Nü Imperial Observer

Letter to the President (and Others) Regarding Healthcare

2009-09-03T10:20:00.002-04:00

Dear President Obama,

I am writing to you in support of, and in anticipation of, serious and true reform of the healthcare (i.e., insurance) industry. First, I should admit up front that I’m unabashedly in favor of abolishing the for-profit administration of healthcare, and replacing that broken model with a single-payer system. Reportedly, you are as well.

The elected officials (particularly Democrats) in the legislature are calling out for leadership and direction from you on this issue. Including my House representative (Allen Boyd) and Democratic senator (Bill Nelson), who are copied on this letter. You could start by making one thing clear to them, perhaps during your address to the joint session of Congress next week: The so-called “Public Option” IS the compromise.

The whole concept of for-profit healthcare is abhorrent. This isn’t an issue of using profit as a motive to spur innovation. What’s innovative about finding new ways to say “no” to people’s medical claims? The healthcare insurance companies are being paid more and more each year to provide less and less service. They decrease their reimbursements for routine treatments, narrow their lists of approved treatment options, increase deductibles, and minimize the rates they pay providers for treatment. Maybe this thinking is where their “innovation” comes in. And these issues only address people with health insurance. What about the tens of millions with no insurance at all (many of those likely with the stigma of “pre-existing conditions” that prevent enrollment).

The post-9/11, frontier mentality that America does everything better——be it ideas, technology, or general creativity——is holding us all hostage. No-one wants to be challenged with new ideas or possibilities, or troubled with facts. You’ve seen the polls; many Americans are wary of any “government option” but, upon learning the details of what’s actually being proposed, they’re overwhelmingly in support of it. Sure, your poll numbers are dropping. Perhaps it’s a combination of people (the ill- or under-informed) concerned that you’re going to take their healthcare away, and people (like me) concerned that you’re not going to do enough to fix the legion of problems.

You’ve also seen the stats:
• The United States has the highest medical costs, as a percentage of its GDP, of any industrialized nation. And, yet, 15% of its citizens have no health coverage at all.
• The United States has a lower life expectancy (lowest, actually) and a higher infant mortality rate (er, highest) when compared to the same industrialized nations.
• The United States is the only industrialized nation to have “for-profit” healthcare. Even supplemental insurance (over and above what’s provided by the government) in European countries must be (mandated) as not-for-profit.

The healthcare company executives and lobbyists are afraid of any reform that would cut into (or effectively eliminate) their profits. And that such reform would actually be proven far more successful and satisfying than the situation in which we collectively find ourselves. To be sure, these executives and lobbyists are privately surprised we’ve allowed them to operate like this for so long.

The “Public Option” is just that, an option. It’s not a government takeover. Hell, it’s not even an option for those of us with employer-provided health coverage. If it’s established and proven successful, the façade of superior health-management by the private sector will fall away.

Thank you for your attention, and good luck Wednesday night.

Liveblogging the 2006 Midterm Election Returns

2006-11-08T09:10:00.000-05:00

Looks like the Networks have surrendered Election coverage to the cable-news channels (until 10 p.m.). Guess all the non-geeks are gonna be watching regular broadcasting. (See you at 10, Brian Williams . . . said the geek.) Coming to you from an undisclosed location . . . in Tallahassee, Florida:

7:00 – We’re over to MSNBC. Chris Matthews is already telling us that . . . Virginia is too close to call (Senate), but the “self-proclaimed” Socialist (Bernie Sanders) is gonna win in Vermont.

7:05 – Big surprise: All of our friends are late. (My wife and daughter are off to do a puzzle until all of the “aunts and uncles” show up.)

7:09 – Blah, blah, blah . . . The crawl says that Britney and K-Fed are getting divorced. I’m actually surprised they haven’t broken in with a live update of some kind. I’m starting to think that this is gonna be slow-going until 8 o’clock.

7:13 – David Gregory is saying that GOP officials are “bracing for losses.” Still seems like some of them may have some optimism about keeping the House, though.

7:20 – Taking a break while we try to set up a wireless router to make this blog more “live.” (Friends are showing up now.)

7:29:35 – CNN is COUNTING THE SECONDS until the polls close in Ohio, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Wolf Blitzer is getting excited.

7:39 – West Virginia for Byrd (big surprise). We’re switching to Fox News (for pure entertainment value). Initially, this looks like REAL news. You go, Chris Wallace.

7:41 – Commercial break . . . back to MSNBC.

7:44 – David Gregory is reporting . . . uh, reports of “presidential-year turnout.” (Our daughter is looking at pictures that The ‘Ju took of animals in his yard.) Gregory going on about a “glum” mood in the White House.

7:54 – Matthews is talking to Bill Richardson about his optimistic commercials (wherein he was playing cowboy). About 15 states are closing in six minutes.

7:56 – Some precincts in Cleveland will stay open until 9 p.m. because of Diebold. Chip Reid is talking about the Robo-calls . . . REPUBLICAN Robo-calls.

7:59 – Second reference to New Jersey as some kind of “cesspool.”

8:00 – ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? MSBNC went to a commercial break as the polls were closing. Over to CNN.

8:10 – Three obvious races called in the Senate . . . not much happening. Mr. Glory Hole said that Bill Bennett has money on some of the races.

8:13 – More commercials, so back to MSNBC, where Brian Williams is taking an opportunity (probably not for the first time) to let us know that he doesn’t like to express opinions.

8:30 – Tried switching to Fox News, but they had commercials, so over to MSNBC.

8:34 – Howard Dean chastised Matthews for invoking polarizing issues.

8:35 – MSNBC called New Jersey for Menendez. We switched to Fox News to see if they would call it. (They did, but it took a couple minutes.) Fox News is also calling Pennsylvania for not-Santorum.

8:43 – MSNBC called Ohio for Brown. Mr. Glory Hole and I high-five for the third time.

8:46 – Oooooo, Dr. Frist.

8:48 – Olbermann goes to David Gregory again on the no-longer-spreading of the Santorum. Mr. Glory Hole is giving us exit-polling data that shows Crazy Conrad Burns going down—er, losing—in Montana.

8:54 – ALL THREE CABLE CHANNELS ARE AT COMMERCIALS.

8:57 – Mr. Glory Hole is carrying on about channels not calling races in Virginia, Tennessee, and Maryland. (Why is Maryland at 0% precincts reporting?)

9:05 – C’MON, Webb! (Lots of unsurprising results in, too.)

9:08 – Over at CNN, Paul Begala is saying that Bush was an anchor on Santorum, when we all know that Santorum was his own worst enemy. (Begala is going on to prove that Santorum was his own anchor.)

9:10 – Mr. Glory Hole and I discuss the South’s black presence in the Senate during the Reconstruction, which I was unaware of. As Ford is gonna lose to Corker, BTW.

9:12 – Connecticut called for Lieberman. We discuss Lieberman being the most powerful Senator, should the Democrats get up to 50% (along with our Favorite Socialist).

9:18 – MSNBC calls Maryland for Cardin.

9:20 – Nancy Pelosi is already at the fuckin’ microphone.

9:22 – “Wonder twins activate in the form of . . .” “A douchebag.” (Future NIO bloggers Mr. Glory Hole and Prof. Thom)

9:33 – The Chicago Tribune took two minutes to load on The ‘Ju’s laptop. None of the cable channels are telling us what’s going on with Tammy Duckworth in the Illinois 6th. (She’s down with very few precincts reporting.)

