Comments And Reaction To Comments

President William Jefferson Clinton: "I did not have sex with that woman....Monica Lewinski" Reaction: Continuous front page articles, Continuous TV coverage over a sex scandal, and of course impeachment. President George Walker Bush: "Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires -- a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so. It's important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in place when it comes to doing what is necessary to protect our homeland, because we value the Constitution." Reaction: One or two day's of coverage by the mainstream media and now deafening silence. The treatment of this fascist regime currently in the White House by the MSM still appears to be the same as his lies for invading and occupying a foreign country. Don't dare do in-depth investigative reporting and let the citizens know. And what of the American people? Well you know, I am often asked why I pay more attention to US politics than Canadian. Basically, it is because usually whatever happens to the giant next to us eventually pulls in Canada and it's citizens. But in this case it is because I have a great love and respect of the American people and their Constitution. Now I see that same Constitution..... the most respected in the world, being trampled and shredded by a corrupt and self-aggrandizing President who thinks he is above not only the law, but the Constitution itself. So I ask again. What of the American people? Where is the outrage? Where is the loud questioning you demanded about a Presidents' sex life? Robert Steinback put it well in his Miami Herald column a large portion of this country appears more concerned that saying ''Happy Holidays'' could be a disguised attack on Christianity. I evidently have a lot poorer insight regarding America's character than I once believed, because I would have expected such actions to provoke -- speaking metaphorically now -- mobs with pitchforks and torches at the White House gate. I would have expected proud defiance of anyone who would suggest that a mere terrorist threat could send this country into spasms of despair and fright so profound that we'd follow a leader who considers the law a nuisance and perfidy a privilege. I guess it doesn't matter to you that one man and his neocon buddies are trying to eliminate your Constitutional Republic and replace it with a police state run by a dictator. Shame!!

Happy Holidays From CanadianPerspective

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Christmas Deathmatch 2005

How about a little humor to break the constant and depressing revelations of what the Bush Crime Family have been doing behind everyone's back. I'm sure if any cable media are interested, it would definitely be shown on Fox News and the match would be moderated by O'Rielly and Gibson. The is a post from my guest blogger and friend Sylvana who is the blogmaster of her own site Syllogism. VS. Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! In a match-up that can only be described as Biblical! Santa Clausvs Jesus Christ! A one-time only event that no one should miss! Bring your friends, bring your kids. This is the event of the millennia! Once and for all the ruler December 25th will be decided! The Bad Boy of Bethlehem! The persecuted lord of mankind! Jesus Christ! and his twelve original apostles: PETER! PHILIP! ANDREW! BARTHOLOMEW! JAMES THE OLDER! JAMES THE YOUNGER! SIMON THE ZEALOT! MATTHEW! THADDEUS! JOHN! THOMAS! and - JUDIAS THE TRAITOR!! Will match up against... The Vanilla Gorilla! The Pagan giving saint of the winter soltice! Santa Claus! along with his nine tiny but deadly reindeer: DASHER! DANCER! PRANCER! VIXEN! COMET! CUPID! DONDER! BLITZEN! And even - RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER HIMSELF! In a no holds barred battle that will leave only one standing!! There can be only one King of Christmas! This match up is sure to sell out quickly so get your tickets NOW!! The images for this faux-ad were obtained from www.worth1000.com (Santa) and www.gabbahead.com (Jesus)

And They Say The Dems Flip-Flop

This is just way too ironic not to share with you. Hat-tip to Susan G at DailyKos From MSNBC 6 days ago: Mr Bush, in an effort to force passage of the bill, warned on Friday he would veto any temporary extension of the [Patriot] act. Today via Associated Press (White House-AP) December 22, 2005 - The White House is hailing the Senate's vote to extend the Patriot Act for six months, a day after vowing President Bush wouldn't accept a short-term extension. Press Secretary Scott McClellan calls Wednesday night's Senate vote "an important victory for the American people." Don't you just love it when the Bush Crime Family shows its' true colors? These right-wing fools raise their own testosterone level so high then shoot their mouths off with threats so often they don't remember what they say from one minute to the next.

Judge Quits FISA Court - Cites Illegal Use Of Domestic Spying

We have had high ranking members of Congress both Republican and Democrat site past warnings sent to the Administration, high ranked Constitutional scholars (right and left) saying that the NSA domestic surveilance practices are against not only the Contitutional law, but also Federal Law. Now word comes out from MSNBC: U.S. District Judge James Robertson, one of 11 members of the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, sent a letter to Chief Justice John D. Roberts Jr. late Monday notifying him of his resignation without providing an explanation. Two associates familiar with his decision said yesterday that Robertson privately expressed deep concern that the warrantless surveillance program authorized by the president in 2001 was legally questionable and may have tainted the FISA court's work. There are also reports that Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) have joined with their Congressional colleagues Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) demanding an investigation to determine if not only Constitutional but Federal Laws were broken. With this and other investigations planned for '06 I am happily anticipating a NOT So Happy New Year for the Bush Crime Family. See George, being a dictator isn't as much fun as you though it would be when you made the statement "If this were a dictatorship we'd have it a lot easier. Just so long as I'm the dictator". Unfortunately for you the truth has a strange way of rearing its' head when you least expect it.

Bush’s Wiretapping Is An Impeachable Offense

Once again, Think Progress has brought us good reporting. Their blog has been all over this NSA/Spy story and has legitimate sources to back up what they're posting. Conservative scholars Bruce Fein and Norm Ornstein argued yesterday on The Diane Rehm show that, should Bush remain defiant in defending his constitutionally-abusive wire-tapping of Americans (as he has indicated he will), Congress should consider impeaching him. QUESTION: Is spying on the American people as impeachable an offense as lying about having sex with an intern? BRUCE FEIN, constitutional scholar and former deputy attorney general in the Reagan Administration: I think the answer requires at least in part considering what the occupant of the presidency says in the aftermath of wrongdoing or rectification. On its face, if President Bush is totally unapologetic and says I continue to maintain that as a war-time President I can do anything I want – I don’t need to consult any other branches – that is an impeachable offense. It’s more dangerous than Clinton’s lying under oath because it jeopardizes our democratic dispensation and civil liberties for the ages. It would set a precedent that … would lie around like a loaded gun, able to be used indefinitely for any future occupant. NORM ORNSTEIN, AEI scholar: I think if we’re going to be intellectually honest here, this really is the kind of thing that Alexander Hamilton was referring to when impeachment was discussed. Even Conservative Scholars are claiming that what Bush did and Cheney does so much to defend was an impeachable offense. It's just too bad that both houses of Congress is controlled by a bunch of spineless right-wing neocons. As long as that is the way things are, you and I both know that the chances of bringing that White House cabal to justice are slim and none. Unless of course the hue and cry from their own constituents becomes so loud they can't ignore it.

