March 31, 2008
Notes Towards A Grand Unified Conspiracy Theory
The McBlogger-sponsored Free Chips and Salsa Resolution mysteriously "disappeared" before it could be considered by delegates at the Travis County Democratic Convention this weekend, no doubt due to the nefarious actions of the secretive Pay For Chips Lobby. Meanwhile, City Council candidate Randi Shade claims to love queso but has so far remained silent on the salsa issue.
Connect the dots, people! Connect. The. Dots.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 03:42 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Oh, this could be good!
The Supreme Court is reconsidering the FCC's ban on profanity over the airwaves. FUCK YEAH!
Posted by mcblogger at 09:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 30, 2008
This is me hating you...
..well, at least it's a much gayer and slightly younger (shut up, Mayor) 'version' of me.
On second thought, without the profanity it's clear we've really nothing at all in common. Oh, well.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 29, 2008
I'm so excited
Yes, that's right. The Pointer Sisters. Playing in a constant loop in my head because the county convention is today. 13,000 people all of whom are anxious and excited to do something positive to help elect Democrats.
I'm also looking forward to the fruition of the super secret plan to take over the conventions for Hillary. Yes, they totally exist. Of course, that excitement is tempered by the knowledge that the Obama campaign also has a super secret plan to take things over of their own. They're such copycats.
A word of advice? Stop it. Stop the rhetoric, stop the bluster, stop your insane little plans. We're going to get through today in great shape and we're going to be united going into November. So be nice to each other tomorrow.
For those of you hellbent on acting like assholes, remember that I'll cut a motherfucker.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:44 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 28, 2008
In case you were wondering...
We're having something of a realignment at McBlogger. Frankly, things have been stale. Many of you have pointed that out (thanks for that, BTW) and you're right. We're sick of the constant campaigning. The endless candidate drives. The relentless bullshit.
A word to the wise: Some of you running campaigns really shouldn't. Honestly, you suck at it and what you think is an impressive press hit is basically the political news equivalent of farting. YOU ARE BURNING US THE FUCK OUT. Quit with the daily emails... more than once a week and we're done with you. Seriously, not that much has happened.
All this and the Mayor, Captain Kroc, Harry and I have been hella busy with our respective jobs, not mention helping out TCDP for the Convention tomorrow. So be patient, we're not going anywhere. We're just sharpening our teeth.
We're also looking for some new writers to complement the fabulous people we are NOT WRITING for us now. So, if you feel like your writing is McBlogger Quality (laugh.it.up), please shoot me an email.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
My new favorite websites
Hot Chicks with Douchebags and Postcards From Yo Momma. Brilliance!
Posted by mcblogger at 09:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 27, 2008
Note To The Hillary Campaign
Yes, I am a delegate.
Yes, I plan to attend my county convention on Saturday, March 29.
Yes, I plan to support Hillary Clinton.
The only thing that could change my mind is if you don't stop the freaking phone calls!
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 06:36 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Gearing up for more voucher crap...
The reality is that vouchers are not a panacea. They aren't even working where they've been tried.
Voucher students' test scores in the year the study covered were roughly the same as public school students'; the study also found voucher students scored below the national average, between the 28th and 39th percentile, on national reading, math, and science tests.
A frequent argument made against them, that the vouchers won't provide enough money to the poor to put their kids in anything but a parochial school, is in fact true. Even the Catholics can't run schools as cheap as the public education system which is really the crux of the entire 'how to improve education' debate. There are two things you need. One, is a change in what teachers are teaching and a return to a more formalistic curriculum. The other is more money.
What? You too are tired of the kids getting a Wal Mart education? Well, here's what we need to do. Pump money into schools and restandardize the curriculum. The pennies we save by underfunding public education end up costing us billions in lost wages, productivity and taxes down the road. It's time for conservatives to realize that conservatism is about more than just cutting taxes and spending. It's about spending money on things that matter.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dances With Moms (and Dads)
Watch as 5 boys show off their oedipal complexes, while 5 girls compete to be Daddy's Special Girl! In this reality series, some of America's hottest dancers auditioned for a chance to be a part of a new dance competition show under the pseudonym "ParentFucker," but they had no idea what was really in store for them. They soon discovered that they'd be working with a partner and that their partner would be one of their parents! Gross, right? Fridays at 9 E/P
Posted by mcblogger at 08:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 26, 2008
Federbag and Paris Hilton join forces
Kevin Federbag inexplicably turned 30 recently which completely contradicts my mother's theory that 'what goes around, comes around'. Federbag, the celebridouche golddigger, also announced that he and Paris Hilton will be joining forces to create what will surely be the most loathesome human on the face of the planet.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:33 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Who'll be the loser?
EOW has the deets on the two men vying to be beaten down by Diana Maldonado
Dee Hobbs - The establishment favorite, Hobbs has a pittance in funding. He's a WillCo Ass. D.A. He's filled with a mixture of vinegar and water.
Bryan Daniel - He sells insurance which is rad. Especially when people like Bryan hold up people like me from funding a loan because they've managed to screw something up on the insurance. But I'm sure Bryan would never do something like that. He's too busy raising money which he'll spend on embarrassing ads featuring him and his family in a vain attempt to beat Maldonado.
Both of these mooks support Tom CradDICK and are 'against the TTC' and, maybe, tolls? Sure. Right. And Mikey Krusee was going to fight to raise the gas tax. I'd sooner believe OJ's account of the murder than that these boys are against tolls. These two are also all about school vouchers (which will go over really big with the folks in Round Rock who have good public schools) and they love the idea of increasing the sales tax. Because that'll solve all our financial problems on the backs of the poor.
What a bunch of freaks. No matter who Maldonado defeats, both these asshats are LOSERS.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 25, 2008
McBlogger's Comedy Tips, Part 1109
FUNNY
Tina Fey. A once-a-year birth control solution. Psychotic periods.Brilliance.
NOT FUNNY
Dogs. A child. A politician. A politician with dogs and a child. Cheese (in a can).
