Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Feinstein Speechless

Diane's going to have to learn to laugh without appearing condescending.

Feinstein Has No Comment On Sheehan Senate Bid

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein refuses to comment on reports that anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan plans to make a run for her senate seat in 2006, Feinstein's campaign manager Kam Kuwata said Monday.

Kuwata said Feinstein will make a statement once Sheehan officially files as a candidate.

Sheehan, who made headlines last year when she camped out at President Bush's Texas ranch to protest the war in Iraq, said she plans to throw her name on the ballot if Feinstein fails to participate in a filibuster against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito.

Stop! I guess the whole war protest thing is out the window? What does Alito have to do with Iraq, unless you are concerned for terrorist’s rights? Feinstein did in fact support the filibuster, but there is still hope.

Shay Lohman, a spokesman for Cindy Sheehan and Gold Star Families for Peace, said that even with Feinstein's support of a filibuster, Sheehan is still considering whether to run for office.

"She still hasn't made a final decision," Lohman said.

That was close. This thing could have unraveled before it began.

Update: The ‘I want Cindy to run’ vote is up to 14,274.

.

Monday, January 30, 2006

Cindy and Hugo, All Hugs

Shall we consider this the official campaign kickoff?

Chavez hails activist Sheehan in Bush protest


(Miraflores Press)

Venezuela's left-wing president, Hugo Chavez, joined U.S. anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan on Sunday to assail President George W. Bush and promised to back her protest against the Iraq war.

"Enough of imperialist aggression. We must tell the world, down with the U.S. empire," Chavez said hugging Sheehan…

"Cindy, we are with you in your fight ... she told me that in Easter she's going put up her tent again in front of the ranch of Mr. Danger."

Whatever it takes to keep her in the news. Cindy, TSW is with you too! And who says Hugo and I can't agree on something?

"I am convinced with your support ... and the support of people all over the world, the war in Iraq will end, our troops will come home, Bush will be impeached and he will be brought to justice," Sheehan said.

I have to wonder if this is a plot to make Diane Feinstein look like a centrist.

Update: Via Soy Como Soy

Cindy For Senate

Go vote for Cindy now! We have to make this happen.

.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Sheehan for Senate

I can’t tell you how much I would like to see the following happen.

Cindy Sheehan May Challenge Calif. Senator

Cindy Sheehan, the peace activist who set up camp near President Bush's Texas ranch last summer, said Saturday she is considering running against Sen. Dianne Feinstein to protest what she called the California lawmaker's support for the war in Iraq.

I may have to start blogging full time if that happens. Imagine how much fun tracking that campaign would be.

"I think our senator needs to be held accountable for her support of George Bush and his war policies."

Sheehan accused Feinstein of being out of touch with Californians on the issue.

"If I decided to run, I would have no illusions of winning, but it would bring attention to all the peace candidates in the country."

That it would! Please run Cindy, please run.

.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Dean Quote

It is difficult not to laugh hysterically upon reading the following. Prepare yourself.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean on NBC Today Show

I'll tell you one thing. If we get back in power, we are going to make a real effort to go get Osama Bin Laden. We are not going to let him lollygag around for four years after the September 11th attack. And also we are going to equip our troops with the body armor that they deserve in order to fight this war.

-- Howard Dean (on the Today Show)

.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Another Bush Hit Piece at the Washington Post

Who would have guessed?

Bush the Incompetent

Incompetence is not one of the seven deadly sins, and it's hardly the worst attribute that can be ascribed to George W. Bush. But it is this president's defining attribute.

Sounds like something straight off of the Daily KOS. This editorial cites the NY Times as a source. These guys have to get out more.

Incompetence may describe this presidency, but it doesn't explain it. For that, historians may need to turn to the seven deadly sins: to greed, in understanding why Bush entrusted his new drug entitlement to a financial mainstay of modern Republicanism. To sloth, in understanding why Incurious George has repeatedly ignored the work of experts whose advice runs counter to his desires.

I suppose the writer considers himself an expert.

.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Those Scary Right-Wingers

Check out the first line of this article about the new Canadian Prime Minister.

Canada’s next PM: moderate or conservative?

Conservative leader Stephen Harper narrowly lost his chance at becoming prime minister in the 2004 elections after opponents painted him as a scary right-winger who would reshape the landscape like a U.S.-style evangelical Republican.

What the heck is that supposed to mean? One must read further down into the article to find what the AP means.

Harper, who belongs to the evangelical Christian Missionary Alliance, is opposed to abortion. But he denies Martin’s campaign claims that he would move to overturn abortion rights and has avoided questions about whether he’d attempt to overturn gay marriage.