President Broke The Law Say Some Legal Experts

Via the Charlotte Observer At a White House news conference, Bush expressed outrage that the program had become public and vowed to continue it. The president said his constitutional power as commander in chief and the congressional resolution that authorized the use of military force against terrorists gave him the authority to order the eavesdropping. His explanation fueled more anger over the domestic spying, and some legal experts asserted that Bush broke the law on a scale that could warrant his impeachment. "The president's dead wrong. It's not a close question. Federal law is clear," said Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University and a specialist in surveillance law. "When the president admits that he violated federal law, that raises serious constitutional questions of high crimes and misdemeanors I don't know how much more it will take to convince the usual right-wing suspects who seem to support King George no matter what. They are simply wrong. It is getting so bad over there in freeper land, that now they have gone to their old standy of "well Clinton did it too". Their contention is During the 1990’s under President Clinton, the National Security Agency monitored millions of private phone calls placed by U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries under a super secret program code-named Echelon…all of it done without a court order, let alone a catalyst like the 9/11 attacks. Well surprise, surprise, they were wrong. A hat tip to Think Progress for bringing this to everyone's attention. Well everyone except the MSM. That’s flatly false. The Clinton administration program, code-named Echelon, complied with FISA. Before any conversations of U.S. persons were targeted, a FISA warrant was obtained. CIA director George Tenet testified to this before Congress on 4/12/00: I’m here today to discuss specific issues about and allegations regarding Signals Intelligence activities and the so-called Echelon Program of the National Security Agency… There is a rigorous regime of checks and balances which we, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the FBI scrupulously adhere to whenever conversations of U.S. persons are involved, whether directly or indirectly. We do not collect against U.S. persons unless they are agents of a foreign power as that term is defined in the law. We do not target their conversations for collection in the United States unless a FISA warrant has been obtained from the FISA court by the Justice Department. You know I for one find the "Clinton did it too" defense a little more than tiresome. In fact it doesn't even make sense. If Clinton robbed a friggin bank, would that mean it would therefore be legal for George to do it too? Those dimwits need to get their heads out of George's ass and take a look at the real world.

Both Sides Call For An Investigation Over Spying

While the Bush crowd cries politics over criticism of the illegal spying by the NSA and approved by "the little dictator that could" it should be pointed out that, as reported by Reuters, that Senators from both sides of the aisle are asking for an official investigation. Democratic and Republican calls mounted on Tuesday for U.S. congressional hearings into President George W. Bush's assertion that he can order warrantless spying on Americans with suspected terrorist ties. ------ Republican Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Olympia Snowe of Maine joined Democratic Sens. Carl Levin of Michigan, Dianne Feinstein of California and Ron Wyden of Oregon in calling for a joint investigation by the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees into whether the government eavesdropped "without appropriate legal authority." So Dick Cheney call spout off all he wants to about how there will be a backlash against those who go against the President. It will be more than interesting to see him chastise his own members. The last time he tried to discipline members of his own party in the Senate it was over torture, and he fell flat on his face, and the same will happen in this case. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says he prefers that there be two separate sets of hearing one by the Intelligence Committee, and the other which has already been announced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter. Also, as I blogged here earlier today, Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) announced the release of the investigation into the misuse of intelligence regarding the invasion and occupation of Iraq. He then followed that up with an introduction of a resolution of censure for both President Bush and Vice-President Cheney. The letter is available for you to read and also sign in support of his resolution HERE.. Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the deafening silence about these events from the mainstream media, particularly cable and the regular chanels available over the airwaves. I guess shredding the constitution and attempting to set up a dictatorship isn't a big enough story for them. They prefer instead dominate the airwaves with sex, sex, and more sex. The way they handled the trumped up Clinton impeachment is all the proof we need to understand how they play the game.

Dem Judiciary Committee Members Release Report On Intel Manipulation

Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee has announced the release of the investigation into the misuse of intelligence regarding the invasion and occupation of Iraq entitled The Constitution in Crisis: Censure and Investigate Possible Impeachment. Conyers' statement, available at Conyers Blog states in part: Today, I am releasing a staff report entitled, "The Constitution in Crisis: The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Torture, Retribution and Coverups in the Iraq War. ------ The report finds there is substantial evidence the President, the Vice-President and other high ranking members of the Bush Administration misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq; misstated and manipulated intelligence information regarding the justification for such war; countenanced torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in Iraq; and permitted inappropriate retaliation against critics of their Administration Thank God for the presence of Congressman Conyers. Without his courage and determination the Bush crime family would have gotten away with a complete, and unfortunately, bloody sham. The blood that is on the hands of this administration is overwhelming to say the least. He has also introduced a resolution of censure for both President Bush and Vice-President Cheney which can be read at www.johnconyers.com. You can also sign this letter which is available HERE which in part says We are calling upon Congress to form a Special Committee to investigate your administration's abuses of power and report any offenses which rise to the level of impeachment. We are also calling upon Congress to immediately censure you and Vice-President Cheney immediately. This is no small matter my friends, and I would urge you to please visit the above link and add your voice to the letter. This administration is well on its' way to creating a totalitarian police state and needs to be stopped as soon as possible and in a legal manner. John Conyers Jr. has bravely given you the means, it is now incumbent upon everyone to join him in the pursuit of justice. Additional links available regarding this development are Censure Bush.org, The Huffington Post, and Raw Story.

Abuse Of Power And A Weak Media - A Recipe For Fascism

We all know the story of how the New York Times sat on the story about King George's NSA domestic wiretapping for a year, and IMO the NYT has a lot to answer for. But now we find out that "the little dictator that could" was absolutely desperate to have the story quashed. Jonathan Alter reports in Newsweek The president was so desperate to kill The New York Times' eavesdropping story, he summoned the paper's editor and publisher to the Oval Office. But it wasn't just out of concern about national security. ------ I learned this week that on December 6, Bush summoned Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger and executive editor Bill Keller to the Oval Office in a futile attempt to talk them out of running the story. The Times will not comment on the meeting, but one can only imagine the president's desperation. Keep in mind, that the NYT had already kept this story under wraps for a year. This was nothing more than an attempt by George to intimidate even more than he already had. He wasn't concerned about national security at all. As he has his entire life, he was concerned with himself and how it would affect HIS life. To hell with the lives of the people he inflicted this intrusion of personal information on, he was just concerned that his legacy would be tarnished even more than it is by showing one and all he broke the law. As for the NYT, it certainly makes one wonder just how much of this story they kept out of what was published. We already know that George is an arrogant pissant who will do anything to inrease his wealth and power including trashing the Constitution. But what of the press (in this case the NYT) that is supposed to hold any governments' feet to the fire, and expose abuses of power? I find it awfully strange that they all had a field day over Bill Clinton's sexual escapades. Hell we had sex stories shoved at us 24/7 for chrissakes! Here is a case where an out of control little dictator rips the Constitution to shreds and they cave in to pressure and either don't report the story or when they do they water it down. Methinks the NYT and the rest of the media have a lot of explaining to do and a hearty congratulations to Jonathan Alter for doing his job. Perhaps the rest of the MSM should wake up and take notice of what a good reporter is supposed to do - dig around and get the story instead of just repeating the government's latest talking points. For the rest of Jonathan Alter's report, visit Newsweek.

