Jon Husted, Republican Speaker of the Ohio House, apparently hates military veterans. Husted did not want to have a vote to give bonuses to the Ohioans who are Iraq and Afghanistan vets or their surviving families. Husted blocked a vote on the bonuses. According to the Dispatch, Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray originally proposed the bonuses and Gov. Ted Strickland was in support of the special payment to the vets. However, Husted would not schedule a vote for the Ohio House. (The measure had passed in the Ohio Senate.)
Here is a little more from the Dispatch:
....Cordray complained that legislators "were able to find over a billion dollars in bonded debt for projects in their districts" but were unwilling to approve bonuses for veterans. He referred to the recently approved capital-improvements bill....
Jon Husted, who often pads projects for his own district, should be told that his refusal to help our veterans is not appreciated. You can contact Husted at
Telephone: (614) 644-6008
Fax : (614) 719-3591
Email Address: district37@ohr.state.oh.us
http://jonhusted.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
People Will Be Talking
Under ex-Gov. Bob Taft's Republican administration, there were several scandals. Here are a few--- "Golf-gate", Coingate, and the millions of dollars that were lost through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC). Just when the Ohio GOP thought they could have a week in which no one was reminded of these scandals, another news item is reported.
Dispatch:
Mark D. Lay was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison today and ordered to repay nearly $213 million to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation for his role in the loss from a hedge-fund investment as part of a series of scandals that rocked state government.....
Here is a little more from the Business Courier of Cincinnati:
...Sentencing for Mark Lay, chief executive of MDL Capital Management Inc., comes about eight months after his conviction on charges of investment advisory fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud. Sentences on three of four counts against him totaled 12 years each, but will run concurrently.....
....Lay was charged with several others in connection with an investigation into BWC investments sparked by political fundraiser Tom Noe's theft from a $50 million rare-coin fund that he handled for the agency....
> In today's news, the Iraqi government asked for a timetable to remove American troops from Iraq. However, President Bush and Sen. John McCain are against any timetable. I guess they just want endless war.
NY Times:
Iraq will not accept any security agreement with the United States unless it includes dates for the withdrawal of foreign forces, the government's national security adviser said on Tuesday.
Dispatch:
Mark D. Lay was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison today and ordered to repay nearly $213 million to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation for his role in the loss from a hedge-fund investment as part of a series of scandals that rocked state government.....
Here is a little more from the Business Courier of Cincinnati:
...Sentencing for Mark Lay, chief executive of MDL Capital Management Inc., comes about eight months after his conviction on charges of investment advisory fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud. Sentences on three of four counts against him totaled 12 years each, but will run concurrently.....
....Lay was charged with several others in connection with an investigation into BWC investments sparked by political fundraiser Tom Noe's theft from a $50 million rare-coin fund that he handled for the agency....
> In today's news, the Iraqi government asked for a timetable to remove American troops from Iraq. However, President Bush and Sen. John McCain are against any timetable. I guess they just want endless war.
NY Times:
Iraq will not accept any security agreement with the United States unless it includes dates for the withdrawal of foreign forces, the government's national security adviser said on Tuesday.
The comments by Mowaffaq al-Rubaie underscore the U.S.-backed government's hardening stance toward a deal with Washington that will provide a legal basis for U.S. troops to operate when a U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year.....
Wow. I thought freedom was on the march. Iraq doesn't want us there but Bush=McCain want us to stay.
>>>>> If you are on Medicare, you may have something to worry about in the near future. Because of a screw up by the Republican Senators, doctors in the U.S. may stop treating Medicare patients.
...Upset that some Republican senators failed to vote to prevent a 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors last week, the AMA has begun airing TV and radio ads in more than a half-dozen states, particularly those where GOP senators are in fierce re-election campaigns....
....In the AMA ads, consumers are told this July 4 weekend that there will be "no celebrating for the millions of Medicare patients" who may lose access to their doctors thanks to the cut. The ad then names the respective state's senator as protecting "the powerful insurance companies' huge profits at the expense of Medicare patients' access to doctors and their services."
Among those Republican senators targeted are three in tough re-election battles: John Cornyn of Texas; John Sununu of New Hampshire and Roger Wicker of Mississippi. A spokesman for Cornyn's office had no comment about the AMA ad campaign, and Wicker's office could not be reached for comment....
Monday, July 07, 2008
61 Year Old Librarian Thrown Out of McCain Rally
I saw this first at Raw Story and I could not believe it. Apparently, the McCain staff is against free speech especially if it involves a petite 61 year old librarian. You can see it at You Tube .
No Matter What Anyone Says....
.....John McCain is computer illiterate. Witness this video from You Tube:
LA Times:
...although McCain admitted to TechCrunch's Michael Arrington that he was computer illiterate, the Arizona senator has a big name making the case that he's the right choice for the high-tech industry: former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina.
McCain knows the importance of technology to the economy and has an economic plan to encourage the type of innovation the industry thrives on, Fiorina said this morning in Washington, D.C......
My interpretation of this baloney--- John McCain can't turn on a computer, but he has been told about what computers do. Wow! Doesn't this just make you feel that McCain is unable to adapt to modern technology and that he is stuck in the past?
I hope that you've had the chance to read the latest Rolling Stone Magazine (the issue with Obama on the cover). The article is very informative about the Obama campaign. It also lets us in on the songs Obama has on his iPod. Does McCain know about iPods???? Check out the great picture from Rolling Stone taken by Peter Yang (notice the computers?).
Don't you think our country needs someone who is thinking forward? Wouldn't we feel more confident with a President who knows and understands modern technology? Is McCain's lack of computer knowledge because he has refused to learn? Does this show more about his mindset?
> Here are some tidbits from the Carpetbagger Report:
* As had been rumored, the DNC announced this morning that Barack Obama will accept the party’s presidential nomination at Denver’s Invesco Field at Mile High. The stadium, home to the Denver Broncos, can accommodate more than 75,000 people. It will be the first convention acceptance speech in a stadium since JFK in 1960.
Awesome!
LA Times:
...although McCain admitted to TechCrunch's Michael Arrington that he was computer illiterate, the Arizona senator has a big name making the case that he's the right choice for the high-tech industry: former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina.
McCain knows the importance of technology to the economy and has an economic plan to encourage the type of innovation the industry thrives on, Fiorina said this morning in Washington, D.C......
My interpretation of this baloney--- John McCain can't turn on a computer, but he has been told about what computers do. Wow! Doesn't this just make you feel that McCain is unable to adapt to modern technology and that he is stuck in the past?
I hope that you've had the chance to read the latest Rolling Stone Magazine (the issue with Obama on the cover). The article is very informative about the Obama campaign. It also lets us in on the songs Obama has on his iPod. Does McCain know about iPods???? Check out the great picture from Rolling Stone taken by Peter Yang (notice the computers?).
Don't you think our country needs someone who is thinking forward? Wouldn't we feel more confident with a President who knows and understands modern technology? Is McCain's lack of computer knowledge because he has refused to learn? Does this show more about his mindset?
> Here are some tidbits from the Carpetbagger Report:
* As had been rumored, the DNC announced this morning that Barack Obama will accept the party’s presidential nomination at Denver’s Invesco Field at Mile High. The stadium, home to the Denver Broncos, can accommodate more than 75,000 people. It will be the first convention acceptance speech in a stadium since JFK in 1960.
* In the latest Gallup Daily Tracking poll, Obama has extended his national lead over John McCain to six points, 48% to 42%. The poll’s three-day rolling average was collected on July 2, 3, and 5.
Awesome!
Taking A Look
> Did you notice that Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his wife went to church this weekend? The Washington Post noticed. Apparently, the McCains are not regular church-goers.
> The next time you see a picture of John and Cindy McCain together, look at Mrs. McCain's face. She appears nervous and very guarded with her emotions. Is she afraid to say/do something that will irritate her husband? McCain seems very tense with his wife. What's with that? Is this part of his "anger management" issues???
> The Republicans say McCain is pro-environment. However, according Project Vote Smart, McCain's environmental record is awful. Check it out here.
> The next time you see a picture of John and Cindy McCain together, look at Mrs. McCain's face. She appears nervous and very guarded with her emotions. Is she afraid to say/do something that will irritate her husband? McCain seems very tense with his wife. What's with that? Is this part of his "anger management" issues???
> The Republicans say McCain is pro-environment. However, according Project Vote Smart, McCain's environmental record is awful. Check it out here.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
John McCain Did Not Support the New G.I. Bill
The other day I saw President Bush thank John McCain and others for the passage of the New G.I. Bill. I almost fell off my chair. Bush and McCain had both been against the bill and had worked vigorously to stop the bill from passage. Bush had also threatened to veto the bill. McCain had offered an alternative but it was weak and not much different from what was already in force. Then, McCain did not even show up to vote in favor of the bill!
The real person to thank is Democratic Sen. Jim Webb. Sen. Webb started to lay the groundwork for the New G.I. Bill even before he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Bush and McCain did nothing to help.
Isn't just like Bush to give credit to someone who doesn't even deserve it? Remember--- 'Heck of a job, Brownie'???? While President Bush and Sen. John McCain promote endless war, they've done little to help the new vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
>Votevets.org has started a petition to Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark. Here is what Vote Vets says:
On Sunday, June 29, General Wesley Clark put into perspective what it takes to lead our nation’s military and veterans – the right judgment. In doing so, he pointed out, quite correctly, that Senator John McCain’s honorable and heroic experience does not necessarily qualify him to be commander in chief, if he does not show the right judgment on the major issues of our time. Sign our petition to General Clark, below, thanking him for speaking honestly and bluntly at this most important time....
(Note: There is another organization that claims to speak for vets (Vets for Freedom), but it is a pro-Bush, pro-endless war, pro-McCain group that was set up by Republicans.)
It is all about judgment. Why does McCain support the failed policies of the Bush administration? Do we want four more years of the Bush administration? I don't think so.
The real person to thank is Democratic Sen. Jim Webb. Sen. Webb started to lay the groundwork for the New G.I. Bill even before he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Bush and McCain did nothing to help.
