can break into the South. Carter and Clinton did it, while Johnson did extraordinarily well outside the South.
The second rule is that no Republican has won the White House since Eisenhower who wasn't from one of the two huge Sunbelt states: California or Texas (Eisenhower, though born in Texas, was raised in Kansas). Nixon and Reagan were from California. Both Bush presidents were from Texas. Gerald Ford was from Michigan, Robert Dole from Kansas. They both lost. Again the reason is obvious, particularly if the candidate is from California -- pick up the southern and mountain states, pull in Texas and watch the Democrats scramble. Midwestern Republicans lose and northeastern Republicans do not get nominated.
The third rule is that no sitting senator has won the presidency since Kennedy. The reason is, again, simple. Senators make speeches and vote, all of which are carefully recorded in the Congressional record. Governors live in archival obscurity and don't have to address most issues of burning importance to the nation. Johnson came the closest to being a sitting senator but he too had a gap of four years and an assassination before he ran. After him, former Vice President Nixon, Gov. Carter, Gov. Reagan, Vice President Bush, Gov. Clinton and Gov. Bush all won the presidency. The path is strewn with fallen senators.
That being the case, the Democrats appear poised to commit electoral suicide again, with two northern senators (Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama) in the lead, and the one southern contender, John Edwards, well back in the race. The Republicans, however, are not able to play to their strength. There are no potential candidates in Texas or California to draw on. Texas right now just doesn't have players ready for the national scene. California does, but Arnold Schwarzenegger is constitutionally ineligible by birth. In a normal year, a charismatic Republican governor of California would run against a northern Democratic senator and mop the floor. It's not going to happen this time.
Instead, the Republicans appear to be choosing between a Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, and a former mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani. Unless Texan Ron Paul can pull off a miracle, the Republicans appear to be going with their suicide hand just like the Democrats. Even if Fred Thompson gets the nomination, he comes from Tennessee, and while he can hold the South, he will have to do some heavy lifting elsewhere.
Unless Obama and Clinton self-destruct and Edwards creeps in, or Paul does get a miracle, this election is shaping up as one that will break all the rules. Either a northern Democratic senator wins or a northeastern Republican (excluding Thompson for the moment) does. The entire dynamic of presidential politics is in flux. All bets are off as to the outcome and all bets are off as to the behavior of the new president, whose promises and obligations are completely unpredictable.
If one is to ask whether the Iranians look this carefully at U.S. politics and whether they are knowledgeable about the patterns, the answer is absolutely yes. We would say that the Iranians have far more insight into American politics than Americans have into Iranian politics. They have to. Iranians have been playing off the Americans since World War II, whatever their ideology. In due course the underlying weirdness of the pattern this year will begin intruding.
Here is what the Iranian's are seeing: First, they are seeing Bush become increasingly weak. He is still maintaining his ability to act in Iraq, but only barely. Second, they see a Congress that is cautiously bombastic -- making sweeping declarations, but backing off from voting on them. Third, they see a Republican Party splitting in Congress. Finally, they see a presidential election shaping up in unprecedented ways with inherently unexpected outcomes. More important, for example, a Giuliani-Clinton race would be so wildly unpredictable that it is unclear what would emerge on the other side. Any other pairing would be equally unpredictable.
This results in diplomatic paralysis across the board. As the complexity unfolds, no one -- not only in the Iraq arena -- is sure how to play the United States. They don't know how any successor to Bush will behave. They don't know how to game out who the successor to Bush is likely to be. They don't know how the election will play out. From Iraq and Iran to Russia and China, the United States is becoming the enigma and there won't be a hint of clarity for 18 months.
This gives Bush his strange strength. No president this low in the polls should be acting with the confidence he shows. Part of it could be psychological, but part of it has to do with the appreciation that, given the strange dynamics, he is not your normal lame duck. Everyone else is tied in knots in terms of policy and in terms of the election. Bush alone has room to maneuver, and the Iranians are likely calculating that it would probably be safer to deal with this president now rather than expect the unexpected in 2008.
