Another Gay Closeted GOP Senator ?

Well another GOP member of congress may end up in the Gay Old Party category. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) is being outed by a gay activist blog and on radio on the Ed Schultz Show.

Craig has voted against Gay Marriage in the past and says he supports "Family Values" which everyone knows is code language for anti-gay measures. Wonder who will be next? (Rick Perry must be squirming in the Governors Mansion right now.)

Remember this is still a rumor, so don't tell anyone!

Note: Howdy US Senate! Saw the Sgt. at Arms was on earlier today looking at this article. Hope you had time to read more.

Ken Lay Conviction Erased!

So now Ken Lay’s conviction is erased. What would happen if he turned up alive somewhere in the world? Would he be scott-free? Keep an eye out for Ken Lay sightings in the near future.

Bush Election Appointee Says System Ripe For Stealing The Election

Rev. DeForest Soaries, a bush appointee in charge of Election Assistance says the system is "ripe for stealing elections". He was appointed by George W. Bush as the first chair of the commission created by the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) after the election farce in Florida that brought Bush into power.

Soaries resigned in April saying he felt deceived by the administration and that they intended no reforms at all. The previously unpublished interview is online here at Bradblog. It is must reading for anyone who has doubts about the fairness of the upcoming election.

Throw Hastert Out Video - Great Stuff

Check out this great TV Spot on YouTube.

Chicken Hawks And Patriots - The List

So for all you folks out there who are wondering about that strong defense the Republicans are always talking about, here is a partial roll-call of the parties and their military service (courtesy of Zonk on AirAmerica blog):

Republicans

• Dennis Hastert: did not serve.
• Tom Delay: did not serve.
• Roy Blunt: did not serve.
• Bill Frist: did not serve.
• Mitch McConnell: did not serve.
• Rick Santorum: did not serve.
• Trent Lott: did not serve.
• Dick Cheney: did not serve. Several deferments, the last by marriage.
• John Ashcroft: did not serve. Seven deferments to teach business.
• Jeb Bush: did not serve.
• Karl Rove: did not serve.
• Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. "Bad knee." The man who attacked Cleland's patriotism.
• Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.
• Vin Weber: did not serve.
• Richard Perle: did not serve.
• Douglas Feith: did not serve.
• Eliot Abrams: did not serve.
• Richard Shelby: did not serve.
• Jon Kyl: did not serve.
• Tim Hutchison: did not serve.
• Christopher Cox: did not serve.
• Newt Gingrich: did not serve.
• Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.
• George W. Bush: failed to complete his six-year National Guard; got assigned to Alabama so he could campaign for family friend running for U.S. Senate; failed to show up for required medical exam, disappeared from duty.
• Ronald Reagan: due to poor eyesight, served in a non-combat role making movies.
• Bob Dornan: Consciously enlisted after fighting was over in Korea.
• Phil Gramm: did not serve.
• John McCain: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
• Dana Rohrabacher: did not serve.
• John M. McHugh: did not serve.
• JC Watts: did not serve.
• Jack Kemp: did not serve. "Knee problem," although continued in NFL for 8 years.
• Dan Quayle: Journalism unit of the Indiana National Guard.
• Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.
• George Pataki: did not serve.
• Spencer Abraham: did not serve.
• John Engler: did not serve.
• Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.

Democrats

• Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
• David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
• Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
• Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an army journalist in 20th Engineer Brigade.
• Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam.
• Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-47; Medal of Honor, WWII.
• John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Hearts.
• Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea.
• Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam.
• Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.
• Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
• Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.
• Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII; Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons.
• Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze Stars, and Soldier's Medal.
• Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and Legion of Merit.
• Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart.
• Bill McBride: Candidate for Fla. Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze Star with Combat V.
• Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.
• Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
• Chuck Robb: Vietnam
• Howell Heflin: Silver Star
• George McGovern: Silver Star & DFC during WWII.
• Bill Clinton: Did not serve. Student deferments. Entered draft but received #311.
• Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.
• Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
• John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and Air Medal with 18 Clusters.
• Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul Wallenberg
  
  

And for the pundits, politicos and preachers who rant and rave supporting war:

• Sean Hannity: did not serve.
• Rush Limbaugh: did not serve (4-F with a 'pilonidal cyst.')
• Bill O'Reilly: did not serve.
• Michael Savage: did not serve.
• George Will: did not serve.
• Chris Matthews: did not serve.
• Paul Gigot: did not serve.
• Bill Bennett: did not serve.
• Pat Buchanan: did not serve.
• Bill Kristol: did not serve.
• Kenneth Starr: did not serve.
• Antonin Scalia: did not serve.
• Clarence Thomas: did not serve.
• Ralph Reed: did not serve.
• Michael Medved: did not serve.

Eye opening isn’t it?

God, Guns & Gays Tactics Faltering For GOP

Finally there seems to be some kind of crack developing the issue of Gay Marriage for the GOP. A recent story in the NY Times discusses how new ballot measures in 13 states are loosing steam. Seems that the Third "G" of God Guns and Gays may be faltering ni the GOP Playbook.

Speaking of faltering the first "G" might be in trouble as well. In the new tell-all book by former Karl Rove assistant, "Tempting Faith" exposes how Republicans have "duped" the faithful in their campaigns. Additionally, quotes from Karl Rove calling the fundamentalists "nuts" won’t set well with the Religious Right.

That leaves the Gun lobby to hold up the faltering Republican elephant, and somehow I suspect that the NRA vote just won’t carry the elections.

Another GOP Diddling Pages? Jim Kolbe And Pages On Camping Trip

Well now looks like Jim Kolbe, Republican from Arizona is the next up in the gallery of shame. Questions have come up about a camping trip he took with pages 10 years ago. Another neocon in the closet?

NBC has the story, and it sounds like Kolbe may be next to take the perp walk.

Must See Video From ACLU

I was forwarded this flash presentation from the ACLU in my morning email. It is funny and poignant. Take 3 minutes and watch it.

More Sex Scandals In The GOP

I have a little shadenfreude about the Mark Foley thing I admit it, but in the great scheme of things it makes me sad. Foley, a closeted gay man, was living a sham life and acted out by going after vulnerable young men. I do not excuse his behavior, it’s not tolerable, but I understand the reasons he did it.

That said, it seems that the party that waved the flag of decency for so long is finally being examined to see if they live by their words. In other words, do the walk the walk. The answer would seem to be a resounding NO in many cases.

The Washington Post has a list of sex scandal tainted Republicans who are vulnerable because of their actions this year and they all deserve to be examined closely. Remember that this is the party that wraps itself in "family values" and moral decency. They have to be able to withstand the harsh light of examination if they are to uphold that cause. Otherwise, and this is what I really believe, they are just opportunistic hypocrites playing the Fundamentalists for patsies.

More Abuse At Guantanamo Bay

Good Morning! How about another fresh batch of US prisoner Abuses at Gitmo for your morning coffee? Here goes another round of investigations. This time just this September, guards at the Guantanamo base prison bragged of bashing prisoners heads into walls and worse.

Read it and try to keep your breakfast down.

Had enough? Vote Democratic.

In Defense Of Foley Republicans Get Desperate

The Republicans must really be on the ropes. Chris Shays, Republican from Connecticut, tried to invoke the specter of Chappaquiddick in defending Foley from charges of sexual impropriety. Instead of working the tasteless and lame statement makes him seem like he is desperate and grasping at straws.

Republican playbook rule #3: If you can’t blame Clinton (rule #1) or the gays (rule #2) dredge up Chappaquiddick.

This is way beyond sad, it's pathetic.

Don't Miss Circus Roncalli - A European Delight

A note from our recent vacation in Europe. While in Vienna, a city I fell in love with, my partner and I took in a performance by Circus Roncalli. This jewel-box of a circus is the brainchild of artistic director Bernhard Paul, and it is classic European Circus at its best. The tent, wagons and concessions all sparkle like they were transported from the early 1900’s. They are preserved and recreated to museum quality standards, something rarely seen anywhere.

The show was an outstanding example of traditional circus. Hosted by one of the finest clowns in the business, David Larible, the performance was a delight. It included traditional equestrian acts such as liberty horses and dressage. The horsemanship was flawless, and coming from a Texan that is a compliment!

This picture above is the Roncalli tent in front of the Rathaus (City Hall) in Vienna.

One of the highlights was the acrobatic duo of Sorellas. These two incredibly handsome men perform trapeze and acrobatics that rival any in the world while providing a sensual and uniquely masculine aura to the whole act.

By the show’s end, the Viennese audience, predominately adults, were on their feet clapping in rhythm and cheering. The shows encores featured performers pulling members of the audience to the right for a waltz, fitting tribute to the city where the waltz was born. The performance has been held over until October 22 and rightly so. This is not a tourist show, it’s entirely in German and intended for European audiences, but if you ever see the tent, buy a ticket and don’t miss this wonderful experience.

