Senator Elect Jim Webb Stands His Ground - Speaks Truth To Power

What a breath of fresh air this soon-to-be Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) is going to be in a government filled with phonies. Via WaPo, we get an up close and personal example of how the man has clean and direct principles and sticks to them. At a recent White House reception for freshman members of Congress, Virginia's newest senator tried to avoid President Bush. Democrat James Webb declined to stand in a presidential receiving line or to have his picture taken with the man he had often criticized on the stump this fall. But it wasn't long before Bush found him. "How's your boy?" Bush asked, referring to Webb's son, a Marine serving in Iraq. "I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President," Webb responded, echoing a campaign theme. "That's not what I asked you," Bush said. "How's your boy?" Jim & Son "Jimmy" currently in Iraq "That's between me and my boy, Mr. President," Webb said coldly, ending the conversation on the State Floor of the East Wing of the White House. Of course we all know how much the Little Shrub loves and respects the truth - right? Three cheers to Senator Webb. I would loved to have been there to snap a picture of the expression on King George's face after that much needed and truthful retort. Read on.... Want to learn more about Jim? Take a look HERE.... and on his MySpace page.

No President Frist In Our Future - Frist Cites The Bible

Former Senator Bill Frist cites this quote from the bible to explain his decision to not seek the Presidency in '08 "In the Bible, God tells us for everything there is a season, and for me, for now, this season of being an elected official has come to a close. I do not intend to run for president in 2008." Ok Bill whatever you say but don't you think that in reality it just might be because of all the ethics problems that might come to light in the course of a campaign? He has a multi-million-dollar fortune gained largely through his ownership of stock in Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a hospital chain founded by his brother and father. The company later became Columbia/HCA Healthcare. HCA was the subject of a decade-long federal investigation into double-bookkeeping and suspected criminal fraud involving the bilking of Medicare and other federal health programs. The company has paid $1.7 billion in fines. In 2005, Frist sold his HCA shares, which had been in a blind trust, at a time when the price of stock shares was peaking and insiders were also selling. Two weeks later the company announced that earnings would not meet expectations, causing a substantial drop in the share price. For more than a year, Frist has been under investigation by the SEC regarding allegations of insider trading. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, although he has not gained the quick resolution of the issue that he had hoped for. Frist also failed to publicly disclose his role in two family charitable foundations. Questions have arisen regarding his role on the board of a third charitable foundation that paid consulting fees to members of his political inner circle. In August, The Associated Press reported that Frist did not complete the 40 hours of continuing medical education every two years needed to keep his state medical license active, although he submitted paperwork to Tennessee officials indicating that he had. Yup - it's all right their in the bible Bill, not yours, but the one the rest of us read The Reality-based Bible. Read on....

FACTCHECK: Iraq Civil War.

Despite the idiot-child President refusing to acknowledge the full-blown civil war easily recognized by every one but himself and his enablers he says flippantly "we've been in this phase before". Here are some facts by Reuters Alertnet for 29 Nov 2006 13:42:30 GMT. *SAMARRA - Six policemen were killed and four wounded when a car bomb exploded near a police station in a town near Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad. Militants briefly occupied the building. A daylight curfew was imposed. *ANBAR PROVINCE - A U.S. Marine died from wounds sustained in combat while operating in western Anbar province, the U.S. military said. *BAGHDAD - A suicide car bomber targeting a police patrol killed a policeman and wounded seven people, including three policemen, in southwestern Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said. *BAGHDAD - A suicide car bomber exploded near a police patrol, killing a policeman and wounding five civilians in al-Nidhal street in central Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said. *BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb targeting a police patrol wounded three people in Ouqba Bin Nafie square in central Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said. MOSUL - A suicide car bomber targeting a police station killed one civilian and wounded 23 in the northern city of Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said. BAGHDAD - A U.S. soldier was killed and another wounded on Tuesday when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle in Salahaddin province, the U.S. military said. DIWANIYA - Police said they found the body of a teacher with gunshot wounds in Diwaniya, 180 km (112 miles) south of Baghdad. Gunmen had kidnapped him on Tuesday. BAGHDAD - Iraqi soldiers killed three insurgents and arrested 28 during the past 24 hours in different parts of Iraq, the Defence Ministry said. NEAR BAQUBA - The U.S. military said its forces killed eight insurgents and two women in an early morning ground assault supported by an air strike on a village near Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad. Iraqi police said a U.S.-Iraqi force killed eight civilians. Police said the dead were a man and his three sons and a neighbouring couple, their son and daughter. BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb targeting a police patrol killed two policemen and wounded seven people, including two policemen, in Baghdad's al-Nahdha area, an Interior Ministry source said. BAGHDAD - Gunmen fired on the Shi'ite-run Health Ministry building in central Baghdad after two mortar rounds landed nearby, Deputy Health Minister Hakim al-Zamily said. No casualties were reported and the gunmen later withdrew. *indicates updated material

Idiot Child Still Doesn't Get It

The American people sent out a message on November 7th, but obviously boy-king playing President didn't get the message. RIGA, Latvia - President Bush, under pressure to change direction in Iraq, said Tuesday he will not be persuaded by any calls to withdraw American troops before the country is stabilized. "There's one thing I'm not going to do, I'm not going to pull our troops off the battlefield before the mission is complete," he said in a speech setting the stage for high-stakes meetings with the Iraqi prime minister later this week. "We can accept nothing less than victory for our children and our grandchildren." As Duncan says so eloquently: Watching some of the speech this morning it became clear that our country is run by a shockingly stupid, somewhat delusional, and very messianic person who has downloaded large doses of extreme wingnuttery deep into his brain stem. Oh crap! We still have to put up with this idiot child for two more years.......ugh. Read on.....

King George "The Arrogant"

The arrogant idiot-child masquerading as President never ceases to amaze. During his trip to Latvia to attend the NATO summit, he not only doesn't admit to his own mistakes in Afghanistan by pulling troops out to invade Iraq on a false mission to destroy phantom WMD's, he now has the nerve to berate his NATO allies for not doing enough on the "war on terror". US President George Bush has berated Nato members reluctant to send troops to Afghan hotspots, demanding they must accept "difficult assignments". What a showing of total arrogance telling other countries how to use their military when he hasn't a clue how to use his own. In yet another example of his head-up-his-ass policy regarding the Iraq war, he still refuses to accept the fact that the insurgency is really a outright civil war by using his favorite bugaboo al-Qaida saying.... "There's a lot of sectarian violence taking place — fomented, in my opinion, because of the attacks by al-Qaida causing people to seek reprisal." Of course! It's an al-Qaida plot. As usual his failed "war on terror" policy is everyone else's fault and has nothing to do with himself. Let's sum it up. The civil war in Iraq in not a civil war but an al-Qaida plot so he has his daddy's friend Jim Baker and his Iraq group forming a plan to get him out without having to acknowledge a mistake and admit to his own failed actions. The war in Afghanistan is escalating not because of his pulling his own troops out, but because his NATO allies won't put themselves in harms way. Once again everybody else must clean up the mess he created. This is the story of this imbecile's life. He screws up and everyone else has to clean-up the mess. Just as daddy and daddy's friends did with the financial collapse of his Arbusto Energy. In fact the only success he seems to have is enriching himself with other assorted scams.