9:37 – Dude, Keith Olbermann is BAITING Dick Armey with his party sucking ass.

9:39 – Jim Webb is still behind in Virginia, with many Northern Virginia precincts still to report.

9:46 – Bill Kristol is a bottom. “There’s no WAY Brit Hume is gay.”

9:49 – Tasking Mr. Glory Hole with checking on local (Tallahassee) reports on the Internets.

9:53 – We’re trying to save our energy for NBC’s coverage in a few minutes. Russert is gonna be ALL OVER the place with his list of states the Democrats have to win to take control of the Senate. (Trying to get others to weigh in on what time Russert’s “list” will make its first appearance, and Mr. Glory Hole somehow goes to Russert “nailing Andrea Mitchell in the ass.”)

9:55 – Chris Matthews to Charlie Cook on MSNBC: “Charlie, I’m gonna push you . . . I know you’re gonna feel this.”

9:59 – Is that Harold Ford wearing a baseball cap giving the Clinton thumbs-up? We’re switching to NBC now (to a commercial, apparently).

10:01 – Do we NEED this fucking setting-the-tone intro from Brian Williams? We’ve been watching election coverage for THREE HOURS.

10:03 – Going over all the “too-close-to-call” races in the Senate.

10:04 – Russert’s white board makes its first appearance.

10:06 – “Tom Brokaw could take Brit Hume.”

10:07 – “Why is [Campbell Brown] at the desk? Norah O’Donnell needs to be there.” “She needs to be ON the desk.”

10:10 – Fifty minutes before polls close in California, we call the Senate seat for Feinstein. John McCain looks very, very old. Sorry, you good little Republican.

10:11 – Brit Hume is becoming a running joke. As is Andrea Mitchell involved in various sexual situations.

10:15 – Bored with Obama, we switch back to Fox News / Brit Hume. Ooops, it’s Michael Barone. Yay.

10:17 – Fox is giving us more House races. We might stay in the House of Hume for a while. Ooops, commercial.

10:19 – More talk about Virginia. We’re certain that this one’s gonna end up in court.

10:20 – Our Senate-race pool is still tight . . . waiting on results from Tennessee, Missourah, and Virginia (which the pool hinges on). Closeup on Norah O’Donnell gets a collective “wow.” Mr. Glory Hole: “I’d like to chisel away some of that eye makeup.”

10:24 – “KY . . . you’re gonna get fucked in Kentucky.” “Hume’d.”

10:28 – I’m not liking Olbermann and Matthews at the desk together. Aaaannnnnnd BACK to John McCain. Jesus.

10:32 – We’re calling Hawaii for the Democrats (Akaka?). What time to polls close there, anyway?

10:35 – No, Keith, Harry Reid’s title is NOT going to change.

10:39 – Mr. Glory Hole checked on Tammy Duckworth in Illinois . . . still down with 10% of the precincts reporting.

10:42 – MSNBC cuts away from Hillary when it’s clear her husband isn’t gonna get to speak.

10:47 – Michael Barone (on Fox News) is predicting that Virginia’s Senate race is gonna end in a recount.

10:50 – “Is that a smile from Hume?”

10:54 – Negron (Foley’s scab) concedes in Florida.

10:55 – Mr. Glory Hole and Prof. Thom have pulled up a full-screen photo of Brit Hume.

10:58 – I’ve forgotten there are more polls still open. (Arnold’s gonna win; no mystery there, Jeff Greenfield.)

11:00 – Funny watching Blitzer try to stretch his blather out for 10 seconds waiting for the polls to “close” on the West Coast.

11:03 – I learn that J.C. Watts’ initials stand for “Julius Caesar.” At least according to Mr. Glory Hole.

11:09 – CNN projects that the Democrats will win the House.

11:12 – The Washington Post is pulling their projection on the Maryland Senate race, and Steele is reportedly refusing to concede. (This is according to Fox News, where we switched to see if they’d call the House for the Dems.)

11:13 – Over to MSNBC, as we need our Norah fix. And we get Brokaw. (Apparently, NBC has also projected the House for the Democrats.)

11:18 – We’re now at Comedy Central checking on the fake-news take. Jon Spencer is trying to prod Dan Rather into being himself. I’m about to switch away . . . and I did as Mr. GH urged me to “real” news.

11:22 – Everyone has Denny Hastert conceding the House to the Democrats.

11:31 – David Schuster is talking about the recount implications in Virginia. Apparently, many of the precincts still to report are in heavily Democratic areas.

11:34 – David Gregory is reporting that Bush is having a press conference tomorrow afternoon to “react to this,” and “reaching out to the Democrats.” Oh, NOW he’s gonna reach out of the Democrats.

11:37 – Ken Mehlman is a douchebag.

11:39 – On to Fox News. “Wow . . . it’s Clay Claymation Guy.”

11:40 – “Jesus, it’s Alfred E. Newman!” (Prof. Thom on Fox News White House correspondent Bret Something-or-other) I don’t think Bush is making many congratulatory phone calls.

11:44 – They’re finally showing numbers on Montana and Missouri. McCaskill looks to be WAY behind.

11:46 – We’re projecting that the Democrats will hold all of their Senate seats. (I think we somehow missed a call for Cantwell in Washington.)

11:51 – I miss Norah’s freckles. Goofy laugh, though.

11:53 – MSNBC threatens a commercial, so back to the House of Hume.

11:55 – I’m running out of nasty things to say about and/or call Bill Kristol. Oh, they’re spinning that this “remains a conservative country.” Thanks, St. Hume.

11:58 – Apparently, Arizona was called for Kyl. That leaves the four “hot” seats. Oh, boy, it’s Chris Wallace.

12:00 – Jim Webb has pulled ahead in Virginia. And, “there are no cities in Montana.” (That was me, after Brit said that big cities in Missouri could swing the vote total over to McCaskill. She’s a lost cause, but Tester seems to be pulling away from Crazy Conrad Burns.)

12:05 – Bill Kristol is tentatively predicting a majority for the Democrats (figuring Ford loses in Tennessee and the Democrats win the rest of the outstanding seats).

12:09 – The rest of my guests leave. (Wife has been in bed for about two hours.) I’m going to get ready for bed. Back to sign off and get some last-minute calls . . ? No? Dammit.

12:21 – Looks like we’re not getting any of those close Senate races settled. No-one can stop talking about the Democrats winning the House. Back in the morning.

---------------

At 7 a.m., it’s looking like the Democrats picked up ~~227~~ 234(?) seats in the House. As for the Senate, Virginia and Montana are reportedly too close to call (Democrats currently lead in each). Still trying to get a line on Tennessee and Missouri (no Internet access outside the bedroom where the wife is sleeping). Channel-surfing has revealed Fox News is going to interview TOM DELAY to get that unbiased view of how Nancy Pelosi will do as Speaker of the House. Imus had very mean things to say about Tim Russert when he decided to appear on the Today Show instead of HIS show. (“Anyone who watches the Today Show is DEAD!”)

Okay, they’re projecting McCaskill in Missouri and Corker in Tennessee. So the Democrats have to win BOTH of the races they’re currently leading to take control of the Senate. More later.

Us

2006-11-02T10:09:00.000-05:00

I was reading the “Zings”* in our local paper this morning and there were several focusing on Kerry’s botched joke the other day. The one where he left out one word (“us”) and, thus, changed his slam on Bush into a jab at our soldiers. Now, I’ve seen quite a few stories on this, and some of them reference what he was SUPPOSED to say (one broadcast even put up the prepared text of his speech, which was released BEFORE he misspoke).