Karl Rove Refers To Evangelicals As "The Nuts"

So what I have always though is proving to be the case. Seems the Republicans have just been using the Fundamentalist Christians as their gofers. In a recent book by David Kuo, "Tempting Faith" the author details how Karl Rove often referred to the Fundamentalists as "the nuts".

Nice way to refer to your base isn’t it? Cynical? How about two faced and fraudulent. Bush uses his alleged faith as a tool to whip up the Christian Right and yet his top aids deride those same people as wackos.

I sincerely hope the Fundamentalists realize that Bush and his party are not friends, they are just users, and the so-called Christian Right is being rightly screwed for GOP gains.

Mexico Tensions High In Oaxaca - This Could Get Ugly

With all the latest sex scandals in Washington, it’s hard to focus on other news. However, my eyes have been on Mexico ever since I spent a year living there back in the 1980’s. Our closest neighbor here in Texas lives in a state of illusion. On the face they present a democratic society with a growing economy and a tourist Mecca. In reality, Mexico is a country of contrasts. The rich are "super-rich" and the poor are dirt-poor and the middle class is struggling to keep its head above water.

Politically it’s about as corrupt as it gets. The last election as flawed by anyone’s estimate, and there is a protest shadow government-in-exile of Andrés Manuel López Obrador supporters who are an unrecconed with force in Mexico’s affairs.

In the state of Oaxaca there is a teacher’s strike that has become a full fledged social reform movement and has filled the streets with protestors day and night. The Mexican Army and Navy are standing by and at any moment things could bet very ugly. Obrador supporters have volunteered to be human shields to protect the protestors and tensions are high.

Meanwhile here in the USA, we get almost no news of this really explosive situation on our doorstep. I pray for peace in Mexico and that the two factions can settle their differences peacefully. Otherwise, we may have a full-fledged revolution just south of the border.

Another Republican Scandal - Richard Pombo And Abramoff

Another corrupt Republican politician? I am shocked! Well, not really. In this latest in a long string of corruption charges, California Republican Congressman Richard Pombo gets caught with his hand in the Jack Abramoff cookie jar, and with evidence staring him in the face continues to deny it.

According to Abramoff billing records he met with Pombo several times and bank records show Pombo received over $35,000 from Abramoff clients, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts. You got some ‘splaining to do Ricky!

This case brings to mind the phrase that is on a bumper sticker of my truck, "Had Enough? Vote Democratic".

More Pages Claim Sexual Abuse By Foley

Ah, those online chat rooms and IM’s are really a problem for the GOP. Seems Mark Foley, already disgraced because of his soliciting sexual favors from an underage page is implicated in further hijinks with at least two more pages. Conversations about penis sizes and what they were wearing make up the juicy tidbits of these latest scandals.

The hypocrisy of the GOP is glaring through in this case and as more and more people are implicated as having known this was going on, the polls keep dropping. Wonder what Karl Rove is ginning up to combat this? I suspect no matter what it is it will look very transparent even to the former loyal religious fundamentalists who blindly followed he GOP as the defenders of morality.

Olbermann Calls Bush A Liar. About Time Someone Did.

I rarely watch MSNBC, because most of the time I find their journalism lacking in many ways. The lone exception is their commentator Keith Olbermann, whose straightforward criticism of the Bush administration I find refreshing. His opinions are well thought out and his commentaries are backed up with fact.

His latest is startling in its clarity and bluntness. He calls Bush a liar, and then documents the occasions where the President has fabricated statements and outright lied about his critics. It is refreshing to see someone on TV call it like it is. We have a president who is it of touch with reality and perhaps a compulsive liar to boot.

Check out the video of Olbermann's commentary on Truthout.com. It is 11 minutes of hard hitting stuff that should give every American pause to think and act in November.

Google, YouTube & Wasting Time

So after the news that Google bought the fledgling YouTube, I decided to check it out. After watching people do absolutely stupid things for about a half an hour, I have decided that the average intelligence level of Americans is somewhere below that of a chimpanzee.

Clips of, and I’m being charitable here, idiots trying to slide down slides standing up, jump between buildings, back-flip from moving playground equipment and just beat each other in the face with folding chairs. It’s convinced me of three things:

1. Give an American a video camera and too much time and you will end up with a home made version of Jackass.

2. The basic laws of physics are not being taught to our children in school. Such as, when you jump off a ledge you will not fly, you will fall and most likely hit your head.

3. Watching people hurt themselves is strangely compelling. Kind of like a train wreck in slow motion. You know it’s going to be bad, but you can’t turn away.

All of which proves that I should have invested in Google or YouTube last year. Oh yea, the other thing is, how long before someone sues Google for copyright infringement from all the unauthorized TV clips ending up on YouTube? Guess that investment was not such a good idea.

Stewart/Colbert '08?

Even though I have often thought of adding a Stewart/Colbert 08 bumper sticker to the growing billboard on the tailgate of my truck, I have resisted. A simple "Had enough? Vote Democratic" sticker will do for now. Stewart, the king of fake news, says of the growing phenomenon, "Nothing says 'I am ashamed of you my government' more than 'Stewart/Colbert '08"

As for me, I think having a comedian as president might not be too bad, after all right now we have a clown.

FBI May Have Covered Up Foley Sex Scandal

Looks like the FBI may be involved in covering up the illicit activities of Republican Congressman Foley.

Emails were turned over to the FBI over 2 months ago took no action. Check the video on CNN.

Kid With AK-47 Symptom Of The "Gun Culture"

Every time I hear of another kid pulling a gun at school I have to believe that this is another example of the "Gun Culture" in our country coming home to roost. We can’t continue to keep teaching our kids that settling their problems with guns is OK. Now before anyone goes and responds to this post with a typical NRA rant, hear me out. We teach our kids this deadly message every time we teach them that revenge is the answer to a problem. We teach them this every time we send a criminal to the death chamber. We show them that problems are solved with killing every time we justify wars. We teach them this every time we take them to a violent movie that is rated Parental Guidance. They learn our morals watching the evening news, when they see that problems in the adult world are often settled with violence.

Kids are impressionable and they are smart. They see our morals better than we do and though we may tell them settling matters with a gun is wrong, we often don’t reflect that in our actions. How often in this allegedly Christian country do kids see Jesus teaching of turning the other cheek put into practice?

When was the last time you settled a disagreement with a calm discussion and tried to reach a consensus instead of winning your point? For me it is a struggle, but I keep reminding myself that if I try, really try to follow Jesus teachings I have more success than when I don’t . Maybe the kid in Missouri with the AK-47 will learn that the only question a gun can answer is one with a deadly result. I pray for a day when guns are only used for target shooting and kids can go to school without walking through metal detectors.

Back From Vacation

My partner and I got back from our European vacation last night and I am still recovering from jet lag. One thing stuck out as remarkable and a big surprise. The city of Vienna. Not only is it a remarkable jewel of European art and culture, it is so clean it was shocking. The sidewalks were sparkling and even though there were smokers everywhere, cigarette butts were at a minimum. The mass transit system is so well run and is so comprehensive that very few people drive. The delightful side effect is that Viennese seem to have nice legs, both men and women!

The dirty little secret of Europe is smoking. It seems that everyone smokes. For that, I am grateful for US smoking regulations. Restaurants in Europe are filled with a hanging haze of second hand smoke. It is a wonder the food tastes as good as it does; I can only imagine how it must be in a tobacco free environment.

Luckily the weather was terrific and we only ate a couple of meals inside the whole two weeks.
Politically Europe seems fairly stable, with the exception of Italy. More than once we heard people talking about Mussolini in fond terms. "He wasn’t such a bad guy" was the quote that disturbed me most. We also got to see a Communist parade in Rome protesting the Iraq war among other things. I thought the Communist party had disappeared, but apparently not in Italy, since they hold a few of seats in the Italian Parliament.

More later, now sleeeeeep!

On Vacation For The Next 2 Weeks

Well, I am off on vacation for the next two weeks. I will be learning first hand how Europeans feel about Americans, and hopefully change some opinions on how most Americans feel about our rogue president.

I hope to do some entries from Europe if I can find a friendly internet café and will post photos on my return. With luck I am not on a no-fly list and should be able to get back OK.

Bush Spokespersons Lie On Tape - Continue To Assert Saddam-Zarqawi Connection

It is beyond belief the kind of blatant lies the Bush administration continues to spread about Iraq and Al-Qaeda. The Senate Intelligence Report clearly states that there was no relationship between Saddam and Al-Qaeda, yet Cheney, Snow, and Rice blitz the Sunday talk shows with the lie that they had relations. In fact the committee report states that Saddam considered Zarqawi an enemy and attempted to capture him.

Despite this staring them in the face, the Bush administration toadies make bald-faced lies again and again.

Watch it here.

November is closing in and Karl Rove hints at an October surprise. Ignore it, it will be a lie just like these and perhaps bigger. Vote these bastards out in November so we can start investigations and begin the process of throwing these liars out of office and into jail where they belong.

Ocean Route Opens To North Pole - Now Do You Believe In Global Warming?