Damning Report on Bush Admin Use/Misuse Of Pre-War Intel To Be Released Tuesday

In breaking news reported by Brad Blog, the House Judiciary Committee Democratic staff is set to release an extensive and damning new report tomorrow entitled "THE CONSTITUTION IN CRISIS: The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Toture, Retribution, and Coverups in the Iraq War." Wow!!! Combine that with the recent uproar over the NSA domestic spying and I would say George is in a whole lot of trouble. The only thing that would make the situation even worse for "the little dictator that could", is for Patrick Fitzgerald to announce an indictment of Karl Rove. And I will be the first to admit to the cry from the likes of Malkin, Limbaugh, O'Rielly and the rest of those whack jobs that I am positively gleeful about it. Read more about the upcoming release of "The Constitution In Crisis" at Brad Blog

The "I" Word Starts Making The Rounds In Washington

The word Impeachment has surfaced in Washington since the news leaked that the little dictator that could authorized domestic spying by the NSA. First out of the gate was Representative John Lewis (D-GA)in an interview with a local Georgia radio station. The Democratic senator from Georgia told WAOK-AM he would sign a bill of impeachment if one was drawn up and that the House of Representatives should consider such a move. ------ "Its a very serious charge, but he violated the law," said Lewis, a former civil rights leader. "The president should abide by the law. He deliberately, systematically violated the law. He is not King, he is president." Now it is being reported from Raw Story that Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is consulting with presidential historians about impeachment. In a release issued this evening, Boxer said she's asked "four presidential scholars" for their opinion on impeachment after former White Housel counsel John Dean -- made famous by his role in revealing the Watergate tapes -- asserted that President Bush had 'admitted' to an 'impeachable offense.' In a press release from her offical website she states: December 19, 2005 Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today asked four presidential scholars for their opinion on former White House Counsel John Dean’s statement that President Bush admitted to an “impeachable offense” when he said he authorized the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without getting a warrant from a judge. Boxer said, “I take very seriously Mr. Dean’s comments, as I view him to be an expert on Presidential abuse of power. I am expecting a full airing of this matter by the Senate in the very near future.” An excerpt from the letter which is also available at her website states: Given your constitutional expertise, particularly in the area of presidential impeachment, I am writing to ask for your comments and thoughts on Mr. Dean’s statement. Unchecked surveillance of American citizens is troubling to both me and many of my constituents. I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter as soon as possible. I am sure Bush and his toadies will scoff and attempt to make political hay by playing the victim card, and how he is "wartime President" and must protect the United States from terrorism. He'll then go on to claim that the Democrats are making this "war on terror" a political issue. Well George don't get too cocky just yet. Remember that last occupant of that house you are occupying was impeached just for getting a blow job. I would say illegal spying, along with lying your way into the invasion and occupation of a foreign country are just a bit more serious. Unfortunately, you will use the "fear factor" again, just as you always do when you're in political trouble. Maybe we should expect a raise in the terror alert level any day now. Just remember the story of the boy who cried wolf Georgie.

Senator Rockefeller Catches Bush Lie - Calls For A Full Investigation

When the little dictator that could held his news conference today, he outright lied when he said that Congress had approved of his NSA intercept program. Of course Senator Rockefeller, being the gentleman that he is doesn't use the term "lie" as I do (then again I never claimed to be a gentleman), and instead calls it "a misrepresentation" of the facts. This is his statement available from his website VICE CHAIRMAN ROCKEFELLER REACTS TO REPORTS OF NSA INTERCEPT PROGRAM IN UNITED STATES --Senator Releases His ’03 Letter to White House Raising Questions About White House Actions and Need for Congressional Oversight-- Washington, DC -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statement regarding the President’s decision to publicly confirm the existence of a highly-sensitive National Security Agency (NSA) program for intercepting communications within the United States. Additionally, Senator Rockefeller released his correspondence to the White House on July 17, 2003 – the day he first learned of the program -- expressing serious concerns about the nature of the program as well as Congress’ inability to provide oversight given the limited nature of the briefings. “For the last few days, I have witnessed the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General repeatedly misrepresent the facts. “The record needs to be set clear that the Administration never afforded members briefed on the program an opportunity to either approve or disapprove the NSA program. The limited members who were told of the program were prohibited by the Administration from sharing any information about it with our colleagues, including other members of the Intelligence Committees. “At the time, I expressed my concerns to Vice President Cheney that the limited information provided to Congress was so overly restricted that it prevented members of Congress from conducting meaningful oversight of the legal and operational aspects of the program. “These concerns were never addressed, and I was prohibited from sharing my views with my colleagues. “Now that this issue has been brought out into the open, I strongly urge the Senate Intelligence Committee to immediately undertake a full investigation into the legal and operational aspects of the program, including the lack of sufficient congressional oversight.” So there you have it. Not only were they not told about it, but when they did express concern about what little they did know they were ignored. Further, they were prohibited from voicing their concerns with their fellow Senators. This sure doesn't look like the actions of a President who claims that nothing he did was illegal.

