The Frenchman's Burden was not an easy one. International Herald Tribune PARIS The French Parliament voted Tuesday to uphold a law that puts an upbeat spin on the country's colinal past, ignoring complaints from historians and the former French territory of Algeria.
The law, adopted quietly this year, requires school textbooks to address France's "positive role" in its former colonies.
Parliament's lower house, in a 183-94 vote, rejected an effort by the opposition Socialists to kill the law. It threatens to delay the signing of a friendship treaty between France and Algeria, which won its independence in 1962 after an eight-year conflict. Ah, yes. The French success stories-Vietnam, Haiti, Quebec...
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Flying The Unfriendly Skies
Well, this will certainly keep Michael Jackson from going Down Under. CNS News -Two airlines "down under" are under fire after acknolwedging their policy of not allowing an unaccompanied child passenger to sit next to a man.
The policy emerged when a New Zealand man said he was asked by airline staff to move because an unaccompanied minor had been assigned the seat next to him.
Mark Worlsey was told to swap seats with a woman sitting nearby, who then moved into the seat next to the boy, about eight years old, for the 80-minute flight.
"I was pretty shocked-I think most people would be," the 37-year-old shipping manager and father of two said Tuesday. Well, he just has to understand-in the politically correct utopia that leftists are trying to build, men have no use. What idiocy.
The policy emerged when a New Zealand man said he was asked by airline staff to move because an unaccompanied minor had been assigned the seat next to him.
Mark Worlsey was told to swap seats with a woman sitting nearby, who then moved into the seat next to the boy, about eight years old, for the 80-minute flight.
"I was pretty shocked-I think most people would be," the 37-year-old shipping manager and father of two said Tuesday. Well, he just has to understand-in the politically correct utopia that leftists are trying to build, men have no use. What idiocy.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Corruption 101
Well, it's not like the guy wasn't guilty. Reuters LOS ANGELES-U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a California Republican, fought back tears as he resigned on Monday after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes in exchange for help in securing Defense Department contracts.
Cunningham, 63, an eight-term congressman and decorated Vietnam War pilot, admitted taking cash, antiques, a yacht, vacation expenses and money for his daughter's graduation party from several defense contractors between 2000 and 2005.
"I am resigning from the House of Representatives because I've compromised the trust of my constituents," Cunningham told reporters after a hearing in San Diego federal court. Sheesh. If you're going to be a whore, at least be an honest one.
Cunningham, 63, an eight-term congressman and decorated Vietnam War pilot, admitted taking cash, antiques, a yacht, vacation expenses and money for his daughter's graduation party from several defense contractors between 2000 and 2005.
"I am resigning from the House of Representatives because I've compromised the trust of my constituents," Cunningham told reporters after a hearing in San Diego federal court. Sheesh. If you're going to be a whore, at least be an honest one.
Tell It Like It Is
Now this might not be a bad idea. FOX News WASHINGTON-The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Sunday suggested that President Bush use an FDR-style presentation to update people on progress in the war in Iraq.
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., recalled that during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt often went on the radio in "fireside chats" to explain to the nation in detail the conduct of the war in Europe and Asia.
"I think it would be to Bush's advantage," said Warner, who served in the Navy during the war.
"It would bring him closer to the people, dispel some of this concern that understandably our people have here, about the loss of life and limb, the enormous cost of this war to the American public," he said. Bush is not the greatest speaker during press conferences, but he does well in one-on-one, intimate settings. It would give him a chance to be honest and upfront about both the real progress that has been made and the problems that we still face over there. Step up to the plate, Mr. President. Be the kind of leader we know you can, and go on the offensive for once.
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., recalled that during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt often went on the radio in "fireside chats" to explain to the nation in detail the conduct of the war in Europe and Asia.
"I think it would be to Bush's advantage," said Warner, who served in the Navy during the war.
"It would bring him closer to the people, dispel some of this concern that understandably our people have here, about the loss of life and limb, the enormous cost of this war to the American public," he said. Bush is not the greatest speaker during press conferences, but he does well in one-on-one, intimate settings. It would give him a chance to be honest and upfront about both the real progress that has been made and the problems that we still face over there. Step up to the plate, Mr. President. Be the kind of leader we know you can, and go on the offensive for once.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Off The Deep End
Do they make straightjackets in Chris Matthews' size? The National Ledger MSNBC's talk show host Chris Matthews is a man who obviously: (1) Believes he is the smartest person on television; (2) Enjoys bullying women shuch as Michell Malkin on the air; (3) Enjoys bullying senior citizens who may not be as quick with the mouth as he is; (4) Is irrelevant except for a few of his fellow moonbats who actually believe he's a mental giant; (5) Is of the opinion that he's really competition for Fox News Channel's lineup.
During a speech he gave in Canada at the University of Toronto, Matthews did what most American liberals do when in a foreign country-he denigrated his own country. During his usual bloviating Matthews is quoted as saying, "America's enemy in the war on terror is not evil-they just have a different perspective."
As a result of the Chris Matthews pseudo-intellectual speech, radio talk show host Bob Newman invited him to appear on KOA's "The Gunny Bob Show," aired in Denver.
Bob is a decorated Marine and a coloumnist who specializes in terrorism and counterinsufency. Matthews agreed to appear on Newman's show. Many listeners may argue it wasn't an appearance so much as it was a total meltdown of a man who got caught displaying anti-American tendencies on a radio show with bigger ratings than Hardball.
Bob Newman was interested in persuing the meaning of Matthews' statements in Toronto.
According to the Gunny, he repeatedly asked Matthews if he thought terrorists were our enemy. Finally, after Matthews apparently realized that the Gunny wasn't going to allow him to dodge the question, Matthews replied that terrorists are "a sub-set of our enemy," to which Gunny Bob asked what he meant. Matthews flew into a rage and it went downhill from there.
When the Gunny told Matthews that he wasn't buying his bizzare, convoluated explanation of his controversial speech, Matthews started screaming about how awful the Bush administration is and then totally lost it by hanging up on the Gunny with considerable fury. Chris, next time you get into a debate with someone, at least remember to take your meds.
During a speech he gave in Canada at the University of Toronto, Matthews did what most American liberals do when in a foreign country-he denigrated his own country. During his usual bloviating Matthews is quoted as saying, "America's enemy in the war on terror is not evil-they just have a different perspective."
As a result of the Chris Matthews pseudo-intellectual speech, radio talk show host Bob Newman invited him to appear on KOA's "The Gunny Bob Show," aired in Denver.
Bob is a decorated Marine and a coloumnist who specializes in terrorism and counterinsufency. Matthews agreed to appear on Newman's show. Many listeners may argue it wasn't an appearance so much as it was a total meltdown of a man who got caught displaying anti-American tendencies on a radio show with bigger ratings than Hardball.
Bob Newman was interested in persuing the meaning of Matthews' statements in Toronto.
According to the Gunny, he repeatedly asked Matthews if he thought terrorists were our enemy. Finally, after Matthews apparently realized that the Gunny wasn't going to allow him to dodge the question, Matthews replied that terrorists are "a sub-set of our enemy," to which Gunny Bob asked what he meant. Matthews flew into a rage and it went downhill from there.
When the Gunny told Matthews that he wasn't buying his bizzare, convoluated explanation of his controversial speech, Matthews started screaming about how awful the Bush administration is and then totally lost it by hanging up on the Gunny with considerable fury. Chris, next time you get into a debate with someone, at least remember to take your meds.
Clothes Make The Thug
Psst! Wanna look like an ex-dictator? CNET News A U.S. auction house is trying to sell one of Saddam Hussein's military uniforms online, calling it an "ultimate artifact" of the U.S. war in Iraq.
Manion's International Auction House is offering the olive green dress uniform, complete with Saddam's special rank on its shoulder straps, at a starting price of $5,000, but expects it to sell for much more.