I have no doubt that Mindy's tough enough to stand up to criminals. Rosemary is, too. However, unlike Rosemary, I have serious doubts about whether or not Mindy can stand up to her friends.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:09 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 24, 2008
Democrats are the new suck
I'm calling on all of the people who went to your precinct convention to once again give a good Goddamn about this. I feel like I'm herding cats with some of you dipshits. You were SOOOOO adamant about going to the county convention and now you're all whining about 'having a meeting'. FUCKALL, you weak fucking sisters.
Pull your head out of your goddamn ass and realize that YOU have a chance to make a fucking difference.
I miss the times when there were only 4 of us at the damn precinct convention. At least we CARED enough. The rest of you are just a bunch of poseurshits.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:23 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Take this 2,000 acre development and shove it!
Let me preface this with the fact that I like development. Not just new construction or renovations of existing buildings, but economic development. I especially like the kind that promises to create a massive number of jobs in our community. There is, however, one thing that'll make me turn into a zero growth nut. That's when developers come 'round asking for tax breaks and abatements and claiming that it's the only way they can bring their project to Austin.
Really? Do you want a virgin to consummate the deal as well?
Seriously, this crap about Villa Muse is about as retarded as I've ever seen. First off, the developers are taking over 2,000 acres in a developing area of Travis County, which just happens to be part of Austin's ETJ. What the developers want is to have that removed from taxation and zoning requirements, effectively reverting the land back to county control and keeping it from being annexed by the city. Not to mention that it would keep it out of city environmental oversight, which is exactly why the city shot down the proposal.
Some council members said the city could not be guaranteed that it would be able to eventually annex the property even if the developers signed an agreement. Leffingwell and Kim were also worried about the lack of environmental oversight of the floodplain remediation that would be necessary and the proposed construction of the studio so close to Gilleland Creek.
All this, of course, has Dawnna Dukes all upset...
Dukes wrote that Villa Muse would have been a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Central Texas area, especially Eastern Travis County.”“Your decision to deny the temporary release of Villa Muse from the city’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction takes certain financing options off the table, thus making the project financially unfeasible” and probably ensuring its relocation to a different city, she wrote.
Dukes said she questioned whether environmental concerns were the real reason the council members decided refused to support the project, given that the council is considering building a landfill and wastewater treatment plant in Eastern Travis County.
She asked the council members to reconsider their decision: “This project will succeed somewhere in Texas. It would be ideal to have it here.”
First off, Dawnna, it's a mixed us development not unlike The Domain whose developers WERE able to talk the city into questionable tax breaks(which folks are even now trying to get rid of). Therefore, it's nothing special. Oh, there's the 70k seat amphitheater that's a huge risk in a town where people will squeeze 100 per square foot into some shitty club to hear some shitty band play shitty music.
And you're wrong, Dawnna. This project will only really succeed here. There really aren't too many other areas of Texas where this can succeed. Maybe in Irving and if the developers want to pick up and move to the artistic hotbed of Irving, they are more than welcome. Have at it, fellas!
As for the project being financially unfeasible, you wouldn't know if it was or wasn't, Dawnna. If their margins were soooo thin that only a tax break put them into the black, then this is really a blessing in disguise. The City Council just saved us from another nightmare because if their finances were THAT flimsy, odds are the developers would have gone bust during construction. Three strikes of stupid on this, Dawnna...
1) You chastise people who clearly have a better understanding of this than you.
2) You fight hard for developers with questionable financing (and who, by the way, was underwriting this package? USB? Lehman? Southwest?).
3) You talk about tax abatements as if they're some sort of economic panacea (which they aren't).
Needless to say, this or something like it is going to happen in this area with or without the wonderful developers who've given Dawnna so much over the years. The developers, for their part, are of threatening to take their toys and move on...
The backers of a proposed entertainment studio and production facility in eastern Travis County say they are negotiating with other Texas cities to move the project after Austin officials refused to temporarily release the project from its regulatory grasp.Villa Muse Vice President Paul Alvarado-Dykstra would not reveal which other cities the developers are negotiating with but said there was more than one and all were in Texas.
"We haven't closed the door on Austin, but we kind of feel like Austin closed the door on us last Thursday," he said.
Ahhh... so long, fuckball. Try playing your financial shell game with a muni that's controlled by short sighted stupid people.
And here, my friends, is why I'm supporting Jennifer Kim for re-election...
Last week, state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, who represents the area, sent a scathing letter to Mayor Will Wynn and Council Members Betty Dunkerley, Jennifer Kim and Lee Leffingwell, all of whom voted against the release.Kim and Leffingwell said they were not surprised by the developers' decision to pursue other locations and are not inclined to revisit releasing the land anytime soon.
"It is unfortunate that they are not going to locate here, but we need to make sure that we are protecting our environment and our quality of life," Kim said. "In this case, we couldn't assure that to our constituents."
Translation... you aren't going to get something for nothing. If you want play in Austin, you have to pay just like everyone else. Either that or we'll steal your idea and do it ourselves.
We're mean like that.
Last point then I promise I'll move on to something exciting, the people who really get screwed with abatements are the existing property base. See, development needs infrastructure and services. Even if the developer is paying for the internal roads, power grid and water/wastewater systems, the external hookups will have to upgraded and city facilities will have to be ungraded to take care on the additional burden. That costs money and frankly I don't think any of us mind paying it.
As long as the new development starts paying taxes just like the rest of us. If not, then you're wasting our time and our money. Come back when you have have the wherewithal to do things the right way.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:59 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 23, 2008
Just in case you were wondering...
... this is the kind of housing you can get for $6 mm. At least, according to the NYT.
Or you could just buy 15-20 houses in my 'hood.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 22, 2008
Is it just me...
...or has the Belmont gone lame? Last night I went there for drinks with some people and the goddamn band was making us sick. It's not that they were playing badly, it's that they were playing at all. And no, there weren't many people dancing.
Why the FUCK does every bar in Austin think live music will help their sales?
