Reds, Democrats, and Treasonable Doubt.

The reds are running around searching through a possible presidential field whose current front runners do not agree with the "traditional family values" they've been brain washed into thinking are the most important things when it comes to electing a president. Mccain's both sides of his mouth "straight talk express" whining about not raising enough money (imagine if he had to go by the rules he once espoused), legal gay marriage candidate mitt romney flip floppin' like a Massachusetts cod, and rudy well you pick the "controversy". My favorite is rudy in drag, but perhaps his most stinging criticisms focus on his relationship with bernie kerik and what NYC firefighters and families are saying about mini-napolean on September 11th. It's so bad that the man we may want to watch out for is the would be red actor-in-chief. Haven't we seen that one before? And here I thought Hollywood was liberal. Funny thing is while the reds are in disarray, the Democratic candidates are having substantial debate and discussion. The first sign of which came in the form of a three hour Democratic candidates' forum on Health Care.

And speaking of Democrats doing the People's business, the House and Senate have both passed an Iraq war funding bill that establishes the goal of troop withdrawal from Iraq by Fall of 2008. Of course the little president is set to veto the funding bill for the troops, mainly because he doesn't want to say we are ever leaving Iraq. But that's not all the Democratic majority of the 110th Congress has been doing (and it's only three months old). They have moved forward on a bill to improve veteran's care in the wake of the dereliction of duty that is the Walter Reed scandal. They are holding real hearings on the FBI breaking the law (even the patriot act) by spying on Americans. The Democraticly lead 110th Congress is holding real hearings on the political firings of U.S. attorneys and may be forced by the little president to subpoena rove and miers, who have agreed to only meet if they are not under oath, there's no transcript, and the chats are not public.

Revenge executions perpetrated by Iraqi police with Shiite militias and multiple bombings continue to mark what Saudi Arabian King, and former bush supporter King Abdullah calls the "illegitimate foreign occupation" of Iraq. Listen to the generals. They are bombing the green zone?!?!? And friggin' mccain is saying there are neighborhoods in Baghdad that Americans can walk freely and unarmed in. Now 15 British soldiers are being held by Iran (at least they're not at abu ghraib or gitmo). Iran says they were in Iranian waters. The British say they weren't, and why shouldn't we trust the British? (insert quip about bush's 16 words here).

The ever increasing number of scandals is beginning to flood this president and his henchmen, like the sewage pouring over Gaza. And with spin meister tony snow now on leave for health reasons, and texas lawyer buddy gonzales running from questions and the ax, it must be hard for the worst president in history to avoid all this talk of "treasonable doubt".

A Quick Funny

No, it's not the video of "turd blossom" rove rapping. You'll have to search that yourself. I'm not linking to friggin' happy time karl. I did find it funny that former red congressman and political witch/oral sex hunter bob barr is now lobbying to legalize the weed.

But I digress. What I wanted to send was the link to the latest video from the folks at JibJab. You might remember their "This Land is Your Land" with bush and Kerry. It's called "What We Call the News". Enjoy!

Subpoenas and Testimony

Both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives have had committees approve subpoenas for, among others "turd blossom" karl and bush's Supreme Court nominee harriet miers. The last time such high ranking people at the White House were subpoenaed it was when hypocrite newt and the boys issuing them on the urgent National Security issue and threat to Our way of government that was "Did the President receive oral sex?" The scandal of firing U.S. Attorneys on a purely and specifically political basis is different than the "partisan witch hunt" that was the "white water"/monica lewinsky investigation, and not in the way flip-floppers like bush mouthpiece tony snow might explain. This latest bush administration scandal cuts at Our three co-equal branches of government. Many presidents have fired U.S. Attorneys at the start of their tenure. The bush's department of justice fired these federal prosecutors because they either strongly investigated republican officials or didn't move fast enough on their investigations of Democrats to have a negative impact on election day. Once a U.S. Attorney is hired, he/she can not do their job effectively if he/she fears termination for not following the party in power's talking points and/or agenda. Sometimes I ask myself, am I really talking about America here. The "party in power"'s politics controlling the system of justice? Geebus!

I'm with Colbert. "Buckle on your Balls" and Impeach this President. For the rush to a war of choice in Iraq (willfully leading Us into a war on false statements, documents and pretenses), Katrina (a dereliction of duty), Valerie Plame (outing a covert CIA operative working on Iran's nuclear program), Abrahmoff (former deputy secretary stephen griles is pleading guilty in that one), the Walter Reed scandal (again dereliction), illegally spying on Americans (even by today's standards), and now the "prosecutor purge". I long for the days when the President just broke into the opposing party's offices or had sexual relations with a woman other than his wife.