Isn't just like Bush to give credit to someone who doesn't even deserve it? Remember--- 'Heck of a job, Brownie'???? While President Bush and Sen. John McCain promote endless war, they've done little to help the new vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
>Votevets.org has started a petition to Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark. Here is what Vote Vets says:
On Sunday, June 29, General Wesley Clark put into perspective what it takes to lead our nation’s military and veterans – the right judgment. In doing so, he pointed out, quite correctly, that Senator John McCain’s honorable and heroic experience does not necessarily qualify him to be commander in chief, if he does not show the right judgment on the major issues of our time. Sign our petition to General Clark, below, thanking him for speaking honestly and bluntly at this most important time....
(Note: There is another organization that claims to speak for vets (Vets for Freedom), but it is a pro-Bush, pro-endless war, pro-McCain group that was set up by Republicans.)
It is all about judgment. Why does McCain support the failed policies of the Bush administration? Do we want four more years of the Bush administration? I don't think so.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Special Tribute
Last night, I attended the retirement party of Dr. Ralph Roach. Dr. Roach is leaving the Zangmeister Center (Mid-Ohio Oncology-Hematology) to work closer to home in Chillicothe, Ohio. Many friends and family attended the special tribute for Dr. Roach, including Jorma Kaukonen.
Jorma Kaukonen is an original member of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the the special concert presented by Jorma, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jorma resides in Pomeroy, Ohio, at the Fur Peace Ranch, where he offers concerts and guitar fantasy camps. (Jorma and his staff are doing some special programs to help returning Iraq/Afghanistan vets.)
Dr. Roach has touched so many lives and it was only fitting that his colleagues and staff honor him with an unforgettable party and concert.
Jorma Kaukonen is an original member of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the the special concert presented by Jorma, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jorma resides in Pomeroy, Ohio, at the Fur Peace Ranch, where he offers concerts and guitar fantasy camps. (Jorma and his staff are doing some special programs to help returning Iraq/Afghanistan vets.)
Dr. Roach has touched so many lives and it was only fitting that his colleagues and staff honor him with an unforgettable party and concert.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
The McCain Home Tour
There is a video posted at the Huffington Post which provides a Google Earth tour of some of John and Cindy McCain's homes. The Jed Report put together the video. Check it out:
Monday, June 30, 2008
McCain is "aware of the internet"
The video below really makes me wonder about Republican John McCain. McCain, according to one of his staffers, is "aware of the internet." Wow! He is "aware of the internet." Senator McCain has been in the U.S. Senate for years. U.S. Senators carry a Blackberry, use computers, send/receive e-mails, send/receive faxes, use voice mail, etc., etc. Is McCain "aware" of this technology? Can he use them? Does he open his own e-mail? Seriously, how can person be a "maverick" if they can't even use the internet? There are many people in their 80's and 90's that are using computers and surfing the internet. Has McCain refused to accept training to use a computer? Does this reluctance to embrace technology show us a stubborn-headed old man who is unwilling to learn and explore modern innovations? I think so.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Taxes? The McCains Owe Back Taxes on One of their Homes????
I saw this story posted at HuffingtonPost. The story originated at Newsweek:
How embarrassing! With all the homes going into foreclosure, John and Cindy McCain have gotten by with not paying their taxes for years. I also like that line------"...owns at least seven properties, including condos in California and Arizona...." You really have to feel bad for them. They have so much money and property that they can't keep track of them.
When you're poor, it can be hard to pay the bills. When you're rich, it's hard to keep track of all the bills that need paying. It's a lesson Cindy McCain learned the hard way when NEWSWEEK raised questions about an overdue property-tax bill on a La Jolla, Calif., property owned by a trust that she oversees. Mrs. McCain is a beer heiress with an estimated $100 million fortune and, along with her husband, she owns at least seven properties, including condos in California and Arizona.
San Diego County officials, it turns out, have been sending out tax notices on the La Jolla property, an oceanfront condo, for four years without receiving a response. County records show the bills, which were mailed to a Phoenix address associated with Mrs. McCain's trust, were returned by the post office. According to a McCain campaign aide, who requested anonymity when discussing a private matter, an elderly aunt of Mrs. McCain's lives in the condo, and the bank that manages the trust has not been receiving tax bills on the property. Shortly after NEWSWEEK inquired about the matter, the McCain aide e-mailed a receipt dated Friday, June 27, confirming payment by the trust to San Diego County in the amount of $6,744.42. County officials say the trust still owes an additional $1,742 for this year, an amount that is overdue and will go into default July 1......How embarrassing! With all the homes going into foreclosure, John and Cindy McCain have gotten by with not paying their taxes for years. I also like that line------"...owns at least seven properties, including condos in California and Arizona...." You really have to feel bad for them. They have so much money and property that they can't keep track of them.
Code Words and Hypocrites
The Republicans have tried and will continue to try to destroy Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic presidential candidate. The failures of the current Republican administration and the elected Republican lapdogs who obeyed the party line and agenda, have put our country at risk. The GOP can't come up with any new plans or ideas because the old, rich, white men that run the party still think they are living in the 1800's. The Republicans won't actually use racist words, but we all know what they mean.
Here are some examples of the "code words" and hypocrites of the Gas and Oil Party (GOP):
* Grover Norquist said that Barack Obama is "...John Kerry with a tan...." (UPI)
* Karl Rove calls Sen. Obama "arrogant". (Huffington Post)
* Republican Senators Larry Craig and David Vitter are co-sponsors of a marriage amendment. (Pageoneq)
Let me just explain if you haven't figured it out. Norquist and Rove want to remind you that Obama is African-American. Norquist and Rove will repeat it again and again. However, what Norquist and Rove don't understand is that this country was built on the hopes and dreams of people of many races and families, not just rich white people like them. If Norquist and Rove want to discuss policy, they should do it. Otherwise, Americans will not stand for their dirty, racist attacks.
Here are some examples of the "code words" and hypocrites of the Gas and Oil Party (GOP):
* Grover Norquist said that Barack Obama is "...John Kerry with a tan...." (UPI)
* Karl Rove calls Sen. Obama "arrogant". (Huffington Post)
* Republican Senators Larry Craig and David Vitter are co-sponsors of a marriage amendment. (Pageoneq)
Let me just explain if you haven't figured it out. Norquist and Rove want to remind you that Obama is African-American. Norquist and Rove will repeat it again and again. However, what Norquist and Rove don't understand is that this country was built on the hopes and dreams of people of many races and families, not just rich white people like them. If Norquist and Rove want to discuss policy, they should do it. Otherwise, Americans will not stand for their dirty, racist attacks.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Update: McCain in Cincinnati
According to the Zanesvilletimesrecorder, John McCain spoke to a "....about 160 undecided Hamilton County voters and a handful of Xavier students...." The reality is that although the Cincinnati area has been a strong Republican stronghold in the past, it seems that only "....only 160 undecided..." could be found and were willing to sit and listen to a "....72 minute forum....." Oh, my. I can imagine how exciting that ".....72 minute forum...." was for the participants. Yawn...... What about that ".....handful of Xavier students..." that attended? This was McCain's attempt to go after the youth vote and his staff could only muster up that ".....handful of Xavier students...."
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Desperate for Support?
The McCain campaign found 200 undecided young voters at Xavier University and forced them to listen to John McCain, according to WCPO. Do you realize how hard up McCain must be for support if he has to spend money and effort to speak to only 200 people? Are they that desperate?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tell Me, Please!
> Why does Minnesota have 3 weird Republicans (Coleman, Brod, Bachman) that are sooooooo in love with right wing policies and the current Bush administration?
> Haven't the people in Minnesota noticed that Norm Coleman has received over $1,000,000 from lobbyists (see Open Secrets)?
> Why does John McCain address people as "my friends" when he gives a speech? I'm not his friend.
> Why is John McCain against equal pay for women?
> Why do the people of South Korea want restrictions on American beef imports? Why have there been massive protests in So. Korea against American beef? (See KBS.) Is there something we aren't being told here?
> Haven't the people in Minnesota noticed that Norm Coleman has received over $1,000,000 from lobbyists (see Open Secrets)?
> Why does John McCain address people as "my friends" when he gives a speech? I'm not his friend.
> Why is John McCain against equal pay for women?
> Why do the people of South Korea want restrictions on American beef imports? Why have there been massive protests in So. Korea against American beef? (See KBS.) Is there something we aren't being told here?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Polls Show Some Surprises
I saw this polling information posted at 411mania.com and thought it was very interesting. Here are some excerpts:
-In Indiana, SurveyUSA has Obama BEATING McCain 48% to 47%! This is a state that Bush won by 21% in 2004 and was considered one of the safest Republican states in the country not too long ago....
- In New Mexico, SurveyUSA has Obama ahead of McCain 49% to 46%. Just about every poll of New Mexico done in the past few months has shown Obama leading and the state looks pretty safe for Obama right now.....
-- And in Michigan, PPP has Obama leading McCain comfortably, 48% to 39%. As expected, Obama is starting to solidfy himself in Michigan as he spends more time there.....
Have solidly Republican states like Indiana given up on McCain?
In a fresh new poll by Bloomberg/LA Times, Obama has a good lead over McCain. Bloomberg:
Democrat Barack Obama has opened a 15-point lead in the presidential race, and most of the political trends -- voter enthusiasm, views of President George W. Bush, the Republicans, the economy and the direction of the country -- point to even greater trouble for rival John McCain.
-In Indiana, SurveyUSA has Obama BEATING McCain 48% to 47%! This is a state that Bush won by 21% in 2004 and was considered one of the safest Republican states in the country not too long ago....
- In New Mexico, SurveyUSA has Obama ahead of McCain 49% to 46%. Just about every poll of New Mexico done in the past few months has shown Obama leading and the state looks pretty safe for Obama right now.....
-- And in Michigan, PPP has Obama leading McCain comfortably, 48% to 39%. As expected, Obama is starting to solidfy himself in Michigan as he spends more time there.....
Have solidly Republican states like Indiana given up on McCain?
In a fresh new poll by Bloomberg/LA Times, Obama has a good lead over McCain. Bloomberg:
Democrat Barack Obama has opened a 15-point lead in the presidential race, and most of the political trends -- voter enthusiasm, views of President George W. Bush, the Republicans, the economy and the direction of the country -- point to even greater trouble for rival John McCain.