Posted by mcblogger at 10:19 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 21, 2008
Runoff - Henry and Lehmberg
Remember that primary a few weeks ago? Well, some of the candidates are in a runoff. Here are two you need to support:
Dale Henry has secured the endorsement of Burnt Orange Report and a re-endorsement from Brains and Eggs.
Here in Travis County, Rosemary Lehmberg recently received the endorsement of former DA candidate Gary Cobb. We urge you to support her. Because she rocks. And because... well, there's this on her opponent.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Jokes of My Father's : Uncannily accurate
I'm currently reading The Shock Doctrine and most of it I already knew, especially the stuff about AshBritt's brill work subcontracting out their work in the Katrina cleanup. It's well worth the read if only to see how far we've gone down the Friedmanite road... and how much backtracking we have yet to do.
In the meantime, I got this from my father...
Three Government Contractors...
Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House in D.C.; one from New Jersey, another from Tennessee and the third, from Florida. They go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The Florida contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. 'Well', he says, 'I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me.'
The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, 'I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me.'
The New Jersey contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, '$2,700.'
The official, incredulous, says, 'You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?'
The New Jersey contractor whispers back, '$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence.'
'Done!' replies the government official.
It creeps me out when comedy so closely resembles reality. The NJ contractor could easily be Halliburton or Parsons.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Richardson, with all the enthusiasm of a corpse, endorses the Obamassiah
Yes, that's right... Mr. Personality himself, Gov. Bill Richardson, has endorsed the Obamassiah. I dare ANYONE to come up with ANYTHING less inspiring.
Why, no, I don't like Gov. Bill Richardson. It's because of his 'vast' foreign policy experience and his incredible gullibility, coupled with his egotistical self-importance. I know this is supposedly a blow for Hillary and all, but this guy is like a bad penny... he's nothing but bad luck. I wonder what the Obamassiah dangled before that corpulent face to get him to endorse?
Posted by mcblogger at 08:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hillary's Schedule...
Seriously, this is the best the WaPo could do? These were he first four headlines in Politics Daily...
In Hillary Clinton's Datebook, A Shift (By Peter Baker and Karen DeYoung) Hillary Clinton's White House Schedules Accounts Reveal So Much, Yet So Little (By Libby Copeland) VIDEO: Clinton's Records As First Lady Unveiled
THREE articles and a video?!?!?!? Pink Lady sooo nailed this.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 20, 2008
HERA (hearts) Equality Texas
The Houston Equal Right Alliance is announcing is integrating with Equality Texas. Together, they will work to make LGBT Texans safe from discrimination. And, hopefully, polyblend (seriously, have you seen some of the hideous things people are wearing around with a straight face?)
Full release in the supersize... where all the big boys belong.
Houston Equal Rights Alliance (HERA) Announcement EXCITING NEWS!!!HERA to Integrate with Equality Texas
Dear Friends and Supporters,
The past four to five years have been amazing as we have
seen much progress in terms of electing pro-equality
legislators both at the local and statewide level. HERA has
been the lead organization during this time in identifying
voters, reaching out to the Houston community through our
educational work and building alliances with other GLBT and
progressive organizations. We are proud of our
accomplishments including the identification of literally
thousands and thousands of voters since 2004 who said that
they would without hesitation support gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender civil rights. Our progress....simply
put...has been because of YOUR faith and support.With progress comes change...and we are excited to announce
that as of March 15, 2008 that HERA will officially
integrate with Equality Texas. Equality Texas is our
statewide political organization working to advance the
cause of equality for all Texans. Equality Texas, whose
programmatic and advocacy work across the state has mirrored
HERA's in the greater Houston metropolitan area. Equality
Texas has been a longtime alliance partner of the Houston
Equal Rights Alliance and we are proud of our collaborative
and successful efforts.HERA's Board of Director's began a dialogue last year with
Equality Texas about how we could best achieve our common
goals and objectives in the Houston metro area. The
decision was made by both Boards to look at the possibility
of an integration. Since then, we have talked to many of
our supporters to get feedback on the proposed integration.
The dialogue and feedback were overwhelmingly positive and
this resulted in our respective Board's adopting a proposal
to integrate HERA with Equality Texas.There are three primary reasons why the HERA Board voted to
integrate with Equality Texas.a.. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Equality
Texas and the work the organization is doing across the
State of Texas. We have always considered the success of
Equality Texas core to our work in Houston. This
integration represents an opportunity for Equality Texas
to have a greater level of infrastructure and support in
the greater Houston metro area.
b.. This integration is a natural progression for HERA
considering our key areas: building alliance
relationships, developing infrastructure and a strategic
focus looking out to the next 3-5 years and beyond.
c.. The primary reason is that this integration is in the
best interests of the Houston GLBT community. All the
work and accomplishments through HERA have always been
about serving our community and this decision is no
different.
This is a "win-win" situation because Equality Texas will
benefit from the infrastructure that HERA has developed
through the years and the Houston community wins because we
will have a larger presence with our statewide organization.
We need Equality Texas to be successful...not just for
Houston but for the place we all call home...Texas. The
HERA Board is working to make this integration successful
and we will continue to work with and support Equality Texas
until the day when the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender community is no longer treated as second-class
citizens.Your support has been and will be critical going forward.
Because of your commitments of time and financial support,
we have achieved incredible programmatic, electoral and
grassroots achievements. And as we look ahead, the HERA
Team is asking you to support Equality Texas because this is
an organization that is truly making a difference 365 days
a year for our community.Please visit www.equalitytexas.org to learn more about
Equality Texas.Keep an eye out for an announcement about our Launch
Party!!!! You will have an opportunity to learn more about
the exciting plans for 2008 and beyond.Thank you again for ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
For Equality,
Rob Scamardo
PresidentTammi Wallace
Founding Board Member, Former Executive Director and
Immediate Past President
About the Houston Equal Rights Alliance (HERA)The Houston Equal Rights Alliance (HERA) is an alliance of
individuals and organizations committed to building a
sustainable strategy through community building to promote
equality and respect for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender people through education and advocacy.
