Sarah Palin is a real person, and a breath of fresh air. Instead of bashing the big companies like Wal~Mart, she shops there.
GALLIPOLIS — Gallipolis Wal-Mart shoppers were at first surprised and then excited on Sunday to find a national political figure in their midst who was, just as they were, picking up a few things she needed.Accompanied by her youngest son Trig, security, staffers and a small pool of news media, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stepped off the “Straight Talk Express” bus to enter the store around 1:30 p.m., where she purchased a bag of Parents’ Choice brand disposable diapers and a toy.
You can't ask for more a positive person she is. She is just what we need in government. A regular person like you or me. I buy diaper at Wal~Mart. I buy toys for my child at Wal~Mart (though recently I prefer Target).
We need a real person in government.
We need Sarah Palin, not Barack Obama
I saw the debate last night. It was quite boring, though I think McCain did better than Obama in some areas. But as far as who won and who lost, I would say it's a tie.
Which means it's a win for Obama. With the state of the economy the way it is and with people clamoring for "change", I fear that the Obama will soon be "Dear Leader".
Here is my pick for President for 2008. Get behind this guy. He is what America is all about. Rep. Ron Paul. A Libertarian/Republican from Texas.
Well, Election Day is here. That means one thing. An end to cam"pain" commercials.
But it also might mean an end to the Republican control in congress, and it could be thanks to us pesky Libertarians, if a Foxnews article is correct
It is election day, and I'm still not sure who I'm going to vote for. A moralistic anti-gay Republican who doesn't even live in our state anymore(Rick Santorum), or a moderate Democrat (Bob Casey).
I'll probably vote for Ed Rendell. He's been a decent governor. He really hasn't done anything I really disagree with and our commonwealth is doing well. I like Swann, but see no need to change the course.
I'm really getting sick of elections. They are so nasty. I am not happy with the Republicans, but I despise most liberal democrats. And when I see the likes of Cindy Sheehan and Martin Sheen trying to get me to vote Democrat it makes me not want to vote at all.
The War in Iraq is not going swimmingly. There are a lot of problems with it, but there is some good news, it's not all that bad.
It seems Rush Limbaugh can't keep his fat mouth shut. He recently bad mouthed Michael J. Fox for an ad he appeared in supporting a Democratic candidate who is for government funded stem cell research.
I used to be a big Rush fan. I guess you'd call me a "ditto head". But as he more and more towed the Republican line, I stopped listening. This is the same Republican party that grossly overspends, and steps into our living rooms to control what we watch on TV (with an ever increasingly watchdog FCC), or whether we can smoke a joint to help our terminal cancer.
But now he's just become a mouthpiece for the Republican party, and I don't want to listen to that anymore.
Cato asks the questions of whether libertarians should vote for Democrats.
Short answer: Yes. Long answer? Read more.
It used to be soccer mom's or Nascar dads. These were the ways that politicians referred to the hip swing voter at the time. What is the new swing voter? Libertarians.
My former colleague David Kirby, now executive director of America’s Future Foundation, obtained data sets from Gallup, Pew Research Center, and the American National Election Studies. He did some original calculations to find libertarians in those polls, and then he and I wrote up the results. Without scooping our own story, I’ll just say that we found that a substantial percentage of voters are libertarian — not libertarians who can compare and contrast Hayek and Rand, but people whose views on broad issues distinguish them from both liberals and conservatives.
It looks again like I'm a hip guy.
The race for Senate in Pennsylvania is hot, and getting hotter. Unfortunately for Libertarians, the race is a lose-lose.
he not-so-secret twist of Pennsylvania's Senate race is that both candidates are trying to reshape their parties' coalitions by tacking hard to the big-government, social conservative center. Casey, an old-school liberal on taxes, wages, trade, and union issues, is also an anti-abortion, anti-stem cell research, pro-Iraq war conservative. Santorum, who started his career in 1991 as a tax-cutting, small-government conservative congressman, has evolved into a visionary Republican leader in using government to fund religious charities and pay families to stick together.
It really sucks. I hate Santorum's statist views on moral issues. I despise Casey's liberal views on economics. I guess my decision comes down to deciding what I can live with more. A big spending social conservative who will tell me not to smoke weed, or place bets on the internet, or a big spending social liberal who will take more of my income. What is more important to me? Social issues or economic issues.
I am leaning toward Casey. Though his economic policies are frightening, they are reversable. Our economy is strong and resiliant. But if people like Santorum get their way, some of our liberties may be taken away. And those are more fragile than anything. When they are gone, they are never to return.
The race for Senate in Pennsylvania is hot, and getting hotter. Unfortunately for Libertarians, the race is a lose-lose.
he not-so-secret twist of Pennsylvania's Senate race is that both candidates are trying to reshape their parties' coalitions by tacking hard to the big-government, social conservative center. Casey, an old-school liberal on taxes, wages, trade, and union issues, is also an anti-abortion, anti-stem cell research, pro-Iraq war conservative. Santorum, who started his career in 1991 as a tax-cutting, small-government conservative congressman, has evolved into a visionary Republican leader in using government to fund religious charities and pay families to stick together.
It really sucks. I hate Santorum's statist views on moral issues. I despise Casey's liberal views on economics. I guess my decision comes down to deciding what I can live with more. A big spending social conservative who will tell me not to smoke weed, or place bets on the internet, or a big spending social liberal who will take more of my income. What is more important to me? Social issues or economic issues.
I am leaning toward Casey. Though his economic policies are frightening, they are reversable. Our economy is strong and resiliant. But if people like Santorum get their way, some of our liberties may be taken away. And those are more fragile than anything. When they are gone, they are never to return.
The liberals don't miss a beat. On the 5th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, liberal members of the press bring out tired arguments against the President.
Of course, the truth was anything but. Even on Day One, some of us -- too gently, in hindsight -- wondered about Bush's strange behavior on the actual 9/11, flying from remote airbase to remote airbase while Dick Cheney was running the show. Quickly, it because clear that any doubts about our commander-in-chief were flat-out forbidden. At least two journalists were fired for writing such stories. For example:Tom Gutting, city editor for the Texas City Sun was fired in September 2001 after writing a column in which referred to President Bush as a "scared child seeking refuge in his mother's bed after having a nightmare" for not returning to Washington DC immediately after hearing about the attacks on September 11th.
The tone was set at the very top, when White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said famously that "[t]here are reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do, and that this is not a time for remarks like that. It never is..."
Not to be outdone, the Right Wing bloggers bad mouth their villians.
For one day can we just stop attacking the other side? Just for one day can we reflect and mourn our losses? I guess not.
I have left the Republican party. I want to stand behind liberty. I do not believe that the Republican Party does. An article I just read sums it up nicely.
For libertarians, the GOP is a total loss: like the neocons and the old "Scoop Jackson" Democrats, they are bad on everything, including domestic policy. Today, whatever skeptics of the government's power to effect positive change, at home and abroad, still exist inside the Republican Party are lonely guardians of a nearly forgotten tradition. This is the party of Big Government, and Big Ambitions overseas: in the new Bushian GOP we are witnessing the triumph of "National Greatness" Republicanism. Gone is the plain, republican cloth coat: in its place GOPers flaunt the imperial purple.Libertarians no longer have any place in the GOP coalition, and any who remain will have long since betrayed their ostensible devotion to liberty. The Republican Party is today hopelessly authoritarian. Maddened by war, its leaders are so corrupted by power and their desperation to hold on to it, that they will resort to any tactic, any subterfuge, no matter how contemptible and/or self-defeating. A good example is their secret funding of the campaign of Democrat Joe Lieberman against their own candidate for U.S. Senate in Connecticut. As Insight magazine reports, the GOP's Karl Rove steered millions of dollars from big Republican contributors into Lieberman's coffers.
I don't like the Republican party, but I like the Democratic party less. They are really scary. They are socialists. They want huge government programs.
So on one hand with the Republicans I can have more of my money, but be worried about saying something government 'censors' don't like.
Or, with the Dems, I can have less money, and a slower economy, but I will be able to drink, smoke weed, and buy Catcher in the Rye, without fear of reprisal from "fingers" of the government.
People ask me if I am talking out of both sides of my mouth. I am pro drug legalization, but anti-illegal immigrant. How can that be? Well the answer is simple.
As with most personal issues, such as abortion, doing drugs or gambling, that effects you and you alone. Though I may not think it's right to snort heroin, it is your body, if you wan to do it, go ahead. And the money spent harrasing someone growing a pot plant (a plant that, if endangered would be protected by our Federal government instead of destroyed) would be best served either back in the hands of the American people. Or worst case, would be well suited for treatment programs.
But when it comes to Illegal immigration, that is a personal property and soverignty issue. This is our country. Yours and mine, and just as much as my house is mine to protect against people there against my will, our country must be protected against people here without permission. I'm all for allowing people to enter legally. They can file the proper paperwork, jump through the hoops, and either become lawful aliens, or citizens.
It's that simple, either they ask permission, or they are not allowed here.
That all being said, what disturbs me is Miller Brewing Company's sponsorship of marches for illegal immigration.
Marchers had to duck into fast-food restaurants for water when they first took to Chicago's streets in support of illegal immigrants five months ago. At the next two marches, family-owned grocery stores offered free bottled water from trucks emblazoned with their names.This time, as demonstrators march from Chinatown to House Speaker Dennis Hastert's (R-Ill.) Batavia office this weekend, they will have Miller Brewing Co., as a sponsor. The brewer has paid more than $30,000 for a planning convention, materials and newspaper ads publicizing the event.
The support of a major corporation for a controversial political cause shows how fierce the competition has become to woo the growing market of Latino consumers.
For Miller, the march offered a special chance to catch up. This spring the brewer drew the ire of pro-immigrant forces over contributions to U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), who sponsored legislation that would crack down on illegal immigrants. That prompted a short-lived boycott by some Latino groups.
That disturbs me. These people are directly spitting in the face of our national soverignty. They are, in effect, breaking an entering. And a huge brewer, led by it's idiotic trade union, are supporting this.
I for one am now boycotting Miller Beer.
Reason Online has a great article on so called "South Park Republicans and their increasing distance from "mainstream Republicans" and their turning toward more traditional Libertarian groups.
The G.O.P. used to have a sizable libertarian bloc, but I couldn't see any sign of it at the conference. Stone and Parker said they were rooting for Hillary Clinton in 2008 simply because it would be weird to have her as president. The prevailing sentiment among the rest of the libertarians was that the best outcome this November would be a Democratic majority in the House, because then at least there'd be gridlock."We're the long-suffering, battered spouse in a dysfunctional political marriage of convenience," said Nick Gillespie, the editor in chief of Reason. "Most of the libertarians I know have given up on the G.O.P. The odds that we'll stick around for the midterm election are about as good as the odds that Rick Santorum will join the Village People."
Andrew Sullivan, the blogger who coined "South Park Republican," was at the conference with a preview of "The Conservative Soul," his new book on the spiritual corruption of Republicans. He said he now prefers to call himself a South Park conservative, not Republican.
That is exactly how I feel. I feel that the Republican part has lost me. They have been in power so long, that they ARE the establishment. Government has grown increasingly large under their stewardship, and they have abandoned the Newt Gingrich Contract with America.
Here is one story that shows why I am upset with the GOP. Recently a bill that would have allowed easier access by Americans to see where our tax money was being spent was blocked by an unknown senator. That senator's name was recently unveiled. He is is Republican Senator Ted Stevens.
Stevens placed the hold on the bill because he was worried that it would create more bureaucracy to create and maintain such a massive database, Saunders said. He also wanted to see a cost-benefit analysis before granting approval, he said.But Stevens could have raised those concerns as a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which approved the bill by voice vote on July 27. He is also a member of the panel's subcommittee, which held an extensive hearing on the measure earlier in July, John Hart, a spokesman for Colburn, said.
Stevens did not attend either hearing. Hart pointed out that he could have discussed it with Coburn or the committee chairman at any point. Instead, Stevens waited until just before Congress left town.
Isn't he the guy who wants to censor satellite radio and build a highway to nowhere in Alaska?
That is why I might just vote for Bob Casey instead of Rick Santorum this November.
President Bush today issued his first veto. It was on a measure that would have expanded federal funding on Stem Cells. Remember, Bush is the first President to EVER fund any stem cell research. He just vetoed an expansion of it.
Though I agree he should have vetoed it, I don't agree on his reasoning.
He cited moral and religious reasons, instead of the more compelling reasons that we should not be funding research at all, instead leaving it to the private sector to do.
About time he vetoed a spending plan, too bad he used an ethical reason on the sanctity of life instead of conservative fiscal reasons.
I came across this article while looking for news on the iminiate demise of the Glenn Beck Television program. It is about a libertarian, and his run-in with the Glenn Beck radio program.
Read the original article here.
I am not anti-immigrant. I do think that we need to revamp our immigration laws to allow people who want to come here to do so more easily. But having people come here illegally is wrong, and with the "Day without immigrants" yesterday, it angered me that many in the Hispanic community would brazenly demand things that are reserved for citizens. Plus they are arrogant.
If they want to boycott us, let'ss boycott them. Any establishmet owned by a hispanic who participatd in the boycott we should boycott.
More and more, Bill O'Reilly is becoming unhinged. Last month, on his syndicated radio show, he threatened a caller with legal action for mentioning the name Keith Olbermann.
O'REILLY: Orlando, Florida, Mike, go.CALLER: Hey Bill, I appreciate you taking my call.
O'REILLY: Sure.
CALLER: I like to listen to you during the day, I think Keith Olbermann's show --
O'REILLY: There ya go, Mike is -- he's a gone guy. You know, we have his -- we have your phone numbers, by the way. So, if you're listening, Mike, we have your phone number, and we're going to turn it over to Fox security, and you'll be getting a little visit.
HILL: Maybe Mike is from the mothership.
O'REILLY: No, Maybe Mike is going to get into big trouble, because we're not going to play around. When you call us, ladies and gentleman, just so you know, we do have your phone number, and if you say anything untoward, obscene, or anything like that, Fox security then will contact your local authorities, and you will be held accountable. Fair?
HILL: That's fair.
O'REILLY: So, just -- all you guys who do this kind of a thing, you know, I know some shock jocks. Whatever. You will be held accountable. Believe it.
We'll be right back.
Now I think Kieth Olbermann is a blowhard asshole, sophist elitist, but that doesn't give O'Reilly the right to threaten callers who simply mention his name with a visit from "Fox Security". That just sreams of Orwellian big brother doesn't it?
President George Bush, who claimed to know have any clue about the Dubai deal, recently nominated a top Dubai Ports World executive, Dave Sanborn, to serve as Maritime Administrator a key transportation appointment reporting directly to Norman Mineta the Secretary of Transportation and Cabinet Member.
Is there some Quid Pro Quo going on here?
The reason why the ports deal bothered me is the President's "Trust me attitude". He also said "trust me" during the Harriet Miers nomination fiasco, and we know how that turned out.