Speaking of Presidents, Al Gore spoke in front of a Congressional committee on Global Warming or as the reds like to say it "global climate change". Man, were we weak allowing bush to take office after Gore won the popular vote (and maybe the electoral with Florida) in 2000. Asleep at the wheel. Anyway, the former Vice President did well in front of a not always so friendly audience. At times using analogy instead of his usual meteorology professor jargon to make his point. I'll just leave you with some facts.

Of the 21 hottest years ever measured, 20 have occurred within the last 25 years. 2005 and 1998 tie as hottest.

The 1990s was the warmest decade on record.

232 million Number of registered vehicles in the U.S. That's almost one per person!

600 gallons Average amount of gasoline consumed by one U.S. car each year.

12,000 pounds Amount of carbon dioxide emitted from one U.S. car each year.

240 Number of trees needed to absorb the 12,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emitted from one U.S. car each year.

2.7 trillion Number of miles U.S. cars and light trucks traveled in 2004. That's the equivalent of taking 10 million trips to the moon.

5% Percent U.S. population is of the world population.

30% Percent of world's automobiles in the United States.

45% Percent that the United States contributes to the world's automotive carbon dioxide emissions.

4 Number of car companies that support a national cap on global warming emissions. They are Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and Toyota.

Do you support the troops?

Pretty damn sure Vietnam Veteran Representative John Murtha does.

Four Years, 3,200+ soldiers, $400,000,000,000.00+

Plame and the "purge"

March 17th is the day we celebrate Saint Patrick's ridding Ireland of the Pagans and/or snakes. This year the date also brings with it the Fourth Anniversary of bush's announcement of Our "imminent" Invasion of Iraq. Funny coincidence, right? Do you think bush knew about the religious significance of that day? Maybe the March on the Pentagon will help rid Our White House of snakes. If that doesn't work, maybe the House's hearings on the political purge of eight Federal prosecutors by the "Justice" department, or the hearings on the divulging of classified National Security information to the press, will. You may remember lil' bush's remarks on 9/29/03 about the latter. "If anyone in this administration was involved in it, they would no longer be in this administration." We now know that statement was (depending on your party affiliation) a lie, a flip to his recent flop, or, for the real wingnuts, a forgettable statement or at best a "he didn't know". The Libby trial illustrated both dick and rover's involvement. We'll have to see who the United States Congress subpoena for their hearings. Valerie Plame was there today.

The bush team of Texas two steppers are knee deep in the prosecutor purge scandal, as well. It turns out Rove and former Supreme Court unqualified nominee Harriet Myers were both involved, if not instrumental, in the politically motivated firings by (next to go) Attorney General alberto gonzales. Before you tell me President Clinton did the same thing, here's one little difference. The newly elected to his first term President Clinton dismissed federal prosecutors, as other Presidents have, at the start of his tenure to essentially clear the slate and make his own appointments. In the middle of bush's second term, gonzales fired eight Federal prosecutors for not being loyal to "the party" (see the Miers' "strike out" list) or for not succumbing to politically driven pressure from Reps. domenici and wilson, who should both be removed for abuse of power. As for the Attorney General, I think Senator Chuck Shumer said it best when he said "he either doesn't accept or doesn't understand that he is no longer just the president's lawyer, but has a higher obligation to the rule of law and the Constitution even when the president should not want it to be so,"

So as they try to distract us with the five week old, exaggerated, testimony of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was captured in 2003 and has been "intensively interrogated" ever since. As they add to the little prince's slap in the face "surge". As they continue to ignore the American public, I stand (unfortunately, only in spirit) with those in the streets of D.C.

What do We Want?!?!
Truth!
When do We Want It??!?!
NOW!

What do We Want?!?!
Justice!
When do We Want It??!?!
NOW!

What do We Want?!?!
Peace!
When do We Want It??!?!
NOW!