AG Claims President Had Total Authority To Snoop

What an interesting press conference held by Attorney General Gonzales today. Let's take a look at what he had to say I'm sure you will find it as informative as I did giving us a look inside the warped and dangerous mind of both the dictator king and his torture man. Q I wanted to ask you a question. Do you think the government has the right to break the law? ATTORNEY GENERAL GONZALES: Absolutely not. I don't believe anyone is above the law. Q You have stretched this resolution for war into giving you carte blanche to do anything you want to do. ATTORNEY GENERAL GONZALES: Well, one might make that same argument in connection with detention of American citizens, which is far more intrusive than listening into a conversation. There may be some members of Congress who might say, we never -- Q That's your interpretation. That isn't Congress' interpretation So in other words, they went ahead and wiretapped without informing congress because they knew they would refuse authorization. But that still doesn't explain why they didn't use the FISA court when they have 72 after the fact to do so. But apparently even that is too much of a hindrance to these fascists. Q If FISA didn't work, why didn't you seek a new statute that allowed something like this legally? ATTORNEY GENERAL GONZALES: That question was asked earlier. We've had discussions with members of Congress, certain members of Congress, about whether or not we could get an amendment to FISA, and we were advised that that was not likely to be -- that was not something we could likely get, certainly not without jeopardizing the existence of the program, and therefore, killing the program. And that -- and so a decision was made that because we felt that the authorities were there, that we should continue moving forward with this program. Well now that's really interesting. They didn't think Congress would agree to a change in the law even though they control all branches of Government? Some would say four branches if you include the press. If you think what you have read so far is stunning in it's arrogance, then make sure your sitting down, preferably with a good stiff drink handy before you read this little tidbit provided by General Hayden. Q And who determined that these targets were al Qaida? Did you wiretap them? GENERAL HAYDEN: The judgment is made by the operational work force at the National Security Agency using the information available to them at the time, and the standard that they apply -- and it's a two-person standard that must be signed off by a shift supervisor, and carefully recorded as to what created the operational imperative to cover any target, but particularly with regard to those inside the United States. Q So a shift supervisor is now making decisions that a FISA judge would normally make? I just want to make sure I understand. Is that what you're saying? GENERAL HAYDEN: What we're trying to do is to use the approach we have used globally against al Qaida, the operational necessity to cover targets. And the reason I emphasize that this is done at the operational level is to remove any question in your mind that this is in any way politically influenced. This is done to chase those who would do harm to the United States. So there you have it, two clerks and a shift supervisor decide if you a U.S. citizen is really an al Qaida operative or supporter. And of course the three people are not at all politically motivated. Why would anyone suspect that? Maybe because every appointment made at every level in this administration was either a campaign contributor or supporter. In order to justify not using FISA, they are now saying that the passage of the U.S. Patriot Act gave dictator George automatic authorization to wiretap. Well that's a load of crap. There is nothing in that act that gives him carte blanche to do anything he wants to do. Senator Feingold puts that rationalization to rest in today's Washington Post "This is just an outrageous power grab," he said. "Nobody, nobody, thought when we passed a resolution to invade Afghanistan and to fight the war on terror, including myself who voted for it, thought that this was an authorization to allow a wiretapping against the law of the United States. "There's two ways you can do this kind of wiretapping under our law. One is through the criminal code, Title III; the other is through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. That's it. That's the only way you can do it. You can't make up a law and deriving it from the Afghanistan resolution. "The president has, I think, made up a law that we never passed," said Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) It is painfully obvious that George and his crime family have broken the law, and no amount of spin will remove that taint from this administration.

Yes George It IS Illegal

Yesterday the little dictator that could admitted he authorized domestic surveillance wire-taps on United States citizens (in the name of fighting them there terrrists don't ya know), then he dared anyone to call it illegal. Well George the answer to your dare is a resounding YES. But then again why would that darn old constitutional law which you so gleefully describe as "just a goddamn piece of paper" be allowed to get in the way with what YOU want? Hey George, maybe you and your (torture is ok) Attorney General should read this one little part......let's say oh just for old times sake: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Just in case you and the AG don't recognize it, this is Amendment IV to the Constitution. Then again, you say that this is a different kind of war so we need different kinds of measures. Ok George I'll give you that one. But please explain to us why you didn't use FISA to authorize this infringement on the rights of your citizens. Remember FISA George? That's part of that USA Patriot Act you use as your personal bible. The way you had that worded, you can easily circumvent the protection against unlawful search and seizure. All you have to do is obtain a warrant directly from a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court. For heavens' sake George that is at your disposal 24/7 and only ever turns down a request because it is so far out in left field it has to be illegal. In fact using Department of Justice statistics. our fellow blogger Josh Marshall found that in the last 25 years only FOUR such requests have been turned down. Now George it shouldn't take a Canadian to point out to you that you could have done your little wire tapping escapade even without going to FISA as long as you went to them within 72 hours of the event. So that only leads to this conclusion George. You either knew that your reason for the surveillance was so outlandish it would have been turned down or you felt as you have your entire life, that you are above the law. Well here's a news flash for you Georgie.......you broke the law, which means I take you up on your dare and will say, what you did was illegal I might help you to remember Georgie, that the United States got rid of a King George 229 years ago so the people of the United States are its' citizens, NOT your subjects.

P.M. Sharon UPDATE.....Minor Stroke Suspected

Via AP JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to the hospital Sunday night after feeling ill while working in his office, and a hospital official said he was awake and undergoing medical tests. Aides said the prime minister, 77, was being tested to see if he had suffered a minor stroke. "He has full consciousness and he's undergoing medical examinations," said Yuval Weiss, deputy manager of the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem More when available.

Israeli PM Rushed To Hospital

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was taken to hospital in Jerusalem on Sunday, media reports say. Israel's Channel 10 television said Sharon, 77, apparently lost consciousness while working in his office. Updates when available.......

Did The NYT Assist In Breaking The Law?

I am so pissed (as you all should be too) at the New York Times it is hard to even see straight. First we have Judy Miller pandering her incorrect reports regarding WMD's thereby assisting the little dictator in the White House to invade and occupy a foreign country. Not to mention the blood she and her publishers and editors have on their hands. Now we find out from their own reporting, that they knew and withheld from the public for over a year the fact that this Bush Crime Family has been trashing the Constitution and illegally spying on its' very own citizens. The White House asked The New York Times not to publish this article, arguing that it could jeopardize continuing investigations and alert would-be terrorists that they might be under scrutiny. After meeting with senior administration officials to hear their concerns, the newspaper delayed publication for a year to conduct additional reporting. Some information that administration officials argued could be useful to terrorists has been omitted. Ok you may be able to make an argument, although a weak one, (remember the NSA is legally only responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications, and for the security of government communications against similar agencies elsewhere), as to the legality of George's actions, but there is absolutely no doubting the fact that the New York Time shirked their responsibility to the public by withholding information at the government's' request, when it is the duty of the press to hold the government responsible for its' actions. The NYT can rationalize this by using the claim of "national security" which is the same excuse George and the gang use whenever they want to hide their filthy deeds but that dog don't hunt when it comes to a "free" press as defined by Justice Hugo Black when he wrote that "The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have [to] bare the secrets of government and inform the people." If and when an official investigation is launched into the legality of the NSA, FBI and the CIA actions, underwritten and authorized by George Bush, the NYT should also be included in that investigation. And if indictments or legal action is pursued against any agency or George Bush himself in this conspiracy to infringe on the privacy rights of US citizens then the NYT should be looked upon as a co-conspirator.

Rep. Miller Calls For A Special Prosecutor

Rep. George Miller (D-CA) said today it was imperative for a federal special counsel to be appointed immediately to investigate allegations that the Bush Administration secretly authorized and conducted domestic spying without court orders beginning in 2002. "Because the United States Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, would have been intimately involved with drafting this covert policy in his former role as White House Counsel, I do not believe he can be truly impartial in investigating this matter. The Attorney General should recuse himself from the case and immediately appoint a special counsel to fully determine the truth," Miller said. "Congress and the American people need to know whether laws were broken, and if so who was responsible for it. Of course the members of the MSM who are known to be Bush water carriers will agree with and push the Richard Nixon rule of law "when the President does it, that means it's not illegal." " MORE.....