I agree that he should’ve apologized, but c’mon. Do Republicans really think they can stretch this into an election-swinging controversy? Probably. Y’know how? By only quoting Kerry and not acknowledging he was supposed to say something else. Which is just what Fox News is doing. I'm really understanding the education angle now. Let's NOT present both sides and let viewers decide. Because that's how Fox "eductates" its veiwers to the GOP position.

I caught a little of Tony Snow’s briefing yesterday. He tried to deflect journalists’ contentions that Kerry left out a word by lamely pretending he wouldn’t know where the word “us” would fall in Kerry’s “joke.” Wait, didn’t Tony previously work for Fox News?

Here’s Olbermann’s take on the whole thing.

* From the Tallahassee Democrat. “Zings” are anonymous, very brief opinions that are emailed or phoned in to the paper and are presented in a bulleted list (my favorite!). Usually, they cover a wide range of topics, but some days have quite a few focusing on one or two big issues.

They're Only Playing with One Card. And it's Not an Ace.

2006-10-20T16:39:00.000-04:00

The GOP's new ad is a fun one. Are they going "all-in" in this high-stakes game? Does this mean there's no "October surprise?"

They Want What We Got, and We Don't Want What They're GETTING

2006-10-12T15:45:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, our president had a press conference about the . . . well, take your pick. War, basically. Trouble. Everywhere. Besides North Korea's nuclear saber-rattling, there's a new report out that estimates over 600,000 Iraqis have been killed in the Iraq war (the one Bush started in 2003). Sure, that figure is probably grossly inflated, but whatever. My favorite part was his response.

"I do know that a lot of innocent people have died, and that troubles me and it grieves me. And I applaud the Iraqis for their courage in the face of violence. I am amazed that this is a society which so wants to be free that they're willing to -- that there's a level of violence that they tolerate. And it's now time for the Iraqi government to work hard to bring security in neighborhoods so people can feel at peace."

See, because we Americans can tolerate giving up our freedom(s) so we don't have to get killed. By terrorists. Which we're reminded of every motherfucking day.

If the GOP can't run on "security," then they can't run. Period.

It Keeps Bringing Me Back

2006-05-11T16:50:00.000-04:00

I went on a politics hiatus. I stopped reading Wonkette. And stopped going to Clear and Present to torment Mike. I just stopped.

The summer before the 2004 election (or perhaps even before that), I predicted that someday, “down the road,” the American public was going to catch wind of just how inept the current Administration is. “The wheels are going to come off the wagon,” I said. Well, my Internet friends, that day has come. Or, y’know, came months ago. (Even years ago if you ask your Libertarian-Socialist friends.)

I didn’t feel like gloating. During the run-up to the 2000 election, and during the recount debacle, I had numerous debates with family members and coworkers about the crime being perpetuated on the electorate. And now would be a good time to bring out the coup de grace. Maybe I’m trying to stay above the fray. Or maybe I realize that it could still get worse, and I can bolster my case.

However, I’m still convinced that the Dems could fumble away this opportunity. If Bush’s poll numbers are still in the dumps in September and/or the summer is bursting with more Republican scandals, the Dems may slide into control of the Legislature. But we have to wait and see what Rove’s gonna do. An October surprise? Reigniting the Religious Right?

Being in Florida, I see a lot of what goes on with Li’l Brother Jeb. Y’know, how he was saying he definitely wasn’t going to run for president in 2008. But he’s flying over to the tsunami-devastated areas. And visiting the troops in Iraq. He seems to be putting a lot of effort into gaining national, and international, exposure. And with all the McCains and Giulianis possibly running as broadly appealing GOP candidates, they need someone with star power to carry the Religious Right banner. Besides, his brother wants him to run. I think he’ll announce late (like, the Fall of 2007) and get a lot of momentum going into the primaries. You heard it here first.

The "Rainy-Day File"

2006-02-11T23:06:00.000-05:00

I have a feeling, now more than ever, that the Administration has a file (cabinet?) full of 9/11-related leftovers that they're gonna copy-paste into press releases every time they're getting fucking shellacked. Team Scooter says he was directed by someone "higher up" to leak the Plame info. Abramhoff seems pretty certain that the president hasn't conveniently forgotten who he is. Brownie adamantly stated that he had communicated the situation on the ground in New Orleans to the White House . . . er, staff with the president in Crawford. Support for Bush's wiretaps and the Patriot Act is dwindling.

It's time to press the button. And that button is marked "Fear."

There is a Better Way

2006-02-01T11:43:00.000-05:00

After last night's State of the Union address, I can't help thinking that first goal for America should be to make sure that one party does not control all the levers of power in the government. The president went out of his way to use the word "bipartisan" as much as possible, but you know he doesn't view the Democrats as partners in making a Better America.

Down but Not Out. Unfortunately.

2006-01-24T11:49:00.000-05:00

Katherine Harris marches on. Now with her own party's blessing. Better late than never, right boys?

Bush's Brain is Back

2006-01-24T11:38:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend, GOP strategist Karl "The Architect" Rove laid out the 2006 mid-term election battle plan. Which, as you'd expect, weighs heavy on the GOP's post-9/11 worldview, and is fluffed up with a lot of pot/kettle/black. It'd be easy to laugh off the Republicans' collective single-mindedness if the Democrats had a strategy that didn't start and end with rampant corruption within the GOP. Which is bad, don't get me wrong, but John Q. Public will have long forgotten the details by November.

Up for Grabs

2006-01-20T16:04:00.000-05:00

Is this correct? Are there really 33 U.S. Senate seats up for grabs this November? Holy shit, this pool is gonna be interesting!

UPDATE: See, I'm retarded. Fifty states times two Senators each equals 100, with a third up for grabs every two years. Hello, Civics 101! So, yes, there really are 33 seats being decided.

I, Too, Have a Dream. And You (Liberals) Should, Also.

2006-01-16T14:10:00.000-05:00

The only thing exciting about politics right now is the 2006 midterm elections. So I think that's gonna be the focus of whatever-the-fuck I'm doing here. I mean, the White House is finally getting some resistance to turning this country into a Theocratic Military Dictatorship, and the Democrats continue to stumble around Washington in search of a clue (the meaningful Administration resistance is coming from John McCain and other moderate Republicans). How everything turns out in November will be a whole chunk o' fun, right?

My idea is to do a pool of the current U.S. Senate races, with the House seat-count as a tiebreaker. I'm looking to have a lot of links regarding these races and the various scandals that will help influence them.

Anyone out there predicting a Democrat sweep? Keep dreaming, dipshit. They'll fumble their advantage faster than Jerome Bettis on the 2 yard line in Indianapolis. Still, should be worth watching.

"And Then He Said This and, OMG, Can You Believe It?" (Holiday Edition)

2005-12-20T10:31:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it’s been a while. And?

I feel like if ~~politicians~~ the Administration can retroactively convince our country to go to “war” in Iraq, I can retroactively write about it.

I saw the footage of Jeanne Schmidt speaking before the House and was mouth-agape stunned at her gall. Funny how her “cut-and-run” sentiment was poo-poo’d by her GOP compadres but has since been recycled by the president. (The vice president most recently offered his version, telling the American troops in Iraq that “these colors don’t run.”)

