Diebold Voting Machine Software Stolen!

ALERT! Looks like software for the old Diebold Voting Machines has been stolen. That’ what will happen to this election if hackers with GOP contacts get hold of it too. If there were ever a reason to demand paper ballots this is it.

Ozone Hole Largest Ever Recorded!

Boy the good news just keeps coming! Scientists today announced that the ozone hole over Antarctica is the largest ever recorded. This means that the suns ultraviolet rays can penetrate this area unaltered. For a human, basking in the sunshine on an Antarctic Ice sheet that would mean really quick sunburn, and continued exposure would probably develop skin cancer rapidly.

Luckily, there are few sunbathers at the South Pole. Additionally, since the chemicals that caused the hole have been banned, scientists expect the hole to shrink to negligible size by 2065, just in time for my 115th birthday!

The moral of the story is this; we can do things to reverse problems caused to our climate with decisive and effective regulation. Wake up Bush science deniers! Sign Kyoto and let’s start reducing the CO2 emissions now!

Had enough? Vote Democratic.

Dirty Bomb Scare A Hoax FBI Says

So it was all a hoax according to the FBI who interviewed the man who posted the threat on the internet. Though this ties things up nice and tidy, I still have my doubts. Of course never underestimate the ignorance of people on the internet.

Bush Buys Land In Paraguay. Planning Post-Impeachment Escape?

Is Bush preparing for the aftermath of an impeachment or worse? According to Prensa Latina News Agency he has purchased over 90,000 acres of land in Paraguay near the Brazilian border and close to a US military base.

Wonkette has the details, including a vote by Paraguay to grant immunity to US troops from international prosecution and Jenna Bush making a diplomatic visit to Paraguay’s president.

Hey it worked for Ex-Nazis as a safe haven, why not for American War Criminals like Bush?

UPDATE: Now it looks like Rev. Moon has bought land near W's as well. This is getting strange children.

Judge Orders Cheney Visitor Records Released!

And soon we will know how many times Jack Abramoff really visited Dick Cheney. A judge ordered his visitor records today, an order that could spark a late election season debate over lobbyists' White House access.

There will be more scuffling and claims of executive privilege I am sure, but the truth may indeed come out.

Strange Reports of Dirty Bomb?

CNN has been talking today about dirty bomb threats in the US. After doing a short Google search I found this on a blog that confirms that threat and was pretty disturbing. If you have any info please contact the FBI now.

Related info published in the Sun, a UK newspaper might provide clues to this story. That story says that Adnan El Shukrijumah, who has a £2.5million bounty on his head, is suspected to be in the US.

Not to panic, but this one sounds pretty shady. Further stories show this as a "not credible" threat.

Welcome To The US Senate!

Wow, guess the Sargent at Arms of the Senate must be really interested in the rumors surrounding several Senators. They paid a visit this morning and actually took time to read a few pages. Thanks guys! I always wonder if anyone reads what I post.

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.