Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
Rove on the Road to Indictment
o
Fitzgerald Targets Rove Again
By Jason Leopold
t r u t h o u t Investigative Report
Monday 28 November 2005
Continuing his two-year-old investigation into the leak of Valerie Plame Wilson's identity as a covert CIA agent, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will present evidence to a second grand jury this week that could lead to a criminal indictment being handed up against Karl Rove, President Bush's deputy chief of staff, sources inside the investigation said over the weekend.
For the past month, Rove has remained under intense scrutiny by Fitzgerald's office. During that time Fitzgerald, according to these sources, has acquired evidence that Rove tried to cover up his role in the leak by withholding crucial facts from investigators and the grand jury on three separate occasions, beginning in October 2003, about a conversation he had with Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper, as well as not being truthful about the reasons that call was not logged by his office. (full story)
Fitzgerald Targets Rove Again
By Jason Leopold
t r u t h o u t Investigative Report
Monday 28 November 2005
Continuing his two-year-old investigation into the leak of Valerie Plame Wilson's identity as a covert CIA agent, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will present evidence to a second grand jury this week that could lead to a criminal indictment being handed up against Karl Rove, President Bush's deputy chief of staff, sources inside the investigation said over the weekend.
For the past month, Rove has remained under intense scrutiny by Fitzgerald's office. During that time Fitzgerald, according to these sources, has acquired evidence that Rove tried to cover up his role in the leak by withholding crucial facts from investigators and the grand jury on three separate occasions, beginning in October 2003, about a conversation he had with Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper, as well as not being truthful about the reasons that call was not logged by his office. (full story)
Take Action on the Violence Against Women Act
Stop Violence Against Women
Keep up the pressure on Congress to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
Congress went home last week and failed to finalize the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. It will not be easy to convene a conference committee and come to an agreement about what the final VAWA2005 should look like. But it is not impossible. Both the House and the Senate will return for a short time in December and the leadership must hear from us that we expect them to get VAWA's differences worked out and passed!
Thanks to all who have signed the VAWA petition already. There are currently almost 12,000 signatures with names from every state. Good job!
If you haven’t taken the opportunity to add your name, please sign the VAWA petition urging Congressional leaders to pass VAWA NOW! Forward this appeal to your colleagues and coalition partners as well, because we will be delivering the final batch of petitions to Congress the week of December 5 and need as many signatures as possible.
Also, call the offices of the House and Senate leadership with this simple message: Add passing VAWA to your December agenda and get it passed before services are reduced and programs are eliminated. Women, children and families are relying on you.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn), 202-224-3135
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill), 202-225-0600
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), 202-224-5556
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal), 202-225-0100
Send an email to your Senators and Representative asking them to help expedite this process.
Background:
Although VAWA's authorization ran out September 30 along with the funding for all government activities and programs, Congress voted to continue funding at last year's levels through December 17th. But without passage of VAWA 2005, no funding stability or cost of living increases are guaranteed and any new programs in the bill will be unable to get off the ground.
On Tuesday afternoon, October 4, the Senate passed its version of VAWA 2005, S. 1197, by a unanimous consent agreement, meaning that all of the Senators had no objections (or had withdrawn their objections) to the bill. A less comprehensive version of VAWA 2005 passed the House of Representatives on September 28 as H.R. 3402, the Department of Justice's yearly authorizing and funding bill.
While the House version included reauthorization of crucial VAWA programs, it does not achieve all that is needed. At the last minute just before the vote, the Republican leadership dropped important provisions dealing with immigrants and women of color.
The Senate bill still includes many of these House-dropped provisions, but faced its own trimming as a key program was dropped that would have extended coverage for unemployment insurance to domestic violence survivors who lose their jobs as they hide or flee from violence.
Whenever there are differences between similar bills that are passed in the House and Senate a "conference committee" with representatives from both houses, must meet to work out the differences between the two bills and come up with one final bill before the President can sign it. Because the House bill is part of a larger Department of Justice bill, H.R. 3402, and the Senate bill, S. 1191, is free-standing, this makes holding a conference committee even harder.
Keep up the pressure on Congress to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
Congress went home last week and failed to finalize the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. It will not be easy to convene a conference committee and come to an agreement about what the final VAWA2005 should look like. But it is not impossible. Both the House and the Senate will return for a short time in December and the leadership must hear from us that we expect them to get VAWA's differences worked out and passed!
Thanks to all who have signed the VAWA petition already. There are currently almost 12,000 signatures with names from every state. Good job!
If you haven’t taken the opportunity to add your name, please sign the VAWA petition urging Congressional leaders to pass VAWA NOW! Forward this appeal to your colleagues and coalition partners as well, because we will be delivering the final batch of petitions to Congress the week of December 5 and need as many signatures as possible.
Also, call the offices of the House and Senate leadership with this simple message: Add passing VAWA to your December agenda and get it passed before services are reduced and programs are eliminated. Women, children and families are relying on you.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn), 202-224-3135
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill), 202-225-0600
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), 202-224-5556
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal), 202-225-0100
Send an email to your Senators and Representative asking them to help expedite this process.
Background:
Although VAWA's authorization ran out September 30 along with the funding for all government activities and programs, Congress voted to continue funding at last year's levels through December 17th. But without passage of VAWA 2005, no funding stability or cost of living increases are guaranteed and any new programs in the bill will be unable to get off the ground.
On Tuesday afternoon, October 4, the Senate passed its version of VAWA 2005, S. 1197, by a unanimous consent agreement, meaning that all of the Senators had no objections (or had withdrawn their objections) to the bill. A less comprehensive version of VAWA 2005 passed the House of Representatives on September 28 as H.R. 3402, the Department of Justice's yearly authorizing and funding bill.
While the House version included reauthorization of crucial VAWA programs, it does not achieve all that is needed. At the last minute just before the vote, the Republican leadership dropped important provisions dealing with immigrants and women of color.
The Senate bill still includes many of these House-dropped provisions, but faced its own trimming as a key program was dropped that would have extended coverage for unemployment insurance to domestic violence survivors who lose their jobs as they hide or flee from violence.
Whenever there are differences between similar bills that are passed in the House and Senate a "conference committee" with representatives from both houses, must meet to work out the differences between the two bills and come up with one final bill before the President can sign it. Because the House bill is part of a larger Department of Justice bill, H.R. 3402, and the Senate bill, S. 1191, is free-standing, this makes holding a conference committee even harder.
Support Progressive Media
One of my favorite sites is BuzzFlash.com. As you shop this holiday season consider a gift that supports progressive media -- a gift certificate from BuzzFlash.com. Your purchase of a book or DVD from BuzzFlash helps them provide the REAL news.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Saturday, November 26, 2005
The Myth of Intelligent Design
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
At the University of Kansas creationism and intelligent design will be taught in a university class next summer. This would be alarming, but for the fact the class will teach the two as mythology, not science.
Paul Mirecki, chairman of KU’s religious studies department says he plans to teach the course “Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, Creationism and other Religious Mythologies” next semester.”
He’s doing so because he says the KU faculty has “had enough.”
Remember Kansas is the home of six state board of education commissioners who think intelligent design is science and who have mandated that it be taught in the state’s schools as an alternative to Darwin and the Theory of Evolution.
It is likely that students will line up to take the class which will be capped at 120 students, to explore intelligent design as a modern American mythology. (full story)
At the University of Kansas creationism and intelligent design will be taught in a university class next summer. This would be alarming, but for the fact the class will teach the two as mythology, not science.
Paul Mirecki, chairman of KU’s religious studies department says he plans to teach the course “Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, Creationism and other Religious Mythologies” next semester.”
He’s doing so because he says the KU faculty has “had enough.”
Remember Kansas is the home of six state board of education commissioners who think intelligent design is science and who have mandated that it be taught in the state’s schools as an alternative to Darwin and the Theory of Evolution.
It is likely that students will line up to take the class which will be capped at 120 students, to explore intelligent design as a modern American mythology. (full story)
Friday, November 25, 2005
The Republican Grinch that Stole Christmas. . .and possibly your very survival
There are many seasons of our lives, and some are easier to spot than others by simply observing the actions of Religious Right Conservative Republicans in Congress.