Then the same intelligence agencies that were 100% positive gung ho there were weapons in Iraq are also sure of the sancity of this company. I'm sorry, but my rose colored glasses are lost
All I wanted was for the Legislature to take a second look. And that's what they wanted. They wanted 45 days to take a second look. If, after 45 days all was vetted, I'm sure I would be for the deal.
But then President Bush said that he would veto any plans to delay or stop the port deal. This from the man who never used his veto stamp, not during runaway spending, or even when the stupid campaign finance law was passed, and he wants to veto this?
What Bush has recently said has made me second guess my support for the man. He has stated that he will VETO any legislation that would block an United Arab Emerites owned company from taking over control of American ports.
I just don't think we should trust them. Any Arab owned company gives me pause. These people are often fanatical in their support of Islam. Based on the preaching of Islamic Mullahs and Clerics they are threatening to kill the cartoonists who simply drew cartoons of their prophet. These same people will be controlling our ports.
While the security will be controlled by the Coast Guard, I find it hard to believe that this company will have no inside security knowledge of the ports they control. Simply put. If you own a parking garage, and some other company controls security, you mean to tell me you will have no knowledge of their practices?
I agree with Michelle Malkin. He won't veto campaign finance reform or immense pork, but he'll do this. This makes no sense. Lawmakers should call his bluff. If he vetos it. Override it.
A new trend is developing. It is unliscensed and off-the-books restaurants
Four diners gave up their reservations at the venerable Chez Panisse on a recent Monday night to sit on the floor in a dimly lit house in Rockridge and bump knees with strangers. A cook from Chez Panisse was there, as was the executive chef of San Francisco's Mecca.They were at Ghetto Gourmet -- one of the hottest restaurants in the Bay Area that you have never heard of. And that's by design.
Ghetto Gourmet isn't listed in the phone book. Nor will you find it by cruising Rockridge's restaurant row on College Avenue in Oakland. Ghetto Gourmet has no sign. It has no wine list. It doesn't even have chairs.
What this unlicensed, underground restaurant does have is a pit bull named Shinobi, a cramped kitchen with appliances in various states of disrepair and a gregarious host named Jeremy Townsend who, in his untucked shirt and jeans, will dance with his guests, jam on his harmonica and invite patrons for a post-dessert nightcap at a nearby bar.
Townsend is not alone in looking for new ways to captivate a public who, having made Zagat a household name, are finding its food savvy turn into ennui.
Culinary speakeasies like Ghetto Gourmet are popping up in cities in the Bay Area and beyond, across the country and around the world.
Part of the thrill, of course, is the hipness factor, the ego-inflating I-know-something-or-somebody-you-don't-know feeling that comes with being on a VIP list. But underground diners also can find surprisingly good food at bargain-basement prices.
It's the free market at work. The government has instituted many overzealous (though some common sense) regulations, fees, and taxes that preclude many from ever opening a restaurant. This is just the obvious answer to this. It's no different than someone having a small "off the books" business on the side.
People have been eating at taverns and restaurants for thousands of years before regulations, and the human race is still thriving. This will be no different.
And if the government has a problem with it, I don't really think it's about their concern about health. More of those sorts of hand-wringing pleas for regulations to protect us are just masks to institute new and more expensive regulations that cost many business owners and make it less likely that someone will become a new business owner.
CNN was caught doing something that may appear biased. The old guard of cable news company flashed an "X" over the face of Vice-President Dick Cheney during a live news conference. The X only lasted 1/15th of a second and was barley noticible. The screenshot was taken after the tape was slowed down.
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."
One top White House source expressed concern about what was aired over CNN.
"Is someone in Atlanta trying to tell us something?"
Later in an explanation that CNN released they blamed the "glitch" on a "technical problem". If by technical problem you mean blatent Bush hating venom, then yes, I believe them.
Hat tip to News Busters
I voted yesterday, and some intersting things happened. Most notably, we in Pennsylvania voted out one of our Supreme Court justices. We've never done that ever. See after a 10 year term, they run for retention election which basically means they will stay in that place for life. Well last night we voted one of them out!!
Even I got better grades than John Kerry did my Frosh year in college. And so did George Bush.
WASHINGTON -- During last year's presidential campaign, John F. Kerry was the candidate often portrayed as intellectual and complex, while George W. Bush was the populist who mangled his sentences.But newly released records show that Bush and Kerry had a virtually identical grade average at Yale University four decades ago.
In 1999, The New Yorker published a transcript indicating that Bush had received a cumulative score of 77 for his first three years at Yale and a roughly similar average under a non-numerical rating system during his senior year.
Kerry, who graduated two years before Bush, got a cumulative 76 for his four years, according to a transcript that Kerry sent to the Navy when he was applying for officer training school. He received four D's in his freshman year out of 10 courses, but improved his average in later years.
The grade transcript, which Kerry has always declined to release, was included in his Navy record. During the campaign the Globe sought Kerry's naval records, but he refused to waive privacy restrictions for the full file. Late last month, Kerry gave the Navy permission to send the documents to the Globe.
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| Bush, better in college, and better looking too! |
John McCain has outlasted his goodwill acquired by playing his "I'm a war hero" schtick.
He is part of the problem. He is the leader of 14 senators who have torn up the constitution in favor of changable senate rules.
WASHINGTON - The Senate was likely to vote on one of President Bush's judicial nominees Tuesday after Senate centrists reached a deal to preserve venerable opposition rights while allowing a vote.advertisement
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. and one of the architects of the deal, told NBC's "Today" show Tuesday that it "kept the Senate from going over the precipice."
The accord "preserves the rights of the minority" party, McCain said, by allowing only "the extremely limited use of the filibuster," a tool under which a minority can prevent action unless the majority has 60 or more votes.
Though on the plus side, the Republicans do still have the upper hand. If democrats decide to filibuster any judge, thus going back on their word, Republicans can trigger the Constitutional option and make the Dems look like assholes.
It just occured to me, that most of the peole who are against private accounts in Social Security saying they don't like the odds or it's too risky, are the same ones who spend their social security checks buying powerball tickets and trips to Atlantic City to gamble.
And they say the stock market is risky?
I'm not a Cardinal, or a Catholic for that matter, but if I were I would vote for this man. Cardinal William Keeler.
Not only is he a Catholic Cardinal, but an American. I think as Americans we should try to take over as much of the world as possible.
We already sell Big Mac's at Octoberfest, have a Wendy's in Red Square, we should also control the Roman Cathoilc Church.
Poor Jimmy Carter. Nobody wants him. Not even for the funeral of a Pope. It appears that he is not invited to go on the official delegation from the United States.
Carter's schtick as self-appointed good will ambassador has certainly worn thin and there is no doubt that he has been an irritant to President Bush, constantly criticizing him in public, something from which former presidents typically refrain.
Sorry Jimmy. Peanut Farmers who are failed ex-presidents are not allowed to go. Sorry. Go build a house or something.
It looks like with the Supreme Court set to meet again (sans Renquist) one case they will hear will have lasting impact on you and your children.
It is the case involving private property rights. That is, can government take your house to put up a bigger house or a Wal~Mart?
They can already take it for a road, but if the Supreme Court finds in favor of the government, then they can take your property for other private uses.
A house facing a busy intersection could be turned over to an oil company seeking to open a gas station, they say. A middle-income neighborhood could be demolished to make way for a Wal-Mart or Costco. Private homes may not be the only target. Tax-exempt churches and service organizations like the Elks Club or Moose Lodge could be seized to make room for taxpaying businesses, these critics say."The Supreme Court is really faced with a choice here," says Ms. Berliner, who is a member of the legal team representing the New London homeowners. "If they affirm the Connecticut Supreme Court, they will fundamentally change the meaning of property ownership for everyone in the United States."
We'll keep an eye on this. In the meantime, I think I'm going to read Mark Levin's book.
I hear this a lot. That the two party system is broken and that we don't really live in a democracy. Both parties are just the same.
Wizbang discusses it as well.
That argument that we need a third party either comes from
A. Disgruntled Democrats, angry that they can't win an election.
B. Hippies who hate America
C. People who have no clue.
No live blogging for me tonight. I'm going to watch SOTU address and comment on it tomorrow, and I'll be sure to let Wizbang know.
Here is my prediction on what will happen. Bush will lay out clear plan on what he wants to do in the world. That includes freedom and democracy for all, option for private accounts in social security, a diet plan for Michael Moore, and candy for all babies.
The Democrat response will be opposite whatever President Bush says tonight. If he said he wanted a cure for Cancer, I'm sure Nancy Pelosi would find something wrong with it.
I also look for moronic catch phrases from the Democrats. My favorite last year was from Ms. Pelosi herself. I paraphrase here: "I want our foreign policy to be a beacon of light and not a guided missle"
Well that guided missle just brought democracy to about 10 million people in the past year. More than her "beacon of light" ever brought about.
The Democrats continue to lose it.
UPDATE
I didn't get a chance to see the whole thing, so it would be journalistic like CBS to comment. Read Michelle Malkin
Liberal Democrats in the Senate intend to delay Dr. Rice's confirmation vote for a few days, accoring to My Way News:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Democrats intend to delay Condoleezza Rice's confirmation as secretary of state at least until next week rather than grant her Inauguration Day approval, a spokesman said Wednesday."There are a number of Democrats not on the committee that want to have a chance to debate her nomination a couple of hours," said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
He said Democrats would not seek to prevent Rice's confirmation as the nation's top diplomat, and he predicted her approval within a matter of days. Rice cleared the Foreign Relations Committee earlier in the day, 16-2, a lopsided vote that belied hours of skeptical questioning by Democrats critical of President Bush's foreign policy and his conduct of the war in Iraq.
The dems dont' get it do they. Not only right wing flamethrowers like me are seeing it, but the average American is seeing what these lefties are. American hating obstructionists.
All Blogdom is alive with talk of Armstrong Williams. He took money to promote the No Child Left Behind law. If I owned or was editor of a paper that carried his writings, I would drop him.
Many people want to compare this to the Dan Rahther "MemoGate". (I think a name of "ArmstrongGate" would be nice.) The differene is that Armstrong never claimed to be a non-partisan columnist. He is a conservative columnist, and never pretends to be "fair and balanced".
Dan Rather claims to be fair, while showing even more disregard for fairness than anything Mr. Armstrong did.
Still, he did something unethical, and must make amends, which he tried to do. His apology is very weak, and as Michelle Malkin puts it is very disingenuous.
The Weekly Standard makes a great point about Arlen Specter and his bid to become chair of the Judiciary committee.
The same reason we should let him be the chair is the same reason that the Democrats should not shut out Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman.
After the big victory for President Bush, and the gains in the House and Senate, even the most ignorant of Liberals (Dan Rather) has to admit that the Democrats are the minority party. The weaker of the bunch. The runt of the litter.
I've heard it said that a lot of it can be traced back to the "Reagain Revolution" and the inspiration he gave many. People my age and slightly older are a major democgraphic group that voted for Bush, and their opinions were built by the Great Communicator.
Now there is another generation whose political beliefs and ideals are being founded by George Bush. People who are in their mid-teens how and are just becoming adults are seeing a strong President and a strong America.
What's going to happen in 12-20 years when they are the new demographic of this country?
I found this interesting article about the disconnect between big, rich, urbal liberals, and "back home" conservatives.
Basically the liberal elite who run the Democratic party just don't get us out here in middle America. This is different than day to day liberals across the USA, they have different views all together and probably are closer to the ideology of Bill Clinton.
Boy, the faces were sullen last night on HBO's Real Time with Bill Mahr. His guests included D.L. Hughley, Noam Chomsky, and political opportunist Andrew Sullivan. So much for a true token conservative.
It really upset me that Professor Chomsky is such an American hater. What disturbs me more is that when he said America is guilty of war crimes for invading Iraq and that the whole Bush administration should be carted off to Nuremberg style war crimes tribunals, there were a good number of audience people who applauded loudly.
To fully understand Noam Chomsky's hatred of this country, you should read this article.
And one thing that I found last night is that the left doesn't get why their ideas are summarily rejected. Articles like this one is Slate are both insulting to Real America, and yet asking for acceptance.
How can you expect to have people on your side while first insulting the morals, traditions, and values they hold dear and then saying our side is morally superior to you. In essence: "come to our side your ignorant fool and see true light."
I'm not saying I truly understand liberals, nor do I think they understand many conservatives. But if they want to talk me into taking their position, I don't really appreciate being told I must due so because my ideas are for stupid rednecks with guns, I want to be convinced on the merit of their argument.
I guess it all comes down to the fact that they don't understand why we don't like people like Michael Moore, Noam Chomsky, and others who attack something so important to us, and something that makes up the fabric of who we are.
Well, I didn't get to gloat much on here because I was away from my computer at a conference, surrounded by sullen faced liberals.
One thing I'd like to point out is that Democratic Underground seems to be off-line. Maybe they are having "server trouble".
What I would like to know is what is going to happen to sites like MoveOn, DU, and to radio shows like Radio Air America whose purposes where just to get Bush defeated.
They failed.
What will happen to Terry McAwful? I guess he doesn't do a good job because under his 4 years of running the DNC they are much much worse.
Actually, I hope he stays DNC chair. We don't have a fillibuster proof majority...yet.
Well, just kidding about the often thing. If you are dead, don't worry, some Democrat operative will pull the leaver for you.
| But remember this when you vote. Terrorists want us dead. John Kerry seems bent on returning to the failed policies of the 1990s of bowing to international desires. Several times we had OBL in our sights, but due to wanting to look good in the world, and not upset terrorists like Yasser Arafat, Clinton failed to get him. |
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After the 1993 World trade center bombing we failed to effectively see that there was Jihad declared against us. The Democratic nominee, John Kerry, voted to slash the budgets for intelligence and our national defense.
In 2000 the U.S.S. Cole was bombed, but we failed to act. Again, it was the desire to be "respected in the world" that stopped us from acting.
That policy of internationalism promoted by Clinton and desired by John Kerry led to over 3,000 dead in New York, Washington D.C, and Pennsylvania. We cannot allow that to happen again. When it does, there will possibly be millions dead from a nuclear attack in our country.
President Bush's strongest trait as our leader is his emphasis on the war on terror. It is the strongest pillar in his campaign. This election has become a referendum on fighting terror and spreading democracy and freedom through the Middle East versus bowing at the alter of the corrupt, anti-semetic United Nations.
France, Germany, and Russia are the three countries that John Kerry seeks approval from before protecting freedom. These same countries voted against us in the security council meetings, protecting their illegal paybacks and contracts made with Iraq.
If George Bush loses this election. The terrorists will be smiling. They will see it as our voting down the principles of pre-emptive war and turning out back on our self-protection.
A Bush defeat, coming days after an Osama Bin Laden tape would empower him. It would make him a hero in the eyes of the world. He would be a living God. The mightly America is so frightened that merely a video tape from him would cause us to bow to his pressure. What kind of pressure can they put on us by another devestating attack?
You must vote, and vote for George Bush. This is the most important election in history. Your vote for President Bush is not only a vote for him, but a vote to continue the war on terror and the ultiimte victory for freedom and the United States.
