Dowd Writes About the Ports

How does she do it? Maureen Dowd knows how to express exactly what so many of us are thinking. Dowd lets the President know where we stand. Here are some excerpts from the Lowell Sun Online:

It's enough to make you nostalgic for those gnarly union stevedores in On the Waterfront, the ones who hung up rats on hooks and took away Marlon Brando's chance to be a contend-ah.

Maybe it's corporate racial profiling, but I don't want foreign companies, particularly ones with links to Sept. 11, running American ports.

What kind of empire are we if we have to outsource our coastline to a group of sheiks who don't recognize Israel, in a country where money was laundered for the Sept. 11 attacks? And that let A.Q. Khan, the Pakistani nuclear scientist, smuggle nuclear components through its port to Libya, North Korea and Iran?

It's mind-boggling that President Bush ever agreed to let an alliance of seven emirs be in charge of six of our ports. Although, as usual, Incurious George didn't even know about it until after the fact. (Neither did Rummy, even though he heads one of the agencies that green-lighted the deal.)

Same old pattern: A stupid and counterproductive national security decision is made in secret, blowing off checks and balances, and the president's out of the loop.

Was W. too busy not calling Dick Cheney to find out why he shot a guy to not be involved in a critical decision about U.S. security? What is he waiting for -- a presidential daily brief warning, "Bin Laden Determined to Attack U.S. Ports"?

Read the rest at the link at the top of the page.

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David Letterman had something to say about Bush's declaration that the port agreement would not endanger our security. Letterman said, "This is from the same man who told us mission accomplished."
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The people of New York City endured so much on 9/11. They should let their elected officials and the White House know how they feel about this UAE port agreement that the Bush administration has approved.
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Have you noticed that the Pentagon and the White House refuse to use the words "civil war" to refer to the recent mosque-burnings, random killings, and roadside attacks that are sweeping across Iraq???? Guess what--it is now a civil war and Rep. Murtha predicted it in January. Now our military is caught in the middle of a civil war. Is this part of Bush's plan for victory in Iraq?

"OUR" Government

Why does President Bush continue to refer to our government as "my government"? From News Net 5:
"The more people learn about the transaction that has been scrutinized and approved by my government," Bush said, "the more they'll be comforted that our ports will be secure."

This is not the first time he has used those words. Can't he say 'our' government instead?

Remember this?

Do you you remember this quote from the Kerry/Bush debate : "...I'll never turn over America's national security needs to leaders of other countries..." This was said by George W. Bush.
Should we hold our leaders to their campaign promises? Does he even remember saying this?

How Republicans Have Hurt Us

Raw Story has a report by Democratic Rep. Louise Slaughter that shows how the Republicans have hurt average Americans. Raw Story's has a summary: The report, available here, blames lawmakers' ties to lobbyists -- who, they say, make an average of $650,000 a year....

Keep an eye out for a fairy tale put out by the White House: The Rescue and Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast by Karl Rove. Actually, I'm just kidding about the title. The White House does plan to issue their own report about their responses to Hurricane Katrina. I predict it will be in the fiction section of your bookstore.

This entire port agreement that the Bush administration has made with Dubai Ports World is just wrong. Read the article at MSNBC and I am positive that you'll agree with me. (Remember--this administration was warned that Bin Laden was determined to strike the U.S. prior to 9/11. What did Bush do? He went on vacation.) We should control our own ports and their security. Why can't we have American companies do such jobs? Do we have to outsource everything?????

According to an audit, Tom Noe, Republican fundraiser and coindealer, owes the state of Ohio $13.56 million. The Dayton Daily News has the details. (Tom--The citizens of Ohio want you to pay us back pronto!)

Steven Colbert just said that Bush is not a brain thinker---he feels things. Colbert is almost as good as Jon Stewart.

Cheney and the Jokes

Over at the Huffington Post, Al Franken has written his observations about how Dick Cheney is being treated by the late night comics. Here is an excerpt:
When the Lettermans and the Lenos and the Jon Stewarts start going after you, you know you’re in trouble. Of course, the late night comics had a field day last week about Cheney.

But the jokes this week might be even more disturbing for the Vice President. Because when the late night comics define you, it’s how the whole country sees you....

Oprah Asks: Where is the leadership?