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Posted by mcblogger at 02:13 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
What would YOU do...
Received via email...
Can you imagine some guy going 90 mph on the interstate with these balloons trailing about a few yards behind him?
Instructions for a fun time on the freeway...............
Step 1. Tie balloons to car.
Step 2. Drive like a bat out of hell....
Step 3. Watch people freak out!
Posted by mcblogger at 12:16 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
It's not under oath...
...but they are lies, nonetheless.
Of course, it ain't gonna happen until Republicans in the Senate are so afraid of losing their seats that they cave in. I certainly hope THAT doesn't happen. I'd much rather see Bush convicted after he leaves office and I really don't want Cornyn to do a thing to save his decaying ass.
There is a ton of interesting stuff that's come out over the last couple of days...apparently, Bush signed what is more than likey an illegal Executive Order condemning those who oppose his wildly misguided policies in Iraq.
"I don't actually think they're very strong," said Roberts of his words. "I get a lot of flak that they're understated and the situation is worse than I say. ... When Bush exercises this authority [under the new Executive Order] ... there's no check to it. It doesn't have to be ratified by Congress. The people who bear the brunt of these dictatorial police state actions have no recourse to the judiciary. So it really is a form of total, absolute, one-man rule. ... The American people don't really understand the danger that they face."
The piece goes on to speculate (keep in mind, this is a CONSERVATIVE speculating) that Bush, et al., may well have other plans in store for 2008 and 2009, namely not leaving office. Uhm... if that happens, you WILL see people in the streets.
However, Roberts emphasized, "the problem with this reasoning is that it assumes that Cheney and Rove and the Republicans are ignorant of these facts, or it assumes that they are content for the Republican Party to be destroyed after Bush has his fling." Roberts believes instead that Cheney and Rove intend to use a renewal of the War on Terror to rally the American people around the Republican Party. "Something's in the works," he said, adding that the Executive Orders need to create a police state are already in place."The administration figures themselves and prominent Republican propagandists ... are preparing us for another 9/11 event or series of events," Roberts continued. "Chertoff has predicted them. ... The National Intelligence Estimate is saying that al Qaeda has regrouped. ... You have to count on the fact that if al Qaeda's not going to do it, it's going to be orchestrated. ... The Republicans are praying for another 9/11."
Hartmann asked what we as the people can do if impeachment isn't about to happen. "If enough people were suspicious and alert, it would be harder for the administration to get away with it," Roberts replied. However, he added, "I don't think these wake-up calls are likely to be effective," pointing out the dominance of the mainstream media.
"Americans think their danger is terrorists," said Roberts. "They don't understand the terrorists cannot take away habeas corpus, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution. ... The terrorists are not anything like the threat that we face to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution from our own government in the name of fighting terrorism. Americans just aren't able to perceive that."
More on the EO is at BOR and Blue Bloggin' has a great post up about the Administrations plans not to prosecute any official cited by Congress for contempt. Exactly who does the DoJ work for, Mr. President?
(video via PinkDome)
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Dregs : 39% in another scandal; Ciro has a weak opponent; Judge Criss and Noriega takes command
Hundreds of residents at Texas’ state schools for the mentally retarded have suffered serious abuse and neglect at the hands of those paid to watch over them, a Dallas Morning News review shows.Documents released by all but three of the 12 state schools operated by the state Department of Aging and Disability Services outline everything from horrific physical violence and neglect to frightening verbal threats, derogatory slurs and pranks.(DMN)
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July 24, 2007
Tolls : 39%, a Special and Sunsets
Of course the logical flaws in the retarded dreams of Dick Williamson and 39% don't end there... they commissioned a study to help them pimp toll roads. The kicker? They spent more than $3 MILLION of our tax dollars to tell us what we already knew, namely that there is a massive transportation funding shortfall. It went on to say that Texas needs more toll roads and should be charging drivers more for the luxury of driving on them.
Go ahead, Dick. Drive up those rates and watch how fast the people of this state turn on you. If you think this past session was bad, just keep it up. You ain't seen nothin' yet!