The president is desperate to (re)sell the War in Iraq to the increasingly wary American public. He even has some of the “sheep” convinced with his constant “major speeches” and primetime addresses. His poll numbers are lurching upward. The Democrats are back to shooting themselves in both feet. Things are returning to normal.

And then we get the president foaming at the mouth over the issue of domestic spying. Not that it was actually happening, but that someone had leaked that it was happening. “Of course I authorized it! It’s my job to protect you!” How is this different from the KGB, again? And how is this knowledge being public endangering the effort to keep tabs on domestic terrorists? They have to communicate, don’t they? Focus on them and not the peaceful anti-war rally-planners. That’s all we care about.

“Shameful?” I agree.

The Empire Strikes Back

2005-11-16T16:54:00.000-05:00

First, take a look at the Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq, which many Democrats voted for (and now regret). The fact that it was a month before the 2002 midterm elections says something about timing, or the Administration's strategery, forcing the Dems to vote to give the president the authority to use force . . . or risk looking "unpatriotic."

So now that the Dems are being "unpatriotic" and questioning the president's motives, the Administration is pulling out all the stops to make sure Americans remember how grand an idea the Dems thought this war was. Y'know, before Bush started it.

See, this is where I'm stuck. It was a vote to authorize the use of force. Which Bush stated was to be a last resort. He sent in inspectors and, when they didn't find anything immediately, he pulled them out hastily and started gearing up for an attack. Two months later: Mission accomplished.

The GOP recognizes that they can't let the Democrats dictate the rules of the Game and continue to let the Democrats kick their asses at that game. So they're fighting back.

Meanwhile, the Dems' sole message is, "Bush is bad." Well, yeah. And?

Guys? Howard? You gotta give us something. Something positive. Something to rally behind. Something to vote for and not against.

Election Day 2005

2005-11-09T17:05:00.000-05:00

If we look at these results as a referendum on the Republican stranglehold on power in this country, or a backlash against stupidity, the midterm elections next year should be preeeetttty interesting.

Uh Oh (Part, What, XXXVI?)

2005-10-31T08:40:00.000-05:00

We haven't really had time to disgest Bush's nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, but this isn't a very ringing endorsement (not in my book, anyway):

“There is nobody that I believe would give my case a more fair and balanced treatment,” Lewis said. “He has no agenda. He’s open-minded, he’s fair and he’s balanced.”

He has no agenda, but he's gonna give you the "fair and balanced treatment?" He's described as "fair and balanced" twice in three fucking sentences! Forget all you heard about Justices with vaginas or Justices of color. When you're Bush and getting your ass kicked by everyone, including your "friends," you go for white and the Right. We have to assume.

Riding the Scooter

2005-10-28T22:47:00.000-04:00

We'd love for there to be a prison bitch named "Scooter" being taken for a ride in the "pokey," but we know that's not going to happen. The indictment itself was a blow to the White House, but the only beating we're going to get now is Libby beating the rap, followed hard upon by the GOP beating the Dems (again) in the mid-terms. Because the Democrats are hopelessly lost.

If you can't reach across the aisle now, while the White House is weak, and get some moderate Republicans to join your cause (should probably come up with one of those first), then go ahead and write off 2006.

Post-Coital

2005-10-28T22:40:00.000-04:00

So, after Harriet's withdrawal, I'm wondering who's getting fucked next? Will Bush taunt the champions of the Far Right by making the next nominee a documented moderate judge? Or will he reward those who poo-poo'd his ~~crony~~ first choice by nominating someone whom they wholeheartedly love?

I'd like to think that Bush was trying to have it both ways by nominating Miers, but I don't think he has the capacity to plan ~~even his own failure~~ that far ahead.

2,000

2005-10-25T16:26:00.000-04:00

Hey, maybe Bush's next reason for invading Iraq will be "population control for our nation's future stability."

Is that new Iraqi Constitution printed with the blood of our dead soldiers?

There's No "i" in Team. Or, Strangely, in Democrat.

2005-10-24T12:20:00.000-04:00

While the World waits for Fitzgerald to announce some indictments on his website, someone needs to let the Democrats know it's okay to come off the sidelines. The field is large, boys and girls. There's plenty of room for new ideas. A plan. Anything other than finger-pointing. And name-calling. The GOP is shooting themselves in every foot they have, so you should jump on it. Really. In a "game" where time is measured in news cycles, the clock is winding down.

Good luck. Losers.

Ignore the Men Behind the Curtain. And What They’re Saying. And Not Doing.

2005-10-20T15:54:00.000-04:00

First it's the frantic e-mails from FEMA official Marty Bahamonde to his boss Michael Brown about conditions in post-Katrina New Orleans (eating MREs and shitting in hallways) while Brown was busy grubbing in Baton Rouge. And now we've got revelations that Karl Rove and "Scooter" Libby might have discussed the Plame leak . . . but only talked about what they'd heard from reporters. Mmmm-hmmm. Yeah. We're buying that one.

What we have here is a failure to communicate . . . properly.

Democracy, American-Style

2005-10-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

Looks like the Iraqis are experiencing some of the same "problems" we had here in Florida during the 2000 election.

Questionnaire Reveals the Real Harriet?

2005-10-18T13:10:00.000-04:00

In 1989, Harriet Miers clearly expressed her support for a Constitutional amendment to ban abortions. Watch that pendulum swing back to the right . . . er, Right.

Stupid Democrats.

Big Smile for the Camera!

2005-10-17T15:50:00.000-04:00

Google's gonna be working overtime later this week. How fast will these hit the Internets?

The Best Defense is a Good . . . Terror Warning!

2005-10-13T21:43:00.000-04:00

You've probably read this. If you haven't, it likely confirms what you've suspected.

We're glad that baseball season is over (in every way that matters) so that Olbermann will start getting back to the sport that really gets our hearts racing.

Because President Starts with P.R.

2005-10-13T21:33:00.000-04:00

When you go into battle, it's good to be prepared. Apparently, the same rule applies if you want to have a meaningful discussion with a group of soldiers. Even if the exchange is being billed as something a little less . . . structured?

Yeah, we know, Administrations have done this sort of thing for a while now. But why does it seem so prevalent now? And why does, increasingly, "scripted" sound like "lying?"

Bush Knows Her Heart (Reprise)

2005-10-12T10:57:00.000-04:00

I've grown increasingly concerned about Harriet Miers after hearing the story about reassurances James Dobson received from Karl Rove. Speculation, of course, focuses on Miers being an "evangelical Christian" who is pro-life . . . and whether Rove's assurances extended to how Miers might vote on a case that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

The president believes in her, and has told Conservatives to "trust" him. The First Lady supports her, and probably for reasons besides Miers having a vagina (maybe she, too, killed someone with her car).

The Democrats, in true form, have no idea what to do about her. "Great, Bush nominated a woman!" That's about all we've heard. She could be a fine addition to the court. Or she could be an Administration-programmed ideologue.

Ode to "the Quiet Life"

2005-10-06T17:05:00.000-04:00

So, this is what qualifies as a "major speech" on Iraq? Chock-full of new, gripping information? No?

I love this part:

Bush also took on war critics in the United States.

“There’s always a temptation in the middle of a long struggle to seek the quiet life, to escape the duties and problems of the world and to hope the enemy grows weary of fanaticism and tired of murder,” he said.

But Bush vowed to not to retreat from Iraq or from the broader war on terrorism. “We will keep our nerve and we will win that victory,” he said.