THANK YOU!!!Thank you for all of your amazing support over the years!!!! The
years ahead are going to be exciting as we push forward with
Equality Texas to work on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender civil rights.Look for details on our upcoming Launch Party !!!! You will be
able to hear more about the exciting plans for 2008 and beyond!Please visit
www.equalitytexas.org to learn more about the amazing work of our
statewide organization.The HERA Board wishes to express our deepest appreciation for Paul
Scott, Executive Director of Equality Texas and to the Board for
their dialogue, openness and commitment to this integration and
putting our communities best interests in the forefront at every
discussion.THANK YOU!!!
TO OUR
VOLUNTEERS:You are the absolute best! All of your blood, sweat and tears
have made a difference in Houston and will continue to do so. We
look forward to working with you through Equality Texas!!!TO OUR
FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS:Every voter ID, discussion with a voter about GLBT civil rights,
political victory, etc., is because you funded work that has truly
made a difference in Houston! Every dollar made a difference and
we thank you for your support!TO OUR
ALLIANCE PARTNERS:Thank you for every hour, every meeting, collaborative effort and
working together for a cause we all believe in - EQUALITY!Click here to learn more about Equality Texas:
Mission and Values
Board and Staff
History
Issues
Victories
Press Room
Upcoming Events
Call To Action - Sign up to receive Equality Texas emails.Visit the Action Center to sign up
Click Here to Contribute to Equality Texas and support the local
work in Houston:Contribute to ET!!!
DON'T MISS THE LAUNCH PARTY!!!! MORE DETAILS SOON!!!
For more information about the Equality Texas-HERA integration,
please contact:
info@equalitytexas.org
512.474.5475
Email Marketing by
Houston Equal Rights Alliance (HERA) | 1915 Commonwealth, Suite 104 | Houston
| TX | 77006
Posted by mcblogger at 02:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Noriega : A Progressive Patriot
Sen. Feingold (who has an 'order' (more like a suggestion, really) saying that Sister Ruth must stay more than 100 feet away from him at all times) needs to know that Rick Noriega IS a Progressive Patriot. Go tell him here.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
City Council Endorsement - ALGPC and SDA
I got to see some of the candidates, hear some of their positions, smoke a cigarette out on the street (because of you goddamn asthmatics who banned smoking indoors) and finally find out who we endorsed.
It was an exciting night down at the Commissioner's Court. At least I was excited. I'd been looking forward all day to seeing Jennifer Gale's first performance of the city endorsement season. Unfortunately, due to an unfortunate oversight on the part of SOMEONE at ALGPC, she wasn't invited. When I protested, the others in the audience, who have no appreciation for raw talent, kinda got irritated AND GROANED. It's a shame so many had to die, but I just couldn't see myself putting up with that kind of behavior. Well, that AND I was nicfitting like a motherfucker. I know, I quit... however, after the day I had I needed a damn cigarette. Cut me some slack, mother. YOU didn't have to deal with your admin asst threatening to quit. At 4:30 in the afternoon, natch.
Though the membership rolls of both the Austin Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus and Stonewall Democrats of Austin were decimated, they did manage to make some great decisions... and some real mistakes.
Place 1
ALGPC - Leiffingwell
SDA - No endorsement
Place 3
ALGPC - Shade
SDA - Shade
I voted for Kim in both and feel that a mistake was made. By letting so many clearly stupid people vote. I kid, I kid... I like Randi and think she's a nice lady. I just like Jennifer's tenacity better and think she's done a much better job than she's generally given credit for.
Place4
ALGPC - Morrison
SDA - Morrison
I gotta say, I'm disappointed Robin Cravey didn't get at least one.
In other exciting city council endorsement news, BATPAC released their endorsements.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:46 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 19, 2008
Bush to scrap state Homeland Security grants
No, I'm not kidding. Kind of a mixed bag since I thought it was nothing more than a slush fund anyway. However, I just have to ask, what about the terrawrists?
Posted by mcblogger at 01:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Don't ask, the policy smells
It appears that the majority of military leaders support Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Persue. The policy has been widely derided as a compromise that delayed full equality for LGBT service members. Without arguing that, it has allowed some members of the LGBT to serve as they wished, even if they couldn't be open about themselves.
What's interesting is not that the majority now supports this policy, it's that a full 22% support repeal and allowing openly LGBT citizens to serve. That's a substantial change from 10 years ago.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Cornyn, dodges the draft and only now votes for vets
Apparently, Cornyn has decided to release his military records
1. Private 1st Class Cornyn showed exceptional leadership and courage when he was the first to attack the chow line on mystery meat day, putting himself and his stomach at risk.2. Later in the day, Private 1st Class Cornyn again displayed exceptional leadership by single handedly clearing the way to the latrine after crapping his pants during live ammo training.
3. Cornyn was eventually given an honorable discharge after whining me and my staff to tears. His service to his country and his dry cleaners has been invaluable.
Cornyn also has finally decided to support a VA hospital. In the Valley. The same one that Sen. Hutchison swore to support. Maybe they should stop calling him Senator Junior John and instead Senator Johnny Come Lately. The funny thing? Somehow, Cornyn's support of this bill causes a problem for Noriega? Oh hell, R.G. What's wrong with pointing out that in SIX YEARS it was a Democrat that got things moving. For four of those six years, Junior John was a leader in the party that controlled Congress AND the White House and he couldn't get this done? Of course Noriega's going to point that out.
And Texans will be listening.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 18, 2008
Roundin' up the TPA
It is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly blog round-up. The round-up is compiled each week by the TPA based on submissions made by our member blogs and bloggers. This week's round-up was compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.
The leader of McBlogger's crack legal team has an interesting take on Gov. Spitzer's premium taste in hookers.
TXsharon at Bluedaze asks if Texas Railroad Commission malpractice like this will cost you your life or only your health.
WhosPlayin looks at plagiarism by a Republican candidate for city council: John Gorena, of Lewisville who lifted quite a bit of his website from a Democratic judicial candidate.
