Can you see the connection?

In Saturday's Columbus Dispatch, there was an article about Bill Burgett who is the founder of Kokosing Construction. Kokosing builds a MAJORITY of the roads in Ohio. I visited Open Secrets (http://www.opensecrets.org) and put in the donor name "Burgett" and the name pulled up 145 records of Burgett names, all related to Kokosing Construction of Fredricktown, Ohio. http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=burgett&txtState=OH&txtZip=&txtEmploy=&txtCand=&txt2004=Y&txt2002=Y&Order=N
Amazing!!!!!! These Burgetts gave $148,118 for the political cycles of 2002 and 2004 to mostly Republicans. Do you think that maybe their political donations have something to do with the amount of work Kokosing does for the state of Ohio?
If you enter the name of Thomas Noe, rare coin dealer, at Open Secrets, you can discover that he contributed $37,050 to mostly Republican Party members for the 2002 and 2004 election cycles. Obviously, it is easy to conclude that Ohio has a "pay to play" method in doing business with the Ohio GOP.

Ohio's Unemployment Rate

The monthly unemployment report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services was released and the unemployment rate in Ohio was 6.1%. According to the report, nonfarm wage and salary rose 4,700 from April to May 2005. http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/unemp/UnempPressRelease.htm This report is just plain crap! Where are these jobs? What companies, stores, and offices have hired people? I'd like to know because I know one unemployed college grad who has been looking for a job for 11 months. I think we should make the state and federal governments release the names of companies and their locations where jobs were created. Why? It is just too easy to lie with statistics.

The Blade, The Dog, and Big Ed

The Toledo Blade has done a terrific job of investigating the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and the corrupt Taft administration. I hope that they win some writing awards for their reporting. The Blade's writers have a story that details how the BWC put the state's money in very high risk funds. Shame on them for risking the very survival of Ohio's sick and injured workers.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050627/NEWS24/506270304
Duane "The Dog" Chapman, a well-known bounty hunter, is appearing on CNBC's The Big Idea With Donny Deutsch. Mr. Dog says he knows how to get Osama Bin Laden. I hope someone is listening because if this guy has an idea, we should try it. Also on the panel with Mr. Dog is Monica Crowley, Big Ed Schultz, and Lionel. Ed Schultz speaks the truth when he says that we've lost our focus in Afghanistan. How does this Monica say she has secret intelligence that other people don't? Do the Right Wingers get their daily talking points from Karl Rove? Since the Toledo Blade has done such a terrific job investigating the BWC, the Ohio GOP, and Taft, perhaps we should have them start inquiring about the administration and the reason we went into Iraq.

Rumsfeld and Cheney are Wrong

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said today that the war in Iraq could take several years. http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/special_packages/iraq/11992877.htm Are we prepared to sacrifice more of our sons and daughters for this war? Vice President Dick Cheney said he believes that Iraq will be a huge success.

Are these men dealing with reality? Senator Chuck Hagel said that the White House was "completely disconnected with reality." I would tend to agree with Senator Hagel. As a veteran of the Viet Nam war, Senator Hagel knows what he is talking about when he criticizes the handling of the war in Iraq. http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=FT&Date=20050626&ID=4918857
The American public is getting tired of the lies. We support our troops, but we don't support the decisions of this administration.

Kristen Breitweiser's Response to Karl Rove

Karl Rove has been referred to as Bush's "brain." Really? Rove was the mastermind behind the smear campaign against war hero and U.S. Senator John McCain during the 2000 primaries. Rove now has accused liberals of not doing enough in the war against terrorism. At mydd.com, a writer has printed what Kristen Breitweiser, a 9/11 widow, had to say about Rove's remarks http://www.mydd.com/:

More to the point, Karl when you say, "Conservatives saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and prepared for war," what exactly did you do to prepare for your war? Did your preparations include: sound intelligence to warrant your actions; a reasonable entry and exit strategy coupled with a coherent plan to carry out that strategy; the proper training and equipment for the troops you were sending in to fight your war? Did you follow the advice of experts such as General Shinseki who correctly advised you about the troop levels needed to actually succeed in Iraq? No, you didn't.