OPRAH
Today Oprah brought her viewers up to date with the rebuilding and conditions on the gulf coast. Her guests included reporters Lisa Ling and Anderson Cooper. The stories today showed families living in many locations--- in the remains of buildings/homes, small campers, and hotels. Lisa Ling tried to investigate why thousands of FEMA campers have been sitting for months at a site, while families and the elderly are living in the most horrible situations (10 to a hotel room, an elderly woman in a apartment without a roof and water, families in a tent city).

One question Oprah had was, "Where is the leadership?" Unfortuately, we have not been able to count on our government for leadership. It is just incredible that our government has done little to help Americans along the coast. Shame one this administration.

ZERO VETOES (All Talk---No Cattle)
President Bush has promised to veto any legislation that would stop the sell of U.S. ports to a foreign country. Bush has threatened vetoes before, but he has not used one veto. Not one veto!!!!! I never, ever, ever agree with Republican Rep. Peter King of New York because I think he is an arrogant GOP fool. However, as hard as this is to say, ....I agree with him on this: Our country does not need a foreign country associated with terrorists to control our ports. Let Bush veto a bill to stop the sale. Americans will force their elected officials to override his veto. I think Karl "dirtbag" Rove said something like this----Bush is using "pre-9/11 thinking."

(I have to go wash out my brain now because I have agreed with Peter King and Rove. Ewwwwww! I feel dirty.)

Republicans Won't Do Lobbying Reform

The Republican leadership has tired of talking and working on lobbying reform and so they just aren't going to do too much with it. We don't want to see the poor Republicans work too hard. They have luncheons, golf fundraisers, and other campaign activities to attend and they can't be bothered with reform. Basically, Boehner and Hastert's promises were a bunch of B.S. Here is an excerpt from the Chicago Tribune:
...Lawmakers reluctant to give up free meals, tickets to sports events and other lobbyist-provided perks may need to see more indictments before agreeing to move forward, said Larry Noble, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan watchdog group.

"Right now, a number of members are betting on the public losing interest and getting away without any new reforms," Noble said....

If the Republicans don't want to do the reforming, Democrats can take care of it when they take over the Congress.

More Security Problems

*Democrats and Republicans are voicing their opposition to an Arab company's control of major U.S. ports. Many security experts have stated that this is a major security risk. Even though Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff asks us to trust him and his department, we remember how well the department did before, during, and after the recent gulf coast hurricanes. We need to urge our elected officals to do something to reverse the decision of this administration.

***Originally posted at the Left Coaster: The president's approval rating falls with his base, according to Zogby:
...What is remarkable in this latest poll, conducted Feb. 15-18, 2006, is that President Bush shows weakness among the demographic groups that have comprised the heart of his political base over the past five years, according to Pollster John Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International (Mr. Zogby’s commentary on the poll is included below).

Bush performs best in the South, where 45% give him a positive rating, and the West, where 43% approve of his work. In the Central and Great Lakes region, he wins approval from 39%, while just 34% in the East give him passing marks....

Hmmm. Too bad the last presidential election was over a year ago. For those of us who voted for John Kerry and John Edwards----we told you it would end up like this, but you wouldn't listen!!!!!

*Bush is pushing his alternative energy initiatives, even though he has cut funding for the area. In an effort to not look like complete hypocrites, the administration is scrambling to restore their recent cuts, including dozens of job cuts, to the National Renewal Energy Laboratory. According to the New York Times:

...A statement released Monday by the Energy Department said that Samuel W. Bodman, the energy secretary, ordered the transfer of $5 million over the weekend to immediately restore the jobs, which had been eliminated because of past budget cuts, thereby avoiding a political embarrassment for the president. Mr. Bush is to visit the laboratory, in Golden, Colo., on Tuesday morning....

How about if this administration did something that would really help, like signing and abiding by the Kyoto Treaty???? Global Warming is a fact, whether or not the administration believes it.

NJ's Sen. Menendez Standing Up for Americans

Although he only recently became a Senator from the state of New Jersey, Robert Menendez is already working hard for his constituents and all Americans. With the recent disclosure about major U.S. ports to be controlled by a foreign country, Sen. Menendez boldly spoke up against the deal. The Casper Star Tribune has the story:
"...We wouldn't turn over our customs service or our border patrol to a foreign government," New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez said during a news conference. "We shouldn't turn over the ports of the United States, either."

Menendez said he and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will introduce legislation prohibiting the sale of port operations to foreign governments.

Elected officials from both parties have criticized the government's approval of last week's purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., by Dubai Ports World, a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates, or UAE. Peninsular and Oriental runs major commercial operations in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia...

Thank you, Senator Menendez, for speaking out against this move by the Bush administration.