Off the Kuff takes a look at downballot voting in the Democratic Primary in Harris County.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson shines a light on the latest Texas GOP voucher scam in HD-52, Education Matters.
Hal at Half Empty came across the latest production by the DSCC, and to his surprise and delight, found it was about (or going to be, eventually) our own senatorial candidate, Texas Democratic senatorial nominee Rick Noriega.
Good luck unemployed people of Texas. The Texas Cloverleaf exposes Governor 39%'s recent appointment of GOP idealogue and fellow blogger, Tom Pauken, as the new chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission.
CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme shows how Republicans shaft Texas workers on behalf of their business cronies. Insurance companies are forced to reveal medical data on perspective employees and unemployment insurance premiums are cut to give companies a 'tax break'.
Vince at Capitol Annex takes a look at a number of scorecards ranking Texas' Congressional Delegation in which Texas' Republicans score big, fat "F's" when it comes to children, families, the middle class, the environment, working Americans, and more.
In "Bulletins from the front lines", PDiddie at Brains and Eggs advances some of the challenges the forthcoming Senate District conventions will face, with the expected huge turnout expected to overrun facilities and organizers.
nytexan at BlueBloggin looks at the different delegate counts provided by the media and asks So You Think You Know The Delegate Count.
Refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left writes a Letter to Hillary.
Fake Consultant takes a shot at predicting a perfect VP for Obama at Texas Kaos.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Wishing Monica the best
Monica Goodling will be getting married and is planning to have more insipid little Republican offspring. That is, if her fiance isn't one of the many gay Republicans living in working in the DC area.
The couple are registered at Wal-Mart, Kohls and Pre-Paid Legal Services.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Perception is reality
Take a balance sheet weakened by the non-marketability of assets on it. Add in doubts from counterparties and an unwillingness to take the other side of a trade to, for example, assume interest rate risks. Combine with client uncertainty and top it all off with the loss of access to the critical commercial paper market (the financial lifeblood of all the large non-depository banks) and you have the perfect financial storm that destroys an investment bank.
That, in short, is what happened to Bear Stearns. Was Bear in trouble? Sure. The fact that the company made some horrendous bets on some very toxic MBS, mostly filled with Alt A and Sub-Prime credits. Then they dumped them into CDO's, in which interests were sold to investors. Just to add another layer of risk, they then borrowed heavily against the shit credits in the CDO to, wait for it, buy still more shitty credits to juice the return. The CDO could borrow cheaply so the spread income was very good and helped Bear come in with extremely good profits. As long as no one doubted the value of the credits in the CDO. When those became unsaleable, creditors called loans and there was a run on the bank.
And that last bit is what killed Bear. You can't pay off $100 Billion in loans with $20 Billion in equity, for example. If you can't float that $100 Billion with constant funding, you're effectively bankrupt. Well, that's actually putting it mildly. You're a cautionary tale. The fact that the assets you've acquired with that debt are worth less than 1/10 what you paid just seals the deal on the tragedy.
Though the underlying event was different, something very similar happened to Salomon Bros. in 1991. Then, a white knight was able to step in, restore confidence and, by extension, the funding. No such luck this time with JPMorgan Chase. The only question that remains is were their actions deliberate. Consider this...
The swiftness of Mr. Dimon’s decision to buy Bear is remarkable given that he has not been an aggressive acquirer since he joined the firm after selling it BankOne, where he was chief executive. He has cautioned patience about making acquisitions, though he had suggested in recent months that the firm might be ready to make a major deal.Earlier this month, the co-chief executive of JPMorgan’s investment bank, William T. Winters, said on a conference call with investors: “If a special opportunity came up to acquire a prime broker at a decent return, we wouldn’t hesitate. We’ve always said, ‘Boy, if there was one for sale, we’d love to look at it.’ ”
A deal needed to be reached quickly to protect the business from collapsing entirely. With most if not all of its clients stopping trading with the firm, its days were numbered.
One has to wonder if maybe the crisis of confidence was, if only in part, exacerbated by JPMC. Of course, we'll probably find out. That's what lawsuits are all about.
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Randi Shade likes queso (and, apparently, tolls)
The city council elections are coming up May 10 and to say I'm excited would be like saying Tina Fey is mildly amusing. I'm ecstatic. Because of endorsement meetings with Jennifer Gale. That's right. That's what has me excited. You people that go to those meetings and bemoan the fact that you've got to listen to her are idiots with no appreciation for her unique comedic talents. Normally you'd have to pay cover and buy two drinks to get that kind of a show.
I'm just thrilled to be quite honest and will try to make as many of her performances as possible. Of course, I will not be voting for her. I'll be voting for one of the other, less amusing though slightly more sane, nuts.
McSleaze and I will be keeping a close watch on the candidates. Mostly because we want to see the moment when a candidate turns into a shit flinging monkey.
Today though, we'd like to point you to a few things floating around, like poop in the toilet at that 7-11 in Round Rock I stopped at today. First off, there's David Mauro's breakdown of the candidates running this year. No Brewster isn't there so you'll not have a chance to vote against him. That's next year. This year we have these folks. Among them, Randi Shade and Cid Galindo stand out, kind of like a guy in a suit at Casino el Camino. Matt at BOR recently posted this piece about Randi and some of her contributors. Randi then posted this piece which is mostly interesting because of the back forth between m1ek, Sal Costello and Kedron Touvell. Oh, and me.
Yeah, yeah... I know there are other issues besides the toll roads but can you think of one that effects as many issues as transportation infrastructure? Randi is coming across more and more as just another politico more interested in a short term fix than a long term solution that might take some work.
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March 17, 2008
THEY said it would pay for itself...
...and Tom Tomorrow has his take on the Iraq War.
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Things to do...
1) Create artificial blackhole
2) Dump douchebags into it
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LOVE me some Peaches
For all of you who have wondered if that Fuck The Pain Away song I've talked about was real. I should probably mention that this is not safe for work. However, this is McBlogger. If you're reading this at work then you're probably looking at porn too. And yes, your entire IT department knows about your japscat fetish.