It has always been America's policy that you only place soldiers' lives in harm's way when it is absolutely necessary and the absolute last resort. When you send troops into combat you support those troops by providing them with proper equipment and training. Why didn't you do that with the troops that you sent into Iraq? Why weren't their vehicles armored? Why didn't they have protective vests? Why weren't they properly trained about the rules of interrogation? And Karl, when our troops come home - be it tragically in body bags or with missing limbs - you should honor and acknowledge their service to their country. You shouldn't hide them by bringing them home in the dark of night. Most importantly, you should take care of them for the long haul by giving them substantial veteran's benefits and care. To me, that is being patriotic. To me, that is how you support our troops. To me, that is how you show that you know the value of a human life given for its country.

For the record Karl, does Iraq have any connection to the 9/11 attacks? Because, you and your friends with your collective "understanding of 9/11" seem to be contradicting yourselves about the Iraq-9/11 connection, too. First, we were told that we went to war with Iraq because it was linked to the 9/11 attacks. Then, your rationale was changed to "Iraq has WMD". Then you told us that we needed to invade Iraq because Saddam was a "bad man". And now it turns out that we are in Iraq to bring them "democracy."

(The original post was at The Huffington Report http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/kristen-breitweiser/karl-roves-understandin_3103.html )

Karl Rove speaks for the President?

It is common knowledge that Karl Rove speaks for George W. Bush. Last night in New York, Karl Rove said,"Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war. Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers." http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-062305rove_lat,0,724654.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Is this really what the President of the United States feels about 50,000,000 Americans who identify themselves as liberals? This evening, it was reported on NBC Nightly News that Karl Rove will NOT apologize for his remarks. How dare Karl Rove speak of others in this manner! How many liberals died fighting in WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and Iraq? There is no special disqualification for someone to join the military if they are liberal. Mr. Rove would not know that because he did not serve. Who does he think he is? How dare he insinuate that liberal Americans do not love this country?

The liberals of this country fought battles in foreign countries and the civil rights battles here in our own country. Liberals helped desegregate schools and public transportation. Liberals have worked and died to make all of our citizens equal under the law. Liberals are the ones who are the most generous with their time and money. Liberals have bigger hearts. Obviously, Karl Rove isn't a liberal.

POV and Bushies

1. Last night on PBS, there was a program called POV about the fight for sex education in Lubbock, Texas. Although I was unable to see the end of the program (I HAD to watch Jon Stewart!!!!), the first hour described the activities of a group of teenagers in Lubbock who were pushing for real sex education in the Lubbock school system. Despite the opposition of parents and overzealous ministers, these kids pushed on with great focus. Lubbock has a teenage pregnancy rate of 1 in 14 girls per year, and one of the highest teenage STD rates in the country. Obviously, some of the leaders in Lubbock can't face up to the fact that their abstinence program is not working.

2. Ohio's Governor Bob Taft is in hot water again. Apparently, he did not report some of his golf outings that were paid for by others. Another ethics investigation will be launched. Hello, Ohioans, wake up!!!!! How many more scandals will there be before someone discusses his removal from office?

3. More of our military troops died in Iraq. http://icasualties.org/oif/ At a rate of approximately 2 deaths per day, how many more of our sons and daughters will die for Bush's war? Do you know that no one in the Bush clan is serving in the military? Wouldn't you think that one of his daughters, nephews, nieces, or cousins would want to be a role model for George W and join the military?

4. T. Boone Pickens, famous oilman, has predicted that by this time next year gas prices will be $3/gal. What are YOU doing about it? Are you driving a more fuel efficient car? If you are driving an SUV, do not complain to me!

5. Bill Frist did a flip flop yesterday after a meeting at the White House. First Frist said that there would not be another Bolton vote. However, after meeting with the president, Frist said he would keep trying for a vote. Flippity floppity Frist!!!!