Negatives and Positives

Negative:
Would you ever believe Republican Sen. Bill Frist? Not me. Frist, who once diagnosed Terri Schiavo's mental capacity from a videotape, and is under investigation for insider trading, now has something else to say. You may want to believe him, but I don't. According to USA Today, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, standing firmly with the White House on the administration's eavesdropping program, said Sunday he doesn't think new or updated legislation is needed to govern domestic surveillance to foil terrorists...

Thank you for your opinion, but we are not interested in it. According to the Washington Post, there are 325,000 on the terrorist list. I am sure that includes about 50,000 infant names. Something needs to be done to stop our government's domestic spying without warrants. However, with the Republicans in control in the White House and the legislative branch, nothing will get done to safeguard our liberties.

Positive:
MSNBC has an encouraging story about UPS and those big brown trucks. UPS, the package delivery company, is taking real leadership in the areas of saving energy costs and helping the environment. UPS will be adding hybrid electric trucks to their fleet. Way to go, UPS! We can only hope that this bold move by UPS will inspire other companies to take on similar initiatives.

Wal-Mart Employees Cannot Express Opinions

Why I don't shop at Wal-Mart: Reason No. 27
According to the New York Times, a Wal-Mart manager was told he was disloyal for questioning the company's policy on some benefits:

In a confidential, internal Web site for Wal-Mart's managers, the company's chief executive, H. Lee Scott Jr., seemed to have a rare, unscripted moment when one manager asked him why "the largest company on the planet cannot offer some type of medical retirement benefits?"

Mr. Scott first argues that the cost of such benefits would leave Wal-Mart at a competitive disadvantage but then, clearly annoyed, he suggests that the store manager is disloyal and should consider quitting....

Wal-Mart might have more loyal employees if they were treated with respect, better pay, benefits, and regarded as people, instead of slaves/serfs. It is no wonder the company has a very high employee turnover.

Incredible News

>>>Hold onto your hats, Pilgrims, because you're going to hear something incredible.
Newsweek: Donald Rumsfeld and Michael Chertoff DO NOT USE E-MAIL! Astounding! I know people, who will remain nameless, who are completely inept around computers. However, they thave learned to do 2 things: Google and use e-mail. Unfortunately, Rumsfeld and Chertoff have not.

The Newsweek article has a reaction from a professor about Rumsfeld and Chertoff's lack of e-mail knowledge:
...Dr. Irwin Redlener, a disaster-preparedness expert at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, expressed surprise that two officials in such critical positions would not be adept at routine methods of modern communication. “This can’t be true,” he said, only half-jokingly. “It’s almost inconceivable in 2006 for officials at that level of government not to be directly connected to systems of communications...”

The next time there is a presidential press conference, I'd like a reporter to ask the president to name his favorite search engines.


>>>Even though the Bush administration doesn't believe in global warming, there is more evidence that it is really happening. It really is sad when so-called educated people don't believe in scientific proof.
MSNBC reports that "Satellite observations indicate that Greenland's glaciers have been dumping ice into the Atlantic Ocean at a rate that's doubled over the past five years, researchers reported here on Thursday. The findings add yet another factor to the long-running debate over the effect of climate change on the world's ice sheets and sea levels...."

Security Risk? They say that the Bush family is very close to these Arab oil companies. Now we have proof that they are willing to trade our security for their friendship:

The Bush administration on Thursday rebuffed criticism about potential security risks of a $6.8 billion sale that gives a company in the United Arab Emirates control over significant operations at six major American ports.
Lawmakers asked the White House to reconsider its earlier approval of the deal.
The sale to state-owned Dubai Ports World was "rigorously reviewed" by a U.S. committee that considers security threats when foreign companies seek to buy or invest in American industry, National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said....
....The world's fourth-largest ports company runs commercial operations at shipping terminals in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.
Four senators and three House members asked the administration Thursday to reconsider its approval. The lawmakers contended the UAE is not consistent in its support of U.S. terrorism-fighting efforts....

David Letterman--"The comic book people have announced that Batman will go after Osama Bin Laden. Looks like Bush does have a plan."

Harris Gaining Ground? I hope not!

Considered by many Democrats as the "Wicked Witch of the South," Katherine Harris is supposedly gaining in the Florida polls. Some people must have forgotten that Harris was responsible for giving Bush the 2000 election by stopping the vote count. This is the same woman who complained that the "liberal" media had altered her photographs to make her look older in 2000. (There is no liberal media. The media outlets are owned by corporations. Besides, her recent facelift and new boobs dramatically changed her appearance.) Harris cannot change the fact that she is a Bush family puppet who denied the votes of thousands of people!!!!!