Thats about all it takes for the AP to label someone as a 'scary right winger' I guess.

Martin maintained that Harper’s political agenda is neoconservative, saying earlier this week: “Never have we seen a major political party with such a conservative agenda as this one, an agenda really drawn from the extreme right in the United States.”

Martin has been studying the DNC planning documents it seems. Anyone who disagrees with his socialism is 'extreme'. I'm surprised he didn't claim to speak for the majority, despite losing the election.

.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Bad Reporting Bleeds Into Sports for the AP

No politics today, but I can't pass up a chance to bash the AP. A Story (granted a complimentary story) on the Carolina Panthers, written by one Barry Wilner, states that:

Two years ago, they went to St. Louis and Philadelphia in the playoffs, won both times and made their first NFL championship game appearance.

Carolina road warriors face unbeaten hosts

In fact, the Panthers played in the 1997 NFC championship game against Green Bay. Just one more example of a writer not doing his homework on a topic of which he is supposed to be an expert. I mean, don't they realize that some anal retentive blogger who happens to be a Carolina fan would pick up on that?

.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

How Do You Like Your Crow?

Minority Leader Reid Apologizes to GOP

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday apologized to 33 Republican senators singled out for ethics criticism in a report from his office titled "Republican Abuse of Power."

"The document released by my office yesterday went too far and I want to convey to you my personal regrets,"Reid said in a letter.

"I am writing to apologize for the tone of this document and the decision to single out individual senators for criticism in it."

Reid came under attack Wednesday over the report, which was issued by his staff on Senate letterhead, even as he and fellow Democrats released ethics overhaul proposals.

If he is only apologizing for the 'tone', he should go ahead and apologize for just about every public statement he has made in the last year. In any case, Reid should have a great employment opportunity at Newsweek once his Senate career is over.

.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

The Stupid Things People Say

The House "has been run like a plantation, and you know what I'm talking about."

"We have a culture of corruption, we have cronyism, we have incompetence."

--Hillary Clinton

It must have started back in '92

"God is mad at America”...largely because He doesn’t want us “being in Iraq under false pretenses."

"He is sending hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it is destroying and putting stress on this country.

“This city will be chocolate at the end of the day."

--Ray Nagin

I hope he got Osama's permission for use of this material.

To Hugo Chavez

"No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people ... support your revolution."

--Harry Belafonte

He was accompanied by his pal Danny Glover.

.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Two More!!!



.

No Jet Fighters for MLK

Talk about some out of touch people...

Plan for flyover at MLK march sparks protest

It never ceases to amaze me when 'peace activists' speak.

Peace activists are protesting plans for a military flyover at the city’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. march, saying the gesture runs counter to the nonviolent beliefs of the civil rights leader.

.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Annan Wants US to Use Force

I’m not necessarily against this, but oh what irony.

Annan wants US, Europe to consider force in Darfur

The United Nations is considering a tough mobile force to police Sudan's Darfur region and hopes the United States and European military will help stop the bloodshed, rape and plunder, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Wednesday.

Bloodshed, rape and plunder are not enough. According to precedent, there must be WMD.

"Obviously the international community cannot allow that situation to go unaddressed, and in all likelihood will have to look at other options, including possibly the U.N. working with the African Union to address the situation."

Unlike Iraq, where it was fine for the international community to allow the situation to go unaddressed because half of the world, plus the UN, was on the take.

Asked if this would include rich countries, like the United States and European nations, Annan said, "Those are the countries with the kind of capabilities we will need, so when the time comes, we will be turning to them."

Well Hells Bells! Why not just Europe? I think a French led operation would be best.

"We will need very sophisticated equipment, logistical support. I will be turning to governments with capacity to join in that peacekeeping operation if we were to be given the mandate," he said.

Will the US taxpayer get a ‘thank you’ this time? I suspect more America-bashing will be our thanks. I wonder if there is enough 'Oil-For-Food' cash floating around for the UN to buy it's own logistical support.

.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Hillary for the Troops

Does Willie Nelson give tax advice? How about MC hammer on finance? The following is about as laughable.

Sen. Clinton Says Lack of Body Armor is 'Unforgivable'

"We perhaps could have avoided so many of these fatalities with the right body armor,"

Or, perhaps not!

"This is Bush/Cheney policy. … I've been one of the leading critics pointing out all the failures, the incompetencies,"

"I am just bewildered as to how this president and this vice president continue to isolate themselves from different point of views. He's [President Bush has] got three more years in office. Some of us wish this wasn't the case."

