Protesters at Gonzales Speech

A speech given by Attorney General Gonzales had some Georgetown Law students in a silent protest in front of the podium. Thank you, students, for your courageous act!

Sinclair Broadcasting, the right wing propaganda, swiftboat Republicans, broadcasters, may have trouble ahead. With the announcement of a new network created by Time Warner and CBS, Sinclair could have problems. Just recently, our local Sinclair channel pre-empted the movie Enemy of the State (starring Will Smith). In place of the movie, they ran 3 hours of infomericals and finally showed the movie after midnight. It is hard to believe that these nitwits own all these TV stations and they get to promote their weirdo, extreme right wing views.

From the BBC (posted at Iraq Coalition Casualties): A British student received an e-mail from a US serviceman moments before the Gulf war veteran shot himself.

Doug Barber sent Craig Evans, 19, a message that read: "I have nothing to live for any more. I am going to be checking out of this world."

The 35-year-old former National Guardsman, from Lee County, Alabama, later shot himself in the head.

The journalism student at Bournemouth University had contacted Mr Barber while researching Gulf War Syndrome.

After sending the e-mail, Mr Barber called police, collected his shotgun and went on to his porch.

Armed police then spent 30 minutes trying to talk him out of it before he shot himself on Monday last week.

Mr Barber, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), had served with the National Guard, working as a lorry driver for nine months in Iraq before returning to America in January 2005.

He told Mr Evans that he had trouble coping with everyday life and that he had not received the help he needed to cope with his severe post traumatic stress...

This is so sad. Why was he denied help? How can we get our military the help they need to prevent future tragedies?

Polls: Job Rating and Spying Without Warrants

A poll by the American Research Group, Inc., shows President Bush's approval rating back in the basement again. Here are some excerpts from the poll:

George W. Bush's overall job approval rating has returned to its lowest point in Bush's presidency as Americans again turn less optimistic about the national economy according to the latest survey from the American Research Group. Among all Americans, 36% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 58% disapprove. When it comes to Bush's handling of the economy, 34% approve and 60% disapprove.

Among Americans registered to vote, 37% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 58% disapprove. When it comes to the way Bush is handling the economy, 35% of registered voters approve of the way Bush is handling the economy and 60% disapprove.

A total of 14% of Americans say the national economy is getting better, which is down from 30% in December and 52% say the national economy is getting worse, which is up from 40% in December. When asked about the national economy a year from now, 15% say it will be better, which is down from 28% in December, and 62% say it will be worse, which is up from 39% in December...

From USA Today:
...A new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows public sentiment is against the program. Fifty-one percent of Americans said the administration was wrong to intercept conversations involving a party inside the USA without a warrant. In response to another question, 58% of Americans said they support the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the program. Both questions were asked of about 500 adults Friday through Sunday and have a margin of error of +/-5 percentage points....

Obviously, Americans just don't like domestic spying without a warrant. Can't this administration follow the law? As a big LAW AND ORDER fan, I have watched cases thrown out because there was no search warrant. One reason that our forefathers and foremothers broke off from the British was because they were tired of the forced search/seizures of their homes and properties. How can this administration say they have the right to do this? Would these cases be thrown out in a court of law?

Googling and the state of the Nation

Maureen Dowd made a good point in her recent column. Dowd said she did not know what was scarier--the latest Osama tape or the Justice Dept. seeking records from Google. Check here for the column at Village Soup. I hope that Google does not give in to the pressure. The other search engines caved in, but they didn't have as much to lose. Here is an article that describes the problems.

UPDATE: On Keith Olbermann's Countdown on MSNBC, a guest, Kate Martin, talked about this administration's surveillance of people without warrants. Martin, who is a national security expert, said that the administration knew that Al Quieda people were in the U.S. before 9/11, but they did nothing about it. According to Martin, this was confirmed by the 9/11 Commission. She said that the administration's claim that if their surveillance (without warrants) had been in use before 9/11 that it would have prevented the attack, does not hold water.

I really don't care who wins the Super Bowl. However, I am cheering both teams. Why? The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks are from blue states and the Super Bowl will be played in a blue state.

The White House used their spying activities to watch Democrats and peace activists. Big brother is watching!

Ford Motor Company will announce today that they are laying off approximately 25,000 workers. Once again they are blaming workers and their healthcare costs. Ford would not have these problems if they were able to sell their cars, but they have designed an inferior product. Ford's other problem is that it has not embraced the hybrid car program and has continued its love affair with the SUV.

Bloomberg reports that the Bank of America is having some problems:

Bank of America Corp., the second- largest U.S. bank, unexpectedly reported its first quarterly earnings decline in more than four years as bankruptcies surged and profit from trading bonds and currencies dropped.

Fourth-quarter net income fell 2 percent to $3.77 billion, or 93 cents a share, from $3.85 billion, or 94 cents, a year earlier, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company said today in a statement. Revenue increased 3 percent to $14.1 billion.

Bank of America underestimated the impact of a bankruptcy law that took effect in October, which swelled credit losses by $524 million. The 5.9 percent drop in trading profit was also a surprise, after analysts predicted an increase. Investment- banking earnings tumbled almost 80 percent as Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis spent more to hire bankers and salespeople...

I have a suggestion for the Democrats while President Bush gives his state of the union speech: Walk out to show that you do not support the war or the NSA spying. The Republicans would gets their panties in a "frist."

A Video You MUST See

"Why is George Bush awesome?" Watch the video to see responses to the question: http://rocketboom.com/vlog/archives/2006/01/rb_06_jan_20.html

Ralph Reed and Bob Ney: More Evidence

Ralph Reed has always been an interesting person to observe. I've often wondered if he was really as moral and religious as he appeared. I think there is finally evidence that proves his moral fiber. Raw Story found the article from The Texas Oberver and here are some excerpts:

Evidence is mounting that former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed Jr., along with a former leader of the Texas Christian Coalition, may have illegally lobbied Texas state officials on behalf of crooked federal lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his clients.

Three Austin-based reform groups—Common Cause Texas, Public Citizen Texas, and Texans For Public Justice, the latter of which employs the author of this article—urged Travis County prosecutors last December to investigate whether Reed violated Texas’ lobby-registration laws four years ago. Correspondence between Abramoff and Reed—the ex-Christian Coalition leader now running for lieutenant governor of Georgia—suggests that Reed lobbied Texas officials on behalf of Abramoff’s Indian gambling clients without registering as a Texas lobbyist. The $5 million in gambling money that Abramoff reportedly paid Reed for his services would make it one of the largest lobby contracts ever made public in Texas...