Bush's Obsession Continues Despite Message From Voters

The American people sent out a message on November 7th, but obviously boy-king playing President didn't get the message. RIGA, Latvia - President Bush, under pressure to change direction in Iraq, said Tuesday he will not be persuaded by any calls to withdraw American troops before the country is stabilized. "There's one thing I'm not going to do, I'm not going to pull our troops off the battlefield before the mission is complete," he said in a speech setting the stage for high-stakes meetings with the Iraqi prime minister later this week. "We can accept nothing less than victory for our children and our grandchildren." As Duncan says so eloquently: Watching some of the speech this morning it became clear that our country is run by a shockingly stupid, somewhat delusional, and very messianic person who has downloaded large doses of extreme wingnuttery deep into his brain stem. Oh crap! We still have to put up with this idiot child for two more years.......ugh. Read on.....

An Insurgency By Any Other Name Is A Civil War

Despite the constant good tidings we hear from King George and his administration about the war in Iraq, it finally looks as though the press and electronic media are waking up to the fact that Iraq is in a full blown civil war. Even though this is something you and I and the rest of the reality-based community have been saying for months if not longer, it is good that the MSM is doing their job and making the administration and their lying enablers in Congress face the truth. First we had Michael Ware reporting on CNN last night: Well, firstly, let me say, perhaps it's easier to deny that this is a civil war, when essentially you live in the most heavily fortified place in the country within the Green Zone, which is true of both the prime minister, the national security adviser for Iraq and, of course, the top U.S. military commanders. However, for the people living on the streets, for Iraqis in their homes, if this is not civil war, or a form of it, then they do not want to see what one really looks like. Then yesterday we had Solomon Moore come right out and call it for what it is in his column in the LA Times BAGHDAD — Iraq's civil war worsened Friday as Shiite and Sunni Arabs engaged in retaliatory attacks after coordinated car bombings that killed more than 200 people in a Shiite neighborhood the day before. A main Shiite political faction threatened to quit the government, a move that probably would cause its collapse and plunge the nation deeper into disarray. Yet still this administration says “We’re constantly asked that question, and while the situation is serious, Prime Minister Maliki and President Talabani have said they do not believe it is a civil war”. I swear, that bunch has to be living in a parallel universe or something. On CNN's "Reliable Sources" with Howard Kurtz, John Roberts describes in graphic detail just what the situation in Iraq is like. Hopefully, the rest of the MSM will follow suit and tell the truth about Iraq, since they certainly owe the rest of us an apology for doing no more that echo Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld talking points all these years. With the press finally waking up to the lies and hearings by the newly elected Democratic Congress we can finally begin to honestly look for some way to stop the needless deaths, carnage and bloodletting.

A Welcome Back From Thanksgiving Chuckle

Welcome back my friends, I hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving holiday. Instead of jumping right back in with the hypocrites and scoundrels of politics, I thought a humorous look at them would be in order instead. This YouTube video I came across fits the bill nicely. It's called "Bush & Cheney Sport 'Go F*ck Yourself' Ties"...enjoy.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AMERICA

Wishing all my American relatives, friends, and readers a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Please take time on this day to remember all those men and women in the Armed Services who cannot be with their families today.

Editorial Director of CBSNews.com Suddenly Awakens From His Slumber

This is almost as bad as the war-dodger King George and the draft-dodger Darth Cheney suddenly having so much knowledge about the perils of combat. Dick Meyer 12 years too late discovers: This is a story I should have written 12 years ago when the "Contract with America" Republicans captured the House in 1994. I apologize. Really, it's just a simple thesis: The men who ran the Republican Party in the House of Representatives for the past 12 years were a group of weirdos. Together, they comprised one of the oddest legislative power cliques in our history. And for 12 years, the media didn't call a duck a duck, because that's not something we're supposed to do. Read on..... I have to wonder if this very convenient new-found wisdom is nothing more than a cover for you to do your slash and burn on the new Democratic Congress and Senate. Too bad you didn't wake up in time to stop all the crap you in the media found as a reason for impeachment of a President. You didn't "call a duck a duck" because you were too busy titillating the country with tales about a blue dress and a blow job.

30 Years Too Late Bush Ends Up In 'Nam

So now we have the Vietnam-Dodger-in-Chief telling the world the lessons learned from a previous loosing fiasco the Neocons pushed on the world. Asked if the experience in Vietnam offered lessons for Iraq, Bush said, "We tend to want there to be instant success in the world, and the task in Iraq is going to take awhile." He said "it's just going to take a long period of time" for "an ideology of freedom to overcome an ideology of hate. Yet, the world that we live in today is one where they want things to happen immediately." "We'll succeed unless we quit," the president said. And you know this how George? Oh that's right it was from when you were there 30 years ago when you established your shining war record.

B'Bye Karl....Don't Let The Door Hit Ya Where The Good Lord Split Ya

The rumors that chief White House political architect Karl Rove will leave sometime next year are being bolstered with new insider reports that his partisan style is a hurdle to President Bush’s new push for bipartisanship. “Karl represents the old style and he’s got to go if the Democrats are going to believe Bush’s talk of getting along,” said a key Bush advisor. Other elements are also at play: The election yesterday of Sen. Trent Lott to the number two GOP leadership position in the Senate is also a threat to the White House and Rove, who worked against him when he battled to save his majority leader’s job after his insensitive remarks about Sen. Strom Thurmond. And insiders report that Bush counsel Harriet Miers isn’t a fan, believing that Rove didn’t do enough to help her failed Supreme Court nomination among conservatives. In fact, one top West Wing advisor said that the unexpected ouster of Rove aide Susan Ralston over ethics questions was orchestrated by Miers as a signal to Rove to leave. The advisor said that Rove is aware of the situation and that a departure might come in “weeks, not months.” A Rove ally, however, noted that he has a record of out-witting his critics. H/T Think Progress

Note To The Chatty Cathy Beltway Pundits - STFU!

