The US Military in Iraq, demonstrating how to make friends and influence people.
2012 Presidential Election
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
List of Political Assasinations in 2006 (thus far)
Politics has been called a full contact sport, and the people mentioned in the above article lost their lives this year engaging in it.Is Prince William Ready To Wed?
William has been with his girlfriend Kate Middleton for five years now, so one must think they will wed soon.
Feds Collect Giant Rats in Florida--May be Cause of Disease Outbreak
Three feet long, and three pounds heavy--these things would no doubt give your average cat a run for its money. Encountering one in close quarters would be a nightmare.
Boeing Called "Travel Agent" For CIA Torture-Transfer Flights...
This rendition business that has gone on since the September 11 attacks will be remembered in history books as a dark chapter in US history, not unlike the Japanese forced internment camps of WWII. How about this guy who was snagged out of his home, drugged, chained to the floor of a Boeing airplane, taken to Afghanistan, and then imprisoned and tortured for four months? Oops, wrong guy!!!! Amazing. Let's hope that Senate Democrats come through on their campaign promise and open the lid on this festering, repugnant scandal through hearings and investigations...
The World's First Computer, Circa 150-100 B.C.
This isn't exactly a Dell Laptop, however it is fascinating nonetheless: The article mentions that it took an amazing 1,000 years after this was invented for humankind to again develop something as technologically advanced. The question then begs to be asked: is mankind, despite what we think, currently in a similar 1,000 year 'dead' period of innovation?
Carter Backs Gore for 2008
It appears that support for Gore running for President in 2008 is growing.
US Action Plan For North Korea Crisis: Ban Ipods
This ought to stop them from building nuclear weapons. Way to keep your eye on the ball, fellas! This is what I call diplomacy! Whatever you are paid, US Foreign Policy Expert--it is not enough!
Kid Rock: Pam Partied Too Much
Oh, so that's what it was...Whether it was the fact that he liked to hunt deer and she's a member of PETA, or Borat, or the miscarriage or whatever, it just doesn't seem like this four month union was ever what would be described as 'blissful', or 'a match made in heaven'.
California Environmentailists Push for Plug-In Cars
This group is nicknamed the 'green tuners' and are looking to improve the power efficiency of even existing hybrids like the Toyota Prius. These cars can get up to 100 miles per gallon of fuel, and are rechargeable overnight.
New Senator Jim Webb has Ice Cold Encounter with President Bush
New Virginia Senator Jim Webb is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. His son is a Marine serving on active duty in Iraq. As the above article indicates (banner link), he has no use whatsoever for George W. Bush or his jocular style. Undoubtedly Mr. Webb holds Bush responsible for what many experts consider to be the biggest foreign policy debacle in United States history. He is also concerned about his son.
Derek Jeter and Jessica Biel Heat up Vegas
Yankee superstar Derek Jeter and 7th Heaven actress Jessica Biel have apparently been heating up Las Vegas! Although, in true pimp style as the article says Jeter still responded, "Hell Yes!" when asked if he was still single.
Snoop Dog Arrested With Coke, Weed, and Gun After Tonight Show Appearance
Uh, Snoop, you can't carry those things in your sled! Plus, Snoop having weed?? No way!! Let me see some evidence.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wesley Clark Looking Towards 2008
General Clark ran a decent campaign in 2004, but would have to be considered a long shot in 2008. However he would add instant foreign policy gravitas to any ticket at the VP slot--something bound to be important with two wars going on. This article indicates he is taking a serious look at running.
Celebrity Stoners
What do Bill Gates, Brad Pitt, and Queen Victoria all have in common? As the above article indicates, the answer is that they all burned weed at some point in their lives. This book claims that Marijuana is the biggest cash crop in the the United States--meaning more money is spent on it annually than wheat, tobacco, coffee, etc.
Rush Limbaugh's Middle East Peace Plan: "Just Blow It Up."
There you go Rush! Hey, at least it's a plan, right? Either that or get everyone over there hooked on pain killers. The fact that 13.5 million Americans listen to this guy every day goes a long way in explaining just how George W. Bush was elected president two times.
Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson Getting Ready To Marry?
Well, that was pretty quick Kate. Interesting bit about Wilson's but licking tendencies in this piece, as well.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Barack Obama Considering 2008 Run
This really comes as no surprise as Obama is and has been a media darling for two years running now, and it comes on the heels of a media launch supporting his new book--so it's good for business as well. But let's get something straight here: there is 0 chance, nada, zilch of Obama being our next President, it just isn't going to happen.In 2008 he will have had a grand total of 4 years of experience as a United States Senator, the same amount as John Edwards had when he ran in 2004. In this day and age, with two wars going on simultaneously, that dearth of experience just won't cut it. The Democratic nominee will be one of three people: Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, or less likely Edwards himself, who has never stopped running after his loss two years ago and has basically taken up residence in Iowa, home of the first nominating caucus.