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GOP gears up and Cornyn on the road with Rove
Kuff has more on the GOP's 2008 campaign kick-off which was anything but ebullient. Then Blue Bloggin' has a great post up about the Cornyn/Rove roadshow.
Yeah, now might be a good time to drop some money to Rick Noriega. Seriously, even a buck... just a take a minute and click the link.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:34 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Privatization... just look at how well it's gone for water
With all the talk about how wonderful it is to privatize roads, I thought it might be a good idea to look at another public resource that is being privatized around the world...water. Wanna see some massive failure? Just look at what happened in Grenoble, France which saw water rates increase dramatically in the wake of privatization that was supposed to SAVE consumers money. There's also the ample failures, well documented outside of the US by new organizations around the world.
The bottom line... there are SOME things that can truly be delivered most efficiently as a public service. While government may not be good at making soap and building TV's, not to mention retailing, it is extremely good at providing courts, law enforcement, fire departments, roads and, well, water. Fortunately, we have a chance to stop road privatization before this goes too far.
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Texas Progressive Round-up
Another week, another TPA round-up (H/T to Vince at Capitol Annex)
Each week, the Texas Progressive Alliance compiles the weekly Texas Blog Round Up, modeled after the 50State Blog Round Up. It is published on member blogs every Monday. Here is this week's installment, brought to you by Vince from Capitol Annex.
John C. at Bay Area Houston Blog once again looks at the Houston
City Council's Own Chickenhawk and explores how he was once again punk'd on his own radio show.
Muse at Musings brings us some photos from State Rep. Rick Noriega's announcement that he'll form an exploratory committee to run against U.S. Senator John Cornyn in 2008.
TxSharon At BlueDaze revals that the government paid $400,000 for a new marketing plan that will fool us into believing that Endless, Forever War in Iraq is a good thing.
WCNew at Eye On Williamson tells us about the Texas Department of Transportation's efforts to continue justify its existence in TxDOT's Sunset Review Kick-Off Party & Media Blitz.
Texas Toad at North Texas Liberal tells us that the U.S. Senate Majority Leader has finally decided to call out the GOP in Iraq in Senator Reid's Jujitsu On Iraq.
Hal at Half Empty explores Governor Perry's choice of Don McLeroy to head the State Board of Education in Governor Perry
Names 'Academically Unacceptable' To Head Texas School Board.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News reminds everyone to see Michael Moore's SiCKO and reminds us to call senators and congressmen about the healthcare
crisis, while telling us why he won't be bothering to call Senator John Cornyn.
McBlogger at McBlogger wants to know why Stonewall Democrats President Shannon Bailey hasn't resigned yet.
Krazypuppy at Texas Kaos is celebrating his own recovery from minor surgery this week by commiserating in his own inimitable way with the President's latest colorectal adventure.
What is the Texas GOP doing to get ready for 2008? Charles Kuffner at Off the Kuff takes a look.
Do you want a red border fence or a green one? Will it make Texas look fat? CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme blogs about how the Republicans are all about PR and imagery. Chertoff opened his mouth and proved it once again.
MexicoBob at Who's Playin'? explores some issues related to some outdated marijuana references in the City of Highland Village's smoking ordinance in Texas Town To Allow Public Smoking Of Weed.
PMBryant at B and B explores journalists downplaying the effects of gender bias during an article on women and their career choice.
PDiddie at Brains & Eggs
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July 23, 2007
Puente has a challenger and other primary news
Word on the street in SA is that CradDICK D Robert Puente will be facing a challenger in the primary next year. Can't wait to see how this one plays out.
In other SA related news, rumors are STILL flying about a challenger toVan de Putte but no names are as yet being mentioned seriously. I personally know of many people who were very disappointed with her performance during the last session, especially related to transportation and tolling which is WILDLY unpopular in SA. If a challenger arises and pins that on her effectively, they'll win. It's really a shame because she's served her constituents well on many other issues. However, on this one she's really fucking them hard without vasoline or a kiss.