I work for an agency that has many anti-Bush liberals in it. It is ok, they are great people but just have a different view on the world as I do.
Recently I met the Drug Czar and was asked to write a story about it detailing my meeting and what he said.
I used to opportunity to talk up the administration. Take a read
On October 21st, the Director of the ONDCP and National Drug Czar, John Walters presented two Communities That Care sites with new Safe and Drug Free Communities grants.Norristown Communities That Care and Quakertown Area Communities That Care each received new grants for $100,000 a year for five years. The grants will allow these community coalitions to continue to work to reduce risk factors in their communities by focusing on proven research-based strategies centering around a strong community coalition and science-based programming. Berks County also had their Safe and Drug Free Communities Grant renewed.
Mr. Walters said that these coalitions make up the â€Armies of Compassion’, and are effective at reducing substance abuse and other problem behaviors because they allow communities to target prevention efforts to areas that are needed within their own community.
According to Walters, the Bush administration has shown a commitment to the work of community coalitions by doubling federal spending on prevention coalitions since he took office in 2001. The federal government now directly funds 714 coalitions across the country.
Walters notes that the data show the emphasis on community prevention coalitions has worked. “President Bush set a three-year goal for a 10% reduction in youth substance abuse. In those three years the reduction was 11%.”
I guess it's pretty straight down the middle, but I purposely put stuff in there that would make some of these libs think twice about voting for Kerry. Since many of them are funded by grants for these coalitions, I thought it would be nice to make the point that President Bush has doubled his funding for these programs.
Am I as bad as the New York Times in my bias?
For the 2 or 3 of you out there who are too stupid to know who you are going to vote for, first off, undecides vote on November 3rd. Secondly, take this test to help determine which candidate for President best suits you.
File this under the unlikely category if you file stuff away like I do.
Drudge has a flash story on his website about a part of the GOP agenda for the next four years after Bush gets re-elected is to eliminate the IRS:
A domestic centerpiece of the Bush/GOP agenda for a second Bush term is getting rid of the Internal Revenue Service, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.The Speaker of the House will push for replacing the nation's current tax system with a national sales tax or a value added tax, Hill sources tell DRUDGE.
"People ask me if I’m really calling for the elimination of the IRS, and I say I think that’s a great thing to do for future generations of Americans," Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert explains in his new book, to be released on Wednesday.
Now, it's probably a good idea, but I really don't think a RINO like Hastert or a don't rock the boat too much Republican like Bush would actually go so far as to actually elimniate the IRS.
We can only hope so much.
From News reports:
Of coure the French Canadians hate us. Well I hate French Canadians. What have they contributed to society? Now I think they are just mad that they haven't won the Stanley Cup in like 15 years. hehe. Now I didn't go around calling them evil when the Toronto Blue whatsits won the World Series a few years back. And then they beat my team. But, to call us evil? That's a strong word. Espcially if you count how many movie stars are Canadian. If it werent' for us people like Adam Sandler would be doing public access somewhere in Quebec.
|  Dr. Evil, darkhorse Presidental candidate. |
Kim DuToit mentioned in a post on his site that he is voting for Republicans, reluctantly, but is more alligned to the Constitution party.
Short of reading the platforms of the dozen or so major and minor parties, I went to Politics 1 to find out about the political parties of the United States.
I feel similar to Kim, but my leanings are more Libertarian. I believe in more liberty, and more basic freedoms than what the Republican party stands for.
President Bush right now is in Kutztown, about an hour from where I live. I am listening to his townhall meeting on the local radio station.
He is talking to people; business owners, families, and other citizens who have gained from the tax cuts which have stimulated the economy. One man who talked to Bush during his speech, a self-employed "wealthy" man was able to invest into his business, increase productivity, and hire several more employees.
Many people who are 'rich' (at least according to John Kerry's definition) are actually wealthy because of the businsses they own. What is defined as their wealth, is actually the wealth of their company. John Kerry wants to "roll back" those tax cuts. Doing so will inhibit those business owners from reinvesting in their companies. No longer will they have money to buy new equipment, modernize, hire more employees and stay cometitive.
All Kerry knows of wealth is the sliver spoon lifestyle he was born into. He married twice into extreme wealth, and believes that all rich people are idle socialites like himself.
To the Democrats, the war in Iraq is an election year problem. It is a way to make Bush look bad. They are so hungry for power that they would sacrifice our international security just to get it. Just take a look at what Carl Levin, D-Michigan, said at a presser regarding CIA pre-war intelligence:
"You'll be astounded by the mistakes of the CIA," Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, a member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee and ranking Democrat on Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters during a news conference Thursday.
The report will be "full of ineptitude" and failures on the part of the CIA, Levin told FOX News this week. "It's obvious there were exaggerations by the CIA and failures of the CIA" when it came to Iraq and intelligence surrounding why the United States used military force to oust Saddam Hussein, Levin added. The Michigan senator has been a vocal critic of the Bush administration's actions in Iraq
You have got to wonder a little bit why they would release this document 4 months before an election? Could it be they want to hurt President Bush over this? It appears as though the Abu Grab prison photo scandal isn't hurting Bush, so they need something to try to get him on. The thing is, the head of the CIA, George Tenet has already announced his 'retirement' from the CIA, so it looks as if that problem may have been preemptively solved.
I thought I'd share this quote from Ayn Rand:
The goal of the “liberals”—as it emerges from the record of the past decades—was to smuggle this country into welfare statism by means of single, concrete, specific measures, enlarging the power of the government a step at a time, never permitting these steps to be summed up into principles, never permitting their direction to be identified or the basic issue to be named. Thus, statism was to come, not by vote or by violence, but by slow rot—by a long process of evasion and epistemological corruption, leading to a fait accompli. (The goal of the “conservative” was only to retard that process.) -----Ayn Rand,
In a review of Fat Michael Moore's documentary lies, uber-left winger Roger Ebert says:
Although Moore's narration ranges from outrage to sarcasm, the most devastating passage in the film speaks for itself. That's when Bush, who was reading My Pet Goat to a classroom of Florida children, is notified of the second attack on the World Trade Center, and yet lingers with the kids for almost seven minutes before finally leaving the room. His inexplicable paralysis wasn't underlined in news reports at the time, and only Moore thought to contact the teacher in that schoolroom -- who, as it turned out, had made her own video of the visit. The expression on Bush's face as he sits there is odd indeed.
What the hell was Bush supposed to do, run out of the room screaming "Children, you're all going to die!! RUN!!! Death is upon us!!!!!"
Part of any President's job is to console the country, give comfort in bad times, and most importantly don't let them see you sweat.
It would have been inappropriate in the minutes right after learning of the 9/11 attacks to panic or even say anything in front of young children who were too young to comprehend what the implication of that day meant. Giving a sense of normalcy was paramount in that time. Now if he was taking to a bunch of senators, donors, or military people it would have been different.
If Bush would have said something in front of the children these same socialist America Haters like Michael Moore would have chastized him for scaring the children.
So I suggest Fatso and Used-to-be fatso shut up.
Well Reagan hasn't even been buried yet, the state funeral isn't until this Friday, and already the alphabet news channels are tiring of the Reagan coverage.
From The NY Post:
June 9, 2004 -- DAN Rather and Tom Brokaw work for different networks but agree one thing — coverage of Ronald Reagan's death has been excessive, they say.
"Even though everybody is respectful and wants to pay homage to the president, life does go on," Rather told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
"There is other news, like the reality of Iraq," said the "CBS Evening News" anchor. "It got very short shrift this weekend."
Moxie puts it into words very well
Hmm, three days since the death of Ronald Reagan and it's too much coverage, but weeks and weeks since Abu Ghriab prison 'scandal' and they are still covering it.
Jeremy Sivits has already been found guilty and is in jail, and they are still talking about the prison abuse 'scandal'.
Double Standard?
Hmm. Not much from the media today about a very good thing which happened.
First in Arabic and then in English, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said in his inaugural address to the Iraqi people last Tuesday that "I would like to record our profound gratitude and appreciation to the U.S.-led international coalition, which has made great sacrifices for the liberation of Iraq."
In his own remarks, President Ghazi al-Yawer said: "Before I end my speech, I would like us to remember our martyrs who fell in defense of freedom and honor, as well as our friends who fell in the battle for the liberation of Iraq."
Not grateful my ass....
And then:
The U.N. Security Council (search) on Wednesday unanimously voted for a U.S. resolution backing the transfer of sovereignty to Iraq's new government, which President Bush deemed a "catalyst for change."
The resolution details the powers and the limitations of the new interim Iraqi government that will assume power on June 30. It authorizes the U.S.-led multinational force to remain in Iraq to help ensure security but gives the Iraqi government the right to ask the force to leave at any time.
Why don't we hear all this trumpted from the alphabet networks? Why isn't this good news all around? This is what we've wanted all along, an "international coalition".
Also, I paid $1.89 for gas today. Whoo hoo!!
"When I get nervous I put my hands in my armpits and then smell them like this!"
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George Tenet resigns for 'personal' reasons. Well, he was under fire for some of the failures of his department during the months and years leading up to 9/11
Al Gore who was immediately available for comment said that he was glad that his insane ramblings calling for Tenet and others to resign were actually noticed. .....developing |
Did the networks cover the Bush speech last night?
I get the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania channels, and they covered it as a local event, but I heard that the national networks did not cover it
Is this true?
Please leave a comment and let me know.
In a move reminiscent of Soviet era thuggery, a high school in Delaware county in Pennsylvania has used its iron fist to control the elections for student government.
A Chichester High School student tried to run for Vice-President of the student government. But half way through the process the school raised the GPA requirements. The new requirements excluded him from running, so he decided to launch a write-in campaign.
From The Delaware County Times:
But, when an eleventh-grader wanted to run for vice president of his senior class, he was told his 2.2 GPA wasn’t sufficient and his name could not be on the ballot. Sometime, somewhere the administration had raised the required GPA to 2.5.
Since the young man could not find that new requirement written anywhere, he scattered posters throughout the school proclaiming his write-in candidacy.
School officials confiscated the posters and suspended the would-be class officer. But it didn’t end there.
Six students who disagreed with the school’s action, six students who supported the candidacy of the suspended student, wore their feelings on their shirts the next day. And that illustration of freedom of expression got those six students the right to join their favored candidate in suspension.
Too bad he wasn't on drugs or something, he school would have given him counseling and tried to understand him. All he tried to do was run for office.
The big thing in schools and communities now is to promote positive activities like sports or groups like student government. The thinking is that if kids have positive things to do which promote values and positive reinforcement, kids will be less likely to be into negative activities.
It's good to see that schools practice what they preach.
From Foxnews.com
A video posted Tuesday on an Islamic militant Web site showed the beheading of an American civilian in Iraq, and said the execution was carried out by an Al Qaeda affiliated group to avenge the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers.
The video showed five men wearing headscarves and black ski masks, standing over a bound man in an orange jumpsuit — similar to a prisoner's uniform — who identified himself as Nick Berg (search), a U.S. contractor whose body was found on a highway overpass in Baghdad on Saturday.
"My name is Nick Berg, my father's name is Michael, my mother's name is Susan," the man said on the video. "I have a brother and sister, David and Sarah. I live in ... Philadelphia."
After reading a statement, the men were seen pulling the man to his side and putting a large knife to his neck. A scream sounded as the men cut his head off, shouting "Allahu Akbar!" — "God is great." They then held the head out before the camera.
Well, in case you want to see the movie, you can get it directly from The terrorist's web-site
Where is the outrage at this. American haters like Ted Kennedy bitch and moan about the so called "abuses" of the terrorists in Iraq, but where is the outrage at events like the beheading of this civilian? The murders of pregnant Israeli women?
Not only that, but where is the rush to constantly show the images? Why it is when American troops are involved in a non-issue the press makes it 24-7 coverage and when terrorists behead a civilian, it's relatively ignored.
When small numbers of our troops make the terrorists pose in women's underwear, people like Katie Couric call those actions atrocity. If that is an atrocity, what is this? Where is their righteous indignation at events like this?
There will be no calls for retribution (resignation of Rumsfeld). All these people are doing is siezing upon is an opportunity to act on their hatred of America and the American military.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - April's surprisingly strong growth in U.S. jobs has boosted expectations of a rise in interest rates next month, sending stocks and bonds tumbling and the dollar climbing.
The thing to notice here is 'strong growth in U.S. jobs'. In April there were about 228,000 new jobs added. Yet despite of this, about 54% of Americans think that the economy is getting worse.
But despite of this, and the prison abuse non-issue, Bush is still slightly ahead of Kerry, or more likely, Kerry hasn't gained on any Bush lead.
WASHINGTON - Public opinion of President Bush’s handling of hot-button issues such as the economy and the war on terrorism is near the low point of his presidency, but Democratic rival John Kerry has been unable to capitalize on the Republican’s slide, an Associated Press poll found.
But it's still to early to tell for sure.
So I work in a field where I am usually the only registered Republican, I can live with that. I don't ask people about their politics, and I don't think the workplace is the venue to discuss religion or politics.
Well the first was broken today by some people during lunch break at a meeting I was held. I don't know how it started, but they started talking about Bush's presser the other day. Where I thought he did do pretty good.
Well the discussion quickly turned to "I hate Republicans, and I hate George Bush". Where do they get their talking points? They all talk about the same thing.
George Bush stole the election. He had his cronies in the Supreme Court "appoint" him.
The Electoral College sucks, if it weren't there we'd have Al Gore instead of Bush.
George Bush is stupid. He mispronounces words.
George Bush should have stopped 9/11
George Bush misled us about the Weapons of Mass distruction.
George Bush owns oil stock, that's why we went into Iraq.
George Bush flipped flopped, he said he would never "Nation Build"
The country is a world of shit since Bushie took office.
He won't allow the caskets of servicemen to be videotaped because he wants to hide the deaths from his illlegal war.
There are a few things I did notice while the 16 of them giggled with glee as they bashed our commaner-in-chief. First off, they did not mention the economy. Somehow it was not brought up. Second of all, all they did was complain about George, and all the bad things he did. No one sang the praises of John F. Kerry.
It wasn't as if they said, "I think his opinions on this are wrong because blah blah blah, and I will vote for Kerry because blah blah blah". The whole crux of their argument is that they won't vote for Bush because they hate him.
The last thing I noticed is how much we all, Republicans or Democrats, stay within our own circle. One lady said she didn't know how Bush got elected because everyone she knows didn't vote for him. She said she doesn't know anyone who would vote for him.
Most of all these people, who otherwise are very nice and likeable people, hate hate hate George Bush.
In my job I was at a meeting yesterday for a community coalition where they were talking about taking money from tobacco comanies or their affiliates. They are not allowed to because the American Cancer Society would take away their money for some of their programs, plus they don't want to because it would support evil big tobacco (their words exactly).
This includes money from companies like Kraft and Miller, subsidiaries of Phillip Morris.
Though they seem alright with taking the tobacco settlement monies.