There is evidence that Ralph Reed contributed to this Channel One lobbying coup behind the scenes. A brief Austin American-Statesman article in September 2002 reported that Channel One postponed a vote on the resolution thanks to “an impromptu lobbying effort by Channel One Communications—including phone calls from Ralph Reed.” Indeed, Channel One critic Gary Ruskin, of Commercial Alert, continues to blame Reed’s lobbying for ensuring that, “Texas school children are still forced to watch ads for junk food, violent entertainment and movies that portray smoking.”

I'd suggest you read the entire article for a clear picture of how Reed and Abramoff operated.

Bob Ney has not been a stranger to lobbyists, according to an article originally published in the LA Times and now KTLA:

...Ney and his staff regularly enjoyed complimentary meals and drinks at Abramoff's upscale Pennsylvania Avenue restaurant and free tickets to local concerts and sporting events, according to Abramoff's Jan. 3 plea agreement.

The same court document cataloged numerous gifts from Abramoff to Ney or his aides beginning in 2000, including trips to the Marianas Islands in the South Pacific and the 2002 golfing trip to Scotland.

Also on the Scotland trip — which was valued in total at "well over $100,000," according to court documents — was a top procurement official for the Bush administration who in September was charged with making false statements about dealings with Abramoff. Former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed completed Ney's St. Andrews golf party.

In exchange for gifts, Abramoff said, Ney agreed to introduce legislation for at least one of the lobbyist's American Indian clients. Ney also placed statements in the congressional record supporting Abramoff's efforts to buy a Florida gambling company. And the congressman agreed to meet with an Abramoff client from Russia seeking help getting a U.S. visa for a relative.

Ney has repeatedly denied Abramoff's allegations, and his spokesman, Brian J. Walsh, said last week that "a number of things in the agreement are not true or never happened..."

Pictures Surfacing

Some pictures have surfaced of President Bush and Jack Abramoff. Aw, come on. You knew that sooner or later someone would find the pictures. Raw story found it at The Washingtonian: Here is an excerpt--

Abramoff was named a “pioneer” in the Bush presidential campaign, collecting more than $100,000, in $2,000 maximum increments, for his campaign in 2004. Bush has returned $6,000 of Abramoff’s contributions, the part that would represent the legal limit for Abramoff; his wife, Pam; and a client.

Sources say the photographs are being kept safe. Abramoff would tell prosecutors, if asked, that not only did he know the President, but the President knew the names of Abramoff’s children and asked about them during their meetings. At one such photo session, Bush discussed the fact that both he and Abramoff were fathers of twins.

How nice.

Interesting pictures: here here here .

Problems with Medicare Drug Program

In the next weeks, members of the administration will be out in public relating good news about the Medicare Drug Program. Unfortunately, they won't be telling the truth. Problems are persisting with the program. Some seniors and disabled have been denied their medications. States and individual pharmacies will be left holding the bag, and eventually, the taxpayer. Here is a roundup of some of the articles regarding the screw-ups:

LA Times: Medicare Drug Plan Looks Like a Scam
PBS: Troubles With Medicare Prescription Drug Program
LD News: Drug-Benefit Mix-Up to Cost State $12 million
San Luis Obispo Tribune: Medicare Won't Reimburse States for Emergency Drug Costs
Today's THV: Botched Medicare Drug Program Costs Arkansas $1.5 million
Detroit News: Medicare Drug Program Launches to Host of Problems
Shreveport Times: Medicare Drug Program Causing Problems
MSNBC.com: Dealing with Medicare Drug Benefit Problems
NY Times: Medicare Woes Take High Toll on Mentally Ill

If you have an elderly parent, relative, neighbor, or friend, please check on them to make sure that they have been able to get their medication.


Update: Frist goofs----(Yahoo News)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told Republican Party activists on Friday night that
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito was the "worst nightmare of liberal Democrats.

Frist, a Tennessee Republican, made the remark to fellow Republicans during a private tour he gave them of the Senate chamber when the Senate was not in session.

Frist was not available for comment following his remarks....

Jack Abramoff Had More Access

Why did Chris Matthews compare Michael Moore to Osama? Want to give Matthews a piece of your mind? Visit http://openlettertochrismatthews.blogspot.com/ and leave your comments for the MSNBC commentator.

--------------------------------- And now the continuing story of Jack Abramoff.......
Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist who personally contributed to only Republicans, is still talking to prosecutors about his involvement with elected officials. It seems as though Jack Abramoff was a lot chummier with the White House than originally thought. Abramoff logged about 200 visits to the White House in the first 10 months of the Bush administration. Abramoff was also part of the transition team for the Interior Department. Wow!

There has even talk that Abramoff visited the Bush ranch!!! Here is an excerpt from Capital Hill Blue:

...A former DeLay staffer who is cooperating with the investigation into both Abramoff and the disgraced GOP leader’s activities, has told investigators that Abramoff and DeLay visited Bush at his ranch on at least four occasions in 2003 and 2004.

It is common for big money contributors to get personal meetings with the President. At the GOP’s annual Presidential Dinner in Washington, those who pony up at least $25,000 are hustled into a room before the dinner for time and photo ops with the President.

Abramoff kept a photo of himself with Bush, shot at the Crawford ranch, in his office in Washington. The autograph from Bush said “to my great friend Jack.”

Dale Knally, a campaign worker in the 2004 Bush-Cheney re-election campaign, recalls a meeting between Bush and Abramoff during a campaign stop in Florida....

Don't you wish everyone would just come clean about their relationship with Abramoff? That won't happen. However, there is a good chance that all will be revealed because Abramoff is trying to reduce his jail time.

**The New York Times has a great opinion article called If You Give A Congressman Cookie. It is a must read for all those disgusted by the Republican corruption.

DeLay and Frist: Insider Trading in their Offices?

If the following story is true, it would show that the Republican corruption is even worse than we thought and that DeLay and Frist are in deep.

From the Majority Report we have the following information:

Actually it was last night, but if you missed it, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter revealed that Bill Frist and Tom Delay both have had day-traders working inside their offices, profitting off inside information about pending bills or selling that information to undisclosed clients....

Here is that excerpt from Daily Kos:

In an exclusive last night on Air America Radio's The Majority Report, Rep. Louise Slaughter alleged that day-traders had been operating inside the offices of Senator Frist and Congressman Delay. Telling us that her source was "as good as gold," Rep. Slaughter promised to investigate further and get back to us. Audio available via AMERICAblog here.

"I'm going to track this down, I know it's true," Slaughter told us,"that Frist, DeLay and probably others had some day traders working out of their offices." Those working out of the Congressional offices "would find out there's a bill being written by lobbyists, that there would be no asbestos bill ... and when the market opened the next day, the cost of asbestos stock had doubled."