I am really getting a little tired of the bullsh*t making the rounds of the inside the beltway crowd over the fact Nancy Pelosi's choice for House Leader lost. As I said here yesterday, "I still have to ask these so-called "gentlemen"...."What's the matter boys - can't take a strong female being in a position of power?" As silly as it sounds, that seams to be the only reason for this not so sudden nashing of teeth and judging of Nancy Pelosi before she even picks up the friggin' gavel as Speaker. Where the hell were all these second rate know it alls when Newt Gingrich's preferred candidate and buddy, Bob Walker was beaten by Tom Delay. Was this a major look of disarray for his new Republican sweep of the House? Did this show the Almighty Newt as being weak and devoid of leadership? Give me a friggin' break. As Glen Greenwald points out: It is painfully obvious that Pelosi supported Murtha for one very simple and extremely common reason -- because unlike Hoyer, with whom she has a tense and uncomfortable working relationship and with whom she has worked at cross-purposes in the past, Murtha is her ally and supporter. Murtha held a blogger conference call a couple of days ago and in response to every question, he repeatedly emphasized that his intention was to concentrate on Iraq and that in all other areas, he would "do what Nancy wants." He's a Pelosi loyalist and ally and so she supported him for that job over someone who isn't. Is that supposed to be unusual? That's how all of Washington works. It's how the world works. Knock it off guys, and get your swollen heads out of your collective asses. There are much more important issues to be addressed for the country right now. That is why the vote came out the way it did. The people want things done. They want Congress cleaned up! They want a responsible plan to stop the blodshed and occupation of a country where the U.S. troops should never have been in the first place! The want a serious health-care plan. Grow up! Do your damn jobs and write about these issuse instead of acting like a bunch of catty teenage girls at a bitch-slapping party.

"Bo" Schembechler Dead At 77

Glenn "Bo" Schembechler, former University of Michigan football coach has died on the eve of the game tomorrow with Ohio State University for the Big Ten Championship, and a chance to compete in the BCS Bowl game for the National Championship in January. The Associated Press is reporting: ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Bo Schembechler, who became one of college football's great coaches in two decades at Michigan, died Friday after taping a TV show on the eve of the Wolverines' No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with perennial rival Ohio State. He was 77. Schembechler collapsed at the studios at WXYZ-TV in the Detroit suburb of Southfield and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. His death at 11:42 a.m. was confirmed by Mike Dowd, chief investigator for the medical examiner's office in Oakland County. Police were sent to the station around 9:25 a.m. along with the city's fire department and escorted an ambulance to Providence Hospital, Southfield police spokesman John Harris said. Bo always looked forward to this rivalry game with Ohio State, and even though during his tenure as coach at UM he never won a national championship, he is quoted as saying "If you think my career has been a failure because I have never won a national title, you have another thing coming," Schembechler said a few weeks before coaching his final game. "I have never played a game for the national title. Our goals always have been to win the Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl. If we do that, then we consider it a successful season." That tradition of the importance of the Big Ten championship and the rivalry with Ohio State still remains the goal of U of M Football. The seven-time Big Ten coach of the year compiled a 194-48-5 record at Michigan from 1969-89. Schembechler's record in 26 years of coaching was 234-65-8. Schembechler's Wolverines were 11-9-1 against the Buckeyes. But fans in both states generally agree that the rivalry's prime years were 1969-78, when Schembechler opposed his friend and coaching guru, Woody Hayes. Ohio State prevailed in those meetings, going 5-4-1. "It was a very personal rivalry," Earle Bruce, who succeeded Hayes as coach, once said. "And for the first and only time, it was as much about the coaches as it was about the game. "Bo and Woody were very close because Bo played for Woody at Miami of Ohio, then coached with him at Ohio State. But their friendship was put on hold when Bo took the Michigan job because it was the protege against mentor." Coach "Bo" was inducted into the Miami University Hall of Fame in 1972, the State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, the University of Michigan Hall of Honor in 1992, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1993. A musical video honoring Coach "Bo" is available here.

The Media Get's The Knives Out

Just as I said in an earlier post, the corporate controlled MSM instead of issuing congratulations to Nancy Pelosi for winning a unanimous vote of her peers to be the Speaker of the House, they would focus on her supposed and their created meme "leadership weakness", because her choice for Majority Leader lost the caucus election. I ask you to decide - was I wrong? Take a look at the current headlines: From CNN.com: Pelosi wins No. 1 spot, loses battle over No. 2 From Reuters via Yahoo! News: Democrats defy Pelosi, elect Hoyer House leader From ABC The Note's Mark Halperin and friends: Nancy's Boys - Can't We All Just Get Along? From MSNBC: Democrats pick Hoyer as House majority leader Lawmakers select him over Speaker Pelosi ally Rep. John Murtha - just a note here - the picture on the politics front page showed Nancy Pelosi with the caption..."Pelosi loses first battle as Hoyer beats Murtha"... I rest my case. This one is a big disappointment. From David Corn at The Nation: Murtha Loses--And So Does Pelosi. Included in his article, he states There's no way to spin this: this was a big loss for incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The vote wasn't close. Her ally was rejected. This reflects poorly on her. And it will be remembered by her political opponents--particularly those who want to undermine Pelosi's efforts to enact lobbying and campaign reform--that in this contest she endorsed a fellow who has long been accused of slippery ethics. Ummm David - I hate to point this out to you but Hoyer isn't so damn squeaky clean either. BTW her political opponents are going to say what they want and don't need you to help them along. I still have to ask these so-called "gentlemen"...."What's the matter boys - can't take a strong female being in a position of power?"

Hoyer Elected Majority Leader

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has been elected Majority Leader by a vote of 149-86. Personally I don't really have a strong leaning for either Hoyer or Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). Either way the corporate media will report the story as Nancy Pelosi being weak and ineffective because the candidate she backed lost, and you can rest assured if Murtha had won the caucus election they would have had a field day with the old history of Abscam. Sure to be downplayed by all the talking heads will be the fact she won the position as Speaker of the House by a unanimous vote of her peers. Here is the line-up: House Speaker: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Majority Leader: Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Majority Whip: Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) Caucus Chair: Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) Vice-Caucus Chair: Rep. John Larson (D-CT) The vote for the Democratic Caucus has been held it is time to accept the results and move on. The usual practice of eating our own will only give Repubs and the media something to harp about.

Former DNC Chair Raps Carville's Knuckles.......