Just my insights.
I intend to smoke a cigar when I do my American Cancer Society relay for life mile.
I swear I've never danced before in my life
Who is that famous person Tom is standing next to?
Here is some bad news for Kerry.
From Foxnews.com
Businesses add 308,000 jobs
WASHINGTON — U.S. employment rose last month at the fastest pace in nearly four years, easily outstripping expectations, as workers returned after a grocery store strike and construction hiring bounced back on better weather, a government report on Friday showed.
The latest report from the Labor Department offered comfort to President George W. Bush (search) as the jobs market — a hot political issue in the U.S. presidential campaign — finally made a decisive break to the upside.
This is indeed good news for America. This has been a strange recovery, what with the war, strange world economics and all, but adding 308,000 jobs is good for the country. That means more people will be working, paying taxes, buying good, and further growing the economy.
Good news indeed.
 Akbar Muhammad Muhammad Muhammad, spokesman for the "Religion of Peace" |
BAGHDAD, Iraq  — Five members of the U.S. military were killed by a bomb blast west of Baghdad on Wednesday, Fox News has confirmed. The Associated Press is reporting that the five killed were soldiers, but that report has not been confirmed.
I'm sick of these Islamofascists blowing shit up. I say let's pull out of Iraq, but before we do, we destroy all infrastructure. Lets destroy all water treatment plants, all the oil fields and all factories. Let them die of thirst and hunger, and give them a real reason for killing us. If Allah is so powerful, let him help them. |
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I am about sick of these hippie shit for brains equating George W. Bush to Adolf Hitler. It is insulting to the memories of those who were slaughtered under Hitler, and is insulting to my intelligence.
These hippies are the ones who allowed Adolf Hitler to come to power in the first place by appeasing him in the build up to World War 2. They looked the other way while he marched through Europe and sent Jews to death camps. Actually, no, probably this guy's parents actually called the S.S. to report where Jews were hiding so he is more responsible for death of repressed citizens than Bush will ever be. The then looked the other way while mass atrocities were committed in Iraq. To equate Bush to Hitler is sickening and insulting to the memories of all the people that Fascist leader murdured. It shows a weak mind, and total misunderstanding of history. And history will show them, again, on the wrong side of good and evil. |  |
Operator: "Thank you for calling Pizza Hut. May I have your national ID number?"
Customer: "Hi, I'd like to place an order."
Operator: "I must have your NIDN first, sir?"
Customer: "My National ID Number, yeah, hold on, eh, it's 6102049998-45-54610."
Operator: "Thank you, Mr. Sheehan. I see you live at 1742 Meadowland Drive, and the phone number's 494-2366. Your office number over at Lincoln Insurance is 745-2302 and your cell number's 266-2566. Email address is sheehan@home.net. I see you are calling from home, would you like it delivered there?"
Customer: "Huh? Where d'ya get all this information?"
Operator: "We're wired into the HSS, sir."
Customer: "The HSS, what is that?"
Operator: "We're wired into the Homeland Security System, sir. This will add only 15 seconds to your ordering time"
Customer: (Sighs) "Oh, well, I'd like to order a couple of your All-Meat Special pizzas."
Operator: "I don't think that's a good idea, sir."
Customer: "Whaddya mean?"
Operator: "Sir, your medical records and commode sensors indicate that you've got very high blood pressure and extremely high cholesterol. Your National Health Care provider won't allow such an unhealthy choice."
Customer: "What?!?! What do you recommend, then?"
Operator: "You might try our low-fat Soybean Pizza. I'm sure you'll like it."
Customer: "What makes you think I'd like something like that?"
Operator: "Well, you checked out 'Gourmet Soybean Recipes' from your local library last week, sir. That's why I made the suggestion."
Customer: "All right, all right. Give me two family-sized ones, then."
Operator: "That should be plenty for you, your wife and your four kids, and your 2 dogs can finish the crusts, sir. Your total is $49.99."
Customer: "Lemme give you my credit card number."
Operator: "I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid you'll have to pay in cash. Your credit card balance is over its limit."
Customer: "I'll run over to the ATM and get some cash before your driver gets here."
Operator: "That won't work either, sir. Your checking account's overdrawn also."
Customer: "Never mind! Just send the pizzas. I'll have the cash ready. How long will it take?"
Operator: "We're running a little behind, sir. It'll be about 45 minutes, sir. If you're in a hurry you might want to pick 'em up while you're out getting the cash, but then, carrying pizzas on a motorcycle can be a little awkward."
Customer: "Wait! How do you know I ride a motorcycle?"
Operator: "It says here you're in arrears on your car payments, so your car got repo'ed. But your Harley's paid for and you just filled the tank yesterday"
Customer: Well I'll be a "@#%/$@&?#!"
Operator: "I'd advise watching your language, sir. You've already got a July 4, 2006 conviction for cussing out a cop and another one I see here on September for contempt at your hearing for cussing at a judge. Oh yes I see here that you just got out from a 90 day stay in the State Correctional Facility. Is this your first pizza since your return to society?"
Customer: (Speechless)
Operator: "Will there be anything else, sir?"
Customer: "Yes, I have a coupon for a free 2 liter of Coke".
Operator: "I'm sorry sir, but our ad's exclusionary clause prevents us from offering free soda to diabetics. The New Homeland Secure Constitution that has just been ratified prohibits this. Thank you for calling Pizza Hut
One of the things John Kerry wants to do differently in the war on terror is to treat the war on terror as a "legal issue". That is exactly how Bill Cinton treated Al Qaida and UBL. And it didn't work.
From NBC News. The question for the 9/11 commission: If the CIA was able to get that close to bin Laden before 9/11, why wasn’t he captured or killed? The videotape has remained secret until now.
As the 9/11 commission investigates what Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush might have done to prevent the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, one piece of evidence the commission will examine is a videotape secretly recorded by a CIA plane high above Afghanistan. The tape shows a man believed to Osama bin Laden walking at a known al-Qaida camp.
The most recent drone photos of UBL was from May of 2000. Before Bush took office. Despite the fact that evidence overwhelmingly shows Al Qaiada and UBL were responsible for the WTC 1993 bombing, the USS Cole, and our embassys Clinton did not act.
What I find even more disturbing is that the asshats over at DU are quick to write it off as a fluke, and turn around and blame BUSH for it.
Even though past history has proven that law enforcement techniques have not worked in the war on terrorism, libs still want to abandon the military avenue and return to the appeasement Keystone Cops technique perfected by Klinton.
I really hate unions.
| As a fan of the city of Philadelphia, I was thrilled to see that the Real World, the popular MTV show, was coming to Philadelphia.
The popularity of the show among 12-30 year olds would be good to boost the perception of the City and of Pennsylvania as a whole. But those hopes were immediatly smashed by the mafia thugs of Teamsters Local 107. From Philly.com The series had sidestepped organized labor in 13 previous cities, including union strongholds New York, Chicago, and Boston, without incident. "Every other production company comes in, sits down and bargains," said Tony Frasco, vice president of Teamsters Local 107, whose members drive vehicles and unload trucks. "The unions are not out to gouge anybody, but this is a union town." |  |
Good. Thanks to the Union thugs of Local 107, and Tony Soprano..errr Tony Frasco, no one will be working on this project in Philadelphia.
More dengerously though, this will mostly hurt the bars, clubs, restaurants, and small business which dot Old City and the areas surrounding where The Real World was going to shoot.
Meryl Levitz, head of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp., said last month that she expected The Real World to aid in her work with the Knowledge Industry Partnership, a college-student retention initiative.
If MTV chooses a cast that "young people see as similar to them and presents Philadelphia as hip and desirable . . . you can't buy that kind of publicity," she said.
That is sad. Thanks local 107.
Stupid unions.
I am a member of Peta (People Eating Tasty Animals) and in protest of the other Peta, the ones who equate the holocost to eating chickens, I will eat mass quantities of red meat. Hell, I might even go out back and shoot a bird just for fun.
Today, March 15th, is Eat an Animal for Peta Day.
Pleae vote in my new poll.
"Was President Bush correct to use images of 9/11 in his campaign ads?"
Just for your information, the following fake Republicans voted FOR the assault weapons amendment to the gun liability bill, which caused it to die, furthering the liklihood that John Edwards type ambulance chasers will try to put gun makers out of business.
Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island Susan Collins of Maine Mike DeWine of Ohio Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois Judd Gregg of New Hampshire Richard Lugar of Indiana Gordon Smith of Oregon Olympia Snowe of Maine George Voinovich of Ohio John Warner of Virginia Alren Specter voted correctly as it is an election year. |  Arlen Specter says: "Wait, I follow Scottish Law, none of that silly United States Constitution. |
"My objective is to resolve the DWI problem before the fact, before any more innocent people die. To do that we have to make sure no one will ever drive drunk, "
That is a quote from New Mexico state senator Rep. Ken Martinez from earlier this week. On February 27th the New Mexico state House Tax and Revenue Committee passed his bill, which if it became law, would require allnew cars sold in New Mexico after January 1, 2008 to have ingnition interlocks to test for alcohol. Used cars sold after January 2, 2009 would have to have the interlocks also. Along with the bill, there would be a $600 tax credit to help defer the costof squashing freedom of installing the little buggers.
The idea is to eliminate alll DWIs in five years. In a letter to the Albuquerque Journal evil fascist state representative Ken Martinez says:
Spend the money before anyone dies. Costs to prevent DWI will actually save money, and the savings will appear in lower car insurance premiums. Emergency room costs go down, as do health insurance costs. Apprehension, detection, prosecution, defense, incarceration and treatment of drunk drivers costs money. The price tag to nail a drunk driver is far more expensive than prevention is at the front end.
The phone rings at midnight. Ask yourself as a parent, which phone call would you rather receive, the car won't start or your son is dead?
First off, I symphathize with anyone who has been impacted by drunk diving. But to use an emotional ploy to make the case for infringing on privacy rights and the freedom of the majority of citizens who aren't driving after drinking is wrong.
The 5th Amendment to the constitution says:
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime.....
.....nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law
According to Rep. W. Ken Martinez, about 214 died in alchohol related deaths. While that is bad, is that number high enough to infringe on the liberties of every single driver in the state? They already have laws to put interlocks on previously convited drunk drivers, but to require all drivers to have on is assuming guilt. In America it is innocent until proven guilty. In the American legal system it is the legal system which has the burden of proof. They have to prove your guilt. You do not have to prove your innocence. This bill, if passed, would change that.
In addition to squashing essential liberties, this law will just push auto business elsewhere. I know if I lived in New Mexico, and was buying a car, I would just visit a neighboring state to do so. Since the law only requires cars sold in New Mexico to have the interlocks, I would send my business outside the state. That means in-state businesses would be hurt. There would also be less revenue going into the state coffers. My taxes would go to neighboring states. I would punish them with my wallet.
Again, drunk driving is bad. You shouldn't do it. Period. But along with the rights and responsibilities of living in a free society is the consequences of making your own decicisions.
Benjamin Franklin said it nicely:
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
This post also available on Blogcritics.org
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California has one of the toughest workplace smoking policies in the world. The dracnonian laws prohibit smoking in most any public building. Even "cigar bars" can't allow smoking anymore. But Arnold Schwarzenegger has plans to reduce these restrictsions. Sort of. |
According to the Washington Times
California law strictly bans smoking in offices, bars and restaurants, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a longtime cigar smoker has proposed converting the state Capitol's interior courtyard into a "smoking plaza."
    Under the actor-turned-governor's plan, part of the Capitol's roof would be removed to create an area where legislators and other Sacramento visitors could smoke.
    The governor's spokeswoman, Terri Carbaugh, explained that Mr. Schwarzenegger wants to create an informal meeting and schmoozing area where he can smoke cigars with lawmakers and other power brokers.
I think this is a good first step to bringing freedom back into the lives of Californians. It sounds like a good idea, both sides should be able to live with. Smokers would have a centralized place to smoke, and the non-smokers still have the rest of the building which is smoke free.
But not good enough say many anti-freedom smoking groups:
"That's very frightening that would even think about smoking inside the heart of our state Capitol," said Jim Walker, the director and founder of Stop Tobacco Abuse of Minors Pronto. "He could do more good by championing our cause rather than trivializing it."
    Last Saturday in Sacramento, several dozen protesters demonstrated in front of the Capitol to denounce Mr. Schwarzenegger's project to turn the Capitol courtyard into a smoking patio.
    "We are deeply disappointed at several recent public depictions of your use and promotion of cigars and urge you to refrain from modeling this dangerous habit," the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association wrote in a recent letter to Mr. Schwarzenegger.
This hits on two central arguments that I always harp on.
1. It's your body. If you want to smoke, it's your right. The argument that it costs society too much in health care is a scary thought to progress. Alcohol, fattening foods, and lack of exercise all end lives prematurely. Should we go after those now?
2. If a business owner wants to have an establishment where smokers can gather and enjoy a smoke, its HIS right. He owns the business, he pays taxes on the building, and profits. He has as much as a right to have an establishment which is smoking as a bar or restaurant owner has the right to have a smoke-free establishment.
Freedom comes with risks and responsibilities. When are we going to allow adults to be adults and stop letting big government nannies tell us what to do.
I say smoke away.
 | In his new book, Give Me a Break : How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media, John Stossel (the co-host of ABC's 20/20) discusses his past as a consumer affairs reporter and his revelation during his work that a lot of the problem in Amercia today come from huge government intruding in our everyday lives. The programs supported and paid for by you and me stifle innovation and make us less prosperous. |
Similar to "Who's Looking Out for You", by Billl O'Reilly, this book is a much more easy read and comes off as less preachy. The language is smooth and flowing and comes across a lot more like a converstation and less like a book of thought and ideas.
Stossel discusses his youth, his battle with severe stuttering, and his early work as an investigative reporter.
During his tenure at ABC he went from consumer affairs reporter to skeptic of big government. Supporters of his who loved his work when he was skeptical of big businesses, began to question his integrity when he started questioning big government.
His topics range from discussing the FDA process of approving drugs, which he sees as taking entirely too long, to government regulations which cause people to be overpaid for government contracts, to the benefits of "greed".
Frequent followers of Stossel will no doubt recognize many of his arguments. Many of the chapters closely follow and discuss many of his television specials like "Are we Scaring Ourselves to Death?" and "John Stossel Goes to Washington"
Though the book is a quick and enjoyable read, it tends to drag on a bit in some areas. Some of the chapters could be condenses slightly, as a few of his arguements tend to get repetetive.
Anyone who subscribes to the tennents of a Libertarian, that is small government, free markets, and less government intrusion in your personal life will find this book enjoyable.
For heavier reading I would point you towards books by Larry Elder or, if you are really looking for something heavy, Ayn Rand.
From MSNBC:
In San Francisco, longtime lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon, 79, and Del Martin, 83, were married just before noon local time by City Assessor Mabel Teng in a closed-door civil ceremony at City Hall, mayor’s spokesman Peter Ragone said. The two have been a couple for 51 years.
