Is Plamegate getting closer to resolution?
Judith Miller was last night released from prison after reaching an agreement to testify with special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
I find this statement interesting:
"In recent days, several important things have changed that convinced Judy that she was released from her obligation"
Also interesting is the fact that her source appears to be connected to the office of Vice President Cheney.
Details here...
Friday, September 30, 2005
The Last Passion of the Democratic Party
Here is a well-written plea to Democrats to remember their purpose:
Justice for all
I'm seeing a lot of this type of thing as the majority who don't support the war in Iraq have nowhere to turn, as Democratic leaders try to nitpick the nuances of an ill-gotten, poorly planned, catastrophic failure dead ahead of us.
This is perhaps because many Democrats neglected their duty and handed the Bush administration a blank check to wage war. Perhaps they feel it is now better to abandon American soldiers than to change their minds before voters?
For shame.
We should get out of Iraq because it is the right thing to do. It was wrong to go in and it is more wrong to stay in. Our presence there is getting our soldiers killed for no oil.
Have D.C. Democrats noticed that every three months the President himself warns us to expect more violence inside Iraq? How much violence does that now add up to?
Are we supposed to stay in Iraq to flatter your opinion of yourselves?
Justice for all
I'm seeing a lot of this type of thing as the majority who don't support the war in Iraq have nowhere to turn, as Democratic leaders try to nitpick the nuances of an ill-gotten, poorly planned, catastrophic failure dead ahead of us.
This is perhaps because many Democrats neglected their duty and handed the Bush administration a blank check to wage war. Perhaps they feel it is now better to abandon American soldiers than to change their minds before voters?
For shame.
We should get out of Iraq because it is the right thing to do. It was wrong to go in and it is more wrong to stay in. Our presence there is getting our soldiers killed for no oil.
Have D.C. Democrats noticed that every three months the President himself warns us to expect more violence inside Iraq? How much violence does that now add up to?
Are we supposed to stay in Iraq to flatter your opinion of yourselves?
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Frist may be next
The Security and Exchange Commission has upgraded it's inquiry of Bill Frist to "formal" status:
Details here...
Prediction:
The President will say that Bill Frist is doing a heck of a job.
Details here...
Prediction:
The President will say that Bill Frist is doing a heck of a job.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
DeLay indicted in campaign finance probe
Yet another Republican makes a defiant exit due to corruption, this time under indictment, this time one Tom Delay (and stay tuned for Bill Frist and Karl Rove).
Hammer time
Mr. Delay ought to be thankful that the Ronnie Earle scandal reached him before the Jack Abramoff scandal did and do us all a favor and go quietly.
We, the American people, are the ones that deserve to be outraged, not him! He abuses his position and we're supposed to allow him to publicly trash the conclusion of a grand jury?
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
Hammer time
Mr. Delay ought to be thankful that the Ronnie Earle scandal reached him before the Jack Abramoff scandal did and do us all a favor and go quietly.
We, the American people, are the ones that deserve to be outraged, not him! He abuses his position and we're supposed to allow him to publicly trash the conclusion of a grand jury?
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
The march on Washington
The march on Washington on September 24th was huge but hard to see on T.V.
Here is some video footage from the march in Quicktime format. Other formats are available on the TruthOut website.
My favorite chant was,
"Arrest George Bush!"
Why aren't the major news outlets embedded in the peace movement?
ADDENDUM: Kudos to the Washington Post for their coverage, including this photo exhibit.
Here is some video footage from the march in Quicktime format. Other formats are available on the TruthOut website.
My favorite chant was,
"Arrest George Bush!"
Why aren't the major news outlets embedded in the peace movement?
ADDENDUM: Kudos to the Washington Post for their coverage, including this photo exhibit.
A day in the life of a Swedish schoolchild
The reason we pay taxes is to live in a civilized society. As we chop our taxes down society itself falls for it.
Often, I think, money reduces things to such an abstraction that everything becomes a number. As Lilly Tomlin put it, "Accountants know the cost of everything and the value of nothing."
Let's step back.