Illinois Senator Obama, winning support from once skeptical women and Democrats, beats McCain 48 percent to 33 percent in a four-way race, a Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll shows. Independent candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader get 7 percent combined, with the remainder undecided.....
I'm glad that women are solidly supporting Obama. McCain, who does not support equal pay for women, wants to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
Bill Press Gets It Right
I don't know if you've had the opportunity to listen to the Bill Press Show on the radio. Here in Columbus, Ohio, the Bill Press Show is carried 6am-9am on WVKO 1580 (just before the very popular Stephanie Miller Show). Bill Press has a list of 101 Reasons to Vote Against John McCain. Here was today's reason, #77:
#77: John McCain is more of a game show host than a candidate, offering up gimmick after gimmick. First it was the gas tax holiday, but now - he wants taxpayers to give $300 million to whoever develops the next new electric battery. Too bad the Japanese are already five years ahead of the US in developing the next generation battery.
Is John McCain just a little behind the times in knowing what is out there in automobile technology? Besides, where would we get the money to give $300 million away to someone? Would it come out of McCain's pocket?
#77: John McCain is more of a game show host than a candidate, offering up gimmick after gimmick. First it was the gas tax holiday, but now - he wants taxpayers to give $300 million to whoever develops the next new electric battery. Too bad the Japanese are already five years ahead of the US in developing the next generation battery.
Is John McCain just a little behind the times in knowing what is out there in automobile technology? Besides, where would we get the money to give $300 million away to someone? Would it come out of McCain's pocket?
Monday, June 23, 2008
Trouble?
>>It appears that lobbyist and McCain adviser, Charlie Black, has some explaining to do. ABC News has this:
ABC News' Bret Hovell, Teddy Davis, and James Gerber Report: McCain adviser Charlie Black expressed regret Monday for telling Fortune Magazine that a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be "a big advantage" for the presumptive Republican nominee.
> With high prices in the grocery store, more people are shopping for food at the 99 cent stores. There is a blog devoted to cooking food found at the 99 cent stores. Check it out: http://the99centchef.blogspot.com/ and enjoy!
>>> Rest in peace, George Carlin. Thanks for the laughs.
ABC News' Bret Hovell, Teddy Davis, and James Gerber Report: McCain adviser Charlie Black expressed regret Monday for telling Fortune Magazine that a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be "a big advantage" for the presumptive Republican nominee.
"Certainly it would be a big advantage to him," Black told Fortune Magazine....
Hmmmm. Is Charlie Black hoping and praying for a terrorist attack on U.S. soil? Is the McCain campaign hoping that Americans get killed to increase the chances of McCain's election? This is so sad and outrageous.
> There are some interesting prices at the supermarket. I saw ice cream at my nearby store listed at a little more that $13 for a half gallon. You must really need ice cream to pay that amount. That particular brand of ice cream was about half that price several months ago.
> Yesterday after church I saw two other Smart Cars just like mine along Olentangy River Road. Looks like more and more drivers are getting their cars delivered.> With high prices in the grocery store, more people are shopping for food at the 99 cent stores. There is a blog devoted to cooking food found at the 99 cent stores. Check it out: http://the99centchef.blogspot.com/ and enjoy!
>>> Rest in peace, George Carlin. Thanks for the laughs.
War for Oil
Did the U.S. go to war in Iraq for oil?
NY Times:
.....Exxon Mobil, Shell, Total and BP — the original partners in the Iraq Petroleum Company — along with Chevron and a number of smaller oil companies, are in talks with Iraq’s Oil Ministry for no-bid contracts to service Iraq’s largest fields, according to ministry officials, oil company officials and an American diplomat.....
NY Times:
.....Exxon Mobil, Shell, Total and BP — the original partners in the Iraq Petroleum Company — along with Chevron and a number of smaller oil companies, are in talks with Iraq’s Oil Ministry for no-bid contracts to service Iraq’s largest fields, according to ministry officials, oil company officials and an American diplomat.....
.....The no-bid contracts are unusual for the industry, and the offers prevailed over others by more than 40 companies, including companies in Russia, China and India. The contracts, which would run for one to two years and are relatively small by industry standards, would nonetheless give the companies an advantage in bidding on future contracts in a country that many experts consider to be the best hope for a large-scale increase in oil production.
There was suspicion among many in the Arab world and among parts of the American public that the United States had gone to war in Iraq precisely to secure the oil wealth these contracts seek to extract. The Bush administration has said that the war was necessary to combat terrorism. It is not clear what role the United States played in awarding the contracts; there are still American advisers to Iraq’s Oil Ministry.....
As this was being announced, the Republicans, including old man John McCain, decided to push for off shore oil drilling. Was the GOP's big support of off shore oil drilling used to distract the public from the big oil contracts in Iraq? Were the Republicans trying to cover up the shenanigans of their best friends (and major contributors) the oil companies? Has this all been orchestrated by the White House and the Republicans to have McCain win the presidency and boost the campaigns of the GOPers?
No matter what we've been told, many Americans believe that the invasion of Iraq by the Bush administration had to do with oil, oil, oil.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Ohio GOP Having Difficulty
The Republicans seem unable to get a candidate to run against the Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General, Richard Cordray.
The Western Star:
First the big names dropped out, now even the unknowns are shying away from being the Republican nominee for attorney general.
The Western Star:
First the big names dropped out, now even the unknowns are shying away from being the Republican nominee for attorney general.
Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett said Thursday, June 19, that the party may scrap plans to nominate a candidate at the state meeting this weekend and will likely take more time to line up someone to run against Democrat Richard Cordray.
The Ohio Republican Party lost two more potential candidates this week when Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost and former state solicitor Doug Cole took their names out of contention. Well known Republicans Mike DeWine, Rob Portman and Betty Montgomery have taken their names out of consideration....
Cordray is very popular, efficient, and known for his honesty and integrity. Why are Republicans unable to get a candidate? Do Republicans only want to run for office if they are guaranteed a win? Have recent changes by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner make it harder for Ohio Republicans to control the election process? Just asking.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Buzz Off, Cindy McCain
Cindy McCain is attacking Michelle Obama??? Mrs. Cindy McCain should not start a war of words against Mrs. Michelle Obama.
Cindy McCain gave 2 recipes as her own, but they had been published by someone else. Just do a Google search using the terms "Cindy McCain drugs" and you'll find hundreds of thousands of references about Mrs. McCain's rumored drug problems.
I watched Cindy McCain when she appeared on The View. She almost appeared life-like. Michelle Obama was on The View yesterday and she was engaging, intelligent, and very warm.
I sincerely hope that Cindy McCain's attack on Michelle Obama is not indicative of the way the McCain machine proposes to run their campaign.
Cindy McCain gave 2 recipes as her own, but they had been published by someone else. Just do a Google search using the terms "Cindy McCain drugs" and you'll find hundreds of thousands of references about Mrs. McCain's rumored drug problems.
I watched Cindy McCain when she appeared on The View. She almost appeared life-like. Michelle Obama was on The View yesterday and she was engaging, intelligent, and very warm.
I sincerely hope that Cindy McCain's attack on Michelle Obama is not indicative of the way the McCain machine proposes to run their campaign.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Off Shore Drilling?
The McClatchy Washington Bureau has this:
President Bush proposed Wednesday to allow drilling off U.S. coastlines as part of a plan to boost oil supplies, but his plan is likely to go nowhere because of a reluctant Democratic-majority Congress, which fears environmental costs.
President Bush proposed Wednesday to allow drilling off U.S. coastlines as part of a plan to boost oil supplies, but his plan is likely to go nowhere because of a reluctant Democratic-majority Congress, which fears environmental costs.
Even if U.S. coastal waters were opened to exploration, experts agree that it would take at least seven and probably 10 years before any benefits were apparent....
....Bush could have taken a bolder step by overturning a 10-year-old executive order that bans drilling off most U.S. shores. But he said he wouldn't do that because he wanted Congress to act first....
Have you noticed that the Republicans, now called the Gas and Oil Party (GOP), are willing to ruin our sea shores, our waterways, and our forests but they won't do anything to penalize their buddies in the gas and oil industry?
Even Gov. Charlie Crist, the Republican governor of Florida, has flip-flopped on drilling off the coast of Florida. Herald-Tribune:
Gov. Charlie Crist welcomed a new era of possible oil and gas drilling off Florida's coast in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, marking a significant reversal from his own position amid rising gas prices....
....Crist made his comments after Republican presidential candidate John McCain said he supported lifting the federal moratorium on offshore drilling and allow each state to make that decision. Crist has campaigned heavily with McCain amid rumors that the Florida governor could be a vice presidential candidate.
As recently as last week, Crist said he opposed drilling near Florida's coast. And his opposition was clear in a 2006 letter to the U.S. Interior Department while he was attorney general.....
Even though the Republicans are willing to drill anywhere and everywhere, they have not mentioned conservation or trying new technology to use less oil/gas. The Republicans just want to make sure that their buddies in oil and gas make even more money. While those oil/gas billionaires are enjoying their money and the protection of the entire Republican Party, the Republicans wait for the oil/gas gravy train of political contributions to fall into their campaign war chests.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
McCain
OMG!!! John McCain now cares about the environment!!!! Even though McCain has either skipped votes or voted against issues to protect the environment, McCain says he supports clean air and water. Here is what American Progress Action has about McCain's support of environmental issues:
McCain Receives "0" on League of Conservation Voters 2007 Scorecard. The League of Conservation Voters rates senators and representatives on the most critical environmental votes, with scores ranging from 100 – voting with the environment every time – to 0 for voting against the environment on every vote. Absences count as a vote against the environment since the legislator did not cast a vote for the environment. In 2007, Sen. McCain missed all 15 critical environmental votes in the Senate, so he received a "0." [LCV, 2/08]
McCain Receives "0" on League of Conservation Voters 2007 Scorecard. The League of Conservation Voters rates senators and representatives on the most critical environmental votes, with scores ranging from 100 – voting with the environment every time – to 0 for voting against the environment on every vote. Absences count as a vote against the environment since the legislator did not cast a vote for the environment. In 2007, Sen. McCain missed all 15 critical environmental votes in the Senate, so he received a "0." [LCV, 2/08]
McCain Opposes Three Fourths of Environmental Votes. Sen. McCain has a lifetime LCV score of 24 percent. Even if one excludes his 2007 missed votes, his lifetime score only rises to 26 percent. [LCV Scorecard, 2007, LCV Scorecard 2006]
McCain Accepted $291,658 from Big Oil in 2007. On average, senators voting for big oil tax breaks and against incentives for renewable energy and efficiency in 2007 received $195,973 in campaign donations from the oil industry during this decade....