I have a feeling that the days of "the quiet life" are long, long gone. Thanks, asshole.

Bush Knows Her Heart

2005-10-05T12:37:00.000-04:00

I guess there are lots of reasons to be uncomfortable with Bush nominating Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. Like, she's "born again," or wholly unqualified. (Or that she was nominated by Bush, which makes those previous two reasons redundant.) Many Republicans seem nervous and/or disapproving. Even Administration lapdog Senator Trent Lott has reservations.

But why is it when the GOP seem to be walking the thin line between inevitable disaster and overwhelming victory, they always seem to pull it out of the fire? I mean, this looks like a lose-lose for the Republicans, and yet I still can't help feeling uneasy.

The Hammer Plays "Hardball"

2005-09-29T10:35:00.000-04:00

I can't stop thinking that he seems to be brashly defending a flawed practice. Making excuses. Passing the blame. And that the PAC that he set up is doing things without his knowledge. Completely legal things, mind you!

Are the days of Republicans being drunk with power and manipulating the electoral processes coming to an end? Don't bet on it. My money's on continued scapegoating and obfuscation. Because the Delay's, Rove's, Bush's, and Limbaugh's of the world should never have to answer for or admit to anything they might have done wrong. Right?

Hammer Time

2005-09-29T08:41:00.000-04:00

Conspiracy, blah, blah, blah. Rhetoric, yadda, yadda, ad infinitum. The bottom line: Even if everything Tom DeLay said in his statement is true, it's hard (some might go so far as "impossible") to feel sorry for him.

Okay, fine. Impossible.

The Sun Won't Come Out . . . Tomorrow . . .

2005-09-21T23:54:00.000-04:00

No, this isn't a post about Hurricane Rita. Or the Yankees overtaking the Red Sox in the AL East. It's about the Senate Judiciary Committee's upcoming vote (tomorrow) on John Roberts. Maybe not Roberts directly (because he's gonna coast through committee and Senate confirmation) but the next nominee that Bush throws out there. Yeah. That's when things get dark.

I Kick Ass (with My Shoes I Got in the French Quarter)

2005-09-16T10:03:00.000-04:00

The talking heads were pretty frothed up about Bush’s speech last night, especially those fiscal conservatives (e.g., Tucker Carlson) who thought that Washington spending a shitpile of money (up to 100% of the bill) to rebuild the Gulf Coast might be a bad idea. Bush sounded like a liberal, yes, but I couldn’t help but think there is no way he can make good on all of these promises. And then I thought, wait . . . where are all the fuckin’ people? Had they planned to chopper in some refugees from Houston but cancelled the plans at the last minute? Couldn’t they have brought in some horse-drawn carriages and panhandlers? Oooo, that’s what would’ve sold it . . . having a 12-year-old African American kid walk up to the president, mid-speech, and say, "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes."

A NIO correspondent had this to say:

"I'm still waiting for someone to publicly point out that he chose a camera shot, standing in front of an Andrew Jackson memorial in Jackson square. Either these guys are beyond stupid ("Hey, . . let's do it in front of this kickass general sculpture, 'cause it reminds people that I kick ass!") or it's a symbolic way of saying, "Fuck you, poor black people!" reminiscent of the time (and conservatives love to point this out) Bill Clinton wore Monica's tie during his public apology.

"I miss the good 'ol days when getting blown in the Oval Office was the worst thing a president could do."

The "Terrorists" Have Won. A Little.

2005-09-09T20:01:00.000-04:00

Bush doesn't like the Press very much. They rough up his press secretary. They write unflattering stories about his Administration. Goddammit, they stand against everything that makes America great.

The Press are the enemy. Terrorists. And they've won. For now.

Members of the mainstream media and bloggers alike, for days, have been calling for the firing of Michael Brown, the ill-prepared, untrained, inexperienced director of FEMA. The White House's version of "negotiating" (with the terrorists) was pulling Brown back to Washington to do . . . well, something. Meanwhile, his job is being turned over to someone else. And Chertoff is answering for him at press conferences.

Look, the guy who groped Jenna Bush has as much experience as Brown in crisis-management; he dated Jenna, afterall.

The president claims that he doesn't listen to polls, and doesn't run the country based on public opinion. But the country found out about his blatant cronyism. And he has to answer for it. Along with everthing else.

Worst Disaster

2005-09-09T13:26:00.000-04:00

This is so great, I'm not sure I can come up with words to add to the glorious Truth of it.

(as seen here at Snopes.com)

If a Million Monkeys Were Given an Eternity to Create a New Language, at Some Point, "Rumsfeld" would Mean the Same as "Healing"

2005-09-06T16:43:00.000-04:00

You know, I've been thinking a lot about how the on-going "war" in Iraq contributed to the slow response from our National Guard. And now Donald Rumsfeld is assuring us that the Katrina crisis will not diminish America's capabilities to wage wars, including the morass we are currently stuck in.

Rumsfeld was asked about criticism from some who say the commitment of large numbers of troops to the Iraq conflict, including National Guard soldiers from Louisiana and Mississippi, hindered the military's response to Hurricane Katrina.

"Anyone who's saying that doesn't understand the situation," he replied.

Well, I do understand that the hundreds of billions we've spent in Iraq won't affect the lives of Americans very much at all (other than thousands of people losing a family member or three), while that kind of money would've gone a long way to improve the lives of those on the Gulf Coast.

I'm certainly glad that we have our priorites in order. Better rethink those tax breaks, there, George.

Divine Design comes to Tallahassee

2005-09-01T10:55:00.000-04:00

Cheri Yecke was fired from her job by the Senate of Minnesota. She was removed from her position as state education commissioner, and as the Lakeland Ledger notes:
[T]hose voting to dismiss her noted that she had polarized parents and the education community by requiring too much student testing and promoting a rightwing agenda in the schools.

Now, she will be running Florida's K-12 schools under the Department of Education. What sort of agenda might we expect from her? Discussion in "Comments."

2005-09-01T10:52:00.000-04:00

From antichimp.

(Intelligent) Design on the Presidency

2005-08-31T11:54:00.000-04:00

I'd heard last week that John McCain is backing the presidents support for teaching "Intelligent Design" in schools. Knowing that the Achilles Heel of his GOP support seems to stem from disenchanted evangelicals (some of whom, in South Carolina, may think that he fathered a child with a black prostitute), this would seem to be an attempt to shore up support for a presidential run. Which makes him less of a renegade and more of a by-the-book politician. The same problem Hillary has, apparently. And then he's stupid to boot.

I really thought there was an upside to this, something that makes McCain look good but, alas, it is not to be.

The End of the World

2005-08-26T17:08:00.000-04:00

We need to talk every day, The Internet. I miss you. Okay? Together, we can solve the problems of the World. Until it's destroyed. Like in this nifty Flash animation. By far the funniest apocalypse ever.

Thanks to Styro for ~~destroying my ability to be productive~~ the link.

Mission: "You Complete Me"

2005-08-25T12:11:00.000-04:00

Bush is stumping for support for the War in Iraq as polls show that a majority of Americans now think it was mistake to invade Iraq in the first place. He's recently addressed groups in Utah and Idaho. The new spin: He has overwhelming support from the families of military personnel.

It's nice to know that a majority of those he's sent to fight a war of covenience support his decision to send them. I wonder if the GOP is looking at ways to make the votes of servicemen/women count three times as much.