Imagine you went to sleep normally. You turned out the lights, laid down and fell asleep. When the alarm went off you woke up and zombie-like searched out the coffee machine. You sat down with your coffee and as you looked at the paper you spat coffee all over the table.
There on the front page of the Swedish Washington Post was an article about guests staying at an ice-hotel, made entirely of snow and ice, enjoying vodka.
You were, it seems, in Sweden.
You pinch yourself, but feel it and assume you are awake.
Your children come down to breakfast. Confused you pack them lunches (unnecessary as you'll see) then send them off to school, dressed in typical American fashion (just like those folks on MTV).
Here is what your child's day would be like when they arrived:
A day in the life of a Swedish schoolchild
The difference between what we have here, McDonalds encroaching in the schools, insufficient resources, and factory-based education, and what they have there, small class sizes, individualized curriculums, free lunches, and safe and clean environments, is a life-based tax-distribution (PDF) and enough taxes to fund the programs which benefit all citizens (the common good).
What are corporate taxes in Sweden like?
Here are the details (PDF).
When you talk only of taxes you talk only of money. When you talk only of money you talk only of numbers. When you talk only of numbers one has no more meaning than two or three or four except that one is easier to afford.
This has driven us to where we are, discussing schools as if they were budget items instead of budget items as if they were schools. We discuss healthcare as a number and therefore as if it were a burden on society rather than a life-affirming, citizen pleasing, benefit to society. It goes on-and-on in this manner up and down the budgets.
My shocking conclusion is that even the rich can benefit from a well-educated, well-cared-for society. It is perhaps more pleasant to believe that hard work or good morals or good breeding makes one better, more entitled, or worthy of extravagance though.
Numbers insulate us from suffering, they protect us from despair, and they keep our dreams in little boxes.
Often, I think, money reduces things to such an abstraction that everything becomes a number. As Lilly Tomlin put it, "Accountants know the cost of everything and the value of nothing."
Let's step back.
Imagine you went to sleep normally. You turned out the lights, laid down and fell asleep. When the alarm went off you woke up and zombie-like searched out the coffee machine. You sat down with your coffee and as you looked at the paper you spat coffee all over the table.
There on the front page of the Swedish Washington Post was an article about guests staying at an ice-hotel, made entirely of snow and ice, enjoying vodka.
You were, it seems, in Sweden.
You pinch yourself, but feel it and assume you are awake.
Your children come down to breakfast. Confused you pack them lunches (unnecessary as you'll see) then send them off to school, dressed in typical American fashion (just like those folks on MTV).
Here is what your child's day would be like when they arrived:
A day in the life of a Swedish schoolchild
The difference between what we have here, McDonalds encroaching in the schools, insufficient resources, and factory-based education, and what they have there, small class sizes, individualized curriculums, free lunches, and safe and clean environments, is a life-based tax-distribution (PDF) and enough taxes to fund the programs which benefit all citizens (the common good).
What are corporate taxes in Sweden like?
Here are the details (PDF).
When you talk only of taxes you talk only of money. When you talk only of money you talk only of numbers. When you talk only of numbers one has no more meaning than two or three or four except that one is easier to afford.
This has driven us to where we are, discussing schools as if they were budget items instead of budget items as if they were schools. We discuss healthcare as a number and therefore as if it were a burden on society rather than a life-affirming, citizen pleasing, benefit to society. It goes on-and-on in this manner up and down the budgets.
My shocking conclusion is that even the rich can benefit from a well-educated, well-cared-for society. It is perhaps more pleasant to believe that hard work or good morals or good breeding makes one better, more entitled, or worthy of extravagance though.
Numbers insulate us from suffering, they protect us from despair, and they keep our dreams in little boxes.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Bush or LBJ?
Which Texas President said this:
"America is committed to the defense of [insert country name] until an honorable peace can be negotiated. Despite the obstacles to victory we shall stay the course."
Find out here
"America is committed to the defense of [insert country name] until an honorable peace can be negotiated. Despite the obstacles to victory we shall stay the course."
Find out here
Eating less at Gitmo
When I think about the new hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay I can't help but wonder, darkly...