The context of this story, and the practice of spreading insider "political intelligence" is starting to unfold...developments on the other side...

• josh orton's diary :: ::

The backstory of this involves what's called "political intelligence." The Hill did a story nearly a year ago on firms that harvest insider political info and feed it to Wall Street to get ahead of the news cycle; obviously much of what happens in DC affects the market....

Poor Trent Lott

Obviously Republican Sen. Trent Lott has been living a little too high on the hog. Lott has become very accustomed to the posh restaurants that his lobbyist friends take him to on a regular basis. Lott has been very, very, very upset with the proposed new restrictions involving lobbyists. The New York Times has the story:

Some lawmakers said they thought Congress was overreacting to the lobbying scandal with an excess of new rules and requirements.

"Now we're going to say you can't have a meal for more than 20 bucks," said Senator Trent Lott, Republican of Mississippi. "Where are you going, to McDonald's?"

Thank you, Trent Lott. You've just confirmed our original opinions we have of you: ARROGANT and SELF-CENTERED.

Trying to Make Sense of It

The face transplant patient is now endangering her recovery by smoking again. MSNBC has the story. Incredible!

How cozy was Abramoff with the White House? Apparently, Jack and those at the W.H. were on very friendly terms. The Mercury News is quoting the AP: ...The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Abramoff and his associates had nearly 200 contacts with the White House during Bush's first 10 months in office.

Senator Conrad Burns (Montana-Republican) is having difficulty giving away his Abramoff-tainted money to some groups in his home state. The gift was rejected. Burns should probably donate the $111,000 as soon as possible so that he can claim he donated it to charity. According to MSNBC, one of the senator's former staff members is also under investigation.

The Times Argus says the U.S. Army has set its new recruiting goals. Some of their requirements have changed:
...From June to September, the Army will try to recruit between 8,600 and 10,400 soldiers per month — well above the numbers achieved last year. To reach those goals, recruiters will be armed with more than catchy slogans and national pride.

A new law will allow the Army to give larger financial bonuses for enlistments and re-enlistments — doubling the maximum payment to new active duty recruits from $20,000 to $40,000, and from $10,000 to $20,000 for reservists. It also will let older recruits sign on by raising the top age from 35 to 42. And the top re-enlistment bonus for active duty soldiers would increase from $60,000 to $90,000...

2222 Americans have been killed in Iraq.

Yahoo News: Some former EPA chiefs blame Bush for global warming. We agree. Unfortunately, the president doesn't believe in global warming.

Got pictures?

If you have pictures of Jack Abramoff, Tom DeLay, or any other of the ethically challenged Republicans with the president or anyone else you should contact the Democrats, or MSNBC, or a national news magazine. I'm sure they'd love to publish them.

CNN has hired right wing nut, Glenn Beck. Media Matters has the background on Beck.

The Republicans revealed their plans on reforming their work with lobbyists. The New York Times has the story. Having the Republicans create a lobbyist reform rule is like giving a wolf the key to the hen house, as well as some salt and pepper. Do we allow criminals to create the laws? NO. We should not allow Republicans to create rules/laws about lobbying.

Filibuster Alito

It is time for the Senate Democrats to stand up before our country and filibuster Alito. Why? They should filibuster because they can. If Frist gets his panties in a frist, filibuster Alito. If Lott begins to get hot, filibuster Alito. If Santorum asks for decorum, filibuster Alito. Judge Alito would not answer the questions that were put before him. The justice he would replace, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, has been the voice of reason in many cases. Alito is not an appropriate replacement. There are many Americans who agree that the Democrats have to stand tough in the face of this executive branch power grab that we are witnessing. The only way to stand tall, and be heard is to filibuster Alito.

Today's Problems

Our senior citizens have been turned away by some pharmacists because there is no record of their membership in the new drug plan. Although the president said that they should be given their medicines, who knows how many pharmacists will follow through?

Ralph Reed is in a heap of trouble. His consulting "fees" and ties to Jack Abramoff have exposed his real life: greed at the expense of others. Washington Post

2220 Americans have been killed in Iraq. http://icasualties.org/oif/

With the crisis in Iran and their nuclear buildup, oil prices will certainly go up. Will we see gas prices near $3/gallon again? Bloomberg

WBNS-TV has the story and video about the two central Ohio churches and questions about their tax-exempt status.

Al Gore accused the President of exceeding his executive powers. USA Today

From the Washington Post: Op-Ed Columnist, E.J. Dionne, Jr. has written about the swift-boating of Rep. Murtha:

I underestimated the viciousness of the right wing.

Last November, Rep. John Murtha, a Democrat and a decorated Marine combat veteran, came out for a rapid American withdrawal from Iraq. At the time, I wrote: "It will be difficult for Bush's acolytes to cast Murtha, who has regularly stood up for the military policies of Republican presidents during his 31 years in Congress, as some kind of extreme partisan or hippie protester."

No, the conservative hit squad didn't accuse Murtha of being a hippie. But a crowd that regularly defends President Bush for serving in the Texas Air National Guard instead of going to Vietnam has continued its war on actual Vietnam veterans. An outfit called the Cybercast News Service last week questioned the circumstances surrounding the awarding of two Purple Hearts to Murtha because of wounds he suffered in the Vietnam War.

John Kerry, as well as John McCain -- who faced scurrilous attacks on his war record when he was running against Bush in the 2000 South Carolina primary -- could have warned Murtha: If you're a Vietnam veteran, don't you dare get in the way of George W. Bush...

In other words, if Murtha had just shut up and gone along with Bush, nothing would have been said about his service.

As it is, the charges are remarkably flimsy. Former representative Don Bailey (D-Pa.), whom Murtha defeated in a 1982 congressional primary after a redistricting, said that Murtha had told him he did not deserve his Purple Hearts, Kurtz and Murray reported. Bailey, who won a Silver Star and three Bronze Stars in Vietnam, recalled Murtha saying: "Hey, I didn't do anything like you did. I got a little scratch on the cheek."

Authentic war heroes (including McCain) often play down their own heroism. In any event, what we know about Murtha, McCain, Kerry and, yes, Bailey, is that they served in combat in Vietnam. What we know about Bush and Vice President Cheney ("I had other priorities in the '60s than military service'') is that they didn't.

What's maddening here is the unblushing hypocrisy of the right wing and the way it circulates -- usually through Web sites or talk radio -- personal vilification to abort honest political debate. Murtha's views on withdrawing troops from Iraq are certainly the object of legitimate contention. Many in Murtha's party disagree with him. But Murtha's right-wing critics can't content themselves with going after his ideas. They have to try to discredit his service....