....And rightly so. Via Hotline, Ex-DNC chair Don Fowler sent an email out to fellow DNC members "Some ill-advised voices have suggested that, because of his 50-state strategy, Governor Dean should be replaced as Chair of the DNC," Fowler wrote in the e-mail. "This is nonsense. The 50-state strategy is exactly what the Democratic Party needed and continues to need. Why do the Washington people think that they have a special prerogative to dictate what the Democratic Party needs? I hope that all DNC members will join me in rejecting this foolishness--from whatever source it came." "Democrats won a great victory on November 7--control of the United States House of Representatives, control of the United States Senate, majority of Governors, and majority of state legislative bodies. Why should anyone want to mess with the team that won these remarkable results? Governor Dean deserves to continue as DNC Chair." James Carville would be better served if he just STFU. The Democratic Party does not need him to sow the seeds of division, while at the same time cuddling-up to his corporate masters and of course his right-wing wife Mary Matlin.

Madame Speaker "I APPOLOGIZE"

Now this article from CBC News sure as hell hasn't been given much press so let's take a look at what the soon to be Speaker of the House intends as her first legislative effort. No House member may accept any gift of any value from lobbyists, or any firm or association that hires lobbyists. No free travel, which means an end to the corporate jet line every Friday at Reagan National Airport. No free tickets to Redskins games; or no meals of any value, even at a McDonalds; no front-row seats at entertainment venues. No, no and no. Now this restores my faith in Nancy Pelosi, and also puts any doubts to rest that I had about her support for Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) as the House Leader and number two rank in importance of the Congress, as I posted here and here. Madame Speaker I APPOLOGIZE. This will also silence the Republican talking point that I feared labelling Pelosi and Murtha as being just as crooked as the own failed leadership. Here is possibly the very best part of what has been labelled Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2006 House members will no longer be able to slip in special-interest projects on unrelated legislation. Such measures will no longer be allowed on a bill once negotiations between the Senate and House are complete. Further, all bills will be made available to the public a full 24 hours before a final vote; presumably this gives watchdog groups a chance to flag any skullduggery. Now THAT my friends is what she meant when she pledged to clean up the "culture of corruption" so pervasive in Washington for so long. I am sure that the bill as written will be watered down a bit, but I doubt very much that the American people will stand for much change given the loud message given on November 7th. The final point that will drive this legislation home is that the rules will be given oversight by a new Office of Public Integrity, which will report only to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Read on.... Now I would like to know why the MSM has failed to report all this with the importance it deserves. Like I need to ask - obviously this will not benefit their corporate view of the way the U.S. should be governed.

Back-Room John Part Two

As I posted here earlier, soon to be Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, has thrown her full weight behind Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) to be the next House Majority Leader. The New York Times had this to say back on October 2, 2006: Rep John P Murtha, leading Democrat on House military spending subcommittee, has proved adept at delivering Democratic votes needed by Republican leaders in tacit exchange for earmarks for himself and his allies; delivered enough votes to narrowly defeat number of Democratic proposals in past year; he alone secured $80 million for his Pennsylvania district in 2006 appropriations bills and $120 million for state; acknowledges that some Democrats grouse about his history of leading others to vote against party, but says he has always acted on principle, working with Republicans either because he agreed with them or to uphold private agreements about spending bills. If this is what Murtha claims as "always acted on principle", then Nancy Pelosi has some serious thinking to do about her endorsement. It looks to me like Joementum LIEbermann isn't the only person who was disloyal to his fellow Democrats.

Back-Room John

Is soon to be Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi deaf, dumb, and blind? My answer to all three is a resounding YES I seem to recall it was Nancy herself who coined the phrase "culture of corruption" yet here she is throwing her support behind Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), who appears somewhat ethically challenged himself, to be the House Democratic majority leader, the powerful number-two job in the body. John Murtha is a seventeenth-term member of Congress, representing the 12th district of Pennsylvania. His ethics issues stem from abuse of his position as Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee to benefit clients of his brother, Robert “Kit” Murtha, a registered lobbyist. **** In 2002, Kit Murtha was hired by KSA Consulting, a firm that lobbies the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on behalf of defense contractors. Mr. Murtha joined the firm at the invitation of top KSA official Carmen Scialabba, who had worked for Rep. Murtha on the House Appropriations Committee for 27 years. In 2004, Congress passed a $417 billion defense appropriations bill that went through Rep. Murtha’s subcommittee. The bill benefitted at least 10 companies represented by KSA and KSA directly lobbied Rep. Murtha’s office on behalf of seven of those companies, which received a total $20.8 million in earmarks. If that doesn't raise the un-ethical barometer up a notch then let's look at a company named The PMA Group and its' founder Paul Magliocchetti Paul Magliocchetti worked with Rep. Murtha as a senior staffer on the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense for 10 years. After leaving the committee, Mr. Magliocchetti founded the PMA Group, which has become one of the most prominent Washington, D.C. defense lobbying firms. In the current campaign cycle, the PMA Group and 12 of the firm’s clients rank in the top 20 contributors to Rep. Murtha, having made campaign contributions totaling $274,649. In turn, many of PMA’s clients have benefited significantly from Rep. Murtha’s earmarks. In the 2006 Defense appropriations bill, PMA clients received at least 60 earmarks, totaling $95.1 million. Read on... We have all heard over and over ad-nauseum about how "disloyal" Joe LIEbermann is towards his (then) fellow Democrats, yet here we have the soon to be Speaker supporting a member who, as David Corn points out in The Nation magazine, has voted more with the Republicans than almost every other House Democrat. Yes Nancy, you are deaf to the will of the 42 percent of voters who considered corruption and congressional scandals critical to their voting decisions. The same voters who made you Speaker of the House in-waiting when they spoke with their votes against the "culture of corruption". You are dumb if you think liberal and progressive bloggers are going to stay quiet when we see a problem just because the Dems are in power. And you are blind if you don't see the hazards in front of you by supporting John Murtha. Other than speaking out against the Iraq occupation which made him a darling of the left and your ally as a spokesman against the war, he is now and always has been a hawkish conservative with questionable ethics as well.