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Well Fuck Me To Tears
Gary Mauro, head of the Clinton campaign in Texas, has been making noises about suing the Texas Democratic Party to delay the next step in the convention process that began on the evening of March 4. (Full text of Mauro's letter to TDP Chair Boyd Richie in the supersize.)
Seriously, a lawsuit? I cannot imagine any action that would cause more harm to Texas Democrats while availing the Clinton campaign little.
Make no mistake, I continue to support Hillary Clinton for President. She is far more ready to lead this country through the difficult times we will be inheriting from the Bush regime next January. Experience does matter. Hope is not a political philosophy nor a strategy for governance. I fear that an Obama Presidency would become a replay of Carter's: a well-meaning boob without the skill to get anything done who paved the way to an era of GOP tyranny.
That said, the sad fact is that Hillary Clinton's campaign has been one of the worst-run in history. Honestly, who could imagine a candidate with carefully-honed political skills, widespread name recognition, the backing of the party of the Party Establishment, and more fundraising potential than God standing on the brink of defeat as the primary season begins to wind down? (And as an aside, remember all the pundits who spent 2007 talking about "Hillary's flawless campaign"? Why do they still have jobs?)
Nowhere is the incompetence of the Clinton campaign more blatant than their inability to win caucus states. Caucuses are made to order for Establishment candidates to have their way. Unlike primary elections, a process familiar to the voting public, caucuses involve showing up for a few hours, are governed by arcane rules, and involve actually stating where you stand politically in front of your neighbors. No wonder many people don't even know caucuses exist, fewer still actually participate, and even many of those who do barely know what happened. For an insurgent candidate's supporters to win not just one of these contests, but caucus after caucus speaks to their skill and enthusiasm and to utter failure from the Establishment.
So now we come to Texas. For months Texans for Obama had been building a grassroots organization, identifying supporters. The Clinton campaign did nothing of note until it became clear that the primary race would not be decided on February 5. Of course, when the Clinton bandwagon did roll into Texas, they did pull out all the stops, recruiting volunteers, major advertising buys, and Hillary, Bill and Chelsea all barnstorming across the state. It was enough to eke out a narrow victory in the Primary, but in the race to identify supporters and motivate them to come back to their precinct conventions in the evening the Obama campaign had a lead that could not be erased in a few weeks.
Gary Mauro's letter is an insult to all us Texas Democrats who guided their conventions through that Category 5 political storm. Were mistakes made? Undoubtedly. Was there confusion? Of course? Did some ineligible people participate? It would not surprise me. But I am convinced that given the overwhelming turnout that night the percentages were small, the mistakes mostly honest ones and distributed in favor of both candidates so their overall effect on the results pretty close to zero. And for anything beyond that, that's why conventions have Credentials Committees.
Leading up to March 4th, both national campaigns did a great job of promoting paranoia and distrust of the "other side". Gary Mauro's letter continues that harmful process. It should be withdrawn and all plans for legal action that would interfere with our county and district conventions abandoned.
March 14, 2008
BY FEDERAL EXPRESS, EMAIL AND FACSIMILE TO (512) 480-2500
Mr. Boyd L. Richie
Chairman, Texas Democratic Party
State Democratic Executive Committee
505 W. 12th Street, Suite 200
Austin, Texas 78701
Dear Chairman Richie:
We want to congratulate you on the extraordinary turnout of voters across the State of Texas who participated in the March 4 Democratic presidential primary and precinct conventions. We appreciate the unprecedented administrative challenges the high turnout presented. Fortunately, the Texas Democratic Party has under its Rules and the Texas Delegate Selection Plan requirements designed to ensure that the process in which eligible voters participate is fair and one in which they can have confidence, and when there are deficiencies, requirements to ensure that those deficiencies are rectified.
In this regard we are writing to express our concerns regarding the review and tally of the official results of the State Party's precinct conventions on March 4. As you are no doubt aware, there are significant questions about whether the precinct conventions were conducted in accordance with the Party's Delegate Selection Plan and Rules. On the night of the caucus itself we brought many instances of these irregularities to the attention of the State Party. The campaign received in excess of 2,000 complaints of rules violations, indicating widespread violations of the Party's rules, including the following specific occurrences that are clear violations of specific rules:
• Temporary Chair packets were released by the election judge prior to 7:00 pm
• Sign-in sheets were filled out before 7:00 pm
• Precincts were consolidated for purposes of holding a convention
• Precinct caucuses began before polls closed for the primary
• Ineligible participants voted or ineligible delegates were elected, including participants who were not registered voters, participants who did not vote in the primary, provisional voters whose votes were counted, and no verification was made of the eligibility of participants or delegates
• Accurate written records of participants, presidential preferences, and elected delegates were not kept
• Participants' names and presidential preference were entered on sign-in sheets by someone other than the eligible individual participant
• Results were taken from a head count or hand count rather than the written roll
• Delegate votes were not ratified by the precinct convention
• Failure to follow Robert's Rules of Order at the precinct convention
We have had several conversations with the State Party since March 4, including conversations with Chad Dunn, regarding the procedures that the State Party intends to follow to insure that the rules were followed and that only the votes of eligible participants would be considered. We understood that we were to receive a memorandum regarding that process, but were advised yesterday that instead we would be invited to a briefing on Monday, March 17.
Last week our Counsel, Lyn Utrecht, was told by Mr. Dunn that the State Party intended to verify the eligibility of participants and that the Party's IT people were working on a system for doing that electronically. On Tuesday the 11th, when Ms. Utrecht contacted Mr. Dunn to inquire about the status of the memorandum regarding the procedures, she was advised that the State Party no longer intended to verify the eligibility of participants or delegates because the Party would not have the ability to do that before the County Conventions. This was confirmed by Mr. Dunn yesterday.
Therefore, it is our understanding that the results will be counted and delegates awarded based on a count of votes without any determination by the State Party of eligibility of the participants, and without any certification by the Precinct Chairs or County and Senate District Chairs that they completed a thorough review of the eligibility of participants and delegate candidates.
