Thought for Today

Addicted to B.S.

Well, pity the poor Energy Secretary, who today had to backtrack on the Chimp's promise to reduce US dependence on foreign oil by 60% by the year 2025. Not even 24 hours after the State of the Union speech, here's what he's reduced to:

Administration backs off Bush's vow to reduce Mideast oil imports
By Kevin G. Hall
Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - One day after President Bush vowed to reduce America's dependence on Middle East oil by cutting imports from there 75 percent by 2025, his energy secretary and national economic adviser said Wednesday that the president didn't mean it literally.

What the president meant, they said in a conference call with reporters, was that alternative fuels could displace an amount of oil imports equivalent to most of what America is expected to import from the Middle East in 2025.

But America still would import oil from the Middle East, because that's where the greatest oil supplies are

OK, so everything they say is made up, then. I get it now.

Curling, Anyone?

The winter Olympics will soon be upon us...and time for our favorite event: curling! Looking forward to trying to figure out what the hell these people are doing on the ice, with their brooms and their 'rocks.'

We do seriously want to watch this sport at our house - enough of the knee-bashing figure skaters and the ski jump daredevils!

Give us curling, and give it to us now.

Funniest.DailyShow.Ever.

This is the best ever. Check it out, via Crooks and Liars.

What We Have Here is a Failure to Anticipate

This article was in yesterday's New York Times and I was remiss in not posting it last night. The article documents, yet again, the Administration's "failure to anticipate" problems of this world.

Can you believe this?

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acknowledged Sunday that the United States had failed to understand the depth of hostility among Palestinians toward their longtime leaders. The hostility led to an election victory by the militant group Hamas that has reduced to tatters crucial assumptions underlying American policies and hopes in the Middle East.

"I've asked why nobody saw it coming," Ms. Rice said, speaking of her own staff. "It does say something about us not having a good enough pulse."

How embarassing is this?

They Like Us...They Really Like Us

Well, is there hope for Americans after all? Here's a snippet from a story in today's Washington Post about a recent poll.

The poll also shows that the public prefers the direction Democrats in Congress would take the country as opposed to the path set by the president, that Americans trust Democrats over Republicans to address the country's biggest problems and that they strongly favor Democrats over Republicans in their vote for the House.

and this:

By 54 percent to 38 percent, voters surveyed said they would vote for the Democratic candidate over the Republican candidate for the House in November. That is one of the largest margins favoring the Democrats in two decades, although the gerrymandered House districts mean that incumbents are safer today than they were in the past.

By 51 percent to 37 percent, Americans said they trust the Democrats more than the Republicans with the main problems facing the country over the next few years, the first time since spring 1992 that Democrats have gained more than 50 percent support on that question.

Now let's see what the Dems can make of it.

An Historic Moment

While I have been very skeptical about whether the Democrats can do anything at all to stop the confirmation of ScAlito, I very much support the efforts of my state's senators Kerry and Kennedy. They have called for the filabuster, even though it may be the longest of long shots. I happen to think we should do everything we can do make the Chimp's life miserable. And while we may not have the votes to stop ScAlito, we should at least use the filabuster time to take center stage in the Senate and talk about all the evils being perpetrated by the Administration. Might make a nice counter-punch to all the crap coming up this week in the Chimps's State of the Union speech.

In the meantime, every mainstream media outlet will be complaining about the Democrats and their "lost cause" but I say we should go down fighting, and I'm proud that the senators from Massachusetts are leading the way.

Loco for Coco?

We'll see whether this trade pans out for the Sox -- bottom line is Coco Crisp will be the replacement for the dearly departed Johnny Damon. From what I hear this could be good. Welcome to Boston, Mr. Crisp!

It's Good To Set Priorities

Recently came across this sign in a restaurant restroom in Lee, Massachusetts. In a world with tsunamis, famine, dictatorships and all manner of evil, it's good to see someone has figured out what really matters.

Confessions of a Political Junky

I have a confession.

I have been a political junky since taking notice of the 1960 presidential election. (OK, I'm old.) My first political memory is a bet my parents had with my aunt and uncle over who would win. Any guesses on who my parents voted for? Anybody?

Yes, of course they voted for JFK and they won the bet.

Another confession - I adore watching political conventions. The first one I remember vividly was 1964, when LBJ was nominated. In those days, it was gavel-to-gavel coverage...during the day. I remember long, hot summer afternoons (pre-air conditioning) watching our black and white TV and listening to old, white men wearing funny hats drone on and on. I loved it. (My own particular high point was the roll call of the states for voting by the only woman to be found on the convention podium...Aaaaaaaal a baaammmmmma!)

Why am I confessing this today, you may ask? It's because I have been hooked on political tv ever since those first days - whether it "Washington Week in Review" or "McLaughlin Group" or "Hardball."

BUT, I think I may have finally reached even MY limit. For years, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews has turned into a mouthpiece for the GOoPers. Last week he tied together the words Osama bin Laden uttered on his recent videotape to those said by Michael Moore. In other words, left-leaning activists are the equivalent of mass murderers. Damn.

Well, this has stirred up the blogosphere in a big way, as you might imagine. I've written to MSNBC requesting an apology. If you're interested in learning more, go here. You'll find a list of advertisers to contact to put pressure on Matthews to apologize for his miserable behavior. Join the fun - hold the MSM's feet to the fire.

Luckily for me, today's 24-hour political fix comes from the internet. Thank God there are enough good writers and activists out there to keep me away from corporate news that's on today's TV.

Anything you'd like to confess? The floor's open.

They Can't Anticipate Shit

Just like they couldn't anticipate planes going into buildings, the Chimp said no one could "anticipate the levees breaking" in New Orleans.

You won't be surprised to learn that the White House was briefed on this very possibility just before Katrina hit.

*rolling eyes*

The NISAC analysis accurately predicted the collapse of floodwalls along New Orleans's Lake Pontchartrain shoreline, an event that the report described as "the greatest concern." The breach of two canal floodwalls near the lake was the key failure that left much of central New Orleans underwater and accounted for the bulk of Louisiana's 1,100 Katrina-related deaths.

A Letter to David Gregory, NBC News

Dear David,
Last week, I read news accounts and heard on the radio, your exchange with Scott McClellan regarding the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. A lot of people are giving you kudos for your fiesty retorts to the perennial stonewalling being perpetuated by the press secretary.

I beg to differ.

Specifically, I've been wanting to ask you, David, why do you bother going to the White House to actually get information? After five years, it's clear that the Bush administration is not going to tell you anything. I can just picture you every morning, getting up and preparing the questions you are going to ask your friend Scott. And then, you get smacked down time after time at what is euphamistically called a "briefing" at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

In light of this repeated smack-down, I have a suggestion. Why don't you and your pals skip tomorrow's briefing and go to the mall instead?...or get a massage?...even clean the gutters on your house? It's clear that taking this time away would get you every bit as far as sitting there in the press room, matching wits with that moron. David, understand this: you demean yourselves and your profession by hanging around waiting for the White House scraps. What would they do if you guys just didn't show up? Somehow I think that the country would survive - or perhaps even be better served without us having to listen to the lies that come out of that place, day after day.

Or, if you'd feel guilty killing time with these extracurricular activities, why don't you do some actual reporting? There must be sources that can be cultivated somewhere in Washington. I am old enough to remember a time when actual reporters brought down an actual president (although I'm not sure Bob Woodward remembers this). Perhaps you can contact Carl Bernstein for a few pointers.

In the meantime, David, remember the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Cheers,
Beckperson

The Amaryllis That Ate Shrewsbury

Instead of buying poinsettias at Christmas, which has been my tradition, I sprung for a couple of amaryllis that are both blooming now. (Believe it or not, this picture is only one plant.) Considering this hasn't been the coldest of winters so far, having these around has been quite a nice distraction.

Enjoy!