On Being Bush

2005-08-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

Thanks to our faithful (only?) reader, Melman, for stepping up to the plate and particpating in the betterment of America.

If you forgot what this was about, I'd asked for some words to help spruce up a recent presidential address in an effort to boost our dear leader's vocabulary. Here is the unaltered text:

"I believe a compassionate America is one that taps into the strength of the country. Those are the hearts and souls of our people. I like to remind our citizens, government can hand out money but it cannot put hope in a person's heart. That happens when a loving soul puts their arm around somebody in need, and says, what can I do to help you. That's the whole crux of the faith and community initiative -- faith-based and community initiative that I have worked with Congress on and worked with my administration on to spread compassion in America. Oh, I know there's a big debate here in Washington about separation of church and state, and I accept that debate. And I think it's important. The church should never be the state and the state should never be the church. No question about it."

And here is the new and improved text:

"I believe a festering America is one that runs into the trust of the country. Those are the elbows and souls of our people. I like to remind our citizens, government can hand out shit but it cannot put perversion in a person's pie hole. That happens when a bloody soul puts their testicle against somebody in need, and says, What can I do to help you. That's the whole crux of the faith-based and community initiative that I have punted with Congress on and worked with my administration on to slip deceit in America. Oh, I know there's a big debate here in Washington about separation of church and state, and I drop that debate. And I think it's smelly. The church should never be the dad and the state should never be the Hell. No question about it."

Better? No question about it.

Help Wanted: Speechwriter

2005-08-16T11:47:00.000-04:00

I read in Newsweek a month ago that there's already talk about what kind of book Dubya is going to write once he's out of office. His daddy penned a book on foreign-policy, while Clinton wrote one about himself (and sold 2.1 million copies). What will our current leader come up with?

Well, presumably, it'll be short, whatever it is. And make use of many of the same words over and over and over . . . in seemingly random order.

Perhaps we need to help the president expand his vocabulary. I've taken a paragraph from a recent speech (that he surely did not write) and I need suggestions on some replacement words. It's not a mad lib . . . it's America.

adjective
verb ending in “s”
abstract noun
plural body part
noun
abstract noun
oriface
adjective
body part
preposition
verb ending in “ed”
verb
abstract noun
verb
adjective
noun
noun

E-mail your suggestions, or post them in the comments. The resulting speech "excerpt" will be posted here.

A Story We Didn't Even "Makeup"

2005-08-04T12:28:00.000-04:00

Katherine Harris, the Florida-Secretary-of-State-turned-U.S.-Congresswoman, has accused (unidentified) newspapers with distorting her makeup in photos to poke fun at her and sully her image. Y'know what does great things for your image? Helping ignorant dipshits steal elections. Or so I've heard.

Intelligent Design: The Noodly Edition

2005-08-04T09:41:00.000-04:00

As the president has announced his support for the teaching of "intelligent design" in schools, we eagerly await the textbooks. The thought of seeing the theory of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in print makes us all tingly. He must be so proud.

Uniting the Nations (Against Us)

2005-08-01T12:59:00.000-04:00

Somewhere in the bowels of the White House, there was another in a series of conversations about what the president could do to get "Rovegate" off the front page. The nomination of John Roberts obviously hadn't had the desired affect. They needed something grand. Something bold. And, as it turned out, something stupid.

The naming of John Bolton as our U.N. ambassador is irretrievably dumb. Like, "Wow. That's just . . . bad" dumb.

So dumb, in fact, that I forgot about the whole Karl Rove thing for a minute. Or two.

I really want to express my distaste for this, as well as help get the message out to the "masses." So, I'll aid the Google users in finding this Nugget of Truth and Wisdom. My two-pronged attack, as it were:

anal teens . . . cum slut . . . huge black cocks . . . Karl Rove . . . hot coffee . . . hot lunch . . . bukkake pictures . . . John Bolton . . . earning your red wings . . . dirty sanchez . . . fisting . . . spreading santorum . . . Rick Santorum . . . angry dragon . . . Paris Hilton . . . Tom Cruise . . . I'm Rick James, bitch . . . hard, thick ram rods of the Apocalypse . . . NASCAR . . .

It's called raising the level of discourse. In a round-about way.

Reflection

2005-07-28T17:09:00.000-04:00

No, I haven’t stopped caring. I’m just quietly observing. Y’know, resting. Saving my strength, as it were.

Really, there hasn’t been much too get excited about. Woo-hoo, go Lance. Yay, we made it back to space in one piece (and, hopefully, we can make it back). But, crap, the terrorists have struck again one and a half times. (Are we really winning this thing? It’s hard to tell.)

In politics, the Democrats are getting all geared up to shoot themselves in the foot over this John Roberts thing. C’mon, guys. You’re gonna lose. Let’s not have a big scene where everyone ends up getting all dirty. The guy’s not fuckin’ Bork, fer Christ’s sake! Save your ammunition for Rove. I mean, if you care at all about derailing the Bush Express, nailing Karl is the way to go, right? After all, he’s a prick. Roberts seems like a genuinely nice guy.

More encouraging is George Pataki’s announcement that he’s not going to run for governor of New York next year, which will free him up for something bigger. Man, I hope he runs for president and gets some support (this time). It’d be awesome to see the GOP split between a sensible candidate and a Servant of the Flock.

We Now Return You to Your Regularly Scheduled Program

2005-07-20T15:06:00.000-04:00

So . . . John Roberts is the president's nominee to the Supreme Court. Can we get back to calling for Karl Rove's firing now?

If Bush was really concerned with making Rovegate go away, perhaps he should've nominated someone who was more (obviously) conservative. What a fucking stunt. He knew the Senate wasn't going to rush back to rubber-stamp the guy.

This Post Brought to You by the Letter "W" and the Number Zero

2005-07-18T17:08:00.000-04:00

I have a sneaking suspicion that we’re soon going to find out how the president’s definition of simple words might differ from ours. Words like “mainstream” and “crime.”

The (Slow) Week in Review

2005-07-15T16:51:00.000-04:00

In England (and Pakistan), investigators are making key arrests in the terror attack on the London mass-transit system.

The shuttle is still not going anywhere.

Chief Justice Rehnquist is not retiring (yet).

In the CIA-leak investigation, no arrests besides the already-jailed journalists. Investigation not going anywhere. And no-one's getting fired. Actually, Fox News is reporting that Rove's throwing the blame back on the media, saying that he heard the Plame name from Robert Novak.

Changing the Tone No Longer

2005-07-12T15:20:00.000-04:00

Bush’s campaign promise (the first time around) to “change the tone in Washington” and to “bring respect to the office” has finally and completely fallen into “politics-as-usual.” Oh, and Wonkette says Bush is the new Clinton.

Watching Scotty Grow

2005-07-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

Ouch. Mr. McClellan will probably wait to fully respond to the questions when he "writes" a fucking book like Ari Fleisher.

Is this the press corps not playing nicely with others, or "the American people" growing tired of being lied to?

Conspiracy Theory One: Sandra Fucked the Liberals by Retiring First

2005-07-07T19:56:00.000-04:00

All the Elitist, Liberal Pig-Dogs have been fondly memorializing Sandra Day O'Connor's time on the Bench. And then snuggling up to Bush-friend Alberto Gonzales as a like-minded "moderate" (as if the mean-spirited Cultural Conservatives had chased him into their open arms).