For example, the mid-term elections are coming soon, which is evident by renewed interest in the Federal Marriage Amendment. It's a favorite "wedge" issue Republicans like to pull out of their hat to whip their Religious Right base into a frenzy. One would think these Religious Right voters would someday catch on to the fact that they are merely being 'used' by a Republican party with no interest in eliminating the very tool they need for fundraising and GOTV! They have no real interest in passing a Federal Marriage Amendment -- their only interest is 'self-interest' in using whatever means necessary to hold on to their jobs.
And, if there were any question that we are heading into the holiday season one simply needs to observe another action taking place in Congress. The Republican budget aimed at decimating what little relief is left for the poor.
Max Castro, in Progreso Weekly, spells it all out:
Republican Budget Bill Savages the Poor
By Max J. Castro Progreso Weekly
24-30 November 2005 Edition
They are at it again. Anyone who hoped that the images of the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, which made the extent of squalor in America visible and dramatized the life-and-death consequences of inequality, would stir the conscience of our ruling party was wrong. Dead wrong.
Last week, after suffering the embarrassing defeat of its main budget proposal, the Republican leadership in the US House of Representatives managed to push through $50 billion in cuts to "domestic discretionary spending." That is code for programs such as food stamps, health care for poor children, the indigent elderly and the disabled, student loans, and foster care. These are the last remnants of the frayed, flimsy safety net that this society - the least generous of any rich nation toward its disadvantaged - provides the most vulnerable among us.
[edit for space]
What do Republicans have against poor people that they so persistently and savagely seek to punish them even in the face of the kind of evident suffering revealed by the catastrophic events of New Orleans?
The question is more vexing when one considers that the vast majority of Republican members of Congress proclaim themselves staunch Christians, yet their policy choices consistently contradict fundamental tenets of the faith. (full story)
For example, the mid-term elections are coming soon, which is evident by renewed interest in the Federal Marriage Amendment. It's a favorite "wedge" issue Republicans like to pull out of their hat to whip their Religious Right base into a frenzy. One would think these Religious Right voters would someday catch on to the fact that they are merely being 'used' by a Republican party with no interest in eliminating the very tool they need for fundraising and GOTV! They have no real interest in passing a Federal Marriage Amendment -- their only interest is 'self-interest' in using whatever means necessary to hold on to their jobs.
And, if there were any question that we are heading into the holiday season one simply needs to observe another action taking place in Congress. The Republican budget aimed at decimating what little relief is left for the poor.
Max Castro, in Progreso Weekly, spells it all out:
Republican Budget Bill Savages the Poor
By Max J. Castro Progreso Weekly
24-30 November 2005 Edition
They are at it again. Anyone who hoped that the images of the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, which made the extent of squalor in America visible and dramatized the life-and-death consequences of inequality, would stir the conscience of our ruling party was wrong. Dead wrong.
Last week, after suffering the embarrassing defeat of its main budget proposal, the Republican leadership in the US House of Representatives managed to push through $50 billion in cuts to "domestic discretionary spending." That is code for programs such as food stamps, health care for poor children, the indigent elderly and the disabled, student loans, and foster care. These are the last remnants of the frayed, flimsy safety net that this society - the least generous of any rich nation toward its disadvantaged - provides the most vulnerable among us.
[edit for space]
What do Republicans have against poor people that they so persistently and savagely seek to punish them even in the face of the kind of evident suffering revealed by the catastrophic events of New Orleans?
The question is more vexing when one considers that the vast majority of Republican members of Congress proclaim themselves staunch Christians, yet their policy choices consistently contradict fundamental tenets of the faith. (full story)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
X-on Cheney . . . no mistake!
Some machines are smarter than some people. Take for example the CNN video machine that placed an "X" over the face of Vice President Dick Cheney during a recently televised speech.
______________________________
CNN Apologizes for X on Cheney's Face
By Associated Press
Wed Nov 23, 2005
NEW YORK - CNN has apologized for a "technical malfunction" that briefly flashed a black "X" mark over the face of Vice President Dick Cheney during the network's coverage of a speech on Monday.
The "X" flashed twice, on the air for a total of one-seventh of a second, CNN said Wednesday.
The incident caused a brief sensation on the Web among people suspicious that it was a political commentary. But CNN said some of its machinery had a "momentary glitch" and no human operator was involved.
The "X" is something used by a computer to mark a space where one visual element is to segue into another, and is normally not seen by a viewer. The network likened its appearance to a computer that inexplicably freezes.
"We obviously regret that it happened and are working on the equipment to ensure it is not repeated," the network said in a statement.
______________________________
CNN Apologizes for X on Cheney's Face
By Associated Press
Wed Nov 23, 2005
NEW YORK - CNN has apologized for a "technical malfunction" that briefly flashed a black "X" mark over the face of Vice President Dick Cheney during the network's coverage of a speech on Monday.
The "X" flashed twice, on the air for a total of one-seventh of a second, CNN said Wednesday.
The incident caused a brief sensation on the Web among people suspicious that it was a political commentary. But CNN said some of its machinery had a "momentary glitch" and no human operator was involved.
The "X" is something used by a computer to mark a space where one visual element is to segue into another, and is normally not seen by a viewer. The network likened its appearance to a computer that inexplicably freezes.
"We obviously regret that it happened and are working on the equipment to ensure it is not repeated," the network said in a statement.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Stand Up for Reproductive Rights!
If you live in the Washington, DC area please take note! On Wednesday, November 30, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood, the outcome of which could affect virtually every abortion-related case and statute in the country. This case could eliminate the requirement that abortion restrictions must include protections for women's health.
NARAL Pro-Choice America is organizing a demonstration at the Supreme Court in support of reproductive freedom. It's important that individuals who support a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, and all reproductive services, be present outside the court on that day.
TAKE ACTION!
When: Wednesday, November 30, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Supreme Court Building (Metro: Capitol South, Blue & Orange. Union Station, Red.) What: Reproductive Rights Demonstration
Please RSVP to Jon Nowinski at jnowinski@prochoiceamerica.org or 202-530-4174.
Click here to learn about the case.
NARAL Pro-Choice America is organizing a demonstration at the Supreme Court in support of reproductive freedom. It's important that individuals who support a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, and all reproductive services, be present outside the court on that day.
TAKE ACTION!
When: Wednesday, November 30, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Supreme Court Building (Metro: Capitol South, Blue & Orange. Union Station, Red.) What: Reproductive Rights Demonstration
Please RSVP to Jon Nowinski at jnowinski@prochoiceamerica.org or 202-530-4174.
Click here to learn about the case.
Monday, November 21, 2005
You know it's bad when . . .
My father spent 30 years working for General Motors in Anderson, Indiana. I remember him telling me that if GM ever went out of business that would mean the country was in trouble. Well, I'm so glad he's not alive to see what is happening today.
GM is weaker than it has ever been, and the country is definitely in trouble. And many of the problems we face are top down. We need new leadership in the White House, in Congress, in state legislatures, in corporate America, in far too many houses of worship, and the list goes on.
Being the optimist I am, I think there is still hope . . . but the American people are going to need to wake up soon!
GM is weaker than it has ever been, and the country is definitely in trouble. And many of the problems we face are top down. We need new leadership in the White House, in Congress, in state legislatures, in corporate America, in far too many houses of worship, and the list goes on.
Being the optimist I am, I think there is still hope . . . but the American people are going to need to wake up soon!
Sunday, November 20, 2005
She's known at home as "mean Jean" . . .
"He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message - that cowards cut and run, Marines never do,"
-- Rep. Jean Schmidt, during Friday night's House debate, speaking of a phone call she received from a Marine colonel.
"You guys are pathetic! Pathetic!"
-- Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass., who was among the House Democrats who responded angrily to Schmidt's words
"I did not intend to suggest they applied to any member," especially Mr. Murtha.
-- Schmidt, retracting her comments when debate resumed
"The poor lady didn't know Jack Murtha was a Marine - she really just ran into a hornet's nest."
-- Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., after the debate.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Let-them-eat-cake Republicans vote themselves a pay raise . . . then leave for two week vacation!
In case you missed it, Congress voted itself a $3,100 pay raise on Friday -- right before deciding to postpone work on bills to curb spending on social programs and cut taxes in favor of a two-week vacation. The cost-of-living increase for members of Congress will put pay for the rank and file at an estimated $165,200 a year. (full story)
This is the same Congress that in October rejected a minimum wage hike from $5.15 an hour to $6.25 for blue-collar workers. The minimum wage was last increased in 1997.
All the Democrats voted for the wage boost. All the negative votes were cast by Republicans. (Four Republicans voted for the increase.)
Why won't Republicans share the wealth? Members of Congress get health insurance, life insurance, pensions, office expenses, ranging from $2 million on up, depending on the population of a state. Taxpayers also pay for their travel, telecommunications, stationery and mass mailings.
An estimated 7.3 million workers (5.8% of the workforce) would receive an increase in their hourly wage rate if the minimum wage were raised. Due to "spillover effects," the 8.2 million workers (6.5% of the workforce) earning up to a dollar above the minimum would also be likely to benefit from an increase.
The earnings of minimum wage workers are crucial to their families' well-being. Evidence from the 1996-97 minimum wage increase shows that the average minimum wage worker brings home more than half (54%) of his or her family's weekly earnings.
Single mothers would benefit disproportionately from an increase — single mothers are 10.4% of workers that would be affected by an increase, but they make up only 5.3% of the overall workforce. (Minimum Wage - Facts at a Glance)
Maybe one of the reasons Republicans felt so comfortable rejecting the minimum wage increase is because the smallest block of voters are -- you guessed it -- single women.
This is the same Congress that in October rejected a minimum wage hike from $5.15 an hour to $6.25 for blue-collar workers. The minimum wage was last increased in 1997.
All the Democrats voted for the wage boost. All the negative votes were cast by Republicans. (Four Republicans voted for the increase.)
Why won't Republicans share the wealth? Members of Congress get health insurance, life insurance, pensions, office expenses, ranging from $2 million on up, depending on the population of a state. Taxpayers also pay for their travel, telecommunications, stationery and mass mailings.
An estimated 7.3 million workers (5.8% of the workforce) would receive an increase in their hourly wage rate if the minimum wage were raised. Due to "spillover effects," the 8.2 million workers (6.5% of the workforce) earning up to a dollar above the minimum would also be likely to benefit from an increase.
The earnings of minimum wage workers are crucial to their families' well-being. Evidence from the 1996-97 minimum wage increase shows that the average minimum wage worker brings home more than half (54%) of his or her family's weekly earnings.
Single mothers would benefit disproportionately from an increase — single mothers are 10.4% of workers that would be affected by an increase, but they make up only 5.3% of the overall workforce. (Minimum Wage - Facts at a Glance)
Maybe one of the reasons Republicans felt so comfortable rejecting the minimum wage increase is because the smallest block of voters are -- you guessed it -- single women.
Bush wants religious freedom in China ... what about in the US, Mr. President?
In China, Bush Urges Religious Freedom
By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent
BEIJING - President Bush was greeted in China with good news about trade and is making a point about religious freedom in this communist nation by attending church services before meeting top leaders.
Bush hoped to send a visible message about human rights across this land of 1.3 billion people by worshipping on Sunday at the Gangwashi Church, one of five officially recognized Protestant churches in Beijing. The State Department cited China this month as one of eight countries of "particular concern" for denying religious freedom.
The White House urged China's state-controlled media not to censor news of Bush's visit. (full story)
---------------------------------------
Can you believe the hypocrisy of this guy?
Just a few weeks ago Bush used religion as justification for conservatives to support his Supreme Court nominee. [Our Constitution says there should be no religious test for public office]
As Bush started his first term of office one of the first things he did was establish a White House office of Faith-based initiatives. [Our Constitution says there should be no establishment of religion]
And not that long ago Bush supported the teaching of Intelligent Design -- a new name for creationism -- in public school science classes. [See above.]
The only thing left to say is . . . yikes!
By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent
BEIJING - President Bush was greeted in China with good news about trade and is making a point about religious freedom in this communist nation by attending church services before meeting top leaders.
Bush hoped to send a visible message about human rights across this land of 1.3 billion people by worshipping on Sunday at the Gangwashi Church, one of five officially recognized Protestant churches in Beijing. The State Department cited China this month as one of eight countries of "particular concern" for denying religious freedom.
The White House urged China's state-controlled media not to censor news of Bush's visit. (full story)
---------------------------------------
Can you believe the hypocrisy of this guy?
Just a few weeks ago Bush used religion as justification for conservatives to support his Supreme Court nominee. [Our Constitution says there should be no religious test for public office]
As Bush started his first term of office one of the first things he did was establish a White House office of Faith-based initiatives. [Our Constitution says there should be no establishment of religion]
And not that long ago Bush supported the teaching of Intelligent Design -- a new name for creationism -- in public school science classes. [See above.]
The only thing left to say is . . . yikes!
Friday, November 18, 2005
Wake up America!
Listening to the callers on C-SPAN, I have to wonder if the public will EVER wake up to what this administration is doing to our country?
The most patriotic thing a citizen can do is challenge their leaders when they think those leaders are taking this country in the wrong direction. Challenging the president on his reasons for taking this country to war is in NO WAY a slap in the face to the troops. Only someone willing to believe the twisted Rove/Bush/Cheney rhetoric would think otherwise.
If the president is truly interested in stopping "terrorists" then he needs to change course immediately! His actions over the past four years have created more terrorists than existed before the invasion of Iraq.
We have a chance in 2006 to begin to change the direction this country is heading. It is imperative that progressives register and exercise your right to vote!
The most patriotic thing a citizen can do is challenge their leaders when they think those leaders are taking this country in the wrong direction. Challenging the president on his reasons for taking this country to war is in NO WAY a slap in the face to the troops. Only someone willing to believe the twisted Rove/Bush/Cheney rhetoric would think otherwise.
If the president is truly interested in stopping "terrorists" then he needs to change course immediately! His actions over the past four years have created more terrorists than existed before the invasion of Iraq.
We have a chance in 2006 to begin to change the direction this country is heading. It is imperative that progressives register and exercise your right to vote!
Bring them home!
The Republicans would rather play politics with our troops lives then enter into an honest debate about whether or not to bring them home.
Democrats started the long overdue debate, while Republicans continued the same old tired rhetoric. When will Republicans ever have the courage to challenge this president on his lies?
Democrats started the long overdue debate, while Republicans continued the same old tired rhetoric. When will Republicans ever have the courage to challenge this president on his lies?
Thursday, November 17, 2005
The Exception to the Musical . . . Returns to DC!
Taking DC by storm once again!
DECEMBER 20, 2005 - JANUARY 29, 2006
800-494-TIXS
While Bush and Cheney Lie . . . More Americans Die
From Truthout.com:
Cheney Goes with the Same Old 'Same Intelligence' Fiction:
"These are elected officials who had access to the intelligence, and were free to draw their own conclusions." [11/16/05]
But, members of Congress did NOT have access to the same intelligence. "Bush and his aides had access to much more voluminous intelligence information than did lawmakers, who were dependent on the administration to provide the material." [Washington Post, 11/13/05]
Cheney Goes with the Same Old 'Criticism Hurts the Troops' Fiction:
"The saddest part is that our people in uniform have been subjected to these cynical and pernicious falsehoods day in and day out." [11/16/05]
But, Senator Hagel says the delay in the Senate's investigation into the misuse of pre - war intelligence has been frustrating and that it's the Senate's responsibility to get answers. Hagel: I think the Democrats had a valid point," he said. "This has been frustrating. . . . There are very legitimate and critical questions that need to be answered. That is the responsibility of governance. That's part of leadership. And we don't have answers for all those things." [Omaha World - Herald, 11/11/05]
Cheney Goes with the Same Old 'They're Trying to Rewrite History' Fiction:
"The President and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory, or their backbone - but we're not going to sit by and let them rewrite history." [11/16/05]
But, it's members of the Bush Administration who are trying to rewrite history. Here's Cheney in 2003. "And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons." (Vice President Cheney, Meet the Press, 3/16/03)
_____________________________
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid Calls Out the Vice President
Washington, DC - Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid gave the following speech on the Senate Floor tonight.