And yeah, Leti, they know it.
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Iraq, Terror and why are people so fucking dumb??!?!
Have you seen Orson Scott Card's jeremiad on why the War on Terror is important? Take a look here. Seriously, it's always nice to see someone who was once rational completely lose his mind. He spends paragraph after paragraph comparing the WOT to WW2 and insinuating that Bush is the American version of Churchill. Funny me, I always thought that was FDR, especially when it came to drinking.
The whole thing is such a rambling mess that I honestly wouldn't know where to begin with excepts. It's very obvious he's extremely scared of Islam (why?) and has cooked up one hell of a fantasy scenario...
But if we do insane things like withdrawing from Iraq (which would be seen by everyone as a massive victory for Al-Qaeda and Iran and a proof that America cannot be relied on as an ally) or allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons, then several things will certainly happen:A. All the Muslim nations that have trusted us will immediately make friends with Iran or be toppled by Islamicist coups and revolutions.
B. Israel will be destroyed and its population slaughtered in a new holocaust. We might be able to bring out a few survivors.
C. Europe will be neutralized. Radical Islam will completely dominate the Muslim populations in European nations, and the governments will almost certainly bend their foreign policy to accommodate their demands. America will have no allies.
D. The world economic order, from which America skims its prosperity, probably would not endure. Oil still calls the shots, and Russia and China will join with Islam to marginalize or shatter the American economy. Never mind that the resulting worldwide depression would ruin their own economies. If America is brought down, they will feel like relative winners. And without America as a beacon of hope, what internal opposition would they have to worry about? None.
Peppered throughout the piece are historical anecdotes (like where Hitler went wrong) and Lincoln's true goal during the Civil War (he wanted to hold on to the Presidency long enough to win the fight). The Hitler related stuff is really the best as far as comedy (seriously, read it and tell me you don't think of long supply chains). The biggest issue is that Card, like so many of the cowards on the right, see a massive enemy when in fact there are only a handful of fanatics with whom we really have to contend. They can't visualize how to fight that enemy, so instead they blunder about trying to remake countries and failing miserably at it.
In the same vein of We Have To Win In Iraq (whatever THAT means... I thought we achieved the goal of knocking out Saddam) Or They'll Come Here And Kill Us, Under Secretary of Defense Eric Edelman sent a nasty little note to Senator Clinton basically accusing her of treason...
Premature and public discussion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda that the United States will abandon its allies in Iraq, much as we are perceived to have done in Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia. … [S]uch talk understandably unnerves the very same Iraqi allies we are asking to assume enormous personal risks.
Left out of his oh-so-kind note is the fact that his boss (Secy of Defense Gates) actually thinks talking about departure is exactly what the Iraqi's need to get their asses in gear.
Finally, EOW has nice piece up on Glenn Greenwald's take down of Ted Sorenson who, while a great speechwriter 50 years ago, is clearly slipping a little...
The United States is not a “nation under siege.” That is a ludicrously melodramatic description of the terrorist threat and it is precisely the failure to challenge such fear-mongering sloganeering that has enabled so many of the destructive policies of the last six years. Any political figure who is authentically interested in the type of real debate which Sorensen touts will challenge, not bolster, this misleading premise. More importantly, a genuine debate regarding how to recover from the last six years (soon to be “last eight years”) will require a fundamental re-examination of America’s role in the world and, most of all, whether we want to continue to maintain imperial dominance. Contrary to conventional Beltway fears, this is plainly a debate which the American public is not only willing, but eager, to engage.
Uhm... yeah. What he said. We shouldn't be afraid, they should be afraid. However, as long as the R's can sell fear, that's just what they'll do. That and the need for invasions and bombs when in reality all you need is a unit made up of really mean Americans who will hunt down and kill, anywhere in the world, terrorists.
Sounds mean, right? Oh pish. You don't stop a fanatic by bombing his/her hometown... s/he's not there and s/he doesn't care about those left behind anyway. You also don't stop them by negotiating. You kill them until their numbers dwindle to zero. You need assassins, not an Army battalion. That, my friends, is the number one reason why none of you should even think of voting for a Republican. They just don't get it.