Ragone said that beginning at noon, officials would begin issuing marriage licenses to any gay couples applying for one.
One lesbian couple had already lined up outside City Hall, one of the women wearing a white wedding dress.
Lyon and Martin said after the brief ceremony that they were going home to rest and did not plan anything to celebrate. The couple seemed proud of what they had done.
“Why shouldn’t we” be able to marry? Lyon asked.
Well, it looks like the sky is falling. Lesbians and gays can marry. The world is ending. As I remove my tounge from my cheek, I want to say this: Don't get me wrong. I think gay and lesbian couples should share many of the same benefits heterosexual couples share. They should be able to have hospital visitation rights and other legal rights much like the commonlaw marriages had before many states outlawed them.
But I draw the line at "Marriage". Marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman. Though it could be considered "discrimination" to not allow homosexual couples to marry, you have to draw the line somewhere. If the line is moved for gay couples, where is the end? Will we allow men to marry multiple wives? Wives to marry multiple husbands? Adults marrying children?
A line has got to be drawn somewhere. As much I as I believe in the Second Amendment, I think a line has to be drawn at flame throwers and missle launchers A literal reading of that amendment can be interpreted as saying that the "Right to bear arms shall not be infringed". Not be infringed means NOT BE INFRINGED!!
Common sense dictates that you have to draw a line. Pure constitutionalist libertarians will say though that any laws are an infringement on rights. That is the same argument gay marriage activists use to push for gay marriage. They say that the Constitution should not discriminate.
But the reason for existing laws limiting marriage to same-sex couples is because of morality. Plain and simple. Agree with it or not, morality is the reason. To move the morality line to include homosexuals but not polygamy or polyandry, or beastiality, or pedophilia you are asking for trouble.
A moral line has to be drawn somewhere. The logical point is a line which rewards behavior which will promote the growth of the human animal. Since children can only come naturally by traditional coupling of men and women, it seems like the logical place to limit the definition of marriage.
Intrigue surrounds a woman who recently fled the country, reportedly at the prodding of Kerry, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
A serious investigation of the woman and the nature of her relationship with Sen. John Kerry has been underway at TIME magazine, ABC NEWS, the WASHINGTON POST, THE HILL and the ASSOCIATED PRESS, where the woman in question once worked.
This is not the first time that this has happened with Kerry. He has long shown a disposition for two things.
1: He loves to marry rich heiresses.
2: He loves to cheat on them.
His first wife whom he married in 1970, was Julia Thorne. She was a heiress to a family fortune estimated to be worth about $300 million. She suffered from clinical depression and he was seen cavorting with beautiful hollywood starlets.
Now these accusations are not at all from the Republicans. This is a Gary Hart sort of thing. Typical mud slinging between Democrats. What is sort of weired is that as soon as there seems to be a new front-runner, there is something that aims to take them down.
Could this be the work of.....SATAN,, errr I mean CLINTON??
The Miserable Failure Michael Moore is a total fat arrogant bastard. He won an Oscar last year (which alone should tell you that the Oscars are a piece of shit), and now thinks he is legitimate. Saddam Hussein was more a legitimate leader of Iraq than Moore is a legitmate "docomentarian".
First I want to congratulate him on his endorsement of Clark. The Miserable Failure said on his web-site:
I have decided to cast my vote in the primary for Wesley Clark. That's right, a peacenik is voting for a general. What a country!
I believe that Wesley Clark will end this war. He will make the rich pay their fair share of taxes. He will stand up for the rights of women, African Americans, and the working people of this country.
And he will cream George W. Bush.
Cream GW? How can he cream him when he drops out of the race? HMMMM? How can he do that? Tell me the logistics of that? You're so intelllectually superior to everyone else.
Gen. Clark has decided to leave the race," said Clark spokesman Matt Bennett. "I think probably the biggest reason is the tremendous momentum that Senator Kerry built coming out of the Iowa and New Hampshire races."
"The mountain got too steep to climb."
He is also discussing the papers released by the White House yesterday detailing President Bush's military record.
I find it amusing that he, to my memory, ever criticized Clinton for bailing on service alltogether and going to England to pen nasty letters about despising the military.
He does try to answer the question here:
THAT is what makes this whole business of you being AWOL so despicable, and makes the grief-stricken relatives want to turn away from you in disgust. The reason your skipping-out on your enlistment didn't matter in the 2000 election was because we were not at war. Being stuck in a deadly, daily quagmire now in 2004 makes your military history-fiction and your fly-boy costume VERY relevant.
So I guess if a President like Clinton didn't serve, or a President like Bush is accused of not serving completely, it's okay as long as we don't go to war. So I guess we can be attacked, our citizens murdured and we can't act because our President didn't serve.
I guess if we DID have Gore as President it would be okay to go to Iraq because he carried a camera in Vietnam, protected by bodyguards.
But he served.
Click here fore discussion of the Miserable Failure
NRO discusses Bowling for Columbine
There are too many homeless people. We need to get rid of them. I have an idea of how to do so, and this is it.
Well, most of the homeless want to be homeless. They enjoy it. They get free meals at soup kitchens, and that gives them enough time to do drugs and drink Thunderbird. I would say 8 out of 10 are like this. For the remaining 2 out of 10, this plan doesn't apply.
First we need to stop giving them food, handouts and warm places to stay when it gets cold during the winter. We should allow them to just fend for themselves. For places like in the Northeast this will kill of many of them during sub zero temperatures. (When have you seen a homeless people in Alaska?) Exposure and frostbite will eliminate the weakest of them.
The trouble with this is that it will encourage crime among the ones that didn't die of exposure. Hobos and vagrants will be desperate for hooch money and food that they might turn to crime. That is why I believe that every citizen must be armed with at least a .38 caliber handgun to fend off the homeless. It is therefore going to be required to be lawful to kill homeless people on sight. This law will also alllow homeless people to kill and eat other homeless people.
With a bounty on their heads combined with the prospects of being killed for sport by the homeful among us, or killed for food by other bums the homeless will have sufficient incentive to not be homeless anymore.
The ones who really lack the incentives will, of course, be eliminated by hunting and starvation.
With my plan there will no longer be homeless people within 10 years.
With the recent unemployment numbers in, with roughly 120,000 new jobs last month, and the unemployment down to 5.6% it's time to discuss an unpopular argument. That sending tech jobs overseas is actually good.
To understand this argument you have to concede three points.
1. The United States is the driving force for economics in the world. We have one of the highest standards of living, and produce most of what the world uses.
2. The United States is the primary engine for technological innovation for the world.
3. We have the hardest working and best trained workforce in the world.
A common double standard by economic liberals is that that we should not send jobs overseas, but on the same hand, it's unfortunate that we as Americans have the lion’s share of jobs, money, and prosperity in the world. We should share the wealth so to speak. Well, we do. And we should.
Jobs like computer programming and tech support, which cost a lot to do here, are sent to places like India where labor is cheaper. That frees up capital for investments in new technology and industries here. In turn the economies of second and third world countries benefit from support jobs. They have more money to spend on products and services our streamlined industries have to offer.
We all benefit. They have more money, prosperity, and wealth. And we have more money for new technologies, which in turn, will create more jobs here, It's a continually rising cycle.
The arguments going on against job exportation now also went on in the 1980's when steel and auto jobs left the United States for places like Japan. It would be feared we would lose our place as economic leader. People feared Japan taking over the world. (so to speak) But for every job we lost to that exportation of jobs, more were gained in new fields like high technology, financial, and service industries.
Economies continually cycle upward and change. One hundred years ago many people were coal miners, steel workers, and railroad engineers. Today those jobs have been replaced by jobs in new sectors unheard of then. The exportation of jobs then lead to investments in the future. The future we live now.
We all benefit in the long run when jobs are exported. The economies of second and third world countries rise. Their spending power is increased and they are more likely to purchase goods and services offered by, and produced, by American companies.
We have a stronger, more efficient workforce which is able to invest in capital, new technology, and research. Our standard of living rises with the tides of others.
We will also be seen as a force of good in the World. The prosperity of our economy drives the growth of others. The whole world benefits.
And that is good.
One of the big controversies regarding the CIA's inability to identify WMD in Iraq is the lack of "spooks" or undercover operatives in Iraq.
Well to help the Conservative cause, I have been undercover at the Democratic Underground forums. I have been posing as a shit throwing conspiracy theorist at the DU forums, and have learned several things.
1. They hate Bush alot
2. Many of them smoke weed
3. I think the weed destroyed their brain cells responsible for coherent thought.
4. They hate "neo-cons"
5. They mock conservative ideals and values
Here is a brilliant braindead dissertation on Clinton and Iraq
1. President Clinton never described the Iraqi WMD threat on the same level as Bush and with as much certainty. Clinton never said that we could be attacked in 45 minutes and that Saddam had connections to terrorist groups. Clinton never used the word "mushroom cloud." I hope you get my point here.
Well, I hate to break it to hippie boy, but Clinton did describe the WMD threat as major. From US Embassy transcripts on December 16th 1998.
"This situation presents a clear and present danger to the stability of the Persian Gulf and the safety of people everywhere. The international community gave Saddam one last chance to resume cooperation with the weapons inspectors. Saddam has failed to seize the chance," Clinton said.
"In halting our air strikes in November, I gave Saddam a chance, not a license. If we turn our backs on his defiance, the credibility of U.S. power as a check against Saddam will be destroyed," the President said. "We will not only have allowed Saddam to shatter the inspections system that controls his weapons of mass destruction program; we also will have fatally undercut the fear of force that stops Saddam from acting to gain domination in the region."
"If Saddam defies the world and we fail to respond, we will face a far greater threat in the future. Saddam will strike again at his neighbors; he will make war on his own people," Clinton said. "And mark my words, he will develop weapons of mass destruction. He will deploy them, and he will use them. Because we are acting today, it is less likely that we will face these dangers in the future."
Well I commended President Clinton then, and I think it was right to act. Presidnet Clinton said that we had to act because, if we didn't, would have no credibility to enforce resolutions in the future.
That is the exact reasons that Bush gave for the "march to war".
Where do these intellectual elites claim to be so smart, but so ignorant to recent history?
John Kerry is touting himself as a patriotic American who served his country with distinction. No doubt he was a great soldier and did a fine job serving his country. But if you think that is the whole story, you don't know Jack.
According to the Boston Globe:
Democratic presidential front-runner John F. Kerry, who has turned his decorated Vietnam War service into a theme of his campaign, said yesterday that President Bush and the US military should settle questions -- raised recently by Kerry allies -- about whether Bush completed his military service requirement in the Texas Air National Guard in the 1970s.
Before attending a campaign rally here that drew 2,000 people, on the eve of today's presidential primary in Arizona and six other states, the Massachusetts senator said that the matter of Bush's military service record was ''a question that I think remains open.'' Kerry added that he lacked ''the facts'' to make a judgment about accusations that Bush ended his military commitment prematurely.
So the great war hero is going to bring up unfounded accusations against George Bush. Great, bring it on Jack. American minded people will then bring up the fact that repeatedly you voted agaist the American Military and stood with Jane Fonda and other red diaper babies in protesting the war.
According to Boston Herald Traveler he stood with Jane Fonda as a national leader of Vietnam Veterans Against War (VVAW), Kerry campaigned against the effort of the United States.
He also authored an anti-war book, New Soldier.
Kerry also claimed while testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations in 1971, that U.S. soldiers had “raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power, cut off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed villages, shot cattle and dogs for fun, poisoned food stocks, and generally ravaged the countryside of South Vietnam.”
All this while true war heroes like Senator John McCain were being tortured and sodomized at the hands of communists in prisioner of war camps.
Senator John Kerry also participated in demonstrations where soldiers would throw their medals on the steps of Congress. Though he did throw medals, the ones he threw were not his own. His medals hang proudly in his Senate office.
What one does years ago is one thing, and can be forgiven. But you cannot discount the un-American tone of his protesting. He now goes on pretending to be proud of his Vietnam war experience and has made jabs at President Bush's lack of active service in Vietnam.
You cannot have it both ways. You cannot protest the war while at the same time using your service as a flower in your vest to dress up what really is an un-American, anti CIA and military past.
First off, the liberal New York times ran a nice piece on the growth of the economy in the 4th quarter. Though it didn't match the 8% growth in the 3rd quarter, the 4% growth in the 4th quarter was evidence of a strong, growing economy.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The economy grew at a 4 percent annual rate in the final three months of 2003 -- a slowdown from the red-hot performance of the prior quarter but still compelling evidence of a recovery in full motion at year's end.
The reading on the gross domestic product for the October-to-December quarter, reported Friday by the Commerce Department, came after the economy grew at a sizzling 8.2 percent rate in the third quarter. That had been the strongest performance in nearly two decades.
Analysts were predicting a slowdown in economic growth in the fourth quarter as the stimulative impact of tax cuts and a refinance frenzy -- which propelled the economy during the summer -- faded with the onset of winter.
Which is true, the economy tends to slow down during the winter. People don't travel as much, don't buy cars, and tend to stay home. Who can blame then with the nast Northeast weather we are experiencing. 4% growth is still good, the only thing we are waiting on is a jobs boom, but that should follow. Just last week for eample we got this good news from Big Blue:
IBM will hire 15,000 new employees--50 percent more than originally planned--in areas such as software and services because of a rebound in the economy, a top executive said Saturday.
It's a start.
Meanwhile President Bush continues to spend like a drunken sailor. He just announced an increase in funding for the National Endowment of the Arts. A program much maligned for it's pork and for the types of art that sometimes comes out of it's grants.
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration on Thursday proposed an $18 million increase in next year's budget for the National Endowment for the Arts.
The 15-percent boost would be the largest percentage increase in funding that the agency has received in 20 years. It was announced by first lady Laura Bush at the endowment's headquarters in Washington.
I see what he is doing. Between funding AIDS research, pushing for a drug benefit in Medicare, his new immigration plan, and this NEA thing, Bush is trying to take away the pet projects of liberal Democrats.
Trouble is, conservatives don't like him spending like a liberal, and liberals won't give him credit for what he's done.
Despite pledging nearly 20 billion for AIDS work in Africa and around the world, he is still lambasted for it, and even though he promised and delivered a perscription drug benefit for seniors, freeloaders in our society say it's not enough. (these people won't be happy untill all their cares are paid for by you and me, but that's a different post)
It appears like there were no weapons of mass destruction. Chief weapons inspector David Kay did mostly exhonerate the exhonerate the Bush administration saying, while blasting the intelligence community's inability to get good intel.
It turns out that we were all wrong, probably in my judgment, and that is most disturbing.
We're also in a period in which we've had intelligence surprises in the proliferation area that go the other way. The case of Iran, a nuclear program that the Iranians admit was 18 years on, that we underestimated. And, in fact, we didn't discover it. It was discovered by a group of Iranian dissidents outside the country who pointed the international community at the location.
What is distrubing is indeed the fact that our intelligence community got it so wrong, but do you know who to blame? Well, look no further than John F. Kerry and Bill Clinton.