Left Curve is One Year Old

Just a bit over a year ago, I followed a link to a website called "blogger.com" and within 5 minutes, I had a blog. That Friday night, I had not expected to start a blog; didn't have any plan in mind for maintaining a blog. But, like most successes in my life, my instincts took care of any careful planning I should have done. And now, on this auspicious anniversary, I'm pleased to say I've had this blog for a year.

What are the highlights of this past year? My favorite story is from last year's blizzard, and the miracle of Russell Avenue. I'm also fond of my own personal tracking of the 2004 world champion Red Sox, and the plans for Bob and my trip to San Francisco to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Politically, my favorite time was the late summer's celebration of "Fitzmas" when Scooter Libby went down; the saddest time was Hurricane Katrina. The fact that these events allowed the Chimp's approval ratings to drop through the floor made them somewhat more palatable.

Although I haven't had as much inspiration for writing the blog more recently, I do have an explanation. In recent weeks, my time has been sucked up by some new toys in my home - a large screen plasma HD-TV and a new device called a "digital video recorder" (aka TiVo). Because of this handy device, I've been able to actually watch shows that are broadcast after my relatively early bedtime, as well as those airing during the middle of the night or the middle of the workday. Seeing Letterman every day is a pleasure; watching the Daily Show/Colbert Report has allowed me to stay up with cultural references; seeing long PBS documentaries (like one on Willa Cather and Eleanor Roosevelt) has been fulfilling.

BUT, there's one major problem that I hadn't really anticipated: it takes TIME to watch all this TV and my list of recorded shows seems never-ending. So, I have been feeling this pressure to watch everything I record, and move things quickly through the DVR. The good part is I haven't really seen a whole tv commercial in quite some time. The bad news is that I haven't accomplished much else during any free time.

In spite of my less than regular blogging, I can say that when I started this blog last year, I knew for certain that I was doing it for me. If other people found it interesting, that would be great. But if no one even read it that would be fine Having said that, there was a time when I was obsessed with metrics and who was linking to Left Curve, etc. But now I'm certain that if I'm happy with the blog, that's enough for me.

So, here's to another year of blogging. And may we find ourselves with the same good health and happiness next January. Happy Blog Year everyone!

Monica v. the NSA

Wonder how the New York Times and the Washington Post covered two important stories: the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and the NSA illegal wiretapping story? This article from Media Matters shows the difference in the coverage - and as you probably expect, we find out again how much sex sells. Sad, and true.

Haliburton at it Again

Now here's a surprise.

WASHINGTON - Troops and civilians at a U.S. military base in Iraq were exposed to contaminated water last year and employees for the responsible contractor, Halliburton, couldn’t get their company to inform camp residents, according to interviews and internal company documents.

Halliburton, the company formerly headed by Vice President Dick Cheney, disputes the allegations about water problems at Camp Junction City, in Ramadi, even though they were made by its own employees and documented in company e-mails.

Read entire article here.

Al Fires Back

Naturally, ever since Al Gore spoke out yesterday about the current administration, everyone in the media has relegated him to the role of "crazy uncle in the attic" with "an axe to grind."

If you actually read Vice President Gore's speech, you know it was thoughtful, heart-felt and as patriotic a message as any I've heard in a long time.

But, clearly it appears that Mr. Gore has a plan, because he responded to these attacks today:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a statement by former Vice President Al Gore:

"The Administration's response to my speech illustrates perfectly the need for a special counsel to review the legality of the NSA wiretapping program. The Attorney General is making a political defense of the President without even addressing the substantive legal questions that have so troubled millions of Americans in both political parties.

"There are two problems with the Attorney General's effort to focus attention on the past instead of the present Administration's behavior. First, as others have thoroughly documented, his charges are factually wrong. Both before and after the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was amended in 1995, the Clinton/Gore Administration complied fully and completely with the terms of the law.

"Second, the Attorney General's attempt to cite a previous administration's activity as precedent for theirs -- even though factually wrong -- ironically demonstrates another reason why we must be so vigilant about their brazen disregard for the law. If unchecked, their behavior would serve as a precedent to encourage future presidents to claim these same powers, which many legal experts in both parties believe are clearly illegal.

"The issue, simply put, is that for more than four years, the executive branch has been wiretapping many thousands of American citizens without warrants in direct contradiction of American law. It is clearly wrong and disrespectful to the American people to allow a close political associate of the president to be in charge of reviewing serious charges against him.

"The country needs a full and independent investigation into the facts and legality of the present Administration's program."

God Bless Al Gore

Why in hell can't more Democrats speak as clearly as Al Gore did today regarding the NSA wiretapping story?

Here's the link.

An excerpt:

As we begin this new year, the Executive Branch of our government has been caught eavesdropping on huge numbers of American citizens and has brazenly declared that it has the unilateral right to continue without regard to the established law enacted by Congress to prevent such abuses.

It is imperative that respect for the rule of law be restored.

So, many of us have come here to Constitution Hall to sound an alarm and call upon our fellow citizens to put aside partisan differences and join with us in demanding that our Constitution be defended and preserved.

It is appropriate that we make this appeal on the day our nation has set aside to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who challenged America to breathe new life into our oldest values by extending its promise to all our people.

On this particular Martin Luther King Day, it is especially important to recall that for the last several years of his life, Dr. King was illegally wiretapped-one of hundreds of thousands of Americans whose private communications were intercepted by the U.S. government during this period.

Good Government at Work

I'm old enough to remember when government actually worked for the citizens of the US, and didn't just take things away. Here's a great example of our public servants improving the lives of their constituents and setting a standard for others to follow:

Maryland legislators voted Thursday to enact a first-in-the-nation requirement that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spend more on employee health care. The measure, touted as a money-saver for the state-supported Medicaid program, takes effect despite the governor’s veto of the bill.

Labor unions have said they are seeking similar legislation this year in at least 30 other states. Supporters say the retailing giant unfairly takes advantage of taxpayer-funded health care plans because some workers can’t afford Wal-Mart’s health insurance.

“The taxpayers are giving a health-care subsidy to the largest retailer on earth,” argued Democratic Delegate Kumar Barve. The House and Senate, both controlled by Democrats, both notched the three-fifths margins needed to override a veto last May by Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich.

Wal-Mart sucks.

Spying BEFORE 9/11

According to Truthout.org, the Chimp's administration began spying on Americans PRIOR to 9/11.

The National Security Agency advised President Bush in early 2001 that it had been eavesdropping on Americans during the course of its work monitoring suspected terrorists and foreigners believed to have ties to terrorist groups, according to a declassified document.

The NSA's vast data-mining activities began shortly after Bush was sworn in as president and the document contradicts his assertion that the 9/11 attacks prompted him to take the unprecedented step of signing a secret executive order authorizing the NSA to monitor a select number of American citizens thought to have ties to terrorist groups.

In its "Transition 2001" report, the NSA said that the ever-changing world of global communication means that "American communication and targeted adversary communication will coexist."

"Make no mistake, NSA can and will perform its missions consistent with the Fourth Amendment and all applicable laws," the document says.

However, it adds that "senior leadership must understand that the NSA's mission will demand a 'powerful, permanent presence' on global telecommunications networks that host both 'protected' communications of Americans and the communications of adversaries the agency wants to target."

There's more at the link.

For those of you who think war is an acceptable time to spy without warrants, how do you react to this? Is the Chimp above the law? I think not.

Baseball Memories

Spring training is 5 weeks away. In commemoration, here's my favorite picture.

Take That, Wolf!

On yesterday's CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, Howard Dean set the record straight on the Democrats' relationship to the Abramoff scandal (which I didn't even know):

BLITZER: Should Democrats who took money from Jack Abramoff, who has now pleaded guilty to bribery charges, among other charges, a Republican lobbyist in Washington, should the Democrat who took money from him give that money to charity or give it back?