---

A Dear Dick letter

Dear Dick,

First, Sir, I would like to say that I am very sorry to hear that you have a blood clot in your leg. I know you have had serious circulatory issues in the past. Hopefully, this latest health risk will not force you to resign as the Nation's most powerful Vice President ever. The recent attempt on your life in Afghanistan, and your former Chief of Staff being found guilty by a jury of making false statements (lying) to a Grand Jury and the FBI, as well as Obstruction of Justice (implying there was something to obstruct justice's view of) are obviously not what the doctor ordered in terms of reducing your stress levels. I know you and "Scooter" were very close. Your former advisor, Mary Matalin called him "Cheney's Cheney". How could what seemed to be, for all intents and purposes, your assistant do so much without your direction and knowledge? It's not like your hand written notes were referred to during the trial. I mean, identifying a covert CIA operative who was working on Iran's nuCLEar programs, in these times? Who could let politics get in the way of Our national security? It's almost as bad as when President Clinton lied about having an extra marital affair. At least you are not running for President in 2008, right. Don't worry, Mr. Vice President. The pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun control New York front runner for your republican party's nomination will ease your jangled nerves.

There's always the "progress" being made in Iraq, despite the statements of General Petraeus. Who expected to hear "There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq," from the President's latest appointment to lead there? From the man whose name "surge" dissenters were flogged with by everyone from senator LIEberman to your puppet-in-chief, george junior (to be fair that's not that wide of a field). How could the lead General in Iraq, since the "surge", make such a statement during war time? It would be like making public the repugnant way Our Country has been treating Our injured veterans coming home from your administration's war in Iraq. It's no wonder that Congressional members of the "grand ol' party" knew about the abuses to Our veterans and said nothing. And those who complain that Our troops are being overextended, under rested, and under trained for their ever changing mission in the war/nation building project in Iraq must not realize that Our troops are "in harm's way". Damn the war veterans in Congress who want to legislate that Our military get the rest, training, and equipment they need and deserve. Don't they realize it is the draft, and service, dodging civilian leadership that knows best. I guess it's all part of the ever changing climate in Washington. Don't worry, I'm not talking about "global climate change". I know your administration only allows specifically designated people to discuss that, and not the pesky scientists doing the research.

At least you are not involved in the pressuring of Federal prosecutors by high ranking republican officials for political reasons and the subsequent firing of Federal prosecutors who did not heed that pressure. Maybe all your work with halliburton and the "energy task force" will keep you out of the line of fire of the "independent counsel" or "special prosecutor" the Democratic 110th Congress may throw at you and your puppet administration.

Thank you Mr. Vice President for all your service in bunkers around the world.

A concerned Citizen.
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ

P.S. I am being sarcastic.

9/11, two+ wars, and 2008

We all remember the cheerleader-in-chief on a pile of rumble with the first mega phone on 9/11. We all remember the "Mayor of 9/11". He's the one surging (pun intended) into the lead of red candidates for President. But do you remember the man who "masterminded 9/11"? Well, over the past week, we've learned that "bin Laden is in Pakistan", which by the way has a nuCLEar weapon (a fact that may not to be so true of North Korea or Iran). We didn't send a "surge" in to find him. Pakistan is our "ally" after all. Speaking of allies, Afghanistan's president Karzai has condemned US troops for a recent raid, killing 10 civilians. He didn't get a chance to voice his displeasure directly to dick, who left Afghanistan fairly quickly after, the taliban, whom We were told We defeated, came closer than ever before to killing Our Vice President in a recent bombing that killed 23 people at an American base he was visiting.

Let's not lose focus, the War in Afghanistan (though not finished) has been declared a victory (insert "Mission Accomplished comment here). The War in Iraq is the one we're fighting now. For those who feel the need a refresher or just want to know more about what's going on in Iraq Mother Jones has Iraq 101. With the president of Iraq suffering a stroke and the Iraqi vice president narrowly escaping an assassination (as Our's did in Afghanistan), the bombs continue to explode in Iraq. The bush administration has revealed that there is no "plan B" if the surge, which has already increased from 21,500 additional troops to 28,000, doesn't work. At least, We finally sat at a table to discuss Iraq with it's neighbors Iran and Syria. Even though the talks don't seemed to have worked, it is a good start. Iran (predominately Shiite) has even taken up talks with the Saudi government (predominately Sunni) to try and figure a way to put out the fire that we have further fueled and fanned in the region.The Sunni/Shiite divide is the main cause of the "sectarian violence"/civil war going on in Iraq, and it's a divide that, according to Seymour Hersch we're having trouble picking sides for.

Speaking of good starts, the plan being slowly leaked out from Rep. John Murtha sounds like a good start. Having soldiers rested, trained, and equipped as they should be doesn't sound unacceptable. What sounds unacceptable is 500 to 1,000 veterans, who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, joining the 200,000 homeless vets of America. What is unacceptable is the deplorable condition of certain buildings at Walter Reed hospital. To be fair, the Secretary of the Army has resigned because of the conditions he allowed there. I guess, no one seemed to foresee how many more severely injured We would have as a result of better medical practices. But now with the haliburton connection, there is no excuse. It is no wonder that we are hearing more "dissent ion in the ranks".