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
Tonight the Vice President has come out of his bunker and is speaking at a gathering of Washington DC insiders, which is closed to the press.
Unfortunately, he brought his bunker mentality with him. He is repeating the same tired attacks we've heard from administration officials over the last two weeks.
In the last 24 hours, 10 of our brave soldiers have been killed in far off Iraq. On such a night, you would think Cheney would give a speech that honors the fallen and those still fighting by laying out a strategy for success.
Instead we have the Vice President of the United States playing politics like he's in the middle of a presidential campaign.
Yesterday, a bipartisan majority of the United States Senate gave the administration a vote of no confidence for its Iraq policy. We said the era of their "No Plan, No End" approach is over.
Apparently, the White House didn't get the message. The Vice President's speech tonight demonstrates once again that this Administration intends to "stay the course" and continue putting their political fortunes ahead of what this country needs - a plan for success.
Our troops and the American people deserve better. (full text)
Cheney Goes with the Same Old 'Same Intelligence' Fiction:
"These are elected officials who had access to the intelligence, and were free to draw their own conclusions." [11/16/05]
But, members of Congress did NOT have access to the same intelligence. "Bush and his aides had access to much more voluminous intelligence information than did lawmakers, who were dependent on the administration to provide the material." [Washington Post, 11/13/05]
Cheney Goes with the Same Old 'Criticism Hurts the Troops' Fiction:
"The saddest part is that our people in uniform have been subjected to these cynical and pernicious falsehoods day in and day out." [11/16/05]
But, Senator Hagel says the delay in the Senate's investigation into the misuse of pre - war intelligence has been frustrating and that it's the Senate's responsibility to get answers. Hagel: I think the Democrats had a valid point," he said. "This has been frustrating. . . . There are very legitimate and critical questions that need to be answered. That is the responsibility of governance. That's part of leadership. And we don't have answers for all those things." [Omaha World - Herald, 11/11/05]
Cheney Goes with the Same Old 'They're Trying to Rewrite History' Fiction:
"The President and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory, or their backbone - but we're not going to sit by and let them rewrite history." [11/16/05]
But, it's members of the Bush Administration who are trying to rewrite history. Here's Cheney in 2003. "And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons." (Vice President Cheney, Meet the Press, 3/16/03)
_____________________________
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid Calls Out the Vice President
Washington, DC - Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid gave the following speech on the Senate Floor tonight.
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
Tonight the Vice President has come out of his bunker and is speaking at a gathering of Washington DC insiders, which is closed to the press.
Unfortunately, he brought his bunker mentality with him. He is repeating the same tired attacks we've heard from administration officials over the last two weeks.
In the last 24 hours, 10 of our brave soldiers have been killed in far off Iraq. On such a night, you would think Cheney would give a speech that honors the fallen and those still fighting by laying out a strategy for success.
Instead we have the Vice President of the United States playing politics like he's in the middle of a presidential campaign.
Yesterday, a bipartisan majority of the United States Senate gave the administration a vote of no confidence for its Iraq policy. We said the era of their "No Plan, No End" approach is over.
Apparently, the White House didn't get the message. The Vice President's speech tonight demonstrates once again that this Administration intends to "stay the course" and continue putting their political fortunes ahead of what this country needs - a plan for success.
Our troops and the American people deserve better. (full text)
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
The Plot Thickens in Plamegate
The Washington Post is reporting that "Assistant Managing Editor Bob Woodward testified under oath Monday in the CIA leak case that a senior administration official told him about CIA operative Valerie Plame and her position at the agency nearly a month before her identity was disclosed.
"Citing a confidentiality agreement in which the source freed Woodward to testify but would not allow him to discuss their conversations publicly, Woodward and Post editors refused to disclose the official's name or provide crucial details about the testimony.
"Mark Corallo, a spokesman for Rove, said that Rove is not the unnamed official who told Woodward about Plame and that he did not discuss Plame with Woodward."
This would not be the first time Rove, through a spokesperson, denied involvement in Plamegate. It's time for this administration to come clean, and for the individuals who breached national security to be fired or resign.
"Citing a confidentiality agreement in which the source freed Woodward to testify but would not allow him to discuss their conversations publicly, Woodward and Post editors refused to disclose the official's name or provide crucial details about the testimony.
"Mark Corallo, a spokesman for Rove, said that Rove is not the unnamed official who told Woodward about Plame and that he did not discuss Plame with Woodward."
This would not be the first time Rove, through a spokesperson, denied involvement in Plamegate. It's time for this administration to come clean, and for the individuals who breached national security to be fired or resign.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Without PBS there is no 'liberal media'
Report Says Ex-Chief of Public TV Violated Federal Law
By STEPHEN LABATON
November 15, 2005
The New York Times
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 - Investigators at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting concluded today that its former chairman repeatedly broke federal law and its own regulations in a campaign to combat what he saw as liberal bias.
A scathing report by the corporation's inspector general described a dysfunctional organization that violated the Public Broadcasting Act, which created the corporation and was written to insulate programming decisions from politics.
The corporation received $400 million this year from Congress to finance an array of programs on public television and radio, although its future financing has come under heavy criticism, particularly from conservative lawmakers. Its board is selected by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
The corporation's former chairman, Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, who was ousted from the board two weeks ago when it was presented in a closed session with the details of the report, has said he sought to enforce a provision of the Public Broadcasting Act meant to ensure objectivity and balance in programming.
But the report said that in the process, Mr. Tomlinson repeatedly crossed statutory boundaries that set up the corporation as a "heat shield" to protect public radio and television from political interference.
The report said he violated federal law by being heavily involved in getting more than $4 million for a program featuring the conservative editorial writers of the Wall Street Journal. It said he imposed a "political test" to recruit a new president. And it said his decision to hire Republican consultants to defeat legislation violated contracting rules.
Mr. Tomlinson, in a statement distributed with the report, rejected its conclusions. He said that any suggestion that he violated his duties or the law "is malicious and irresponsible" and that the inspector general had opted "for politics over good judgment." (full story)
By STEPHEN LABATON
November 15, 2005
The New York Times
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 - Investigators at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting concluded today that its former chairman repeatedly broke federal law and its own regulations in a campaign to combat what he saw as liberal bias.
A scathing report by the corporation's inspector general described a dysfunctional organization that violated the Public Broadcasting Act, which created the corporation and was written to insulate programming decisions from politics.
The corporation received $400 million this year from Congress to finance an array of programs on public television and radio, although its future financing has come under heavy criticism, particularly from conservative lawmakers. Its board is selected by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
The corporation's former chairman, Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, who was ousted from the board two weeks ago when it was presented in a closed session with the details of the report, has said he sought to enforce a provision of the Public Broadcasting Act meant to ensure objectivity and balance in programming.
But the report said that in the process, Mr. Tomlinson repeatedly crossed statutory boundaries that set up the corporation as a "heat shield" to protect public radio and television from political interference.
The report said he violated federal law by being heavily involved in getting more than $4 million for a program featuring the conservative editorial writers of the Wall Street Journal. It said he imposed a "political test" to recruit a new president. And it said his decision to hire Republican consultants to defeat legislation violated contracting rules.
Mr. Tomlinson, in a statement distributed with the report, rejected its conclusions. He said that any suggestion that he violated his duties or the law "is malicious and irresponsible" and that the inspector general had opted "for politics over good judgment." (full story)
Monday, November 14, 2005
On the road . . .
I have just returned from Oakland, CA, where I attended the NGLTF Creating Change conference. More than 2,500 attended the diverse gathering of LGBTQ activists. I would strongly suggest that anyone concerned with social justice issues consider attending next year's conference. To find out more go to www.ngltf.org.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Is Libby Simply the Fall Guy for Cheney?