John Kerry had sponsored a bill to cut the CIA budget for intelligence gathering by $1.5 billion. Then after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001, he asked why America's intelligence wasn't better.
Bill Clinton was indifferent toward the CIA, and despite CIA Director James Woolsey's request for increases in funding for islamic language translators and a shift to focus on that region, Clinton scoffed.
Scoffed indeed.
I hate Ted Kennedy. He's a drunked fuckwad. I just wanted to share this.
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Teddy the red-nosed senator
Had a very shiny car
And if you ever saw it
You were probably at a bar.
All of the other senators
Wondered how he got his dames
They thought he drank too many
To play in any bedroom games.
Then one foggy Christmas Eve, |  |
Foxnews has a story about the influence of Blogs on this year's campaign.
Here's an excerpt:
"A blog's not going to have the same reach as a Washington Post or USA Today or an AP article," said Cameron Barrett, a longtime blogger now with Wesley Clark's (search) campaign. "But it does have reach, and people consistently go to online blogs to find information that traditional media ignore."
Blogs are collections of links and ideas, usually frequently updated. Their most recent entries are on top, and readers can generally post comments. Blogs are increasingly popular, and the software behind them gets friendlier to use by the day.
For Marshall, who has written for such print publications as The American Prospect, blogs let him mix news, opinion and personal observations with no meddling from an editor.
Blogs are the people, back to what the internet was way back in the early 1990s. I remember in college in the early 90s. The internet was a way for people to communicate, share their ideas. In the late 90s the boom of internet companies all but put an end to that, but now thanks to Blogs, people are communicating more than ever, and even have things to say about political campaigns.
From News Reports:
OMAHA, Neb. — Officials disciplined students who papered their nearly all-white high school with posters advocating a white student from South Africa for the school's "Distinguished African American Student Award."
Peggy Rupprecht, spokeswoman for the Westside Community Schools district, said administrators at Westside High School discovered more than a hundred of the posters throughout the school first thing Monday — Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
"The content of the posters, they believed, was inappropriate and insensitive to some members of our school community," Rupprecht said.
So this boy is not an African American? Is he not from Africa? If a person came to America, but was born in say, Italy, would they not be considered an Italian-American?
Is it not safe to assume that if you were African born, but moved to this country later, could they not be African-American?
I say he has more of a right to be called African-American than most "black" people who call themselves African-Americans because of the simple fact that he was from Africa!
Did you see Kennedy during the State of the Union? Everytime they showed him he was shaking his fat red face in disgust.
What is this guy's malfunction? I like what Glenn Beck said, he probably was shaking his head because he hadn't had a drink for 10 minutes and he was also h earing dead women's voices.
For one thing he was shaking his head when Bush talked about his education plan which was co-authored by Teddy himself.
And as far as the Democratic response; talk about smug. They had Nancy Pelosi and Tom Daschle. Nancy looked like her eyes were glued open and Tom looked like he was talking down to a person he hates (The American People).
I like the quote from Nancy, something about being a light for the world, and not a missle.
What the fuck does that mean anyway?
Dean apparently gets nervous about dealing with responsibility.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004 3:06 p.m. EST
Dean Details Treatment for Anxiety Attacks
Democratic presidential front-runner Howard Dean offered more details this week on psychological counseling he underwent for anxiety attacks suffered in the 1980s - and revealed that he had a panic attack the day he took over as governor of Vermont 13 years ago.
Reacting to news of Gov. Richard Snelling's death in August 1991, Dean told People magazine, "I hyperventilated and I started hyperventilating and I thought, You better stop that or you won't be much good to anybody."
The panic attack was understandable, Dean said. "To suddenly get told that you have responsibility for 600,000 people — it provokes a little anxiety."
Dean's history of anxiety attacks goes back to the early 1980s, when he said he sought counseling for the problem.
Wow, apparently he has trouble with responsiblity. He was worried about caring for 600,000 people. I hope I never get the chance to see how he deals with 290 Million. And it's not like Vermont has to deal with foreign countries. The French Alone could cause you to have seizures.
So this guy is a lightweight. It's not new news. From off the cuff remarks, to yelling at old men, this guy is not the guy to be in a national office.
Even if you agree with his beliefs, this guy does not have the constitution (or desire to follow the Constitution) to be President.
For the person who wants to be totally informed when it comes to the upcoming Presidential election, I urge you to visit Politics 1. It has information on almost everybody running for President from the Republicans and Democrats to the various crazy "Third Party Candidates". Here is an example of a crazy.
 Jack and his 'companion' in homemade uniforms | This is Jack Grimes
He is running for President as a Fascist. He is the leader of the United Fascist Union. Jack Grimes -- who previously ran for President as a write-in candidate in 2000 -- bills himself as the "Leader and Director of the United Fascist Union." As for his use of the word "Fascist," Grimes explains he wants to restore a New World Order based upon the governmental style of Imperial Rome "to institute a military dictatorship form of government over the Earth." Grimes believes that "the psychic is the next great step in the evolution of humankind on this planet." |
Weird huh?
From a Reuters story
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - To a young generation of Americans, Jon Stewart may as well be Walter Cronkite.
A new study has confirmed recent surveys that suggest an increasing number of young adults are using late-night comedy and talk shows as their primary vehicle for getting their news, particularly about politics and the 2004 election.
Those same people are turning away from traditional media outlets, such as newspapers and broadcast network evening newscasts in favor of the Internet and cable news networks, according to the Pew Research Center report, which queried 1,506 adults between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4.
No wonder there are people out there who think Bush is a Nazi or that the tax cuts are 'for the rich' or other catchphrases. These people, I hear them a lot, they spout a lot of nonsense, rhetoric really, and this explains where some of their ideas come from. Here are some excerpts from late night monologues:
Kilborn
Former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill says that President Bush was often disengaged and was easily distracted. In response to the statements President Bush today said, "Fruit Rollups rule!”
Leno
I’m not sure if Bush understands the intricacies of space travel. Yesterday he asked President Fox if Mexico has a moon, too.
I understand that these are just jokes, and they are harmless, but when you don't understand the context and if this is the only place for young people to get their news, that is disturbing.
Also disturbing are the softball interviews given to most guests. Liberal and Conservative alike. Guests are free to promote their agenda and influence young misinformed minds with diatribe and lies.
The fact remains, though, that there are traditionally more liberal leaning guests on these talk shows leads which leads to more liberal points of view being discussed.
The point is that a lot of people out there who spout opinions don't read newspapers or don't watch regular news. They get their news from comics or left or right wing only web-sites. They don't make their own ideas or know what a real thought is. They mistake passion or a lot of talk for true ideas.
These people are indeed the uninformed electorate.
Howard Dean loves to sing. Here he is singing his favorite song. I've included the lyrics so you know what he is singing.
 | Sing to the Motherland, home of the free, Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong. O Party of Lenin, the strength of the people, To Communism's triumph lead us on! |
Howard Dean apparently didn't like to be challanged by a man who does not appreciate his (Dean's) rhetoric. Dean let him know about his displeasure at being second guessed.
Dale Ungerer, a retiree from Hawkeye, Iowa, lectured Dean for nearly three minutes near the end of a forum aimed at winning voters for Iowa's Jan. 19 caucuses.
Ungerer accused Dean and other Democratic presidential hopefuls of dividing the country by bashing Bush instead of outlining their own plans and showing respect for authority.
"Please tone down the garbage, the mean mouthing, the tearing down of your neighbor and being so pompous," Ungerer told the former Vermont governor and Democratic front-runner. "You should help your neighbor and not tear him down."
 "Sit down old mother fuckin bastard!! Why don't you go and eat some soup and take a nap" Responded Dean to criticism |
Dean then angrily responded by saying "Sit down!, you've had your say, and now I am going to have mine!" Do you have any doubt that this guy is a loose cannon? This guy is a far left angry liberal. The only reason he is doing so well is because of a campaign fueled by unintelligent liberal "children" who never had to really work to support themselves and a family. They mistake "passion" for "policy" |
This comes from the Chicago Sun Times:
First, a Chicago man was charged with burglarizing a Wilmette man's home twice. Now the Wilmette homeowner, who shot the intruder, is charged with firearms violations.
On Thursday, Hale DeMar, 54, was arrested for allegedly violating the North Shore suburb's ordinance banning handgun ownership. DeMar also was charged with failing to renew his Illinois firearm owner's identification card, which expired in 1988.
Both charges are misdemeanors. A law enforcement source said it was unlikely DeMar would receive any jail time.
Wilmette Police Chief George Carpenter defended his decision to enforce the village's handgun ban, which took effect in 1989.
"Wilmette homes are much safer without a handgun, even if this situation on Linden [Avenue] last week was replicated," he said.
But Todd Vandermyde, spokesman for the National Rifle Association, gave Wilmette police a mixed review.
"As far as the FOID card goes, the law is on the books, and you have to comply with it," Vandermyde said. "He was clearly in violation of the law."
Vandermyde criticized the village ban on handguns, yet he acknowledged that Carpenter was required to enforce the ordinance.
"Obviously we think it is ludicrous to charge someone for defending his family, but you have to stand behind the laws, no matter how ridiculous the situation, or take them off the books," he said.
Carpenter said he does not think the law will come off the books any time soon, though. He said e-mails and conversations with residents have reflected their support for the ordinance.
DeMar, a restaurant owner, shot Morio Billings, 31, on Dec. 29 after Billings allegedly used stolen keys to enter the house and set off a security alarm. Billings crashed through a front window to escape.
Billings had previously sneaked into the house through a dog door and stole DeMar's BMW sport-utility vehicle as well as a television and a ring of keys. Billings, a convicted thief, was arrested at a hospital where he parked the BMW, police said.
After the shooting, police seized a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun and a .380-caliber Llama Especiale handgun from DeMar.
What can I say. This is totally fucked up. This is a two part piss me off story. First when they say the suburb's ordinance of banning firearms I would assume that this is a homeowners association rule. These pain in the ass two-bit politicians who run these associations should but out and let me live my life, in my house, in my way.
That's why I live in the country. I own my house and I am free from some halfwit ninny do-gooder telling me I can't burn trash or that I can only hang out laundry on Saturdays or something.
Second, the assertion that homes are safer without a gun in the house must indicate that they are able to instantaneously transport thier police to my house in times of crisis.
Oh, wait, the only place a transport beam exists is on Star Trek. So I guess when a madman breaks into my house, I can obey the law and call the police. In the meantime, I will be dead, my wife will be raped and my cats boiled in a pot.
 Doesn't this guy look like a born loser? | Meanwhile asshats like the police chief are allowed to own guns to protect themselves. Or I can break this assinin law, cap the motherfucker and put him out of his miserable existance and save my tax money from paying for this guy to get a sexchange operation while in prison. |
What is wrong with Dean. He is some sort of loose cannon. For like the 15th time during his candidacy something he said has come back to bite him.
This time it is a comment made in 1998 about the Iowa Caucus.
“If you look at the caucuses system, they are dominated by the special interests in both parties,” he said. “[And] the special interests don't represent the centrist tendencies of the American people. They represent the extremes. And then you get a president who is beholden to either one extreme or the other, and where the average person is in the middle.”
When comfronted with the issue he said this:
"If I knew then what I know now ...
"Iowa has been very good to me. I couldn't run for president if I didn't have Iowa," Dean told Fox News before leaving the scene.Â
So much for shooting from the hip.
He also made comments in 2000 about how he thought George W. Bush was a "moderate"
"George Bush, I believe, is in his soul a moderate."
Dean now calls Bush a "radical."
What is wrong with this guy? Seriously. He is frighteningly bad at keeping his mouth shut. I believe that this shows this guy is a lightweight. This isn't even close to President Bush speaking poorly or saying abonobablebleble instead of abonobable.
It's frightening.
From a Foxnews.com Story
NEW YORK — A campaign to market a new line of condoms to teens has some people wondering if it's conveying a message that condom use — and, in essence, sex — is cool for kids.
Jimmie Hatz condoms (search) — "jimmie hat" is a hip-hop slang word for condom — are slated to hit some store shelves Feb. 1 and are aimed at urban teens across the country. The company that produces the condoms says it's promoting safe sex, but critics decry the idea of marketing contraceptives directly to teens in a way that seems "hip."Â
Basically, what we've tried to do here is make it the cool thing to do, the 'in' thing to do, to protect yourself," said Harry Terrell, CEO of Common Ground USA (search), which produces the condoms.
The marketing campaign targets what Common Ground calls the "hip-hop kulture," particularly in minority communities that are hardest hit with HIV and AIDS. That culture is defined as any group of people — regardless of race — that enjoys emceeing, deejaying, breakdancing "or just loves music," Terrell said.
When you look at the numbers and the rate of infection continues to rise within the minority population, they're having sex," Terrell said. "We say abstinence is the only way that you're going to be OK. But the fact of the matter is, we can't hide and think that they're going to stop having sex."
To appeal to youth, the condoms are named "Great Dane" and "Rottweiler" and come in shiny wrappers adorned with a cartoon dog wearing a thick gold chain.Â
This is a tough topic to talk about. I don't think young teens should be having sex, but the United States has one of the higher rates of teen pregnancy in the western world.
Kids have gone wild, and there are stories about wild kids everywhere
With diseases like AIDS out there, you want people to be protected. Condom's are very effective against HIV transmission, despite what the Pope says.
As a conservative, it would be too easy for me to blame the parents, or just say teens shouldn't be having sex, and condemn this marketing of condoms to children.
But the realist in me who works in the prevention field knows better. I know that teens will always have sex. Talking about sex or giving them options regarding safe sex will not increase the number of kids who have sex. Just like having drug and alcohol prevention and education programs will not make kids want to go out and smoke Marijuana.
I think we need common sense education about sex. Kids need to know what sex is all about, what the risks are and how to protect yourself. We also need to stress that the only truly safe option is abstinence.
In this debate you can't let your moral beliefs get in the way. Common sense discussoins on sex and realistic attitudes regarding sex are the only way to address the issue.
Teen pregnancy and HIV infections are the alternative of ignoring the subject entirely.
Howard Dean, M.D. That is what his campaign loves to play up, the fact that Howard Dean is a doctor. And it's obvious why. A doctor should know what to do about healthcare when problems arise.
Dean even goes so far as to tout his record as Governor at controlling out of pocket costs and keeping people insured. According to his campaign, he cites 96% of children have health insurance, and 90% of the total population have health coverage. The dirty lie is that it wasn't really a problem when he took over.
When Dr. Dean took over as Governor the number of uninsured was about 9.5%, and about 9.6% when he left office, but due to massive regulation that number nearly doubled during his term. Due to the legislature's passage of guaranteed issue and cost ratings on rates due to age and not health status, premiums rose and health insurers left the state in record numbers.
To combat the problem he initiated massive price controls on insurance companies, set control on budgets of hospitals, and form a massive new government agency to do it all.
Again, it had the reverse effect, costs rose, profit margins fell, and insurance companies lost money had over fist, prompting more and more companies to flee the state.