DEAN: There are no Democrats who took money from Jack Abramoff, not one, not one single Democrat. Every person named in this scandal is a Republican. Every person under investigation is a Republican. Every person indicted is a Republican. This is a Republican finance scandal. There is no evidence that Jack Abramoff ever gave any Democrat any money. And we've looked through all of those FEC reports to make sure that's true.

BLITZER: But through various Abramoff-related organizations and outfits, a bunch of Democrats did take money that presumably originated with Jack Abramoff.

DEAN: That's not true either. There's no evidence for that either. There is no evidence...

BLITZER: What about Senator Byron Dorgan?

DEAN: Senator Byron Dorgan and some others took money from Indian tribes. They're not agents of Jack Abramoff. There's no evidence that I've seen that Jack Abramoff directed any contributions to Democrats. I know the Republican National Committee would like to get the Democrats involved in this. They're scared. They should be scared. They haven't told the truth. They have misled the American people. And now it appears they're stealing from Indian tribes. The Democrats are not involved in this.

BLITZER: Unfortunately Mr. Chairman, we got to leave it right there.

Hillary Looking Into Armor Issue

In case you wondered if anyone at all is paying attention in Washington...Senator Clinton is looking into the armor issue as noted a few days ago in this post.

Give 'em hell, Hillary.

And thank you.

Does Every Problem Come from the Chimp's Administration?

From a Knight Ridder investigation:

WASHINGTON - Since the Bush administration took office in 2001, it has been more lenient than its predecessors toward mining companies facing serious safety violations, issuing fewer and smaller major fines and collecting less than half of the money that violators owed, a Knight Ridder investigation has found.

At one point last year, the Mine Safety and Health Administration fined a coal company $440 for a "significant and substantial" violation that ended in the death of a Kentucky man. The firm, International Coal Group Inc., is the same company that owns the Sago mine in West Virginia, where 12 workers died last week.

The $440 fine remains unpaid.

Good Lord. There is no shame.

This is Sad, Just Sad

From the NY Times:

A secret Pentagon study has found that at least 80 percent of the marines who have been killed in Iraq from wounds to their upper body could have survived if they had extra body armor. That armor has been available since 2003 but until recently the Pentagon has largely declined to supply it to troops despite calls from the field for additional protection, according to military officials.

The ceramic plates in vests currently worn by the majority of military personnel in Iraq cover only some of the chest and back. In at least 74 of the 93 fatal wounds that were analyzed in the Pentagon study of marines from March 2003 through June 2005, bullets and shrapnel struck the marines' shoulders, sides or areas of the torso where the plates do not reach.
...
Additional forensic studies by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner's unit that were obtained by The Times indicate that about 340 American troops have died solely from torso wounds.

Military officials said they had originally decided against using the extra plates because they were concerned they added too much weight to the vests or constricted the movement of soldiers. Marine Corps officials said the findings of the Pentagon study caused field commanders to override those concerns in the interest of greater protection.

60% of What You Say is Crap

Let's hear it for David Letterman! If you haven't seen or heard, Mr. Letterman took Bill O'Reilly to task last night. Here's the video via Crooks & Liars.

Doesn't it figure that just when we get a Digital Video Recording system, I don't have it set to tape Letterman. Doh.

No on Alito

Please join me in writing a short note to your Senators, asking them to oppose Judge Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court.

Judge Alito has a record of extreme views on issues like privacy and civil rights and a pattern of deception to hide them from congress and the public. He's the wrong choice for the highest court in the land. We don't need another corporate lawyer on the Supreme Court.

You can write a short letter to your Senators and deliver it online just by going here:

http://www.political.moveon.org/alitoletters

Thanks!

Happy New Year!

2006 is here and here's hoping it treats the Chimp just as well as 2005 did!

As for the rest of us, 2005 was actually pretty good, now that I've started to look at it, but I'm looking forward to a few improvements in the New Year. This includes better mental health for my hubbles, better physical health for me. Can I finally get back to losing weight? I have been gaining and losing the same 4 or 5 pounds for a year (or so). The good news is I'm not gaining, but it's time to move my weight even further down this coming year. We're also looking into joining a yoga class or two - for His stress relief, to help me improve my back.

Come to think of it, 2005 finally brought an end to my back problems. Who knew that getting off my ass would be precisely what I need? (I know, practically all of you reading this blog know this, I guess I'm a slow learner.) I can credit my chiropractor for delicately suggesting that this would be exactly what I needed. Danielle, here's to you!

We had a great New Year's Eve - watched DVD concerts, circa 1970s. First on tap was "The Concert for Bangladesh" with Leon Russell stealing the show. Next, we watched Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's concert from the 30th Anniversary disc of "Born to Run," which was fabulous (kinda reminding me of my first Bruce concert in 1978). Then we watched probably the best concert movie of all time "The Last Waltz." If you haven't seen it, and you enjoy good bluesy rock and roll, get to it soon.

Anyway, Happy New Year to all -- hopefully I'll also regain my blogging habit!

All the best to all of you.

Blogging Meme

This one's all over the liberal blogs in the last few days...must be the spirit of Christmas and slow news:

Four jobs you've had in your life: switchboard operator, secretary, media relations representative, web content manager

Four movies you could watch over and over: Julia, A River Runs Through It, Animal House, Bull Durham

Four places you've lived: Reading, Ohio; Amherst, Mass; Cincinnati, Ohio; Shrewsbury, Mass.

Four TV shows you love to watch: The Office, West Wing, Cheers, The Gilmore Girls (don't ask)

Four places you've been on vacation: San Francisco, New York City, Key West, New Orleans

Four websites you visit daily: DailyKos, Crooks & Liars, Raw Story, Talking Points Memo

Four of your favorite foods: chocolate chip cookies, Quakes, grilled cheese, mashed potatoes

Four places you'd rather be: New Orleans, Big Sur, Mendocino, New York City

Imagine

Imagine having a president with a heart! We had one, folks. Here he is, singing with Jewish and Arab children.

Merry Christmas to all!

A Time to Blog...

Tonight when I found myself yelling "fuck you!" at the television set when one of the Republican hack senators was attempting to justify spying on Americans, I realized it was time to blog again.

The whole damn political situation is just depressing. Having the Chimp go on the TV every other day to claim how we're "winning" the war and that he's willing to repeatedly spy on Americans in spite of its illegality just wants to make me throw up on my shoes. And even worse is watching people trying to defend him. The lying fuckers in Washington are simply amazing and it's time to throw all of these wankers out.

Merry Christmas.

Sorry about that...

...but for some reason blogging has not been uppermost in my brain lately. I think partially it has to do with the fact that there are so many people saying pretty much the same things. And, I have to admit, I'm not the most original of them all. So, therefore, less blogging.

HOWEVER, stumbled upon two things at other blogs that I found to be laugh out loud good.

First, Will Farrell doing his spot-on imitation of the Chimp. You're gonna love it.

And now, this from DailyKos: Cheers & Jeers:

"After numerous rounds of "We don't even know if Osama is still alive," Osama himself decided to send George W. Bush a letter in his own handwriting to let the President know he was still in the game. Bush opened the letter and it appeared to contain a single line of coded message:

370HSSV-0773H

Bush was baffled, so he e-mailed it to Condi Rice. Condi and her aides had no clue either, so they sent it to the FBI.

No one could solve it at the FBI so it went to the CIA, then to the NSA. With no clue as to its meaning they eventually asked Britain's M-6 for help. Within a minute M6 cabled the White House with this reply:

"Tell the President he's holding the message upside down."

Har har!

Wilkerson At It Again

From an AP story on the Washington Post website:

WASHINGTON -- A top aide to former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that wrongheaded ideas for the handling of foreign detainees arose from White House and Pentagon officials who argued that "the president of the United States is all-powerful" and the Geneva Conventions irrelevant.

