Times Spouts - Cheney Pouts

The New York Times printed the story about the Government data-mining bank records of international transactions because it felt it was newsworthy to the American people. Dick Cheney was offended. No surprise, since there are many legal questions about the data vacuum he and the NSA have set up to suck up every bit of personal data on everyone.

For nearly five years the Government has been covertly scanning all transactions using the huge financial data base called Swift in Belgium. This matter has gotten world attention for it's brash and questionable practice, but Cheney claims it "plays into the enemies hands". One has to begin to wonder who the enemy is.

This administration has exhibited an unprecedented level of secrecy and uses tactics that are arguably illegal by both domestic and international laws. Any wonder the press has finally woken up and started to take notice?

Government Plans To Draft Medical Personnel

According to information posted on the Selective Service website, there is a plan in place to draft medical personnel between the ages of 20 and 45. Here is a quote from the plan:

No portion of the plan is designed for implementation in peacetime. If
implemented, HCPDS would:

Provide a fair and equitable draft of doctors, nurses, medical
technicians and those with certain other health care skills if, in some future
emergency, the military’s existing medical capability proved insufficient and
there is a shortage of volunteers.

Since we are constantly being told we are "at war" I think this should be taken very seriously.

Tony Snow Calls Helen Thomas A Heckler

Amazingly when repeatedly asked to give the legal justification for the latest Government snooping of financial records, Tony Snow, White House Press Secretary told Helen Thomas to "stop heckling".

For those who may not know, Helen Thomas is the Senior White House Correspondent and perhaps one of the most respected journalists and columnists in the country. Snow, a former anchor at Fox News, failed to give an answer to Helen's question, using the old right-wing trick of slinging accusations at people who ask tough questions.

His response is typical of the White House these days, with their "you are either with us or against us" attitude. Embarrassing questions will continue as more Bush shenanigans are revealed, so Snow had better get used to being "heckled".

Santorum Dresses Up For Gay Pride

From his wardrobe, one would think Rick Santorum was trying out for a spot on Queer Eye for the Straight Senator. The bright pink tie and pastel coat really do look festive, but only "old school" gays would wear colors that are so déclassé. Perhaps it was his tribute to Gay Pride Month?

Well I for one say bravo missy! You go girl and dress as loud and tacky as you want.

Ann Coulter Makes Death Threat Against John Murtha

Ann Coulter in a moment of outstanding poor judgement threatened the life of John Murtha. Making the following statement in one of her recent columns, "I dedicate this column to John Murtha, the reason soldiers invented fragging." Fragging is the practice of assassinating a military superior via a grenade or other weapon that ostensibly should appear as an accident.

Threats against government officials should be taken seriously and I would suggest the FBI and Homeland Security to detain Ms. Coulter until an investigation can be made into her threats.

Time For Acton On Health Care - 14% have No Insurance

According to the latest report almost one in every 7 people lack health insurance in this country. Slightly more than 14% which is only a little lower than in 2004. Additionally, almost 9% of children in the US have no health insurance. These figures are from the National Center for Health Statistics.

These statistics are part of the picture of a nation where a greater and greater amount of wealth is moving to the top 1% of the income bracket. It is a picture of an ailing country where only those with money can enjoy good health. This more the kind of thing I would expect to see in a country like Mexico, except that there they have a National Health Care plan. In fact the United States is the only major industrialized country in the world without public health care.

Some disturbing facts about US health care:

• The World Health Organization’s latest survey ranks the quality of U.S. health care 37th in the world.
  
• US infant mortality rate is higher than 42 countries, including tiny countries like Cuba, Andorra and Slovenia.
  
• Americans spend 16% of their income on health care, more than Canada (10%) or Switzerland (8%)

It’s time to take the message to Washington, and we have to be loud, because the health care lobby and drug lobby will try to drown out our voices with dollars. Let your representative know that Health Care is important and you are watching their votes on this issue. Encourage them to come up with a Single Payer Plan of National Health Insurance.

No WMD In Iraq? Make Some Up

Rick Santorum took the mic in the senate today to make the announcement that we had found the WMD's in Iraq!

Oh? He clarified his statement saying that they had found over 500 weapons with degraded mustard or sarin gas. If that sounds a little fishy, it is. Here is what the Bush Administrations own inspectors said:

"While a small number of old, abandoned chemical munitions have been
discovered, ISG judges that Iraq unilaterally destroyed its undeclared chemical
weapons stockpile in 1991. There are no credible indications that Baghdad
resumed production of chemical munitions thereafter, a policy ISG attributes to
Baghdad's desire to see sanctions lifted, or rendered ineffectual, or its fear
of force against it should WMD be discovered."