Did you get that? McCain got $291,658 just in 2007 from Big Oil. Wow!
>>> Have you noticed that the McCain campaign is using some of the same words that the Bush-Cheney campaign used to attack Kerry in 2004? So not only has McCain aligned himself with Bush-Cheney policies, he is using the same attack words.
Fox News (June 17, 2008):
John McCain’s advisers accused Barack Obama Tuesday of suffering a ‘September 10th mindset’ for suggesting that the prosecutions of the 1993 World Trade Center bombers were the best approach for dealing with terror suspects....
"It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today, on Nov. 2, we make the right choice," Mr. Cheney told a crowd of 350 people in Des Moines, "because if we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we'll get hit again and we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States."
He also said if Mr. Kerry was elected the nation risked lapsing to a "pre-9/11 mind-set'' where attacks are viewed as criminal acts, not part of a war against terrorism....
Can the McCain campaign come up with an original idea or do they just have to rely on the same Bush-Cheney policies and campaign rhetoric? Somewhere inside the McCain campaign, the Bush-Cheney campaign speeches and policy statements are being dusted off for use by McCain. How can McCain say he is an agent of change when he uses the same old Bush-Cheney vocabulary list?
Tuesday's Notes
If you are looking for something completely silly, you must watch an ad for Republican Sen. John Cornyn called "Big John" at http://senjohncornyn.blip.tv/#997209. Even though the Cornyn ad said he supported the troops, Cornyn voted against the new G.I. Bill. The Cornyn ad could be called a bunch of hooey.
>Raw Story has information about another John McCain "anger management" moment. I suggest that the press start doing their job and begin asking more tough questions of McCain.
>>> Looks like another Army official got the boot because he refused to give KBR a pass. NY Times:
The Army official who managed the Pentagon’s largest contract in Iraq says he was ousted from his job when he refused to approve paying more than $1 billion in questionable charges to KBR, the Houston-based company that has provided food, housing and other services to American troops.
>Raw Story has information about another John McCain "anger management" moment. I suggest that the press start doing their job and begin asking more tough questions of McCain.
>>> Looks like another Army official got the boot because he refused to give KBR a pass. NY Times:
The Army official who managed the Pentagon’s largest contract in Iraq says he was ousted from his job when he refused to approve paying more than $1 billion in questionable charges to KBR, the Houston-based company that has provided food, housing and other services to American troops.
The official, Charles M. Smith, was the senior civilian overseeing the multibillion-dollar contract with KBR during the first two years of the war. Speaking out for the first time, Mr. Smith said that he was forced from his job in 2004 after informing KBR officials that the Army would impose escalating financial penalties if they failed to improve their chaotic Iraqi operations.
Army auditors had determined that KBR lacked credible data or records for more than $1 billion in spending, so Mr. Smith refused to sign off on the payments to the company. “They had a gigantic amount of costs they couldn’t justify,” he said in an interview. “Ultimately, the money that was going to KBR was money being taken away from the troops, and I wasn’t going to do that.”
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Keeping Tabs
It appears that many Greek Americans are not very happy with Republican presidential candidate, John McCain.
Greek News:
Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain failed the expectations of the Greek Orthodox faithful in the United after declining to answer a question on his refusal to cosign a letter to President Bush, on the religious freedom in Turkey and the protection of the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.....
Greek News:
Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain failed the expectations of the Greek Orthodox faithful in the United after declining to answer a question on his refusal to cosign a letter to President Bush, on the religious freedom in Turkey and the protection of the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.....
While McCain was posing with Archbishop Demetrios, a reporter with a Greek-language media outlet fired a question at the senator, asking why he did not sign a letter a year and a half ago in which 73 other senators -- including Obama -- urged President George W. Bush to publicly support religious freedom for a Greek Orthodox minority living in Istanbul, Turkey.
McCain declined to answer directly, saying the matter was under discussion. "Obviously we are in favor of religious freedom all over the world, especially those places where it seems to be about to disappear," he said, before declining further questions....
McCain will get the photo op, but the real meat of the matter is that McCain has not supported an issue that is important to Greek Americans.
> Republicans Jean Schmidt (OH-2) and Steve Chabot (OH-1) are begging for campaign contributions and making up tall tales. Cincinnati Enquirer:
As political candidates often do, U.S. Reps. Jean Schmidt and Steve Chabot sent out fundraising letters recently, urging supporters to send them donations.
But these letters also attack their Democratic opponents in ways that seem to stretch the truth - with Schmidt accusing her opponent of participating in "grotesque medical experiments" and Chabot suggesting his opponent supports abortion, though he is anti-abortion.
Both Republicans said they stand by the letters, but political analysts say the harsh tone is a sign that Schmidt and Chabot know they are vulnerable....
According to Open Secrets, Schmidt has only $176,670 on hand. Ouch! For an incumbent, that is just plain poor. With the Republicans unable to fund their congressional candidates, will Schmidt even be able to fund a full campaign?
Chabot has just slightly over one million dollars in his campaign fund (see Open Secrets). However, Chabot's strong support of George W. Bush's policies may have made him unpopular among voters.
>Democratic Underground found a video of Sen. Obama helping out in Iowa. Sen. Obama helped fill some sandbags in flood ravaged Iowa. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARt-OJKKfQY
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The View from North Carolina
We are spending a few days in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Although there are high gasoline prices, lots of people seem to remain in love with their large SUV’s and mammoth pick up trucks. There are quite a number of Buckeye fans here enjoying the heat.
While in North Carolina, I’ve seen several political campaign ads for Elizabeth Dole. Despite the fact that she has been ranked as one of the least effective U.S. Senators, you’d never know it by her commercials. Also, the camera never really shows a close up of Libby Dole. Is the candidate trying to hide her age?
Yesterday on CNN, Dick Armey, former Republican office holder, said that Sen. Obama was just giving speeches and “bs-ing” his way around the country. (Yes, Dick Armey said "bs-ing.") Shame on Armey and the Republicans. The GOP cannot and will not offer real answers/solutions, so they just attack Sen. Obama.
Meanwhile, old man McCain is giving “press announcements” about various topics and the press is giving him free publicity. McCain doesn’t have enough money to launch a full campaign and so he has to depend on the press to do his ads.
I finally saw one McCain bumper sticker. However, I have seen plenty of Obama stickers. In a state where so many citizens have ties to the military, you'd think that there would be many more McCain stickers. Perhaps even here, people are looking for new solutions and fresh perspectives.
Although there are high gasoline prices, lots of people seem to remain in love with their large SUV’s and mammoth pick up trucks. There are quite a number of Buckeye fans here enjoying the heat.
While in North Carolina, I’ve seen several political campaign ads for Elizabeth Dole. Despite the fact that she has been ranked as one of the least effective U.S. Senators, you’d never know it by her commercials. Also, the camera never really shows a close up of Libby Dole. Is the candidate trying to hide her age?
Yesterday on CNN, Dick Armey, former Republican office holder, said that Sen. Obama was just giving speeches and “bs-ing” his way around the country. (Yes, Dick Armey said "bs-ing.") Shame on Armey and the Republicans. The GOP cannot and will not offer real answers/solutions, so they just attack Sen. Obama.
Meanwhile, old man McCain is giving “press announcements” about various topics and the press is giving him free publicity. McCain doesn’t have enough money to launch a full campaign and so he has to depend on the press to do his ads.
I finally saw one McCain bumper sticker. However, I have seen plenty of Obama stickers. In a state where so many citizens have ties to the military, you'd think that there would be many more McCain stickers. Perhaps even here, people are looking for new solutions and fresh perspectives.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Pay For Your Own Poll
A recent poll conducted on behalf of Mary Jo Kilroy, Democratic candidate for Ohio's 15th congressional district, indicated that Kilroy had a substantial lead over Republican, Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist. However, according to PolitickerOH, Stivers' campaign manager wants Kilroy to release the entire poll.
Polls and surveys cost big, big money. The Stivers camp should pay for their own poll. Why should Kilroy give free information to her opponent???? That is ridiculous!
One thing I did hear about the poll was that when it was mentioned that Stivers was a former bank lobbyist, his approval rating went way down. I can understand that. In these difficult economic times, we don't need someone in Washington who feels sympathy for banks and bankers.
***** I saw this over at Democratic Underground and thought you'd appreciate it. It appears that Sen. John McCain wants ".....to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies...."
See it on You Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DqR7zis99I
Polls and surveys cost big, big money. The Stivers camp should pay for their own poll. Why should Kilroy give free information to her opponent???? That is ridiculous!
One thing I did hear about the poll was that when it was mentioned that Stivers was a former bank lobbyist, his approval rating went way down. I can understand that. In these difficult economic times, we don't need someone in Washington who feels sympathy for banks and bankers.
***** I saw this over at Democratic Underground and thought you'd appreciate it. It appears that Sen. John McCain wants ".....to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies...."
See it on You Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DqR7zis99I
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
The Power to Lead
Last night I watched two speeches. One speech was given by Republican candidate for president, Sen. John McCain. The second speech was given by Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic candidate for president.
First, McCain was introduced by Gov. Bobby Jindal. (Jindal is the Louisiana governor who favors teaching "intelligent design" in public schools. Seriously, he does.) McCain's speech was given in Louisiana, which is the site of the second biggest failure of the Bush administration. In my opinion, the Iraq War is the number one failure. While watching McCain speak, I recalled how he was sharing a birthday cake with President Bush at the same time that people were floating in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
McCain's speech was as about as exciting at staring at linoleum. He thought he was cool and making some points, but he only looked wooden, old, and dull. I bet there were at least a couple hundred of people in that auditorium to hear McCain repeat his version of the Bush agenda. According to what I heard on TV this morning, McCain used the word "change" 33 times. What delusional person thinks that John McCain represents change?