Thus it will be left to the campaigns to file credentials challenges against those delegates awarded based on the votes of ineligible participants, without the State Party making any effort to identify ineligible participants. We were advised yesterday that we will begin to receive copies of the scanned sign-in sheets sometime early next week and that it will not be until the end of next week when we will receive all of this data. In order to review this, the campaigns will also need access to the voter rolls to determine who voted in the primary held that day. While the State Party has indicated that it will request this information from the larger counties and provide it, it is unclear how soon that information will be available. For the smaller counties, the campaigns must request it from each county.
We believe this is in direct contravention of the Rules, which require that the Party determine the eligibility of participants and that only the votes of eligible participants are counted. Moreover, if the Party's reason for not ensuring that only eligible participants are counted is based on the fact that the Party cannot complete the review process prior to the scheduled date of the County and Senate District Conventions, the campaigns can't possibly complete this review in a timely fashion. Credentials challenges are presently due March 26.
We believe that (1) it is a violation of the Party's Delegate Selection Plan and Rules for the Party not to ensure that the eligibility of participants was determined before their votes are counted; and (2) if the Party cannot complete this task in time to hold the next level conventions on March 29, those conventions must be postponed until such time as accurate presidential preference counts can be made based on a review of each and every sign in sheet to determine eligibility of participants and delegates.
It is a violation of the rights of legitimate participants to have their true vote count distorted by violations of the Party's Rules. It is the Party's responsibility to ensure the integrity of the precinct convention process by making sure that the Rules were followed and that the final official results of the precinct conventions are accurate and in compliance with the Rules.
Therefore, we respectfully request that the Party explain to both campaigns what procedures will be followed to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the precinct convention results and agree to postpone the County and Senate District Conventions until such time as that process can be completed.
We look forward to working with you to ensure that the votes of the people who participated in the March 4 primary and precinct conventions are accurately counted.
Sincerely,
/s/
Garry Mauro
Authorized Representative
Guy Cecil
National Political and Field Director
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March 16, 2008
Andre WIlliams Managed to Stay Concious...!
My favorite thing in life, better than chocolate cake in bed, SXSW!!! Nothing keeps me away from what I consider Austins finest and one of the reasons I believe that I live in the best city possible...those of you jealous haters, its ok I understand. Ok so I said nothing keeps me away which is'nt exactly true because this time around politics did a great job of keeping me out of most every show I wanted to see, actually every show that I wanted to see with the exception of ONE...Ew! Anyway last night I had the great pleasure of seeing the super fantastic Andre Williams perform at the Continental Club, it was one badass funk fest. Williams, 72 has had quite a life, his Mom died when he was just 6, he survived severe poverty, homelessness, some serious drug addiction, and alcoholism. I tell you that partly for good background information as well to to help explain the fact that he appears to be closer to 92. He has worked with many musical greats such as Cab Calloway and Stevie Wonder and his song titles include "Jailbait," "Shes A Bag of Potato Chips," and "Thunder Thighs." He barely moves on the stage except for when he starts to tip over but it works out well due to his lively band and hippy hippy shake go-go dancers, there are lots of great distractions. Andre, dressed head to toe in red staggered around the microphone his eyes half closed and made out with a pint of rum the whole night, all that and he never missed a beat! His songs were just as good as his records and the music was insane. It was an incredible time...check this man out!
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Condoleezza Rice Was "Bombarded" with Warnings Before 9/11,
Contrary to story we were told by the Administration and our ersatz Secretary of State, she was advised on numerous occasions by Richard Clarke that Bin Laden was ready to attack the US in the months leading up to 9/11. Condi ignored that information and Philip Zelikow (9/11 Commission staff director) helped cover up the discovery that Rice was MIA.
read more
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March 15, 2008
...And the sun also sets
It's always sad when something you really dig starts to, well, suck. Now I guess I know how some of you readers must feel.
If you, like me, are a connoisseur of excellent television, then you've probably discovered the brilliance that is The Bad Girls Club on Oxygen. What an amazing concept... bitches, really mean and nasty bitches, taken out of their ordinary trash environment and forced to live with other trash bitches. Fucking brilliance, I tell you!
And now the ride is over. On the episode this week, they threw out the queen of the bitches, Jennavecia. Which means the conflict is gone and replaced with stoopid laughter and 'getting along'. The preview for the next episode promises some conflict... I may watch it. I may not. I don't think any one of these morons could out badass Jennavecia.
Oh, and Tenisha, brush those fucking cookie crumbs off your boobs. You're gross. Especially when you wax your face.
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March 14, 2008
Thank you, House D's! Telecom Immunity goes down in the House like a dirty ho
The House version of the FISA bill passed without telecom immunity! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR IT!
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So, is anyone going to Ultra?
While you're all off enjoying that shitty acoustic band at the Continental (Yes, they do suck. Don't buy the CD. They aren't the next big thing, lamer) remember that there are those among you who making the ultimate sacrifice for you and democracy.
That's right, bitches. I'm staying here for the County Convention instead of going to Miami for Ultra. Which really pisses me off since friends of mine around the country are going. To the three or four that read this, Hiya. Oh, and you are the suck. Pass that around, especially y'all out in OC.
Soulless electronica, electroclash and dance? Yep. Ridiculous mashups of Royksopp and Dolly Parton? Hell yeah. An all out auditory assault? Oh, I sure hope so. For the people who will be there. A group which, unfortunately, will not include me.
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More positive news from the GOP
The Republicans have hired Carly Fiorina to run Victory 2008!, the GOP's fundraising effort to benefit Olden Times. Carly will also be acting as an economic advisor to and evangelist for the economic policies of Olden Times. Conservatives in the GOP are unhappy about all this.
It's probably because they, like myself, remember Carly's last big job which was destroying shareholder value while CEO of Hewlett Packard.
No, Carly, buying Compaq was a piss poor idea.