In other words, we found nothing new, we are just reframing it and lying to get some play on FOX news.

The GOP has shown a disturbing willingness to make stuff up when they need a boost in the polls, and here is a prime example. Santorum is sagging at home so he spouts a BIG LIE and hopes it plays well in King of Prussia, PA.

George Bush Defaces Flag

While in Vienna, Austria, President Bush took time to autograph small American flags, and in doing so defaced the flag of the United States of America. Good thing congress is trying to pass an amendment to prevent this kind of desecration. Here's the current law regarding the flag.

More on AmericaBlog.com.

ATT Will Track Your Viewing Habits And Share That Info

According to stories on Raw Story and SFGate.com, ATT has rewritten it's privacy policy to allow for tracking of everything from call records to TV viewing habits. The later is prohibited for cable and satellite television providers, but I guess for the new "improved" Ma Bell it's OK.

Here's the kicker, if you don't agree to the changes, no soup for you! Consumers must agree to the policy for service. Another big business blackmail against American consumers. The move will give ATT easier excuses to share info with the government and anyone else it deems "to protect its legitimate business interests, safeguard others, or respond to legal process."

So about that soft core movie you watched last Saturday night? For a price we can keep it "secret".

Taliban Makes Full Recovery - Evil Doers May Be Winning

Freedom is on the March? Well not exactly! In Afghanistan, the Taliban, (remember those "evil doers") have made a full comeback and are filling the vacuum left by the teetering Afghani government. According to ABC news, "The United States military is quietly carrying out the largest military offensive in Afghanistan since U.S. troops invaded the country in 2001."

This of course is not being heralded by the Bush Administration since it would make them look weak, and for Bush, appearance is everything. Speaking of the Taliban, wonder what ever happened to Mullah Omar or more importantly Osama Ben Ladin? Guess those "evil doers" are off the Bush radar for now.

Pentagon Seeks To Maim More Children - New Land Mines In Development

What used to be a great country has become a rogue nation. My case is supported by the Bush Administrations latest flaunting of international norms. The Pentagon is pursuing a new generation of landmines. Ten years ago our President, Bill Clinton made the pledge to, "aggressively pursue an international agreement to ban the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines."

To date we have moved no closer and in fact are expanding these immoral weapons. Enough is enough; someone will bring this rogue Administration to justice. I expect war crimes trials if they ever leave office.

Rumsfeld Believes He Is Above The Law

As he was sworn in for hearings in the biggest defense procurement boondoggle in quiet a while, Don Rumsfeld remarked, "I find it strange…this law applies to me." The Washington Post has more on the hearings about the government squandering $30 Billion to rent tankers it didn’t need.

True to form for people in the Bush Administration, Rummy claimed he didn’t remember, was poorly informed, etc. All the usual excuses for someone trying to eschew blame for a crime. His statement about not knowing that the law applied to him is what I consider his attempt at a "signing statement", the kind Bush uses to circumvent the laws he signs.

GOP Loves Family Values - Like Underage Drinking

The Republican who won the contest for Duke Cunningham's seat, Brian Bilbray must really love family values. Of course his kids don't. Their MySpace sites contain pictures of them drinking and carousing with college friends. The problem? They are underage!

Yep, real family values on parade. Of Course if you are a Republican, you can pretty much do what you want as long as you are rich. Money trumps honesty any day. Guess Brian has been so busy he hasn't been able to impart any of those family values to his kids. Unless they include which brand of beer to get wasted on. From the photos, his daughter apparently prefers Miller High Life.

Dubai Still Running US Ports

Remember the big stink about Dubai World Ports running our port system? Remember Congress pledging action to stop it from happening? Remember Bush and Republicans quietly killing the legislation that would block the sale?

Well I remember 2 out of 3. That last one I don't remember. Why? Because it was snuck through the Republican controlled congress quietly so we wouldn't notice. Once again I have to stand up, open my window and yell, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it any more!"

Watch the movie Network if you haven't seen it in a while. It is truer today than ever. And while you are yelling, remember to go to the polls in November and vote these bastards out of office. The GOP must be defeated this fall or America will fall further under the heels of the theocracy that is creating a neo-fascist state in place of our democracy.