With these two+ wars going on, it's hard for candidates in the far to early 2008 campaign for President to talk about the 26% increase in the United States of America's severely poor over the past five years or how the "Ownership" society had quite a scare at the Stock Exchange last week. Something I do find interesting about the republican side of the "campaign" so far is the fact that all the candidates claim to be "reagan republicans". Not a one says the word bush. Some legacy you got there, Mr. bush, and that means you too H.W.

I leave you with this link to what Senator Barak Obama had to say about Iraq in 2002. Remember what lil' bush sounded like when it came to foreign policy in 2000? Obama is no light weight. Do not let them tell you differently.

News vs. faux news

England announced that it is pulling 1,600 of it's 7,100 troops out of Iraq by August and the rest by the end of 2008 (which dick spun as a plus). Prime Minister blair came out against the "war with Iran" crowd. Iran's president said Iran is ready to halt its enrichment program if the West does the same. In his words "We are for talks but they have to be fair negotiations. That means, both sides hold talks under equal conditions,". Denmark is pulling it's 460 members out of the "coalition". The Prime Minister of Italy has resigned because the Italian government voted against "the Afghan war and ties with the U.S. military". And Congress has finally come up with the idea to take action to repeal the outdated, far too broad and vague, "authorization" bill they (minus 21 Democrats) approved back in 2002.

I have tried to refrain from a real debate on the candidates for the 2008 Presidential election, simply because it is far too early to. But, just in case you're wondering, the New York Times has their stances on the war in IraQ. Oh and Tom Vilsack is out of the race. I know, Tom who????

The Year and Nine Month wait until Election '08 hasn't slowed uncle rupert's propaganda channel from battling the purple-headed yogurt slinger with Fox Attacks on Democratic candidates, most of which are complete fabrications, leaving the rest of the "stories" to trumped up non-stories, most of which simply prey on people's prejudices. I know it's a little "you're with us or against us", but anyone who watches Fox for news should be ashamed of themselves. News is based in fact. Fox is empty rhetoric, and I'm glad Senator Obama has "frozen them out". They are not alone in false propaganda. The Washington Times, owned by respected newsman Sun Myung Moon, made up quotes they claimed were made by President Abraham Lincoln to further their belief that debate in a democracy is treasonous. But what can you expect from a schadenfreude riddled media that is more concerned with repulsive custody battles for dead and embalmed celebrity corpses and the self destruction of idols which they created and placed firmly on foundationless pedestals.

Why report on Pakistan testing missiles that can hold nukes? Why report on the US soldier sentenced to 100 years (parole at 10) for four counts of rape and murder in Iraq? Why report on how Our government inflated terrorism statistics? Why report on the trial of dick's former Chief of Staff, scooter, and what dick did to get us to start the War in IraQ and hack and smear its (and his) opponents?

DICK says "we want to return [from Iraq] with honor". This from the "man" that gave Us "we KNOW where they [WMD's] are", and IraQ Is a "unique and urgent threat". The man who was fine with abu ghraib torture, sending Our prisoners to other countries to be tortured, not to mention throwing Habeus Corpus and Our Constitutional rights out the window. Mr. Vice President, you and your minions have been destroying this country's honor with your misguided, if not malicious, policies, actions and words for the past six years. Is destroying the United States's credibilty in the world an act of treason? Should dick be impeached? GQ has decided to take on the Articles of Impeachment themselves, since no elected official seems to have to courage to.

It is important that We the People stay informed, and that We do not take one source's word for it.

"Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half." - Gore Vidal

News vs. faux news

England announced that it is pulling 1,600 of it's 7,100 troops out of Iraq by August and the rest by the end of 2008 (which dick spun as a plus). Prime Minister blair came out against the "war with Iran" crowd. Iran's president said Iran is ready to halt its enrichment program if the West does the same. In his words "We are for talks but they have to be fair negotiations. That means, both sides hold talks under equal conditions,". Denmark is pulling it's 460 members out of the "coalition". The Prime Minister of Italy has resigned because the Italian government voted against "the Afghan war and ties with the U.S. military". And Congress has finally come up with the idea to take action to repeal the outdated, far too broad and vague, "authorization" bill they (minus 21 Democrats) approved back in 2002.

I have tried to refrain from a real debate on the candidates for the 2008 Presidential election, simply because it is far too early to. But, just in case you're wondering, the New York Times has their stances on the war in IraQ. Oh and Tom Vilsack is out of the race. I know, Tom who????