Spector Calls For Hearings On Domestic Spying

Senator Arlen Spector (R-PA) and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee has reacted harshly to the report in New York Times that George Bush authorized the NSA to take part in domestic spying. According to Forbes he was not alone in his outrage "There is no doubt that this is inappropriate," said Specter, R-Pa., calling hearings early next year "a very, very high priority." He wasn't alone in reacting harshly to the report. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the story, first reported in Friday's New York Times, was troubling. ------ "This is Big Brother run amok," declared Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., called it a "shocking revelation" that "ought to send a chill down the spine of every senator and every American." I guess we shouldn't be surprised at the little dictator's actions since he has done everythig possible to deface the U.S. Constitution except wipe his ass with it, and it wouldn't surprise me if he had done that also. This report seems to give much credence to the report earlier this week and posted here where he reportedly said of the Constitution "It's just a goddamned piece of paper".

We Won One ---- But Lost Much

Thanks to the Senators who decided to stand up to the Dictator King named George we get word from The Washington Post that the Republican leaders in the Senate were unable to garner enough votes to stop a Democratic filibuster (60 votes) and invoke cloture and cause a vote to extend the USA Patriot Act for another four years The Democratic-led filibuster drew enough Republican support to keep the president's allies from gaining the 60 votes needed to end debate in the 100-member chamber. The 52-47 vote will require the White House and congressional leaders to seek another way to deal with the scheduled Dec. 31 expiration of key aspects of the law. Then came word from The New York Times, that the Dictator King had usurped the law and issued an executive order allowing the eavesdropping and spying on American citizens and foreign nationals in the United States not just once or twice following the 9-11 terror attack, but continually for the last 3 years Months after the Sept. 11 attacks, President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States to search for evidence of terrorist activity without the court-approved warrants ordinarily required for domestic spying, according to government officials. Isn't that just great. This illegal occupant in the White House says to hell with what the law says we'll do it my way. Is there nothing that the Bush Crime Family doesn't feel it's their anointed right to do? The constant trampling on civil rights and privacy by this administration should raise a hue and cry from Americans who value those rights, and remember all too well how another President by the name of Nixon brought the country to the crisis point by also engaging in domestic spying. Here is a transcript from CNN's "Situation Room" where Jack Cafferty sums it up best You know that Jack Cafferty wants to weigh in on this story. And Jack is joining us now live from New York with more. What do you think, Jack? JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, good afternoon. Who cares about whether the Patriot Act gets renewed? Want to abuse our civil liberties? Just do it. Who cares about the Geneva Conventions. Want to torture prisoners? Just do it. Who cares about rules concerning the identity of CIA agents. Want to reveal the name of a covert operative? Just do it. Who cares about whether the intelligence concerning WMDS is accurate. Want to invade Iraq? Just do it. Who cares about qualifications to serve on the nation's highest court. Want to nominate a personal friend with no qualifications? Just do it. And the latest outrage, which I read about in "The New York Times" this morning, who cares about needing a court order to eavesdrop on American citizens. Want to wiretap their phone conversations? Just do it. What a joke. A very cruel, very sad joke. I would lay odds for sure that this revelation contributed to the extension of the Patriot Act failing but that is a minor victory in my estimation. This criminal in the White House did what he has always done his entire privledged life. Take what he wants and to hell with who gets hurt or what civil liberties get trampled on along the way in their march toward fascism. And if he is dare questioned on his actions, you are summarily labeled unpatriotic. If the US Congress had any sense of decency they would demand impeachment hearings immediately against this tyrant. Unfortunately the majority are just as evil and crooked as he is. So that leaves it up to the citizenry to demand of their Senator and Congressperson an immediate investigation and settle for nothing less.

Reauthorization Of Patriot Act Rejected

From CBS News The Senate has rejected reauthorization of expiring provisions of the terror-fighting USA Patriot Act as infringing too much on Americans' privacy. READ ON....

Passage Of Patriot Act In Doubt

At one time he was the lone wolf in voting against the Patriot Act in the days after the 9-11 attacks. Now Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) is leading the battle against the passage of the legislation's renewal in the Senate and it appears the numbers are on his side and gaining momentum. ABC News is reporting: Now add more than two dozen senators to Feingold's side, including the leaders of his party and some of the chamber's most conservative Republicans, and the balance of power shifts. Of course this did not sit well at all with everyone's' favorite dictator King George who promptly dispatched Attorney General Gonzales two days in a row to twist some arms to no avail. Said King George: "That is a bad decision for the security of the United States. I call upon the Senate to end the filibuster and to pass this important legislation so that we have the tools necessary to defend the country in a time of war." Well your highness obviously the wise minds in the Senate are reading the wishes of their constituents back home and will vote accordingly. George had no sooner opened his lying mouth when Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D-VT) the leading Democrat on the Judiciary Committee said he had more than 40 votes that would assuredly support a filibuster of the legislation. The ABC report goes on to say The opposition that began with Feingold's one vote has bloomed into a bloc of Democrats and Republicans concerned about a range of powers the original act gave the FBI, and how they are used. This group prefers the curbs on government power passed by the Senate but rejected in a compromise with the House. Now, faced with an up-or-down vote on the accord, they say no. So there you have it George. The people are sick and tired of your plan to keep eroding their rights little by little until the U.S. becomes a police state much like you turned New Orleans into after the hurricane. So I guess you and your PNAC enthusiasts will have to cool your heals and hopefully the American public will now continue to keep a closer watch on the civil liberties PNAC is all to anxious to eliminate in their quest for world dominance.

Join The Fight Against Ford Motor Bigotry

As you may or may not be aware, Ford Motor Company has joined the Anti-Gay crusade by caving in to the threats and bigotry of the (AFA) American Family Association and removed all their ads for their luxury brand autos The Jaguar and The Land Rover that appear in gay oriented publications. One of the finest bloggers and champions of gay rights John Avarosis whose blog "AmericaBlog has always been and will always remain a champion of gay rights (among many other legitmate causes), is spearheading action against Ford for this bigoted and homophobic cave-in to these wingnuts who are led by AFA Chairman Donald Wildmon. Wildmon as you may remember practices his so-called Christianity not only with his constant hew and cry against homosexuality, such as claiming Sponge Bob Squarepants will make your child gay, showing up at funerals of gay men who have died of aids or beaten to death because of their sexual orintation, but he is also involved deeply in the group "Operation Rescue", who tacitly approves the removal (by any means necessary including violence) of any Doctor who performs or counsels abortion, and the closing down of clinics specifically geared toward counselling Women of their rights. Here are just a few examples of what has taken place so far as mentioned at America Blog: "Ford Motor Co.'s decision to cease advertising in gay publications for its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury brands is part of a truce between the auto maker and the American Family Assn. (AFA) Ford has agreed not to sponsor any future gay and lesbian events." - Wards Auto, 12/7/05 "When asked if the advertising was being discontinued because of the threatened AFA boycott, [Ford Spokesman Mike] Moran said, 'Ceasing advertising is an outgrowth of those meetings.'" - Metro Weekly, 12/8/05 "They are acting on our concerns." - AFA Chairman Donald Wildman, NYT, 12/5/06 So as you can see, there is absolutely NO DOUBT that not only is AFA behind Ford's decision, but proof the Ford Motor Company caved to this group of bigoted homophobes. I would encourage you to please visit John's blog AMERICAblog, familiarize yourself with the facts and make use of the "FORD ACTION CENTER" which is available on the left side of the page, and let Ford (and in the process anyone other corporation or CEO thinking of taking part in such a blatant disregard of civil rights) know their actions will not be tolerated. Thanks my friends, and let's all of us move on this thing immediately and show John he is not alone in his fight for equality for the Gay, Lesbian, and Transgendered. Once again, here is a link to John Avarosis' blog AMERICAblog. Please visit, get informed, and take action now!