"We have only seen one other Hussein uniform here at Manion's, and it realized over $20,000 at auction," the auctioneer says on its Web site. Cartman wanted to look cool by dressing like Adolph Hitler. Well, now you can look cool, too! Or give it to one of your lefty friends, or your boss to wear at work...
Manion's International Auction House is offering the olive green dress uniform, complete with Saddam's special rank on its shoulder straps, at a starting price of $5,000, but expects it to sell for much more.
"We have only seen one other Hussein uniform here at Manion's, and it realized over $20,000 at auction," the auctioneer says on its Web site. Cartman wanted to look cool by dressing like Adolph Hitler. Well, now you can look cool, too! Or give it to one of your lefty friends, or your boss to wear at work...
Friday, November 25, 2005
When Black Friday Comes
Ah, the holidays. Family, Christmas cheer, and riots. Sun-Sentinel.com "Black Friday," the traditional start of the holiday season, began in South Florida early today with a 73-year-old woman being knocked down as a crowd at an electronics store rushed a metal security gate to get inside.
The crowd of shoppers outside BrandsMart USA in Sawgrass Mills, angry at being forced to wait by security personnel, pushed their way under the security gate and down a hallway into the store, forcing dozens of people against the walls and trampling the woman.
"I was trying to get out of the way, but they knocked me down," said Josephine Hoffman of Coconut Creek, who was standing immediately outside the gate as a human wave rushed inside, carrying her along.
"I hit my head on the floor, and people stepped on me," said the woman, who was resting on a box of merchandise inside the store following the 7:30 a.m. incident. "I don't understand why people do these things." Greed-the gift that keeps on giving.
The crowd of shoppers outside BrandsMart USA in Sawgrass Mills, angry at being forced to wait by security personnel, pushed their way under the security gate and down a hallway into the store, forcing dozens of people against the walls and trampling the woman.
"I was trying to get out of the way, but they knocked me down," said Josephine Hoffman of Coconut Creek, who was standing immediately outside the gate as a human wave rushed inside, carrying her along.
"I hit my head on the floor, and people stepped on me," said the woman, who was resting on a box of merchandise inside the store following the 7:30 a.m. incident. "I don't understand why people do these things." Greed-the gift that keeps on giving.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Stuart Smalley Versus Scalia
Scalia has a battle of wits against an unarmed individual. New York Post Al Franken, the former "Saturday Night Live" star, found out the hard way not to mess with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who chided Franken as if he were a delinquent schoolboy at Time Warner Center on Monday night.
Scalia, following in the footsteps of Karl Rove and Bill Clinton, was the guest at Conversations on the Circle, a series of one-on-one interviews with outgoing Time Inc. editor-in-chief Norman Pearlstine.
The A-list crowd included Michael Eisner, Jack Valenti, Mike Wallace, Tina Brown, Harry Evans and Stanley Pottinger. Scalia, a conservative who believes in a strict reading of the Constitution, is the scourge of liberal Democrats because he led the court's 5-4 majority in voting to stop the vote recount in Florida in 2000.
When Pearlstine opened the floor for Q&A, Franken stood up in the back row and started talking about "judicial demeanor," and asking "hypothetically" about whether a judge should recuse himself if he had gone duck-hunting or flown in a private jet with a party in a case before his court.
Franken was clumsily referring to the fact that Scalia had gone hunting and flying with Dick Cheney before the 2000 election.
First, Scalia lectured Franken, "Demeanor is the wrong word. You mean ethics." Then he explained, "Ethics is governed by tradition. It has never been the case where you recuse because of friendship." Bush won in 2000 because he was good enough, smart enough, and gosh darn it, people liked him. The same can hardly be said for Frankenweenie.
Scalia, following in the footsteps of Karl Rove and Bill Clinton, was the guest at Conversations on the Circle, a series of one-on-one interviews with outgoing Time Inc. editor-in-chief Norman Pearlstine.
The A-list crowd included Michael Eisner, Jack Valenti, Mike Wallace, Tina Brown, Harry Evans and Stanley Pottinger. Scalia, a conservative who believes in a strict reading of the Constitution, is the scourge of liberal Democrats because he led the court's 5-4 majority in voting to stop the vote recount in Florida in 2000.
When Pearlstine opened the floor for Q&A, Franken stood up in the back row and started talking about "judicial demeanor," and asking "hypothetically" about whether a judge should recuse himself if he had gone duck-hunting or flown in a private jet with a party in a case before his court.
Franken was clumsily referring to the fact that Scalia had gone hunting and flying with Dick Cheney before the 2000 election.
First, Scalia lectured Franken, "Demeanor is the wrong word. You mean ethics." Then he explained, "Ethics is governed by tradition. It has never been the case where you recuse because of friendship." Bush won in 2000 because he was good enough, smart enough, and gosh darn it, people liked him. The same can hardly be said for Frankenweenie.
Mohammad Al-Fidel
Guess who's been invited to join the Religion Of Peace(tm)? ADNKI Tehran, 22 Nov. (AKI)-Iran's religious authorities in the holy Shiite city of Qom have officially invited Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, to convert to Islam, according to Hojatolislam Mohammad Rezi Hakimi, quoted by Iran's Farda news agency. "I met Castro together with the Iranian foreign minister, Salid Salili, and gave him some sacred Islamic texts translated into Spanish," said Hakimi, who recently returned from a government visit to cuba. Well, this is interesting. Time for an Iranian Missile Crisis?
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
X Marks the Spot
Did anyone else see this? DRUDGE Report **Exclusive**
At 11:04:45 AM ET Monday CNN was airing Vice President Dick Cheney's speech live from the American Enterprise Institute in Washington--when a large black 'X' repeatedly flashed over the vice president's face!
The 'X' over Cheney's face appeared each time less than a second, creating an odd subliminal effect.
As this DRUDGE REPORT screen capture reveals, while one 'X' flashed over Cheney's face CNN ran a headline at the bottom of its screen: "CHENEY: I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS WRONG TO CRITICIZE."
Now, normally I don't go in for conspiracy theories. But I've never heard of CNN putting an X over Nancy Pelosi or Ted Kennedy's faces. Although in their cases, paper bags might have been more appropriate.
"Here I Come To Save The Day..."
Sometimes, McCain actually makes sense, and that's when he scares me.
The Washington Post MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.-With the war in Iraq, higher energy costs and breakneck government spending, the GOP faces a tough round of congressional elections in 2006 unless things change, two key Republican senators warned during a campaign appearance.
"I think if this were not an odd-numbered year, we would have great difficulties," said U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
McCain and fellow-republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were interviewed by The Associated Press when they stopped here Sunday night to campaign for Republican state Attorney Geberal Henry McMaster
"But we can recover," McCain said. "Reagan recovered. Clinton recovered. We can recover."
Say what you want about McCain, he's got a point. Let me put it this way: If it were between him and the Hildebeast, would you be willing to hold your nose and vote for him or not?
Monday, November 21, 2005
It's A Man's World
Any good liberal will tell you that we need to be more like our European cousins, because they are so much more enlightened and sophisticated than we are, right? Reuters UK LONDON (Reuters)-One in three Britons believes a woman who flirts is partly or totally responsible if she is raped, a "shocking" opinion poll showed on Monday.
Between a third and a quarter of respondents also put part or all of the blame on the woman if she fails to say "no" clearly to the man, wears sexy clothes, drinks too much, has many sexual partners and walks alone in a deserted area.
But at least she'd feel safe with all those cameras everywhere and no nasty guns...
Between a third and a quarter of respondents also put part or all of the blame on the woman if she fails to say "no" clearly to the man, wears sexy clothes, drinks too much, has many sexual partners and walks alone in a deserted area.
But at least she'd feel safe with all those cameras everywhere and no nasty guns...
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Mr. Bush Goes To Beijing
With the politically correct assault on Christianity set to increase once again this holiday season, we should do well to remember what it's like in places where it's still barely legal.
CNN BEIJING, China-President Bush attended a legally sanctioned church Sunday in Beijing before scheduled talks on religious freedom with President Hu Jintao and Primier Wen Jiabo.