But now comes word from the Prince of Darkness that ailing Chief Justice "Bill" Rehnquist is, as expected, going to step down. This gives the president the opening to nominate his pal (who the Liberals "want") and then someone much, much, much more of a hardcore Conservative. Potentially, it's a huge win-win situation for the president . . . and a lose-lose for, well, maybe anywone and everyone who's afraid of a little Theocracy and enjoys basic Human Rights.

Oh, You Want Some?

2005-07-07T12:17:00.000-04:00

So, now London's been attacked by terrorists. Oh, man. All the clerics and "moo-lahs" in Iran had better watch out, because we hear that they really do harbor terrorists and reportedly have "nu-cu-lar" ambitions. Yeah, when we get done with Iraq in, oh, ten years or so, we're totally gonna fuck yer shit up.

Lust for Life

2005-07-05T15:28:00.000-04:00

I have a funny feeling about these preemptive attacks on Alberto Gonzales by conservative groups claiming he’s not conservative enough of a choice for the Supreme Court. Is this some (other) smoke-and-mirrors play to make pro-choicers embrace him only to have their “evil” plot foiled when Gonzales votes to overturn Roe v. Wade sometime down the road?

America seems to be solidly behind the “legal, safe, and rare” abortion ideal. So, now the Democrats for Life and the National Right to Life Committee want everyone to know that the Court striking down Roe v. Wade wouldn’t make abortion immediately legal. Well, in 43 states, anyway.

Uh-Oh. This One's About to Go to Eleven.

2005-07-01T12:32:00.000-04:00

I guess this shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, as she’d mentioned wanting to retire during the 2000 election debacle (when her vote was one of the five that handed the presidency to Bush). Still, everyone’s been so focused on Rehnquist retiring, we forgot about Sandra Day.

Anyway, use whatever analogy you like (I’m partial to, “Watch the cultural conservatives go from zero to frothy”), we’re in for a shitstorm of a debate. Nuclear option? That's nothing. When the dust settles, get ready for a run on coat hangers, a rash of women throwing themselves down stairs, and an epidemic of rappers punching their girlfriends in the stomach.

"My Mom Says I'm a Catch, I'm Popular." (Or Not.)

2005-06-29T14:30:00.000-04:00

To bolster his sagging approval rating and the country’s waning confidence in our “mission” in Iraq, the president scheduled an address to the nation . . . held at Fort Bragg, with his “audience” being a group of soldiers. As opposed to a press conference where he’d have to actually answer questions. (You’d think that speaking in front of a group of people you have, by extension, been sending to die for the past two years would be harder than speaking to the White House press corps.)

We were promised (or I was promised, by Kelly O’Donnell of NBC Nightly News) “something we haven’t heard before.” What, like a new justification for invading Iraq? See, this is why I’m so confused about the Downing Street memos. Because, if you believe them, the memos suggest that the facts in Iraq were being shaped to justify going to war. Which is kind-of like how the current reality in Iraq is being used to retroactively justify the invasion. First it’s “regime change,” then WMD, then “freeing the Iraqi people,” then the “War on Terror.” Why does no-one believe that this Administration is capable of this level of deception?

So, anyway, back to the speech:

∞ “Their aim is to remake the Middle East in their own grim image of tyranny and oppression — by toppling governments, by driving us out of the region, and by exporting terror.” Really? Because the same could be said of us, no? From the Muslim perspective? Might be why they hate us?

∞ “Our mission in Iraq is clear. We’re hunting down the terrorists.” Again, really? Why didn’t you just say so back in March 2003? I know I don’t know nothin’, but it seems to me that Iraq is only a success in that it’s the front in the War on Terror because it’s a fuckin’ terror magnet. “Some wonder whether Iraq is a central front in the war on terror. Among the terrorists, there is no debate.” WE MADE IRAQ SAFE FOR TERRORISTS! JUST ASK THEM!

∞ “Some of the violence you see in Iraq is being carried out by ruthless killers who are converging on Iraq to fight the advance of peace and freedom. Our military reports that we’ve killed or captured hundreds of foreign fighters in Iraq who have come from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and others.” Look, I don’t wanna split hairs, but isn’t Zarqawi from Jordan? Still, if the president didn’t want to upset our allies, perhaps he shouldn’t have put Saudi Arabia at the top of the list.

∞ “As we determine the right force level, our troops can know that I will continue to be guided by the advice that matters — the sober judgment of our military leaders.” And Karl Rove. And God.

∞ “I thank those of you who have re-enlisted in an hour when your country needs you. And to those watching tonight who are considering a military career, there is no higher calling than service in our Armed Forces.” Were his daughters among “those watching?” I guess not because even pulling strings to get a kid into the National Guard (as happened for him during the last Vietnam) won’t keep said kid out of Iraq. Guess it depends on which nation we’re guarding, huh?

The Administration used to run a tight ship in the message-synchronicity department. Pre-Invasion, everyone was on the same page (except for ol’ Powell, and look where he is now). But they hit a snag because the mindlessly repeated, narrow argument for going to war turned out to be off, which made it all the more embarrassing when the course was adjusted from weapon-finding to freedom-distributing to terror-fighting. The new tactic seems to be letting Cheney and Rummy get beat up in the press for their wildly conflicting views and then have Dubya blather on for 30 minutes and sound comparatively reasonable. Can we set this bar any lower? I’m asking.

Meet the (Full-Court) Press

2005-06-27T15:38:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, (NBC Bureau Chief and Moderator of Meet the Press) Tim Russert’s guest was Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Now, you can view/read the interview two ways: Mr. Russert is a badgering simp who can’t even come up with his own questions and wants to cast the secretary as a Bush Administration apologist, or Rumsfeld is crotchety King Neocon who talks out of the side of his face as much as Cheney and someone in this Administration needs to own up for launching a preemptive war for no goddamn reason.

Often the Truth is somewhere in the middle, but I'd like to think that, in this case, both are true.

The Fourteen

2005-06-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

During last month’s wrangling over the “Nuclear Option,” 14 Senators (led by John McCain) forged a bond that could potentially keep the extremists in both parties in check. Of course, the purpose was merely to squelch the battle over the filibustering of judicial nominees. But what if this feeling of cooperative moderation could become a fixture in the Senate? (As it was in the 90s with Breaux and friends.)

I realize that the talk-show-Thunderdome aspect of politics is more entertaining, but is that what we want from our politicians? Entertainment? I’ve often said that the two-party dynamic is failing the American people. Politicians are no longer able to govern effectively or fairly. When politicians are beholden to their parties who are, in turn, beholden to various lobbyists and poli-corporate action conglomerates, you don’t get government by the People and for the People. We don’t need intimidation, bullying, or pandering. We need good government.

I’ve always been a big fan of moderate politicians. Maybe it’s my predisposition toward diplomacy and “trying to keep everyone happy.” The Orlando Sentinal’s Kathleen Parker wrote an uncharacteristically (fair and) balanced column about centrism in American politics. And there’s a coalition of political blogs that support this idea as well. It seems like a just cause, doesn’t it?

Survey Saaaaaayyyys . . . EVIL!

2005-06-17T17:02:00.000-04:00

Conventional wisdom would suggest that the White House and Guv'ner Jeb didn't know that Katherine Harris was planning to run for the U.S. Senate in 2006. Surely they didn't think she'd continue to sit on the sidelines (where she was relegated in 2004 because Dubya didn't want all the 2000-borne bile in Florida to swamp his 27 electoral votes). Evil don't play that shit.