In an Associated Press interview, former Powell chief of staff Lawrence Wilkerson also said President Bush was "too aloof, too distant from the details" of postwar planning. Underlings exploited Bush's detachment and made poor decisions, Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson blamed Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and like-minded aides. He said Cheney must have sincerely believed that Iraq could be a spawning ground for new terror assaults, because "otherwise I have to declare him a moron, an idiot or a nefarious bastard."

Phew! Tell us how you really feel, Mr. Wilkerson.

A Thanksgiving Ritual

In honor of Thanksgiving....a little Alice's Restaurant...

"They got a building down New York City, it's called Whitehall Street, where you walk in, you get injected, inspected, detected, infected, neglected and selected. I went down to get my physical examination one day, and I walked in, I sat down, got good and drunk the night before, so I looked and felt my best when I went in that morning. `Cause I wanted to look like the all-American kid from New York City, man I wanted, I wanted to feel like the all-, I wanted to be the all American kid from New York, and I walked in, sat down, I was hung down, brung down, hung up, and all kinds o' mean nasty ugly things. And I waked in and sat down and they gave me a piece of paper, said, "Kid, see the phsychiatrist, room 604."

And I went up there, I said, "Shrink, I want to kill. I mean, I wanna, I wanna kill. Kill. I wanna, I wanna see, I wanna see blood and gore and guts and veins in my teeth. Eat dead burnt bodies. I mean kill, Kill, KILL, KILL." And I started jumpin up and down yelling, "KILL, KILL," and he started jumpin up and down with me and we was both jumping up and down yelling, "KILL, KILL." And the sargent came over, pinned a medal on me, sent me down the hall, said, "You're our boy."

Being Thankful

.
On Thanksgiving Eve, our thoughts turn to listing those things for which I am most thankful. Here goes:

1. Health and well-being: My husband and I are as healthy as middle-aged people can be (for the most part) and this evermore will be #1 on my list. Keep it coming. In 2005 I conquered my bad back, thanks to a wonderful pair of chiropractors and joining a gym (who'da thunk?)!

2. My family: I am related to some of the wackiest - and most wonderful - people on earth. In spite of what they all think, I do wish we were spending the holiday together. This holiday, and all others in the future.

3. Blogging: This humble space on the internets has been a great place to take note of 2005. It's interesting to be able to look back on the year, knowing I started this thang during the middle of a blizzard, wrote many posts to describe many a snowstorm, right on through a fairly good baseball season, right up to today as we prepare to finish up the year. I thank those of you who actually read it and those who comment get a big *smooch*!

4. Friends: There have been many years when the Thanksgiving holiday was a time to ditch the people I work with and get as far away from them as possible, but this year we are celebrating with colleagues who are now among my best buddies. My friend, Susan, is providing the hospitality and good food and we are very happy to spend time with her and her very special family tomorrow. I am very thankful that I have like-minded pals to spend holidays with!

5. My home: As I type this, I am watching a TV news story in which they are describing how people who were hit by Hurricane Katrina are spending Thanksgiving. Many of them are in FEMA trailors, without a clear idea about where there home will eventually end up. I am grateful to have a warm place to call my own, with all the fun things a person could ask for: piles of books, satellite radio, a digital camera, a cable modem that allows me to do this very thing....and much more.

6. An imploding GOP - the gift that keeps on giving: It actually feels redundant to spend each evening after work commenting on the news of the day. Every day, another scandal. Every day, another lie being told. Every day, one day closer to the 2006 elections and *god willing* the Democrats take over the Congress. (*fingers crossed*)

7. A job I like: I am one of the fortunate few who like their job. Although someday soon I hope not to have to work in a large corporation, the company I work for isn't all that bad. My day is for the most part under my own control - I can work at home when I want to, I can take time off if necessary to deal with personal issues (like doctor appointments, etc.). AND, as I mentioned before, I work with some great women, with similar views on politics and life. The team I work closely with are great fun, smart, and take their work (but not themselves) seriously. Truth be told, I don't think I could get paid as much working somewhere else, so I truly must be thankful.

8. Technology (for the most part): I love that I can sit here and write whatever comes into my head and have it be read by people around the world. I love that I can tap away on my laptop computer and be interrupted by an instant message from a friend or family - without picking up the phone. (Come to think of it, the phone is a piece of technology I could truly do without.)

9. America: I know, I know, it's as trite as possibly can be, but I'm still grateful to be living in this country in spite of our current leadership. I just finished listening to the audio book "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin and in many ways it's amazing that we have even survived this far. If you have a chance to read this book, you should. It will show you how a self-confident president (Lincoln) can actually trust himself enough to put people with differing viewpoints in his administration, and demonstrate that it actually benefits the country.

9. Nothing for nine.

10. My husband: I'm very lucky to have a marriage that has lasted more than 25 years. My sweetie is also my biggest cheerleader - a man who wants me to be as successful and happy as I possibly can be. Lucky for me, he has no artifice - I trust him with all my heart, and yet, I believe there are things going on inside his head that I can't begin to understand. And I like that - a little mystery is a good thing, in my opinion. Gives me something to look forward to, and for that I'm truly grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Hot Stove League Heating Up

A little over four months from now, baseball season starts (April 2, according to the tentative schedule posted on redsox.com). Can't start soon enough in my book - and especially with the newest Red Sox additions announced today. A couple of minor league prospects (good prospects at that) were traded to the Marlins for Josh Beckett - he of the MVP of the 2003 World Series Champions that BEAT the MFYs in 5 games. Well, a certified Yankee Killer. Love that!

Welcome to Red Sox Nation, Josh!

Cheers to Jack Murtha

Did you know Jack Murtha before today? I sure didn't. All day in the blogosphere note was made of Representative Murtha's call for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Didn't surprise me. Didn't interest me all that much - people are jumping off the war bandwagon faster than a ...well, faster than the fastest thing you can think of.

Anyway, what finally caught my attention about Murtha's remarks was a TV clip I saw this evening in which the good Rep was asked about the flak he was taking from the Preznit and Vice Preznit on his position. And he responded, thusly (and he was quite choked up as he is a veteran himself, I take it):

"I like guys who got five deferments and (have) never been there and send people to war, and then don't like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done," Murtha said."

Well said, Congressman. The rest of us don't like it much either. Thank you.

Lies, Lies and More Lies

For the convenience of all Americans who are looking for a nice compilation of recent lies of the Chimp's administration, Knight Ridder provides this. Nice and convenient...thanks!

"Dishonest and Reprehensible..."

Takes one to know one.

White Phosphorous...the Lowdown

Well, it appears that the military is admitting they used white phosphorous in the battle over Fallujah last year. However, not on civilians.

"Army Lt. Col. Barry Venable, a Pentagon spokesman, said the U.S. military had not used the highly flammable weapons against civilians, contrary to an Italian state television report this month that stated the munitions were used against men, women and children in Falluja who were burned to the bone.

"We categorically deny that claim," Venable said.

"It's part of our conventional-weapons inventory and we use it like we use any other conventional weapon," added Bryan Whitman, another Pentagon spokesman."

Hmmmm....don't you love the smell of white phosphorous in the morning?

No, we'd never use it on civilians.

Never.

The Scribbler Does It Again

From the Illustrated Daily Scribbler:

Military Malpractice

Democratic Senators who are looking for a way to explain their vote to authorize Bush to use force in Iraq need only look here for a perfect explanation.

"...Congress gave the president the authorization to go to war. They did not give him the authorization to do so incompetently. There's a big difference. You give your doctor permission to conduct a tonsilectomy. You do not, however, give him permission to get drunk and cut off your leg by mistake.

Bush is guilty of military malpractice. No one gave him permission to do a sloppy job."

TPM Nails It

Here's Josh Marshall's take on the Chimp. Well said.

Crazy?

From the Washington Post:

"Aretha Franklin was teary-eyed, Carol Burnett was teasing, Alan Greenspan was reliably taciturn, and "The Greatest of All Time" stole the show when President Bush bestowed the Medal of Freedom on them and 10 others in a White House ceremony yesterday.