6. Bill O'Reilly is a clown. I personally do not watch or listen to his program, but I listen to Stephanie Miller (Jones Radio Network) and she watches right wing world so I don't need to watch. Bill O'Reilly pontificates about family values but he had phone sex with one of his employees. O'Reilly must have been the schoolyard bully because he still acts that way.

7. Congresswoman Pryce (R-15th-OH), also took some money from coinbroker, Noe. There are some great candidates going up against Pryce for the next election. http://www.loseyforcongress.com/ Great! She is nothing but a puppet for Bush and Rove.

War in Iran Has Started??????

Here is some news to make you feel worried today: Scott Ritter, the man who said there were no WMD's in Iraq, has said that the U.S. war has already started in IRAN. At this point, it cannot be confirmed, but apparently, some intelligence-gathering flights have taken place over Iran. For additional information, see the following link http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_002572.shtml

Recently, Porter Goss said in an interview that he knew where Osama was located, BUT the location is within a sovereign nation, and we cannot invade a sovereign nation. Bush did invade Iraq and they were a sovereign nation. This administration just makes up stuff as they go along to fit their needs. What is the truth and when will we know it?

I don't shop at the Michael's Craft Stores because they are owned by the Wyly Brothers. Who are the Wyly Brothers???? According to the FEC, they gave more than $1.3 million dollars to political campaigns like the GOP, Swift Boat Vets for Truth(?), and Republicans for Clean Air. What do those 3 groups have in common? LIES! LIES! LIES!

Iraq, Gold Stars, Ohio's Coingate

Secretary of State Rice was in Egypt recently and she said that our stay in Iraq will be "generational." I believe that when one refers to a "generation" that it means approximately 20-25 years. When will this administration stop lying? Rumsfeld said we'd be in Iraq six months. Wolfowitz said it was a slam dunk. Now they are saying our troops will be needed for a generation? What is the truth?

There is an organization called Gold Star Families for Peace. These people have lost family members in the war in Iraq. http://www.gsfp.org/ Their goal is to end our occupation of Iraq because they say that the war in Iraq was based on lies.

There was a great story in a local paper concerning the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation scandal.
http://www.theotherpaper.com/ As you may have heard, the dimwits in Gov. Taft's administration gave money to a GOP coin dealer and some firm in Pittsburgh for investment purposes. Unfortunately, both enterprises lost HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS that was to be used to take care of Ohio's sick and injured workers. Obviously, the idiots in Taft's administration did not take classes in ethics in business. http://www.theotherpaper.com/cover.html

Newt Gingrich: Stupid Jerk

Newt Gingrich wrote a letter to members of the U.S. Senate telling them to censure Senator Durbin because of his recent remarks. Who the hell cares what Gingrich thinks? Gingrich is an asshole. Gingrich has been married three times, divorced twice, and carried on an extra-marital affair with a congressional aide. He supposedly had sex with this woman within the offices of the congress. While one of his wives was recovering from cancer surgery, he served her with divorce papers. His term as Speaker of the House was full of scandal and corruption. Gingrich should mind his own business. He is not in the Senate and he is not even worthy enough to mention Senator Durbin's name.

More U.S. Troops Killed

After 17 days of June, 51 Americans have been killed in Iraq. My heart goes out to the families and friends of these men and women. http://icasualties.org/oif/

Bob Ney

Bob Ney is a little worried. There are SO many stories about Bob Ney and his "pay to play" legislation deals. The representative from St. Clairsville, Ohio, has worked very closely with Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist currently under investigation for his unethical practices. Did Ney take a bribe? http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7833922/ Bob Ney has a lot of power in Washington, D.C., but why would he need to hire a criminal lawyer if he has done nothing wrong? There are many stories that provide answers. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/05/AR2005060501223.html

Representative Ney has said that all of these questions are political in nature and funded by "shadow" groups associated with the Democratic Party. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Obviously, Mr. Ney does not want to answer to the citizens of his district. He must be feeling the heat that all of these investigations are bringing to his business dealings.