Do Republicans hate Marines? Do Republicans hate everyone who has served in the military?

Compare and Contrast

Man of Peace
Dr. Martin Luther King inspired millions to fight for civil rights in a non-violent peaceful manner. Today we honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, civil rights leader. Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35. Biography The King Center

Right Wing Extremist
Rod Parsley lines his pockets while he promotes his right wing political agenda and enjoys his tax-exempt status for his church.

The Big News:

Akron Beacon Journal: ...The 31 religious leaders met Sunday night and signed a letter asking the IRS to determine if the churches should lose tax-exempt status over what they claim to be improper campaigning for Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, a Republican.

The Rev. Rod Parsley of World Harvest Church in Columbus and the Rev. Russell Johnson of Fairfield Christian Church in Lancaster improperly used their churches and affiliated entities for partisan politics, according to the complaint to be faxed to IRS Commissioner Mark Everson...

The complaint alleges that Blackwell was the only gubernatorial candidate showcased in church-sponsored events conducted by Parsley and Johnson. It also alleges that the evangelists' voter-registration campaign was done to support Blackwell and "biased" voter education materials were distributed by the churches for Blackwell's candidacy....

...and a few excerpts from The Columbus Dispatch:

More than 30 local pastors last night officially accused two evangelical megachurches of illegal political activities.

In a rare and potentially explosive action, the moderate ministers signed a complaint asking the Internal Revenue Service to investigate World Harvest Church of Columbus and Fairfield Christian Church of Lancaster and determine if their tax-exempt status should be revoked....

The complaint makes three main allegations:

• That church-sponsored events conducted by Parsley and Johnson have showcased a single gubernatorial candidate — Blackwell.

• That Parsley and Johnson have launched a "partisan-oriented" voter-registration campaign "with the goal of registering 400,000 voters to support Blackwell’s candidacy."

• That Parsley and Johnson have been behind efforts to distribute "biased voter education" materials aimed at solidifying voter support for Blackwell....

Rod Parsley, the minister who wears expensive suits, lives in an expensive family compound, and runs a huge political right wing church, has had this investigation coming for a long time. Most churches will have voter information nights to showcase all the candidates. Parsley pushes, and pushes his political agenda by inviting only candidates and speakers who support his extreme right wing point of view. It is about time that someone investigated Parsley and his church.

*****************

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP RACE

With Tom DeLay stepping down from his House leadership, three Republican Reps., Blunt, Boehner, and Shadegg, have been promoting themselves for DeLay's job. THE HILL is running a daily tally of voters pledged to each representative:

Blunt-85, Boehner-41, Shadegg-3

Republicans Attacking War Hero

The Republican chickenhawks are attacking another war hero. This time it is Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania. All you have to do is see the Google news search I did on Murtha: Results. There is an organized attack on Murtha from conservative and Republican sources which are questioning Murtha's Purple Hearts. The Republicans did it to Senator John Kerry and now Murtha is being targeted with lies.

Do It Yourself: Armor Your Own Humvee
Our young men and women continue to die and sustain life altering wound in Iraq. Because of the Defense Department's lack of response in providing body armor and humvee armor, our brave service members have doing some extra work to protect themselves. According to the Arizona Daily Sun:

Soldiers exposed to Iraq's increasingly lethal roadside bombs, which can rip through armored Humvees, are drawing on wartime experience and stateside expertise to protect their vehicles with stronger armor and thermal detection cameras.

The upgrades are being done by individual soldiers and units as the Pentagon decides how Humvees should be changed, and follow public criticism of the Bush administration for not armoring all Humvees ahead of the war...

This is sad. How many more of our soldiers and Marines will die while the Pentagon decides about armor?

Right Wing Nuttery=Shadegg

With the Republican Party in disarray because of continuing announcements of scandals, bribes, corruption, and misuse of public trust, you'd think that their party would gravitate toward moderate normal human beings. No! Those coming forward to take Republican leadership roles are some of the most extreme

*****Arizona Republican Rep. John Shadegg:
(1) (source) Shadegg referred to "Fahrenheit 911" as a "crockumentary." He also said Kerry voters "have mental health problems," adding: "I'll probably get in trouble for that." (You did.)
(2) (source) Despite promises to help fund Interstate 17 and Happy Valley Road in Arizona, Shadegg and Rep. Flake, voted against it.
(Result: People in Arizona are upset because he broke a pledge to his constituents.)
(3) (source) Shadegg wrote a letter to Former Sec. of Interior Gale Norton on behalf of Jack Abramoff's clients.
(4) (source) Shadegg took money from Abramoff's clients and associates.
(5) (source) Shadegg had a questionable grasp of the facts regarding WMD's in Iraq and he tried to smear Scott Ritter.

Nice going Shadegg! Apparently, you are more concerned with repeating your party mantra and collecting campaign contributions than helping the people of Arizona.

Thought You'd Like to Know

Breaking News from 10tv channel 10, Columbus, Ohio: Republican Rep. Bob Ney is considering resigning his CHAIRMANSHIP. Ney is in talks with Hastert on what to do.

Republican Rep. Pombo says he has done nothing wrong. The Record has the story. According to Capital Eye, here is what Pombo got:
Contributions to Richard Pombo (R-Calif)

Recipient	Donor	Total	Cycle
Rich PAC, Leadership PAC of Richard Pombo (R-Calif)	Abramoff, Jack A & Pamela	$5,000	2004
Richard Pombo (R-Calif)	Abramoff, Jack A & Pamela	$2,000	2004
Rich PAC, Leadership PAC of Richard Pombo (R-Calif)	Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians	$6,500	2004
Rich PAC, Leadership PAC of Richard Pombo (R-Calif)	Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians	$9,000	2004
Richard Pombo (R-Calif)	Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians	$4,000	2004
Rich PAC, Leadership PAC of Richard Pombo (R-Calif)	Pueblo of Santa Clara	$1,000	2004
Rich PAC, Leadership PAC of Richard Pombo (R-Calif)	Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe	$10,000	2004
Richard Pombo (R-Calif)	Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe	$3,000	2004

I've heard Pombo is anti-environment. How did the good people of California vote for a guy who is trying to ruin the beauty of our land, water, and air?
-------------- ---------------------- ------------------------- -----------------------
Did you know that....
$224 billion has be spent on the Iraq war as of December 7, 2005
$236 billion surplus President Clinton left George W. Bush
$8.1 trillion current deficit under George W. Bush
6 million people have lost their health insurance since Bush took office.