The Washington Post is reporting that I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to the Vice President, may have tried to mask Cheney's role in the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame.
The report: ". . . suggests an attempt to obscure Cheney's role, and possibly his legal culpability. The vice president is shown by the indictment to be aware of and interested in Plame and her CIA status long before her cover was blown. Even some White House aides privately wonder whether Libby was seeking to protect Cheney from political embarrassment. One of them noted with resignation, "Obviously, the indictment speaks for itself."
It's time for this White House to come clean. Was Cheney involved? Did Rove take part in leaking Valerie Plame's name to reporters? The American people deserve to know the truth.
The report: ". . . suggests an attempt to obscure Cheney's role, and possibly his legal culpability. The vice president is shown by the indictment to be aware of and interested in Plame and her CIA status long before her cover was blown. Even some White House aides privately wonder whether Libby was seeking to protect Cheney from political embarrassment. One of them noted with resignation, "Obviously, the indictment speaks for itself."
It's time for this White House to come clean. Was Cheney involved? Did Rove take part in leaking Valerie Plame's name to reporters? The American people deserve to know the truth.
Bush Spin Machine Attacks Truth Tellers
The truth is a stubborn thing ... and no matter how much the President or his spin machine tries to again mislead the American people the truth stands.
The administration twisted intelligence on Iraq. They mislead Congress and outright lied to the American people.
Don't fall for the spin now that says if you question the president you are sending "the wrong signal to our troops. . ." Our troops should have never been sent to Iraq, more than two thousand are dead, thousands more have been critically wounded -- and countless innocent women and children in Iraq have been wounded or killed.
It's time the administration be held accountable for their lies. The last president who lied was impeached, this president deserves no less.
The administration twisted intelligence on Iraq. They mislead Congress and outright lied to the American people.
Don't fall for the spin now that says if you question the president you are sending "the wrong signal to our troops. . ." Our troops should have never been sent to Iraq, more than two thousand are dead, thousands more have been critically wounded -- and countless innocent women and children in Iraq have been wounded or killed.
It's time the administration be held accountable for their lies. The last president who lied was impeached, this president deserves no less.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
The O'Reilly-Robertson Factor ... examples of what's wrong with America
O’Reilly Responds: “What I Said Isn’t Controversial. What I Said Needed to Be Said.”
Appearing yesterday on a conservative San Francisco radio show, Bill O’Reilly offered his first public comments since being criticized for saying he would approve of an al Qaeda terrorist attack on the California city.
O’Reilly not only stood by his comments, but claimed they “needed to be said”:
I mean, look, everybody knows what’s going on there. What I said isn’t controversial. What I said needed to be said. I’m sitting here and I’m looking at a city that has absolutely no clue about what the world is. None. You know, if you had been hit on 9/11 instead of New York, believe me, you would not have voted against military recruting. Yet the left-wing, selfish, Land of Oz philosophy that the media and the city politicians have embraced out there is an absolute intellectual disgrace. (full story)
Robertson warns Pennsylvania voters of God's wrath
Eight 'intelligent design' school board members lost election
CNN - Thursday, November 10, 2005
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Conservative Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson told citizens of a Pennsylvania town that they had rejected God by voting their school board out of office for supporting "intelligent design" and warned them Thursday not to be surprised if disaster struck.
Robertson, a former Republican presidential candidate and founder of the influential Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition, has made similar apocalyptic warnings and provocative statements before.
Last summer, he hit the headlines by calling for the assassination of leftist Venezuelan Present Hugo Chavez, one of President George W. Bush's most vocal international critics.
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city," Robertson said on his daily television show broadcast from Virginia, "The 700 Club."
"And don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because he might not be there," he said. (full story)
Appearing yesterday on a conservative San Francisco radio show, Bill O’Reilly offered his first public comments since being criticized for saying he would approve of an al Qaeda terrorist attack on the California city.
O’Reilly not only stood by his comments, but claimed they “needed to be said”:
I mean, look, everybody knows what’s going on there. What I said isn’t controversial. What I said needed to be said. I’m sitting here and I’m looking at a city that has absolutely no clue about what the world is. None. You know, if you had been hit on 9/11 instead of New York, believe me, you would not have voted against military recruting. Yet the left-wing, selfish, Land of Oz philosophy that the media and the city politicians have embraced out there is an absolute intellectual disgrace. (full story)
______________________________
Robertson warns Pennsylvania voters of God's wrath
Eight 'intelligent design' school board members lost election
CNN - Thursday, November 10, 2005
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Conservative Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson told citizens of a Pennsylvania town that they had rejected God by voting their school board out of office for supporting "intelligent design" and warned them Thursday not to be surprised if disaster struck.
Robertson, a former Republican presidential candidate and founder of the influential Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition, has made similar apocalyptic warnings and provocative statements before.
Last summer, he hit the headlines by calling for the assassination of leftist Venezuelan Present Hugo Chavez, one of President George W. Bush's most vocal international critics.
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city," Robertson said on his daily television show broadcast from Virginia, "The 700 Club."
"And don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because he might not be there," he said. (full story)
Friday, November 11, 2005
The Wall of Separation in Jeopardy
Alito’s Views on Religious Liberty to be Scrutinized at Confirmation Hearings
By Keith Perine, CQ Staff
Congressional Quarterly TODAY – LEGAL AFFAIRS
Nov. 10, 2005 – 6:27 p.m.
When Samuel A. Alito Jr. appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, lawmakers will question him closely about his views on religious liberty.
Next to abortion rights, Supreme Court cases that interpret First Amendment clauses barring governmental establishment of religion and guaranteeing its free exercise have spawned some of the most bitter fights in the culture wars over school prayer, displays of the Ten Commandments and the public celebration of Christmas.
Legal experts say that the high court has been more accommodating of religious interests in recent years in cases involving school vouchers and the use of public facilities such as school auditoriums for religious meetings.
But in cases involving displays of religious symbols and official prayers at government-sponsored events, such as high school graduations, the justices have been less willing to interpret the Establishment Clause to lower the legal wall between church and state.
Wild Cards
Nobody pretends to know with certainty how Alito would rule on such cases as a justice. And Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who has only recently joined the court, is another wild card. But opinions that Alito has written or joined during his 15 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit suggest he would be much more willing to support religious groups in cases involving symbols or prayers.
And because Alito would replace Sandra Day O’Connor, a pivotal vote on religious liberty issues, his critics are already focusing attention on his record.
In a 1999 case, ACLU of New Jersey v. Schundler, Alito ruled that a Jersey City, N.J., holiday display of a creche, a menorah and a Christmas tree did not violate the Establishment Clause after the city added a Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman and Kwanzaa symbols to the display.
In a 1992 Supreme Court case, Lee v. Weisman, the justices ruled 5-4, with O’Connor in the majority, that prayer at school graduations was unconstitutional, rejecting an argument made that students could choose not to attend the ceremony.
Nearly four years later, Alito joined a dissenting opinion in a 3rd Circuit case, ACLU of New Jersey v. Black Horse Pike Regional Board of Education, that argued prayer at high school graduations did not violate the Establishment Clause if students voted to have a prayer and conducted it themselves.
Liberal activists say they are troubled by Alito’s record on religious liberty cases.
“Initially, what we’ve found does concern us and causes us to worry that he could join with [Justices Antonin] Scalia and [Clarence] Thomas in further narrowing the separation of church and state,” said Jeremy Leaming, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
A senior Justice Department official said Alito has narrowly interpreted Supreme Court precedents as a federal appellate judge. The official pointed to Alito’s opinions in cases involving the Free Exercise Clause, including a 1999 case, Fraternal Order of Police v. Newark, in which Alito wrote an opinion holding that the Newark, N.J., police department’s refusal to allow Muslim officers to wear beards for religious reasons was unconstitutional.
Some Senate Satisfaction
Senators from both parties have raised the subject of religious liberty in private meetings with Alito, and have liked what they heard.
“With regard to religious expression, I have, for a long time, felt that the courts give too much weight to the first part of the First Amendment [the Establishment Clause] and not enough weight to the [Free Exercise] clause,” Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., said after meeting with Alito.