Wouldn't it be convenient for the Bush administration if everyone there died, since Guantanamo Bay is illegal under international law, US law, and contrary to kindness.
One must admit that this would be a perfect solution to such wondering. The detainees get to be heroic, the US gets to be absolved of responsibility, US courts don't have their rulings openly ignored anymore, and the solution is final.
But...I suppose we should just let them starve and go about our business of watching the next Survivor champion crowned. I wonder if there will be any sexual tension in this years season.
Wouldn't it be convenient for the Bush administration if everyone there died, since Guantanamo Bay is illegal under international law, US law, and contrary to kindness.
One must admit that this would be a perfect solution to such wondering. The detainees get to be heroic, the US gets to be absolved of responsibility, US courts don't have their rulings openly ignored anymore, and the solution is final.
But...I suppose we should just let them starve and go about our business of watching the next Survivor champion crowned. I wonder if there will be any sexual tension in this years season.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Phil Donahue for President
Phil Donahue takes on Bill O'Reilly on the Iraq war in this video:
Phil vs Bill
It surprised me how much respect Bill showed Phil, and also how good Phil was at pressing his case. I take it that Phil is really upset with the Iraq war and its' cheerleaders.
Phil vs Bill
It surprised me how much respect Bill showed Phil, and also how good Phil was at pressing his case. I take it that Phil is really upset with the Iraq war and its' cheerleaders.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Song of protest
If you have iTunes you can download this song for free. It is Bright Eyes performing "When the President Talks to God".
I like it and maybe you will too.
At least the price is right.
When the President Talks to God
This weekend there will be large protests in Washington D.C. on the 24th. If you're going you can load this tune up on your mp3 player and impress your friends.
I like it and maybe you will too.
At least the price is right.
When the President Talks to God
This weekend there will be large protests in Washington D.C. on the 24th. If you're going you can load this tune up on your mp3 player and impress your friends.
McWhat?
Often liberals define themselves negatively, by which I mean they trumpet what they are not, not what they are.
If you don't believe me go to any health food store frequented by your local liberals and take a look at the shelves where you'll see:
Chips with no salt.
Bread with no gluten.
Coffee with no caffeine.
Soap with no scent, or no phosphates.
With politics it is much the same. Liberals are anti-Bush, anti-monopoly, anti-war, and anti-discrimination.
I confess I am guilty of falling into the same trap.
This is too bad because a lot of ideas on the left are very good for America. It is time, I think, to transform the way we talk. It is time to talk about what we are rather than what we are not.
One thing many on the left are for is energy independence, particularly sustainable non-polluting energy sources. This makes sense for our foreign policy, or environmental policy, our economic policy, and our security (no vulnerable dependencies).
With wind-mills, for instance, we all breathe cleaner air and forgo nuclear meltdown dangers and furthermore have enough wind to harness to supply all of America's power. Yet this progressive, forward-looking vision gets discussed as anti-nuclear, anti-coal, and anti-oil talking-points, which are nowhere near as unifying or constructive.
To that end here is a great idea my wife had.
She is a fan of old-time country music and heard that Willie Nelson was starting a bio-diesel company. She asked me what biodiesel was and I explained it was diesel fuel made from vegetable fats and how we could make our own using a kit sold by Home Power (I'm a subscriber).
She thought about that for a few moments and said, "Wow! McDonald's is sitting on a gold-mine. Why don't they take all that grease, team up with Willie, and add bio-diesel filling stations at their locations? You could buy McFuel with your McNuggets!"
In that moment I knew once again I made the right choice when I married.
Can you imagine the immense good this would do to McDonald's reputation among environmentalists?
Why not have our cars filled up as we wait in the drive-thru lane anyway? Now that's what I call convenient!
I'm lovin' it!
If you don't believe me go to any health food store frequented by your local liberals and take a look at the shelves where you'll see:
Chips with no salt.
Bread with no gluten.
Coffee with no caffeine.
Soap with no scent, or no phosphates.
With politics it is much the same. Liberals are anti-Bush, anti-monopoly, anti-war, and anti-discrimination.
I confess I am guilty of falling into the same trap.