The Huffington Post has it: The Huffington Post has learned the Bush administration recently asked high ranking military leaders to denounce Congressman John Murtha. Congressman Murtha has called for the Bush Administration to withdraw US troops from Iraq...

I am tired of hearing about...
Lindsay Lohan, Jolie and Pitt, ND's Charlie Weis (He couldn't beat the Buckeyes!), Bill O'Reilly, tax breaks for the rich, Republicans and their family values (Is taking a bribe a family value?), golf (except Tiger Woods), American car companies blaming unions, Dr. Dobson (He doesn't speak for me!), Pat Robertson, Karl Rove (Isn't he in jail yet?), etc., etc., etc....

Everyday I try to read as much as possible. Here are some of my favorites:
The Huffington Post News and Analysis
Raw Story They have the scoop before anyone else.
Dependable Renegade Pictures and commentary
AMERICAblog.com Great stuff.
Democratic Underground
Assisi Online
RefDesk
The Toledo Blade
Sudoku
Give They rate charities.
Tom DeLay's House of Scandals
Ohio State Athletics

Iraq, and a few words from Maureen Dowd

NO PLANS
President Bush has been giving speeches about Iraq. He has spoken in front of veterans groups and other pre-screened groups. The pre-screening is necessary so that Bush will only meet with people who love him. Criticism is not allowed.

If you've seen or read the speeches, you'll notice that there is no discussion about when our soldiers and Marines are coming home. The President always talks in general terms such as "freedom" "victory" "democracy" etc. He never says that we've lost 2210 Americans in Iraq and how many more he expects to lose in the coming months and years. He talks of continued sacrifice. Why won't he discuss it? By placing numbers on our dead, it would force Americans to deal with the reality of war. The war goes on and there are still no firm plans to bring our troops home.

A WARM WELCOME
Just the other day, former President Bill Clinton greeted some returning U.S. troops. After a long flight back, having someone to greet them, even if wasn't planned, certainly warmed the spirits of the troops. From the Boston Globe:

Former President Bill Clinton surprised U.S. troops arriving from Iraq when a refueling stop at the Bangor International Airport coincided with the arrival of two chartered flights carrying soldiers.

Clinton was returning Monday night from Paris where he had met with French President Jacques Chirac to discuss plans for his charitable organization, the Clinton Foundation.
His plans for a quick departure were waylaid when a problem was discovered with the aircraft, allowing him to join a line of local troop greeters who meet each plane carrying soldiers returning from overseas or leaving for duty.
"Thank you for your service," Clinton said as he shook hands and hugged many of the soldiers as they passed by. He autographed hats, cards, paper and other items.
The soldiers, about 600 of them, were returning to bases in Oklahoma, Texas and Georgia. Their two chartered aircraft had landed for fuel.

"This is great," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Thompson of New York City, who stood next to Clinton.
Clinton's private jet, a Falcon 900, was scheduled to land for fuel, but there was a mechanical problem as well, said Rebecca Hupp, airport manager...
...Clinton had some fun when Army Spc. Joshua Ruschenberg used a cell phone provided by troop greeters to call to his sister-in-law, Shancy Garrison in North Carolina, and handed over the phone to the former commander in chief.
"Hi, Shancy, it's Bill Clinton," the former president said into the phone.

REP. MURTHA
Democratic Rep. John Murtha was in Virginia recently. The Falls Church News-Press has an article. Here are excerpts:

Pennsylvania Rep. John T. Murtha commanded the stage and a live national television audience with unbowed resolve to defend his call for the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq last Thursday, spellbinding an overflow crowd of 600 at a town meeting hosted by Rep. Jim Moran in the Ballston area of Arlington.

Murtha’s credentials as a respected, veteran member of Congress with a strong record of supporting national defense has given enormous credibility to his call, and he told the audience Thursday that he’s been frustrated by the Bush administration’s reaction.

“All they can respond with is rhetoric,” he charged. “We’re 6,600 short in our military recruitment goals this year, and now have the smallest military since 1941. Families are having to go out to buy their sons and daughters in Iraq their battle armor, because they’re not getting it from the Pentagon, and all this was going on before I started speaking out.”

“I am getting criticized personally, yet this is not about me,” he stated. “It’s about people thirsting for a policy that makes sense, instead of an open-ended policy with no exit strategy.”

“I want to save every single life I can, yet now we’ve lost just about as many Americans in Iraq as in the (World Trade Center) towers,” he added. “In addition, there are 7,500 wounded, many so disfigured their wives can’t look at them, and many more who suffer from battle fatigue. They call it by something different these days, but we knew it as battle fatigue.”

“Our efforts in Iraq have turned the Iraqi people against us. 150,000 were put out of their homes in the siege of Falluja and the only thing that is uniting the Iraqi population now is its opposition to the U.S. occupation.

He said an immediate complete withdrawal would not only save U.S. lives, but compel the Iraqis to get serious about self-governing. With the U.S. forces out, the basis for the existence of the real terrorists would evaporate, and the nation’s new leaders would root them out in their attempt to create a stable society based on the rule of law....

You might be able to see some highlights on C-SPAN.

MAUREEN DOWD

Today's Columbus Dispatch has a great column by Maureen Dowd. Dowd writes about Judge Alito. Here are some excerpts:

You’ve got to like a man who knows how to juggle.

Judge Samuel Alito picked up the skill on a summer vacation a decade ago, and his juggling talent was on full display Tuesday as he tried to balance the old Sam, who was eager to impress Reagan revolutionaries with his zeal, with the new Sam, who is eager to impress a bipartisan Senate panel with his open-mindedness.

It was a tale of two Sams.

Is he the old Sam, who devised ways to upend Roe vs. Wade and crimp abortion rights? Or the new Sam, who has great respect for precedent and an "open mind" about abortion cases?

Is he the old Sam, who plotted ways to tip the balance of power to the executive branch? Or the new Sam, who states that "no person in this country is above the law, and that includes the president"?

Is he the old Sam, who said Robert Bork "was one of the most outstanding nominees of this century" and "a man of unequaled ability"? Or the new Sam, who shrugged off that statement as the dutiful support of one Reagan appointee for another?

Is he the old Sam, who cited membership in a Princeton University alumni club that resisted the admission of women and minorities when he was seeking a promotion in the very white Reagan old boys’ club? Or the new Sam, who has "no specific recollection of that organization," unless, of course, he innocently joined it to support ROTC on campus, and who says he’s been shaped partly by his hopes for his 17-year-old daughter, Laura, and by his sister’s experiences "as a trial lawyer in a profession that has traditionally been dominated by men"?
and...