Bush also planned to discuss trade, intellectual propery rights and support for the U.S. push to spread democracy in nations such as Iraq.
During his visit to the Gangwashi Church-one of five Protestent churches sanctioned by the government-Bush signed a guest book with the words "May God bless the Christians of China." With her signature Laura Bush, who's accompanying her husband, added, "with love and respect."
Here's the difference between some churches in America and their counterparts overseas. In the US, many churches, particularly Baptist and Protestent ones, are caught up in politics. In Asia and much of the rest of the world, churches of the same faith are much more about keeping the strength of that faith alive where it is needed the most. If more Americans who call themselves religious would realize this, it might make it easier for them to work with others who also want to stop the destruction of faith in the name of political correctness.Saturday, November 19, 2005
A Genius In France
It must be hard being Johnny Depp and trying to avoid reality all the time. Yahoo! News UK Hollywood star Johnny Depp is so shocked by the riots raging through France, he's considering abandoning his home in the country.
The Finding Neverland heart-throb moved to Europe when life in Los Angeles became too violent.
He has since divided time between the two continents-but he fears France will be scarred permanently by the current troubles.
He says, "It's insane, that setting cars on fire is the new strike.
"I went there (to France) to live because it seemed so simple.
"Now it's anything but. I don't know how they'll recover from this." Well, might I suggest Antarctica? It's isolated and thinly populated enough so that nobody will care how weird you are. Plus, the cold will help keep your pot plants fresh year 'round.
The Finding Neverland heart-throb moved to Europe when life in Los Angeles became too violent.
He has since divided time between the two continents-but he fears France will be scarred permanently by the current troubles.
He says, "It's insane, that setting cars on fire is the new strike.
"I went there (to France) to live because it seemed so simple.
"Now it's anything but. I don't know how they'll recover from this." Well, might I suggest Antarctica? It's isolated and thinly populated enough so that nobody will care how weird you are. Plus, the cold will help keep your pot plants fresh year 'round.
Hoist By Their Own Petard
The Democrats just got played big time. Yahoo! News The House on Friday overwhelmingly rejected calls for an immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq, a vote engineered by Republicans that was intended to fail. Democrats derided the vote as a political stunt.
"Our troops have become the enemy. We need to change direction in Iraq," said Rep. John Murtha (news, bio, voting record) of Pennsylvania, a Democratic hawk whose call a day earlier for pulling out troops sparked a nasty, personal debate over the war.
The House voted 400-3 to reject a nonbinding resolution calling for an immediate troop withdrawal. Hey, guys, you wanted the vote, you got it. Oh, and by the way, the Republicans may have problems with their base, but it looks like you just lost a huge chunk of yours.
"Our troops have become the enemy. We need to change direction in Iraq," said Rep. John Murtha (news, bio, voting record) of Pennsylvania, a Democratic hawk whose call a day earlier for pulling out troops sparked a nasty, personal debate over the war.
The House voted 400-3 to reject a nonbinding resolution calling for an immediate troop withdrawal. Hey, guys, you wanted the vote, you got it. Oh, and by the way, the Republicans may have problems with their base, but it looks like you just lost a huge chunk of yours.
The Great Debate
Well, the Congress is scheduled to vote on whether or not we should pull our troops from Iraq. After watching the debate earlier on C-Span I'm amazed it's even gotten this far. The Dems want to have the vote today and they may get it with the help of their RINO collaborators. That's what sickens me about this more than anything else-I'd expect the cut-and-run tactics from liberals, but the clowns who are supposed to be on our side are worse. Why don't they just go ahead and switch parties if that's how they feel?
Update: The debates are over and votes have been cast. The Dumbs have just been taken to school.
Update: The debates are over and votes have been cast. The Dumbs have just been taken to school.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Science Versus Fantasy
As any good creationist will tell you, only a Godless atheist would ever disagree with intelligent design, right? Yahoo! News The Vatican's chief astronomer said Friday that "intelligent design" isn't science and doesn't belong in science classrooms, the latest high-ranking Roman Catholic official to enter the evolution debate in the United States.
The Rev. George Coyne, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, said placing intelligent design theory alongside that of evolution in school programs was "wrong" and was akin to mixing apples with oranges.
"Intelligent design isn't science even though it pretends to be," the ANSA news agency quoted Coyne as saying on the sidelines of a conference in Florence. "If you want to teach it in schools, intelligent design should be taught when religion or cultural history is taught, not science." Or, at the very least, in English Literature, under the heading of creative fiction.
The Rev. George Coyne, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, said placing intelligent design theory alongside that of evolution in school programs was "wrong" and was akin to mixing apples with oranges.
"Intelligent design isn't science even though it pretends to be," the ANSA news agency quoted Coyne as saying on the sidelines of a conference in Florence. "If you want to teach it in schools, intelligent design should be taught when religion or cultural history is taught, not science." Or, at the very least, in English Literature, under the heading of creative fiction.
Lifestyles Of The Formerlly Famous
"It was da boid, wasn't it? Da boid squaked; I'm gonna rip his friggin beak off." CNN LOS ANGELES, California (CNN)-Eight months after he was acquitted of criminal charges in the slaying of his wife, Robert Blake was found liable in a wrongful death lawsuit and ordered to pay her children $30 million in damages.
The four children of Bonnie Lee Bakley sued the 72-year-old former "Baretta" star in 2002.
"These kids lost their mom, and that got overlooked over the years," said Eric Dubin, the attorney for the children. He added that he didn't name a figure in the closing arguments because he wanted to leave that up to the jury. "I'm happy with what they came up with." I'm sure OJ would be willing to help out. And Robert could return the favor by helping OJ find the real killers out on the golf course...
The four children of Bonnie Lee Bakley sued the 72-year-old former "Baretta" star in 2002.
"These kids lost their mom, and that got overlooked over the years," said Eric Dubin, the attorney for the children. He added that he didn't name a figure in the closing arguments because he wanted to leave that up to the jury. "I'm happy with what they came up with." I'm sure OJ would be willing to help out. And Robert could return the favor by helping OJ find the real killers out on the golf course...
A Plague Of Rhinoceritis
Thirty years ago, Gene Wilder was in a movie where he wound up the last man left in a town that had become overrun by rhinos. These days, I know how his character must have felt. ABC News WASHINGTON-Republicans suffered a startling setback in the House on Thursday, losing a vote on cutting spending for ecucation and health care programs. A broader budget-cutting blueprint targeting the poor, college students and farmers was also in danger.
Both bills are part of a campaign by Republican leaders to burnish their party's budget-cutting credentials as they try to reduce a deficit swelled by spending on the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina. In both cases, GOP moderates balked. The Democrats are licking their chops over the prospect of winning back the House in 2006. The sad part is, the Republicans have done little to show why they shouldn't get it.
Both bills are part of a campaign by Republican leaders to burnish their party's budget-cutting credentials as they try to reduce a deficit swelled by spending on the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina. In both cases, GOP moderates balked. The Democrats are licking their chops over the prospect of winning back the House in 2006. The sad part is, the Republicans have done little to show why they shouldn't get it.
Jumping Ship
Take that, Jesse Jackass. MewsMax The head of the Orlando Florida NAACP-a long-time stalwart of the Democratic party both locally and nationally-has stunned political experts by switching his allegiance to the Republican Party.
"I've thought about this for two years," Derrick Wallace, head of Oarnge County's NAACP told the Orlando Sentinel Tuesday, just a few hours after returning from the elections office where he enrolled as a Republican. "This is not a decision I made yesterday."
His decision sent shock waves through Central Florida's political extablishment-Orlando is located smack in ghe middle of the so-called I-4 corridor, the hotly contested area considered key to winning statewide elections. Along with the growing Latino voting bloc in that region, African-Americans can play the part of a vital swing vote. Good on Mr. Wallace. Democrats have long taken the black vote for granted-let's see what happens when they actually have to try and work for it.