Maybe they aren't mean enough.
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Fun on bikes!
Love the song. Love the video. Love it.
Posted by barfly at 09:02 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 22, 2007
Tolls : Innovative NW residents find way around tolls on 183A
Apparently, cash strapped (yeah, the 'time machines' sure are expensive!) Central Texans, specifically those that live in far NW and Cedar Park, have found an inventive way to avoid the tolls on the newly completed tollway. They just decided to jump them.
The numbers are particularly bad for the northbound all-electronic gantry, which looms over the road just north of the Lakeline Mall Drive exit. In June, 38 percent of northbound drivers in that section did not have a toll tag.
The good news, at least for CTRMA, is that traffic is running at about 125% of the 2004 projections, making this the first toll project in the country (including the 45/1 and 130 facilities here in Austin Metro) that actually exceeded expectations. Unfortunately, what Ben Wear (seriously, ARE YOU RETARED, BEN?) didn't mention until the very end is that the toll jumpers are part of the overall traffic number. Meaning, more than 20% of the transactions have no value and the road is still being discounted to those early adopters who have tags. Of course, anyone who has seen traffic going on 183 over the last ten years could have told you that road was a good idea.
The question is, how much are consumers going to like it when they realized just how badly they are getting fucked? You know, when they start getting the full monthly bill... Mine is still running more than $20 per month and I'm rarely on the roads.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 21, 2007
Good question...
For ALL the candidates...
Posted by mcblogger at 11:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 20, 2007
Webb puts the smack down on Lindsay Graham
Hal at Half Empty has the transcript of Senator Webb bitch slapping Senator Graham on MTP...
SEN. WEBB: You know, this is one thing I really—this is one thing I really take objection to...SEN. GRAHAM: ...the soldiers are speaking, my friend. Let them win.
SEN. WEBB: ...is politicians who—at the...
SEN. GRAHAM: Let them win.
SEN. WEBB: Politicians who—may I speak?
SEN. GRAHAM: They want to win, let them win.
SEN. WEBB: Is politicians who try to put their political views into the mouths of soldiers. You can look at poll after poll, and the political views of the United States military are no different than the country at large. Go take a look at The New York Times today.
That's right, Lindsay... quit putting words into the troops mouths.
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What the man on the street thinks...
So, I'm totally loving it when the AP or some other news organization decides to run a man on the street piece involving polling data. This time, the data relates to a drop in the approval rating of Congress...
Public satisfaction with the job lawmakers are doing has fallen 11 points since May, to 24 percent, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll. That's lower than for President Bush, who hasn't fared well lately, either.Bush has been taking heat over the Iraq war, his decision to spare a former top vice presidential aide from going to prison and his desire for an overhaul of immigration laws that critics said would give a free pass to illegal immigrants. His job approval rating in the AP-Ipsos survey remained virtually unchanged at 33 percent.
OK, so there's the data... now let's find out what some of the respondents have to say... lucky for us, the AP managed to include a Democrat AND one of the few remaining self-identified Republicans
Poll respondents from both political parties say they're tired of the fighting between Congress and the White House and want the two branches of government to work together on such issues as education, health care and the Iraq war."They don't approve of anything he does," Theresa Holsten, 55, a Republican and unemployed resident of Lawton, Okla., said of Congress. "He can't do anything right, according to what some people say. It irritates the living daylights out of me."
Tammy Lambirth, 42, a data researcher from San Antonio, disapproves of "all the fighting that they do all the time."
The latest tussle involves Bush's refusal to hand over documents and let former White House aides answer questions from the Democratic-controlled Congress about the firing of U.S. attorneys. The dispute could end up in federal court.
"The Republicans are just stonewalling everything, and the Democrats are just not stepping up and making them do what they need to do, especially about Iraq," said Lambirth, a Democrat. "They need to make our troops get out of Iraq."