This is too bad because a lot of ideas on the left are very good for America. It is time, I think, to transform the way we talk. It is time to talk about what we are rather than what we are not.
One thing many on the left are for is energy independence, particularly sustainable non-polluting energy sources. This makes sense for our foreign policy, or environmental policy, our economic policy, and our security (no vulnerable dependencies).
With wind-mills, for instance, we all breathe cleaner air and forgo nuclear meltdown dangers and furthermore have enough wind to harness to supply all of America's power. Yet this progressive, forward-looking vision gets discussed as anti-nuclear, anti-coal, and anti-oil talking-points, which are nowhere near as unifying or constructive.
To that end here is a great idea my wife had.
She is a fan of old-time country music and heard that Willie Nelson was starting a bio-diesel company. She asked me what biodiesel was and I explained it was diesel fuel made from vegetable fats and how we could make our own using a kit sold by Home Power (I'm a subscriber).
She thought about that for a few moments and said, "Wow! McDonald's is sitting on a gold-mine. Why don't they take all that grease, team up with Willie, and add bio-diesel filling stations at their locations? You could buy McFuel with your McNuggets!"
In that moment I knew once again I made the right choice when I married.
Can you imagine the immense good this would do to McDonald's reputation among environmentalists?
Why not have our cars filled up as we wait in the drive-thru lane anyway? Now that's what I call convenient!
I'm lovin' it!
Thursday, September 22, 2005
From hell's heart...
In a way I feel bad for Laura Bush, whose popularity suffers collateral damage by way of marriage. Unlike her husband she is interested in books, and in literature, and in American culture. Unlike her husband, who disdains opinion polls (and no wonder), she seems saddened by the snubs of people whom she obviously admires.
But, I guess she has made her bed and must now lie in it. She must accept that it is not easy to make friends when your husband is casting shadows of tyranny and religious chauvinism on American soil:
A poet says no
Poets are haunted by war.
It wakes them up at night.
They forget the children-damage least of all.
Their eyes are wells of poetry.
But, I guess she has made her bed and must now lie in it. She must accept that it is not easy to make friends when your husband is casting shadows of tyranny and religious chauvinism on American soil:
A poet says no
Poets are haunted by war.
It wakes them up at night.
They forget the children-damage least of all.
Their eyes are wells of poetry.
Good night, and good luck
George Clooney is one of my favorite actors.
He has a new movie called "Good Night, and Good Luck" slated for release on October 7th that I am looking forward to.
Here is the trailer:
Edward R. Murrow
I believe that McCarthyism is just around the corner because Americans are so scared they will soon seek the safety of persecution through herd-hysteria. Perhaps this movie will remind Americans that more was lost than gained when the greasy-haired high inquisitor was allowed to run amok in our land.
I hope the American press is ready for this new McCarthyism, but when I look into the vacant stare of what passes for a news anchor today I have my doubts. Can the sensation salesmen and the disembodied divas protect our liberties when we really need them the way Edward R. Murrow did?
"Give me liberty or give me death", said John Henry at St. John's church in March of 1775. What will Americans say 230 years later?
He has a new movie called "Good Night, and Good Luck" slated for release on October 7th that I am looking forward to.
Here is the trailer:
Edward R. Murrow
I believe that McCarthyism is just around the corner because Americans are so scared they will soon seek the safety of persecution through herd-hysteria. Perhaps this movie will remind Americans that more was lost than gained when the greasy-haired high inquisitor was allowed to run amok in our land.
I hope the American press is ready for this new McCarthyism, but when I look into the vacant stare of what passes for a news anchor today I have my doubts. Can the sensation salesmen and the disembodied divas protect our liberties when we really need them the way Edward R. Murrow did?
"Give me liberty or give me death", said John Henry at St. John's church in March of 1775. What will Americans say 230 years later?
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Pauline Robinson Bush
The way the Bush family reacted when Pauline Robinson Bush died on October 11, 1953 is something that might help to explain the President's personal disconnect from humanity in the wake of Katrina.
It turns out that the young George W. Bush was kept in the dark about his little sister's leukemia, was told to stop playing with her, not present when Robin died, nor taken to the funeral. The day after the funeral George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush reportedly spent time golfing in Rye.