Anyone who is in denial about global warming should use this as a wake up call. European scientists sailed a ship from Europe’s northernmost port to the North Pole research station. Hello! That is notable since it has never before been possible.

So here’s to Exxon-Mobile, Bush and all the other idiots who keep denying Global Warming is real. Have a nice glass of melted icecap and settle back for a long hot summer and fall and winter and spring.

White House Blocks Scientific Reports On Global Warming

If reality doesn’t agree with your policies, change it. At least that’s the Republican technique. Now emails released today, show how the White House tried to change science to fit it’s agenda. Global warming inconvenient? Block the reports or pressure scientists to change it for you.

Stay stupid! Vote Republican in November...or get the country back on track and vote these criminals out of office!

Congress Rejects Bush Torture Legalization

As a child I remember that we used to point to nations like the USSR and accuse them of using torture. We called it inhumane and condemned them. Today the US Government is using those same techniques. What changed?

Neocons lie that the world has changed since 9/11 and we must take such measures to protect our citizens. Well here’s a little history, back in the 1960’s the USSR had enough nuclear weapons pointed at us to destroy our civilization forever, and we had enough bombs and missiles aimed at them to wipe out life on the earth. Sounds pretty frightening and extreme to me. Yet we abhorred the use of torture and abided by the Geneva Convention.

Today, post 9/11 we still have thousands of nuclear missiles pointed at the rest of the world, and the USSR is no more. Instead we have small groups of religious zealots who are making political statements with horrible, but very localized attacks on us. Now, we feel it’s OK to use torture?

The Bush administration use of torture constitutes a war crime plain and simple. Now that they have been caught with their hand in the cookie jar, they want to make it legal to avoid prosecution. Well, Congress is finally growing some cajones and saying no way. What really needs to happen is a full investigation and if this administration is found to have violated international treaties, they should be turned over to an international court for war crimes, just as we would insist from any other despotic leader.

Well I am an adult now, and I have put away my childish notions that real justice will prevail. Instead I can only work to defeat these criminals in November and pray that our country can survive the religious zealots that are guiding us today.

Pope Angers Muslims, What Did He Expect?

In years past, though I didn’t agree with the Pope on many issues, I gave him credit for at least having a reasonable point of view and having a high degree of intelligence. The current Pope makes me wonder. First, I am not Catholic, so what the pope declares is of little theological meaning to me. That being said, I am a Christian and the actions of any Christian church affects the way others look at me, even if my beliefs differ considerably.

The current Pope, Benedict XVI came to power with warnings that he was a hard-liner, but never did anyone mention that he had only a loose grasp on reality. The Pope, quoting a 15th-century Byzantine emperor, told his audience at the University of Regensburg: "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

Does he really think these are not "Fighting Words" for Muslims? Is he so out of touch with the world situation that he believes he can spout this medieval tripe and not become the object of rage in the Muslim world? Nonsense, he knows it is a sore spot and was sure to cause inflamed tempers. I believe it’s his agenda to heighten tensions and start a Holy War for real. Remember the Catholic Church was behind the Crusades, and we remember how well those went.

His apologies ring hollow and I sincerely hope someone can pour oil on the troubled waters of this situation before it explodes into a real clash of civilizations. I would say nobody wants that , but recently I am not so sure.

Iraq Failure Laid At Feet Of GOP

Want a high paying government job? Just declare your unwavering loyalty to Emperor George Bush and you’ve got it!

That is the conclusion reached in an article in the Washing ton Post that details how key positions in the rebuilding of Iraq went to unqualified people whose only asset was they loyalty to Bush. N Need an example? Here’s a peach:

The daughter of a Neocon commentator and home-schooled graduate from an evangelical college, was loyal to Bush. The 24-year-old had never worked in finance was sent to reopen Baghdad's stock exchange.
And we wonder why over 9 Billion in US assistance simply disappeared? Incompetence, the measure of all Bush appointees seems to be the culprit.

November is our chance to throw these crooks out of office. Vote Democratic!

California Bans Cell Phone Use While Driving

It seems every time someone in a car comes close to slamming into me they are clutching a cell phone and chatting away instead of watching the road. For a long time he statistics backed the premise that cell phones contribute to accidents on the road, and finally California is doing something about it.

Hands-free systems are not covered so for those who absolutely must spend every minute on a phone babbling, there is hope. Now if only we could get the same law for supermarkets, restaurants, theatres and churches.

Is That A Pump In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Seems screeners at Chicago's O'Hare Airport are a little hard of hearing. When one passenger, shy in front of his mother, whispered to screeners that the device in his carry-on luggage was a penis pump, they thought he said penis BOMB and promptly arrested him.

The authorities decided to drop the case today, much to the passengers relief. He was facing 3 years in prison for disorderly conduct. So remember kids, don't carry your penis pumps on airplanes, the guards are pretty stupid, and they might charge you with carrying a deadly sex toy!

Goodbye Ann Richards, You Will Be Missed

My late mother once paid Ann Richards her highest compliment by calling her an SOB. To my mom, that meant "Salty Old Broad", and it was a title she gave out sparingly. Ann Richards was indeed salty, and God bless her for that. She opened Texas politics to everyone and may have been one of the best Governors Texas ever had. Sadly she is dead at age 73.

Richards once said that she didn’t want her tombstone to read "She kept a really clean house", but rather, "she opened government to everyone". That she did and this Texan will fondly remember her.

My favorite memory of her was watching a CBS new report with Mike Wallace outside the Governors mansion in Austin. In the middle of his report I heard, "Mike…Mike, come on in and have a glass of iced tea." Richards had seen the crew and instead of sending a press liaison, she just walked out and invited Mike in for a chat. Such was here sincerity and hospitality.

I cannot imagine the current governor, Rick Perry meeting with anyone without an appointment or a well-scripted agenda. He comes from the Karl Rove school of politics. Everything is a photo-op.

Speaking of Karl Rove, he is the reason Ann did not win her second term. His malicious use of a whispering campaign designed to spread rumors that the Governor was a lesbian cost her the election. These were literally whispers too; I even heard it from a conservative friend. Sickening tactic, and one that will surface again in a few weeks as the November elections get into full swing.

Don’t believe whispers. Beside, Ann Richards rarely whispered, even about her personal problems. She was open and honest about her battle and recovery from Alcoholism in the 1980’s and her health problems recently that led to her death. She was a Texas icon and she will be missed. On behalf of my late mother, I raise a glass of iced tea to her memory.

Bush Fortells Third Great Awakening - Prophecy?

Speaking more like someone with a prophet complex than a president, Bush harkened a Third Awakening of faith in the country. The first "awakenings" happened in the 18th century and brought with them waves of fanatic zealots including Jonathon Edwards, who preached the infamous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". Hell-fire and brimstone, in other words.

The second Great Awakening happened in the 1820’s and it saw the advent of the camp meeting and Restorationist movements.

Unfortunately for Bush, he is about 100 years too late; the Third Great Awakening was in he late 1800’s and has also been dubbed the Social Gospel or Missionary Movement.

Many scholars even note a Fourth Great Awakening with the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Bush is clearly preaching to his base, frantically campaigning in the Full Armor of God trying to save the November election for the Republicans. As a Christian, I find him a cheap imitation of a real prophet. He is the power that prophets speak truth to. Instead he seeks to create a false reality with lies and deceit.

Washington Post Columnist Slams "The Path to 9/11"

Ruth Marcus, columnist at the Washington Post gives the ABC Fraud-u-mentary the treatment it deserves, the raspberries. The mini-series was so full of fiction and half truths that it is impossible to catalog them all in this space. Unfortunately, she notes that 1.5 million copies of the 9/11 Report were sold, but 13 million viewers saw this crap.

Even with poor ratings ABC has colored the reality of millions with its lies, and the producers, tied to fundamentalist Christian groups, have achieved their goal. They have distorted the truth and reframed reality to fit their vision of the way things should have been. Never mind that Bush was asleep at the wheel, never mind that Bin Laden was never "in the sights" of CIA operative awaiting word to kill from Clinton, never mind that American Airlines didn't knowingly let a flagged passenger aboard their flight. Truth be damned, when you are waging a holy war.

The Christian Jihadists rarely deal with truth, and this show is another piece of evidence of that sad fact.

Michigan College Republicans Stage Mock Assassinations - Fun With Guns Day

"So wonder what we could do to get young people interested in the Republican Party," said Melman. "How about mock assassinations?" chimed in Morgan Wilkins an eager intern.

Though this dialogue is fictitious, the resulting stunts to attract young voters at The University of Michigan are not. Fun With Guns, a Republican Party event lets young people use BB Guns and Paintball Guns to assassinate leading Democratic figures. Not funny? I didn’t think so either.

Additionally, in another brainstorm worthy of the Bush administration they held a "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" day at the school. Great fun? Yea, really separates the mean spirited kids from the rest, exactly the kind of voter the Republicans want.