On a recent trip to Iraq, Harris said all of the soldiers she met wanted the U.S. to stay in Iraq to finish the job. I think she is full of crap. What else were they going to say in front of their commanders and someone, like Harris, that they do not know or trust?

The war in Iraq continues without goals, plans, and without an exit strategy. Our young people are still being killed everyday and there is still only ONE trained Iraqi battalion. Billions of dollars have gone into the Iraq money pit, while our own gulf coast cannot be rebuilt because of a lack of funds (and leadership). The only winners in this neverending war are the Halliburton stockholders. If we are ever going to get out of Iraq, put this country back on the right path, we must elect Democrats like Senator Nelson. The last thing this country needs is someone like Katherine Harris in the U.S. Senate.

(Note: I do not work for Nelson's campaign. I have never met him. Obviously, I don't work for Harris either.)

Getting the Message

Propaganda Pays
The Bush administration has paid for public relations to promote their message on the Iraq War. I'd call it propaganda. The Lincoln Group has made a bundle of money working to push fabricated good news about Iraq. The New York Times has the story.

Cheney
The cover-up on V.P. Dick Cheney's hunting accident is big news. Hunters and gun owners are weighing in on what could have gone wrong on that Texas quail hunt. There is even a suggestion that Cheney should give up hunting and take up golf. From Tim McDonald:

Vice-President Dick Cheney has always promised he'd shoot straight with the American people. He just didn't tell us it would be one at a time.

Cheney needs to replace his hunting hobby with golf. Golf clubs aren't loaded, and it's more humane to bring down a lawyer with a 5-iron than a shotgun....

Until Cheney takes up another sport, he may find it difficult to get other hunters to join him on his next outing.

Dick and Kenny Boy

Vice President Dick Cheney's shooting accident is all over the news. Do you think that Cheney and his hunting friends were drinking before they picked up their guns? What kind of hunting is it when Cheney and pals go hunting in cars? From the WSJ:

Jon Stewart and the Daily Show--
The other player in the drama? Ranch owner and eyewitness Katharine Armstrong.

Katharine Armstrong: "We were shooting a covey of quail. The vice president and two others got out of the car to walk up the covey."

Jon Stewart: "What kind of hunting story begins with getting out of your car? As I sighted the great beast before us, my shaking hands could barely engage the parking brake. Slowly, I turned off the A/C and silenced my sub-woofers…"

David Letterman (go to Dave TV monologue) and Jon Stewart had some great pieces on V.P. Cheney's accidental shooting.

Raw Story has gathered some news: Paul Begala has his say about Cheney's hunting expedition.
Jack Abramoff says he had connections with Karl Rove.


If you are trying to figure out how Ken Lay, Skilling and the rest of the buzzards ruined the lives of Enron employees and retirees, you must watch the video, Enron-The Smartest Guys in the Room.

Republican News

Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot a hunting companion on Saturday. However, the right wing controlled media, did not release this information until Sunday. Just two weeks ago, Cheney was having difficulty walking.

Why do Republicans hate women leaders? Last week, Republican Party chair, Ken Mehlman, attacked Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton of New York. This week, the House Republicans are attacking Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi of California. Do they just hate any woman that challenges their 'good ole boy' mentality?

The President said that the FISA law was outdated because it was passed in 1978. Following that line of thinking, is this administration considering ignoring any other laws? The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote, became law in 1920. Do the Republicans think it is outdated because women are gaining too much power?

How can some Republicans know their constituents, when they don't even live in the district/state they represent? Rep. Paul Gillmor (OH-5) lives in Dublin, Ohio, instead of Old Fort, Ohio, which is in the 5th district. (Gillmor uses his son's home address in Old Fort as his address). Sen. Rick Santorum, his wife, and umpteen children, live in Virginia. He doesn't even reside in Pennsylvania. How do these guys get away with it? By living in your district/state, you get to "hang out" with your people. You see them in the market, the gas station, at church, and at community events. You'd get to hear about the daily concerns of your constituents. Obviously, Gillmor and Santorum have forgotten about the regular people who voted for them.

I hope someone in Ohio designs a bumper sticker that supports four more years of having a Republican governor (Blackwell or Petro). It should say: VOTE FOR 4 MORE YEARS OF REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION--Elect Blackwell or Petro!