“I was very satisfied with what Judge Alito had to say about that First Amendment. He indicated that he felt that the people have a very distinct right to express their religious views.”
Socially conservative Republican senators declined to predict how Alito might rule on religious liberty cases on the Supreme Court. But they are confident Alito will help untangle some confusing high court jurisprudence on the subject.
Last June, the high court ruled 5-4 in Van Orden v. Perry that a display of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol did not violate the Establishment Clause. In another case, McCreary County, Kentucky v. American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, the court held that Ten Commandments displays in two Kentucky courthouses did violate the Establishment Clause.
Consistency Quest
Justice Stephen G. Breyer was the swing vote in the two cases — O’Connor sided with the court’s liberal bloc, which felt the Texas and Kentucky displays all ran afoul of the Establishment Clause, in both cases.
“I think [Alito] agrees that the court’s jurisprudence is less than clear,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who has met privately with Alito. “I think he’ll try to make it more coherent.”
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has already informed Alito that he intends to ask him about the pair of Ten Commandments cases and whether, in Alito’s view, the decisions are consistent.
Schumer also plans to ask Alito for his view on the Supreme Court’s decision in a 2000 case, Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, in which the court ruled 6-3, with O’Connor in the majority, that prayers initiated and led by students at high school football games were unconstitutional.
By Keith Perine, CQ Staff
Congressional Quarterly TODAY – LEGAL AFFAIRS
Nov. 10, 2005 – 6:27 p.m.
When Samuel A. Alito Jr. appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, lawmakers will question him closely about his views on religious liberty.
Next to abortion rights, Supreme Court cases that interpret First Amendment clauses barring governmental establishment of religion and guaranteeing its free exercise have spawned some of the most bitter fights in the culture wars over school prayer, displays of the Ten Commandments and the public celebration of Christmas.
Legal experts say that the high court has been more accommodating of religious interests in recent years in cases involving school vouchers and the use of public facilities such as school auditoriums for religious meetings.
But in cases involving displays of religious symbols and official prayers at government-sponsored events, such as high school graduations, the justices have been less willing to interpret the Establishment Clause to lower the legal wall between church and state.
Wild Cards
Nobody pretends to know with certainty how Alito would rule on such cases as a justice. And Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who has only recently joined the court, is another wild card. But opinions that Alito has written or joined during his 15 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit suggest he would be much more willing to support religious groups in cases involving symbols or prayers.
And because Alito would replace Sandra Day O’Connor, a pivotal vote on religious liberty issues, his critics are already focusing attention on his record.
In a 1999 case, ACLU of New Jersey v. Schundler, Alito ruled that a Jersey City, N.J., holiday display of a creche, a menorah and a Christmas tree did not violate the Establishment Clause after the city added a Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman and Kwanzaa symbols to the display.
In a 1992 Supreme Court case, Lee v. Weisman, the justices ruled 5-4, with O’Connor in the majority, that prayer at school graduations was unconstitutional, rejecting an argument made that students could choose not to attend the ceremony.
Nearly four years later, Alito joined a dissenting opinion in a 3rd Circuit case, ACLU of New Jersey v. Black Horse Pike Regional Board of Education, that argued prayer at high school graduations did not violate the Establishment Clause if students voted to have a prayer and conducted it themselves.
Liberal activists say they are troubled by Alito’s record on religious liberty cases.
“Initially, what we’ve found does concern us and causes us to worry that he could join with [Justices Antonin] Scalia and [Clarence] Thomas in further narrowing the separation of church and state,” said Jeremy Leaming, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
A senior Justice Department official said Alito has narrowly interpreted Supreme Court precedents as a federal appellate judge. The official pointed to Alito’s opinions in cases involving the Free Exercise Clause, including a 1999 case, Fraternal Order of Police v. Newark, in which Alito wrote an opinion holding that the Newark, N.J., police department’s refusal to allow Muslim officers to wear beards for religious reasons was unconstitutional.
Some Senate Satisfaction
Senators from both parties have raised the subject of religious liberty in private meetings with Alito, and have liked what they heard.
“With regard to religious expression, I have, for a long time, felt that the courts give too much weight to the first part of the First Amendment [the Establishment Clause] and not enough weight to the [Free Exercise] clause,” Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., said after meeting with Alito.
“I was very satisfied with what Judge Alito had to say about that First Amendment. He indicated that he felt that the people have a very distinct right to express their religious views.”
Socially conservative Republican senators declined to predict how Alito might rule on religious liberty cases on the Supreme Court. But they are confident Alito will help untangle some confusing high court jurisprudence on the subject.
Last June, the high court ruled 5-4 in Van Orden v. Perry that a display of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol did not violate the Establishment Clause. In another case, McCreary County, Kentucky v. American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, the court held that Ten Commandments displays in two Kentucky courthouses did violate the Establishment Clause.
Consistency Quest
Justice Stephen G. Breyer was the swing vote in the two cases — O’Connor sided with the court’s liberal bloc, which felt the Texas and Kentucky displays all ran afoul of the Establishment Clause, in both cases.
“I think [Alito] agrees that the court’s jurisprudence is less than clear,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who has met privately with Alito. “I think he’ll try to make it more coherent.”
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has already informed Alito that he intends to ask him about the pair of Ten Commandments cases and whether, in Alito’s view, the decisions are consistent.
Schumer also plans to ask Alito for his view on the Supreme Court’s decision in a 2000 case, Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, in which the court ruled 6-3, with O’Connor in the majority, that prayers initiated and led by students at high school football games were unconstitutional.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Bush lied and people died
Bush Administration: Parade of lies
By Bob Shrum
Hardblogger
November 2, 2005
The Bush administration looks forward to the trial of “Scooter” Libby, says Republican National Chairman Ken Mehlman. Just like the sausage looks forward to the meat grinder.
On matters great and trivial, lying is second nature to an Administration that came to power by stealing the 2000 Presidential election. Look at the parade of lies.
-- Iraq had and was acquiring weapons of mass destruction, including yellow cake uranium from Niger. False.
-- The President was making a genuine effort to enlist the United Nations before the war. False. The mission in Iraq was accomplished swiftly and cleaning. False. The level of insurgent violence in Iraq was falling. It wasn’t and isn’t.
-- No one in the White House was involved in the Valerie Plame scandal; anyone who was, whether or not they were yet accused of breaking the law, would be fired. False.
-- John Kerry wasn’t a war hero, but someone whose record of bravery deserved to be smeared (admittedly by Bush’s henchman, not the administration itself, so the President could piously disclaim responsibility). And of course, Bush himself hadn’t used special influence to get into the National Guard. False on both counts.
-- “Brownie” was doing “a heck a job” at the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Katrina and Harriet Miers was the best qualified person in America for the Supreme Court. Laughably false.
The list goes on and on. And sometimes the lies have mortal consequences: the loss of untold Iraqi civilians and more than 2,000 American troops in a war that was rooted and manipulated and manufactured intelligence. And the deception metastasizes as the months and causalities mount. The President who was never deigned to go to Dover Air Force Base to salute the fallen who are coming home says no photographs of their coffins can be permitted because that would hurt the feelings of the families. This is false, tragically false; the real reason is that day after day the photos would starkly reveal the price of Bush’s folly. (full story)
By Bob Shrum
Hardblogger
November 2, 2005
The Bush administration looks forward to the trial of “Scooter” Libby, says Republican National Chairman Ken Mehlman. Just like the sausage looks forward to the meat grinder.
On matters great and trivial, lying is second nature to an Administration that came to power by stealing the 2000 Presidential election. Look at the parade of lies.
-- Iraq had and was acquiring weapons of mass destruction, including yellow cake uranium from Niger. False.
-- The President was making a genuine effort to enlist the United Nations before the war. False. The mission in Iraq was accomplished swiftly and cleaning. False. The level of insurgent violence in Iraq was falling. It wasn’t and isn’t.
-- No one in the White House was involved in the Valerie Plame scandal; anyone who was, whether or not they were yet accused of breaking the law, would be fired. False.