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Keeping things in perspective
While Elliot Spitzer's actions are sad and all, let's keep things in perspective...
o Democratic president consorts with intern: Impeachment, no conviction.o Democratic governor consorts with prostitutes (overtones of unsafe sex): Choice of resignation or impeachment.
o Republican senator consorts with prostitutes (overtones of diaper-wearing): No big deal.
o Republican senator solicits gay sex in men's room: Human punchline, Ethics Committee admonishment.
o Republican vice president shoots hunting buddy in the face: No big deal. Victim apologizes.
o Republican president starts war under false pretenses, tortures prisoners, wiretaps American citizens without warrants, etc, etc, etc.: Impeachment "off the table."
o Republican-appointed CENTCOM commander displays sound tactical and strategic judgment that stands in the way of Dubya's shiny new war: Forced to resign.
And let's not forget this bitch (here and here) whose return to the OK House of Reps was treated like a homecoming after doing something brave. Instead of the shunning she richly deserves for being just another badly dressed bigot who thinks homosexuals are a bigger threat than, well... anything. According to her. I guess she doesn't realize that the people who should feel threatened by gays are the badly dressed and coiffed.
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March 13, 2008
Names for McCain
WOW! It's been a while since we've written about the irrelevant Republican candidate, Senator Olden Times. That's what I've decided to start calling him. The Mayor is going with McThuselah.
I really hate McSleaze and his clever little brain sometimes.
Anyhow, OLDEN TIMES is running ads about what he's done to stop pork barrel spending. Specifically on projects he thinks are of dubious value. Like a census of bears. What he didn't realize is that the project was essential to determining if grizzlies were still an endangered species or if their numbers were high enough to support hunting them. See, states like (and I'm just throwing this out here) MONTANA have a pretty good business going on with hunters that travel in. Plus, it would be nice to know if the Endangered Species Act actually worked. Olden Times thought all that was a bad idea. Like those kids playing on that bit of gravel in front of his Arizona home which he insists is a yard.
An article up on AlterNet also talks about how people 'trust' Olden Times on Iraq. And the War on Terror. Of course, it's all hypothetical and people are still more interested in other things but there you are. Just wait until Hillary spins up the campaign in the fall.
So which name do you like better? McThuselah or Olden Times? You get to vote in the comments or via email and we'll go with your decision. As long as it's OLDEN TIMES.
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The high cost of going solar
The WaPo has a great article up about how one of the inputs into the manufacture of photovoltaic cells is causing a lot of problems in China. The input is polysilicon which elsewhere in the world, where there are environmental regulations, costs $84,000 per ton to produce. In China they are doing that for $21,000 to $56,000 per ton. You can do that when you don't worry about what you do with your waste. The waste in the case of polysilicon is silicon tetrachloride which basically kills everything. Not to mention that you can recycle it to create more polysilicon, which is a large part of the increase in cost for western manufacturers.
About nine months ago, residents of Li's village, which begins about 50 yards from the plant, noticed that their crops were wilting under a dusting of white powder. Sometimes, there was a hazy cloud up to three feet high near the dumping site; one person tending crops there fainted, several villagers said. Small rocks began to accumulate in kettles used for boiling faucet water.Each night, villagers said, the factory's chimneys released a loud whoosh of acrid air that stung their eyes and made it hard to breath. "It's poison air. Sometimes it gets so bad you can't sit outside. You have to close all the doors and windows," said Qiao Shi Peng, 28, a truck driver who said he worries about his 1-year-old son's health.
The villagers said most obvious evidence of the pollution is the dumping, up to 10 times a day, of the liquid waste into what was formerly a grassy field. Eventually, the whole area turned white, like snow.
The worst part, said Li, 53, who lives with his son and granddaughter in the village, is that "they go outside the gates of their own compound to dump waste."
"We didn't know how bad it was until the August harvest, until things started dying," he said.
Early this year, one of the villagers put some of the contaminated soil in a plastic bag and went to the local environmental bureau. They never got back to him.
Zhang Zhenguo, 45, a farmer and small businessman, said he has a theory as to why: "They didn't test it because the government supports the plant."
More and more, everyone should realize that fallacy of free trade. It's trade with with economies that will poison the environment we all share in order to make a buck. Even if it means killing themselves and us.
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Things aren't all that rosy in Iraq... nor are they completely dire
The NYT released their Iraq scorecard which can best be summarized with the following...
It is far too soon to predict that Iraq is headed for stability or sectarian reconciliation. But it is also clear that those who assert that its politics are totally broken have not kept up with the news.
This is all with a lot of stuff in the backdrop, namely the election season. Which is kind of interesting since the Republicans are solidly failing to land hits or adequately defend their position to keep troops in Iraq for the next 100 years. Here's the problem, which the Times glosses over... are our troops worsening or helping the political situation in Iraq? The Iraqi's seem to be pretty clear that it's the former.
Now the Senate wants to know what happened to all the money the Iraqi's have made on oil sales.
Despite the dire need for better health care, more electricity and clean water, a functioning sewage system and other services, the accountability office has previously estimated that Iraq spent only 22 percent of the oil money set aside for reconstruction in 2006. And in January, the office, which is charged with overseeing the Iraqi government’s finances, reported that Iraq had spent a meager 4.4 percent of its 2007 reconstruction budget by August of that year, the most recent figures available at the time.As a result, the letter from the Armed Services Committee says, “we believe that it has been overwhelmingly U.S. taxpayer money that has funded Iraq reconstruction over the last five years, despite Iraq earning billions of dollars in oil revenue over that time period that have ended up in non-Iraqi banks.”
The Pentagon is releasing a detailed and thorough analysis of Iraq's connections to terrorism prior to the invasion. The conclusion? It's the same one you've heard before... there were no ties to terrorism. Period. Bush, Condi, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz made it all up. Which makes them liars.
Unfortunately, none of them can be prosecuted. Well, at least not the ones that didn't testify before Congress.
At the end, it's time to acknowledge we've done all we can do. We're more a crutch than a real help at this point and it's time for our men and women to come home from Bush's attempt to create a friedmanite paradise. We owe it to them.
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FISA Update - Conyers is kicking ass
In stark con