Bush coming to central Ohio

According to the Dispatch, President Bush will be speaking at the Wendy's International Headquarters on Wednesday, 2/15/06, at 12:15 pm. Please come to greet the President and wave your bankruptcy notices, unemployment checks, high heating bills, tax bills, pictures of Abramoff, "Fire Karl Rove" signs, and other greetings. Wendy's HQ's is located next to the Hummer dealership, on Rt. 161 between Dublin Road and Sawmill Rd. I'm sure that many of our corrupt state/local Republicans will be there.

Blackwell and Petro
Ohio Republican candidates for governor, Jim Petro and Kenneth Blackwell are going around the Ohio trying to gain voters' support. Both candidates offer nothing to get Ohio out of this dismal economic funk that we have been experiencing for years. Besides, isn't it possible that both of these guys had some hints about all of this corruption in the Ohio government? How would they not know? Ohio needs a fresh start, and neither Petro nor Blackwell have the capacity to do that. The election of either of them would bring us more of the same and we cannot allow that to happen.

More Republicans Tied to Abramoff

AP story reported by Breitbart:
Three More Republicans Lawmakers Tied to Lobbyist Abramoff: Steven LaTourette, Don Young, Shelly Moore Capito

Three members of Congress have been linked to efforts by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a former General Services Administration official to secure leases of government property for Abramoff's clients, according to court filings by federal prosecutors on Friday....

...Two of the elected officials referred to in Friday's filings have been identified in published reports as Reps. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio, and Don Young, R-Alaska. According to Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, the two representatives wrote to the GSA in September 2002, urging the agency to give preferential treatment to groups such as Indian tribes when evaluating development proposals for the Old Post Office.

LaTourette maintains he did nothing improper by advocating special opportunities for certain small businesses in areas known as HUBzones, or Historically Underutilized Business zones. His spokeswoman, Deborah Setliff, said that the letter was reviewed by Young's chief of staff and counsel and that it did not advocate any particular business over another....

...Friday's filings by prosecutors refer to a third member of Congress, Rep. Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va. Her name appears in e-mails that suggest she was trying to help Abramoff secure a GSA lease for land in Silver Spring for a religious school....

WILL THESE SCANDALS EVER END? Here is more information on LaTourette. LaTourette is another Republican family values guy who is a hypocrite. He voted to impeach Clinton, but Steven is no "altar" boy.

Jack, Leaks, and Layoffs

Poor Jack Abramoff used to rub elbows with President Bush and other high-ranking Republicans. Abramoff gave them political donations and introduced his clients who also gave checks for these Republicans. Now Abramoff feels disrespected because no one wants to acknowledge their friendships, photographs, and business associations. It just makes you want to cry. Boo hoo!

Cheney gave the okay for Scooter to leak classified information.

Unemployment claims are lower in other states----except in Ohio. The Sun News has this quote from an article:
.......The rise in layoffs was led by Ohio, followed by Georgia....

>>>>Our state is #1 (in layoffs). Thanks, Ohio GOP, for working on filling your campaign chests instead of filling our state with jobs opportunities. We'll remember all you've done for us in November while we are standing in a voting booth.

****This just in from Raw Story-----Montana's news station reports about something the president said while meeting with Republicans:
....Bush made a brief public speech to lawmakers at their retreat on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He then shooed out reporters and photographers, saying, "I support the free press, let's just get 'em out of the room."Once they were gone, Bush -- not realizing he was still audible -- said, "I expect this conversation we're about to have to stay in the room." He added, "I know that's impossible in Washington..."

Democratic candidate Duckworth (IL-6)

Iraq war veteran, Tammy Duckworth, is attracting a lot of positive press and the all important campaign contributions. Duckworth is a Democratic candidate for the 6th congressional district of Illinois. Here are some excerpts from an article about Duckworth:

An Iraqi war vet and a veteran state senator are off to a fast start collecting campaign funds for the 6th District congressional race to succeed Republican Henry Hyde, according to their staffs.
Tammy Duckworth, the Iraqi war veteran and neophyte political candidate, is running as a Democrat. Her campaign people say she raised more than $120,000 in the two weeks between Dec. 18, when she declared her candidacy, and Dec. 31, calling that an "incredible accomplishment."
"(The contributions) were generated by people who have seen or heard Tammy and agree with her stance on health, education, retirement security and the environment. It's an incredible accomplishment and puts us on track to be competitive against the presumptive Republican nominee, Peter Roskam," said Billy Weinberg, Duckworth's campaign spokesman....