"I've thought about this for two years," Derrick Wallace, head of Oarnge County's NAACP told the Orlando Sentinel Tuesday, just a few hours after returning from the elections office where he enrolled as a Republican. "This is not a decision I made yesterday."
His decision sent shock waves through Central Florida's political extablishment-Orlando is located smack in ghe middle of the so-called I-4 corridor, the hotly contested area considered key to winning statewide elections. Along with the growing Latino voting bloc in that region, African-Americans can play the part of a vital swing vote. Good on Mr. Wallace. Democrats have long taken the black vote for granted-let's see what happens when they actually have to try and work for it.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
What's In A Name?
While they can't cut the budget, our so-called representatives in Washington do have the time to pull stupid stunts like this: DRUDGE Report Senators Arlan Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) named buildings after THEMSELVES in the Labor-HHS Appropriations conference--which they oversaw!
The 2006 Labor-HHS-Education Conference Report (109-300) names two new buildings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after the Chairman, Senator Arlan Specter, and Ranking Democratic Member, Senator Tom Harkin.
The building with the new vistitors center would be named after Senator Harkin.
The Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center Building (Building 21) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was to be renamed as the Arlen Specter Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center.
But rule XXI of the House Rules for the 109th Congress states:
"6. It shall not be in order to consider a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that provides for the designation or redesigning of a public work in honor of an individual then serving as a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator." (Source: http://www.rules.house.gov/archives/21RXXI.html)" If you want a vanity plate, guys, you both have plenty of stuff in your own states to use for it.
The 2006 Labor-HHS-Education Conference Report (109-300) names two new buildings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after the Chairman, Senator Arlan Specter, and Ranking Democratic Member, Senator Tom Harkin.
The building with the new vistitors center would be named after Senator Harkin.
The Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center Building (Building 21) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was to be renamed as the Arlen Specter Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center.
But rule XXI of the House Rules for the 109th Congress states:
"6. It shall not be in order to consider a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that provides for the designation or redesigning of a public work in honor of an individual then serving as a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator." (Source: http://www.rules.house.gov/archives/21RXXI.html)" If you want a vanity plate, guys, you both have plenty of stuff in your own states to use for it.
No Fear (Literally)
Could night lights and scary movies become a thing of the past? NEWS.com.au SCIENTISTS may have found a gene for fear-a gene that controls production of a protein in the region of the brain linked to fearful responses.
Their finding, published today, could lead to new treatments for mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and generalised anxiety.
The gene, known as stathmin or oncoprotein 18, is highly concentrated in the amygdala, a region of the brain associated with fear and anxiety, the researchers report in today's issue of the journal Cell. Sounds like something they could use to cure the Republicans of what's been ailing them lately.
Their finding, published today, could lead to new treatments for mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and generalised anxiety.
The gene, known as stathmin or oncoprotein 18, is highly concentrated in the amygdala, a region of the brain associated with fear and anxiety, the researchers report in today's issue of the journal Cell. Sounds like something they could use to cure the Republicans of what's been ailing them lately.
Idiots In Space
I sense a great disturbance in the Farce...
The Times Online THE contestents believe that they are taking one giant leap for space tourists.
But their shuttle is a Hollywood prop and its inhabitants are set to become victims of one of the most elaborate hoaxes in the history of television, according to the makers of a new reality TV series.
Nine "thrill-seeking" contestents are preparing to undergo final training at the "Space Tourism Agency of Russia" for the trip of a lifetime. They are the stars of Space Cadets, a new Channel 4 series from the makers of Big Brother.
What they should do is, when these hardy individuals return from their "Trip," is have them be greeted by people in ape suits so that they'll think the world has been taken over by damn dirty apes...heck, they'll buy this, won't they?Road To Nowhere
Well, at least it's something. San Diego Union-Tribune JUNEAU, Alaska-Two proposed bridges in Alaska that became symbols of the excesses of old fashioned "pork barrel" politics would get the ax-sort of-under a deal emerging on a major transportation spending bill.
One of the spans is the infamous $233 million "Bridge to Nowhere," proposed to link Ketchikan to an island where there is an airport and about 50 people. The other is a $229 million span near Alaska that was to be dubbed "Don Young Way" after the powerful Alaska Republican who chairs the House Transportation Committee.
Alaska will get to keep the money, but the mandate to build the bridges would be eliminated under a tentative agreement on the annual transportation appropriations bill. The state could still spend the money on the spans, but they would have to compete with other projects for funding. If Alaskans wanted to waste money, they could have just drilled for it-if the GOP would let them.
One of the spans is the infamous $233 million "Bridge to Nowhere," proposed to link Ketchikan to an island where there is an airport and about 50 people. The other is a $229 million span near Alaska that was to be dubbed "Don Young Way" after the powerful Alaska Republican who chairs the House Transportation Committee.
Alaska will get to keep the money, but the mandate to build the bridges would be eliminated under a tentative agreement on the annual transportation appropriations bill. The state could still spend the money on the spans, but they would have to compete with other projects for funding. If Alaskans wanted to waste money, they could have just drilled for it-if the GOP would let them.
Wasting Away
Fidel Castro may literally be losing his grip. Reuters WASHINGTON-The CIA has concluded that Cuban President Fidel Castro suffers from Parkinson's disease and could have difficulty coping with the duties of his office as his condition worsens, an official said on Wednesday.
The assessment, completed in recent months, suggests the nonfatal but debilitating disease has progressed far enough to warrant questions among U.S. policymakers about the communist country's future in the next several years. If there was ever a case against stem cell research this would be it.
The assessment, completed in recent months, suggests the nonfatal but debilitating disease has progressed far enough to warrant questions among U.S. policymakers about the communist country's future in the next several years. If there was ever a case against stem cell research this would be it.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Woodwardgate
As Nelson on The Simpsons would say, "Ha , Ha!" FOX News WASHINGTON-Testimony by Washington Post editor Bob Woodward in the CIA leak cae is a bombshell to the special prosecutor's case against Lewis "Scooter" libby, an attorney for Vice President Cheney's former chief of staff told FOX News on Wednesday.
The disclosure by Woodward in Wednsday's Post shows that Libby was not the first government official to tell a reporter the secret identity of a CIA operative, said Ted Wells, one of Libby's lawyers. If Rove really is involved in this, then it was another masterful setup of the administration's critics by The Architect. Libby is going to either walk or have the charges dismissed. To quote Jake Blues, Fitzgerald is really up sh*t creek without a paddle.
The disclosure by Woodward in Wednsday's Post shows that Libby was not the first government official to tell a reporter the secret identity of a CIA operative, said Ted Wells, one of Libby's lawyers. If Rove really is involved in this, then it was another masterful setup of the administration's critics by The Architect. Libby is going to either walk or have the charges dismissed. To quote Jake Blues, Fitzgerald is really up sh*t creek without a paddle.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
The Wimp Factor
On the one hand, the Republicans are fighting back against Democratic hypocracy with a new ad that makes them eat their own words. On the other hand, they are turning into pathetic, gutless wimps. New York Times WASHINGTON, Nov. 15-The Senate signaled its growing unease with the war in Iraq today, voting overwhelmingly to demand regular reports from the White House on the course of the conflict and on the progress that Iraqi forces are making in securing their own country.
The vote, 79 to 19, came on an amendment to a spending bill that ultimately passed without opposition. The bipartisan support for the amendment sponsored by Senator John W. Warner, the Virginia Republican who heads the Armed Services Committee, reflected anxiety among Republicans as well as Democrats. I don't know why the Democrats should feel they have to fight back against Bush with this group doing the job for them. And the downward spiral continues.
The vote, 79 to 19, came on an amendment to a spending bill that ultimately passed without opposition. The bipartisan support for the amendment sponsored by Senator John W. Warner, the Virginia Republican who heads the Armed Services Committee, reflected anxiety among Republicans as well as Democrats. I don't know why the Democrats should feel they have to fight back against Bush with this group doing the job for them. And the downward spiral continues.