Has anyone noticed the corruption surrounding so many GOP elected officials?????? Here is a short list of GOPers in the hot seat: Bob Ney, Tom DeLay, Bob Taft, Ken Blackwell, Melissa Hart, Conrad Burns, and others too numerous to mention. However, if you are interested in getting the rest of the names, just do a search at http://www.google.com with terms like GOP+corruption. You'd be amazed! Is this country better off with a GOP majority in the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives? I don't think that the American people will continue to put up with this activity that only lines the pockets of individual GOPers.

In case you are curious, this blog is not a "shadow" group of the Democratic Party. This blog is written by a concerned, college-educated, human being from Ohio.

No Conference Rooms for Democrats Etc.

The GOP majority is not very nice. According the The Hill, the Republicans will no longer allow Democrats to use conference rooms to hold hearings or forums on issues that the GOP does not want to discuss.
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/UndertheDome/061405.html When there is a Democratic majority in the House and Senate, we will remember the generous hospitality of the GOP.

As of this date, 1708 Americans have died in Iraq since the beginning of Bush's War. Since June 1st, 41 Americans have been killed. http://icasualties.org/oif/ Not only is recruitment down in the U.S., but the UK and Scotland are not meeting their recruitment goals. We need to support our troops by ending this war in Iraq and bring our troops home.

Enough on Michael Jackson!!!!!

The media has just gone ga-ga over this Michael Jackson trial. Enough! While Michael Jackson was basking in his not guilty verdicts, more Americans were killed in Iraq. The media needs to move on.

Recently, I was looking at the lyrics of I Ain't Marching Anymore, a song by Phil Ochs. Part of the lyrics that really stick are the following: " It's always the old to lead us to the war, It's always the young to fall." In the case of this war in Iraq, it is more like those who have never been to war are the ones who want the war. Bush, Cheney, and Wolfowitz wanted this war with Iraq, and none of them knows the full cost of war. They never served in active duty but they were happy to send other people's sons and daughters to a war that they created. Their lies have cost our country thousands of dead and wounded Americans, emotional trauma to families here and in Iraq, and damage to the reputation of this country and its ideals. The sad thing is that it all just keeps going----the war, the deaths, the wounded/maimed, the emotional damage, the financial costs, and the lies. How much longer will Americans allow the war to continue?

59% of Americans want all/some U.S. Troops Withdrawal from Iraq

The latest polls show that 59% Americans want some/all of U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq. With Bush and Rumsfeld mismanaging troop deployments, money, armored vehicles, Gitmo, and everything about the war, I am surprised that the percentage isn't higher. Everything we see and hear is being restricted. We cannot see the flag-draped coffins of our fallen troops or hear the truth about the wounded or casualties. This Iraq War was created with lies and the lies just keep coming. When we will get the truth?

Some GOPers upset with Bush

I watched the CBS News tonight and a report said that some GOP elected officials are getting perturbed with President Bush. These GOPers feel that Iraq is dragging on with no exist strategy. Duh? Did they just wake up? So far, 1772 Americans have died in Iraq. How many more of our people have to die for Bush and Blair's lies? When will it stop?

What is with that Congressman Sensenbrenner and his abrupt ending to the hearing on the Patriot Act? The GOP is drunk with power!

The Columbus Dispatch

When will the Columbus Dispatch publish the entire Downing Street Memo? Call/e-mail the editor and suggest that they publish it.

Will there be a draft?

During the presidential campaign, Bush promised that there would be no military draft. Unfortunately, the "all volunteer army" is not doing well with recruiting. May's recruiting was 25% less than the goal. According to CNN, "The Army also missed its monthly targets in April, March and February -- each month worse than the one before. In February it fell 27 percent short; in March the gap was 31 percent, and in April it was 42 percent."

Those of us who remember the military draft that existed up to the mid-1970's, know that deciding to start a draft for Bush's wars will create problems. The only thing we can do is pay close attention to these developments.

Editing the Science

This Bush administration has no respect for science. Consider the case of Philip Cooney, White House advisor on environmental policies, who edited important research on global warming and emissions to fit the administration's pro-business and anti-environment policies. Mr. Cooney, who is not a scientist, edited reports to downplay the findings of scientific research about global warming. Idiots!!!!!!