My Presidential Choice And Superb Member of the Senate Drops Out

After a wonderful week of celebration with our Democratic members taking control of both houses of congress, I have to say my overwhelming sense of joy took a very fast nose dive when Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) made the official announcement that "he would not be seeking the '08 Presidential bid. My reasons for putting my hope in Russ ran much deeper than the fact he is a Democrat. The myriad of accomplishments and progressive views put forward are too numerous to list here. There is however a comprehensive listing at Russ' Website. Another example of his philosophy of carrying out his duties to his constituents, is what he called his "listening sessions" which Russ describes Listening Sessions, which I believe are one of the most rewarding parts of my job, are designed to allow people to discuss concerns, and listen to friends and neighbors do the same in an open environment. Except for my brief introductory remarks, I spend the entire time listening, taking notes and responding to questions. Wisconsinites give me great ideas for new legislation at these meetings, and when they tell me that they are having a problem with a federal agency, I can try to help. Listening Sessions work in Wisconsin because so many people come and tell me what's on their mind. In my mind, this shows the epitome of what it means to listen to and work for their constituents. Unfortunately there are too few of these Senators in Washington. In a letter posted on his political action committee's Web site, Feingold said he was excited that Tuesday's elections gave Democrats control of both chambers of Congress, giving them the chance to "undo much of the damage that one-party rule has done to America." "We can actually advance progressive solutions to such major issues as guaranteed health care, dependence on oil and our unbalanced trade policies" he wrote. Most reasons any politician gives for withdrawing their name for consideration of higher office are the usual "my family needs me", or any other claptrap and none of it being the truth. However, as is Feingold's way, his reasons strike me as a hell of a lot more truthful than other's we've heard. The reason I believe his remarks? It's his history of always leveling with not only his constituents but all the American people. In his closing statement of the letter he says I'm sure a campaign for President would have been a great adventure and helpful in advancing a progressive agenda. At this time, however, I believe I can best advance that progressive agenda as a Senator with significant seniority in the new Senate serving on the Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Judiciary and Budget Committees. Although I have given it a lot of thought, I cannot muster the same enthusiasm for a race for President while I am trying simultaneously to advance our agenda in the Senate. In other words, if I really wanted to run for President, regardless of the odds or other possible candidates, I would do so. However, to put my family and all of my friends and supporters through such a process without having a very strong desire to run, seems inappropriate to me. Most important, I want to continue my work as a Senator from this wonderful State of Wisconsin. Our fourteen year ongoing conversation that has taken place in hundreds of communities in Wisconsin in the form of open Listening Sessions is the principal reason I have been perceived as "ahead of the curve" on many key issues. Simply listening to the reasoning and passions of Wisconsinites remains the best source of good ideas and common sense I've ever encountered. The underlying passion that can be felt in his comments tells me if not now then certainly in the future he will offer his services as President Of The United States and let the people decide. Chris Bowers, IMO the epitome of political knowledge and blogger over at MyDD best describes Russ Feingold's values, and an outline of the qualities the Democratic Nominee should possess, and I couldn't agree more. In 2008, I hope that there is at least one candidate who can not only articulate a progressive vision for America, but who can also lead America toward progressive positions in the way Senator Russ Feingold has done for over a decade now. Grassroots politics. Campaign finance reform. Never sacrificing our civil liberties. Knowing when it is time to stop asking American soldiers to die for administration mistakes. Time and time again, Senator Feingold has led on issues that once seemed marginal, and brought them to majority status nationwide. Only a few living Democrats can say that on one issue, much less several. The more Senators we have like Senator Feingold, the better off we will all be as both progressives and as Americans. Even if he will not become President, he will always be a progressive leader. Of course being bullheaded and unrelenting as I am, I would like to respectfully make a suggestion to Russ - whoever the Democratic nominee is come '08 - Russ Feingold would make one hell of a running mate as Vice President..

LEST WE FORGET

We Shall Keep the Faith by Moira Michael, November 1918 Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet - to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died. We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fields. And now the Torch and Poppy Red We wear in honor of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields. Flags courtesy of3DFlags.com

Charges Sought Against Rumsfeld For Alleged War Crimes

11 Iraq former detainees at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo are seeking criminal prosecution charges against Donald Rumsfeld for abuses suffered during their detainment. The German news website DW-WORLD.DE/English, is reporting... The New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and Berlin's Republican Lawyers' Association said they and five Iraqi citizens mistreated by US soldiers were seeking a probe by German federal prosecutors of leading US policymakers. They said they had chosen Germany because of its Code of Crimes Against International Law, introduced in 2002, which grants German courts universal jurisdiction in cases involving war crimes or crimes against humanity. It also makes military or civilian commanders who fail to prevent their subordinates from committing such acts liable. Also named in the lawsuit, are former CIA director George Tenet, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Steven Cambone, Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, Brigadier General Janis L. Karpinski and other military officers who served in Iraq. In a quote to DW-WORLD.DE, Peter Weiss CCR Vice President explained the reason for filing charges in Germany "We filed these cases here because there is simply no other place to go," CCR vice president Peter Weiss said in a statement, adding that the US Congress had "failed" to seriously investigate the abuses. "It is clear that the US government is not willing to open an investigation into these allegations against these officials."Read on.... Time.com which is also reporting on this story, names Mohammad al-Qahtani, a Saudi held at Guantanamo, whom the U.S. has identified as the so-called "20th hijacker" and a would-be participant in the 9/11 hijackings. As TIME first reported in June 2005, Qahtani underwent a "special interrogation plan," personally approved by Rumsfeld, which the U.S. says produced valuable intelligence. But to obtain it, according to the log of his interrogation and government reports, Qahtani was subjected to forced nudity, sexual humiliation, religious humiliation, prolonged stress positions, sleep deprivation and other controversial interrogation techniques. There is some confusion between the two stories however. DW-WORLD.DE is stating that Brigadier General Janis L. Karpinski is included in the lawsuit, while Time states Lawyers for the plaintiffs say that one of the witnesses who will testify on their behalf is former Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, the one-time commander of all U.S. military prisons in Iraq. Karpinski — who the lawyers say will be in Germany next week to publicly address her accusations in the case — has issued a written statement to accompany the legal filing, which says, in part: "It was clear the knowledge and responsibility [for what happened at Abu Ghraib] goes all the way to the top of the chain of command to the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ." Hopefully the "Secretary of Death" will finally be made to take responsibility for his actions and face the consequences. Perhaps once this is done, they will go after Darth Vader Cheney and ultimately King George the dictator. Between the three of them (and the subordinates who supported them)there is plenty of blood to be found on their hands. Particularly Cheney and Rumsfeld (along with John Negroponte Bush's current Director of National Intelligence), go back years and years facing allegation's of torture and murder. One has to look no further than Iran/Contra and the history of human rights abuses carried out by CIA-trained operatives in Honduras. More of the Times.com take on things is available HERE....