The Year and Nine Month wait until Election '08 hasn't slowed uncle rupert's propaganda channel from battling the purple-headed yogurt slinger with Fox Attacks on Democratic candidates, most of which are complete fabrications, leaving the rest of the "stories" to trumped up non-stories, most of which simply prey on people's prejudices. I know it's a little "you're with us or against us", but anyone who watches Fox for news should be ashamed of themselves. News is based in fact. Fox is empty rhetoric, and I'm glad Senator Obama has "frozen them out". They are not alone in false propaganda. The Washington Times, owned by respected newsman Sun Myung Moon, made up quotes they claimed were made by President Abraham Lincoln to further their belief that debate in a democracy is treasonous. But what can you expect from a schadenfreude riddled media that is more concerned with repulsive custody battles for dead and embalmed celebrity corpses and the self destruction of idols which they created and placed firmly on foundationless pedestals.

Why report on Pakistan testing missiles that can hold nukes? Why report on the US soldier sentenced to 100 years (parole at 10) for four counts of rape and murder in Iraq? Why report on how Our government inflated terrorism statistics? Why report on the trial of dick's former Chief of Staff, scooter, and what dick did to get us to start the War in IraQ and hack and smear its (and his) opponents?

DICK says "we want to return [from Iraq] with honor". This from the "man" that gave Us "we KNOW where they [WMD's] are", and IraQ Is a "unique and urgent threat". The man who was fine with abu ghraib torture, sending Our prisoners to other countries to be tortured, not to mention throwing Habeus Corpus and Our Constitutional rights out the window. Mr. Vice President, you and your minions have been destroying this country's honor with your misguided, if not malicious, policies, actions and words for the past six years. Is destroying the United States's credibilty in the world an act of treason? Should dick be impeached? GQ has decided to take on the Articles of Impeachment themselves, since no elected official seems to have to courage to.

It is important that We the People stay informed, and that We do not take one source's word for it.

"Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half." - Gore Vidal

peace.
David Calamoneri
Hoboken, NJ

Debate Iraq!

Every Senator should stand up and clearly state his/her assessment of the sitution currently in Iraq. Every Senator should stand up and state his/her ideas as to what is in America's best interest in this War in Iraq. The debate is not on the importance of a "non binding" resolution. The debate is about whether or not the US Senate should join the people's House of Representatives in helping the president take control of the War in Iraq, which has killed over 3000 American troops, cost $400 billion dollars in treasure ($10 Billion of which is currently unaccounted for) and has put the United States in the most precarious foreign policy position in history. The 109th Congress ignored their responsibility as a co-equal branch of government and as the voice of the American people. The 110th can not make the same mistake.


Here's the Full text of the Resolution passed by the House of Representatives:

The Democratic resolution expressing disapproval of President Bush's troop increase in Iraq that the House will debate this week:
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that:

(1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and

(2) Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to Iraq.
Source: The Associated Press

Diplomacy, trumped up charges, and a debate too late.

North Korea has agreed to dismantle its nuClEar plants and enrichment facilities as a result of the diplomatic efforts between them, the US and the neighboring countries in the region. What a novel idea, right? Maybe someday the United States will dismantle its own nuclear arsenal. It would probably take more than the $400 million dollars in aid that North Korea is getting. And imagine talking to neighboring countries in the region to get a "crazy" dictator to stop his nuCLEar Weapons program. Wasn't North Korea further along than even Iran in their nuCLEar program? Maybe we should bring Syria and Iran into talks. Maybe aid would work better than sanctions, but you know Iranians, they're "terrorists". Well maybe not the terrorists that hit us, but they all look the same right (I'm kidding) . They all have oil, that's for sure.

Instead of diplomatic negotiations with Iran, Our president and his secretary of defense would rather flaunt trumped up charges. Their "pretty good" evidence shows that Shiite militias (and Sunni insurgents) are using explosives like what has been used by Hamas. And those were most likely provided by Iran. Follow the logic? There are Iranian markings on some of the munitions used by those that want Us dead and/or out of Iraq. This logic reminds me of the old "gun manufacturer is responsible for gun deaths" argument that has been refuted by the very people that are using it now to start a war with Iran. A stockpile of Austrian rifles was seized from insurgents. Does that mean we're gonna blow up the airports, bridges and cities of Austria now? Hell, there's some of Our own arsenal being fired at us. And I've never heard of rogue agents of a government (foreign or domestic) acting illegally without the knowledge or consent of its leaders. Sounds like a show on fox, doesn't it? At least Iraq has a new "security plan". They plan to do something the United States has been unable to do, secure their country's border.