This kind of crap makes me cringe. It exemplifies the spirit of much of the GOP platform. Calling it mean spirited is mild, it falls more into the realm of sadistic, and I mean that in a bad way. Needless to say, Democrats are not happy.

McCain Calls Americans Who Disagree Schizophrenics

Further proof that McCain has cut a deal with Bush and Company. McCain made the comments at a fund-raising lunch for Rep. Dan Lungren, a Republican of California.

Seems nowadays if you disagree with anything Bush does, you are labeled as crazy, a traitor, and appeaser, or worse. Mix that with the toxic atmosphere that already exists around the Administration and it's a recipe for failure in Novermber for Republicans. Americans like their freedom to dissent and get pretty upset when you tell them they can't disagree with you.

Ted Koppel On DIscovery - Great Journalism And Great Television

ABC Nightline is but a shadow of what it once was, now that Ted Koppel has moved to the Discovery Channel. Last night he proved what good journalism is capable of in a special entitled, "The Price of Security". It was part documentary and part town hall meeting and it was all great television.

The show asks the question that is the real elephant in the room, "How much freedom are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of security?" The answers were not bumper sticker slogans or pap, but thoughtful stories on both the security issue and the abuses of power it has produced, including the saga of a Canadian citizen, who was illegally detained by the FBI, spirited away to Syria to a CIA "Black Site" and tortured for months before being released. He had done nothing, was guilty of nothing and his life was forever altered by our countries actions. Maher Arar, was the man, and his family had no idea where he was for 10 months. The Canadian government finally managed to have him released and his story was sobering. Contrary to Bush’s assertions, he was tortured and detained in inhumane conditions in a cell the size of a grave for 24 hours a day. How he managed to retain his sanity is a testament to human endurance.

Beyond that story the town hall meeting form featured people from both the administration and other officials including ACUL representatives, and members of the 9/11 victims families. There was no shouting or interruptions, only civil discourse. The answers given by the government people were evasive as usual, but the comments of Tom Ridge, former Homeland Security Chief were less veiled. He stated that we had gone beyond the limits of what could be expected to insure our safety and must reexamine what we are doing in this regard. All but the Bush appointees had grave reservations about the wiretaps and other illegal activities going on in the name of safety.

Overall it was unbiased, and a stunningly good program. I sincerely hope more people watched it than the ABC Fake-u-drama Political Ad "The Path to 9/11". Good job Ted, keep it up!

Dick Cheney Attacks All Dissent - Expressing Opinions = Treason?

Cheney insults patriotic Americans by his attack on dissent. Dissent is what our Forefathers fought for and what America has always been about. The liberty to speak opinions contrary to the government in power. It is what makes our country great.

It would seem Cheney would prefer a Soviet Union styled country where any dissent is treason and the press is an official channel for government propaganda. We are headed down that path, and unless we change the course, speaking your mind will be a dangerous as it was in Soviet Russia in the 1970’s.

Enough is enough, time to turn these criminals out into the street and out of the seats of power. We can start in November with changing the Senate and House. VOTE!

American Airlines Falsely Blamed For 9/11

Viewers who have seen a preview copy of the "fraudumentary" about to be broadcast on ABC TV noted that the program falsely blames American Airlines for violating their security rules and allowing Mohammad Atta to board at Logan Airport . Atta actually boarded in Portland and it was a US Airways flight that first had a warning on him. However, the warning was not high level and did not preclude him from boarding.

In the ABC show American Airlines are made to look like idiots allowing a known hijacker to board. Wonder if they will advertise on ABC ever again?

(Poster from www.newscorpse.com)

Pope Calls Gay Rights "Ephemeral Social Trend"

Well, Gay folks have no friends at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI has launched a full-frontal attack on the rights of gay people just as he was about to depart for the Fatherland. In words that would fit well with the philosophy of another infamous German when he called Gay rights "an ephemeral social trend".

The comment came in a speech intended to influence democratic elections to be held across the US in November. He also castigated Canada for its moves toward equal rights for GLBT people.

Good to know that grace is not wasted in the Catholic Church, but rationed out to those favored by a man who was once a member of the Hitler Youth. You would think someone experiencing God’s grace after that kind of childhood would have more understanding of the true nature of God.

ABC Movie Of 9/11 Actually Funded By Fundamentalist Christian Organization

I sensed a hidden had behind the ABC TV project, Path to 9/11" and it turns out I was correct. Looks like an evangelical conservative Christian group is the actual funding source and producer of the project. The director’s family is tied to the fundamentalist group Youth With A Mission, whose "mission" is to infiltrate Hollywood and produce movies that carry their skewed version of history.

Their first project working script was titled the Untitled History Project, and was begun in 2005 as a history of 9/11. The production company was co-founded with Disney called UHP Productions.

Do the math and this adds up to propaganda pure and simple. Write your local affiliate of ABC and protest its blatant distortion of history today.

Bolton Nomination Dead According To Insiders

Looks like John Bolton’s nomination may be deader than his 1970’s toupee. The Washington Note reports:

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is "highly unlikely" to reconsider Bolton's confirmation again as things now stand. One insider reported, as far as the Committee is concerned, "we consider the confirmation over. It's dead."

Good news for anyone who believes that the best way to resolve international differences is through diplomacy and negotiations not war.

Brattleboro, Vermont Maintains Right To Public Nudity

The city elders of Brattleboro, Vermont used good judgement, in my opinion, in failing to rule on a city ordinance banning public nudity. Their reasoning was pretty simple. The leaves are changing and it will soon be too cold for public nudity. If the problem pops up again in the spring they will reexamine the issue.

I applaud these hearty New Englanders and their common sense. Public nudity could be used as a wedge issue to separate and invigorate political factions; instead they simply dropped it in favor of Mother Nature taking care of the problem.

As many readers recall Brattleboro is home to what was termed Breast Fest in 1990, a topless parade to invigorate discussion of breast cancer. The latest nude appearances have been sporadic and mostly teenagers sunbathing or having good clean fun sans clothing.

Here in Texas being "nekid" is akin to robbing a bank and would bring down the full force of the law. Gawd I hate this state sometimes!

Bush Pollster Pleads Guilty Of Fraud

I have long suspected some of the polls I see and now I have those suspicions confirmed. DataUSA now known as Viewpoint USA has been instrumental in several Bush campaign polls as well as the Lieberman campaign. Today the owner pleaded guilty of fraud. Turns out he made up lots of the results.

Detect a theme here? Conservatives like to make things up when the facts don’t fit their beliefs. More later.

Clinton Tells ABC TV To Tell The Truth

Finally, President Clinton has joined the fight against ABC and its right-wing propaganda show "The Path to 9/11". His lawyer has sent a scorching letter to the president of ABC Television and I suspect they will read between the lines and see the enormous liable suit coming.

The program makes many factual errors and purports to be the truth. The Director, right-wing supporter Cyrus Nowrasteh has even admitted that he made much of the critical plot points up. Let ABC know that this blatant pre-election tactic will not work.

"Fraude!" "Rateros!" Battle Cry Of The New Mexican Civil War

"Frauds, thieves", cried the supporters of López Obrador, candidate for president of Mexico. They were shouting outside the high court that was to certify the election results which even though the razor thin margin of victory for Obrador’s opponent had been disqualified during a recount. The court performed a stunt worth of the US Supreme Court, deciding an election and nullifying citizen’s right to elect a president.

Now Obrador’s supporters are going to block Calderon (the winner) from making his traditional September 15 speech. They swear to take over the Zocalo outside the National Palace in protest. They already blocked Vincente Fox from making his last State of the Union speech to Mexico’s Congress. Additionally they will hold a convention on September 16 to form a "Government in Resistance."

Seems like sleepy Mexico has awakened to the years of corruption and fraud that have dominated Mexican politics. Many saw the arrival of Fox and the PAN as a welcome breath of fresh air to the PRI, which had ruled Mexico virtually unopposed for so many years. Instead the PAN has been a wind for more corruption and fraud backed by big business, much like the Republican Party is here.

We should take a lesson from our fellow North Americans in Mexico, we need change and if the ballot box is no longer a path, then other paths must be found. Viva Mexico!

GOP Funneled Millions Into Lieberman Campaign

Seems the man with Joementum was being supported by the GOP in his primary bid for the Democratic ticket. An article in Insight Magazine details how the GOP funneled millions to the Lieberman campaign.

Just as well he is off the ticket and even better that Ned Lamont will beat his alleged independent run in November. Bye Joe, we hardly knew you.

ABC 9/11 Docudrama Full Of Lies

ABC TV joins the Republican lie machine with their alleged docudrama "Path to 9/11". They have a key scene which never happened, where the Clinton administration supposedly has Bin Laden surrounded and fails to act. According to Richard Clarke, the counterterrorism czar under Bush the Elder, Clinton, and Bush the Lesser, it never happened.

Time to stop the propaganda. Take action and let ABC know they can't cook the facts right before the election.