Going Legitimate
Look! Up on the Web! It's Superblog!
ABC News NEW YORK-A media Web site scheduled to debut Wednesday will seek to blend traditional journalism with the freeform commentary developed through the emerging Web format known as blogs.
Some 70 Web journalists, including Instapundit's Glenn Reynolds and David Corn, Washington editor of the Nation magazine, have agreed to participate in OSM, short for OSM Media.
OSM will link to individual blog postings and highlight the best contributions, chosen by OSM editors, in a special section. Bloggers will be paid undisclosed sums based on the traffic they generate.
If they can get this to work, it will be another nail in the coffin of the MSM. The Pajama Patrol has arrived!Monday, November 14, 2005
Don't Drink The Water
How hard is it to do business in Maine? Water is considered an evil corporate product. ABC News FRYEBURG, Maine-In an environmentally conscious state with a lackluster economy, Poland Spring has been a decades-long delight; a nonpolluting industry that relies on a renwable resource to provide hundreds of good-paying jobs in small towns where they are often hard to come by.
The clear plastic bottle of spring water with the dark green label has become as much a part of Maine's image as a pair of L.L. Bean boots. The company's longtime slogan says it all: "Poland Spring: What it means to be a part of Maine."
But the love affair is showing signs of strain.
Poland Spring is a target of a statewide citizen initiative campaign to impose what is thought to be a first-in-the-nation tax on the water it draws from Maine's underground aquifers. At the same time, the company's expansion plans are running into local opposition from residents who are annoyed by tanker truck traffic and worry about their groundwater drying up. It's not too surprising that the guy behind this tax scam is a former Clinton tool. If Poland Spring thinks things are bad now, wait until he tells voters about Dihydrogen Monoxide...
The clear plastic bottle of spring water with the dark green label has become as much a part of Maine's image as a pair of L.L. Bean boots. The company's longtime slogan says it all: "Poland Spring: What it means to be a part of Maine."
But the love affair is showing signs of strain.
Poland Spring is a target of a statewide citizen initiative campaign to impose what is thought to be a first-in-the-nation tax on the water it draws from Maine's underground aquifers. At the same time, the company's expansion plans are running into local opposition from residents who are annoyed by tanker truck traffic and worry about their groundwater drying up. It's not too surprising that the guy behind this tax scam is a former Clinton tool. If Poland Spring thinks things are bad now, wait until he tells voters about Dihydrogen Monoxide...
Selective Bigotry
Howard Dean. He's been busy burning the cross at both ends. The Washington Times The chairman of the Republican Party yesterday challenged his Democratic counterpart to condemn racist statements against Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, but Howard Dean demanded his own apology and ignored the question.
The former Vermont governor was asked by host Tim Russert on NBC's "Meet the Press" to respond to the statements, in an appearance that Mr. Dean insisted be seperate from an interview with Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman.
Mr. Dean gave no response, aside from saying he didn't receive an apology for being called an anti-Semite by a member of the Republican Party. Senator Robert Byrd should be very pleased with Howard's performance, living up to the finest ideals of his Party.
The former Vermont governor was asked by host Tim Russert on NBC's "Meet the Press" to respond to the statements, in an appearance that Mr. Dean insisted be seperate from an interview with Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman.
Mr. Dean gave no response, aside from saying he didn't receive an apology for being called an anti-Semite by a member of the Republican Party. Senator Robert Byrd should be very pleased with Howard's performance, living up to the finest ideals of his Party.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Power To The People (Or Not)
While democracy is getting started in Iraq, our supposed allies in the region are apparently saying "Not in our back yard." The Washington Times MANAMA, Bahrain-A U.S.-backed conference to promote Middle East democracy ended in chaos yesterday, with Egyptians leaving early after blocking Bush administration proposals to subsidize groups that promote political reform.
A draft declaration on democratic and economic principals that was to be released in a closing press conference was shelved instead because of Egyptian objections. Considering all the billions we give to subsidize them you'd think they'd believe in equal opportunity. Guess not.
A draft declaration on democratic and economic principals that was to be released in a closing press conference was shelved instead because of Egyptian objections. Considering all the billions we give to subsidize them you'd think they'd believe in equal opportunity. Guess not.
This Is An Ex-Insurgent
Saddam's Number Two is no more. New York Post The mastermind behind the Iraqi insurgency and the No. 2 figure in Saddam Hussein's ousted regime is dead-and his passing is a blow to terrorists' efforts to damage Iraq's new government and oust U.S. forces.
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, who with Saddam brought the Ba'ath Party to pwer in Iraq in a 1968 coup, died Friday, according to a statement from a Web site that carries news from Ba'ath supporters. Iran and Syryia haven't yet announced a replacement, but anyone dumb enough to want to lead the insurgency should get in touch with them.
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, who with Saddam brought the Ba'ath Party to pwer in Iraq in a 1968 coup, died Friday, according to a statement from a Web site that carries news from Ba'ath supporters. Iran and Syryia haven't yet announced a replacement, but anyone dumb enough to want to lead the insurgency should get in touch with them.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Watch Your Back, Mum
While Prince Chucklehead is saying we should make nice with our enemies, Bin Laden's crew apparently has other ideas. Globe And Mail London-Al-Qaeda has named Queen Elizabeth "one of the severest enemies of Islam," the British Sunday Times newspaper reported, citing a video message allegedly obtained by Britain's security service.
The Sunday Times said the remarks were contained in a video message justifying the July 7 bombings in London that killed 56 people, inckuding the four suicide bombers. The tape was passed by Britain's MI5 domestic security service to the Queen's protection team, the newspaper said. Don't worry, Your Majesty. Your halfwit offspring will make everything all right...
The Sunday Times said the remarks were contained in a video message justifying the July 7 bombings in London that killed 56 people, inckuding the four suicide bombers. The tape was passed by Britain's MI5 domestic security service to the Queen's protection team, the newspaper said. Don't worry, Your Majesty. Your halfwit offspring will make everything all right...
Mr. Peanut's Complaint
Jimmah used to be President. He thinks that somehow makes him relevant. USA Today KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)-Former President Jimmy Carter, on a tour to promote his latest book, is sharply criticizing the direction the Bush administration has taken the country.
"Everywhere you go, you hear, 'What has happened to the United States of America? We thought you used to be the champion of human rights. We thought you used to protect the environment. We thought you used to believe in the seperation of church and state," Carter said Friday at Unity Temple. Well, Jimmah, we thought you might have realized at some point why you got pounded by Reagan twenty-five years ago. But you haven't, and sad to say, it looks like you never will.
"Everywhere you go, you hear, 'What has happened to the United States of America? We thought you used to be the champion of human rights. We thought you used to protect the environment. We thought you used to believe in the seperation of church and state," Carter said Friday at Unity Temple. Well, Jimmah, we thought you might have realized at some point why you got pounded by Reagan twenty-five years ago. But you haven't, and sad to say, it looks like you never will.
Hosers Packing Heat
How can this be? Canada is a crime-free Utopia, right, Michael Moore? Yahoo! News Residents of Canada's biggest city are living in fear of increasing gun violence and blame their neighbour, the United States, for exporting their gun culture and weapons north, officials told AFP.
Area police reported hundreds of shootings this year, including 46 homicides. Some 1,782 guns were seized, including a cache of illegal weapons confiscated from a local online retailer this week-Canada's first such bust that included a bullet-proof baseball cap and a military gun mask.
On Wednesday, as Prime Minister Paul Martin unveiled new initiatives to curb gun violence, three men were shot in the Toronto area, including an 18-year old student outside his high school, prompting a temporary lockdown of over a dozen area schools. One victim died in hospital.
"By and large, Canadians are pacifists. We're not gunslingers. This violence is a real departure for us," said police Superintendent Roy Pilkington of 31 Division, the city's most hardened neighborhood. "It's made a lot of people apprehensive about moving around in the city." Oh, I see. It's our fault, eh? It's got nothing to do with the fact that Canada has a European-style welfare state, that you like to think of yourselves as so superior to your knuckledragging neighbors. You've had it easy up there because you've had us to protect you. Well, this is your mess, hosers. You clean it up-if you can.