In contrast, the speech given by Sen. Barack Obama, was inspiring. You could see the emotions in the faces of the 17,000+ people in his enthusiastic audience. Obama's speech will be one that will be quoted and repeated for many years to come. Obama has the power to lead. His speech, which he wrote, let all Americans see that we have the ability to embrace a better America like the one our founding fathers (and mothers!) designed for us.
I'd give McCain a "C-" for his speech. Obama would definitely receive an "A+" for his.
First, McCain was introduced by Gov. Bobby Jindal. (Jindal is the Louisiana governor who favors teaching "intelligent design" in public schools. Seriously, he does.) McCain's speech was given in Louisiana, which is the site of the second biggest failure of the Bush administration. In my opinion, the Iraq War is the number one failure. While watching McCain speak, I recalled how he was sharing a birthday cake with President Bush at the same time that people were floating in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
McCain's speech was as about as exciting at staring at linoleum. He thought he was cool and making some points, but he only looked wooden, old, and dull. I bet there were at least a couple hundred of people in that auditorium to hear McCain repeat his version of the Bush agenda. According to what I heard on TV this morning, McCain used the word "change" 33 times. What delusional person thinks that John McCain represents change?
In contrast, the speech given by Sen. Barack Obama, was inspiring. You could see the emotions in the faces of the 17,000+ people in his enthusiastic audience. Obama's speech will be one that will be quoted and repeated for many years to come. Obama has the power to lead. His speech, which he wrote, let all Americans see that we have the ability to embrace a better America like the one our founding fathers (and mothers!) designed for us.
I'd give McCain a "C-" for his speech. Obama would definitely receive an "A+" for his.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
What I've Learned
I've learned so much recently:
* People who own large SUVs are sad that the value of their vehicles have decreased by 10% and more. All I can say is, "I told you so."
* Dick Cheney disrespects people from West Virginia (even though he later apologized for his comment).
* Some people are ashamed that they've contributed money to the Bush-Cheney campaign. (We'll forgive you if you vote for Democrats.)
* Republican candidate for Ohio's 15th congressional district, Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, has not voiced his views on any issues. His website is so bland that a visitor cannot tell where he stands on any issues. (It was probably designed that way on purpose.) Is he for continuing the war in Iraq? Does he support privatizing social security like McCain? How does he plan to change our energy dependence on foreign oil? Does he favor a national health care plan? Does he support McCain's health insurance plan that would exclude people with pre-existing conditions? How has being a lobbyist helped him? If you compare Stivers' website with Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy's, you'll notice that Kilroy has published her views on important issues. Why won't Stivers state his views?
* Some Democrats who once supported Sen. Hillary Clinton have said they'd never vote for Sen. Obama for president. If Clinton supporters did vote for McCain, some predict that a woman's right to choose would be eliminated within one year by McCain stacking the Supreme Court. It is time for all Democrats to unite behind our candidate. Our nation needs all of us to make things better for ourselves and future generations. McCain would be just like having a third term for Bush-Cheney.
* People who own large SUVs are sad that the value of their vehicles have decreased by 10% and more. All I can say is, "I told you so."
* Dick Cheney disrespects people from West Virginia (even though he later apologized for his comment).
* Some people are ashamed that they've contributed money to the Bush-Cheney campaign. (We'll forgive you if you vote for Democrats.)
* Republican candidate for Ohio's 15th congressional district, Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, has not voiced his views on any issues. His website is so bland that a visitor cannot tell where he stands on any issues. (It was probably designed that way on purpose.) Is he for continuing the war in Iraq? Does he support privatizing social security like McCain? How does he plan to change our energy dependence on foreign oil? Does he favor a national health care plan? Does he support McCain's health insurance plan that would exclude people with pre-existing conditions? How has being a lobbyist helped him? If you compare Stivers' website with Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy's, you'll notice that Kilroy has published her views on important issues. Why won't Stivers state his views?
* Some Democrats who once supported Sen. Hillary Clinton have said they'd never vote for Sen. Obama for president. If Clinton supporters did vote for McCain, some predict that a woman's right to choose would be eliminated within one year by McCain stacking the Supreme Court. It is time for all Democrats to unite behind our candidate. Our nation needs all of us to make things better for ourselves and future generations. McCain would be just like having a third term for Bush-Cheney.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Real Dedication
This man had real dedication to his job and his invention (Enquirer):
Dr. Fredric J. Baur was so proud of having designed the container for Pringles potato crisps that he asked his family to bury him in one.
Dr. Fredric J. Baur was so proud of having designed the container for Pringles potato crisps that he asked his family to bury him in one.
His children honored his request. Part of his remains was buried in a Pringles can - along with a regular urn containing the rest - in his grave at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Springfield Township.
Dr. Baur, a retired organic chemist and food storage technician who specialized in research and development and quality control for Procter & Gamble, died May 4 at Vitas Hospice. The College Hill resident was 89.....
I'll never look at a Pringles can the same way again.
(By the way, Dr. Baur had a master's degree and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Can you help?
The Holy Family Soup Kitchen in Columbus, Ohio, needs your help. Someone destroyed the refrigeration unit overnight, while stripping the unit of metal. The soup kitchen serves over 700 meals each day, Monday-Friday, to men, women, and children. Because of the vandalism, meals are unable to be served. If you can help, please contact them asap:
Holy Family Mailing Address:
Holy Family Church
584 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone Numbers:
Rectory - (614) 221-4323
Office Fax - (614) 221-9818
Soup Kitchen - (614) 461-9444
Email addresses:
Soup Kitchen - hfsoupkitchen@sbcglobal.net
Church - hchurch1@columbus.rr.com
If your office can take up a collection or you personally would like to help them, call one of the numbers listed above.
Update: Apparently, $14,000 worth of metal and refrigeration equipment was stolen from the Holy Family Soup Kitchen. They also lost several thousand dollars worth of food that was stored. Please help if you can.
Holy Family Mailing Address:
Holy Family Church
584 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone Numbers:
Rectory - (614) 221-4323
Office Fax - (614) 221-9818
Soup Kitchen - (614) 461-9444
Email addresses:
Soup Kitchen - hfsoupkitchen@sbcglobal.net
Church - hchurch1@columbus.rr.com
If your office can take up a collection or you personally would like to help them, call one of the numbers listed above.
Update: Apparently, $14,000 worth of metal and refrigeration equipment was stolen from the Holy Family Soup Kitchen. They also lost several thousand dollars worth of food that was stored. Please help if you can.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday...
> Another Ohioan has died in Iraq. Army Spc. Phillip Norris of Belle Valley, Ohio, was killed in Iraq. This brings a total of 169 Ohioans (ICasualties ) killed in Iraq.
> There is another article in the Dispatch about the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation scandal. However, not one mention of the fact that this massive scandal was under a Republican administration. The word "Republican" does not even appear in the article. How convenient! Leave it to the Dispatch to cover up the Republican scandals.
> It appears that the more Republican John McCain tries to explain why he did not support the New G.I. Bill, the more he appears out of touch with the challenges facing today's veterans. McCain's lack of support just seems plain cold.
> AOL News has a collection of polls that show that Republicans are in big, big trouble in November.
> It is embarrassing to have Sen. George Voinovich, a Republican, represent Ohio. Voinovich voted against the New G.I. Bill and is against any legislation to protect the environment. Shame.
> I've been told about a young man who was to end his time in the military next May. However, he has been notified that he is to prepare for a one year deployment in Iraq starting next April. Is this the way to run the military? Apparently, the Bush administration has pushed this "back door draft" scheme over and over again.
> There is another article in the Dispatch about the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation scandal. However, not one mention of the fact that this massive scandal was under a Republican administration. The word "Republican" does not even appear in the article. How convenient! Leave it to the Dispatch to cover up the Republican scandals.
> It appears that the more Republican John McCain tries to explain why he did not support the New G.I. Bill, the more he appears out of touch with the challenges facing today's veterans. McCain's lack of support just seems plain cold.
> AOL News has a collection of polls that show that Republicans are in big, big trouble in November.
> It is embarrassing to have Sen. George Voinovich, a Republican, represent Ohio. Voinovich voted against the New G.I. Bill and is against any legislation to protect the environment. Shame.
> I've been told about a young man who was to end his time in the military next May. However, he has been notified that he is to prepare for a one year deployment in Iraq starting next April. Is this the way to run the military? Apparently, the Bush administration has pushed this "back door draft" scheme over and over again.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Super Secret Fundraiser
What if you gave a party and no one came? That was the exact problem that the Republicans had. President Bush was to appear at a public venue for McCain. However, the McCain campaign could not sell enough tickets to use a large public venue. The event will be moved to a private home with only special "invited" guests. President Bush will appear with McCain, but the press will not be there to take photos. McCain seems to want it both ways. He needs Bush to raise money from the party faithful, but he doesn't want average Americans to see them together.
McCain has nothing new to offer the American people except a continuation of the the Iraq War and the same worn out policies of the Bush administration. Obama is our only chance to end the war in Iraq and bring new ideas to solving our problems.
McCain has nothing new to offer the American people except a continuation of the the Iraq War and the same worn out policies of the Bush administration. Obama is our only chance to end the war in Iraq and bring new ideas to solving our problems.
Friday, May 23, 2008
A Tribute to Lima Company
The Ohio Statehouse, located in downtown Columbus, now has a special memorial to Lima Company. Channel 10, WBNS-TV, has the paintings in a slideshow, the story about the memorial, and a video report. Here is an excerpt from 10TV's web page:
As 10 members of the Marine Reserve unit Lima Company prepare to return to Iraq, the company's fallen Marines and Navy corpsman are being honored through art.
As 10 members of the Marine Reserve unit Lima Company prepare to return to Iraq, the company's fallen Marines and Navy corpsman are being honored through art.
Columbus-based Lima Company made national headlines three years ago after 23 of its members -- 17 of whom were from Ohio -- died during a tour in Iraq, 10TV's Lindsey Seavert reported.....