BREAKING NEWS: It seems that ABC sent pre-broadcast versions of the show to right-wing bloggers only. This shows a blatant political slant for the missleading program and they must know about it.

Call this guy and let him know how you feel:

Kevin Brockman
ABC Vice President for Publicity
(818) 460 6655

Condi Says War Opponents Would Condone Slavery

Moving from the absurd to the completely wacko, the Bush administrations orchestrated attack on Iraq war opponents continues with the latest strange salvo.

Secretary of State Rice compared the Iraq war with the American Civil War, telling a magazine that slavery might have lasted longer in this country if the North had decided to end the fight early.

"I'm sure there are people who thought it was a mistake to fight the Civil War to its end and to insist that the emancipation of slaves would hold," Rice said in the new issue of Essence magazine.

"I know there were people who said, 'Why don't we get out of this now, take a peace with the South, but leave the South with slaves?'" Rice said.

It was bad enough that Cheney tried to equate war opponents to Neville Chamberlain, but to try to make this crazy analogy is over the edge. This is another sign that the Bush administration is teetering on collapse and will try anything to stay in power. Keep an eye out for some sort of Machiavellian October Surprise.

Funny Edit Of Bush Speech

Google Video is a new time waster, but sometimes it's amazing to see what people come up with. This video is an edit of the State of the Union Speech that makes what Bush says accurate and true. His pledge to burn away forests, and torture just about anyone is freighteningly accurate.

Enjoy!

Bush Says Jews Going To Hell

In the spirit of a true conservative and born again Christianist, Bush told a reporter while he was govenor of Texas, "you know what I'm gonna tell those Jews when I get to Israel…I'm telling 'em they're all going to hell."

Ah that’s the true conservative spirit. Bush is quoted in the new book by James Moore and Wayne Slater. The book, "The Architect: Karl Rove and the Master Plan for Absolute Power" is about the rise and hopefully soon fall of Karl Rove. I suggest you read it, the excerpts already available are amazing.

Mexico’s President Fox Chased From Congress

Deputies and supporters of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stormed the podium in Mexico’s congress hall just before President Fox was to take the stage to deliver his last State of the Union speech. They were protesting the troubled election won by Fox’s handpicked successor, Felipe Calderon. The election has been fraught with accusations of fraud. During a recount, Mexico’s high court, taking a cue from the US Supreme Court, declared Obrador as the winner even though his lead was just over ½ a percentage point.

Having lived in Mexico, I can assure you that this country has fraud and corruption on a scale that makes the Bush administration look like amateurs. I have long suspected there might be another revolution there and perhaps this is the beginning of it. Now if the voters of this country will watch Mexico closely, they might learn something. Corruption must be stopped. The first line of defense is the ballot box; however once that has been corrupted the streets are the only choice left. Let’s hope it does not reach that point here.

Pat Buchanan Argues For Racial Purity

Pat would feel right at home with the other chief architect of racial purity. In his latest zany book, he warns that the white nation he so loved as a child will be gone by 2050.

Next I suspect he will be arguing for invading Mexico so we have Leibensraum for the white Aryan Americans to grow. He never ceases to amaze me!

King Bush Puts Anti Labor Lawyer Into Wage & Hour Post

Bush plans another no-vote appointment. He sates he will recess appoint Paul DeCamp as head of the U.S. Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division. This guy was Wal-Mart’s attorney and has never come down on the side of the workers in any case. This is like turning over the Child Protective Services to a known child abuser.

Bush has no shame and no clue that the American people are fed up with him and his tyrannical authoritarian politics. He was not elected King and he cannot behave like one. Write your congressperson and let them know how upset you are. Even though you may get a form letter in reply at least they will know some people actually care that they are not doing their jobs.

September 11 Memories

Since everyone else is remembering September 11, I guess it’s my turn.

I was at a secluded resort near the shores of Lake Michigan attending a gathering with 300 of my closest kinky friends. That morning, I rose early as usual and wandered down to the cook tent. After slurping a cup of coffee, I overheard one of the busboys saying in Spanish that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.

I headed up to the Hotel bar and saw the TV on inside. There before me was the smoking north tower. As more and more people drifted into the bar to watch, we were as confused as the media, until we say the second plane hit the south tower. Immediately everyone said the same word, "terrorists". It didn’t take the announcer to let us know that his was the work of a planned attack.

Now the bar was getting crowded and a friend from New York next to me broke down in tears. "They’re destroying my city", he moaned choking back a sob. I put an arm around him as we continued to watch.

They cut to a correspondent at the Pentagon to get the official response, during her report there was a loud boom and she looked visibly shaken. Conjecture the stuff of the 24-hour news cycle was that there had been an explosion there, she would report back with more as soon as she had details. Before she could finish they cut to another reporter in Washington who said a 3rd plane had crashed into the pentagon.

Then the scene cut back to the towers, as we saw close ups of people jumping in twos and threes to their death rather than be burned alive. The most surreal image was the shower of paper that was streaming from the towers. White sheets fluttered like grim confetti at a parade, but this parade was a funeral march. As we listened to the newspeople babble, trying to make sense of it all, the rumors the unsubstantiated reports, we saw the south tower start to move. Buildings aren’t supposed to do that. Voices everywhere in the bar screamed as it rumbled downward. The announcers fell silent for a moment, bewildered by the sight.

As the clouds of dust and paper engulfed lower Manhattan, my heart was racing wildly. Where would they strike next? Friends from Chicago were on cell phones to people in the Sears tower, telling them to get out. I was on the phone to my lover in Dallas, making sure he was OK. Who knew what was happening?

A few friends and myself decided we needed to go home immediately, from the reports on the news, this could be only the beginning. Rumors of more planes and bombs filled the airwaves, and so we hit the ATM at the resort for a few hundred dollars in cash and headed off with all our luggage in a tiny rented compact car.

Four good-sized men and enough luggage to fill a station wagon were crammed into a Buick Sable and took off for Dallas. We listened to the radio constantly to hear some word from Washington and the President as to what was happening. What we heard was confusion. Bush was in Florida and now was on a plane bound for who knows where; Cheney was at an undisclosed location. It seemed as though the government had vacated Washington while the dust settled.

On the way back we passed gas stations changing their prices to $5 and $6 per gallon. Ah, capitalism at it’s worst! At one station we paid $3.50 a gallon to fill up and the owner was outside changing the sign to $8.00. Everyone at the station confronted him and told him to put the sign down and go back inside. At least there was some decency left!

We stayed the night in the lovely town of Bucksnort, TN (No joke). After watching replays of the days activities on TV we fell into a troubled sleep. The next morning we started off and made it to Dallas by afternoon. Rumors of "marshal law" abounded so we had no idea if we’d be able to get home or not.

Gratefully we pulled into DFW Airport and returned the rental car. We had all parked there when we flew out, so it made sense to return the car there. It was spooky. No planes flying and silence in a normally deafening soundscape. I heard music playing at the curb from the overhead sound system. I have never before or since been able to hear that at the airport. Funny what you remember.

That night I spent with my lover at home recapping the stories and watching TV to see what was really happening. I now know that I panicked needlessly and could have stayed a few more days without problem, but at times of crisis it’s comforting to be with the people you love and to know they are safe.

When I remember that day now, I find myself becoming very angry. Angry with a government whom did nothing while the planes turned and headed for NY and DC. Angry with a President who felt the need to read a story to preschoolers instead of speaking to a frightened and confused nation. Angry at the politicization of the tragedy and the failure to honor the real heroes who gave their lives to save many people in both the Pentagon and WTC. Angry that the President used what was a singularly uniting moment to start a war with Iraq instead of bring the world together to deal with the problem of terrorism and it’s root causes.

I still dream of the people falling from the towers and hear the collective gasp of all my friends watching with me on TV when the Towers crashed. The good that came from that day for me, was a commitment to work toward changing our world. Toward finding paths to peace and not to war, and toward bringing a system of checks and balances back to America through a real democracy.

Ann Coulter Makes Another Death Threat

Once again the reigning Queen of Mean makes another death threat. On a recent Fox News broadcast her commentary was highlighted with the banner "The shot the wrong Lincoln", referring to moderate Republican Lincoln Chafee. Funny how these Neocon pundits can make what amount to death threats and remain immune to prosecution.

Wearing T-shirts With Arabic Now Cause For Ban From Flight

"We Will Not Be Silent" was the slogan of the White Rose group. They were brave Germans who resisted the Nazis during their rise to power. Today, their memory has been defamed but US transport officials.

An architect wearing a black T-shirt with the slogan "We Will Not Be Silent" was forced to change his shirt or not be allowed to board a JetBlue flight from NY to California. The reason? Well the slogan was printed in both English and Arabic, and he was of Middle-Eastern descent. This action by authorities is exactly the reason every patriotic American should wear a similar shirt. To be denied the freedom to express ideals, even through something as trivial as a T-shirt are protected as FREE SPEECH in this country, or at least used to be. Now, the sad state of affairs is that they are not.

ABC News Erupts With Supervolcano Non Story! Be Affraid NOW!