Area police reported hundreds of shootings this year, including 46 homicides. Some 1,782 guns were seized, including a cache of illegal weapons confiscated from a local online retailer this week-Canada's first such bust that included a bullet-proof baseball cap and a military gun mask.
On Wednesday, as Prime Minister Paul Martin unveiled new initiatives to curb gun violence, three men were shot in the Toronto area, including an 18-year old student outside his high school, prompting a temporary lockdown of over a dozen area schools. One victim died in hospital.
"By and large, Canadians are pacifists. We're not gunslingers. This violence is a real departure for us," said police Superintendent Roy Pilkington of 31 Division, the city's most hardened neighborhood. "It's made a lot of people apprehensive about moving around in the city." Oh, I see. It's our fault, eh? It's got nothing to do with the fact that Canada has a European-style welfare state, that you like to think of yourselves as so superior to your knuckledragging neighbors. You've had it easy up there because you've had us to protect you. Well, this is your mess, hosers. You clean it up-if you can.
Friday, November 11, 2005
When Pundits Attack
Well, it seems the folks in the People's Republic of San Francisco aren't too happy with one of their city's biggest critics. MSNBC Does Bill O'Reilly have it in for the city by the bay?
San Franciscans have been in an uproar this week over apparent comments made by the host of Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" that it was A-OK for terrorists to wipe the city off the map.
At issue are comments from O'Reilly's Election Day broadcast on his syndicated Westwood One radio show about a San Francisco ballot measure opposing the presence of military recruiters in city schools.
"Listen, citizens of San Francisco, if you vote against military recruiting, you're not going to get another nickel in federal funds. You want to be your own country? Go right ahead," O'Reilly said, according to a transcript and audio posted by liberal media watchdog group Media Matters for America, and by the San Francisco Chronicle.
"And if Al-Qaida comes in here and blows you up, we're not going to do anything about it. We're going to say, look, every other place in America is off limits to you, except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead," O'Reilly continued, referring to the 1933 San Francisco landmark that sits atop Telegraph Hill. I don't know why San Franciscans are so angry, or should be worried about Osama Bin Laden taking Bill up on his offer. The fumes from the city's population of bums and druggies will be enough to protect the city from the worst that Al Qaida has to offer.
San Franciscans have been in an uproar this week over apparent comments made by the host of Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" that it was A-OK for terrorists to wipe the city off the map.
At issue are comments from O'Reilly's Election Day broadcast on his syndicated Westwood One radio show about a San Francisco ballot measure opposing the presence of military recruiters in city schools.
"Listen, citizens of San Francisco, if you vote against military recruiting, you're not going to get another nickel in federal funds. You want to be your own country? Go right ahead," O'Reilly said, according to a transcript and audio posted by liberal media watchdog group Media Matters for America, and by the San Francisco Chronicle.
"And if Al-Qaida comes in here and blows you up, we're not going to do anything about it. We're going to say, look, every other place in America is off limits to you, except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead," O'Reilly continued, referring to the 1933 San Francisco landmark that sits atop Telegraph Hill. I don't know why San Franciscans are so angry, or should be worried about Osama Bin Laden taking Bill up on his offer. The fumes from the city's population of bums and druggies will be enough to protect the city from the worst that Al Qaida has to offer.
Man On Fire
Bush has taken some lumps lately. And, in some cases, he's deserved it. But this is one area where he is still kicking butt. Rush El Rushbo: It was just three paragraphs where the President took direct aim-and if you're just joing us and you haven't heard this, let's go to cuts 21 and 22, Mike. These are the three paragraphs that the president took direct aim at critics and the history revisionists in his speech today in Pennsylvania.
THE PRESIDENT: Our debate at home must also be fair-minded. One of the hallmarks of a free society and what makes our country strong is that our political leaders can discuss their differences openly, even in times of war. When I made the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power, Congress approved it with strong bipartisan support. I also recognize that some of our fellow citizens and elected officials didn't support the liberation of Iraq. And that is their right, and I respect it. As president and commander-in-chief, I accept the responsibilities and the criticisms and the consequences that come with such a solemn decision. While it's perfectly legitimate to criticize my decision or the conduct of the war, it is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began. (Applause.) Some Democrats and anti-war critics are now claiming that we manipulated the intelligence and misled the American people about why we went to war. These critics are fully aware that a bipartisan Senate investigation found no evidence of political pressure to change the intelligence community's judgements related to Iraq's weapons programs. They also know that intelligence agencies from around the world agreed with our assessment of Saddam Hussein. They knew the United Nations passed more than a dozen resolutions citing his development and possession of weapons of mass destruction. And many of these critics supported my opponent during the last election, who explained his position to support the resolution in the Congress this way: When I vote to give the president of the United States the authority to use force, if necessary, to disarm Saddam Hussein, it is because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a threat and a grave threat to our security. That's why more than a hundred Democrats in the House and the Senate who had access to the same intelligence voted to support removing Saddam Hussein from power. More like this, please. If only the President's own party would grow a spine...
THE PRESIDENT: Our debate at home must also be fair-minded. One of the hallmarks of a free society and what makes our country strong is that our political leaders can discuss their differences openly, even in times of war. When I made the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power, Congress approved it with strong bipartisan support. I also recognize that some of our fellow citizens and elected officials didn't support the liberation of Iraq. And that is their right, and I respect it. As president and commander-in-chief, I accept the responsibilities and the criticisms and the consequences that come with such a solemn decision. While it's perfectly legitimate to criticize my decision or the conduct of the war, it is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began. (Applause.) Some Democrats and anti-war critics are now claiming that we manipulated the intelligence and misled the American people about why we went to war. These critics are fully aware that a bipartisan Senate investigation found no evidence of political pressure to change the intelligence community's judgements related to Iraq's weapons programs. They also know that intelligence agencies from around the world agreed with our assessment of Saddam Hussein. They knew the United Nations passed more than a dozen resolutions citing his development and possession of weapons of mass destruction. And many of these critics supported my opponent during the last election, who explained his position to support the resolution in the Congress this way: When I vote to give the president of the United States the authority to use force, if necessary, to disarm Saddam Hussein, it is because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a threat and a grave threat to our security. That's why more than a hundred Democrats in the House and the Senate who had access to the same intelligence voted to support removing Saddam Hussein from power. More like this, please. If only the President's own party would grow a spine...
Thursday, November 10, 2005
God's Little Goofball
I'll say this about Pat Robertson-at least he's consistent in his lunacy. Yahoo! News Conservative televangelist 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 on Thursday not to be surprised if disaster struck.
Robertson, a former Republican presidential candidate and founder of the influential conservative Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition, has a long record of similar apocalyptic warnings and provacative statements.
Last summer, he hit the headlines by calling for the assassination of leftist Venezuelan President 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." Senility...it's never an easy thing to witness.
Robertson, a former Republican presidential candidate and founder of the influential conservative Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition, has a long record of similar apocalyptic warnings and provacative statements.
Last summer, he hit the headlines by calling for the assassination of leftist Venezuelan President 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." Senility...it's never an easy thing to witness.
Gutless Wonders
With friends like these, who needs the Democrats? Yahoo! News House Republican leaders scuttled a vote Thursday on a $51 billion budget-cut package in the face of a revolt by lawmakers over scaling back Medicaid, food stanps and student loan programs.
The development was a major setback for the GOP on Capitol Hill and for President Bush, who has made cuts to benefit programs a central pillar in his budget plan.
The decision by GOP leaders came despite a big concession to moderates on Wednesday, when the leaders dropped provisions to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, as well as a plan to allow states to lift a moratorium on oil drilling off the Alaska and Pacific coasts. Republicans, be prepared to have your asses handed to you in 2006. You've got no one to blame but yourselves.