His idea was simple, expand Medicaid, the medical assistance company for the poor. (Whereas Medicare is medical care for the elderly). To do this all he took bags full of money from the federal government. He doubled the rolls of Medicaid to about 20% of the population. This did indeed bring down the number of uninsured to the exact numbers that existed before any government regulation. But instead of free market prices, high costs lead to the programs costing more than if they were freely available though a free enterprise market.
Furthermore, the whole mess was paid for partly with huge tax increases, but mostly through federal subsidies. This in effect lead to non Vermont residences paying the bill for the healthcare of Vermonters.
He has the same plans for The United States if he is elected. Though he won't have a larger cash stream (the Federal Government) to pay for his ideas. He will be the Federal Government.
Though this may indeed increase the number of those who have insurance, it will far be outweighed by the huge tax increases and regulation that will be needed.
It will also serve to make the healthcare industry less profitable leading to less innovation, research, and fewer jobs.
Again, I ask. Do you see any similarities between these two fools?
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Do you see any similarities between these two fools?
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Do you remember the video game "Lemmings"? You control these lemmings and they do whatever the main one does. I like sending them to their deaths by falling off a cliff. Well that is exactly what the Democrats are doing now by following Howard Dean as he moves the Democratic party out of the mainstream and into the far left fringes of American Politics.
The newest Democrat to endorse Howard Dean is none other than Bill Bradley.
Foxnews.com
HARLES CITY, Iowa  — Former Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley  endorsed Howard Dean on Monday, giving the former Vermont governor another boost in the Democratic race for president.
Dean's "campaign offers American new hope," Bradley said. "His supporters are breathing fresh air into the lungs of our democracy. They're revitalizing politics.
This Howard Dean really freaks me out. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, spent his summers in a all-white and no Jews allowed country club, had a live in nurse, and was very well-off.
In a recent interview from her three bedroom Park Avenue apartment Howard Dean's mother, Andree said
"Howard didn't have the least bit of a glamorous upbringing.''
She noted that everytime she had a child they had to convert the dining room into a nursey to accomodate his live in nurse.
As many limosine liberals who were given everything in their life, they actually believe that money does grow on trees. They feel sorry for those of us who have to work for a living and think higher taxes are justified even though they hurt those who are supposed to be helped by their socialist programs.
Dean has basically promised to repeal all of President Bush's tax cuts and even go beyond that to support his liberal agenda despite the fact that partially due to these despised tax cuts we are experiencing economic growth not experienced in 20 years. (20 years ago was also about a year after President Reagan's tax cuts).
Dean and his supporters are angry, bitter, and in some ways Anti-American. They hate the success of President Bush because they wrote him off as a dumb southerner. They have moved the Democratic party so far to the left that when their agenda is taken away from liberal bastions like New England, New York, and L.A. they will get trounced, and the once proud Democratic party will be a shell of itself.
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So Pennsylvania has finally passed it's budget. The last State in the Union to pass one, we are finally done. Thank you Rendell for fucking it all up. |
Rendell, a big city liberal from Philadelphia, had ambitious plans for Pennsylvania. Tax increases, funding for all day Kindergarten, slots at racetracks.
To try and get all that done, he passed his budget in two parts. His first part was a balanced budget that slashed programs like Meals on Wheels, Drug and Alcohol counseling by, in some cases, 90%. He intended to come to the rescue a few weeks later with massive tax hikes and the like.
He underestimated what he probably thought were backwoods representatives who quickly moved to pass the bill, leading to the budget impass that finally ended last night.
Passing a state budget has been a battle from the day Rendell introduced it in March. In his budget address, Rendell gave the General Assembly a balanced bare-bones budget with deep cuts across many programs, including drug and alcohol treatment, libraries, and social welfare. The budget approved last night restores much of those cuts.
But in a move that still puzzles many, he asked the Republican-controlled General Assembly in March not to pass the bill and to instead allow him time to offer a budget that would raise the personal-income tax to raise $650 million to pay for early-childhood education initiatives, including smaller classes, preschools for the neediest, and all-day kindergarten. He also sought to legalize slot-machine gambling to pay for a reduction in property taxes and a major economic stimulus package.
But rather than wait for the ambitious spending plan, the General Assembly passed Rendell's budget in record time, forcing Rendell to veto the $4.1 billion education spending portion of the bill.
Since then, the state has missed more than $1 million in school subsidy payments.
Rendell said many people thought he would not win his battle for an increase in the personal income tax and increased education funding at a time when many states were slashing education budgets.
Referring to Yogi Berra's famous line, he said: "It ain't over till it's over. Well, tonight it's over, and we done good."
Well, I'm glad someone's happy. The income tax is going up from 2.8% to 3.1%. There is a new 6% tax on all gross receipts for Cell Phone and Local/Long distance, as well as an additional 35 cent tax on cigarettes.
I'm glad President Bush has been producing jobs, because this bill will end some, and lead more and more people to leave Pennsylvania.
We got him!! In a move this morning, American forces captured Saddam Hussein in a basement in Tikrit. Hiding like a field rat, he was taken without a shot.
This is indeed good news, though the battles aren't over. There willl no doubt be skirmishes, and there is a democratic nation to build, but this is a big step.
There is a question to ask. What do the 9 idiots running for President have to hold against George Bush? A big thing they did have against Bush was the inability to capture Hussein. With his capture, this is one less thing to hold against Bush. Also, most of the candidates running for his job would not have sent troops to war. This dictator and torturer would still be in power. Mass graves would not be unearthed.
Time will tell, but I just have to say that Democrat or Republican, this is good news indeed.
The New York Times is Liberal. Do I have to point this out? In today's editorial page they, of course, came out strongly in favor of the stripping away of our Constitutional rights.
The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, widely known as McCain-Feingold, closed two gaping loopholes in campaign finance law. One was "soft money," the unlimited, and often very sizable, contributions to political parties that were then funneled into federal campaigns. The other concerned sham "issue ads," commercials run just before an election that were unregulated because they purported to be about political issues but were actually intended to help particular candidates.
I like how they say sham issue ads. I guess when grassroots groups such as the NRA or ACLU run ads is a sham, but when a obviously liberal paper like the New York times runs slanted editorials or the LA Times sits on stories until it will most hurt a candidate they oppose that is legitimate free press.
They even go on to call for more reforms:
More, and more creative, approaches are needed. Now that many of the constitutional objections have been stripped away, Congress has a greater obligation than ever to address what the court's majority aptly called "the ill effects of aggregated wealth on our political system."
I would only have to assume that they are so much for these reforms because the large liberal press is now further empowered to attempt to use their might to mold American politics in a shape which they deem as correct.
American newspaper editorial pages were empowered yesterday, while the rights of everday citizens' voices to be heard by joining interest groups was diminished.
Well the Kangaroos in the Supreme Court of The United States (SCOTUS)
have in effect burned the Constitution. Your rights have been infringed, and these traitors, these lawyers in robes, have eroded your freedoms. These freedoms are in the Constitution to limit government from stopping you from living your life.
In case you don't follow the news, SCOTUS has upheld the McCain-Feilgold campaign finance, particularly the part which limits political action ads before federal elections. The First Amendment reads:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The element of the campaign law which limits ads is limits on the free exercise of speech and of redress of grievances.
The Justices who voted to trample the Constituion are Sandra Day O'Conner, John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Bryer, and David Souter.
Justices Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, Anthony Kennedy, and Antonin Scalia voted against the measure and to preserve the constitution.
You should be pissed off about this. This is a destruction of your rights. It doesn't help that President Bush folded to political pressure and signed the bill. Traitors like the five ambulance chasers who voted for this and for Senators McCain and Feinbold who introduced it should be held as American traitors in the eyes of history.
John Fucking Kerry is at it again. His new target of socialist hatred is the NRA. In a letter written to Federal Election Commission Chairwoman Ellen Weintraub he asked the commission to block any attempt by the NRA to get a media exemption to campaign finance rules.
You see, the NRA is trying to get around the unconstitutional McCain-Blindfold Campaing Finance law which banns groups like the NRA from running ads identifying federal candidates close to elections in states where they are on the ballot.
Mr. Kerry sais in his letter:
"We urge you to prevent the NRA from hijacking America's airwaves with the gun lobby's money,"If the NRA has something to say, it can play by the rules, just like the millions of people in America who do every day."
If the NRA had a media channel they would be free to editorialize and identify candidates like the New York Times, LA Times, and The Washington Post do. These papers slant decidedly to the left and are free to identify candidates whom they oppose.
According to the McCain-Blindfold bill a rich man like Arthur Sulzberger, Jr. who runs the New York times can direct the power of his paper to attempt to shape politics while a group made up of dues paying private citizens cannot do the same.
Of course it doesn't help that President Bush, in a spineless political move, signed the bill. If democrats want to point to someone who has trampled our free speech rights, look no farther than our Commander-In-Chief, at least in this instance.
From Reuters
A small earthquake has shook the Mid-Atlantic states, rocking some buildings in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The 4.5 magnitude quake wasz also felt in Washington DC and points north.
Democratic Presidential hopeful Howard Dean was quick to offer a comment.
"This is the sort of thing to expect from such a miserable failure as President" he went on during his speech to a black church "he has mislead the American people to believe that an earthquake could not happen"
Other candidates have also commented on the quake while campaigning from the New Hampshire and Iowa.
John Kerry quipped "A true leader would not let this fucking happen"
...developing.
From the Penn State Daily Collegian.
A "Conservative Coming Out Day" at Pennsylvania State University was denounced ahead of time as hateful because the phrase mocks an annual gay rights event and alienates members of that community on campus, reports the Collegian.
Sponsored by the Penn State College Republicans, the event was intended to show how marginalized political conservatives feel on campus. One student told the rally how an English teacher introduced herself on the first day of class by saying, "I hate Republicans."
Gay rights groups on campus expressed concern about the language on fliers advertising the event, saying the conservatives’ pledge to "come out of the closet" mocked their own struggles for freedom and justice.
Ahh, my Alma Mater, how I love thee. I can tell you from a first hand standpoint that Penn State is very liberal. I don't know if it is so much the student's, but the faculty definatly leans to the left.
I remember in a women's studies class I took, the professor said she said the conservative establishment enables women to be held in bondage and to be raped.
The funny thing is, I really never noticed it too much. I was political, but I just shrugged it off. My mother always said "play the game". I'm not about to get into a pissing match with a PhD who holds my grade. And also when I got a C in English 202 while everyone who agreed politically with the hippy English teacher got A's.
I also remember another time when our new (Jewish) University President said he would no longer allow a Christmas Tree in Old Main, breaking a tradition that went back many many years. Some pissed off students spent their own money to buy a tree, broke into Old Main and set up a Christmas tree, complete with decorations.
Mr. President allowed the tree and has every year since.
The latest third quarter GDP numbers are in, and they are impressive. The economy has grown a whopping 8.2%, much higher than the 7.3% previously reported. This is good news indeed for President Bush. Bad news for the Democratic establishment looking to unseat the President in the 2004 election.
From Foxnews.com
The 8.2 percent growth rate — more than double the 3.3 percent pace registered in the second quarter — represented the best showing since the first quarter of 1984, when the economy surged at a 9 percent pace. Economists were predicting third-quarter GDP would be revised up, with estimates ranging from a 7.3 percent pace to an 8 percent pace.
Near rock-bottom short-term interest rates and President Bush's third round of tax cuts motivated businesses and consumers to spend and invest more, helping the economy to move at such a fast clip in the third quarter, economists say. The next challenge is making sure the rebound is lasting.
Grasping at straws, liberal pundits will try to say that this is a jobless recovery, ignoring the fact that jobs are ALWAYS the lagging indicator for an economic recovery. It is true that we have had jobs lost; a lot of those were due to the recession worsened by September 11th, 2001. Now, many of those jobs are returning.
Right now the unemployment number is a respectable 6%. Compared to other western countries like Germany's 10.1% or 7.6% for Canada, the American worker is doing pretty well.
Six percent is very good, especially considering that full employment is generally considered between 5 and 6%, but generally around 5.5%. So though it is true that there are some Americans out of work who desire jobs, most American's who want jobs can find them.
This surge in the economy is mostly due to the cyclical nature of the nation's economy. The economy doesn't just plug along, it comes and goes in waves. But it is also due to the economic policies of President Bush. Across-the-board tax cuts enabled people to spend money, allowed businesses to invest in infrastructure, and provided more money to invest in stocks, bonds, and other investments.
Mostly though, this surge is due to people like you and me who work hard, pay the bills, and drive the economy. Continuing to do what we do will make sure this economic boom will continue. Put some money in stocks, buy a nice gift for your spouse, or take a vacation. American’s continued hard work will enable this boom to last, and push us into economic growth for the next decade.
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Whoever said Dean wasn't a socialist obviously hasn't seen this picture from around the internet. His lapel pin is actually the Communist hammer and sickel.
It makes me sick. |  |
I really shouldn't bash Dean so much. We have a country that is already heading toward socialism. I may as well give up and get a job for the government. They are going to be the only employers soon. Starting a business is increasingly harder as taxes and regulations go up. I give up.
We have President Bush supporting this huge new perscription drug entitlement program purely for political reasons. Sure, I think that we need to help seniors out, but pushing our country closer to socialism is not the answer.
One thing I do like about the "pill bill" is that in several large cities HMO's will be able to compete with medicare for prices. This is a good thing I always found it strange that the government would go after Microsoft for a monopoly, but happily support a large government led monopoly. Competition=lower prices.
Of course Red Nosed Kennedy doesn't support it. Last night while watching some C-Span, I saw him railing against profits, yada yada yada.
These liberals are totally inconsistent. One minute they are upset the economy isn't growing, and they next they are attacking companies for making a profit.
When companies make money, they hire. When they hire, people make money and spend it. When they spend it, the economy grows. When the economy grows, more jobs.
Did these guys even take any economics in school?
To my previous post, which I posted on blogcritics, I received this truly brainful response.
violence breeds violence, and war breeds war. Even the top western authority on islam has said that the only way we are going to solve the problem is by diplomacy.
Think about it for a minute - there are people prepared to die for their religion, their beliefs. The reasons for this are increased when western nations take military action against people JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE ISLAMISTS
it's just as bad as hudnreds of years ago when the english christians went on a massive cruasade against all who opposed them. Or how the spanish inquisition tortured unbelievers and burned "heretical" books. All this may be in the past but seemingly, we haven't leanrt anything from it, and that is the scariest thing of all.
All I can say is WHAT THE FUCK?
And who the hell is this "western expert on Islam"?
With the attacks in Turkey today, responsibility claimed in part by Al Queda, we have to realize that what we fighting in regards to the war on terror is nothing less that World War Three.
The ability for nations to live free and safe hangs in the balance. On one side you have evildoers who want to destroy democracy, led by people who pervert Islam. On the other side you have the free world, who's desire is to allow people to live free and safe.
Just like on December 7th, 1941, the war was brought to our shores. Unlike on December 7th, the 9-11 attacks targeted commerce and civilians. Nontheless, the global war of terrorism has begun. There is no turning back.