Like the president, the judge loves baseball. Alito once vacationed at a fantasy baseball camp (OK fielder, hopeless hitter), wearing the red and white Phillies uniform. W has spent five years in fantasyland on Iraq, on occasion donning military costumes.

His fingers in his ears, W didn’t want to hear that we had too few troops in Iraq, ignoring advice from L. Paul Bremer and Gen. Eric Shinseki, or that the troops didn’t have enough armor. But the president continues to fling blame outward. In a speech Tuesday before the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he warned the Democrats that they should take care not to bring "comfort to our adversaries."

Alito was evasive, disingenuous and deferential. He fits the Bush era like a baseball glove.

Arnold, Coburn, Pombo, Doolittle, Lewis

Gov. Arnold: MSNBC has the story:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was riding his motorcycle illegally over the weekend when he collided with a car in his Los Angeles neighborhood, police said Tuesday.

Los Angles Police Lt. Paul Vernon said Schwarzenegger does not have the proper endorsement on his California driver’s license to operate a motorcycle......
Incredible! Just because you do something in a movie doesn't mean you're licensed/allowed to do it in real life.

ALITO HEARINGS
The Senate hearings on Judge Sam Alito's nomination have brought out some interesting comments and questions from the senate committee. It makes you wonder how these people got elected. Sen. Coburn (OK-R) has had some weird comments about abortion. I don't think his choice of words were appropriate for the hearing room and I won't repeat them here.

Notes to Coburn: Leave our uteruses alone. Aren't you the guy that sterilized a woman without her permission? Just to let you know---there has been an increase in abortions while Bush has been in office. What do you think of that?

POMBO AND DOOLITTLE
There is another Republican corruption scandal and this time it involves Representatives Pombo and Doolittle, the FDIC, and, of course, Tom DeLay. Everyday brings a new corruption story involving the Republicans. An article in the Times-Standard lays out the sordid tale. Here is an excerpt:

A recent story in the Los Angeles Times reports that two members of Congress tried to stop an investigation of wealthy businessman Charles Hurwitz, of Maxxam Inc., Palco's parent company, who had given them both political contributions.

California Reps. John T. Doolittle and Richard W. Pombo worked with Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas to try to halt an investigation of Hurwitz, the Times reported. According to that newspaper, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. sought $300 million from the Texas businessman after the collapse of a Texas savings and loan cost taxpayers $1.6 billion.

The investigation was ultimately dropped...

This Republican culture of corruption story has developments every single day. Is there anyone clean in the Republican Party?

UPDATE: Republican Rep. Jerry Lewis has some problems----
From the San Bernardino Sun:

A federal watchdog group is asking the U.S. attorney general to open a corruption investigation of House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis because of the congressman's ties to a lobbyist who has legally donated thousands of dollars to Lewis' causes.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington wants the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice to investigate the California Republican's relationship with lobbyist and friend Bill Lowery.

In a faxed letter to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, the group argued that there appeared to be "a steady flow of financial influence."

The watchdog group compared Lewis' connections to Lowery to the influence-peddling scandals surrounding Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, the California Republican who gave up his seat last month after admitting he had accepted bribes from defense contractors.

A spokesman for Lewis said all of the congressman's actions were "legal and aboveboard."

Lewis's PAC has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to help Republicans maintain control of the House. In January, he was named head of the Appropriations Committee, which oversees about $900 billion in federal spending.......

Is someone keeping track of all these Republicans in trouble??????? At this rate, there won't be any Republicans without ethical problems.

Battles in the Senate/Deaths in Iraq

The Brad Blog has a real eye-opener: Ohio's favorite corruption Republican Representative, Bob Ney, has ties to Diebold and the Ohio Election Fraud.

The Senate hearings for Sam Alito will probably focus on three topics: privacy, the limits of presidential power, and the rights of a woman to choose. There will be some great interaction between the senators and the nominee. I just hope that someone asks one of those questions that makes everyone squirm.
Update on the hearings: Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah) is an arrogant man. Hatch needs to retire.
Loved that Senator Feingold! As the senator said, Alito still holds and continues to make money on those Vanguard holdings.
Senator Schumer did a great job trying to get Alito to answer if he would overturn precedent as far as Roe v. Wade. Alito of course would not give a direct answer.

More of our young people have died in Iraq. As I look over their names, hometowns, and ages, I am reminded that this administration still has no exit strategy. Using phrases like "stay the course" and "until victory is achieved" doesn't get our kids back home. http://icasualties.org/oif/

I was watching a CSPAN rebroadcast of a town meeting in Virginia. The featured speakers were Rep. John Murtha and Rep. Moran. One young man said that he had been in the first group that went into Iraq. He said that he shared body armor with his commanding officer because there wasn't enough for everyone. Is this how this administration sent our kids to war?

Money Trail

Update: If I were a member of the U.S. Senate, I would consider the President's remarks insulting. Here are some excerpts from the Washington Post:
"Sam’s got the intellect necessary to bring a lot of class to that Court." (My thoughts: Are we to believe that up to this point that the Supreme Court has acted in an irresponible, classless, or degrading manner?)
"It’s very important that members of the Senate conduct a dignified hearing."
(Did the President think that Senators would turn these hearings into a circus? Have they acted silly or undignified before in any case? Does the President consider anyone opposed to this nomination undignified, or wrong?)

I think that people getting into a Senate hearing room and touching seats to "bless them" is undignified, ridiculous, and dangerous to security. (WSJ)

The Cincinnati Enquirer:
Rep. Steve Chabot said Friday that he'll give the $5,000 his campaign received from Indian tribes represented by former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff to Over-the-Rhine's Joseph House for Homeless Veterans.

The donation comes three days after Abramoff pleaded guilty to defrauding the Indian tribes he represented out of millions of dollars and trying to use gifts and campaign contributions to get official favors.

Chabot, R-Westwood, told The Enquirer Friday that he doesn't know Abramoff and, to his recollection, has never met the former lobbyist or spoken with him.

But Chabot was one of 26 lawmakers who signed a Feb. 27, 2002, letter asking the Bush administration to stop the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians from opening a casino in Louisiana....

Isn't it amazing that no one knew Jack Abramoff, but they were willing to take his money, and write a letter on his behalf?

While every Republican is trying to erase any records of contacts they've had with Abramoff, there is an old (5/7/2005) article from USA Today that provides some information. This was posted today at Raw Story:

In President Bush's first 10 months, GOP fundraiser Jack Abramoff and his lobbying team logged nearly 200 contacts with the new administration as they pressed for friendly hires at federal agencies and sought to keep the Northern Mariana Islands exempt from the minimum wage and other laws, records show.