Looks like there isn’t enough fear in America for the population to be controllable. Guess what? Now ABC News is thumping a buls*#t story about SUPERVOLCANOES! Yellowstone could explode at any moment and end the world. BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFFRIAD!

Well being a vulcanology enthusiast, I only had to click my browser twice to get to the bottom of this crap. USGS, one of the only government organizations not yet staffed by political hacks has a whole page on Supervolcanoes and since the Discovery Channel did their wacko fictionalized special, the folks at the United States Geological Service decided to set the record straight.

In ABC News story they don’t even have the dates right, much less the science. Why the story? Well there is a special about "The Last Days on Earth" on 20/20. How can I avoid the conclusion that they are selling more fear to try to influence the November elections? Cynical? Damn right I am Cynical!

Fox News Dives In Ratings

Fox News, the network that brings you’re the hate mongering Bill O’Riley has taken a nosedive in the ratings. Their rating dropped a whopping 28% among all viewers, and 20% in the 24-55 demographic, the folks with money!

Fox may be suffering the same fate as the President whose approval continues to plumb the depths. I wonder how long Rupert will continue to follow the party line, when he starts hemorrhaging money from the exodus of advertisers and lowered revenue?

Rumsfeld Lies Again

I guess it’s hard being the Secretary of Defense who oversaw the baseless attacks on Iraq, but now he’s just making stuff up. In a speech before the American Legion, he likened critics of the war to those who tried to appease the Nazi’s during WWII.

It is shameful when the Secretary of Defense starts spewing these kind of nonsensical allegations. He fails to name anyone in Congress who favors appeasement of terrorists, yet makes bold claims that a new kind of fascism is loose in the world.

I have news for Mr. Rumsfeld, a new fascism is loose in the world and it’s seat of power is in Washington, DC in the White House. A president who is unchecked by Congress and seeks more and more power looks pretty much like a fascist to me. But enough of the name calling, let’s see your facts Mr. Rumsfeld. Name one Senator or Congressman that has advocated appeasing the terrorists.

(Ominous silence)

Return Of The Dust Bowl?

In the 1930’s the southern Great Plains became a big mass of swirling dust. Over tilling the soil and poor land management as well as a continued drought led to huge quantities of topsoil being swept away by high winds. Dust storms made conditions intolerable and many were forced from their farms by bankruptcy and just plain old despair.

Well, thanks to he recent continued drought the northern Great Plains now face a similar fate. Cattle ranchers have had to sell their cattle early because the grazing is so poor. Even hay is at a premium because of the drought.

The effects of global warming? No one knows for sure, but if this is a persistent pattern, the Great Plains may become the Great American Desert again. My suggestion is similar to the Governor of South Dakota, pray for rain. Meanwhile, we need to start taking steps to reverse the global warming trend. If not now, we may not have another opportunity.

Archbishop Of Canterbury Says Gays Not Welcome In Church

The concept of grace and God’s love for all his children, a concept which Jesus preached relentlessly has apparently not reached the Anglican Church. The archbishop of Canterbury has told gays that they need to change their behavior if they are to be welcomed into the church.

It seems that God only loves those who his earthly servants judge. The God of the Archbishop is a servant to church proclamations and not the omnipotent and all-loving God I worship. I guess as a Christian who tries to follow Jesus I will have to look elsewhere for spiritual guidance. Again, I am grateful for denominations like the United Church of Christ and other liberal Christian churches that let God speak for himself through whomever hears his call.

Quote For The Day

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy? - Mohandas Ghandi

Hundreds Protest At Presidential Vacation To Maine

Bush seems to be dogged by protesters wherever he goes these days, and that’s a good thing. As Bush has said, "you have to keep repeating yourself to catapult the propaganda." Well, a group of 700+ were on hand outside the Kennebunkport compound of his father to let Bush know that the US needs to get out of Iraq.

We have Camp Casey in Crawford, this group on Maine, next we need a group camped outside the White House doing the same thing, except that group needs to be several hundred thousand strong. A mass protest in Washington to call attention to the unjust and illegal war might just catapult not only the propaganda, but Bush from office.

Katrina + 1 And State Farm Accused Of Dodging Claims

Investigators say State Farm Insurance buried or altered Katrina damage reports to avoid paying claims. Two whistleblowers who worked for the company for 8 years have turned over thousands of documents to the FBI. If I had any State Farm Stock I would sell it now, cause they are gonna take a really hard fall unless Bush and company come in and save them.

I have heard from friends along the gulf coast that have battled with their insurance companies for over a year and still have nothing. If we had a real government, hey would come in and cut through all this crap and make the insurance companies pay off. Funny how they are always fast with a collection notice when a premium is late, but have a claim? Good luck sucker!
Something is very, very wrong with this system and it must be changed soon.

Did Israel Uses Cluster Bombs In Civilian Areas?

About 10 years ago I visited a factory in Kansas. I was making an industrial documentary about the plant that made explosives and cluster bombs for the US Army. It so happened that I was there on the same day Bob Dole visited, and I watched the seasoned politician schmooze his way through the crowds of employees eager to shake his hand. He had come to assure them that another fat government contract was in the bag and they would be in business for a long time to come.

The cluster bombs they made gave me shivers. I shot tests of the individual bomblets and saw Army film of the full device in use. These were called "smart weapons" because they have a computer to guide them toward their target, however my first thought was how dumb they were. They scatter hundreds of bright yellow bomblets that look more like cans of tuna fish than weapons. These explode using a specially shaped explosive that sends a high powered stream of vaporized copper plasma out capable of burning through inches of armor. What they didn’t say in any of their explanations was that these bomblets often do not fully deploy and explode. They can litter the battlefield like unexploded land mines, which can later go off unexpectedly and burn holes through anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby.

These are the kind of weapons we have sold to the Israelis with the caveat that they not be used against civilians. Now we are investigating just that kind of use. It seems that Israel used these weapons in civilian areas of Lebanon, which violates the Geneva Convention. What I expect will come from these investigations will be the same thing that always comes from any problem with Israel. We will sweep it under the rug and nothing will come from it.

Israel and the US are allies, and I have no problem with that. However, repeatedly ignoring violations of UN sanctions, covert spying on the US and human rights violations makes this allegiance a problem. We must treat Israel like we would any other country and not like they were a favorite child. Our favoritism sends the wrong message to the other countries in the Middle-East. Israel as well as its neighbors must be held accountable for their actions, and while we are at it, so should we.

GOP Wants Scarier Take On Iran Intelligence From CIA

Well apparently the news on Iran is not scary enough for the GOP. Some in that party are complaining that the threat is being downplayed by the CIA. The reality is that they want the country scared SH*%LESS. That is the only way they can increase their poll numbers and their chances of keeping control of congress in November. The real news is that people are not falling for it anymore.

They really want to cook the books again on the intelligence like last time, except we already fell for that lie and won’t be fooled again. Remember what Bush said, "fool me once, shame on me. Fool me …we won’t be fooled again!"

For once I agree wholeheartedly with the president.

What’s That Sound? Rosa Parks Spinning In Her Grave.

First a reminder, it’s 2006. Next the story, a bus driver in Coushatta, Louisana asked 9 black children attending Red River Elementary to relinquish their seats to white children and move to the back of the bus.

Again, it’s 2006! If this is not a reason for outrage I don’t know what is.

Pluto Demoted, Now A Dwarf Planet

In the second grade I won a blue ribbon in the city-wide Science Fair with a model of the solar system. At the time it included Pluto, but even then you could tell it was very different from the other planets. It’s orbit intersected that of Neptune, and it was so far from the sun that it took 247.7 Earth years to complete a cycle and it was tilted 17.5° from the plane of the other planets. Quite an odd-ball, little Pluto, but since it was named after one of my favorite Disney characters I loved it. Later I found its name came from Pluto ruler of the underworld, a name given it back in 1930.

For years there has been a question as to whether Pluto is a planet or something else, and finally the International Astronomical Union made the call. Pluto, along with its moon Charon as well as Ceres and Xena are "Dwarf Planets". Guess I will have to give the blue ribbon back.

The strange thing is that there is a public cry against demoting Pluto. Rather than accept the wisdom of people who make their living studying the universe, people want Pluto a planet because they like it. And least you think this is the product of too many home-schooled Americans, it’s worldwide. What difference does it make? Pluto is still there, in fact NASA has a spacecraft traveling there right now. It’s still a very interesting object and better to spend time studying it than debating its status in our definition of a planet.

My hope is that perhaps this will get a few more kids interested in astronomy, if for no other reason than to learn enough to prove Pluto deserves planethood after all.

Former CIA Security Unit Head Says US More Vulnerable To Attack Than Prior To 9/11

Michael Scheuer headed up the CIA’s Bin Laden task force and had a 22-year career in the organization. He resigned in 2004. In a recent interview in Harper’s, Michael sees the United States less secure now than before 9/11. He concedes that legal entry points have been fortified, but almost every other entry to the country remains unprotected.