$250,000 Reward for Evidence Leading to Voter Fraud Conviction

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- MoveOn.org Political Action is offering a $250,000 reward for new material evidence leading to a felony conviction for an organized effort of partisan voter suppression or electronic voting fraud. Throughout the day accusations of election fraud and voter suppression incidents have been flooding into state and federal authorities throughout the country. In Virginia, the FBI has launched a criminal investigation into charges of voter suppression. In 20 Congressional districts, NRCC robocalls appearing to come from Democrats harassed voters with repeated calls in an apparently coordinated campaign to suppress the vote. Complementing an earlier reward for whistleblowers, MoveOn's reward is being offered to anyone who provides this information. Contact: Trevor Fitzgibbon, Laura Gross or Alex Howe, 202-822-5200, all for MoveOn.org Political Action

Harry Reid Sends Out A Big Thank You

Disenfranchisement Seen In Georgia.

So what's wrong with this precinct sign in Henry County, Georgia? Just the fact that there is no ID requirement to vote in Georgia. In September, a state court struck down Georgia’s voter ID law and as People for the American Way notes, “most voters do not need to show an ID of any kind".

CT Senate Race Fuels High Voter Turnout

According to Courant.com State officials are projecting a strong turnout and reported a busy morning at the polls, which opened at 6 a.m. today. Turnout in Danbury, Wilton, New Britain and Vernon was outpacing that from two years ago, said Dan Tapper, spokesman in the secretary of the state's office. A suspected reason for the large turnout is the race between Sen. Joe Lieberman and anti-war challenger Ned amont. Lamont's primary victory was widely seen as a referendum on Iraq -- and a sharp rebuke of Lieberman's pro-war views. Two voters spoken to by the Courant were quoted this way: ...60-year-old Ron Bowman, a Democrat from Windsor, Conn., had on his mind when he went out to vote first thing Tuesday. "It was a chance for a change," he said, after casting his ballot for Democratic senatorial candidate Ned Lamont over incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman, running as an independent. Another voter who echoed Bowman's sentiment, Shirley Swanson of Windsor, said that she, too, voted for Lamont. "He's not Lieberman. Joe isn't listening to us," she said. Hopefully this attitude will prevail throughout Connecticut since most polls are showing the Democrats could very well take over control of the Senate as well as Congress albeit by a very slim majority. The latest numbers I have seen are the Democrats taking the Senate 51-49. I just hope and pray that the 51st seat belongs to Lamont and NOT LIEbermann. Just the thought of this backstabbing turncoat weilding that much power that the Dems have to kiss up to him is unbearable. If the margin of victory is so close, then let's hope the seat count is Democrats 52 Republicans 48.

Midday Poll Watch Report

Via TomPaine.com The pernicious requirement that voters show ID to cast a ballot is wreaking havoc across the country today, according to election experts involved in poll watching efforts. On a 10 a.m. conference call organized by Common Cause, election watchers said that voters are being asked for ID even in states where there is no voter ID law. The most high-profile incident so far happened yesterday, with the Missouri secretary of state being asked three times to show ID even though the state voter ID law had been struck down. Read on....

Virginia Voter Intimidation Being Investigated - FBI

This is the Rove/Bush version of Democracy in action. The head of the Virginia Board of Elections, Jean Jensen, tells MSNBC that “the FBI is now investigating allegations of voter intimidation and voter suppression.” State officials have documented “dozens of phone calls that were made to heavily Democratic precincts in which the people who were receiving the calls were either given incorrect information about polling sites [or] misdirected about election laws.” Think Progress has the CNN video and also audio of the phone message.

2,836 Reasons To Vote Today

The Guardian reports today: As of Monday, Nov. 6, 2006, at least 2,836 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,276 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. The AP count is four more than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Monday at 10 a.m. EST. Why is it that this headline appears in the British press and not in the United States? Please vote today so pressure can be brought to bear on this dictatorial, murdering administration that is using your sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, friends and neighbors as cannon fodder in a civil war created by an inept Donald Rumsfeld. Read on....

Justice Department To Monitor Voting

CNN is reporting that the Justice Department including 850 federal personnel to 69 jurisdictions in 22 states will be monitoring the voting. The contingent includes more than 500 trained federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management to areas mostly in the Deep South and Southwest, which have been certified by federal courts or the Attorney General under the Civil Rights Act of 1965. In addition more than 350 Civil Rights Division lawyers and other personnel from the Justice Department are being dispatched to locations throughout the country where authorities have reason to believe there is a potential for federal voting violations. In addition to the Justice Department, there are many citizen groups you can contact if you have a problem voting. There is a form you can use to report problems of any kind to the right side of this website from VoterStory.org. There are 4 simple steps to submit your story: 1) On Election Day, the voter completes the form with their story. 2) When they hit "submit" their information is transmitted to voter protection organizations who will be standing by to intervene or lend support if necessary. 3) The voter also receives an email confirming that their story was transmitted. 4) Voter information is entered into a database of election incidents. Election incidents can also be reported to several national hotlines. Those reported to 1-866-OUR-VOTE will be catalogued in the Election Incident Reporting System Problems with voting machines can also be reported by calling 1-888-SAV-VOTE (1-888-728-8683). You can also report incidents through the DNC by calling 1-888-DEM VOTE or by filling out this online form. [H/T Daily Kos] Remember - You have a right to vote, USE IT

An Obnoxious Jerk And A War Criminal.

Yet King George still maintains he's doing a heckuva job - just like "Brownie". And who is this obnoxious jerk and war criminal? Donald Rumsfeld Of course. There is no one better to verbally call that murderous bastard out than CNN's Jack CaffertyUp until today, there have been only retired Generals who have spoken out against the handling of this war, and who can blame the active Generals for not speaking out. Hell whenever they so much as asked for something Rumsfeld didn't agree with they were shown the door. Today however something unprecedented happened. In a joint editorial, the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times all had this to say: These officers have been loyal public promoters of a war policy many privately feared would fail. They have kept their counsel private, adhering to more than two centuries of American tradition of subordination of the military to civilian authority. And although that tradition, and the officers’ deep sense of honor, prevent them from saying this publicly, more and more of them believe it. Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt. This is not about the midterm elections. Regardless of which party wins Nov. 7, the time has come, Mr. President, to face the hard bruising truth: Donald Rumsfeld must go. Unfortunately, no matter what this editorial says or how the election turns out for that matter. George will continue on his stubburn ways, never admitting a mistake, and thousands more will die in vain.