Basically... we're pissed off that the Democrats in Congress can't get anything done because of the Republicans. So, overall, we'll cut the marks for Congress. Either that, or we're tired of them Democrats always telling Bush he's wrong.
Ms. Holsten, sweetie, you're UNEM-FUCKING-PLOYED. What the fuck are you doing identifying yourself as a Republican? Oh, and they're right. Bush can't do a fucking thing right. In point of fact, Ms. Holsten, all he's proven is his ability to make a thoroughgoing mess of things.
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July 19, 2007
Put up or shut up...
The NYT has a great article up by the folks at CQ about fundraising number for Senatorial candidates. Here's what they had to say about Texas...
John Cornyn of Texas, who raised $2.1 million in the second quarter and banked $5.3 million, needs plenty of campaign money because he represents the nation’s second-most populous state.He could face a wealthy Democratic challenger with deep pockets for a political campaign. Lawyer Mikal Watts reported $5 million in second-quarter receipts for his “exploratory” effort, chiefly in the form of contributions and loans that Watts made to his own campaign. Watts raised about $1.1 million from individual donors.
Watts, though will have serious competition for the Democratic nomination from state Rep. Rick Noriega, who recently filed paperwork establishing a Senate exploratory committee. Noriega has been touted by some Texas Democratic insiders as their strongest prospect in years to break a long Republican Party winning streak for statewide office in the home state of President (and former Texas governor) George W. Bush.
Strongest prospect?!?! OH HELL YEAH! That's why, if you're interested in change, you need to give to Rick's campaign. The goal has ALWAYS been to show the broadest level of support possible. The amount you give is unimportant. Give $1. Give $5. Whatever you feel comfortable with, just take a moment and give something.
It's time to take a stand and show our support.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
From the Dept. of Shocking Developments
Apparently, Republicans LOVE sucking them some cock...
(h/t to Sister Ruth for calling tonight to tell me about this and ask if this was normal. Dumbass)
Posted by mcblogger at 09:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 18, 2007
There are some ugly fucking people in the world
I'm on my way back to Austin. Rather, I would be if AMERICAN AIRLINES actually flew on-time. I have to apologize about the pathetic paucity of posts (who says I can't be alliterative on less than 4 hours of sleep?!!?)from me over the last week or so. I resigned effective midnight, July 9th and started work for me new employer the next morning. Needless to say, things have been a little hectic. I know, I know... it seems like I'm moving around all the time. However, it was more money and less stress... who the hell wouldn't say yes? What're you, my loan officer?
ANYWAY, I've been in Dallas for the last couple of days and am finally heading back to civilization and hopefully a return to normalcy or at least what passes for normalcy.
With that out of the way, I'm sitting at DFW waiting on a plane to come in from Tampa so it can take me and some really fugly people back to Austin. Seriously, you should see some of these folks. No, not all of them but a few look like extras from Deliverance.
I need a drink.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Moving to impeach Cheney
It's a waste of time and yet another effort on the part of Kucinich to draw attention to himself (Look at me! Look at me! I can fling poop, too!), however, more Representatives have signed on the impeachment bill.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love nothing more than to see Cheney booted from office in disgrace. However, I still don't know the legal basis for it. And the fact that this is more about Presidential politics than it is reality just irritates me as I know it will lead no where. Just having a majority of Americans 'for it' doesn't mean it will happen.
It's not nice to provide false hope, Denny.
Posted by mcblogger at 06:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 17, 2007
In case you wondered
This is why we don't let children vote.
In 1972, Richard Nixon's campaign was caught in dirty tricks in its effort to rig the election of 1972. In July, 2007, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton were caught planning dirty tricks to rig the election of 2007.
Yes, Hillary and Edwards have fiendishly scheduled it for 2008. The bastards.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 08:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Stonewall Texas... there's dumb and then there is dumb
Members of the Texas Stonewall Democrats Caucus board met via conference call and NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE WITH REGARD TO PRESIDENT SHANNON BAILEY. Shannon, you may recall, was arrested in Dallas June 15, 2007 for indecent exposure. We've not commented on this because we, being stupid, keep expecting Shannon to do the right thing.