So as the 110th Congress debates a war the 109th Congress should have debated four years ago, it's no wonder the head republican is crying. It's no wonder that once the Libby trial began to expose the lead up to the war in Iraq, vice president dick, rover, and little lying libby decided not to testify. Are the Chicken hawks running from the fight? Maybe someday the workings of this administration and their war of choice will finally be brought to light. You can not blame this failure of an invasion and the fatally flawed foreign policy that lead to it on those who disagree with it, which now seems to be the only defense that the president's remaining pets in Congress have against those who are finally united in voicing their dissent.

In case you missed it, here are my favorite two bush quotes from his February 14th press conference:

"It's an interesting question. One of the problems, not specifically on this issue, just in general, that - let's put it this way: Money trumps peace, sometimes.
In other words, commercial interests are very powerful interests throughout the world. And part of the issue in convincing people to put sanctions on a specific country is to convince them that it's in the world's interest that they forego their own financial interest."

"It's hard for me living in this beautiful White House to give you an assessment, a first hand assessment. I haven't been there. You have, I haven't."

We the People: the rant

Former Presidential candidate, patrick buchanan, is right when he says that the 108th Congress (controlled by the Democratic Party) made the greatest mistake in Our history when it voted (minus 21 Democratic Senators) to pass a resolution with language, so vague, it gave the President of the United States "authority" to wage a new war in Iraq with only the most tenuous of connection to the "terrorists" for whom said resolution was meant. The "blank check" was given in good faith. The "blank check" was given with the proper respect due the Office of President of the United States of America. The "blank check" was given based on the understanding that the receiver knew what they hell he was doing. The "blank check" was given knowing that the President of the United States would Only use the power of the American Military as a DIRE and ACTUAL LAST RESORT. This, unfortunately for Us all, was not the case with george w. bush and this war in Iraq. More and more citizens, law makers, and former framers of this debacle are coming to realize that and speak out. Though there are still those in the Senate will continue to obstruct a debate on this most ill advised foreign policy. You know where I have stood on bushco.'s war from before we went in.

Five United States helicopters have been shot down since January 20th, Thirty Seven more soldiers died, and who knows how many civilians. It is getting worse. Blaming the president's appointees for bad decisions during and leading up to bush's war in Iraq is a start, but to be sure the buck stops firmly on the President of the United States desk. At least the hard questions are starting to move up the food chain a little.

The Constitution starts with the phrase "We the people". Who are the people? Are they the masses? The majority of people in this country? Or are they the richest people? Sometimes it seems that depends on your party affiliation. I speaking, of course, of their policy decisions and choice of legislation, and not of their personal wealth. There are plenty of rich democrats. In fact, it's tough to find a non rich (middle class, working class, or poor) in elected office at all. But it was not the Democrats who tried to block minimum wage. Agreeing only after adding another "owner class" tax break to the legislation. While Exxon Mobil made an all time high profit ($39.5 Billion) in 2006, they also received Federal tax breaks. You'd think with the help "We the People" are giving them, they would drop the price at the pump to pre-bush Gas prices.

This lack of compassion for those making under $100,000.00+ per year (and that's most of us) is almost matched by Our government's lack of foresight. Just take a look at bush's "energy policy" or lack thereof. Ford is "a wreck". GM isn't doing much better. Toyota is doing great. Why? Two words... Cheap and Green. Higher miles per gallon or "CAFE" standards is something this president has stayed far away from, and without giving automakers this push, via the "bully pulpit", he has helped to put them in the position they are in today. We are behind everyone, with the exception of China, on the Science and the policy to deal with Global Warming. A recent report by a group of 600 International Scientists, sanctioned by the United Nations, stated that it was 90% or "very likely" that humans have caused the rapid increase in greenhouse gases since 1950. There are those who say the UN is a liberal group conspiring against us. I always thought the left were the conspiracy theorists. People, like senator inhoffe, are so paranoid and delusional they think Weather Channel has a political agenda. To these people I say if someone doesn't agree with you on something they are not, necessarily out to get you, and everyone is wrong sometimes. If global warming was not real or not an issue why would the bush administration pressure scientists not to talk about it? The thing about the international scientific community is that they do not vote on decisions. Theories are tested, information and data is collected, and a conclusion based on that study is reached. That's why medicine works. That's how we can make plastic and twinkies. It's how the internet machine works (along with the funding that Al Gore was essential in securing). Science is essential. It is not an affront to any belief in God. Albert Einstein once said "Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind." They do not have to be mutually exclusive. We the people can believe and strive for what is good and right for ALL MANKIND, or we can continue to give Our leaders the blind faith of Our apathy as we have for way too long.