The U.S. Constitution - 'It's Just A Goddamned Piece Of Paper' - Says Bush

This is the leader of the United States of America speaking. This is the Commander In Chief speaking. For God's sake this is the supposed Leader of the Free World speaking!!! This is his opinion of the Constitution of The United States, the very fabric on which a great nation was founded. Capitol Hill Blue reports that during a meeting with Congressional Republicans in the Oval Office discussing ways to get the Patriot Act renewed, when it was politely pointed out to him that some provisions of the act may not only alienate the public further but also some conservatives within his own party he had this to say: “I don’t give a goddamn,” Bush retorted. “I’m the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way.” “Mr. President,” one aide in the meeting said. “There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution.” “Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” Bush screamed back. “It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!” That's right dear readers. The President of the United States looks upon the Constitution as nothing more than "a goddamned piece of paper!" Now damn it I don't care if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent. That's not important right now. What is important is that you all have to realize and understand that this wanna-be dictator has no more respect for the basis on which the country was founded and thrived for over 200 years than newspaper at the bottom of a bird cage or worse a used piece of toilet paper. This - the same document he swore to uphold when he was sworn into office. If this doesn't show you the true mindset of this administration look no further than the recent past when his then White House counsel and present Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, wrote that the “Constitution is an outdated document". I shudder to think that this is the same bunch that feels it is their God-given right to invade another country and teach them about democracy. Democracy and The Constitution. This is what the loyal young men and women in the armed forces are supposed to be fighting, dying and being maimed for and their own Commander In Chief wouldn't think twice about using that sacred document to wipe his dirty ass.

Honor Thy Father Fox News Style

Recently, longtime and very respected Mike Wallace from CBS said the following in an interview with Boston Globe Q. President George W. Bush has declined to be interviewed by you. What would you ask him if you had the chance? A. What in the world prepared you to be the commander in chief of the largest superpower in the world? In your background, Mr. President, you apparently were incurious. You didn't want to travel. You knew very little about the military. . . . The governor of Texas doesn't have the kind of power that some governors have. . . . Why do you think they nominated you? . . . Do you think that has anything to do with the fact that the country is so [expletive] up? Very in-depth questions I would say. Questions I am sure the majority of Americans would like an answer to by the looks of King George's current poll numbers. Well apparently Mike's (dear?) son Chris Wallace, mouthpiece for King George and his neocon administration over at Fox News doesn't approve of his father's candidness. In an interview of his own with WRKO Boston radio host Howie Carr, and subsequently reported by Newsmax, Chris shows undying love and respect for his father (Fox Style) by saying this: "He's lost it. The man has lost it. What can I say," the younger Wallace lamented to WRKO Boston radio host Howie Carr on Friday. "He's 87-years old and things have set in," the Fox anchor continued. "I mean, we're going to have a competence hearing pretty soon." Wallace Jr. quickly dispelled any notion that he was joking. When Carr suggested that his comments were likely to be covered by NewsMax, he responded: "You know what? Fine. Go ahead. Call them. That's fine. I'll stand by that." Returning to the topic of his father's competence, Wallace Jr. explained: "He's checked out. I don't understand it," beyond the fact that Wallace Sr. has "problems with the war." "I don't know why he said what he said," he added. What a lousy rotten thing to say about your own father. Chris Wallace couldn't hold a candle to the honesty fact-based reporting his father has done over these oh so many years. Then again, that's probably why he is employed at Fox. He doesn't have the honesty and integrity to find employment anyplace else. Wasn't it just a couple of weeks ago that he interviewed his father on Fox News Sunday and ended the interview with "I love you dad". What a no good ungrateful hypocrite!! I have only one question for this pampered little rich boy. Instead of raking in money from the GOP to tout their propaganda and praise another military dodger like yourself, why don't you haul your sorry yellow ass down to the nearest recruitment center and sign up if you think Bush's war is so just? You Chris are no damn different than the rest of your war dodger coward buddies Bush, Cheney, Limbaugh, Hannity and most others who seem to think this war is just peachy as long as it doesn't affect you personally and as long as you don't have to make any kind of a sacrifice for your country. Hell the only war you can even come close to taking part in is the "War On Christmas" trumped up by your Fox cohorts in a losing attempt to increase their ratings. You not only disgrace yourself by these hurtful remarks about your dad, you also disgrace to the occupation your father always did with more honesty and integrity you have in the tip of your finger. Then again with an IQ the size of a gnat, I guess we shouldn't be surprised by anything coming out of your putrid mouth.

Bush Plan For Success Vague Rhetoric - Reed

The dictator who claims to be King has now had two "major" speeches concerning his plan for victory in Iraq. Both of course have been yawners. Repeating more of the same, he now inserts the latest Republican buzz-words "cut and run" or "retreat and defeat" when referring to anyone who dares suggest at least the start of a plan to end this deadly occupation and then of course also questions their patriotism in the process. Take for example the latest RNC video available at The GOP Website conveniently connecting Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi with the white flag of surrender. Of course we all know this is nothing but the usual "in the gutter" action the RNC and its' illegally occupied White House is known for. Well thank goodness we Progressives have a true patriot in the name of Senater Jack Reed (D-RI) who has the experience and the knowledge of what the Generals on the ground in Iraq want to put King George's and the RNC's propoganda in the trash bin where it belongs and give us an honest assessment via USA Today. "If the president has any hope of regaining the nation's support for operations in Iraq and justifying the growing cost in lives and taxpayer dollars ... he must be candid and honest about the current situation." ------ "I have found it disturbing that the Bush administration has attacked the patriotism of those who question the administration's policies in Iraq," Reed charged. "Baseless partisan attacks won't help us win the war, won't help the troops and won't protect our nation from our enemies." Perhaps if dear leader and his slanderers in the RNC paid more attention to Sen. Reed and less attention to making flashy ads denegrating others there would be hope for Iraq yet. Somehow though I doubt that will happen, and there will be an continued increase of the now over 2000 deaths of the brave and devoted men and women of the military. If there is a hell, there has to be a special place put aside for the members of this neocon administration whose thirst for power and oil is paid for with the blood of the troops and innocent Iraqi civilians.