The meetings between Abramoff's lobbying team and the administration ranged from Attorney General John Ashcroft to policy advisers in Vice President Dick Cheney's office, according to his lobbying firm billing records.

Abramoff, a $100,000-plus fundraiser for Bush, is now under criminal investigation for some of his lobbying work. His firm boasted its lobbying team helped revise a section of the Republican Party's 2000 platform to make it favorable to its island client.

In addition, two of Abramoff's lobbying colleagues on the Marianas won political appointments inside federal agencies....

Abramoff and his friends had real access to the Executive and Legislative Branches of this government. It shows that if you have money, you can see anyone in Washington, DC.

Boehner and Blunt

The Next Leader of the Ethically Challenged Republican Party???

Republicans are jumping over themselves after Tom DeLay announced his intention not to seek the House leadership position he once held. Two Reps. John Boehner (OH-8th) and Roy Blunt (MO-7th) have had their names tossed around in the media as a possible successor to DeLay.

Both Boehner and Blunt have some untidy connections to DeLay:
Boehner: Ethics Golf Fundraising Abramoff Scandal
Blunt: Ethics Philip Morris Corruption Abramoff Scandal

Lots of luck! Will the next Republican leader have ethics problems? We'll be waiting on the sidelines.

Deployments and Cronyism

From the NBC affiliate in San Diego: "Hundreds of San Diego County-based U.S. Marines and sailors began a seven-month deployment Saturday in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The personnel, members of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton, bid farewell to family and friends Saturday morning in preparation for their latest tour of duty in Al Anbar Province, USMC authorities said. The activation, which will occur over several days, will be the battalion's third deployment to Iraq since 2003."

Cronyism Continues
President Bush made another appointment during the recess. According to the New York Times, he appointed "...Julie L. Myers, a White House official, as head of the nation's immigration enforcement agency despite concerns on the part of some about her qualifications for the job.

Ms. Myers, a 36-year-old lawyer, will be sworn in on Monday. She currently serves as the president's special assistant for personnel and previously worked as an assistant secretary at the Department of Commerce. She has never managed a large department or dealt extensively with immigration issues.

When Mr. Bush nominated Ms. Myers last year, Democratic and Republican senators raised concerns about her lack of experience, and her Senate confirmation appeared to be in doubt. Some critics said they feared that her political connections, rather than her qualifications, had driven the decision to select her to lead the bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has 15,000 employees and a budget of about $4 billion..."

"...Ms. Myers, who has held a variety of federal jobs over the last four years, drew attention because of her ties to the White House and some senior officials. She is a niece of Gen. Richard B. Myers, who recently stepped down as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the wife of John Wood, Mr. Chertoff's chief of staff..."

Once again, this administration finds another unqualified crony a job.

Could have survived if they had extra body armor..

The New York Times has an article that at first broke my heart and then made me angry. The first paragraph exposes the truth but the entire article is astounding:

A secret Pentagon study has found that at least 80 percent of the marines who have been killed in Iraq from wounds to their upper body could have survived if they had extra body armor. That armor has been available since 2003 but until recently the Pentagon has largely declined to supply it to troops despite calls from the field for additional protection, according to military officials.....

Please read the entire article. Then contact your representatives and senators and tell them that this is unacceptable. 2193 of our sons and daughters have been killed in Iraq and now we find out that 80% of them could have survived if our government had followed through with its promises to support and protect our troops.

Beware of Republicans PR Campaign

Warning! Warning!
According to The Hill, the Republicans are ready to launch a public relations campaign to try to convince Americans that everything is wonderful. Their messages include: Good things are happening in Iraq! The economy is great.
--1. Irag: There is nothing good happening in Iraq when we lose 11 Americans in one day. Don't allow Republicans to talk their propaganda about "freedom is on the march" in Iraq, because it isn't. The Republicans are trying to take our attention off of the BIGGEST SCANDAL IN AMERICAN HISTORY. They're saying, "Don't look at the ugly scandal that involves so many Republicans, look over here at the pretty, pretty pictures."

--2. The economy: The Ohio State Buckeyes beat Michigan in the "big game" and in another contest. Ohio had more bankruptcies than Michigan. According to the Toledo Blade, there were 2.4 million bankruptcies in the country (California #1, Ohio #2, Michigan #7). The next time someone mentions the good economy, call them a liar. (Here is part of that Toledo Blade article:
...Experts have said that Ohio's struggling economy contributed to the relatively high number of filings. New cases in 21 counties in northwest Ohio that file at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Toledo totaled 16,883 last year, far eclipsing the prior year's record of 10,623...

The Toledo Blade says that Republican Governor Bob Taft is urging Toyota to build a parts plant in Ohio. However, Toyota has no plans to build any plants at this time. This sounds like Taft is just trying to convince Ohioans that he is doing something, even though he is doing NOTHING.

Also, the Akron Beacon Journal has this quote from Taft: "We live in a brutally competitive world economy. We must tout all the advantages we have here in Ohio."
- Gov. Bob Taft, a Republican, on why he'll spend most of the year traveling, starting with the Detroit Auto Show, to promote business-friendly changes to the tax code. (Someone should check on how many days Taft spends out of the state.)

Reading Body Language, Looking for Truth

The New York Times has a picture of the "big meeting" that took place at the White House. Bush and former cabinet member of various administrations met to discuss Iraq. Before you read the article, look at the picture. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is not even close to President Bush in the picture. Why? Did he choose to stand in that area, or was he placed there? Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright seemed to have the most courage of all those in attendance. Secretary Albright, thank you for speaking up. According to the article, Albright said the war in Iraq was "taking up all the energy" of President Bush's foreign policy team, she asked Mr. Bush whether he had let nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea spin out of control, and Latin America and China policy suffer by benign neglect.

Republican Scandal and Sleaze

According to Newsweek, Jack Abramoff has some ties to the Bush administration. Besides the fact that Abramoff was a big contributor to the Bush campaign, Abramoff was part of Bush's transition team. Things were cozier than we were led to believe.

In this analysis of the scope of this scandal, let us not forget that this scandal has to do with bribes. Abramoff sought to influence the voting of these lawmakers. 75% of the lawmakers who received money from Abramoff are Republicans. Some Republicans are brushing off the charge that this is the largest scandal in U.S. history. They say what Bill Clinton did was worse. Clinton's adultery concerned his marriage, and was of concern to him and his wife. This Republican scandal involves many elected officials and millions of dollars.