The development was a major setback for the GOP on Capitol Hill and for President Bush, who has made cuts to benefit programs a central pillar in his budget plan.
The decision by GOP leaders came despite a big concession to moderates on Wednesday, when the leaders dropped provisions to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, as well as a plan to allow states to lift a moratorium on oil drilling off the Alaska and Pacific coasts. Republicans, be prepared to have your asses handed to you in 2006. You've got no one to blame but yourselves.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Filthy Lucre
First the Republicans became big spenders, now they're against capitalism? The Street The leaders of some of the top oil companies in the world were on the hot seat in Washington Wednesday, as a group of Senators grilled them about the high cost of energy and their expanding corporate profits.
The chief executives of Chevron, (XOM: NSYE), Exxon Mobile (XOM:NSYE), Conoco Phillips (COP:NYSE), BP America and Shell Oil gathered for what was an occasionally contentious hearing on Capitol Hill. Oil companies have come under fire for not funneling a larger portion of their profits into exploration and production.
"There is a growing suspicion that oil companies are taking unfair advantage," said Sen. Pete Domenici, (R-N.M.), the chairman of the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "The oil companies owe the American people an explanation, the Associated Press reported. I must have wandered into some parallel universe by mistake. With guys like these running the show, is it any wonder the GOP could be in big trouble in '06 and '08?
The chief executives of Chevron, (XOM: NSYE), Exxon Mobile (XOM:NSYE), Conoco Phillips (COP:NYSE), BP America and Shell Oil gathered for what was an occasionally contentious hearing on Capitol Hill. Oil companies have come under fire for not funneling a larger portion of their profits into exploration and production.
"There is a growing suspicion that oil companies are taking unfair advantage," said Sen. Pete Domenici, (R-N.M.), the chairman of the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "The oil companies owe the American people an explanation, the Associated Press reported. I must have wandered into some parallel universe by mistake. With guys like these running the show, is it any wonder the GOP could be in big trouble in '06 and '08?
Down In Flames
While the Democrats crow about their victories in Virginia and New Jersey, there is at least one state where they couldn't steal an election, no matter how much money they had.
NewsMax Soros-backed Reforms Fail In Ohio
A group of election reforms backed by liberal Daddy Warbucks George Soros has crashed and burned in Ohio, leaving Democrats unable to capitalize on a year's worth of complaints that the state's 2004 presidential election was rigged.
Voters soundly rejected the four Soros-backed proposals, which would have overhauled the way Ohio runs its elections.
The initiatives would have opened absentee balloting to all voters, lowered the cap on individual campaign contributions and put boards, instead of elected officials, in charge of drawing legislative and congressional districts and overseeing the state's elections, according to the Associated Press.
So there you have it. You can steal some of the elections some of the time, but you can't steal all of the elections all of the time.
Update: Just saw the Governator's speech on Fox. Whether you agree with Arnold on some issues or not, he is an optimist in the Reagan tradition. Optimists always win over negativity, no matter how nasty it might get.
NewsMax Soros-backed Reforms Fail In Ohio
A group of election reforms backed by liberal Daddy Warbucks George Soros has crashed and burned in Ohio, leaving Democrats unable to capitalize on a year's worth of complaints that the state's 2004 presidential election was rigged.
Voters soundly rejected the four Soros-backed proposals, which would have overhauled the way Ohio runs its elections.
The initiatives would have opened absentee balloting to all voters, lowered the cap on individual campaign contributions and put boards, instead of elected officials, in charge of drawing legislative and congressional districts and overseeing the state's elections, according to the Associated Press.
So there you have it. You can steal some of the elections some of the time, but you can't steal all of the elections all of the time.
Update: Just saw the Governator's speech on Fox. Whether you agree with Arnold on some issues or not, he is an optimist in the Reagan tradition. Optimists always win over negativity, no matter how nasty it might get.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
What's The Matter With Kansas
The cause of science just took a huge step backward in the Heartland.
FOX News TOPEKA, Kan-New science standards for Kansas' public schools, criticized for promoting creationism while treating evolution as a flawed theory, won approval Tuesday from the State Board of Education.
The board's 6-4 vote, expected for months, was a victory for intelligent design advocates who helped draft the standards and argued the changes would make teaching about evolution more balanced and expose studels teach science.
I'd expect this sort of thing from Islamist fanatics who want everyone else to live in the Dark Ages. It's sad that some here want us to sink to their level.Monday, November 07, 2005
Render Unto Caesar
I like it when hypocrites like Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Bakker get exposed. However, I love it when lefty churches are caught breaking the rules that they think don't apply to them. San Diego Union-Tribune PASADENA-One of the state's largest and most liberal churches could lose its tax-exempt status because of an antiwar sermon that a former rector delivered two days before the 2004 presidential election, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
In his sermon, the Rev. George F. Regas did not urge parishoners at All Saints Episcopal Church to support either George Bush or his opponent, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. But he was sharply critical of the war and Bush's tax cuts.
The IRS in a June 9 letter warned the church that its tax-exempt status was in jeopardy because the federal tax code prohibits such organizations from intervening in political campaigns and elections. The church's current rector, J. Edwin Bacon, told his congregation about the problem on Sunday.
"It's important for everyone to understand that the IRS concerns are not supported by the facts," he told the congregation. Wrong, pal. The facts are that Al Capone couldn't get away with not paying his taxes, and now niether will you.
In his sermon, the Rev. George F. Regas did not urge parishoners at All Saints Episcopal Church to support either George Bush or his opponent, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. But he was sharply critical of the war and Bush's tax cuts.
The IRS in a June 9 letter warned the church that its tax-exempt status was in jeopardy because the federal tax code prohibits such organizations from intervening in political campaigns and elections. The church's current rector, J. Edwin Bacon, told his congregation about the problem on Sunday.
"It's important for everyone to understand that the IRS concerns are not supported by the facts," he told the congregation. Wrong, pal. The facts are that Al Capone couldn't get away with not paying his taxes, and now niether will you.
Going, Going, Gone
Ouch. This has gotta hurt. The Washington Post NEW YORK (Reuters)-U.S. newspaper circulation fell 2.6 percent in the last six months, according to a report released Monday, extending a trend that has seen the industry struggle to keep subscriptions in the face of competition from television and the Internet.
A Newspaper Association of America analysis of 789 papers found the average daily circulation for the six-month period ended September 30 fell to 45.15 million from 46.35 million in the same period a year ago. Sunday circulation at the 627 newspapers that reported data was down by 3.1 percent. Now, the newspaper business can make all the excuses they want, but one thing that is most likely driving down their numbers is their increasingly leftward tilt, same as is happening to the once "Big Three" networks. I guess if you've got nothing to lose, going out with as shrill a voice as you can might be seen as a last-ditch form of defiance. But then, facing reality hasn't been the MSM's strength lately.
A Newspaper Association of America analysis of 789 papers found the average daily circulation for the six-month period ended September 30 fell to 45.15 million from 46.35 million in the same period a year ago. Sunday circulation at the 627 newspapers that reported data was down by 3.1 percent. Now, the newspaper business can make all the excuses they want, but one thing that is most likely driving down their numbers is their increasingly leftward tilt, same as is happening to the once "Big Three" networks. I guess if you've got nothing to lose, going out with as shrill a voice as you can might be seen as a last-ditch form of defiance. But then, facing reality hasn't been the MSM's strength lately.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
D.W. Jihadist
Oh, now I get it. Homicide bombers are just misunderstood, the poor things. World Net Daily The man behind a new documentary on suicide bombers opening in San Francisco next week said he found "enormous human depth" in them.
Hany Abu-Assad, who describes himself as a Palestinian, says when he set out to research suicide bombers in the West Bank, he imagined them as heartless monsters.
"Like anybody else," the director of "Paradise Now" said in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, "I thought they had been brainwashed."
No longer.