As regard to terrorist organizations:

"We can't capture them one by one and bring them to justice. There are too many
of them, and more now than before September 11. In official Western rhetoric
these are finite organizations, but every time we interfere in Muslim countries
they get more support."

The interview is very revealing and depressing. It shows the ineffectiveness of the Bush administration in their alleged "War on Terror" and how little real security it provides. I would be tempted to call Bush incompetent, but in reality I think he has done no more that lead us down the path that his conservatism logically points. An ideologically driven dictatorship by a strong paternal power figure is the end result of the Neocon agenda. The big problem is that is not what Democracy should be. Bush, I suspect would agree with John Adams when he said that monarchy was the most stable form of government. Maybe so, but the only monarchies left have been stripped of their power and the few that still function like Saudi Arabia are despotic. That’s not the kind of country I want.

Baggy Pants Big Issue For Dallas City Council

The Dallas City Council, apparently not too busy today is debating an ordinance to ban droopy pants. The low-rider pants, a style popular among many young people may have actually started in jails where they confiscate belts as a security precaution. The trend apparently is so disruptive, the city council has to chime in.

Already limited in schools, this ban would extend to the city limits. I suspect the ACLU will join the fray sooner or later and well they should. Granted, the fashion looks not only ghetto, but downright goofy. Yet, my generation faced the same challenge with bell-bottoms in the 1960’s. Seems people just can’t get over allowing someone else to look silly without trying to pass an ordinance against it.

43,443 Americans Killed In 2005 And No War On Traffic Deaths

Where is the outrage? 43,443 Americans dead and no word from the president? Whyh no war on traffic deaths, a war we can actually win with education and enforcement, without causing any more damage or death. Not macho enough for our government I guess. Now if we could stage a photo op with Bush roaring up to the cameras on a police Harley with a bulging crotch, well that might work.

This figure puts the deaths at the hands of terrorists in perspective. Most of those killed were innocent victims and yet nobody even writes one editorial. As a country we really have our priorities screwed up.

August 23 And The World Didn't End

Well, at the risk of tempting fate, it’s past midnight in the Middle East and the world didn’t end. ABC news ran a ridiculous story about clerics predicting the battle of Armageddon on August 22. Well it’s the 23 and no battle. Guess this one will go down like the "Great Disappointment" back in 1844 when a preacher named Miller had so many people convinced the world would end that they gave up their jobs and followed him to a place where they would be whisked up to heaven. That day was October 22. Funny how that number crops up.

Well, so many of Millers followers were disappointed that they formed their own religion, Seventh Day Adventists. Maybe a new religion will start tomorrow, who knows. The truth is that the fear campaign goes on. Keep playing that fear card GOP it will get you nowhere.

Homeland Security Wants Unprecedented Access To Personal Data

Would you feel safer if the Government had unlimited access to all your personal information? Credit card info, banking, telephone, Internet, mail, library records and more? The typical response is, "well if I am not doing anything wrong why not?" Why not changes to why do you need that when the motives behind the snooping is questionable.

Remember that the Bush administration claimed that they had evidence of WMD in Iraq. That Iraq and Al Qaeda were linked. That Iraq was seeking yellow cake uranium from Niger. The list of lies by Bush and company grows longer every day, and that should make you a bit skeptical about them seeking more power and information about your private life.

Certhoff now wants an unprecedented amount of data about travelers. Will this make us safer? I doubt it. This is the same department that let New Orleans drown and still refuses to screen containers for possible bombs. Why do they need this info? Well, enough of the questions. Personally, I sincerely believe they will either not be able to process so much new information, or will use it to find political enemies rather than terrorists. Remember that these guys had no problem compromising our security and outing a CIA operative just to destroy a political career of a whistleblower.

Vermont Town Wants To Ban Nudity

Coming from Texas, this is a really weird story to me. You see, here in the Bible Belt, not wearing clothes is something akin to murder, maybe worse. I suspect there are Bible thumpers who take baths in bathing suits and have never seen another human being naked. The straight-laced zanies here would explode during Brattleboro Vermont’s "Breast Fest" where thousands of women paraded topless down main street.

Seems that there is no ordinance against public nudity in Vermont, and consequently sunny days bring a number of nude sunbathers to local parks and parking lots. It sounds very European to me. In many European countries the rare sunny day is a time to soak up any rays you can . Topless sunbathers are common, even in city parks.

Now someone got their panties in a wad and want nudity banned. What a pity. Before this nobody thought sun bathing nude was wrong. It was just natural. Now that we have moralists trying to impose their views on the public it’s become a "sin".

Republican Pundit Asks, "Is Bush An Idiot?" Naw, He's Probably Just Drunk.

Sounding at times delusional in the news conference, it seems that Bush is even having trouble with his Neocon stooges. Joe Scarborough, former Republican congressman and staunch supporter hosted a segment on MSNBC titles, "Is Bush an Idiot?"

Not exactly the kind of stuff you want to hear from the right when you are under fire from the left already. What’s more worrisome is the ad-lib remarks made earlier to the press where Bush could not even finish a sentence coherently.

If I were a betting man, I would say Bush needs a meeting really bad, and probably should consider treatment. On the good side, he admitted today that Iraq never had anything to do with Al-Queda or 9/11. Maybe this is part of his 4h step. There but for the grace of God go I.

CNN Features Really Scary Graphics! Are You Afraid Now?

Booga, booga, booga! There are you afraid now? No? How about this? Terror, terrorists, living in your neighborhood, on your street, NEXT DOOR!!!! Afraid now?

No? Then you are like most Americans. You aren't buying it anymore. Yes there are terrorists out there and they are probably in the country already, they were on 9/11 and the will be in the future. Should we cower in fear and let the Bush administration take away more rights? Hell no.

That is the opinion of most people in this country and it shows in the lack of gain in Bush’s approval ratings after the British terror plot was foiled. Even after the spate of non-news reports of planes stopping to unload delusional passengers, and mistaken bomb sniffing dogs in Italy. There will be terrorists until our policies change and most folks know that.

Now CNN joins Faux News in trying to scare people. Their new TERROR 2.0 banners are almost ludicrous in their obvious pandering to fear. You have to wonder who is feeding them this crap.

Cheney And Friends Cooking The Books On Iranian Uranium Claims

So if you were Vice President, who would you turn to for matters of intelligence. The CIA, NSA, FBI? Not if you are Dick Cheney, you ask your friend Abram Shulsky, former director of the Office of Special Plans in the Defense Department. Former, you ask? Yep, now he’s a consultant, and member of the Neocon Project for a New American Century.

I guess it’s not surprising, since this administration is guided by their ideals and beliefs rather than fact. If the facts don’t fit, make them up. And that is apparently what’s happening with the intelligence on the nuclear programs of Iran. According to a story printed today in "Raw Story":

"Several foreign policy experts, who wish to remain anonymous, have expressed
serious concern that much like the OSP, the ID is manipulating, cherry picking,
and perhaps even -- as some suspect -- cooking intelligence to lead the U.S.
into another conflict, this time with Iran."

The ID is the Iran Directorate, a spin off from the OSP and an organization that has Shulsky as a consultant.

If this all sounds familiar, it is. Remember the Niger Yellow Cake Uranium crap? Looks like this "special" intelligence division, which has earned the skepticism of real intelligence organizations like the CIA is feeding Cheney and Bush what they want to hear and more importantly, what they can use to keep our country afraid. Read a little Machiavelli, and you’ll find how useful fear is in controlling a population.

Yet Another Flaw In Diebold Voting Machines

Diebold electronic voting machines are back in the news. Seems a study released yesterday by Election Science Institute of San Francisco, Calif., shows the machines did not keep accurate matching records to a paper backup of the votes. Needless to say the fine folks at Diebold, heavy contributors to the Republican Party, claim the study is flawed.

This should add yet another bullet to the ammunition targeted at these electronic machines. The previous flaw found that the machines could easily be tampered with and votes changes with the simple flick of a switch.

What’s wrong with a paper ballot? So what if we can’t get results instantaneously? At least you can have a fair recount with paper.

Need A Job? Send Gov. Rick Perry A Bushel Of Bucks.

Rick Perry must have gone to the Jack Abramoff School of Politics. He has given 10 of his top donors plum contracts or choice appointments with the state of Texas. Though Perry denies a pay-for-play scenario, it doesn’t take a genius to figure this scam out. Case in point, even the right-wing rag The Dallas Morning News calls this action questionable. And in an election year, the Dallas News running any negative stuff on a Republican is very unusual.

Though personally I find Kinky Friedman appealing, I am going to vote for Chris Bell this year. We need all the registered Democrats we can in Austin. The "ledge" has been out of control for long enough. Time to reign them in.

Free Market Works, Afghanistan Opium Production Hits Record High

Under the Taliban, opium production was eliminated, but now under the benevolent gaze of the free market, it's back and bigger than ever! The production is up over 40% since 2005 hitting a record high, accounting for over 90% of the world’s supply. And for Afghanistan? Well opium now makes up over 52% of the country's gross national product.