Bush Committed To Protect The U.S. - Are You Safer?

King George doesn't "give much thought to Osama", and instead invaded and is now occupying Iraq in order to protect the United States from terrorism. Does this make you feel safer? Well according to the 911 Commission, it shouldn't. The former Sept. 11 commission gave dismal grades Monday to the federal government's efforts to shore up national security and prevent another terror attack on the United States. ------ "We're frustrated, all of us frustrated at the lack of urgency in addressing these various problems," said former commission chairman Thomas Kean, a Republican and former New Jersey governor. ------ "We shouldn't need another wake-up call," Kean said. "We believe that the terrorists will strike again, so does every responsible expert that we have talked to. And if they do, and these reforms that might have prevented such an attack have not been implemented, what will our excuse be?" Nancy Pelosi the Democratic House Leader also issued a statement saying "The 9/11 Commission's final report card is an indictment of the continued failure by the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress to meet the security needs of our nation and make Americans safer." ------ "Four years after the 9/11 attacks, the American people are not as safe as they should be. They have every reason to ask why and demand President Bush and Congressional leaders make safety of the American people their number one priority." Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism is all to real, and as the commission says, it is not a question of if but when. Yet King George would have you believe he is protecting you. IMO it is only a matter of blind luck that there hasn't been another attack. Instead of examining cargo containers, under his direction the TSA instead body searches grandmothers for weapons, and has now decided to allow small, sharp objects onto planes - including items such as screwdrivers and scissors. Yet the Administration and their peons in the Republican controlled Congress tell you you're safer and expects you to believe it. This is despicable!

W.H. Seeks Compromise On Use Of Torture

King George constantly trumpets the meme "We Don't Torture", but if that is the case, why in the world do they feel it is necessary to try to compromise on an amendment that passed 90-7 to ban "cruel, inhumane and degrading" treatment of detainees? WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House is seeking a compromise with a leading Senate Republican over its efforts to exempt the CIA from a proposed ban on torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners, President George W. Bush's national security adviser said on Sunday. "We are working hard in good faith on both sides to come up with an approach that can be supported by the president and the Congress, to both find a way to be aggressive in the war on terror and still comply with U.S. law," national security adviser Stephen Hadley said on "Fox News Sunday." Just the fact that the Administration wants to compromise on the use of torture speaks volumes about their practices, and should outrage every American. It is quite simple, if they don't condone torture as King George says, then The Darth Vader of the Administration Dick Cheney would not even be pushing for an exemption for the CIA let alone a compromise. Reuters has MORE.....

Bush Lied - This Is A News Flash???

Gee now this is something we never knew......Bush lies to the American People. Not only did he and his neocon administration lie to get the U.S. into the war, now he is lying to justify staying there. The training of Iraqi security forces has suffered a big "setback" in the last six months, with the army and other forces being increasingly used to settle scores and make other political gains, Iraqi Vice President Ghazi al-Yawer said Monday. Al-Yawer disputed contentions by U.S. officials, including President Bush, that the training of security forces was gathering speed, resulting in more professional troops. So Bush has not only been caught in yet another lie, but those that are trained, have been trained very well in the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld school of how to politicize the military and commit torture. al-Yawer said recent allegations that Interior Ministry security forces — dominated by Shiites — have tortured Sunni detainees were evidence that many forces are increasingly politicized and sectarian. Some of the recently trained Iraqi forces focus on settling scores and other political goals rather than maintaining security, he said. Rest well my friends, remember - according to the King, the Iraqi army is well trained and almost ready to take over the policing of their own country. The Iraqi people are just thrilled with the U.S. occupation of their country. And the Bush "Build Democracy Plan" is just peachy. All is well in Bush's world.

Rove Is Innocent It Was All A Mistake By Fitzgerald

Ya right. We are supposed to believe this crap from CNN that it was all a misunderstanding and a mistake on Fitzgerald's part. Now it really comes down to, when all is said and done, a question of who said what to whom when. And the who is very important because we're being told by a variety of sources that the special prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, was planning to indict Karl Rove for misrepresenting during the investigation an interview comments that he had made to a reporter. However, there was a key conversation, sources say, and there may have been a misunderstanding by the special prosecutor that a conversation that he was attributing to Rove with Viveca Novak of "Time Magazine" may, in fact, have really been held by Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin. Nothing but spin on Luskin's part. I hardly believe that someone with a reputation of being scrupulously meticulous in his investigations would mistake testimony from Rove saying he had a conversation with Viveca Novak when it was really his attorney she had spoken with. What hogwash. As is stated at the blog firedoglake I am hearing through sources that the Franken story is crap, 100% spin. Fitzgerald is supposedly busy right now dealing with Bob Woodward, who may have earned himself a trip to the grand jury next week for his efforts, and with Woodward's source, whoever that may turn out to be. Only then will he start dealing with Viveca Novak, and the "Fitzgerald made a mistake" rumor is pure bullshit. And nobody at this point is buying the story that Luskin himself is going in to testify. Just because they say it was a mistake doesn't make it so, and the sooner Rove and his lapdog attorney realize it the better. Rove is going down, of that I have no doubt and the air is coming out of his over-inflated ego more and more with each story they spin.

DoJ Appointees Overruled Voting Rights Act Attorneys

Nothing this administration does surprises me anymore, but this is nothing short of outrageous. Totally ignoring the Voting Rights Act is just another example of the absolute corruption that has taken over the Republican Party and of course the White House. They will stop at nothing to force their perverted thinking on the entire United States and eventually making the Constitution just an inconvenient document that used to mean something years ago, before this thieving, lying bunch of bastards illegitimately took office by a partisan decision from the Supreme Court. Not content with that, they decided to hack into the Diebold voting machines and give themselves another illegal 4 years to degrade the country. Now this: Via Brad Blog Bush DoJ Appointees Overruled their Own Voting Rights Act Attorneys to Approve Texas Redistricting Plan! Unanimous Recommendation by 8 Staffers, Including Head of Voting Rights Division Ignored! As With Georgia Photo ID Case, Bush Makes Mockery of Voting Rights Act, Ranking Democrat Calls for House Judiciary Committee Investigation ------ [The] Washington Post , in a stunning front page splash today, is reporting that political appointees in George W. Bush's Dept. of Justice overruled their own attorneys in the Voting Rights Act unit who had recommended against Texas' state redistricting plan for Congressional districts. That new redistricting plan was key to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's (R-TX) controversial strategy in the state which eventually resulted in 7 additional Republicans being elected to the U.S. House in 2004. Eight staffers at the DoJ, including the heads of the Voting Rights Division advocated against the redistricting in a 73-page memo, but Bush political appointees agreed to allow the changes to go through anyway! The Voting Rights Act requires DoJ pre-approval of changes to electoral law in several states where minority voting rights have historically been an issue. According to WaPo, "The Justice Department memo recommending rejection of the Texas plan was written by two analysts and five lawyers. In addition, the head of the voting section at the time, Joseph Rich, wrote a concurring opinion." Representative John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) has requested a formal hearing from the Judiciary Committee to investigate this abuse of power. The full text of his statement is also available at Brad Blog. I am sure this will be ignored by the Republican Chairman and the Republican members of the Committee but as usual, Rep. Conyers is getting it on the record, and out in the public eye. By doing so when the Dems finally (hopefully in the not too distant future), take the power out of their corrupt little hands they will be made to pay.