....With that in mind, Westerville artist Anita Miller took her vision to canvas and honored the fallen men.
....With that in mind, Westerville artist Anita Miller took her vision to canvas and honored the fallen men.
Miller said it was a dream that inspired to her to paint life-sized portraits of the fallen members of Lima Company....
Below the portraits of the men are their boots.
This Memorial Day, let us remember all of those who have given their lives in service to our country.
For additional information about the Lima Company portraits, see the following links:
The Marine Corps Times
The Zanesville Times Recorder
The Columbus Dispatch
The Lima Company Memorial
According to The Ohio State House site, the portraits can be viewed Memorial Day through Veterans Day, weekdays 7am-6pm, and weekends 11am-5pm. (Note to teachers: There are lesson plans located in PDF form at the bottom of the Ohio State House webpage.)
Below the portraits of the men are their boots.
This Memorial Day, let us remember all of those who have given their lives in service to our country.
For additional information about the Lima Company portraits, see the following links:
The Marine Corps Times
The Zanesville Times Recorder
The Columbus Dispatch
The Lima Company Memorial
According to The Ohio State House site, the portraits can be viewed Memorial Day through Veterans Day, weekdays 7am-6pm, and weekends 11am-5pm. (Note to teachers: There are lesson plans located in PDF form at the bottom of the Ohio State House webpage.)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Veterans and Members of the Military: Take Note
Today the U.S. Senate passed the New G.I. Bill. Sen. Jim Webb, a former Secretary of the Navy, championed this bill. Unfortunately, Sen. John McCain, who has voiced opposition for this bill, did not vote because he was raising money in California. I guess he was too, too busy to really support the troops.
There were only 75 Senators who voted for the New G.I. Bill. Which Senators voted against the bill? I'm so glad you asked! Here are the names of those Senators who, when it comes down to it, did not vote to support the troops (U.S. Senate):
I can see Ohio's George Voinovich among the bunch. Did you notice that they are all Republicans and that they have all been big supporters of Bush's endless war? Shame on all of them.
There were only 75 Senators who voted for the New G.I. Bill. Which Senators voted against the bill? I'm so glad you asked! Here are the names of those Senators who, when it comes down to it, did not vote to support the troops (U.S. Senate):
| NAYs ---22 | ||
| Alexander (R-TN) Allard (R-CO) Barrasso (R-WY) Bennett (R-UT) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Cochran (R-MS) | Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Gregg (R-NH) | Hatch (R-UT) Kyl (R-AZ) Lugar (R-IN) McConnell (R-KY) Sessions (R-AL) Voinovich (R-OH) |
I can see Ohio's George Voinovich among the bunch. Did you notice that they are all Republicans and that they have all been big supporters of Bush's endless war? Shame on all of them.
A Barrel of Oil
A story in this morning's Columbus Dispatch states that oil has gone to $135 per barrel. That is incredible. However, the thing that I find even more amazing is that people continue to drive the massive SUV's. This is America and people have the right to pay $100 or more to fill up their gas tanks. I personally do not care how much money you wish to put into your gas tank. If you decided to buy a gas guzzler, do not whine about $4/gal. for gas.
There are many "experts" that are predicting that gasoline could go as high as $6/gal. Oil companies and their executives are enjoying their record profits. The rest of us are left trying to cope with the increases in food and other goods.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a timely article about how hybrid cars are becoming more attractive to buyers. Meanwhile, I'll see you on the freeway. I'm the one in the Honda Civic Hybrid getting 53mpg.
There are many "experts" that are predicting that gasoline could go as high as $6/gal. Oil companies and their executives are enjoying their record profits. The rest of us are left trying to cope with the increases in food and other goods.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a timely article about how hybrid cars are becoming more attractive to buyers. Meanwhile, I'll see you on the freeway. I'm the one in the Honda Civic Hybrid getting 53mpg.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Send An E-Mail Today
* Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Ted Kennedy and his family. You may send your get well wishes to:
http://www.tedkennedy.com
* The payday lending legislation passed the Ohio House of Representatives. Known as HB 545, this bill has already met approval with the Ohio Senate. It now goes to Gov. Strickland for his signature. Here are the names of the members of the Ohio House of Representatives who voted against a 28% interest rate for payday lenders (I guess they wanted to keep the interest rate at over 300%.):
Adams - R
Aslanides - R
Brinkman - R
Chandler - D
Coley - D
Combs - R
Core - R
Daniels - R
Domenick
Fessler - R
Gibbs - R
Goodwin - R
Hagan J. - R
Hite - R
Huffman - R
McGregor R - R
Mecklenborg - R
Miller - R
Reinhard - R
Setzer - R
Strahorn - D
Uecker - R
Wachtmann - R
White - R
Yuko - D
Zehringer - R
[Note: The source for the names comes from a group against these changes in payday lending, Citizens for Responsible Government in Ohio.]
To contact these member of the Ohio House, visit http://www.house.state.oh.us/jsps/Representatives.jsp to search for his/her e-mail address and telephone numbers.
Adams - R
Aslanides - R
Brinkman - R
Chandler - D
Coley - D
Combs - R
Core - R
Daniels - R
Domenick
Fessler - R
Gibbs - R
Goodwin - R
Hagan J. - R
Hite - R
Huffman - R
McGregor R - R
Mecklenborg - R
Miller - R
Reinhard - R
Setzer - R
Strahorn - D
Uecker - R
Wachtmann - R
White - R
Yuko - D
Zehringer - R
[Note: The source for the names comes from a group against these changes in payday lending, Citizens for Responsible Government in Ohio.]
To contact these member of the Ohio House, visit http://www.house.state.oh.us/jsps/Representatives.jsp to search for his/her e-mail address and telephone numbers.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
More Flip-Flops
Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, is doing more flip flops. The good people at Brave New Films are keeping track of McCain's flip flops with great accuracy. The new film is called The Real McCain 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c):
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Exactly!
The presidential campaigns are heating up. In one corner, we have a bright, young U.S. Senator from Illinois. In the other corner, we have an old, U.S. Senator with anger management problems, and old ideas given to him by his BFF (best friend forever), George W. Bush.
Bloomberg.com has some news about today's campaigning:
...Campaigning in Oregon today and South Dakota yesterday, Obama linked McCain, 71, to President George W. Bush's record on everything from gasoline prices and the war in Iraq to tax cuts for the wealthy ``that never trickle down to you.''
....During a town hall forum in Roseburg, Oregon, today, Obama defended his position that he would be willing to meet unconditionally with the leaders of hostile nations such as Iran during his first year in office.
Bloomberg.com has some news about today's campaigning:
...Campaigning in Oregon today and South Dakota yesterday, Obama linked McCain, 71, to President George W. Bush's record on everything from gasoline prices and the war in Iraq to tax cuts for the wealthy ``that never trickle down to you.''
....During a town hall forum in Roseburg, Oregon, today, Obama defended his position that he would be willing to meet unconditionally with the leaders of hostile nations such as Iran during his first year in office.
``If George Bush and John McCain have a problem with direct diplomacy led by the United States then they can explain why they have a problem with John F. Kennedy because that's what he did with Khrushchev,'' said Obama, referring to the former Soviet leader....
I guess the Republicans have forgotten that JFK met with Khrushchev, Nixon met with Mao in '72, Reagan met with Gorbachev in 1985. Were they talking or appeasing? Is it just that the Republicans and McCain have run out of ideas? The Republicans are pathetic.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Out of Touch
Republican Rep. Tom Davis (VA-11th) is in big trouble. The Huffington Post has it:
In a 20-page memo on GOP electoral woes, Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) repeatedly misspells Barack Obama's name - it's one R, congressman, not two -- and then manages to use the racially charged term "tar baby" in a paragraph about Obama and immigration.
"Remember," Davis writes, "Hispanic voters are a swing group in this election and future elections. John McCain, being from a border state, may be out of sync with many Republicans but he has standing among Hispanics. Barrack Obama has not made the sale to Hispanic voters. Thus, this issue is a tar baby for anyone who touches it, with land mines everywhere."
Davis, who can be contacted at Phone: (202) 225-1492 Fax: (202) 225-3071, should be ashamed of himself. Davis is blaming Sen. Obama and the Democrats for the failings of the Republican Party. Republicans can't even raise enough money to support their candidates. The Republican Party is out of ideas and concerned only with the millionaires and their tax breaks and continuing the mess of the Bush administration. The American public has recognized the Republican Party for what is really is---- out of touch with real Americans.
>>Yesterday, Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, talked about global warming as if he just discovered it. McCain's proposal about global warming does not go far enough. As a matter of fact, it might be fair to say that McCain's plans to reduce global warming are simplistic and insufficient.
Meanwhile, McCain's multi-millionaire wife, Cindy McCain, has sold off some investment in war-torn Sudan, according to the Washington Post and Huffington Post. By the way, she still hasn't released her tax returns. (Remember the demands the Republicans made of Theresa Heinz Kerry in 2004? How come they are not making the same calls for Cindy's tax returns????)
* If you see lots of old white people downtown Columbus this morning, be warned: McCain is scheduled to speak in Columbus at 10AM at the convention center. I wonder if he flew on his wife's private plane again.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
What is the matter with Joe Lieberman?
Recent news stories concerning quotes from Sen. Joe Lieberman have really been strange. What is the matter with Lieberman? He seems to have abandoned any connection he once had with the Democratic Party so that he can serve his master, John McCain. Lieberman accompanied McCain on a tour to Iraq where he famously wore a helmet and bulletproof vest. Lieberman corrected McCain when he confused Sunnis and Shiites. Now Lieberman has been attacking Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, with lies and innuendo. I think it is time to remove Lieberman from any leadership positions that he holds in the U.S. Senate. He has sold his soul to McCain and the Republican Party.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Bush and McCain
>> Confirmed! A McCain presidency would indeed be a third Bush term!!!!!! Crooks and Liars has the interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer and Republican Minority Whip Roy Blunt. Here is a small piece of the interview:
There you have it----- A vote for McCain is a vote to continue the policies of George W. Bush (and we know how well that's gone!!!!!) Check Crooks and Liars for the video.