Congratulations to all the people in the Bush administration for creating another narco-state! Wonder how bad we can screw up Iraq?

And for those folks who think I am glorifying the Taliban, here’s my answer. They were a bunch of religious zealots and extremists. I have little sympathy for them and pity the Afghan people who had to live under such a repressive regime. Theocracies are always a bad thing; not one has ever worked out well, and most end up committing atrocities in the name of their God. Something to remember here in this country as well.

Homeland Security Chairman Calls For Ethnic & Religious Profiling

Well, yesterday it was a trial balloon on Faux News, today it’s for real. The chairman of the House Homeland Security Commission is calling for extra screening for people of Middle East or South Asian descent. Peter King (R-NY) made the suggestion even though most law enforcement agencies dismiss such and idea.

I suspect the Neocon think tanks have issued this new call in one of their talking point faxes and being a good Republican clone, King is just marching in goose-step with the party line. Coming up next, resettlement communities also known as concentration camps.

Fox News Pundit Calls For "Muslim Only" Line At Airports

The NeoCons have a test site for their wacky ideas to see if hey have any merit at least with possible voters and more importantly campaign contributors. It’s called FOX News. More than once I have seen wacky far right ideas floated by FOX pundits. Some eventually reach the mainstream, while others dies as quickly as they were born.

The latest trial balloon comes from right-wing radio host Mike Gallagher, a guest on "Dayside". He proposed "Muslim Only" lines at airports to assure the screening of Muslims while traveling. Furthermore he said, "most Americans want prejudice. Let’s be prejudiced against those who want to slaughter innocent American men, women and children. It’s time we start exercising some prejudice and stop these bloody terrorists."

To be fair, something FOX rarely does, the host seemed dismayed at his suggestion, but as most people who follow the media know, FOX News does almost nothing that is not carefully scripted or influenced by the Republican spin machine. Was his remark a fluke? Not a chance. This was the old tactic of running it up the flag pole and seeing who salutes. My hope is that America will not fall for this ploy. It’s ultimate extension would be internment and perhaps worse, and that would be about as un-American as things could get.

Bush Cuts Back Presence at World AIDS Conference - Affraid Of Dissent

With the biggest AIDS conference ever in Toronto, in typical Bush fashion, our government cut back out presence from 230 to 50 attendees from the HHS department. The reason? Well seems like Tommy Thompson, HHS director in 2002 was booed by critics because of the meager contributions of the US to the Global AIDS Fund. Guess they don’t like appearing in front of an audience that isn’t hand picked by the GOP to eliminate dissenters.

Lie Detector Tests To Sceen Passengers At US Airports

The Transportation Safety Administration is testing automatic lie-detector booths for possible use in airports. The booths designed in Israel are being tested in the Knoxville, TN airport. I am reminded of the movie "Minority Report" and have to wonder when the psychics will be put into play to detect intent of possible terrorists. Who hates freedom? Funny, looks like the US is behaving that way.

FBI Clears Men Michigan Says Are Terrorists.

So who is telling the truth? Well the FBI now says the 3 Texas men arrested in Michigan with 1000 cell phones have no ties to terrorism. Local prosecutors in Michigan have charged them with terror related activities. Gonna be a hard case to prove with the FBI ringing in like that. Of course they could be held as "enemy combatants" forever and then no one could say anything. Wonder if local folks in Michigan know about that little loophole?

Wonder how many free minutes they have?

Bigots Loose attempt To Get Anti-Gay Initiative On Illinois Ballot

It seems like a small thing, but maybe it’s the beginning of a change in the political wind. Illinois neocons failed to get an initiative banning gay marriage on the November ballot in that state. Of the signatures raised, only 91% proved to be valid and failed to meet requirements for the election.

Ultra right-wing activists with the so called Illinois Family Institute have filed suit against the state saying the process is burdensome and unconstitutional, however observers say getting this discriminatory initiative on the ballot will be impossible this time around.

Now I admit, Illinois is already a pretty blue state, but the radical right insists on beating the God, gays and guns drum for every election. I suspect the nation is starting to march to a different beat, one that wants real issues, like health care, education and real homeland security. Let’s hope real American values win out. Values like tolerance, honesty and fair mindedness.

Bush Approval Back In The Low 30's

Looks like the president has failed to boost his numbers this summer. I hope he thinks about what he has done over his vacation in Crawford. According to a new AP poll he is back down to 33% approval rating, matching his low rating in May of this year. This and his continued poor judgement on almost every international issue has caused many even in his own party to shy away from him.

Guess Joe Lieberman must be feeling a little lonely right now as well.

30% Of Americans Are Brain Dead

OK, so our country is hopelessly stupid. I rarely like to generalize, but when a recent poll showed 30% of Americans can’t remember the year 9/11 happened, we are in big trouble. The attention span of Americans is apparently only a few minutes, so no wonder our leaders lie, cheat and commit war crimes and no one seems to hold them responsible. The awful truth is: THEY CAN’T REMEMBER!

I have to ask myself, is this the result of home schooling, or has the government been putting something in the water?

Justice Kennedy, "The Freedom Of The Next Generation Hangs In The Balance"

When a Supreme Court Justice makes statements like, "the freedom of the next generation hangs in the balance"; my ears automatically perk up. What’s more, when he is speaking to the American Bar Association he is not just using rhetoric.

Justice Kennedy further stated, "We are at another turning point in the history of the law," discussing the independence of the Judiciary branch of government. Sounds to me like we should be concerned.

You can view a video of the speech here.

A New Mexican Revolution?

During the early eighties, I lived in Mexico City. I worked for the a television network, the largest media conglomerate in Mexico at the time. I fell in love with the city and it’s people. Mexico City is like Hollywood, New York Paris and Washington, DC all rolled into one, with no parking and wall to wall pollution. It is like no other city on earth and even though it has monumental problems, it’s still an incredible place.

The reason I left was two-fold. One, my partner at the time lived in Texas and commuting was really putting a strain on our relationship. Two, I saw the incredible poverty and inequity in a frantic economy that left millions to live in cardboard shacks with no water, sewers or electricity. All this in the world’s biggest city in what was touted as a burgeoning first world country.

The truth of Mexico is less romantic than the images we see in tourist publications. If you are well off in Mexico, life is pretty good. You have access to cultural institutions, world class cusine, fabulous housing and all the luxuries life can offer. If you are poor in Mexico, it's a different story.

Every upper class house has a second family living there, they live out back and take care of the house and grounds. They are called housekeepers or gardeners, but they are almost indentured servants who owe the very roof over their head to the houses owner. We even had them at our offices, living in a small building behind the main office.

If you are rich, and there are those who are fabulously wealthy in Mexico, you live like royalty. You never get a traffic ticket, police bribe easily. You drive 8-cylinder gas guzzling cars that are illegal to import, but for the rich nothing is forbidden. And politics? Well, as long as you support the government, at that time the PRI, you could do no wrong.

I found myself on pins and needles waiting for the next revolution that I was sure to come any day. That was over 20 years ago and today it looks like that revolution might just happen. The recent highly disputer election is threatening to wake Mexico from it’s slumber and unleash the millions of ordinary folks who are being used by the corrupt system.

According to an article in Truthout, presidential candidate "Lopez Obrador vowed to defend Mexico's democracy by transforming the country's institutions, which he said have always been subjugated by "money and power." He urged supporters to keep the acts of civil disobedience he began on July 30 peaceful." They are starting to turn ugly, and that will bear watching.

I am torn by all this. On one had I want to cheer on the protests, but on the other hand I know they could tear the country apart. I only pray the Mexico can work through this rough patch and become a true democracy. They have the potential for real greatness, and I will always love the land and people living to my state’s south.

Bob Ney Says Nay To Reelection

I rarely quote scripture, but today seems like a good day for it. Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin is death…" Well, at least political death for Bob Ney. The man who got a standing ovation from fellow Republicans when he refused to resign even if indicted in the Abramoff scandal. Well today, 90 days later he has withdraw from the reelection race in Ohio.

Wonder if Conrad Burns of Montana is thinking the same way? He took over $150,000 from Abramoff, more than any other congressperson. "Vengeance is mine," sayeth the voters.

New Survey Shows 50% Of Americans Believe Anything They are Told

Let’s cut to the chase: THERE WERE NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ. So for those 50% of Americans who just can’t seem to figure out the difference between the lies spouted by right-wing talk shows and the lies spouted by our President, the deceiver here it is again. The US, that would be you and me, Americans, funded a 16-month, $900-million-plus investigation. The U.S. weapons hunters known as the Iraq Survey Group declared that Iraq had dismantled its chemical, biological and nuclear arms programs in 1991 under U.N. oversight.

Get it? We searched for 16 months and found ZIP! So screw your head back on straight, (not a sexual reference) and repeat after me, "There were no WMDs".

I guess it’s true, that no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.