The Rats Are Jumping Ship

We hear from Vanity Fair that things are getting so bad around the Administration that even the former chairman of the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee Richard Perle and former Pentagon insider Kenneth Adelman are jumping ship. And in the process of using those handy lifeboats, are not thinking twice about pointing the finger of blame squarely at George Bush. they blame the "dysfunctional" Bush administration for the "disaster" in Iraq and say that if they had it to do over again they would not advocate an invasion of Iraq. I find it quite telling however that none of the blame seems to be pointed in their own direction for their obsessiveness and fanatacism toward the mid-east. Perle tells Vanity Fair that, "at the end of the day, you have to hold the president responsible.... I don't think he realized the extent of the opposition within his own administration, and the disloyalty.... [Bush] did not make decisions, in part because the machinery of government that he nominally ran was actually running him." Adelman tells Vanity Fair that when he wrote in 2002 that "liberating Iraq would be a cakewalk," he "just presumed that what I considered to be the most competent national-security team since Truman was indeed going to be competent. They turned out to be among the most incompetent teams in the postwar era. Not only did each of them, individually, have enormous flaws, but together they were deadly, dysfunctional." Adelman also tells Vanity Fair that "the idea of using our power for moral good in the world" is dead, at least for a generation. After Iraq, he says, "it's not going to sell." Of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, whom Adelman says he is "very, very fond of," he admits, "I'm crushed by his performance. Did he change, or were we wrong in the past? Or is it that he was never really challenged before? I don't know. He certainly fooled me." Adelman adds that he "checked out" of this administration the day that Bush gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former C.I.A. director George Tenet, General Tommy Franks, and Coalition Provisional Authority administrator Paul Bremer--"three of the most incompetent people who've ever served in such key spots." What these joker don't get, is that fact it isn't usually the implementation of the plan that is the failure, it is the plan itself. I repeat for what has to be the millionth time "stay the course" is not a plan it's a slogan. Get wigh it Geoge before the November body count doesn't set yet another record of deaths.

Dobson Issues Statement

Focus on the Family Statement FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gary Schneeberger Nov. 3, 2006 Phone: (719) 548-5853 E-mail: culturalissues@family.org Dobson 'Heartsick' Over Haggard Allegations "We ask that Christians everywhere pray for Ted" Colorado Springs — Focus on the Family founder and Chairman James C. Dobson, Ph.D., issued the following statement today after learning the Rev. Ted Haggard had acknowledged some "indiscretions" involving accusations made against him by a gay prostitute in Denver: "All of us at Focus on the Family are heartsick over the allegation, not yet confirmed, that Ted has had a private life with a homosexual for several years. We will await the outcome of this story, but the possibility that an illicit relationship has occurred is alarming to us and to millions of others. "Ted has been my close friend and colleague for many years. He has been used mightily to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Colorado Springs and around the world. He will continue to be my friend, even if the worst allegations prove accurate. Nevertheless, sexual sin, whether homosexual or heterosexual, has serious consequences, and we are extremely concerned for Ted, his family and his church. "We ask that the Focus on the Family constituency and Christians everywhere pray for Ted and his loved ones. Our hearts go out to all of them. Perhaps the allegations are false and the circumstances are not as we have heard. Either way, the situation has grave implications for the Cause of Christ, and we ask for the Lord’s guidance and blessings in the days ahead." I have just one question for you Jimmy Bob.....since you don't mention the meth aspect of this tawdryness, does that mean he can play around with methamphetamine but not other mem? No offence meant Reverend, I just want to make sure your congregations are fully informed. All in the name of Jesus of course.

Church Spokesman Releases A Statement On Haggard

There appears to be a sudden about face by the now disgraced Reverend and church leader Pastor Ted Haggard regarding the pedophelia rumours and accusations about him A sudden about-face in the scandal facing New Life Church's pastor. After Pastor Ted Haggard went public Wednesday night denying allegations of a homosexual affair, senior church officials told KKTV 11News Thursday evening, Pastor Ted Haggard has admitted to some of the claims made by a former male escort. The church's Acting Senior Pastor, Ross Parsley, tells KKTV 11 News that Pastor Haggard has admitted to some of the indiscretions claimed by Mike Jones, but not all of them. Thursday morning, Jones went on a Denver radio talk show and said Pastor Haggard paid him for sex over the past 3 years. Jones also claims Haggard used drugs with him. How very quaint!! An evangelical minister who some claim is as powerful as Robertson, Fallwell and Dobson, Don't look for this controversy to end anytime soon. Read on....

Poll Shows LIEbermann Holds On To Large Lead

Via Terry Goodard "Political Wire" we receive some very disheartening news. A new Research 2000 poll, shows Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) way ahead of challenger Ned Lamont (D), 51% to 39%, with Alan Schlesinger trailing with just 7% support. Key finding: Lamont's unfavorable rating is 35% compared to just 30% for Lieberman. How in the world Lamonts unfavorable rank is this high is well beyond me. Examples of possible political corruption by LIEbermann abounds...Donations by the Corporate leaders, Donations from rich Republicans while abandoning their own Republican candidate (encouraged quietly in the background by members of the Administration - read Ken Mehlman and Karl Rove). The mumbers at this point in time are anything but incouraging, so let me just say this. In the eventually of a LIEbermann victory, if the Democratic Caucus decides to include him in there caucus and let him in any way influence legislation the we the people ought to let them know, and let them know LOUD AND CLEAR that the Liberal/Progressive members of the Democratic party will not stand for it. Any member of Congress who continually stabs his colleagues in the back and showing outward signs of pure affection (read the infamous kiss) toward King George himself. A word to the wise for those Corporate backed members of the Democratic congress or Senate who allow him to caucus with them will answer to Progressive/Liberal members of the Democratic Party (and there are plenty) will answer to us in '08. That is Presidential political season. The stakes will be enourmous. Turn you back on the Prog.-Lib. of your party and I guarantee the election results will not bode well for you.

More Facts Coming To Light About Disgraced Televangelist

As I posted here earlier today televangelist Ted Haggard who some believe rivals Dobson, Falwell and Robertson in terms of power and influence, was outed as being gay after a male hooker Mike Jones exposed his 3 year relationship with Haggard. Despite his repeated denials, we now learn from the Denver Post Ted Haggard, one of the most prominent evangelical pastors in the nation, resigned today as president of the National Association of Evangelicals amid allegations that he carried on a three-year sexual relationship with a male prostitute. Haggard, founder of the 14,000-member New Life Church, has denied the accusations but said in a statement released by the church today that he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by accusations made on Denver talk radio this morning." Not only did the disgraced Haggard step down from New Life Church, but the National Association of Evangelicals just released this statement about the situation: “Today, Rev. Ted Haggard has chosen to step aside as the President of the National Association of Evangelicals. The Chairman of the Board, Dr. Roy Taylor, is our acting leader. The Executive Committee of the National Association of Evangelicals will meet on Friday, November 3rd and will issue a public statement afterward.” The most recent developments in yet another example of the hypocrisy that prevails in the Christian Right so coveted by the Republican party, seem to have been due to the actions of Mike Jones. Included in the Denver Post story was the fact that Today, Jones showed the Denver Post an envelope addressed to him from "Art," a name Jones says Haggard used - sent from an address in Colorado Springs. Jones said the envelope came to him with two $100 bills inside. Jones also played a recording of a voicemail left for Jones from "Art." Jones refused to reveal what the topic of the voicemail was about because there could be legal problems and he wants to consult with an attorney. There is also a report via PERRspectives that Haggard frequently made the trip from Colorado Springs to Denver for sex and on at least one occasion methamphetamine. As for his connection with the Republican party and the White House, Haggard was also a participant in the weekly White House conference calls described by former Bush faith-based crusader David Kuo. author of the controversial book Tempting Faith who worked for Bush from 2001 to 2003. As I said in my preveious post. If this scandal follows the script of the Republican play book, next comes the tearful confession and admittance to a substance abuse clinic.