"It's our duty to protect our men and women in uniform,"

"They are protecting us, our interest. They have been sent there by our president. The very least we can do is give them the very best body armor and armored vehicle."

I have to wonder if she gave Mr. Clinton an earful like this during his eight year reign. Certainly body armor would last more than the two and a half years between the end of the Clinton rule and the start of the Iraq War. I doubt the factories were pumping out body armor back then.

The idea that Hillary is standing up for the troops could fit well into a Saturday Night Live skit. I will give her this…She is the one democratic presidential hopeful saying the right things to win. It’s too bad that no one can believe a word she spouts.

.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Stop the Presses, Shark Attack #6!

I still don't know why this is news. I guess tabloids like Sharks.

Shark kills 21-year-old woman in Australia

The woman, whose identity was not immediately released, suffered severe injuries when she was mauled by a shark while swimming near North Stradbroke Island, east of the Queensland state capital Brisbane.

It was not immediately clear what type of shark attacked the woman.

.

Friday, January 06, 2006

More Newsweek Anti-Bush Propaganda

The NSA Al Qaeda snooping issue is getting absurd. The following link will take you to one of the more absurd editorials I’ve seen, once again brought to you by Newsweek. Yes, the same Newsweek of Koran flushing fame.

Because We Can

Suddenly, the media and the left are staunch defenders of civil liberties. The big government promoters now are up in arms against big government.

Please note that this editorial comes to many conclusions without displaying one fact. The liberal (no pun intended) use of the word ‘may’ is my favorite tactic.

To many people, the most perplexing aspect of the Bush administration’s domestic spying program is that it was largely unnecessary.

To many people? To many people, Newsweek isn’t worthy of anything short of flushing itself. To many other people, Bush did the right thing. But that’s not mentioned.

President George Bush could have simply invoked the emergency provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which would have allowed the government to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists 72 hours before receiving authorization from the FISA court.

Well, what if it takes a week? That would leave a three and a half day gap. But that’s not mentioned.

Alternatively, the White House could have gone to Congress to amend the FISA statute.

Well, unless he was doing something illegal, which clearly he wasn’t, why in the heck would he give Congress, which happens to be the largest collection of secret leakers in the country, a shot at this. They were informed about the program and never made a peep until the NY Times decided to damage our security by publishing secrets probably gained from that very same body. But that's not mentioned.

So why did the White House take such a controversial step, one that would inevitably open it up to serious charges of violating the civil liberties of American citizens? The answer may be as simple as this: a zealous belief that it could, regardless of whether doing so was necessary.

Or the answer may not be that simple. That statement is pure conjecture and garbage.

As a result, the administration formulated a series of policies—from Guantanamo to Abu Ghraib—that have weakened America’s hand in the world and sown distrust at home.

The obligatory Abu Ghraib/Gitmo reference, of course.

In the pursuit of the proper balance between security and liberty, both sides in the debate should collectively take a deep breath.

Private Eightball: “I guess they'd rather be alive than free. Poor dumb bastards.”

Note: This story was written by the same Daniel Klaidman who had the following to say about the Koran flushing blunder:

"We think that people acted responsibly and professionally"

.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Leaks and Hypocrites

Where are the Plame defenders that were so concerned about leaks and national security?

Justice Department Opens NSA Leak Probe

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the leak of information to the media about a domestic eavesdropping program run by the National Security Agency, senior Justice Department officials confirmed Friday.

It’s about time.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and one of the members briefed by the administration about the surveillance plan, expressed deep reservations about the program to the vice president in 2003. But he said he also would like hearings into whom leaked the story to reporters at the Times.

Reps. Peter Hoekstra and Jane Harman, the chairman and ranking Democrat, respectively, on the House Intelligence Committee, also condemned the leak, saying it hurt national security.

While Harman, of California, said she believes broader oversight is needed of the NSA program, "its disclosure has damaged critical intelligence capabilities."

The ACLU has a different take:

"President Bush broke the law and lied to the American people when he unilaterally authorized secret wiretaps of U.S. citizens. But rather than focus on this constitutional crisis, Attorney General [Alberto] Gonzales is cracking down on critics of his friend and boss," ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said in a statement.

That ought to clear up where the ACLU stands on national security.

Georgetown University constitutional law professor Peter Rubin said he hasn’t seen anything in the stories that gives terrorists additional information about government operations.

Let’s see. The ACLU was clueless about it but the terrorists already knew? I should have been a law professor! Or, perhaps, all of the hand-wringing over this is drummed up political crud.

.