Obama, however, is a very viable candidate to serve on the ticket as VP for any of the above three in '08. I rate him and Wesley Clark as being the closest thing as one can get at this early date as the 'odds on' choices for VP. But no way for President; all the breathless speculation being nothing more than a media creation that sounds good but lacks credibility.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Bizarre Pre-War Saddam Video
In this video we see Saddam and his staff planning to use ancient guerrilla tactics against the invading American force. These aren't exactly Weapons of Mass Destruction. Was this planning superior to that of Cheney/Rumsfeld/Bush's?
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Google: Wall Street Powerhouse
This article has both the optimistic and negative views on Google and it's meteoric rise.“They can reinvest at a faster rate; they can innovate at a faster rate; they can create value for advertisers and users at a faster rate,” --Anthony Noto, Goldman Sachs analyst, on Google.
Dutch Plans to Roll World's Largest Joint Scrapped
Tip of the hat to the Dutch, though, for what would have been a great achievement....
Keystone Cops: First Daughter Barbara Bush Robbed in Argentina; Agent Mugged and Battered in Seperate Incident
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
"Happy Penis" Free Viagra Program A Big Hit in Brazillian City
One wouldn't think Brazillians of all people would need this; however it is a brilliant example of creative government improving the lives of the citizenry.
Romney Fires Opening Salvo at McCain for 2008: I'm More Anti-Gay Marriage Than You Are
With two wars raging, one being an unmitigated disaster, the casual observer might find it curious that gay marriage would be Topic A among the top Republican candidates for president. Believe it or not, it is precisely the type of issue that decides Republican primaries in places like South Carolina. It's also interesting to note that the McCain people were caught off guard and were unprepared to give a response--they better get on their game because this Romney looks to be pretty sharp.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Bush Spends A Grand Total of 15 Minutes Outiside of Hotel Room on Vietnam Trip
One can envision him looking in vain for 'cheeseburger' on the room service menu....
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Tony Blair Caught Telling The Truth
In a shocking non-spin slip up, British Prime Minister Tony Blair was cold busted telling us he views Iraq as 'pretty much a disaster'. This is comforting in the sense that it proves he isn't inhabiting the same parallel universe that Cheney, Bush, and Rumsfeld reside; however my sense is that both the British public right now, and more broadly history itself, will not be kind to Mr. Blair and his unfathomably poor decision to support this war.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
The Green Prince
Let's hear it for Prince Charles, who as a major public figure is at least trying to make a difference by setting a good example regarding global warming. He joins Al Gore in a noble effort to raise public awareness regarding what many consider to be mankind's most serious problem. This is in stark contrast to George W. Bush and his administration, who are utterly oblivious to the issue, with their heads firmly up their asses. America is one of two industrialized countries (Australia being the other) not to have signed on to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change .
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Stubborn Bush Wants "Last Big Push" In Iraq
It's interesting that apparently now W is open to negotiating with Iran. Wait a minute, I thought they were evil?? Where these additional troops will come from is also unclear: one of the lesser discussed fallouts from this unmitigated disaster is how it is literally breaking the back of our Army and National Reserve. Could an involuntary draft be in the cards if this quagmire drags on for several more years??
Gore: Australia and USA are The Bonnie and Clyde of Global Warming Debate
I don't know too much about John Howard, except for the fact that he sided with Bush on Iraq and that he's steadfastly been opposed the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, making the USA and Australia the only two major countries on the planet opposed to it. Those are two pretty big, nearly insurmountable strikes against the guy, if you ask me. George W. Bush probably has no earthly idea what 'a global warming' is, however one could reasonably expect that the leader of a huge country like Australia would have an IQ above room temperature. But perhaps not?...Maybe it's an Anglo thing? Anyway, continued kudos to Al Gore for being a leader on this issue.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Blair Splitting With Bush On Foreign Policy
This was to be expected after last week's elections made it clear that W is a complete, utter lame duck. Blair is no political dummy, and he is intent that his legacy not be tied too closely to W's. It is still puzzling as to why Blair hopped into the passenger seat with this drunk at the wheel regarding Iraq in the first place. Many including former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder claimed it was due mainly to British domestic politics; Blair was fed up with Labor being painted as soft on international affairs by the Tories--which is precisely the reason why so many Democratic Senators, especially those with eyes on the Presidency, turned into lap dogs regarding the vote authorizing Bush to use force in Iraq before the 2002 midterm elections.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Will The Real John McCain Please Stand Up?