Nervous Republicans

With Jack Abramoff cooperating with federal prosecutors about his good friends in government, many Republicans are a little nervous. Republican Rep. Bob Ney (OH-18) is probably the person with the most on the line. Ney enjoyed many benefits, including that famous golf trip to Scotland, because of his relationship with Abramoff. Republican Tom DeLay, who once called Abramoff his best friend, could find himself heavily involved in the scandal.

Since Abramoff was one of President Bush's "Pioneers" (someone who raised over $100,000 for the Bush campaign), there are questions about Abramoff's relationship with this administration. Reportedly, Bush has donated $6,000 of the $100,000 of Abramoff's donation to a charity. So, what about the rest of the money???

Now with the Republicans deep in scandals, a voice from the past has emerged. Former Republican Rep. Newt Gingrich is advising Republicans on how to get out from under their scandal-smeared associations. Gingrich, who always stresses family values, has been married three times and divorced twice. He had one wife served with divorce papers while she was recovering from cancer surgery. What a guy!!!
(Newt Gingrich: (MSN) ------
In 1996 the House Ethics Committee mildly reprimanded Gingrich for not registering his political action committee (PAC) with the Federal Election Commission. In January 1997 the House voted to reprimand Gingrich for ethics violations that included giving the Ethics Committee false information and using tax-exempt donations for political activities. As the first Speaker in history to be disciplined by the House, Gingrich was fined $300,000. He was reelected as Speaker later that month, but he resigned from that position and from the House altogether in the wake of Republican losses in the November 1998 elections.)

However, there are other people who have to worry. Rev. Dobson and Ralph Reed, two radical right wing self-appointed moral values experts, are also tied up with Abramoff. Dobson and Reed said they were "duped" by Abramoff. Duped? I wonder how much money Dobson and Reed made off their relationship to Abramoff.

From CNN: A prominent Baptist minister, Lonnie Latham, was arrested for propositioning a police officer in Oklahoma City. Latham is an outspoken anti-gay activist.

Cheney said this yesterday: "America has been protected not by luck but by sensible policy decisions by decisive action at home and abroad and by round-the-clock efforts on the part of people in law enforcement, intelligence, the military and homeland security."
The vice president called Mr. Bush's decision to intercept "a certain category of terrorist-linked international communications" important to national security.
"There are no communications more important to the safety of the United States than those related to al Qaeda that have one end in the United States. If we'd been able to do this before 9/11, we might have been able to pick up on two of the hijackers who flew a jet into the Pentagon."
WHAT IF THIS ADMINISTRATION HAD PAID ATTENTION TO THE PDB (Presidential Daily Briefing) ENTITLED 'Bin Laden Determined to Strike U.S'? What if Bush had followed through on that PDB instead of taking a 5 week vacation? Huh?

Abramoff visited White House

I found an old article from the Texas Observer about the relationship of Jack Abramoff and those in the White House. Apparently, Abramoff charged his client money to visit the White House for lunch and meet the President. Also involved in these schemes were Grover Norquist, Karl Rove, and Michael Scanlon. How nice.

Changing the Transcript

John over at Ameriblog has a hot story: NBC changed its original transcript that implied that CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour had been wiretapped. (Atrios also has the story.)

David Letterman Puts Down O'Reilly

David Letterman had Bill O'Reilly on his show this evening. I think Letterman really put him in his place. My two favorite quotes by Letterman: "I have the feeling that 60% of what you say is crap." "I don't watch your show."
Thanks, Dave!
UPDATED: Media Matters has the full transcript and the video.

From Raw Story: The FBI got information about Michael Scanlon, Jack Abramoff, and Tom DeLay from the woman who was jilted by Scanlon. The lesson of this story----Don't get mad. Get even.

New Year, Scandals Continue

President Bush's support among the military is sinking fast. Are they losing faith in Bush? Have they seen the futility of fighting a war in Iraq when the president keeps reinventing the reasons for the war? Serving two and three tours of duty in Iraq has definitely altered the military's opinion about Bush. The Military Times Media Group has further information. By the way, while visiting a military hospital, Bush said the following: "I have an injury myself – not here at the hospital, but in combat with a cedar. I eventually won. The cedar gave me a little scratch." (Do you think that those who've lost legs, arms, and have severe burns from their battles in Iraq had any sympathy for Bush?)

Ameriblog has a tee shirt you can order that says "Bush spied on me." I'd like to see a lot of cars with bumper stickers with the same phrase. Media Matters has myths about Bush's spy scandal.

Jack Abramoff has agreed to a plea deal. CNN has announced that he will plead guilty to fraud, corruption, and tax evasion, with the possibility of a long prison sentence. MSNBC has more details as well as a story about those linked to Abramoff. You must check out the graphic from the Washington Post. It shows all the connections Abramoff made with members of Congress, Native American tribes, and other people. With all this hitting the fan, Ralph Reed's political career might be over. How can you say you are religious if you are defrauding the government, taking money in payoffs, lying to people, and making money while you do it all? Shame.

I just have one question: When will Patrick Fitzgerald announce new indictments?

Catherine Crier had Victoria Toesnig (spelling?) on her Court TV program. Crier said that Bush had four years to try to change the FISA court law if he wanted. Also, Crier said that despite what Bush has been claiming, there was never a declared war in Iraq. It looked like Crier and Toesing have had some big political disagreements in the past because their discussion was intense.

Bush's 365 Days of Vacation

Just finishing up his 5th year of office, President George Bush has spent 365 days on vacation at his ranch in Texas. In my humble opinion, that is excessive! While our young men and women are dying in Iraq (2179 as of this moment), this president is using a chainsaw to clear woods and brush. Couldn't he put people to work to do that while he works on more urgent matters? Sure, the president needs some time off, but this is too much. No other president has accumulated such a high number of vacation days. Here is an excerpt from the Detroit News article:
...As much as it's a metaphor for presidential vigor, Bush's preoccupation with wielding his chainsaw has become fodder for bloggers and other critics who complain that he is isolated and disengaged.

“He shouldn't have time to be clearing brush,” said Kay Lucas, a grandmother and anti-war activist who drives 25 miles a day to care for the Crawford Peace House, a gathering spot for Cindy Sheehan and her protest against the war.

After press secretary Scott McClellan noted during a recent vacation that while Bush “always enjoys his time in Crawford, he's president 24/7,” the Washington blogger Wonkette weighed in with this jab: “Especially when consulting with that little-known Cabinet official, “Secretary of Clearing Brush.”

With still no exit strategy in Iraq, a raging federal deficit, upcoming Supreme Court nominee hearings, the NSA domestic spy scandal, the CIA leak scandal investigation by Patrick Fitzgerald, the delay in the rebuilding of the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast, among a long laundry list of problems, the president has more serious work at hand than clearing brush.