Rosie on The View

The View had Rosie O'Donnell as a guest host today. She was great! Unfortunately, Sean Hannity, lap dog for radical republicans, crawled out from under a rock and also appeared on the show. Rosie really gave it to Hannity about the war, adoption, and our casualties in Iraq. Hannity has his talking points memorized and he always must use the terms "rape rooms" every time he refers to Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Thanks for giving him hell, Rosie!!!

More Radical Republican Blabber

Conservative talk show host, Laura Ingram, has been attack the Democratic Party recently. Some other dimwits conservative blabber mouths also have been attacking Howard Dean and other Democratic leaders. My response is simple---These fucking radical republicans have NOTHING to talk about because the Bush administration and its policies are going down the toilet. The economy sucks. Unemployment is at an all time high, despite what they say (obviously, they read the book- How to Lie with Statistics). New job creation is at an all time low. The social security reform travel tour is like a sad carnival act. The war in Iraq is showing no progress while our young people are dying everyday. Bush lied about WMD's with Tony Blair. Their members of congress are bailing out over stem cell research and social security reform. The GOP is a party of hate, despair, war, and pretentious people. No wonder people who voted for Bush are feeling betrayed.

Ken Mehlman is a LIAR

I have to congratulate Tim Russert, moderator for Meet the Press, for actually asking a few tough questions of Ken Mehlman. However, Mr. Mehlman is a LIAR. He lied about the Downing Street Memo and he lied about why Bush invaded Iraq. Mehlman said the reason Bush invaded Iraq was to stop the terrorists. I guess GOP'ers are having trouble remembering their lies. Bush said the reason he invaded Iraq was because of WMD's. When Russert asked if the war in Iraq was worth the military casualties and the money, Mehlman answered that it was worth it. Ken Mehlman is a LIAR!!! This entire administration is full of LIARS!

To quote John Dean's Book: Worse than Watergate

A large number of the main stream media have been covering W. Mark Felt's identity as "Deep Throat." However, there are other important issues that should be covered. Richard Nixon, G. Gordon Liddy, H.R. Haldeman, and the rest of the Nixon White House, got into trouble because they broke into Democratic Headquarters and then lied to cover it up. No one died.

Today, we are confronted with the Downing Street Memo in which George W. Bush and Tony Blair agree in 2002 to go to war and invade Iraq. The agreement was made one year before the actual invasion. As a result of this unnecessary war, over 1640 of our military have died and over 16,000 are wounded. This war, the lies, and the coverup are crimes that are worse than Watergate. When will the rest of the American people see it????? I think if we had a Democratic majority in the congress, impeachment hearing would be underway.

Limbaugh: #1 Fool

Just when you were hoping that things might start becoming more civil in politics, Rush Limbaugh opens his fat mouth. Rush Limbaugh said the following:

From the June 2 edition of The Rush Limbaugh Show:

LIMBAUGH: " The two to three big opportunities so far mentioned by Howard Dean -- pension portability and changes to election laws. ... So portability of pensions. What's the second one? Oh, yeah, Election Day a holiday. And well, you know -- I don't know why they need to do that. Most of their voters don't work anyway, so I don't know how that's going to help them that much. At least in a percentage basis." (http://mediamatters.org/items/200506030003)

With these continued irrational comments from Limbaugh, I have concluded that he is still a blockhead and an asshole.

Is there another "Deep Throat" in our country's future?

With the news that Watergate's "Deep Throat" was W. Mark Felt, many people were glad to finally recognize him as a hero. Mr. Felt risked his own life to reveal the illegal activities of Nixon and his CREEP (committee to re-elect the president). Woodward and Bernstein should also be commended for their courage and journalistic work during those dark days of Watergate.

Who will be the next "Deep Throat" in the USA? Bush and Blair lied about the reasons for the Iraq war. This administration continues to lie about the true cost of "social security reform," an economy that has not improved, a staggering unemployment rate, and the real deaths and injuries that our service members have suffered in Iraq. We can only hope that some brave soul will step forward to tell the truth about the Bush White House.