Partisan politics aside, we as a nation have to continue to do something to continue this fight for our way of life. If next year our President is George Bush, may he continue the fight. If next year we elect another leader, I hope he has the fortitude and foresight to see that this is a fight we must win for democratic nations to continue to live free.
We have to remember that this war was never promised to be a quick war. Just like World War 2, this war was expected to be long, bloody, and painful.
Presidnet Bush said so in his speech announcing the war on terrorism.
Now, this war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat.
Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes visible on TV and covert operations secret even in success.
We have to realize that. The world wide peace protesters don't seem to understand this. They demand that we hide our heads and wait to be attacked. We cannot.
I believe that the ability for YOU to live your life, free and safe, hangs in the balance. For the future of us, and for our children. We cannot stop.
From Foxnews.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An Alabama judicial panel Thursday removed Chief Justice Roy Moore and rejected his argument that he was upholding his oath when he ignored a federal court order to move a Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building.
"This court hereby orders that Roy S. Moore be removed from his position as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama," said Presiding Judge William Thompson. "The chief justice showed no signs of contrition for his actions."
Though I agree that God should have a place in our society, I think that Justice Moore acted wrong. A federal judge ruled that his Ten Commandments statue be removed. Though I disagreed with the decision, it was the law. In order for the law to be upheld, all laws, even laws deem to be wrong must be upheld. If he sentenced a bigamist to jail for having more than one wife, and the guy quoted morman texts, he would be found in contempt. We have to hold all people equally under the law.
When the decision to out Justice Moore was read, I did bother me. But to be truly intelectually honest, I have to agree that it was the right thing to do. Making him a Chief Justice and religious doesn't give him the right to this kind of civil disobedience.
The senate yesterday embarked on a 30 hour talkfest, led by senate Republicans who were dismayed at Senate Democrats who are using the filibuster to block several Bush court nominees.
Republicans were pressing votes to break the Democratic blockade of three pending Bush nominees: California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown, nominated for the nation's second most powerful court, the Appeals Court for the D.C. Circuit; Carolyn Kuhl, nominated to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals; and Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen, chosen for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.Â
According the the Constitution, only a simple majority is needed to approve judges. These judges would have all been approved on a simple up and down vote, but were never given the chance. Democrats refused to allow cloture for the votes to take place. Left wingers like Chuck Schumer, Robert Byrd, and Ted Kennedy have led the charge against these judges.
"The American people, when they realize that we have approved 169 judges and blocked four — four of those out of the mainstream — they are going to say, 'What is all the fuss about?'" said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
Well, this doesn't tell the whole story that until the Senate was shifted to Republican rule, that number was much lower. Many judges weren't even brought up for discussions.
The Senate is too damned cordial. Do you want to know how I would deal with it? If I was senator, I would get up and say:
"He assholes!! Read the fucking constitution!! 51 votes, not 60. I don't want to be told what is inside the mainstream by fat drunken murderers like Ted or cuntface carpetbaggers like Hillary. Vote of the fucking judges!!!!"
It isn't Capraesque, but it gets to the point heh?
From AP reports:
Sen. John Kerry, trying to jump-start his ailing bid for the Democrats' presidential nomination, has fired his campaign manager, sources said Monday.
Kerry released a statement saying that he made a change, that campaign manager Jim Jordan's job was being given to veteran Democrat operative Mary Beth Cahill.
Funny, I thought Deocrats were against unemployment. When he announced his entry into the campaign he said
"If Americans aren't working, America's not working," he said. (CNN, Tuesday, September 2, 2003
With Kerry firing his campaign manager he has done more to personally increase the rolls of unemployment than anything Bush has done.
Bush has actually increased take home pay for millions of Americans. Kerry just eats Philly Cheesesteaks with swiss cheese and Heinz Ketchup.
This probably made news out your way. There is his 80 year old woman who missed ONE payment of $572 for her local property taxes. The school district then forclosed on her property and sold her farm house and 41 acres, appraised at $800,000 for $15,000 to a developer who plans to develop it into a residential development.
From the Harrisburg Patriot News
"Her farm means everything to her," Arndt said. "It's life and death to her. She won't move off of it. She's been offered one million bucks for it and she refused."
Arndt, who is heir to his aunt's property, said the sale was "morally and legally" flawed and that an elderly woman should not be expected to understand the legal process. He said he has tried to explain to her what has transpired. "She understands that something terrible is about to happen and that I'm going to do something about it," he said.
Arndt said he worries that other older homeowners could lose their homes in a similar fashion. "We need to make this known to the public and we need to get the legislators in on this," he said. "There are other people who have to be protected."
This is fishy to me. I do know that sheriff's sales are allowed and used to collect delinquent taxes, but I suggest that there is more to the story. If you have a single elderly woman living in a single house on 41 acres you will not be collecting as much in property taxes compared to how much you can collect on 41 homes on 1 acre each.
This is about tyranny of local asshat politicians. These two-bit nothing school board members want to throw this woman out of her home for $572? This is almost as bad as when governments use eminent domain to steal private property to build developments because it will increase the tax revenue.
I've had run-ins with small town tax fuckheads, and I can tell you that sometimes things get messed up. To steal her house is wrong. If something like that happened to me, I know I would bring hell with me. Not only would I burn the house down rather than let them do this, I would sit in the bushes with my 30-30 if you get my drift.
This totally wrong.
It looks like Al Gore is against a "Big Brother" government:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Vice President Al Gore accused President Bush on Sunday of failing to make the country safer after the Sept. 11 attacks and using the war against terrorism as a pretext to consolidate power.
"They have taken us much farther down the road toward an intrusive, 'big brother'-style government - toward the dangers prophesied by George Orwell in his book '1984' - than anyone ever thought would be possible in the United States of America," Gore charged.
Hmmmm. Isn't Al Gore a supporter of welfare programs like Welfare while pushing for socialized healthcare. By the way, right now a growing mantra to support socialized healthcare is that "Every industrialized country in the world but the U.S.A has one." Well aren't we the only industrialized country that is the sole world power? hmmmmm. I guess socialism doesn't promote prosperity. Anyways....
Gore also went on to say that we are no safer now, and that President Bush has done nothing to increase security.
He also said the administration still has "no serious strategy" for domestic security - charging that there aren't sufficient protections in place for ports, nuclear facilities, chemical plants and other key infrastructure.
What did him and bubba do for 8 freakin years? They had attacks on the USS Cole, our embassy's and had evidence of terrorism threats and they did nothing? What is his policy to do nothing during his tenure and then blame his predecessor for not fixing the problem he created?
In a total afront to liberties, police conduced a drug sweep at Stratford High School High School. According to WISTV 10 from Columbia South Carolina the raids were meant to deter drug use and were specifically looking for Marijuana:
(Goose Creek) Nov. 7, 2003 - Students in Goose Creek say they were minding their own business early Wednesday when 14 police officers burst into Stratford High School with guns drawn.
Police dogs indicated the presence of drugs in 12 bookbags. One student was handcuffed as a result, while his backpack was searched.
No drugs were found and no arrests were made.
Goose Creek Police Department Lt. Dave Aarons says proper procedure was followed, "Some of the officers had their gun drawn in the low ready position, which is not pointing at the faces or heads of the students. It was down in a position where had somebody who had drugs on them and in fear of being caught makes a poor decision and decides to use a weapon as means of escape, we would be able to address that."
When are the powers at be going to realize that these kind of Stalinist tactics do not work. All they do is promote fear and contempt for authority.
Another case is the so called "Sobriety Checkpoints". These clear violations on our 4th and 5th amendment rights do little to deter drunk driving and net about a 2% arrest rate. Hitler and Stalin used these tactics looking for Jews or political foes.
Sure, I want a safe place to live. I want safe roads, but to paraphrase Ben Franklin. Those who are willing to give up liberties for a little security deserve neither liberty or security.
We have to stand up to these thugs. These bullies with badges and tell them when they ask what we are doing we tell them
"None of your fucking business"
or
About to get my constitutional rights infringed
The same assholes who think its unconstitutional to stop partial birth abortion think its fine to ban guns, and have these "Checkpoints"
Today its, "Have you been drinking?" Tomorrow it may as well be "Papers Please?"
A nasty place on the web is the League of Liberals. As a public service to them, I am going to help them write a tagline for their blog.
Here it comes
"Fighting neo-cons like Karl Marx and Vladimir Lennin with truth about the greatness of socialism."
The hate-monger racist, corrupt mayor of Philly, John Street, has won re-election. Helped actually by an FBI bug which he used to accuse his rival, Republican Sam Katz, of racism. Talk about calling the kettle black (no pun intended). When he was elected 4 years ago Street spoke to his supporters and said "The brothers and sisters are in control of this city!!"
I seriously doubt that if Katz won the election he would say something like, "it's about time we kicked darkie out the door."
It just shows the shallowness of the Democratic party that they would use the accusations of racism to win electoins. The sad thing is the elecorate bought it. Blacks came out in extremely strong numbers supporting Street.
Where was this anger when their beloved Democrats Filibustered numerous minority candidates for judicial offices like Janice Rogers Brown?
Well goodbye vibrant Philly. Well under Street for the past 4 years Philly taxes have gone up, businesses have left the city, the population has decreased, and crime and blight has increased.
I guess black people in Philly like when little kids are killed in the crossfire of gang shootings, at least they didn't elect evil racist Sam Katz.
I won't be going to Philly soon. The city is not what it was when Democrat Ed Rendell left it 4 years ago. He left it in great shape. He was a tremendous mayor (see I can be nice to a Democrat).
The corruption of Street is amazing. What is even more amazing is that the electorate bought his lies and deception.
Goodbye vibrant Philly.
Racism is alive and doing well in America. I am not racist, you are probably not, most white people I know are not. It is a majority of Blacks, led by their "leaders" who are the ones who are racist.
People like Louis Farrakhan from the Nation of Islam and Jesse Jackson of Rainbow Push are hate mongers, constantly stirring up trouble. When they see something they don't like they throw the accusations of "Racism!"
In Philadelphia there is a great polarizing election for mayor. Current mayor John Street is running against white businessman Sam Katz. Under Street's management Philadelphia is in the toilet. Street is beholdent to the Unions and special interests. Crime is up, taxes are high, and businesses are leaving Philadelphia for areas like King of Prussia, Camden, and Lewes Deleware.
When the previous mayor Ed Rendell, currently the Democrat Governor, left the city it was in great shape. A huge surplus, strong growth, and low crime. Because of that bad leadership, Street was way behind in the polls. Then the bombshell. Street discovered an FBI bug in his office. The FBI confirmed that he is indeed a target of a corruption investigation. Instead of hurting his campaign, Street's numbers surged. He is now about 20 points ahead in the polls.
At speaking engagements to mostly black audiences he accused the FBI (who by the way got the wiretap and bug approved by a liberal black judge who was nominated by Jimmy Carter) and Sam Katz of being racist.
Now Philadelphia is highly polarized. Polls show about 90% of blacks will vote for Street, and about 80% of whites will vote for Katz. This all came about because Street stood up there and accused the FBI, Katz, and the Bush administration of going after him because he is black.
This polarization is not driven by white groups like the KKK, but by mainstream black community leaders who love to throw the race card at adandon whenever it suits them.
When you disagree with leaders like this they say it is not because you disagree with their policies and practices but is because of their skin.
All that is missing is a white hood on Street's head.
As fires devestate California, we are hearing more and more about the government regulations set up by groups like Unions and Environmental watch dog groups which are causing more harm than good. I've heard stories about volunteer firefighters from other states being turned away because they didn't lack credentials according to California's Union Firefirefighters.
Now word comes that hours after this massive fire started, when it was only a small manageable fire, fire fighters refused to go after it because it was 11 minutes after twilight and ariel planes used to fight fires were not permitted to fly.
This comes from the San Fransisco Gate:
The first helicopter pilot to see the patch of flames that would become the catastrophic Cedar Fire radioed for aerial water drops, but state firefighters rejected his request because it came minutes after such flights had been grounded for the night.
Let me see, "lets let this fire burn out of control for a night as not to break Union or OSHA rules.
The helicopter with the dump bucket flew within five miles of the fire, before state officials told it to turn back, Weldon said. The air tankers never took off. Weldon was told crews would attack the fire in the morning.
"We were basically just offering our assistance fighting their fire, and they turned it down," said Weldon, who with his partner delivered the hunter to law enforcement officials who cited him for setting an unauthorized fire. "I was frustrated about it, but I wasn't surprised."
When will people start using common sense. These intrusive government regulations are making it hard for these firefighters to do their jobs. What's worse, California's strict environmental codes allow more fuel for this fire to lay around.
Lastly even in this mess, government officials like the State fire chief and soon to be former governor Gray Davis are using this as a way to call for more tax hikes and attack those who wish to cut spending or lower taxes.
I'll have more on that later.
About 2 years ago, at a previous job, a co-worker had a house he owned burn down. He was renting it to an old man, a hermit, who saved everything. He had piles and piles of newspapers, bags, and boxes. Well, he also smoked cigarettes. Well, 2 + 2, and it made for a situation which caused a huge fire.
Now to California: Liberal's paradise. A state which is so beholdant to leftist promoting the destruction of the second amendment, amnesty for illegal immigrant, as well as the world famous environmental extremists.
The environmental lobby is so strong in California that it is virtually impossible to be granted logging permits to clear old growth. It is practically a felony in some areas to even clear out old dead twigs and trees which are now fueling these huge fires.
You see, what we are doing is unnatural. In nature there are forest fires occasionally. They happen when lightning strikes usually. They move fast, are easy to put out, and in effect clear out all the old growth, leaving behind a healthy forest. There was one near where I live about 20 years ago; the forest is healthier for it now.
But modern environmental policies dictate that those fires are put out immediately. It wouldn't be so bad if we would then manually clear out old timber and dead trees to promote a healthy forest.
California is a liberal's paradise. And look what it got them. A state in financial trouble. Businesses are leaving. The population is shrinking. And the great lefty environmental policies are causing people to die and houses to burn.
Do we really want a nanny state like this?
In a show that not all Democrat senators are scumbags, Democratic Senator, Zell Miller, has announced he is endorsing President Bush for re-election.
Just FYI
I hear socialists like Howard Dean saying we need national health care. He wants the government to take care of you. He is against "Health Care for Profit". Besides the un-American anti capitalist overtones. Do you really want institutions as incompotent as state or federal governments taking care of you?
If you ever had any dealings with government red-tape, I hope your answer is no. A good example of how inept government agencies are is Children and Youth Services. In two states, Florida and New Jersey, there have been massive problems with this agency.
A child in Florida who was supposed to be in the care of a foster family just...vanished. And now in New Jersey, four young boys were found almost starved to death. The oldest, who was 19 years old, was only 4 feet tall and weighed only 40 pounds.
What makes this bad is even after case workers saw these boys, they still let the parents take foster care of several more children.
Do you really think that a huge agency like the federal government will be much better at taking care of you than a proven system of health care?