It's common knowledge that after John Kerry had sowed up the Democratic nomination for President in late Spring 2004, he repeatedly asked John McCain to be on the ticket as Vice President. McCain, after reportedly considering the idea seriously, ultimately refused the offer from his good friend and fellow Vietnam combat veteran, citing allegiance to his Republican party. He did this even after Kerry not so subtly reminded him of some of the abhorrent tactics Bush, Rove, and company used against him in early 2000 in the South Carolina Republican primary, after McCain had thumped Bush in New Hampshire and was a real threat to win the nomination. McCain did the political calculus in his head and decided that his best chance at the Presidency would be to throw his lot with W and wait until 2008.
Since then, Mr. Straight Talk Express of 2000 has been more like Mr. Slippery When Wet as he has done everything save for getting on his hands and knees to spit shine Karl Rove's shoes to burnish his credentials among Conservative Republicans--the type who decide the primaries in places like South Carolina. From flip flopping on taxes, to supporting the teaching of intelligent design in schools, to being a steadfast supporter of Mr. Bush's regarding Iraq, to finally of all things kissing the ring of Bible-thumper extraordinaire Jerry Falwell, he has gone from being a strident maverick to a card carrying Republican Bush/Rove clone. Independents, moderates, and Democrats are scratching their heads wondering if this is the same McCain, or if Rush Limbaugh has taken over his body.
Mr. McCain's position on Iraq could be called "Extreme Iraq". Unlike just about anyone else in Washington, he advocates sending in tens of thousands more American troops to complete the job. Taking a position like this certainly hearkens back to his maverick image, the problem is virtually no one in America supports this as a remedy for the Iraq quagmire. As last week's midterm elections illustrated in stark relief, the Iraq war has become hugely unpopular with the American people and most just want to get out of there ASAP. So basically McCain, decorated war hero, is asking the American people to trust him--he knows best. Following so closely on the heels of his political metamorphosis, are we willing to do this? He should have taken Kerry's offer.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Hillary in 2008? Not So Fast
As our attention turns away from the deep pressure cleaning given Washington last week courtesy of the American electorate, invariably we find ourselves gazing prematurely ahead towards the 2008 Presidential election. Conventional wisdom on the Democratic (or 'Democrat side' as right wingers including W often annoyingly call the party) for six years running now has been Hillary, Hillary, Hillary.
There's no doubt she possesses the singular, irreplaceable, can't-be-taken seriously without it, don't even think about running without it, mother's milk of all presidential ambitions, cash and lots of it. Not taking into account personal wealth, Hillary's is Washington's richest politician, and if she decides to run she will have the assistance of the most prolific fund raiser in the history of the Democrat Party, her husband Bill, to dial up for even more dollars.
The polls for the nomination have consistently had her safely ahead of the rest of the field, and for obvious reasons she doesn't need to worry about name recognition like other candidates such as Iowa governor Tom Vilsak will have to. But before we coronate Hillary, let's address the elephant in the room, the reason many seasoned Democratic political elders are praying she doesn't run, the reason why she herself at this point seems genuinely torn over the decision: she is toxic to many Americans, and not just red staters.
It's no shock that Bible-thumping Dixie Southerners would rather vote for a martian than Hillary. Indeed, faced with a gun pointed to their heads and a bullet to the brain or vote for Hillary most would choose the former. I am being serious. The thing is, many moderate, independent, bell weather type voters feel the same way. Its often been said that 45% of the electorate would vote against Hillary right off the bat, no matter what she did, in a general election.
The reasons why she is so divisive to these voters are long and complex, much of it has to do with her association to her husband--they are seen as the ultimate scheming, do anything/say anything politicians. After all, here is a woman who was born in Illinois, went to college in Massachusetts and Connecticut, was First Lady of the state of Arkansas for 12 years before being First Lady of America, then moved to New York and became and was elected Senator of that state. That's political opportunism pretty much on a scale never seen before in this country.
But alas, we've jumped ahead of ourselves. Before Hillary even has the pleasure of taking on these forces in a potential general election campaign, she must navigate her way through an increasingly tricky Democratic primary field. You see to make herself more copacetic to those who wouldn't normally be inclined to vote for her, IE red staters and independents, Hillary has taken a determined march to the right on many issues, including several that may prove very difficult for her to explain to the more liberal, activist voters who turn out for the primaries.