I forget that sometimes.
No wonder he had no empathy for the victims of Katrina.
About Robin Bush
Recalling this musters up symptoms of compassion for the President in my bunkered heart.
But...
My sympathy for the President doesn't usually last long. No longer, in fact, than it takes me to recall that stem cell research is an avenue of hope for those suffering with leukemia today.
The president's position on stem cell research is well known.
It turns out that the young George W. Bush was kept in the dark about his little sister's leukemia, was told to stop playing with her, not present when Robin died, nor taken to the funeral. The day after the funeral George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush reportedly spent time golfing in Rye.
I forget that sometimes.
No wonder he had no empathy for the victims of Katrina.
About Robin Bush
Recalling this musters up symptoms of compassion for the President in my bunkered heart.
But...
My sympathy for the President doesn't usually last long. No longer, in fact, than it takes me to recall that stem cell research is an avenue of hope for those suffering with leukemia today.
The president's position on stem cell research is well known.
What is going on?
Here is another story which highlights the fact that something isn't right in the Katrina relief effort:
You're on your own
I am no longer prepared to excuse the US government's awful response to the disaster as mere incompetence, because too much planning went into the failure.
For instance:
FEMA sends aid away, leaves it idling uselessly in Maryland.
British food aid to be incinerated
Chertoff delays Katrina response
FEMA won't accept Amtrak's help in evacuations
FEMA turns away experienced firefighters
FEMA turns back Wal-Mart supply trucks
FEMA prevents Coast Guard from delivering diesel fuel
FEMA won't let Red Cross deliver food
FEMA bars morticians from entering New Orleans
FEMA blocks 500-boat citizen flotilla from delivering aid
FEMA fails to utilize Navy ship with 600-bed hospital on board
FEMA to Chicago: Send just one truck
FEMA turns away generators
FEMA urges First Responders Not To Respond
FEMA shows "lack of urgency and lack of respect" handling dead bodies
Visit the Daily KOS for updates to this list: here, or you can also check here.
Consider that these were not things FEMA failed to do, or to consider, but did consider and did do. They were actions in other words and not a lack thereof. They were actions that would not make sense to an idiot. Why then, should they make sense to Michael Chertoff and Michael Brown?
I think it is time for the American press to do some digging. There's a story here that I think they are missing. Something about the poor response seems deliberate.
You're on your own
I am no longer prepared to excuse the US government's awful response to the disaster as mere incompetence, because too much planning went into the failure.
For instance:
FEMA sends aid away, leaves it idling uselessly in Maryland.
British food aid to be incinerated
Chertoff delays Katrina response
FEMA won't accept Amtrak's help in evacuations
FEMA turns away experienced firefighters
FEMA turns back Wal-Mart supply trucks
FEMA prevents Coast Guard from delivering diesel fuel
FEMA won't let Red Cross deliver food
FEMA bars morticians from entering New Orleans
FEMA blocks 500-boat citizen flotilla from delivering aid
FEMA fails to utilize Navy ship with 600-bed hospital on board
FEMA to Chicago: Send just one truck
FEMA turns away generators
FEMA urges First Responders Not To Respond
FEMA shows "lack of urgency and lack of respect" handling dead bodies
Visit the Daily KOS for updates to this list: here, or you can also check here.
Consider that these were not things FEMA failed to do, or to consider, but did consider and did do. They were actions in other words and not a lack thereof. They were actions that would not make sense to an idiot. Why then, should they make sense to Michael Chertoff and Michael Brown?
I think it is time for the American press to do some digging. There's a story here that I think they are missing. Something about the poor response seems deliberate.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Worth seeing
I say again that I personally don't feel President Bush is racist. I think he's incompetent and feels that poor people are untouchable (whatever their color).
However, here is a video by K-Otix that I think is worth seeing...
(Be forewarned that it may have a few naughty words in it):
Gold Digger
Thanks to the folks at One Good Move for posting the link.
However, here is a video by K-Otix that I think is worth seeing...