Bush, who appeared almost playful, fastened the heavy medal around Muhammad Ali's neck and whispered something in the heavyweight champion's ear. Then, as if to say "bring it on," the president put up his dukes in a mock challenge. Ali, 63, who has Parkinson's disease and moves slowly, looked the president in the eye -- and, finger to head, did the "crazy" twirl for a couple of seconds."

He Can't Even Lie Correctly Now

If I didn't dislike the Chimp so much, I might actually begin to feel sorry for the man. Now he can't even lie properly:

"President Bush and his national security adviser have answered critics of the Iraq war in recent days with a two-pronged argument: that Congress saw the same intelligence the administration did before the war, and that independent commissions have determined that the administration did not misrepresent the intelligence.

Neither assertion is wholly accurate."

Looks like his latest campaign is getting off to a great start, eh?

Newsweek has him at 37% approval now.

Supporting Veterans

For those of you sporting the "Support our Troops" magnets on the rear of your car, or flying a flag day and night, it's now time to figure out a way to truly honor the men and women who serve in our armed forces. As we celebrate Veteran's Day, perhaps we should consider doing something that actually has some value: providing decent health care, or making sure reservists don't lose their homes while they're deployed. And, of course, there's that other important opportunity to support the troops: provide enough armor on their military vehicles in Iraq.

But most of all, if we truly want to support the troops: BRING THEM HOME NOW.

So Govern Already, Would Ya?

OK, now the Chimp has decided he needs to "fight back" against those who have been beating up on him recently over how we got into the war. The WH is launching a "campaign-style" strategy to respond to critics.

Ya know what I think? I say GOVERN already and stop campaigning for everything. If the Administration would just buckle down and overcome their Attention Deficit Disorder they might actually get something done. Of course, this is what they should have done nearly 4 years ago when they launched the attack on Afghanistan. They should have stayed there, got bin Laden and got the hell out. Instead, we got all mucked up in Iraq, can't figure out what to do about health care or anything else on the domestic front (except tax cuts).

I'll be the first to admit the GOP is probably good at campaigning. It's governing that they haven't the first clue about.

Chickenhawk Dick

Interesting that Dick didn't have "other priorities" on this Veteran's Day, isn't it? The soldiers, sailors and marines that were at Arlington today should have turned their backs on someone who avoided service...and YET felt compelled to push this country into a war of choice. The hypocrisy is mind-boggling.

Too Damn Funny

From "2 Political Junkies"

White Phosphorous, What Next?

From The Independent in the UK, by way of DailyKos today:

"Powerful new evidence emerged yesterday that the United States dropped massive quantities of white phosphorus on the Iraqi city of Fallujah during the attack on the city in November 2004, killing insurgents and civilians with the appalling burns that are the signature of this weapon.

Ever since the assault, which went unreported by any Western journalists, rumours have swirled that the Americans used chemical weapons on the city."

[snip]

"In a documentary to be broadcast by RAI, the Italian state broadcaster, this morning, a former American soldier who fought at Fallujah says: "I heard the order to pay attention because they were going to use white phosphorus on Fallujah. In military jargon it's known as Willy Pete.

"Phosphorus burns bodies, in fact it melts the flesh all the way down to the bone ... I saw the burned bodies of women and children. Phosphorus explodes and forms a cloud. Anyone within a radius of 150 metres is done for."

First, we have stolen elections. Then we have war on false pretenses, followed by torturing prisoners. Now this. The only thing that saves us is that the Chimp's house of cards may be falling soon (see poll results below). Good lord.

Another Day, Another Bad Poll (hee hee)

Latest NBC News/WSJ poll: more bad news for the Chimp. I said to someone today that the recent events in Washington make me feel like I'm living in an alternate universe of some kind. But, I quickly amended that thought. In reality, we've been living in an alternate universe for the past 5 years and perhaps we're beginning our re-entry into the normal world again.

This Has to Be A Joke

Bush expects staff to attend ethics "refresher."

Jim VandeHei must have enjoyed writing this:

"President Bush has ordered White House staff to attend mandatory briefings beginning next week on ethical behavior and the handling of classified material after the indictment last week of a senior administration official in the CIA leak probe."

John Dean: Fitzgerald Wants Cheney

The irrepressible John Dean, who knows a thing or two about legal problems from his own experience, thinks Patrick Fitzgerald is after the Veep. Check this out. Here's the money quote:

"Having read the indictment against Libby, I am inclined to believe more will be issued. In fact, I will be stunned if no one else is indicted.

Indeed, when one studies the indictment, and carefully reads the transcript of the press conference, it appears Libby's saga may be only Act Two in a three-act play. And in my view, the person who should be tossing and turning at night, in anticipation of the last act, is the Vice President of the United States, Richard B. Cheney."

Sweet.

So Many Problems, So Little Time

The last couple of weeks have brought a cornucopia of problems to the Chimp - so many, in fact, that it's hard to keep up and comment on them all. But there are a number of better sources for commentary than this humble blog. And I trust you're all pulling up a chair, rubbing your hands together, having a good read, and chuckling every bit as much as I am.

IMHO, the best places to keep up are: Raw Story(for daily news), Talking Points Memo (particularly focused on the forged Italian documents related to Niger) and Crooks and Liars (for the latest video outrages or compliments). I check them religiously, and I suspect all of you do as well.

This piece caught my eye today, and I must say it's not surprising. The International Herald Tribune has a story that blames Cheney for the mistreatment of prisoners In Iraq and Afghanistan. (Apparently Lawrence Wilkerson's good and pissed off, eh?)

Here's an excerpt:

"Vice President Dick Cheney's office was responsible for directives that led to U.S. soldiers' abusing prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan, a former top State Department official said Thursday.

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Colin Powell, then the secretary of state, told National Public Radio he had traced a trail of memos and directives authorizing questionable detention practices up through Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's office directly to Cheney's staff.

"The secretary of defense under cover of the vice president's office," Wilkerson said, "regardless of the president having put out this memo" - "they began to authorize procedures within the armed forces that led to what we've seen."

He said the directives contradicted a 2002 order by President George W. Bush for the U.S. military to abide by the Geneva conventions against torture."

Apparently, Dick's also been recently going around to various members of the Senate urging them to stick with the Administration versus John McCain's bill outlawing torture of prisons. OK, what kind of nutjob is pro-torture? I guess the Dick is - and he's trying to bring others along with him. But, I guess he hasn't read the polls lately and found out that the Administration is going down the drain.

Wild About Harry

Well, well, well. We DO have an opposition party after all, now don't we? Today, our dear Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid beat the Republicans at their own game by requesting that the Senate have a closed session. The topic? When would the Senate be reporting on Phase 2 of the Senate Intelligence Report on whether the Administration manipulated intelligence in the run-up to the War in Iraq. A major win for us today! It's nice to know that there are some balls out there.

Probably just as fun was watching Senator Frist have a hissy fit about supposedly being "slapped in the face by this stunt." Gimme a break. And the Terry Schiavo incident wasn't a "stunt?" Get over yourselves, boys. There really are going to be some checks and balances after all.

Give 'em hell, Harry! Keep it coming! We've got your back.

(Wanna tell Senator Reid how you feel? Go here.)

Say It Ain't So, Theo

More gloomy news from Fenway Park. Tonight, Theo Epstein resigned as General Manager after not being able to come to terms with management over a new contract. Won't be long till everyone from 2004 has hit the road, eh? Sad.

Theo, if you don't have anything else to do, I'd like to introduce you to my niece, Molly. Just leave me a comment and I'll make it happen.

Bill's New Family

Today the Chimp nominated a new right-wing nutjob to the Supreme Court vacancy left by soon-to-be-sainted Sandra Day O'Connor (I'm kidding, I'm kidding about Justice Sandy, but she's getting some damn good press these days, wouldn't you say?). HOWEVER, one of the funniest pictures taken at the White House was this picture - of Sam Alito's family under the watchful gaze of Bill Clinton. And, don't look now, but I think Bill's hand is resting on the teen-aged daughter's shoulder. Har har!