HOWEVER, that hasn't happened yet. What's it going to take, Shannon? And no, I don't want to hear about how the police in Dallas are 'targeting gays'. The reality is they are targeting public fucking. Gay or straight, it doesn't matter.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:34 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Texas Blogger Round-Up for July 16
(McBlogger notes... Vince at Capitol Annex wrote this up and I copied and pasted it because I'm, you know, LAZY. I was going to post it yesterday but got delayed because of work. Deal.With.It.)
Last week, member blogs in the Texas Progressive Alliance premiered a new feature, the Texas Blog Round Up, modeled after the 50 State Blog Round Up. We plan to bring this to our readers every week. So, without further ado, here is this week's installment, brought to you
by Vince from Capitol Annex.
Lady Bird Was Ours
Among many Texas blogs authoring poignant posts about the passing of Lady Bird Johnson was Muse from Fort Bend-based Musings. In Lady Bird Was Ours, Muse offers personal reflections about the former First Lady and reminds us that, though Lady Bird now belongs to the ages, she still belongs to us.
Deja Vu All Over Again
Can you see any progress in Iraq? Chances are you can't, but Texas Senator John Cornyn can (evidently through rose colored glasses). In Cornyn Sees Progress In Iraq, Texas Toad of Denton County-based North Texas Liberal explores how Rubberstamping Republican Cornyn's recent votes fail to support our troops.
Who Is For Whom?
Though we're months away from the Democratic Primary, the race to determine what Democrat will take on John Cornyn is already heating up on the blogs. In Watts v. Noriega In The Blogosphere, Hal at Fort Bend-based Half Empty explores the various blogs to determine what blogs are supporting State Rep. Rick Noriega's exploration and which blogs are
in support of attorney Mikal Watts. And, he asks the important question, "where are all the pro-Watts bloggers?"
Need Birth Control? Better Have Cash.
Could Be True at South Texas Chisme explores difficulties Houston-area female college students (and others around the state) may be having when it comes to obtaining birth control pills from their college health services department, thanks to changes in Meidcaid reimbursement policies in Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. College Health Centers To Charge More For Birth Control.
Craddick Stands By His Man
McBlogger at Austin-based McBlogger tells us that House Speaker Tom Craddick is standing by his man and keeping former State Rep. Terry Keel (R-Austin) on as House Parliamentarian...all the while
trying to find a challenger for Travis County Constable Richard McCain, who defeated Keel's brother for that post in 2004. Check it all out in Speaking of People We Don't Like.
Even Right Wingers Know When To Pull Out
John C. at Bay Area Houston explores the fact that, according to a recent poll, even the listeners of one of the most right-wing radio stations in Houston are in favor of pulling out from war-torn Iraq in Right Wing Radio Listeners Want Out Of Iraq.
What Can You Buy With $900 Million?
Though Harris County is proposing a $900 million bond package for various
courthouse and jail projects, Charles Kuffner at Houston-based Off The Kuff tells us that he has serious concerns whether or not the bond package will do anything to alleviate a serious guard shortage at the Harris County Jail. Though it is now being discussed in the media, Charles says he's still not satisfied the issue is being addressed in County Bonds and Staffing Issues.
A Closer Look At Terry Keel
Matt Glazer at Burnt Orange Report takes a closer look at some ethical issues facing new House Parliamentarian Terry Keel, such as potential conflicts of interest concerning Keel's future rulings, his continuing to maintain his
private law practice while working for the state, and ponders exactly when Keel began working for Speaker Craddick as a result of a close examination of when Keel was issued a Capitol identification card in Keel's Conflict Of Interest.
Rick Perry v. Community Colleges
Few of Governor Perry's recent vetoes has garnered more attention than his veto of community college
employee health insurance appropriations. Marc G. at Marc's Miscellany explores the issue further, and takes issue with Perry's accusation that community colleges have essentially
falsified their appropriations requests in More On Perry's Battle With Community Colleges.
Perry's Defi