Another Hypocritical Family Values Christian Leader Surfaces

Are any of these people ever, ever honest? I suppose the question itself is moot since we all know the answer. But here is another example of the hypocrisy that surrounds the "Family Values" crowd so embraced by the Republican Party and King George. DENVER - A gay man and admitted male escort claims he has had an ongoing sexual relationship with a well-known Evangelical pastor from Colorado Springs. Mike Jones told 9 Wants to Know Investigative Reporter Paula Woodward he has had a "sexual business" relationship with Pastor Ted Haggard for the past three years. Haggard is the founder and senior leader of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs. The church has 14,000 members. He is also president of the National Association of Evangelicals, an organization that represents millions of people. Haggard is married with five children and an outspoken critic of gay marriage. Of course the Reverend denied it claiming it was the result of election year politics. In an exclusive interview Wednesday night, Haggard denied the claims and told 9NEWS he is prepared for his own church to investigate them. "I did not have a homosexual relationship with a man in Denver," said Haggard. "I am steady with my wife. I'm faithful to my wife." "I don't know if this is election year politics or if this has to do with the marriage amendment or what it is, but I'm not even the guy who will investigate it or question it. I don't know what the dynamics are, but this independent group will come in and do that." Ok, so as usual first comes the denial, then comes the weeping and knashing of teeth, and finally admittance to a clinic for treatment of alcohol abuse. I this keeps up, sessions of Congress and church services will have to be held in a substance abuse facility. Read on.....

Many Owe An Appology - Kerry NOT Among Them

The Republican re-election bunch must have definitely run out of material. Otherwise why are they using the closing days of an election that could change control of one or possibly both Houses of Congress to demand an appology for what they clearly know was NOT anything more than a botched joke. My personal opinion is that the "joke" should not have been in the speeh in the first place. As Keith Olbermann says in the video below, there is plenty of blame to go around and none of it should be pointed at the Democrats or John Kerry.If the Republican sheep that follow this little dictator around are truly outraged, then I suggest that they answer a few question and issue appologies of there own to the troops in Iraq. 1)Why are the troops forced to use old-style helmuts with not enough padding to protect brain damage if struck in the head. 2)Why are the humvees they are forced to use not adequately protected from explosions of IED's when they are on patrol. 3)Why is there no treatment and/or followup for traumatic stress disorder these men and women returning home from that conflagration called Iraq are suffering from. 4)Why have the academic recruiting policies been lowered to enlist in the armed forces. 5)Why does this administration refuse to acknowledge the fact Iraq is not in the least bit like they portray it. 6)Finally, (and I am sure there are many others), why is Donald Rumsfeld still in charge?

Can I Hear The Choir Sing Halleluja!!!!!

Finally that hate-filled bitch with the skinny carcass known as Mann Coulter is getting its' just due. You may remember reports earlier this year about how little miss(ter) squeaky clean registered to vote with two different addresses in South Florida. Then he/she compounded the problem by actually trying to also vote in two different precincts. That might cause some people to think that just like the rest of her/his Republican friends Mann believes that the law doesn't apply to her. When Palm Beach County's elections supervisor was made aware of this it was suggested that "She needs to tell us where she really lives" — or he'd refer the case to the state attorney's office for criminal charges, giving her 30 days to comply. Well I guess the stubborn Miss(ter) Adams Apple continued to ignore the law because now we learn from Editor and Publisher: Conservative columnist Ann Coulter has refused to cooperate in an investigation into whether she voted in the wrong precinct, so the case will probably be turned over to prosecutors, Palm Beach County's elections chief said Wednesday. Knowingly voting in the wrong precinct is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Elections Supervisor Arthur Anderson said his office has been looking into the matter for nearly nine months, and he would turn over the case to the state attorney's office by Friday. Anderson added that Coulter, since the allegations surfaced, made "efforts to distract and divert focus on the process regarding this complaint. ... I did express my frustration to the state attorney in a recent meeting and warned him I may need his services," according to an article in the Palm Beach Post. Now come on people fess up and be honest wouldn't you love to see "Skinny Little Miss(ter) Adams Apple" in an orange jump suit instead of that same old black dress she always wears? I sure as hell know I would! Read on....

About Censorship And Courting The Right

A letter from Jeff Borden to Romensko explains quite clearly how ABC Political Director seems to have sold out to the right-wing conservative talking heads: So, Mark Halperin doesn't vote to maintain his journalistic purity, but he runs panting after a second-tier conservative talk show host's approval and slanders the entire press corps as anti-military in the process? I know these self-absorbed DC creatures have some strange ideas, but what's up with this? It doesn't say much for Halperin's abilities as political director for a major network news operation that he fears casting a vote behind the privacy curtain of a polling place will hurt his reputation but transforming into a lickspittle for a rightwing radio host doesn't. I'll certainly be looking elsewhere for political coverage. Of course this should be no surprise to the rest of us since we have known and gotten fed up with Halperin in the past. All Halpern's actions only verify what was posted on this blog last night: An internal ABC Radio Networks memo obtained by Media Matters for America, originally from a listener to The Peter B. Collins Show, indicates that nearly 100 ABC advertisers insist that their commercials be blacked out on Air America Radio affiliates. According to the memo, the adverstisers insist that "NONE of their commercials air during AIR AMERICA programming." Among the advertisers listed are Bank of America, Exxon Mobil, Federal Express, General Electric, McDonald's, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and the U.S. Navy. I think Mr. Halperin and ABC should both take a long look in the mirror and ask themselves why they hate America and its' people so much that they can sit idly by watching the erosion of civil rights, and censor what the population is allowed to listen to through their sponsors