OK, I have one comment about "Scalito" and that is this. If the man is beyond reproach, a wonderful nominee with the best possible background that makes him a PERFECT Justice of the Supreme Court, why didn't the Chimp nominate him a few weeks ago when he had the chance? I'm just sayin'....

Clinton vs. the Chimp

In recent days, we'll all heard various members of the Administration (including the Chimp himself...especially the Chimp himself) say, "We have to get back to the people's business." All the commentators say Bush is taking a page out of the Clinton playbook during the impeachment. At first blush (if you'll pardon the pun), this seems like a common sense strategy. But John Podesta, Bill's chief of staff, has this response, from the Washington Post.

"John D. Podesta, who was chief of staff to Clinton, said Bush may be more constrained by his troubles than Clinton was by his. Noting that Clinton's approval ratings remained above 60 percent throughout the impeachment battle, while Bush's are in the low 40s, Podesta said, "When Clinton said, 'I'm going back to do my work,' people cheered," Podesta said. "When Bush says, 'I'm going to do the job I've been doing,' people say, 'Oh, no.' "

Ha! What a great response, and I'm glad Mr. Podesta is saying it. I also heard him say it on CNN last night and it made me literally stand up and applaud. Say what you will about Clinton, it's been proven time and time again that he (to quote a famous phrase) "did a helluva job!"

Looking back, remember when we had peace, jobs, low interest rates, decent oil prices, and a president who could actually speak without a script? Hard to believe how much could be ruined in 5 short years.

Indictment Day

Five felony counts for Scooter Libby today, which you've all heard by now (perjury, lying and obstruction of justice). While I was hoping for more people to be indicted today, I guess it's enough for now.

Just about a year ago, following the election results, we would never have expected as much fall-out in the Chimp's administration as we've seen recently. But now that so many shoes have fallen (Katrina mess, Harriet Miers fiasco, ridiculous gas prices, the ungodly contination of the WAR) that I'm beginniing to think Imelda Marcos lives in Washington.

But even so, it's time to remind everyone that W came to the presidency saying he was going to restore "dignity" to the capital city. While all of us were disappointed in Clinton's personal sexual picadillos, the rest of his conduct and his administration's was nowhere near what we see today.

Here's Paul Begala's take on the comparison between the two via Huffington Post:

"The plain fact is that after a seven year non-stop investigato-rama, no senior Clinton White House official was ever even charged with wrongdoing. Much less indicted. Much less convicted. In fact, the highest-ranking Clinton official to be convicted of wrongdoing in connection with his public duties was the chief of staff to the Agriculture Secretary. Betcha five bucks you can't even name the Clinton Agriculture Secretary in question, much less his chief of staff. Unlike Nixon (whose Watergate crimes were manifest), unlike Reagan (whose White House was corrupted by the Iran-Contra crimes), unlike Bush 41 (who pardoned White House aides and Cabinet officers before they could testify against him), Bill Clinton presided over the most ethical White House staff in decades."

Read more, it's a good one.

But what about Rove? Fitz says the investigation isn't over. We'll keep our fingers crossed that he, too, will join Libby in the defendant's chair someday soon. Stay tuned.

Rest in Peace, Rosa Parks

At the risk of sounding like a true geezer, I hope today's young women understand what a huge risk it was for Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man back in 1955.

This important woman passed away yesterday. Rest in peace, Rosa.

2,000

Today, the 2,000th American service person died in Iraq in a war of choice. Now how does that make you feel? Makes the post below even more important and the events that will take place over the next few days will truly be historic.

Bring the rest of the troops home now, put the crooks in jail, and perhaps the families of the troops will forgive us all one day.

Worst.Administration.Ever.

Twas the Night Before Fitzmas...

Have you got your Fitzmas shopping done? What will you make for Fitzmas dinner? How will you celebrate?

Here's one way: Fitzmas Bingo, and "backupbrain.com" offers you your own card! You can place your marker on any of the names shown on the card and see how well you do.

And although I've linked to this already, Georgia10's diary at dailykos, is worth a new link today: 10 Tips for Dealing with Fitzmas!

Anx, here's the latest news from The Washington Note:

1. 1-5 indictments are being issued. The source feels that it will be towards the higher end.

2. The targets of indictment have already received their letters.

3. The indictments will be sealed indictments and "filed" tomorrow.

4. A press conference is being scheduled for Thursday.

Scowcroft Takes Bush 43 Apart (with the help of 41)

Here's a link to some of the money excerpts from the New Yorker article about Brent Scowcroft (former National Security Advisor to GHWB). We need a few more of these people to talk.

Revenge is Ugly

Unhappy with how well the Bug Man looked in his mugshot? Try these out for a laugh. You'll thank me for it later.

Will the Grinch Steal Fitzmas? Read Billmon.

A favorite blogger (Billmon) presents another option open to the special prosecutor, delivered by none other than John Dean of Watergate fame. Dean knows a lot about these things and thinks that there may be no indictments next week. However, I agree with Billmon that Dean might not be right.

Here's Billmon's take:

"But I think Dean is wrong this time, even though he's right to warn against the overheated rumors now chasing each other through both Left and Right Blogostan. I think Fitzgerald is poised to indict, and while the list of defendants may be short -- Rove, Libby plus a few lower-level munchkins -- I think the charges will be both broad and numerous, including unauthorized disclosure of classified information, theft of government property, conspiracy, obstruction and some combination of perjury and/or false statement charges. I wouldn't even be surprised if the Intelligence Identities Protection Act rears its serpentine head after all -- depending on the means, motives and opportunities of Bob Novak's second source."

Cannot wait.

How Much is Left Curve Worth?

My blog is worth $31,049.70.
How much is your blog worth?

Anybody buying?

The Worm Is Turning

Look for the next issue of "The New Yorker" to outline Brent Scowcroft's unhappiness with the current admnistration and its foreign policy. It is often said that the Bush family places a high value on loyalty, so this can't be good news for the Chimp. Could happen to a nicer mammal.

Oh, I'm looking forward to next week! Fitzmas is coming early this year (I hope)! I think my favorite Fitzmas carol is "Joy to the World!" Happy days are here again!

Raw Story Leading the Way

Plame-gate central for anyone is a junkie like me: Raw Story. They today reported that there is a second Cheney aide who is working with special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. This is like watching "All the President's Men" in real time. Love it, love it, love it.

Stay tuned to Raw Story - it's the real deal, folks.

What Did He Know and When Did He Know It?

Did the Chimp know Rove's role two years ago? And did both (or one) of them lie about it?

The New York Daily News has the story here.

So when is Fitzmas? Not till next week, unfortunately. I'm all a'twitter! How 'bout you? Happy days are here again (I hope)!

The Day Beignets Saved My Life

It was a rainy and cold January Sunday afternoon in New Orleans. We were walking through the French Quarter dodging the raindrops, listening to the sounds from a street performer's saxophone. I looked up and saw a cafe offering cafe au lait and one of the most wonderful food items ever invented: the beignet. If you haven't been to New Orleans, you may not have had the opportunity to taste this decadent little desert: a deep friend piece of dough, covered with powdered sugar. We were lucky enough to find a little table in the window of the cafe, where they served us fresh-from-the-oven, still warm beignets. While the rain continued to fall, I went from a sad, cold, hungry tourist to the happiest person on earth, and we happily faced the rest of the day.

And that's how beignets saved my life.

Luckily, the most popular outpost of the beignet in the French Quarter reopened today - the Cafe du Monde, which is open every day of the year (except Christmas), 24/7. I look forward to visiting the French Quarter soon - and hopefully I'll get the beignet before I'm a starving and wiped out mess.