I leave you with this from the last column of Molly Ivins, who died last week. She will certainly be missed. She was the first to call him "Shrub".

"We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous. Make our troops know we're for them and trying to get them out of there."

Isn't it Ironic?

"Independent" republican joe "I work for Israel" lieberman says that disagreeing, publically and officially, with bush's latest plan will "encourage the enemy". I wonder if he thinks the last four years of incompetence and mistakes by bushco in their war in Iraq "encourages the enemy". Does this chicken hawk think that not being able to secure a capital city after four years "encourages the enemy"? Do not blame the outcome on those who are starting to think of ways to get us the hell out of the policing of a civil war that BUSH instigated with his invasion of Iraq. LIEberman should know what encourages the enemy. Just look at his last days as a "Democrat" and his first days as an "Independent" and you can see how he "encouraged" the republicans.

Another great talking point concerning bush's war of choice in Iraq is that anyone who is against the "surge" and/or the war in general is from the "fringe Left". Senator John Warner, Senator Chuck Hagel, and the all but about 20 of their republican colleagues who are against the surge, are not on the "fringe Left". Representative John Murtha is not from the "fringe Left". Generals Abizaid and Casey are not on the "fringe Left". I wish that the almost 62% of the US citizens, who polled against the "surge", were on the "fringe Left". They are not, yet. When the Senate votes on the, albeit non-binding, resolution against bush's "surge", maybe all this broad brushed crazy peacenik left talk will stop, and once again we will be able to take our rightful place on the "we were right about bush's war in Iraq from the start" mantle all by our "fringe Left"-selves.

Speaking of pinko, hippy, commies, the March on Washington that took place last Saturday seems to have been made up of more than just the normal "protest for the love of protest", dread locked, unfocused, Mumia liberating, anarchists that the mainstream media, as well as blogland, informed Us made up the millions that protested this war in Iraq before it started. Young urban professionals (who really aren't the easiest to motivate), soldiers and their families, and union workers showed up to protest the war in greater numbers than has been reported before. Some even carried and waved the American flag. Damn flag burnin' Liberals!

According to the free dictionary ironic is defined as:

1. Characterized by or constituting irony.

2. Given to the use of irony.

3. Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended

Just something to think about while you're listening to "sanctity of life"/war monger-in-chief talk about tax breaks to help citizens afford health care, even though most of the people who can't afford it don't make enough money to pay taxes. The blinding irony of scarlet macaws (red parrots), like faux news anchor brit hume, talking about how prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald over stepped his bounds in investigating the administration's disclosure of Classified information concerning our National Security. I wonder what the "do as we say now and not what we did then" crowd thought of investigator starr, who was sent to investigate a real estate case the Clintons were involved in BEFORE HE WAS PRESIDENT only to start asking the questions of the President's marital fidelity (obviously essential to our National Security). In case you forgot, here's what republicans used to think about the rule of law.

Next week Iran and what we've done to the region of South West Asia that we call the Middle East, as well as "global climate change", and maybe even an update on the scooter libby trial. So far ex-bush mouthpiece, ari fleischer, testified that scooter lied, libby has testified that vice president dick told him to do it, and rove and bartlett (counselor to the president) have been subpoenaed.

Show me What Democracy Looks Like!

This is What Democracy Looks Like!

A Hundred Thousand People (soldiers, celebrities, and members of Congress included) rally and March on Washington.
You have my Full Support. I'll see you on March 17th.

Shout along, it's on C-SPAN!

WE WANT PEACE!
STOP THE WAR!
IMPEACH CHENEY, then BUSH!