-- John Kerry wasn’t a war hero, but someone whose record of bravery deserved to be smeared (admittedly by Bush’s henchman, not the administration itself, so the President could piously disclaim responsibility). And of course, Bush himself hadn’t used special influence to get into the National Guard. False on both counts.
-- “Brownie” was doing “a heck a job” at the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Katrina and Harriet Miers was the best qualified person in America for the Supreme Court. Laughably false.
The list goes on and on. And sometimes the lies have mortal consequences: the loss of untold Iraqi civilians and more than 2,000 American troops in a war that was rooted and manipulated and manufactured intelligence. And the deception metastasizes as the months and causalities mount. The President who was never deigned to go to Dover Air Force Base to salute the fallen who are coming home says no photographs of their coffins can be permitted because that would hurt the feelings of the families. This is false, tragically false; the real reason is that day after day the photos would starkly reveal the price of Bush’s folly. (full story)
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Balancing the Budget on the Backs of Students, to Protect Tax Cuts for the Rich
Students' loans, prospects on chopping block
By Dawn Turner Trice
Chicago Tribune
November 9, 2005
Right after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and area residents were being plucked from the rooftops of their homes, a conservative talk show host proffered a lesson for poor children.
He said all they had to do was work hard and educate themselves, and they would be able to avoid being left behind on the "metaphorical rooftop."
That always sounds great. Who would disagree with hard work and education being paramount in the lives of those born without a trust fund?
But here's the thing: This week, U.S. House GOP leaders hope to move forward on a budget bill that includes a $14.3 billion cut in student-loan programs. The cut could affect the number of lenders who make student loans as well as the interest rates and fees charged. (full story)
By Dawn Turner Trice
Chicago Tribune
November 9, 2005
Right after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and area residents were being plucked from the rooftops of their homes, a conservative talk show host proffered a lesson for poor children.
He said all they had to do was work hard and educate themselves, and they would be able to avoid being left behind on the "metaphorical rooftop."
That always sounds great. Who would disagree with hard work and education being paramount in the lives of those born without a trust fund?
But here's the thing: This week, U.S. House GOP leaders hope to move forward on a budget bill that includes a $14.3 billion cut in student-loan programs. The cut could affect the number of lenders who make student loans as well as the interest rates and fees charged. (full story)
Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Yahooooo
It looks like Democrats kicked butt tonight! I certainly hope this is a preview of things to come in 2006!
Monday, November 7, 2005
In his own words . . .
BUSH HAIKU
This is a poem made up entirely of actual quotations from George W. Bush,
arranged by Washington Post writer Richard Thompson.
I think we all agree, the past is over.
This is still a dangerous world.
It's a world of madmen and uncertainty
And potential mental losses.
Rarely is the question asked
Is our children learning?
Will the highways of the Internet
Become more few?
How many hands have I shaked?
They misunderestimate me.
I am a pitbull on the pant leg of opportunity.
I know that the human being
And the fish can coexist.
Families is where our nation finds hope,
Where our wings take dream.
Put food on your family!
Knock down the tollbooth!
Vulcanize society!
Make the pie higher!
Make the pie higher!
This is a poem made up entirely of actual quotations from George W. Bush,
arranged by Washington Post writer Richard Thompson.
I think we all agree, the past is over.
This is still a dangerous world.
It's a world of madmen and uncertainty
And potential mental losses.
Rarely is the question asked
Is our children learning?
Will the highways of the Internet
Become more few?
How many hands have I shaked?
They misunderestimate me.
I am a pitbull on the pant leg of opportunity.
I know that the human being
And the fish can coexist.
Families is where our nation finds hope,
Where our wings take dream.
Put food on your family!
Knock down the tollbooth!
Vulcanize society!
Make the pie higher!
Make the pie higher!
Sunday, November 6, 2005
Bush Can't Handle the Truth!
Senator Urges Bush to 'Come Clean' on Leak
By Associated Press
Sat Nov 5, 2005
WASHINGTON - President Bush should "come clean" about any White House officials involved in the leak of the name of undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame and "honor his pledge to fire all those involved," Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland said Saturday in the Democrats' weekly radio address.
"It's been one week since the vice president's chief of staff was indicted, and there are still very serious questions about how his White House misused and manufactured intelligence to sell and defend the war in Iraq," Mikulski said.
Democrats last week forced the Republican-controlled Senate into an unusual closed session, questioning information that Bush used in the run-up to the war in Iraq and accusing Republicans of ignoring the issue. Republicans later agreed to a bipartisan review of the Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation into prewar intelligence.
Mikulski said the indictment of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was part of a "remarkable" few weeks of Republican scandal, including the investigation of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
"I can't remember a situation like this since the Watergate scandal brought down the Nixon administration," she said.
Mikulski also said she was disappointed that Bush did not nominate a woman to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Bush originally selected White House counsel Harriet Miers but chose federal appellate judge Samuel Alito after Miers withdrew.
By Associated Press
Sat Nov 5, 2005
WASHINGTON - President Bush should "come clean" about any White House officials involved in the leak of the name of undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame and "honor his pledge to fire all those involved," Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland said Saturday in the Democrats' weekly radio address.
"It's been one week since the vice president's chief of staff was indicted, and there are still very serious questions about how his White House misused and manufactured intelligence to sell and defend the war in Iraq," Mikulski said.
Democrats last week forced the Republican-controlled Senate into an unusual closed session, questioning information that Bush used in the run-up to the war in Iraq and accusing Republicans of ignoring the issue. Republicans later agreed to a bipartisan review of the Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation into prewar intelligence.
Mikulski said the indictment of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was part of a "remarkable" few weeks of Republican scandal, including the investigation of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
"I can't remember a situation like this since the Watergate scandal brought down the Nixon administration," she said.
Mikulski also said she was disappointed that Bush did not nominate a woman to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Bush originally selected White House counsel Harriet Miers but chose federal appellate judge Samuel Alito after Miers withdrew.
Saturday, November 5, 2005
Like Closing the Barn Door After the Horse is Gone!
Bush Orders Staff to Attend Ethics Briefings
Reuters reports: "White House officials will be required to attend briefings next week on ethics and the handling of classified information after the indictment last week of a senior official in the CIA leak probe, according to a memo released on Saturday."
Does this include the President and Vice President, since it seems pretty clear the decision to out Valerie Plame came from the top?
A memo from Bush outlining the briefings was released in Mar del Plata, where the president was attending a 34-nation Summit of the Americas. The 'refresher course on ethics' will be conducted by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and White House counsel Harriet Miers.
Reuters reports: "White House officials will be required to attend briefings next week on ethics and the handling of classified information after the indictment last week of a senior official in the CIA leak probe, according to a memo released on Saturday."
Does this include the President and Vice President, since it seems pretty clear the decision to out Valerie Plame came from the top?
A memo from Bush outlining the briefings was released in Mar del Plata, where the president was attending a 34-nation Summit of the Americas. The 'refresher course on ethics' will be conducted by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and White House counsel Harriet Miers.
Friday, November 4, 2005
Stop Thief! Ex-FEMA Director "Brownie" Robbing Taxpayers
Ex-FEMA "Thief" Michael Brown is bilking taxpayers to the tune of his $148,000 annual salary. Yes, Brown is still on the federal payroll. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, saying Brown's expertise was needed as he investigated what went wrong, agreed to a 30-day extension when Brown resigned. Chertoff renewed that extension in mid-October.
The release of recent email messages demonstrate that while on the job Brown had no interest in helping victims of hurricane Katrina -- writing at one point "Can I quit now?". (full story)
CNN reports: "Rep. Charlie Melancon, whose district south of New Orleans was devastated by the hurricane, posted a sampling of e-mails written by Federal Emergency Management chief Michael Brown on his Web site on Wednesday.
"Melancon used an e-mail sent September 2, four days after the hurricane hit, to illustrate his point. On that day, Brown received a message with the subject "medical help." At the time, thousands of patients were being transported to the New Orleans airport, which had been converted to a makeshift hospital. Because of a lack of ventilators, medical personnel had to ventilate patients by hand for as long as 35 hours, according to Melancon.