(Be forewarned that it may have a few naughty words in it):
Gold Digger
Thanks to the folks at One Good Move for posting the link.
9/11 And The Sport of God
Know what a Patriot Pastor is?
Heard of the book, "Is Religion Killing Us?"?
Does a literal interpretation of the Bible inevitably lead to the conclusion that God is "sadistic, brutal, vengeful, callow, cruel and savage"?
Who did Pat Robertson blame 9/11 on?
What is a Christocrat?
What is the "Ohio Restoration Project"?
What is America 21?
What is a Christian Realist?
Read on and find out in this article by Bill Moyers on the radical right.
Heard of the book, "Is Religion Killing Us?"?
Does a literal interpretation of the Bible inevitably lead to the conclusion that God is "sadistic, brutal, vengeful, callow, cruel and savage"?
Who did Pat Robertson blame 9/11 on?
What is a Christocrat?
What is the "Ohio Restoration Project"?
What is America 21?
What is a Christian Realist?
Read on and find out in this article by Bill Moyers on the radical right.
Why context matters
Context is the difference between parroting and Truth telling.
Few examples are as clear-cut as this segment by the Daily Show. Most network news outlets would not take the time to set Tom's words into perspective the way Jon Stewart does here:
Hypocrite
Without context one almost sympathizes with Mr. Coburn's aching heart and passionate call to less partisanship. Contrasted against his own hate-speech, though, one sees a hypocrite exposed rather than a genuine appeal to civility.
Few examples are as clear-cut as this segment by the Daily Show. Most network news outlets would not take the time to set Tom's words into perspective the way Jon Stewart does here:
Hypocrite
Without context one almost sympathizes with Mr. Coburn's aching heart and passionate call to less partisanship. Contrasted against his own hate-speech, though, one sees a hypocrite exposed rather than a genuine appeal to civility.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Average family health policy nears $11,000
As the average health insurance plan tops $10,000 dollars I wonder if a single-payer insurance program like they have in Canada isn't a better system after-all.
Why?
1. A lot of fear would be lifted from many American's lives, particularly the fear of not being able to care for a sick child. People that are afraid make bad decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.
2. Our economy would get a boost if we put $10,000 dollars in every family's pocket. Furthermore, that money will be well spent.
3. American companies would be more competitive. For instance, Ford Motor Company claims $1,000 of the cost of every car is due to health insurance costs.
4. A lot more small businesses would be added to our economy, since a chief obstacle now is the burden of health insurance premiums.
5. A new study by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Public Citizen estimates that national health insurance could save at least $286 billion annually on paperwork, enough to cover all of the uninsured and to provide full prescription drug coverage for everyone in the United States. That is called a win-win scenario.
6. A high percentage of America's personal bankruptcies are fueled by health-care costs. A single-payer system would eliminate this strain on our financial system.
7. The last time I checked Canadian economic growth met or surpassed U.S. performance in seven of the past ten years.
8. There is a strong moral case to be made for caring for the sick.
9. Government should provide for the common good and any one of us can become sick or disabled. This, therefore, seems like a duty of a good government.
Why?
1. A lot of fear would be lifted from many American's lives, particularly the fear of not being able to care for a sick child. People that are afraid make bad decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.
2. Our economy would get a boost if we put $10,000 dollars in every family's pocket. Furthermore, that money will be well spent.
3. American companies would be more competitive. For instance, Ford Motor Company claims $1,000 of the cost of every car is due to health insurance costs.
4. A lot more small businesses would be added to our economy, since a chief obstacle now is the burden of health insurance premiums.
5. A new study by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Public Citizen estimates that national health insurance could save at least $286 billion annually on paperwork, enough to cover all of the uninsured and to provide full prescription drug coverage for everyone in the United States. That is called a win-win scenario.
6. A high percentage of America's personal bankruptcies are fueled by health-care costs. A single-payer system would eliminate this strain on our financial system.
7. The last time I checked Canadian economic growth met or surpassed U.S. performance in seven of the past ten years.
8. There is a strong moral case to be made for caring for the sick.
9. Government should provide for the common good and any one of us can become sick or disabled. This, therefore, seems like a duty of a good government.
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