Look, everyone to the Left of Hitler's 60-years-dead, withered cock wants "anyone but Harris" for Senate in 2006. (Unfortunately, a significant block of Florida voters are politically aligned with the misguided member . . . and/or retarded.) The relatively unknown former Democrat from the "Redneck Riveria" might have a shot if the White House is serious about backing him to beat incumbent Bill Nelson. But there's something bigger happening behind the scenes.

Keep an eye on this story.

More Trouble for Everyone’s Favorite Professional Conservative Carnival Barker

2005-06-16T11:13:00.000-04:00

It seems that Rush Limbaugh wants to avoid embarrassment by shirking the law. Too late. Should of thought about that before he started popping the OxyContin like breath mints. And certainly before he mouthed off on his radio show about how we should be treating the nation’s drug addicts:

“The answer (to drug use) is to find the ones who are getting away with it, convict them and send them up the river.”

What an embarrassment.

White House: Thank God for Michael Jackson

2005-06-15T15:12:00.000-04:00

Ignore the man behind the curtain. That could be a Republican motto. The GOP is better organized, has more message-discipline, and has a tighter reign on the MSM than the Democrats. But they have to.

Smoke and mirrors. It’s great when it works. One day, things are humming along and the president can do no wrong (according to the MSM and, thus, in the eyes of the Public). And then there’s a bump in the road. Suddenly, it’s, “Good God, can you believe what Howard Dean is saying?”

Yes, things haven’t been going so smoothly for the White House as of late. Social Security, the ever-present pall of death in Iraq (and the ominous Downing Street memo), John Bolton, Jeff Gannon . . . I’d bet they’re pretty happy that the MSM is frothing over this star-fucking Wacko Jacko bullshit. If any news outlet sticks with an unflattering news story for more than a couple days, they’re accused of being “liberals.” Or “unpatriotic.”

Meanwhile, the Democrats have been flying under the radar. And people are starting to notice. Do they have any direction? Howard Dean’s grassroots-building? What, is this a rebuilding DECADE? Don’t you need a message first? Sure, they’re doing good by proving they can make a deal with moderates from the GOP (even if it was ultimately just them caving to the conservatives). And how about controlling the news cycles? (BZZZZZ! The Dems suck at that.) Or catching the Republicans off guard? They tried that during last year’s Republican convention, when Kerry broke with tradition to do some campaigning. And no-one cared. (So [in retaliation, perhaps?], during the Democratic Convention, hours before Kerry formally accepted the nomination, the Administration announced that they’d captured a high-ranking Al Qaeda operative. Who turned out to be no-one spectacular. But still, effective enough to make people forget about Kerry’s speech.)

We’re in that lull before the midterms and before campaign 2008, where there will be a big push among the Democratic Party faithful to circle the wagons . . . and nominate Hillary Clinton. A woman who cannot win the general election because one-third of the country hates her. Hates. Like, if a burning bush told right-wing evangelicals to vote for Hillary, they’d dig out their standard-issue cyanide capsules and bite down. Hard. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? Again? Or is that too rosy of a scenario?

In summary: The Republicans have the power, and the Democrats are trying their best not to take it away. Like all of the other distractions in the world (literally), the White House will just brush the Democrats aside until it’s time for Bill Frist’s inauguration.

Happy Flag Day

2005-06-14T11:48:00.000-04:00

“If you don’t have a flag sticking out of your ass, the terrorists win. Have flag pills to eat, then you shit out a flag. So order today! All flags made by Chinese prison labor, guaranteed.”

No one even calls them marijuana cigarettes

2005-06-14T10:26:00.000-04:00

Ordinarily, this would just be another crooked politician story. The quick version of the article in North Coast Times about Rep. Randy Cunningham getting bribed by a defense contractor is as follows:
- Rep. puts house up for sale.
- Contractor buys house for $700K more than appraised.
- Rep., who is member of House Appropriations Committee, subcommittee on Defense, helps push through millions of dollars of contracts for Contractor.
- Contractor sells house one month later for previously appraised value, taking $700K loss, making it obvious that the house wouldn't have sold for that much under ordinary conditions.

OK, now you don't have to read the article, which is written in what the wags at Fark.com describe as "Englesque." And as I mentioned, it's just another story about graft. Except for this:

Cunningham denied anything untoward about the dealings.

"My whole life I've lived aboveboard," he told the newspaper. "I've never even smoked a marijuana cigarette. I don't cheat."

OK, fuck you. There's a trail of public record linking your ass to $700,000 in pure bribe-ola, and you bust out that non sequitur, self-righteous, at-least-I-ain't-a-hippie line? FUCK YOU. At what point did it become acceptable to throw up these symbolic "greater evils" as smokescreens for actual, documentable, provable CRIME? "Yes, I ate the baby, but my wife has never performed fellatio on me."

To whom is he appealing? Is there some group of farting, groaning, would-beat-the-wife-but-for-this-damn-arthritis codgers sitting around the VFW lounge hearing this on the news and going "YOU TELL 'EM, TOP GUN!" when they hear shit like this? Does this actually play in Greater Wal-Martia? Sadly, I bet it does. I bet that the God-and-guns constituents for whom $700,000 is the sort of financial abstraction that they can only imagine coming from fried-finger lawsuits against Wendy's or from winning "Fear Factor: Biloxi" are all for it. Because it's too complicated. Real-estate transactions, shell companies, contract approvals, and appropriations can't be summed up by black-and-white sound bites. It takes too long to denounce graft. There's too much thinking involved in understanding the smoky-room deals -- which must be why we keep getting handed smokescreens instead.

Oh, and incidentally, this fuckwit's son was part of a commercial smuggling operation that distributed more than 30,000 pounds of pot before he was arrested for possession of over 400 pounds of the marijuana cigarettes. Smokescreens indeed.

. . . and I Found Her Soul and It was Only Darkness

2005-06-11T19:10:00.000-04:00

As if to prove that this blog is not committed to high-brow political commentary:

I Fucked Ann Coulter in the Ass, Hard.

Prelude to . . .

2005-06-10T15:35:00.000-04:00

I didn’t really have any idea how this whole thing was going to start. But, as it’s a fucking blog, I guess the “introduction” needn’t be too grandiose. Still, the idea’s been talked about to death and it’s time to DO something. And, in that respect, any “introduction” would seem inadequate.

Anyway, I opened the paper today (actually, it was on the front page, above the fold, so not really “opened,” but the front page was underneath the “Business & Editorial” section for whatever reason) and this is what I saw. It should be noted here that I live in Tallahassee which, you may remember, was the Center of the Universe for thirty-some-odd days in 2000 when Al Gore challenged the presidential election results.

A lot has been made (by those on the Left) of the quote the vice-president of Diebold made prior to the 2004 election and the results of testing done by Black Box Voting. Turns out, the Supervisor for Elections in our own county invited BBV in. And now he’s getting scolded for it by several (local) elected officials and the counsel for Diebold (who, at the same time, has acknowledged that the voting machines might not be reliable).

Like me, the Mr. Sancho isn’t much of a conspiracy buff. But I think there’s a very real possibility that something shady could happen in Florida (if it didn’t already). The point is: We really need transparent voting (and tabulating) procedures, including a paper trail. Whether it’s federally mandated or not. Do we need to have these issues come up again in 2008?

Hasn’t enough been stolen already?