Latest Jib-Jab

Enjoy Jib Jab's take on the recent presidential election? If so, you'll love their new video on "Big Box Mart" and how damaging this type of store is to our economy. Not so funny as their previous stuff, as it's way too true. But, join everyone on the web and see it here.

O'Reilly On The Daily Show

Hate Bill O'Reilly? You must see his recent appearance on 'The Daily Show'. Jon was surprisingly soft with him, but the audience booed like hell. My kind of audience.

Here's a link to the video, via "Crooks and Liars"

More Fun with Dick and Scooter

From the Illustrated Daily Scribbler.

Harriet Has A Blog

Of course, the latest Supreme Court nominee has a blog, and you're going to love it!

Red Sox Post Mortem

I know you've all been waiting with bated breath for my reaction to the Red Sox loss in the ALDS - in a sweep, no less. Well, it was a bummer. But, when you actually think about it, we in New England have literally experienced a non-stop, two year baseball season in which the Sox players, management, field and everything else that could be attached, were so over-exposed, over-hyped that I think people were actually a bit fed up. (Interestingly, the Patriots won 2 Super Bowls during the same time period and don't actually get the same kind of air time.)

Nevertheless, I was disappointed in the way they ran out of steam, but I was highly delighted when the MFY's managed to screw up their series as well. We've been enjoying watching the games since then - without the emotional toll, and lack of sleep. I personally am rooting for the Astros - probably because they've never been in the World Series. But, it's also because I'd rather that the world champ be from the National League so we don't have to face them regularly next year and get as sick of them as everyone else was of the Red Sox this year. If you follow that logic, I applaud you.

Here's my hope for the off-season: get some PITCHING. And, keep Johnny Damon on the team. Please. And, just because I can, here's a relic of last year for you:

Merry Fitzmas!!!

One of the funniest things I've ever read on Daily Kos was added this evening. It's perhaps a bit early to say that there will be indictments this week of the Chimp and/or his cronies. But, it may be time to stop and think about what it must be like in the White House this eveing. And this writer at Daily Kos has dubbed the coming events "Fitzmas" and provides a list of ways to celebrate. A great read.

The Leak Probe Continues

(that kinda sounds dirty, doesn't it?)

Anyway, while I've been on a bit of a vacation with a visiting niece, politics continues as usual. The Wall Street Journal reports that the CIA leak case may actually be broadening:

"There are signs that prosecutors now are looking into contacts between administration officials and journalists that took place much earlier than previously thought. Earlier conversations are potentially significant, because that suggests the special prosecutor leading the investigation is exploring whether there was an effort within the administration at an early stage to develop and disseminate confidential information to the press that could undercut former Ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, Central Intelligence Agency official Valerie Plame."

More to come!

The Hammer Gets Hit...Again

DeLay indicted for money laundering...how sad!

Administration of Screw-ups

Here's a great, funny post about the Chimp and his pals. Love. TBogg!

Where Do You Fit on the Political Spectrum?

Here's a fun test to see where your opinions fit on the range of political options, from anarchist, to conservative, to regular ole' Democrat or Republican. For the record, I came up as a "Socialist." Surprise Surprise!

Justice?

I hate to be so very shallow, but this woman needs a makeover.

Sox Clinch Wild Card

The President is a Crook

According to Think Progress today, the Chimp is actually involved in the conspiracy to defame Ambassador Joe Wilson:

"Near the end of a round table discussion on ABC’s This Week, George Stephanopoulos dropped this bomb:

Definitely a political problem but I wonder, George Will, do you think it’s a manageable one for the White House especially if we don’t know whether Fitzgerald is going to write a report or have indictments but if he is able to show as a source close to this told me this week, that President Bush and Vice President Cheney were actually involved in some of these discussions.

This would explain why Bush spent more than an hour answering questions from special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. It would also fundamentally change the dynamics of the scandal. President Bush could no longer claim he was merely a bystander who wants to “get to the bottom of it.” As Stephanopoulos notes, if Bush played a direct role it could make this scandal completely unmanageable."



Impeach Bush.

Autumn Wishes

Last year at this time, I was faced with an interesting dilemma.

The election was looming with the Worst.President.Ever. running for re-election. Simultaneously, I was hanging on to every pitch as the Red Sox baseball season was winding down and the postseason was gearing up. Since I am a realist, and not greedy, I tried to decide between two wishes. So, I asked myself, which wish will it be? A World Series win or a John Kerry win?

Believe it or not, I opted for the World Series win - I truly did. In my humble opinion, I figured the chances were better that a Democrat would win the Presidency sometime in my lifetime than for the Sox to win a championship. Therefore, I put all my effort into wishing for the first championship (altogether now!) in 86 years.

And, oh what a happy year it has been since that fateful October day! In actuality, I'm not certain that Red Sox Nation has ever come down from Cloud Nine in the eleven months since the Big Win. Hardly a day went by this year that we didn't see the replay of the final out - the ball hit back to Keith Foulke, who tossed it ever-so-gently to Doug Mientkiewicz at first base, who promptly jumped in the air with both arms raised. Next, a pile of wild celebrants on the pitcher's mound - you've all seen it, too, I'm sure.

In the aftermath of the Big Win, the Sox ownership has taken the unprecedented step of touring the World Series trophy like a hot rock star. During this year, it has made guest appearances in every one of the 147 cities and towns of Massachusetts, every New England state, New York, California, Florida and many states (and foreign countries) in between. Often we hear the comment that every citizen of Red Sox Nation must have had their picture taken with it. For the record, I haven't . However, I DID get to try on one of the $15,000 championship rings that were raffled off for charity over the summer. And I have the picture to prove it, so there!

Tonight, as I type this, the Sox and MFY's are tied for first place. The outcome of this season remains in the balance, which is torturing me to no end. In fact, I get so ungodly nervous that I can't even watch the games. Regardless of how this season wraps up this weekend, I thank the Sox for all the happiness they've brought us and think they've done remarkably well this season in spite of the rampant injuries to the pitching staff. (Luckily, we have a number of young pitchers who will presumably make next year interesting, but that's a story for another day! Oh, and memo to Sox management: Can you please resign Johnny Damon?)

On the political front, however, I am witnessing the reverse of last autumn. While the Sox are deadlocked for the championship, I just may be seeing the beginning of another historic CHOKE, a la the NY Yankees last year. The Chimp's approval ratings are in the toilet, mere months after he declared his re-election "mandate." Tom DeLay was indicted today on charges of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Bill Frist will perhaps be investigated soon by the SEC for insider trading. The Chimp and his cronies are under daily fire for ongoing corruption, cronyism and downright incompetence.

So. Once again, I am faced with a dilemma. Do I get another successful baseball postseason for the Sox? Or, on the other hand, do I finally get to see the real loosening of the Right Wing's hold on this country? While I'm still not ready to throw in the towel on our Carmine Hose, the political season is shaping up quite nicely - things are looking ever more hopeful to those of us who have been despairing the lack of decency, the lying, the corruption in the GOP.

So which will I chose? Hmmmm, can I get back to you?

Love That Dirty Water....

Tim Wakefield is THE MAN. Now we just need Schilling to kick it like it's 2004! Go SOX! Here's a good luck picture to carry us through.

Brownie's Still Doin' a Heckuva Job!

Via Raw Story, Mike Brown has been hired as a consultant by FEMA to evaluate the agency's response to the disaster!

This is a WTF moment if there ever was one. CBS News broke the story tonight.

Mitt's the Pits

The governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, is a complete fool. He's using his status as a member of the minority party in our state as a joke as he travels the rubber chicken circuit. No, he's not taking up yet another career as a comedian, he's actually thinking of running for president...yes, of the United States. If he thinks anyone in this country is interested in ANOTHER Massachusetts candidate in 2008, he's really got to be smoking something.