* The New York Times has an article about Missouri Republicans' latest proposal---- voters must prove citizenship:
....Sponsors of the amendment — which requires the approval of voters to go into effect, possibly in an August referendum — say it is part of an effort to prevent illegal immigrants from affecting the political process. Critics say the measure could lead to the disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of legal residents who would find it difficult to prove their citizenship.
BLITZER: So it would be in effect a third Bush term when it came to pro-growth tax policies?
BLUNT: It would be. I think it would be. And I think that’s a good thing....There you have it----- A vote for McCain is a vote to continue the policies of George W. Bush (and we know how well that's gone!!!!!) Check Crooks and Liars for the video.
* The New York Times has an article about Missouri Republicans' latest proposal---- voters must prove citizenship:
....Sponsors of the amendment — which requires the approval of voters to go into effect, possibly in an August referendum — say it is part of an effort to prevent illegal immigrants from affecting the political process. Critics say the measure could lead to the disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of legal residents who would find it difficult to prove their citizenship.
Voting experts say the Missouri amendment represents the next logical step for those who have supported stronger voter ID requirements and the next battleground in how elections are conducted. Similar measures requiring proof of citizenship are being considered in at least 19 state legislatures. Bills in Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma and South Carolina have strong support. But only in Missouri does the requirement have a chance of taking effect before the presidential election.....
....The Missouri secretary of state, Robin Carnahan, a Democrat who opposes the measure, estimated that it could disenfranchise up to 240,000 registered voters who would be unable to prove their citizenship.....
I bet you have already guessed that the Republican Party of Missouri is behind this measure. In my opinion, it is their way to cut off Democrats at the voting booth.
--- McCain is trying to attract young voters. That should be a difficult task.
AP: He's a Republican, for starters. He describes himself as "older than dirt." And he makes no apology for an Iraq war that is especially unpopular on college campuses.
Doesn't sound like a recipe for winning the hearts of young voters. And yet John McCain has vowed to make a serious play for the 18- to 29-year-old crowd that's often identified with "Obama-mania."
Many young people believe that McCain is part of the past. Obama represents the future.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Take a Closer Look
>> John McCain's endorsements from extreme right wing ministers scares me. Rev. Rod Parsley of central Ohio, routinely invites extremists like Ann Coulter and Oliver North to speak at his church. Parsley's sermons attacking Muslims and gays just makes me sick. I thought that ministers were to preach about God's love. Rev. Hagee, who insults Catholics with his sermons, is not someone who I'd look to for spiritual guidance. However, McCain looks to these crazy guys for advice???? Would a President McCain allow either of these reverends in the White House even though they attack various Americans like Muslims, Catholics, gays, and others? I think that McCain's ties to these lunatic ministers should make us question his ability to be an inclusive President. Check out this video about McCain.
>> Looks like someone has been working hard to fill his own pockets. Here is another amazing story about a greedy Republican. U.S. News:
Shelby's Ties To Mortgage Industry Noted On its front page, the New York Times reports in a front page story that GOP Sen. Richard C. Shelby "has made millions as a title insurance executive, landlord and real estate developer." Now, with "the mortgage mess fueling a national economic slowdown," he "has more say over the revamping of housing finance laws than almost anyone else in Congress." But "over the years, his critics say, Mr. Shelby's ties to the mortgage industry and the Alabama real estate market, and the generous campaign donations he receives from financial services companies, have distorted his perspective and led him to delay critical legislative remedies."
Shelby is making bundles of money while people in Alabama and the rest of the country lose their homes. I guess some people might describe his behavior and legislative actions as pure greed. Shame on Shelby!
>> Looks like someone has been working hard to fill his own pockets. Here is another amazing story about a greedy Republican. U.S. News:
Shelby's Ties To Mortgage Industry Noted On its front page, the New York Times reports in a front page story that GOP Sen. Richard C. Shelby "has made millions as a title insurance executive, landlord and real estate developer." Now, with "the mortgage mess fueling a national economic slowdown," he "has more say over the revamping of housing finance laws than almost anyone else in Congress." But "over the years, his critics say, Mr. Shelby's ties to the mortgage industry and the Alabama real estate market, and the generous campaign donations he receives from financial services companies, have distorted his perspective and led him to delay critical legislative remedies."
Shelby is making bundles of money while people in Alabama and the rest of the country lose their homes. I guess some people might describe his behavior and legislative actions as pure greed. Shame on Shelby!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Indiana & Stuff
>>>> Update on the vote count in Indiana:
With one more precinct to go, WISH-TV8 has the new voting totals: Clinton leads Obama by 14,413 votes.
> According to what I've seen at WISH-TV8 in Indianapolis, Sen. Hillary Clinton won the presidential primary by only 18,439 votes AND all of the votes have not been counted. With 5224 of 5230 precincts reporting, the count appears to be still going on in Indiana.
> The other day, Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, suggested that the world community needs a "League of Nations." Hmmmm. Has McCain been talking to the ghost of President Woodrow Wilson? Americablog has the video. Is this McCain really know what he is talking about?
> Voters should be aware that the election is really a referendum on the war. If you want to keep the Bush Iraq war going for 4, 8, and possibly 100 years, vote for McCain. If you are ready for an end to the war and want to bring the military home, vote for the Democratic presidential candidate.
With one more precinct to go, WISH-TV8 has the new voting totals: Clinton leads Obama by 14,413 votes.
> According to what I've seen at WISH-TV8 in Indianapolis, Sen. Hillary Clinton won the presidential primary by only 18,439 votes AND all of the votes have not been counted. With 5224 of 5230 precincts reporting, the count appears to be still going on in Indiana.
> The other day, Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, suggested that the world community needs a "League of Nations." Hmmmm. Has McCain been talking to the ghost of President Woodrow Wilson? Americablog has the video. Is this McCain really know what he is talking about?
> Voters should be aware that the election is really a referendum on the war. If you want to keep the Bush Iraq war going for 4, 8, and possibly 100 years, vote for McCain. If you are ready for an end to the war and want to bring the military home, vote for the Democratic presidential candidate.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Ohio Politics
You may know that there is a push to put a casino in Ohio. Previous attempts at bringing casino gambling to Ohio have failed in the past, but this time the backers are pushing hard and are in tight with the Ohio GOP. The casino developers have already picked out a location for a future casino, and it is in the home district of a very powerful Ohio Republican. Also, IF the casino gambling referendum passes, it might be worth seeing exactly which construction company gets the job to build the casino. Will it be the friend and major campaign contributor to a powerful Republican?
Right now, the Ohio Attorney General, Marc Dann, is under a lot of pressure to resign because of scandals in his office. Of course, Kevin Dewine, the Republican slime machine, is promising to smear Dann and every Democrat in the universe. It is good to know that Kevin Dewine and the Ohio Republicans cannot solve school funding or bring jobs to Ohio, but they certainly can put in extra efforts to smear people.
Right now, the Ohio Attorney General, Marc Dann, is under a lot of pressure to resign because of scandals in his office. Of course, Kevin Dewine, the Republican slime machine, is promising to smear Dann and every Democrat in the universe. It is good to know that Kevin Dewine and the Ohio Republicans cannot solve school funding or bring jobs to Ohio, but they certainly can put in extra efforts to smear people.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
What Makes A Nation
Sen. Obama gave a speech today and here are some excerpts as reported at First Read MSNBC:
....The senator closed his speech by invoking another politician, who gained fame in his youth, to whom he has been compared, Robert Kennedy. Kennedy said 40 years ago in his Indiana campaign and Obama repeated, “Income and education and homes do not make a nation. Nor do land and borders. Shared ideals and principles, joined purposes and hopes -- these make a nation. And that is our great task....”
"That’s why the only way a black man named Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii, and started his career on the streets of Chicago, is standing before you today,” Obama said, “and that’s the only way I can win this race -- if you decide that you’ve had enough of the way things are; if you decide if you decide that this election is bigger than flag pins or sniper fire or the comments of a former pastor -- bigger than the differences between what we look like or where we come from or what party we belong to.....”
“In the face of all cynicism, all doubt, all fear, I ask you to remember what makes a nation -- and to believe that we can once again make this nation the land of limitless possibility and unyielding hope; the place where you can still make it if you try,” he said to rousing applause.
....The senator closed his speech by invoking another politician, who gained fame in his youth, to whom he has been compared, Robert Kennedy. Kennedy said 40 years ago in his Indiana campaign and Obama repeated, “Income and education and homes do not make a nation. Nor do land and borders. Shared ideals and principles, joined purposes and hopes -- these make a nation. And that is our great task....”
"That’s why the only way a black man named Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii, and started his career on the streets of Chicago, is standing before you today,” Obama said, “and that’s the only way I can win this race -- if you decide that you’ve had enough of the way things are; if you decide if you decide that this election is bigger than flag pins or sniper fire or the comments of a former pastor -- bigger than the differences between what we look like or where we come from or what party we belong to.....”
“In the face of all cynicism, all doubt, all fear, I ask you to remember what makes a nation -- and to believe that we can once again make this nation the land of limitless possibility and unyielding hope; the place where you can still make it if you try,” he said to rousing applause.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Indiana Voters
Indiana Democratic voters will have a tough choice to make on their primary election day. Here is some help for Hoosier voters (YouTube) <----Click here.
I also found another video on Youtube called "The Empire Strikes Barack." It is very well done and funny. Click on the link above to watch it. ^^^^^^^^
Jonathan Alter of Newsweek again said on MSNBC that Clinton's gas tax holiday idea would cost us 300,000 construction jobs just for the summer. He also said that if such a law passed, all road construction would "...come to a screeching halt...." Ouch. At this point, Clinton's critics outnumber her supporters for this idea and she has no support in the U.S. Senate for it.
It appears that Obama is getting huge crowds in Indiana and North Carolina. I hope that they all show up on election day to show their support for Sen. Obama and send a message that it is time for Clinton to drop out.
I also found another video on Youtube called "The Empire Strikes Barack." It is very well done and funny. Click on the link above to watch it. ^^^^^^^^
Jonathan Alter of Newsweek again said on MSNBC that Clinton's gas tax holiday idea would cost us 300,000 construction jobs just for the summer. He also said that if such a law passed, all road construction would "...come to a screeching halt...." Ouch. At this point, Clinton's critics outnumber her supporters for this idea and she has no support in the U.S. Senate for it.