"When you do research, you discover two things," he says. "You are shocked that there is enormous human depth in these kinds of people. They may make the wrong decision, but there is humanity in their thoughts. And secondly, you are in shock that you were so ignorant. It is obvious that they are human beings! How could I think that they weren't human beings, that they were monsters?" Gee, I guess it must have been those innocent children who have been killed on buses and in shopping centers. Silly me.
Hany Abu-Assad, who describes himself as a Palestinian, says when he set out to research suicide bombers in the West Bank, he imagined them as heartless monsters.
"Like anybody else," the director of "Paradise Now" said in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, "I thought they had been brainwashed."
No longer.
"When you do research, you discover two things," he says. "You are shocked that there is enormous human depth in these kinds of people. They may make the wrong decision, but there is humanity in their thoughts. And secondly, you are in shock that you were so ignorant. It is obvious that they are human beings! How could I think that they weren't human beings, that they were monsters?" Gee, I guess it must have been those innocent children who have been killed on buses and in shopping centers. Silly me.
Battling Bulworth
In case you hadn't heard, Warren Beatty wants Arnold's job. San Diego Union-Tribune The campaign for Tuesday's special election turned into a celebrity showdown in San Diego yesterday.
Or maybe it was dueling buses as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger embarked on a bus tour of Southern California to rally support for his four ballot propositions.
The Schwarzenegger bus was trailed from San Diego to Aneheim to Riverside by a bus carrying actor Warren Beatty and his wife, actress Annette Bening, and the leaders of various labor unions opposing the Republican governor's agenda. Let's face it, Dick Tracy-it's hard to be taken seriously when you have to follow the Terminator on the short bus.
Or maybe it was dueling buses as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger embarked on a bus tour of Southern California to rally support for his four ballot propositions.
The Schwarzenegger bus was trailed from San Diego to Aneheim to Riverside by a bus carrying actor Warren Beatty and his wife, actress Annette Bening, and the leaders of various labor unions opposing the Republican governor's agenda. Let's face it, Dick Tracy-it's hard to be taken seriously when you have to follow the Terminator on the short bus.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Order In The Kangaroo Court
It would truly be a great day if this happens. The Washington Times Buried deep in the massive House spending-cut proposal is a provision to do what many conservatives have been wanting to do for years: split up the liberal 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and allow President Bush to appoint some new judges to it.
The underlying spending-cut proposal trims $53.9 billion from mandatory spending programs under eight House committees. It was approved yesterday by the budget panel, 21-17, with the court-splitting provision included-one of many issues about which Democrats complained.
Republicans said the change would be good for the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit, the largest and most backlogged of the circuits, spanning nine Western states, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. It repeatedly has made rulings at which conservatives bristle, including the 2002 decision that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional because of the phrase "under God."
"I think it'd give us the opportunity to have a balanced court," said Rep. Dan Lungren, California Republican and member of the House Judiciary Committee that crafted the provision. "It's the most-reversed court in the country."
The Ninth Circus becoming history...oh be still my heart!
The underlying spending-cut proposal trims $53.9 billion from mandatory spending programs under eight House committees. It was approved yesterday by the budget panel, 21-17, with the court-splitting provision included-one of many issues about which Democrats complained.
Republicans said the change would be good for the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit, the largest and most backlogged of the circuits, spanning nine Western states, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. It repeatedly has made rulings at which conservatives bristle, including the 2002 decision that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional because of the phrase "under God."
"I think it'd give us the opportunity to have a balanced court," said Rep. Dan Lungren, California Republican and member of the House Judiciary Committee that crafted the provision. "It's the most-reversed court in the country."
The Ninth Circus becoming history...oh be still my heart!
Did Ya Ever Wonder?
Well whaddya know? Even a senile broken clock can be right once in a lifetime.
WND Veteran CBS commentator Andy Rooney says he has a problem with the frequent use of the term "African-American" and suggests people use the word "Negro" instead to refer to blacks.
"I object every time I hear the words 'African-American,' you know?" Rooney told radio host Don Imus this morning. "The word 'Negro' is a perfectly good word. It's a strong word and a good word. I don't see anything wrong with that. Mostly it's not necessary to identify anyone by skin color. But I don't care for 'African-American.'"
In living up to this example, I will now no longer refer to left-wing liberals as moron-Americans. Henceforth they shall be known simply as "Morons."Thursday, November 03, 2005
Vive Le Infatadah
The French have turned the phrase Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it into an art form, so it's kind of surprising to see that some of them might finally be getting it. NEWS.com.au FRENCH Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has vowed his government "wil not give in" to rioters, even as police braced for an eighth night of violence on the outskirts of Paris.
"I will not allow organised gangs to make the law in the suburbs," he declared in Parliament.
More than 1300 police were deployed to again do battle with groups of stone-and-bottle-throwing youths that have torched hundreds of vehicles and vandalised buildings in low-income, high immigrant districts since last week. You reap what you sow. Europe's policy of allowing immigrants from these Muslim hellholes to live in their own ghettos without any attempts to assimilate them has produced the same result in the French utopia that it has in the Netherlands. Where's Charles Martel when you need him?
"I will not allow organised gangs to make the law in the suburbs," he declared in Parliament.
More than 1300 police were deployed to again do battle with groups of stone-and-bottle-throwing youths that have torched hundreds of vehicles and vandalised buildings in low-income, high immigrant districts since last week. You reap what you sow. Europe's policy of allowing immigrants from these Muslim hellholes to live in their own ghettos without any attempts to assimilate them has produced the same result in the French utopia that it has in the Netherlands. Where's Charles Martel when you need him?
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
The Loser Brigade
Well, you kind of figured this had to happen. The Democrats have once again gone into complete hissy fit mode. WASHINGTON (Reuters)-Democrats forced the Senate into a rare closed session on Tuesday to protest what they decried as the Republican-led body's inattention to intelligence failures on Iraq and the leak of a CIA operative's identity.
Invoking a little used rule, Democrats temporarily shut down television cameras in the chamber, cleared galleries of reporters, tourists and other onlookers, forced removal of staff members and recording devices and stopped work on legislation.
"At its core, this is about accountability-congressional accountability and White House accountability," said Sen. John Rockefeller of West Virginia, the top Democrat in the Senate Intelligence Committee. No, you Byrdbrain wanna-be, this is about the fact that Bush has put up a judicial nominee you know you can't beat, and you are hoping to win back the House next year so that you can have the votes to get Bush impeached. Bring it on, dweebs.
Bad Blood
Bill Clinton. Philanderer. Liar. And potential mass murderer? WND WASHINGTON-A documentary seven years in the making tying Bill Clinton to an Arkansas prison blood scandal that spread AIDS to thousands around the world is set to screen in Hollywood next week-renewing controversy about the long-forgotten story.
The film, which premiers at the prestigious American Film Institute film festival next Tuesday, reportedly uncovers fresh evidence about how thousands in Europe contracted AIDS and hepatitis through tainted blood deliberately shipped even after widespread problems were discovered in Canada where some 10,000 had already been infected.
"Factor 8: The Arkansas Prison Blood Scandal," made by Kelly Duda, an Arkansas native, will reveal new details about how inmates at an Arkansas jail were paid to donate blood despite authorities knowing they had AIDS and hepatitis.
Duda is a brave man and should get a medal. Bubba should be put in a small room with some of the beneficiaries of his "Compassion." What goes around comes around, and The bent One's cummupance is long overdue.
The film, which premiers at the prestigious American Film Institute film festival next Tuesday, reportedly uncovers fresh evidence about how thousands in Europe contracted AIDS and hepatitis through tainted blood deliberately shipped even after widespread problems were discovered in Canada where some 10,000 had already been infected.
"Factor 8: The Arkansas Prison Blood Scandal," made by Kelly Duda, an Arkansas native, will reveal new details about how inmates at an Arkansas jail were paid to donate blood despite authorities knowing they had AIDS and hepatitis.
Duda is a brave man and should get a medal. Bubba should be put in a small room with some of the beneficiaries of his "Compassion." What goes around comes around, and The bent One's cummupance is long overdue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)