These issues include foremost her vote authorizing W to use force in Iraq, in addition to her increasingly ambiguous statements on the politically explosive issue of abortion. Not only do they play in to the view of her being the quintessential political weather vane looking to please moderates and Independents, they are anathema to to the traditional activist liberals who are the traditional primary kingmakers, and a new, emerging Democratic primary powerhouse: the netroots.
The netroots are the mostly young, technologically savvy voters who in their infancy harnessed the blogging and fundraising power of the Internet to make a little known Governor from Vermont, of all places, Howard Dean, credible to the point of nearly winning the nomination of the party last election cycle. Just this summer, showing improved experience and more importantly coming away with a tangible result, they were of seminal importance in prior-to nobody Ned Lamont's toppling of Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut primary. Of course, Lieberman took advantage of a legal loophole and ran and won as an Independent, but that's not the point: Hillary will have no such luxury, and right now she is very out of favor with this group or for that matter most Democratic activists.
Her potential competition in the primary can be divided into two groups, the 'knowns' and the 'unknowns'. The knowns are mostly current or former Democratic Senators: Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, John Kerry, John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Evan Bayh are in this group, along with a Governor in Vilsak. Yawn. Even though Obama is a media darling as of late, none of these individuals are poised to set the world on fire. The 'unknowns' as you would expect, are far more interesting. Is there someone out there like Dean in 2000 who the netroots will embrace and propel to victory? Could they come to embrace one of the 'knowns'? How about Wesley Clark?
If Hillary does indeed decide to run, her enormous pile of cash along with her name recognition alone will make her a very formidable candidate, that is beyond dispute. However will the conflicting political winds make it impossible for the human weather vane to find a winning direction? Or perhaps someone else will emerge, someone who has been flying stealthily under the radar, someone who would have no problem at all raising the money needed to compete. Someone who could stand on the podium during a debate in the spring of 2008, with the quagmire in Iraq still raging, and say something like, "With all due respect Senator Clinton, there are two of us standing on this podium, but only one of us authorized George Bush to go to war in Iraq. In the most important test of your political career, you failed."
A phrase like that would undoubtedly set the netroots on fire, one can envision Democrat bloggers nationwide getting finger aches writing about it. Indeed this 'unknown' is actually very well known, and is only classified as an unknown because he has been ambiguous about his intentions--which could be argued is an excellent marketing strategy. As a matter of fact, he currently sits on the board of a company that's been known to have a successful marketing launch or two. Name recognition? Not an issue.
You can bet your life that Bill and Hillary have isolated who the singular antidote to the second installment of the Clinton presidency is. The one person who could potentially send The Weather Wane spinning out of control and into her political graveyard in the primary, before any general election. A person who would no doubt tap into the Democratic primary voter's notion of justice, who would give them a rare chance to right a wrong. This person as you all know by now is Al Gore, and he is the only Democrat who can and will derail the Hillary Express. Keep your eye out for that debate moment in the Spring of 2008.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Old Hand Called In To Clean Up Junior's Mess
I'm talking about this guy, not this guy. James Baker III is as much the Bush Family consigliere as Tom Hagen was to the Corleone's in The Godfather series. In current light, he can also be compared to The Wolf in Pulp Fiction--IE a trusted professional that knows all the family secrets who can be counted on to clean up the most egregious and potentially dangerous fuck ups. Well we all know who the family fuck-up is this time, what he smashed, and what needs to be cleaned up. Baker was dispatched by Pappy a few months ago to head up The Iraq Study Group (aka the non-parallel universe living, non-neocon, boy this thing is turning into an embarrassment, Respected Foreign Policy Group). The new Defense Secretary, Robert Gates is merely a stand in: think of him as a proxy for the entire old guard of the Republican foreign policy apparatus. You know, the guys that actually maybe even put on a military uniform at one point in their lives, who respected allies, valued diplomacy, and didn't bring the world to the brink of Armageddon with their rank incompetence. Think Scowcroft, Pappy, Kissinger, etc. But make no mistake, it's Baker who's stirring the drink. You see word came down from the mountain that the boy needs a monitor. The Wolf is on the job. Expect results.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Coming: The Investigations