It appears that Obama is getting huge crowds in Indiana and North Carolina. I hope that they all show up on election day to show their support for Sen. Obama and send a message that it is time for Clinton to drop out.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Reading First and Gas Tax Holidays
Word has it that the Reading First program that is part of the No Child Left Behind Act is another miserable failure. Here is an article in USA Today about the latest Bush failure:
>>> Jonathan Alter appeared on the Ed Schultz radio show where he discussed his article, in Newsweek, Political Pandering. Alter said that both Hillary Clinton and John McCain are just pandering for votes with their suggestion of a gas tax holiday. Here are a few of the highlights from the article (I suggest you read the entire article to see the real ramifications of their proposed gas tax holiday):
...It's a direct transfer of money from motorists to oil companies, which are getting ready this week to again report record obscene profits....
...It offers taxpayers only peanuts.....
...It will cost 300,000 construction jobs, according to the Department of Transportation......
Can we afford to lose another 300,000 construction jobs?
A $1 billion-a-year reading program that has been a pillar of the Bush administration's education plan doesn't have much impact on the reading skills of the young students it's supposed to help, a long-awaited federal study shows.
The results, issued Thursday, could serve as a knockout punch for the 6-year-old Reading First program — Congress has already slashed funding 60%. Reading First last year was the subject of a congressional investigation into whether top advisers improperly benefited from contracts for textbooks and testing materials they designed, and whether the advisers kept some textbook publishers from qualifying for funding.....
.....the new study by the U.S. Education Department's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) shows that children in schools receiving Reading First funding had virtually no better reading skills than those in schools that didn't get the funding....
Although Secretary of Education Spellings and President Bush won't admit it, the entire No Child Left Behind Act has been a complete waste of money and energy. I hope that the next President throws out the entire Bush administration's education plan and starts from scratch.The results, issued Thursday, could serve as a knockout punch for the 6-year-old Reading First program — Congress has already slashed funding 60%. Reading First last year was the subject of a congressional investigation into whether top advisers improperly benefited from contracts for textbooks and testing materials they designed, and whether the advisers kept some textbook publishers from qualifying for funding.....
.....the new study by the U.S. Education Department's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) shows that children in schools receiving Reading First funding had virtually no better reading skills than those in schools that didn't get the funding....
>>> Jonathan Alter appeared on the Ed Schultz radio show where he discussed his article, in Newsweek, Political Pandering. Alter said that both Hillary Clinton and John McCain are just pandering for votes with their suggestion of a gas tax holiday. Here are a few of the highlights from the article (I suggest you read the entire article to see the real ramifications of their proposed gas tax holiday):
...It's a direct transfer of money from motorists to oil companies, which are getting ready this week to again report record obscene profits....
...It offers taxpayers only peanuts.....
...It will cost 300,000 construction jobs, according to the Department of Transportation......
Can we afford to lose another 300,000 construction jobs?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Is this how the Bush adminstration honors our troops?
I just watched this video that was taken by the father of a soldier from the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg. These soldiers had spent 15 months in war, only to return to these horrible, mold covered barracks. Shame on the Army. Shame on the Bush administration. Shame on the Pentagon. While the Bush administration has given billions and billions of dollars to the Iraqi government, our men and women in uniform have had to deal with filthy barracks on their return home. Is this how this administration supports the troops?
Video from Youtube: (<-----CLICK HERE)
Video from Youtube: (<-----CLICK HERE)
Are they sabotaging Obama?
I was hoping that Whoopi Goldberg would pop Elizabeth "Bushlover/McCainlover" Hasselback as I was watching The View. Hasselback, who yesterday was giving goo-goo eyes to Newt Gingrich, kept saying that Obama was ruined. Joy Behar said she thought that the right wing and Republicans were purposely sabotaging Obama because he was the first African American to run for President. Think about it. McCain, the GOP, and even some Dems, won't stop talking about Rev. Wright because it is their way to attack Obama without being called a racist.
I think that every American who receives one of Bush's economic rebate checks should take a few moments and really kick the Bush administration in the pants. How? Take a portion of your check, even if it is only $10, and donate it to the Barack Obama campaign.
If Newt Gingrich, Rush Limpbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, and even Elizabeth Hasselback are promoting Hillary Clinton, you know that they fear Barack Obama. All the righties have is old man McCain who won't offer you real health care.
I think that every American who receives one of Bush's economic rebate checks should take a few moments and really kick the Bush administration in the pants. How? Take a portion of your check, even if it is only $10, and donate it to the Barack Obama campaign.
If Newt Gingrich, Rush Limpbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, and even Elizabeth Hasselback are promoting Hillary Clinton, you know that they fear Barack Obama. All the righties have is old man McCain who won't offer you real health care.
The Economy
~ Last night on the Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert quoted the Washington Times story about John McCain's superstitions, including "....He carries a lucky feather, a lucky compass and a lucky penny — not to mention a lucky nickel and a lucky quarter....."
Colbert then unveiled his new banner which read, "McCain 2008, The Luck Stops Here!"
Do you think that McCain plans to fix things with his "lucky feather"?
McCainsource.com has information about the Fabulous Life of John McCain:
* Senator Barack Obama is meeting with friendly groups in Indiana. At a recent campaign stop in Anderson, Indiana, Obama talked about the sagging economy and the job losses many have experienced.
(Herald Bulletin):
USA Today had Sen. Chuck Schumer's response to Bush's news conference:
"All of a sudden, he's realizing the problems," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "The president and the White House have repeatedly ignored repeated shots across the bow of our economy. Rising foreclosures, falling home prices, withering consumer confidence and record oil company profits — none of them are being addressed."
I think at this point, Bush won't do anything except refuse to take responsibility.
Colbert then unveiled his new banner which read, "McCain 2008, The Luck Stops Here!"
Do you think that McCain plans to fix things with his "lucky feather"?
McCainsource.com has information about the Fabulous Life of John McCain:
* Senator Barack Obama is meeting with friendly groups in Indiana. At a recent campaign stop in Anderson, Indiana, Obama talked about the sagging economy and the job losses many have experienced.
(Herald Bulletin):
...Obama said McCain’s plans for handling the war in Iraq and other American issues mirrored those of the current president. “We can’t afford four more years of failed foreign policy.”
Referring to McCain’s comment that the economy was making great progress, Obama said, “He must not be talking to the people in Anderson....
“I know they don’t want four more years of Bush’s economic policy,” Obama said, sending the crowd into applause.....
We certainly don't need more of the same from McCain.
> President Bush's news conference yesterday proved once again that he is out of touch with American life. He refused to take responsibility for high gas prices, and instead put the blame on Congress. The American people know who is to blame for high gas prices, a failed foreign policy, a war without end in Iraq, and another Bush recession. It is George W. Bush. The reason that gas prices are so high is that former oil man, Bush, won't do anything to penalize his friends.USA Today had Sen. Chuck Schumer's response to Bush's news conference:
"All of a sudden, he's realizing the problems," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "The president and the White House have repeatedly ignored repeated shots across the bow of our economy. Rising foreclosures, falling home prices, withering consumer confidence and record oil company profits — none of them are being addressed."
I think at this point, Bush won't do anything except refuse to take responsibility.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Can we afford to have a President McCain?
While a committee in the U.S. Senate works on oversight of the Iraq War and the contractors employed there, John McCain talks about a minister's statements. Which is more of threat?
Muckraked has some very interesting information about how some contractors have behaved while they were in Iraq. Here are some excerpts from the Senate hearings as published by Muckraked:
While our young men and women are in harm's way, the contractors who have been protected by the Bush administration, misuse our tax money and create dangerous situations for all. Now you see why the Bush administration and the former Republican majority in the House and the Senate did not want to have oversight on the Iraq War. The Republicans and Bush did not want the American public to see the truth. While friends of Bush and Cheney make money as contractors in Iraq, our troops and our tax money have not been protected.
Meanwhile, John McCain
>doesn't want to discuss why he feels the need to keep our armed forces in Iraq for 100 years.
>has been described as possibly creating an economic "gridlock" if he were elected, according to economist, Jared Bernstein (see Huffington Post).
>would rather talk about a minister's sermon.
Can we really afford to have our armed services, state dept. employees, and tax money remain in Iraq for 100 years as supported by John McCain?
Muckraked has some very interesting information about how some contractors have behaved while they were in Iraq. Here are some excerpts from the Senate hearings as published by Muckraked:
....A contractor died when a DynCorp manager used an employee’s armored car to transport prostitutes, according to Barry Halley, a Worldwide Network Services employee working under a DynCorp subcontract.
Kellogg Brown & Root contractors used to destroy countless quantities of still-usable equipment that was difficult to transport in “massive burn pits” that were “burning 24 hours a day.”
KBR’s ice foreman “was cheating the troops out of ice at the same time that he was trading the ice for DVDs, CDs, food and other items at the Iraqi shops across the street.”
Kellogg Brown & Root contractors used to destroy countless quantities of still-usable equipment that was difficult to transport in “massive burn pits” that were “burning 24 hours a day.”
KBR’s ice foreman “was cheating the troops out of ice at the same time that he was trading the ice for DVDs, CDs, food and other items at the Iraqi shops across the street.”
While our young men and women are in harm's way, the contractors who have been protected by the Bush administration, misuse our tax money and create dangerous situations for all. Now you see why the Bush administration and the former Republican majority in the House and the Senate did not want to have oversight on the Iraq War. The Republicans and Bush did not want the American public to see the truth. While friends of Bush and Cheney make money as contractors in Iraq, our troops and our tax money have not been protected.
Meanwhile, John McCain
>doesn't want to discuss why he feels the need to keep our armed forces in Iraq for 100 years.
>has been described as possibly creating an economic "gridlock" if he were elected, according to economist, Jared Bernstein (see Huffington Post).
>would rather talk about a minister's sermon.
Can we really afford to have our armed services, state dept. employees, and tax money remain in Iraq for 100 years as supported by John McCain?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)