"The text of the e-mail reads: "Mike, Mickey and other medical equipment people have a 42-foot trailer full of beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, etc. They are wanting to take them where they can be used but need direction.
"Mickey specializes in ventilator patients so can be very helpful with acute care patients. If you could have someone contact him and let him know if he can be of service, he would appreciate it. Know you are busy but they really want to help."
"Melancon said Brown didn't respond for four days, when he forwarded the original e-mail to FEMA Deputy Chief of Staff Brooks Altshuler and Deputy Director of Response Michael Lowder.
The text of Brown's e-mail to them read: "Can we use these people?"
TAKE ACTION -- Contact your Representative and Senators and demand that Michael Brown be fired!
The release of recent email messages demonstrate that while on the job Brown had no interest in helping victims of hurricane Katrina -- writing at one point "Can I quit now?". (full story)
CNN reports: "Rep. Charlie Melancon, whose district south of New Orleans was devastated by the hurricane, posted a sampling of e-mails written by Federal Emergency Management chief Michael Brown on his Web site on Wednesday.
"Melancon used an e-mail sent September 2, four days after the hurricane hit, to illustrate his point. On that day, Brown received a message with the subject "medical help." At the time, thousands of patients were being transported to the New Orleans airport, which had been converted to a makeshift hospital. Because of a lack of ventilators, medical personnel had to ventilate patients by hand for as long as 35 hours, according to Melancon.
"The text of the e-mail reads: "Mike, Mickey and other medical equipment people have a 42-foot trailer full of beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, etc. They are wanting to take them where they can be used but need direction.
"Mickey specializes in ventilator patients so can be very helpful with acute care patients. If you could have someone contact him and let him know if he can be of service, he would appreciate it. Know you are busy but they really want to help."
"Melancon said Brown didn't respond for four days, when he forwarded the original e-mail to FEMA Deputy Chief of Staff Brooks Altshuler and Deputy Director of Response Michael Lowder.
The text of Brown's e-mail to them read: "Can we use these people?"
TAKE ACTION -- Contact your Representative and Senators and demand that Michael Brown be fired!
Thursday, November 3, 2005
In case you missed this . . .
Why Would Libby Lie?
by Dennis Kelleher, TomPaine.com
Cheney's chief of staff will be arraigned today for obstructing the Plame investigation. What was his motive? Fitzgerald left a clue. http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20051103/why_would_libby_lie.php
by Dennis Kelleher, TomPaine.com
Cheney's chief of staff will be arraigned today for obstructing the Plame investigation. What was his motive? Fitzgerald left a clue. http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20051103/why_would_libby_lie.php
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Samuel Alito's America
Bush nominate 3rd Circuit Appeals Court Judge Samuel Alito to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court. Who is Samuel Alito? ThinkProgress has the facts:
ALITO WOULD OVERTURN ROE V. WADE: In his dissenting opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Alito concurred with the majority in supporting the restrictive abortion-related measures passed by the Pennsylvania legislature in the late 1980s. Alito went further, however, saying the majority was wrong to strike down a requirement that women notify their spouses before having an abortion. The Supreme Court later rejected Alito's view, voting to reaffirm Roe v. Wade. [Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 1991]
ALITO WOULD ALLOW RACE-BASED DISCRIMINATION: Alito dissented from a decision in favor of a Marriott Hotel manager who said she had been discriminated against on the basis of race. The majority explained that Alito would have protected racist employers by "immuniz[ing] an employer from the reach of Title VII if the employer's belief that it had selected the 'best' candidate was the result of conscious racial bias." [Bray v. Marriott Hotels, 1997]
ALITO WOULD ALLOW DISABILITY-BASED DISCRIMINATION: In Nathanson v. Medical College of Pennsylvania, the majority said the standard for proving disability-based discrimination articulated in Alito's dissent was so restrictive that "few if any~Ecases would survive summary judgment." [Nathanson v. Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1991]
ALITO WOULD STRIKE DOWN THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) "guarantees most workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a loved one." The 2003 Supreme Court ruling upholding FMLA [Nevada v. Hibbs, 2003] essentially reversed a 2000 decision by Alito which found that Congress exceeded its power in passing the law. [Chittister v. Department of Community and Economic Development, 2000]
ALITO SUPPORTS UNAUTHORIZED STRIP SEARCHES: In Doe v. Groody, Alito agued that police officers had not violated constitutional rights when they strip searched a mother and her ten-year-old daughter while carrying out a search warrant that authorized only the search of a man and his home. [Doe v. Groody, 2004]
ALITO HOSTILE TOWARD IMMIGRANTS: In two cases involving the deportation of immigrants, the majority twice noted Alito's disregard of settled law. In Dia v. Ashcroft, the majority opinion states that Alito's dissent "guts the statutory standard" and "ignores our precedent." In Ki Se Lee v. Ashcroft, the majority stated Alito's opinion contradicted "well-recognized rules of statutory construction." [Dia v. Ashcroft, 2003; Ki Se Lee v. Ashcroft, 2004]
Is there a 'war' against girls?
Catholic School Cancels 'American Girl' Fashion Show
MILWAUKEE (Oct. 31) - A Roman Catholic school is canceling a fashion show by the manufacturer of American Girl dolls and books amid conservative groups' criticism of a girls organization that receives support from the company. . .Two national groups - the Pro-Life Action League in Chicago and the American Family Association in Tupelo, Miss. - have raised questions about the American Girl brand and its parent company, Mattel Inc., because of the company's fund-raising for Girls Inc., formerly known as Girls Clubs of America.
The American Family Association has called Girls Inc. "a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group." Girls Inc., which has more than 1,500 centers across the country, says it provides a variety of programs to educate and encourage girls and does accept lesbian sexual orientation. Alexander Kopelman, director of communications, said it does not include abortion in its programming, though it does not control what leaders say if girls ask about it.
So, St. Lukes School decided to forgo a fundraising event designed to raise money for a new playground and a refurbished library because of criticism from anti-abortion groups linked to violent terrorist activity at women's health clinics.
Frank Malloy, St. Lukes pastor, says "the cost [of aligning with American Girl] is too high. Our integrity isn't for sale."
Who is he trying to kid? The two national groups St. Lukes just sold out to are the Pro-Life Action League and the American Family Association. Groups with ties to the violence that has taken place at women's heath clinics that provide abortion services.
Girls, Inc is a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. With roots dating to 1864, Girls Inc has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives.
TAKE ACTION by showing support for Girls, Inc.
DONATE TO GIRLS, INC. TODAY!!
MILWAUKEE (Oct. 31) - A Roman Catholic school is canceling a fashion show by the manufacturer of American Girl dolls and books amid conservative groups' criticism of a girls organization that receives support from the company. . .Two national groups - the Pro-Life Action League in Chicago and the American Family Association in Tupelo, Miss. - have raised questions about the American Girl brand and its parent company, Mattel Inc., because of the company's fund-raising for Girls Inc., formerly known as Girls Clubs of America.
The American Family Association has called Girls Inc. "a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group." Girls Inc., which has more than 1,500 centers across the country, says it provides a variety of programs to educate and encourage girls and does accept lesbian sexual orientation. Alexander Kopelman, director of communications, said it does not include abortion in its programming, though it does not control what leaders say if girls ask about it.
So, St. Lukes School decided to forgo a fundraising event designed to raise money for a new playground and a refurbished library because of criticism from anti-abortion groups linked to violent terrorist activity at women's health clinics.
Frank Malloy, St. Lukes pastor, says "the cost [of aligning with American Girl] is too high. Our integrity isn't for sale."
Who is he trying to kid? The two national groups St. Lukes just sold out to are the Pro-Life Action League and the American Family Association. Groups with ties to the violence that has taken place at women's heath clinics that provide abortion services.
_____________________________________
Girls, Inc is a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. With roots dating to 1864, Girls Inc has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives. TAKE ACTION by showing support for Girls, Inc.
DONATE TO GIRLS, INC. TODAY!!
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