Here's a sample of his "humor":

"Being a conservative Republican in Massachusetts," he told a GOP audience in South Carolina, "is a bit like being a cattle rancher at a vegetarian convention."

Bada-bing. For months, this blue-state governor has been pitching himself to conservatives in a way that campaign experts say is highly unusual -- perhaps even historic. Instead of talking about his home state with the usual lip-quivering pride, Romney uses it like a vaudeville comic would use his mother-in-law: as a laugh line.

As in: "There are more Republicans in this room tonight than I have in my state!" -- another joke he used in South Carolina.

Iraqi's: Yes; Gulf Coast: No

This infuriatesKos and infuriates me too. Somehow we have the money to kill innocent people in Iraq, but no dough for the rebuilding of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Sheesh!

Here's a bit:

"Congressional Republicans are not arguing with Bush's pledge that the federal government will lead the Louisiana and Mississippi recovery. But they are insisting that the massive cost -- as much as $200 billion -- be paid for. Conservatives are calling for spending cuts to existing programs, a few GOP moderates are entertaining the possibility of a tax increase, and many in the middle want to freeze Bush tax cuts that have yet to take effect."

Why didn't they insist that the war(s) be paid for, too? Why is that any more noble than taking care of your own country's men, women and children?

Thanks, But No Thanks

The poet Sharon Olds was offered an invitation to the National Book Festival in Washington DC and dinner at the White House with Laura Bush. However, she decided to decline very pointedly in a letter to Mrs. B. Here's a piece of it and you can read the entire letter here in The Nation.

"So the prospect of a festival of books seemed wonderful to me. I thought of the opportunity to talk about how to start up an outreach program. I thought of the chance to sell some books, sign some books and meet some of the citizens of Washington, DC. I thought that I could try to find a way, even as your guest, with respect, to speak about my deep feeling that we should not have invaded Iraq, and to declare my belief that the wish to invade another culture and another country--with the resultant loss of life and limb for our brave soldiers, and for the noncombatants in their home terrain--did not come out of our democracy but was instead a decision made "at the top" and forced on the people by distorted language, and by untruths. I hoped to express the fear that we have begun to live in the shadows of tyranny and religious chauvinism--the opposites of the liberty, tolerance and diversity our nation aspires to."

Speaking of Crooks and Liars...

There are any number of blogs one can read to get the rant of the day, or personal points of view on anything and everything. However, there's a blog that I check out every day, called Crooks and Liars. The specialty of this blog is video clips.

For today's viewing pleasure: Tucker Carlson v. Bill Maher, which is a no contest. While it's not as combustible as Tucker getting eaten alive by Jon Stewart on Crossfire, it's pretty darn tasty. (Be sure to stick around to the very end to hear Bill's take on Bill Clinton vs. the Chimp.)

Another Media Hero - Jack Cafferty, CNN

A few days ago, Chris Matthews said that he didn't think Americans cared much about whether there was an independent commission to review the response to Hurricane Katrina. I remember thinking to myself, "why the hell do I care so much and no one else does?" Well, I'm not alone as a new CNN poll says that fully 81% of Americans would like an independent commission. Well, duh!

If you think I'm indignant, check out the video of Jack Cafferty on CNN via Crooks and Liars. It's a complete hoot!

Progressive Politics Plus Religion

The folks who bring us dailykos.com, have spawned a brand new bouncing baby blog, called "Street Prophets." The idea is to give progressives a place to discuss religion, of all things. One of the main writers goes by the nom de blog of PastorDan, and luckily for us, he's not your average man of the cloth. He's irreverent, actually uses language that we all use, and from the posts I've read on dailykos, he brings a unique perspective. Check it out.

Cynicism At Its Finest

This WaPo columnist is all over the Chimp's totally political reaction to Katrina:

"It's hard to say what's worse: The incompetence of the administration's initial hurricane response or the cowardice of its follow-up. Faced with a small hit to his ratings, the president who once boasted of ignoring polls is rushing to spend billions of other people's dollars on saving his political skin. His philosophy is, "It's going to cost whatever it costs." That phrase should be the title of some future history of the Bush era.

The worst part is, President Bush doesn't even think his splurge will be effective. If he really believed that government could overcome racial inequality by targeting subsidies at minority businesses, he should have rolled out a national program long ago. But he doesn't believe anything of the kind. His promises of racial healing are entirely cynical."

Remember Kerry-Edwards? I Do

Here is our proud Democratic ticket, beating on the Chimp while he's down. Why weren't they this lucid last September, eh?

Here's Kerry's best line:

"Brownie is to Katrina what Paul Bremer is to peace in Iraq, what George Tenet is to slam-dunk intelligence, what Paul Wolfowitz is to parades paved with flowers in Baghdad, what Dick Cheney is to visionary energy policy, what Donald Rumsfeld is to basic war planning, what Tom DeLay is to ethics and what George Bush is to 'Mission Accomplished' and 'Wanted Dead or Alive.'"

And Edwards's best:

"I might have missed something, but I don't think the president ever talked about putting a cap on the salaries of the CEOs of Halliburton and the other companies . . . who are getting all these contracts. This president, who never met an earmark he wouldn't approve or a millionaire's tax cut he wouldn't promote, decided to slash wages for the least of us and the most vulnerable."

Humpty Dumpty Had a Great Fall...

*Well, I guess it's not going to be so hard to get Maureen Dowd's column for free after all. The link below is from the Dallas/Ft. Worth paper, which does require registration (for free)*

Here's a beaut of a paragraph from today's column:

"All Andrew Jackson's horses, and all the Boy King's men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again. His gladiatorial walk across the darkened greensward, past a St. Louis Cathedral bathed in moon glow from White House klieg lights, just seemed to intensify the sense of an isolated, out-of-touch president clinging to hollow symbols as his disastrous disaster agency continues to flail."

Steppin' In It

Halliburton Gets Contract To Pry Gold Fillings From New Orleans Corpses' Teeth

(Via TBogg, from The Onion)

"HOUSTON—On Tuesday, Halliburton received a $110 million no-bid government contract to pry the gold fillings from the mouths of deceased disaster victims in the New Orleans-Gulf Coast area. "We are proud to serve the government in this time of crisis by recovering valuable resources from the wreckage of this deadly storm," said David J. Lesar, Halliburton's president. "The gold we recover from the human rubble of Katrina can be used to make fighter-jet electronics, supercomputer chips, inflation-proof A-grade investments, and luxury yachting watches."

It's so sad how true this sounds.

Bush CARES about Black People

Frank Rich today:

"ONCE Toto parts the curtain, the Wizard of Oz can never be the wizard again. He is forever Professor Marvel, blowhard and snake-oil salesman. Hurricane Katrina, which is likely to endure in the American psyche as long as L. Frank Baum's mythic tornado, has similarly unmasked George W. Bush.
The worst storm in our history proved perfect for exposing this president because in one big blast it illuminated all his failings: the rampant cronyism, the empty sloganeering of "compassionate conservatism," the lack of concern for the "underprivileged" his mother condescended to at the Astrodome, the reckless lack of planning for all government operations except tax cuts, the use of spin and photo-ops to camouflage failure and to substitute for action.

In the chaos unleashed by Katrina, these plot strands coalesced into a single tragic epic played out in real time on television. The narrative is just too powerful to be undone now by the administration's desperate recycling of its greatest hits: a return Sunshine Boys tour by the surrogate empathizers Clinton and Bush I, another round of prayers at the Washington National Cathedral, another ludicrously overhyped prime-time address flecked with speechwriters' "poetry" and framed by a picturesque backdrop. Reruns never eclipse a riveting new show."

Another New Rule

To all the Talking Heads: No matter how tempting it may be, resist calling the diversity of New Orleans' culture, language, music, ethnicity, neighborhood ...or anything else...a GUMBO! That tired cliche was worn out days ago.

Thank you.

Let's Go, RED SOX

Letting the MFY's get this close is just plain MEAN.