"The Dukester" Wasn't The Only One

If you think Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-Calif.) was the only war profiteer in the Republican Party, think again. Capital Eye reports: Political action committees controlled by MZM, Inc., which was founded by alleged Cunningham co-conspirator Mitchell Wade, and ADCS, Inc., which was founded by alleged co-conspirator Brent Wilkes, have contributed more than $1 million in the last 10 years to a roster of politicians, leadership PACs and party committees. Top recipients include Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr. (R-Va.), Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.), Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Tom DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority PAC and President Bush. Republicans have been the recipients of 95% of the two defense contractors' giving, according to the Center for Responsive Politics' analysis. For Cunningham’s part, he and his political action committee received at least $115,000 since 1995 in political contributions from the two defense contractors and their employees. Through its PAC and employees, MZM gave Cunningham and his "American Prosperity PAC" $30,000 over the last decade, while ADCS and its affiliates contributed $85,500 during that period. Isn't it nice to know these people and organizations are all getting rich on the maiming and deaths of the troops on the front line of Bush's war? Read more on MZM Inc. and their sudden acquisition of government contracts HERE....

Lieberman Has Got To Go

I certainly hope the Democratic voters in Connecticut decide to run someone against Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT). If this guy is a TRUE Democrat, I'm in the running to be the next Pope of the Catholic Church. It started out with his hug, and some would say attempted kiss of King George at his last State of the Union address to siding with Republicans every step of the way in Congress. Now to top things off he is quoted by nitwit George in his speech about the "plan" he has for Iraq. As Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman said recently, setting an artificial timetable would `discourage our troops because it seems to be heading for the door. It will encourage the terrorists. It will confuse the Iraqi people.' "Sen. Lieberman is right," the president said at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. I would certainly hope Connecticut takes up an offer by Moveon.org that was quoted in this same article to back a challenger to this two-faced jerk who continually stabs his party in the back. "[Moveon's Tom] Matzzie, whose organization claims more than 50,000 Connecticut members, said Wednesday that if his members ask, his group would back a Democratic challenger to Lieberman. Matzzie was in New Haven last month, and found 'the No. 1 question people asked me was, `What are we going to do about Joe Lieberman?'" All Democratic members of Congress who are DINO's should be turfed from the party. All they do is pull the true Progressives down and undermine their message. David Sorota nails it with his recent post...This is terrific news, as it shows the political infrastructure outside the Democratic Party apparatus is getting comfortable using both carrots AND sticks to pressure elected officials to take stands on issues. This is the way the right has been so successful - by rewarding their champions, and punishing those who undermine their movement. Amen to that.

Note To Repubs - Big Time Trouble Heading Your Way

The NYT is reporting that Jack Abramoff is attempting to broker a deal with prosecutors in return for him flipping on his buddies in th Republican Party. Right now they are focusing on how jobs were obtained for Congressional aides at powerful lobbying firms in exchange for legislative favors. However this section of the article really intrigued me. Investigators are said to be especially interested in how Tony C. Rudy, a former deputy chief of staff to Representative Tom DeLay of Texas, and Neil G. Volz, a former chief of staff to Representative BobNey of Ohio, obtained lobbying positions with big firms on K Street. The hiring pattern is "very much a part of" what prosecutors are focusing on, a person involved in the case said. Another participant confirmed that investigators were trying to determine whether aides conducted "job negotiations with Jack Abramoff" while they were in a position to help him on Capitol Hill. Prosecutors are trying to establish that "it's not just a ticket to a ballgame, it's major jobs" that exchanged hands, the participant in the case said. Also under examination are payments to lobbyists and lawmakers' wives, including Mr. Rudy's wife, Lisa Rudy, whose firm, Liberty Consulting, worked in consultation with Mr. Abramoff, people involved in case said. What began as an inquiry into Mr. Scanlon and Mr. Abramoff's lobbying has widened to a corruption investigation centering mainly on Republican lawmakers who came to power as part of the conservative revolution of the 1990's. At least six members of Congress are in the scope of the inquiry, with an additional 12 or so former aides being examined to determine whether they gave Mr. Abramoff legislative help in exchange for campaign donations, lavish trips and gifts. Republican corruption - the gift that keeps on giving. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to see not only the upper-crust of the Republican Party go down, but Norquist ("death squad Grover") and the ("christian?") Ralph Reed as well. Both are as slimey as they come. Between this and "Duke" Cunningham singing like a bird, I would say many in the Republican Party that was supposed to bring "clean government" to Washington are scared shitless and holding their breath waiting for the other shoe to drop.

10 Marines Killed

-- Ten U.S. Marines killed in action Thursday by homemade bomb near Falluja, according to military news release. CNN Reports: BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A roadside bomb Thursday killed 10 Marines and wounded 11 others while they were on nighttime "foot patrol near Falluja," the Marine Corps said Friday. The latest deaths bring the number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq to 2,123. MORE.....

Of Crooks, Scoundrels, And Media Manipulation

As you have seen, I have not posted in almost a week, so first an explanation. Since it was the holiday weekend in the US, I figured there would be little or no political news generated so I took the time to do some much needed PC maintenance, and cleaning. If any of you have a cat, you know all too well what cat hair can do to the inner workings of a computer. Shortly after this task, I had some medical problems spring up again which was related to my previous chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Nothing too serious, just very uncomfortable. Well now I'm back and ready to rumble again. While I was away from the blog, I did come across some interesting stories, including a strange burying of a potential blockbuster story regarding a missile being fired at a passenger jet out of LAX (LA International). I am still working on gathering links and trying to investigate the story and will post it shortly. Of course there are also the usual "corrupted Republicans" stories that are still in the headlines. It seems to be non-stop with these guys. Apparently they don't know how to do anything unless they lie, cheat, and steal in their quest for more power and an endless money supply. Well kids that's my explanation and a peak into what's to come here in the next few days. It looks like nothing really changes in the hypocritcal world of the right-wing fascists who have taken the Congress and its' members hostage.