Now that the Democrats have convincingly won the election and have majorities in both houses of Congress, those of us who have been clamoring for accountability and oversight on this Enron-like administration will pay close attention as the lights come on and the roaches scatter. First up, or near the top is bound to be Dick Cheney's old company Halliburton, where due to Iraq and Afghanistan, business has never been better. Billions and billions of dollars of no-bid contracts (what ever happened to the magic of the free market, Dick?) have been steered its way since the first shots were fired, and one can be assured of a new, different sort of fireworks as the company's CEO and others, including Mr. Cheney himself, are served with subpeonas and dragged before Congressional committees. Largely missed in the pre-election noise was a comment Dick made on ABC's This Week to George Stephanopolous last week, when it was clear the Republicans were going to lose at least one house, where he said he would 'probably' ignore any subpoena due the vagaries of 'executive privilege'. Ok, so we know that one will go straight to the Supreme Court to get sorted out, but that's only one case in what undoubtedly will be several. The laundry list of failures, corruption, lies, and ineptitude displayed by this administration regarding Iraq is as long and vast as it is breathtaking. So as the lid is pried off of this six-year rotten festered stew, do try to ignore the stench and pay attention: It might be cathartic for the tax-payer to see which rat-hole their money went down.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Rumsfeld Gonzo
After last night's election results, this was pretty much a fait accompli, although knowing just how stubborn and unwilling W is to admit mistakes, a small part of me thought he just might defy all logic and odds and keep Rumsfeld on. His legacy for the history books will undoubtedly be the spectacular planning and management failure that occurred on his watch that was and is Iraq. Who will ever forget the arrogant, cocksure demeanor displayed by Rumsfeld in describing an antiseptic, video game like 'shock and awe' campaign in Iraq whereby a miniature size American force zips in, installs Democracy, and then blazes. Simple as that! Or his glib "Freedom's untidy" and "Stuff Happens" remarks in the days after Baghdad fell when it was becoming increasingly clear to those not living in a parallel universe that this wasn't unfolding quite the way we were told it was going to. Or how about the strategic decision to guard the oil ministry and not the Iraq National Museum from looting in the invasion's immediate aftermath? That one no doubt helped us with in the confidence of the Iraqi people and built up good will. He was openly disdainful of Colin Powell, and his Powell Doctrine because he was no doubt jealous of Powell's fame and stature--and in a decision that will live in infamy an in which we are still paying for every passing day, W went with Rummy's plan over Powell's. Hopefully it will be a long, long while before we see a Defense Secretary so tone-deaf, so arrogant, so caught up in his own little world, so oblivious to facts as Donald Rumsfeld was. Goodbye Mr. Rumsfeld, and thank you for nothing. You will not be missed.
1,151,230 to 1,145,511: Virginia Senate Race Razor Thin Result
And control of the Senate hangs in the balance; with this race and Montana's Senate race too close to call as of now. To be frank, I'm surprised either race is this close: Allen you might remember is the confirmed wanna-be Confederate/racist who was caught on videotape calling a dark skinned man from India a monkey. As a young man, he also charmingly kept a noose hanging in his office I guess to fondly bring back memories of the good old days in the South. Additionally and perhaps even more alarming, he's been a Bush lackey as a Senator, voting in lockstep with our steadfast 'decider' -in-chief a startling and damning 92% of the time. How did this guy get a million plus votes??
If possible, Conrad Burns from Montana is a slightly less sympathetic character than Allen. In 1999 he was forced to publicly apologize for calling Arabs 'ragheads'. In 1994, when asked by a Montana rancher, “Conrad, how can you live back there [in Washington] with all those niggers?”, Burns reportedly “told the rancher that it was ‘a hell of a challenge.’” And finally, for the cherry on the cake, Burns was the biggest recipient of disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff's largesse, having received nearly$150,000 in contributions from him during his tenure in the Senate. Whew.
If possible, Conrad Burns from Montana is a slightly less sympathetic character than Allen. In 1999 he was forced to publicly apologize for calling Arabs 'ragheads'. In 1994, when asked by a Montana rancher, “Conrad, how can you live back there [in Washington] with all those niggers?”, Burns reportedly “told the rancher that it was ‘a hell of a challenge.’” And finally, for the cherry on the cake, Burns was the biggest recipient of disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff's largesse, having received nearly$150,000 in contributions from him during his tenure in the Senate. Whew.
Sea-Change In Washington: Dems Seize House, Most Likely Senate
This is a convincing result. As the pre-election polls indicated, a broad wave of voter discontent with Bush--most specifically his Iraq policy, washed over Washington yesterday. One can expect quite a bit of oversight now on the Republicans, including a ton of investigations into how the war has been run ie the companies involved in the contracts (Halliburton), and of the intelligence that was used to get us into Iraq in the first place. It has taken 6 long, mostly disastrous years, but the American people have finally awoken from their slumber. story
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Josh Jennings for Congress...on gas prices
Final installment of series. The guy is very electable in my eyes...
White House Caught Literally Rewriting History
Do they really think we are that dumb? Unfortunately, yes, they do....
Jean Schmidt's voting problem
This Ohio Republican is slated to get drilled today and lose in a landslide--as you can see she looks thrilled voting this morning...
Monday, November 06, 2006
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