20 questions: Iraq Edition

Inspired by the Timeline of the Iraq War at Think Progress
1. What happened to all of your other plans, like the last Strategy for Victory?
2. Have we "turned the corner" yet in Iraq?
3. Is the "insurgency" in its "last throes"?
4. Is the "mission accomplished"?
5. Are there just "pockets of dead enders" left?
6. How many fake turkeys will it take to keep troop morale up?
7. How many jokes by the president about there being no WMD's will it take to soften the blow to Our country that was abu ghraib?
8. Are we still "going to war with the army that we have"?
9. When will rumsfeld receive his Medal of Freedom?
10. Why is Baghdad so much more important than New Orleans, or Afghanistan for that matter?
11. If "we are not winning" are we losing, or does it depend on what the meaning of losing is?
12. If "clear, hold, and build" is our new strategy, what the hell have we been doing for the last four years?
13. Is the parroting of "We're not planning on invading Iran." supposed to remind us of your Run up to your getting rid of UN inspectors and going to war unilaterally in Iraq?
14. How can you have a "national sanctity of life day" while you send more men and women to kill and die?
15. How many chances do you think someone should get?
16. When did your watch start, before or after September 11, 2001?
17. What's worse lying about cheating on your wife or starting an illegal war?
18. What's wrong with having three co-equal branches of government?
19. When will Iraqi oil revenue start paying for this war of choice in Iraq?
20. What type of "sweets and flowers" were we greeted with when we invaded Iraq on your orders? Were they cherry?

The adults are starting to speak.

Senator Chuck Hagel (R) of Nebraska challenged his colleagues to do their duty to their Country and Countrymen (and women) or "go sell shoes". I'm with you Senator Hagel! I'm with you Senator Feingold! I'm with you Senator Warner! Eat it lieberman!

These bastards (and bitches) have taken debate concerning the largest and most important issue we, as a Country, face, and made it a bad and unpatriotic thing. Debate on war, and all things concerning and of interest to the United States of America, is a neccesary and obligatory function of a Democratic society. It's about damn time Congress did something, said something, and stood for something.

Will the real leaders Please Stand up.

the state of the union

The thumped little prince took the stage to give us his laundry list of repeated promises from energy independence to health care. Once again, he connected terrorism to Iraq, which his foreign policy has now made true. And now a "plan", which Wesley Clark has called "stay the course", Presidential hopeful John Edwards has dubbed the "McCain Doctrine", and what one presidential hopeful who is tied to bush's war in Iraq and "surge" more than any other , senator john mccain, calls "our last chance".

A few more candidates have entered the 2008 Presidential race or at least have formed exploratory committees (the primaries are over a year away). The big one, of course, is Senator Hillary Clinton, but personally I was more interested in Governor Bill Richardson's hat getting thrown into the ring. Now I'm not one to be racialist, but you tell me which party is more inclusive. The Democrats have a White woman, an African-American guy, a Latino guy, and 5 White guys. The republicans have 7 White guys, to be fair one is the first Mormon to run for President. That's a minority, right.

So as Speaker Pelosi, who along with her Democratic House passed their "First 100 Hour" agenda with 30+ hours to spare, smiled behind lil' bush as he talked to a country that likes him as much as they liked Nixon after Watergate, I thought about what this man and his minions have already done to Our country and it's reputation. Try to remember how many different reasons he has given us for going into his unnecessary war in Iraq. A war that claimed 27 American Soldiers last weekend as well as 100 Iraq people and how many of those reasons have turned out false. Remember that he has touted a new energy policy and conservation in every State of the Union and has done nothing.

The New Democratic House has already passed legislation that stops big oil tax breaks, cuts the interest on student loans, raises the minimum wage. The Democratic Senate has passed massive ETHICS reform, even after the Republicans tried to stop it. It's nice to see the failure-in-chief flip flop on his domestic spying program, which now has to go through the FISA court, again. It's nice that his administration is finally checking and editing the no fly list. But with all due respect (to your office) Mr. president, it is too little, too late, as is the 21,500 soldiers you've already started to send. Even though high ranking members of your own party havee submitted a resolution to the Senate against it. You chose this war. It is your legacy. It is your Presidency, that and maybe your pathetic and anemic response to the worst natural disaster in our nation's history (which you neglected to mention in your State of the Union).

We can't change the past. It is Our mess to clean up. But your "new " plan disregards the opinion of the American public, the United States Congress, The James Baker/Lee Hamilton Iraq Study Group, General Abizaid, General Casey, and on and on and on. It has to stop and you and all those connected to you have got to go. Maybe the I. Scooter Libby trial will bring the latter starting with vice president d!ck cheney. Seeing Gonzales squirm under oath was a start, as well.

Next time Global Warming (or as bush calls it Global Climate Change), China shoots down a satellite, and the irony of bush and the religious right's "National sanctity of human life" day.

"Six years ago, we held off [saying anything negative about the administration]. But considering what's happened, I think we're owed an apology. Anyone with a rational mind and a sense of decency is being positioned as a lefty by the extreme right. I believe in the tenets of democracy, and when they get pushed, it pisses me off."

- Robert Redford, at the opening of the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday