THIS IS NOT ->Delawareliberal
CHECK US OUT AT: http://delawareliberal.wordpress.com/Sunday, April 30, 2006
Michael "Pocket Change" Castle Strikes Again
With war, economic upheaval, climate change, immigration and a score of other serious issues demanding the attention of our elected officials, you can depend on Michael Castle to turn his attention to....
Commemorative coins!!!!!!
BILL TO COMMEMORATE SAN FRANCISCO'S OLD MINT GAINS SUPPORT
Legislation originally introduced by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D- California, to make possible the authorization of up to 600,000 coins commemorating the city's Old Mint, one of the city's few historic structures to survive the 1906 earthquake and fire, has garnered "strong bipartisan support," the senator's office announced Monday.
I wonder if he would help us commemorate "Mission Accomplished Day" with a special coin? He helped usher in this Bushian distopia, the least he could give us in return is a collectible coin.
Commemorative coins!!!!!!
BILL TO COMMEMORATE SAN FRANCISCO'S OLD MINT GAINS SUPPORT
Legislation originally introduced by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D- California, to make possible the authorization of up to 600,000 coins commemorating the city's Old Mint, one of the city's few historic structures to survive the 1906 earthquake and fire, has garnered "strong bipartisan support," the senator's office announced Monday.
I wonder if he would help us commemorate "Mission Accomplished Day" with a special coin? He helped usher in this Bushian distopia, the least he could give us in return is a collectible coin.
Friday, April 28, 2006
WWJD ?
Duke Cunningham and Porter Goss Party With Gay Hookers
"As many as a half a dozen members of Congress" may be involved, but I don't have a problem with these guys paying gay hookers to have sex with them.
My problem is when they go on about how terrible "homos" are (to borrow a term from Cunningham) and then engage in the kinds of massive fraud and corruption Republicans have become known for.
UPDATE:The "as many as a half a dozen members of congress... " claim is here.
UPDATE II: On August 11, 2004 Michael Castle urged U.S. Senate to confirm Porter Goss as the next CIA Director.
I worked with Porter for eight years on the House Select Committee on Intelligence and found him to be a straight shooter...
Simply bad judgment on Castle's part or something deeper?
My problem is when they go on about how terrible "homos" are (to borrow a term from Cunningham) and then engage in the kinds of massive fraud and corruption Republicans have become known for.
UPDATE:The "as many as a half a dozen members of congress... " claim is here.
UPDATE II: On August 11, 2004 Michael Castle urged U.S. Senate to confirm Porter Goss as the next CIA Director.
I worked with Porter for eight years on the House Select Committee on Intelligence and found him to be a straight shooter...
Simply bad judgment on Castle's part or something deeper?
Let's go to the numbers...
Exxon Mobil profits in the 1st quarter of 2006: $8.4 billion (up over seven percent from last year)
Number of US cities and towns so far that have passed a resolution calling for the impeachment of George Bush: 8
Percent of people in Delaware who "approve" of the job George Bush is doing: 27%
Days the federal terror alert system has been in place: 1,502
Days spent at terror alert level Green or Blue: 0
Number of the DNC's national "Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day" events being held within 60 miles of Dover, De: 16
Number of ranches in Texas where on can pay to shot a zebra: 56
Days until "Mission Accomplished Day": 4
- with help from Bill in Portland and Harpers Index
Number of US cities and towns so far that have passed a resolution calling for the impeachment of George Bush: 8
Percent of people in Delaware who "approve" of the job George Bush is doing: 27%
Days the federal terror alert system has been in place: 1,502
Days spent at terror alert level Green or Blue: 0
Number of the DNC's national "Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day" events being held within 60 miles of Dover, De: 16
Number of ranches in Texas where on can pay to shot a zebra: 56
Days until "Mission Accomplished Day": 4
- with help from Bill in Portland and Harpers Index
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Sailors turned into IED fodder
Navy sailors get Army training at Fort Jackson
SUSANNE M. SCHAFER
Associated Press
FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Navy sailors are trading sea legs for land combat as the U.S. Army is opening its largest training base to help them survive when sent into Afghanistan or Iraq.
The Navy is sending thousands of men and women to support Army units in those regions and wants its sailors to hone their fighting skills.
I find it strange that this AP story has not been picked up by the national blogs. I mean does it seem weird to anyone that people who signed up to be in the Navy are being trained on Army bases to go to Iraq? Like all good military people they are not making a stink, but check out this money quote:
"This is excellent training, really. It will be very helpful. I'm headed to Iraq. I need this," said the 34-year-old reservist nurse from Columbus, Ohio.
Well, not so much the quote - but the attribution. A 34-year-old reservist nurse from Columbus, Ohio? That is who we have fighting this war?
SUSANNE M. SCHAFER
Associated Press
FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Navy sailors are trading sea legs for land combat as the U.S. Army is opening its largest training base to help them survive when sent into Afghanistan or Iraq.
The Navy is sending thousands of men and women to support Army units in those regions and wants its sailors to hone their fighting skills.
I find it strange that this AP story has not been picked up by the national blogs. I mean does it seem weird to anyone that people who signed up to be in the Navy are being trained on Army bases to go to Iraq? Like all good military people they are not making a stink, but check out this money quote:
"This is excellent training, really. It will be very helpful. I'm headed to Iraq. I need this," said the 34-year-old reservist nurse from Columbus, Ohio.
Well, not so much the quote - but the attribution. A 34-year-old reservist nurse from Columbus, Ohio? That is who we have fighting this war?
Door Hangers and Walking Lists
This is grunt level, retail politics. I have my the door hangers and walking lists for my neighborhood (63 Dems in 37 Households) and I'm ready to go.
My only regret is that we did not have Howard Dean in charge when Bush went off the deep end and attacked Iraq for no reason other than to serve his ego.
Oh, well. I can't do anything about the past. I can only apply myself to getting rid of the menace that is GOP control of the government and work to make sure no elected official ever feels as unencumbered by reason as George Bush.
UPDATE: I just got some Spivack literature to go with the DNC stuff. Nice heads-up play by team Spivack.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Dem Outsiders Shaking Up the Status Quo
Who is Marcy Winograd? Why is she running for Congress?
President of Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles, I am running to replace pro-war incumbent Jane Harman (D) in California's 36th Congressional District. I run with a great sense of urgency, for we stand on the precipice of losing our democracy, of sinking a trillion-dollars into Iraq, of launching another war in Iran, of developing over 100 new nuclear bombs each year, and of shredding the Constitution. Everywhere I travel in the 36th District, a 30-mile urban stretch from San Pedro up through Venice and Mar Vista, a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans by 40,000 votes, people stop me in the street, in elevators, at meetings to ask, "Where are the Democrats? Why aren't they speaking out?"
I assure them this Democrat, Marcy Winograd, is speaking out passionately, challenging the leadership of the Democratic Party to stand for the possibility of peace, for the rule of law, and for a brighter day when we reject pre-emptive war and, instead, engage the world community in tackling illiteracy, AIDS, and poverty, all the while engaging our own citizens in redefining security as universal affordable health care, quality education to close the achievement gap, and environmental protection to cool the threat of global warming.
Some ask, "Have you ever been elected to office?" and I tell them, "No, isn't that great? I have no investment in the status quo, in the power of the Beltway." Quite the contrary. I have spent the last three years on the ground, knee deep in the grassroots, organizing town hall forums and congressional lobby delegations to end the US occupation of Iraq.
GO Marcy! More proof that the Democratic party is on the move.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Get your "Mission Accomplished Day" Magnetic Car Ribbons Here
- Via Kos
May 2nd is "Mission Accomplished Day". Three years since our glorious defeat of Iraq and the ushering in of our current peace and prosperity.
Pelosi
If you want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and therefore improve our national security situation, you can't do it if you're a Republican because you are too wedded to the oil companies.
We have two oilmen in the white house. The logical follow-up from that is $3 a gallon gasoline. This is no accident. It is a cause and effect. A cause and effect. How dare the president of the United States make a speech today in April, many, many, many months after the American people have had to undergo the cost of home heating oil. A woman told me she almost fainted when she received her home heating bill over this Winter. And when so many people making the minimum wage, which hasn't been raised in eight years, which has a very low purchasing power have to go out and buy gasoline at these prices? Where have you been, Mr. President? The middle class squeeze is on, competition in our country is affected by the price of energy and of oil and all of a sudden you take a trip outside of Washington, see the fact that the public is outraged about this, come home and make a speech, let's see that matched in your budget, let's see that matched in your policy, let's see that matched in and you're separating yourselves yourself from your patron, big oil, cut yourself off from that anvil holding your party down and this country down, instead of coming to Washington and throwing your Republican colleagues (Michael Castle) under the wheels of the train, which they (he) mightily deserve for being a rubber stamp for your obscene, corrupt policy of ripping off the American people.
Via Eschaton, subliminal emphasis added.
We have two oilmen in the white house. The logical follow-up from that is $3 a gallon gasoline. This is no accident. It is a cause and effect. A cause and effect. How dare the president of the United States make a speech today in April, many, many, many months after the American people have had to undergo the cost of home heating oil. A woman told me she almost fainted when she received her home heating bill over this Winter. And when so many people making the minimum wage, which hasn't been raised in eight years, which has a very low purchasing power have to go out and buy gasoline at these prices? Where have you been, Mr. President? The middle class squeeze is on, competition in our country is affected by the price of energy and of oil and all of a sudden you take a trip outside of Washington, see the fact that the public is outraged about this, come home and make a speech, let's see that matched in your budget, let's see that matched in your policy, let's see that matched in and you're separating yourselves yourself from your patron, big oil, cut yourself off from that anvil holding your party down and this country down, instead of coming to Washington and throwing your Republican colleagues (Michael Castle) under the wheels of the train, which they (he) mightily deserve for being a rubber stamp for your obscene, corrupt policy of ripping off the American people.
Via Eschaton, subliminal emphasis added.
Arthur Frommer the travel writer has found a place he tells people not to go to.
"Arthur Frommer's Branson," a travel guide he assigned to himself because of his Missouri boyhood. While he hoped to enjoy writing a book that celebrated the city's enterprise, he was repulsed by what he saw.
"I hated the jingoism. I hated these country singers, who had all been draft dodgers themselves during Vietnam, who marched down the aisle with drum beats, with machine-gun bullets, and waved the flag," he says, still disgusted. "Also, all of these people who become so religious! ... Many of the country-music theaters in Branson are used as stages for proselytizing."
"It's the only guidebook in history," he says, "that tells the reader, in effect, do not go!"'
"I hated the jingoism. I hated these country singers, who had all been draft dodgers themselves during Vietnam, who marched down the aisle with drum beats, with machine-gun bullets, and waved the flag," he says, still disgusted. "Also, all of these people who become so religious! ... Many of the country-music theaters in Branson are used as stages for proselytizing."
"It's the only guidebook in history," he says, "that tells the reader, in effect, do not go!"'
Green Ego Trip Down Memory Lane
Waaaay back in December of 2005, Dana at Delawarewatch wrote:
A large part of my decision to quit the Democratic Party and join the Green Party was because I knew before the Iraq invasion that Saddam did not have nuclear or chemical weapons.(snip) I wondered how it was possible that I could discover this information in my spare time, but Congressional Democrats, with all the research capabilities available to them, could miss the obvious mendacity of the Bush administration's claims.
I saw the same events unfold. I knew the WMD pretext was crap. I saw what a sad and pathetic waste of space the Democratic party had turned into. But I also saw Senator Bryd calling for a debate. I heard Howard Dean say that the President was making us less safe in his wrecklessness.
My reaction was to join the Democratic party and try to fix it rather than quit it. In people like Byrd and Dean I heard the true voice of the Democratic party. I knew - and still know that the Democratic party is our best hope.
Prior to the events Dana described, I had always voted for Democrats, but I left the management of the party to people I imagined to be professionals. When I joined the Democrats I found, not a party run by professionals, but a party run by worn out volunteers who were desperate for some fresh blood. It was, and still is, ready and willing to be taken over by liberal activists.
The "Green" protest vote may be soothing. Imagining some kind of grand conspiracy might give a sense of order to ones life, however - if you are truly interested in creating a country that lives up to its highest ideals, the only choice is the Democratic party. Wishing it were different is like a child wishing it was Christmas everyday.
The Democratic party not only has the infrastructure to take on the Republicans, it is reformable. This is not my opion - this is a fact I see being played out everday. It is being reformed from within by people like Jack Markell and Howard Dean. It is being reformed from the outside by people like Richard Korn, John Kowalko and Karen Peterson. These people are changing the Democratic party back into a party of conscience and social justice.
Now more than ever, working and voting for the Green Party is just wrong. It is simply wrong to waste your liberal energy and talents on a party other than the Democrats. (Unless you secretly like George Bush, then it makes sense.)
A large part of my decision to quit the Democratic Party and join the Green Party was because I knew before the Iraq invasion that Saddam did not have nuclear or chemical weapons.(snip) I wondered how it was possible that I could discover this information in my spare time, but Congressional Democrats, with all the research capabilities available to them, could miss the obvious mendacity of the Bush administration's claims.
I saw the same events unfold. I knew the WMD pretext was crap. I saw what a sad and pathetic waste of space the Democratic party had turned into. But I also saw Senator Bryd calling for a debate. I heard Howard Dean say that the President was making us less safe in his wrecklessness.
My reaction was to join the Democratic party and try to fix it rather than quit it. In people like Byrd and Dean I heard the true voice of the Democratic party. I knew - and still know that the Democratic party is our best hope.
Prior to the events Dana described, I had always voted for Democrats, but I left the management of the party to people I imagined to be professionals. When I joined the Democrats I found, not a party run by professionals, but a party run by worn out volunteers who were desperate for some fresh blood. It was, and still is, ready and willing to be taken over by liberal activists.
The "Green" protest vote may be soothing. Imagining some kind of grand conspiracy might give a sense of order to ones life, however - if you are truly interested in creating a country that lives up to its highest ideals, the only choice is the Democratic party. Wishing it were different is like a child wishing it was Christmas everyday.
The Democratic party not only has the infrastructure to take on the Republicans, it is reformable. This is not my opion - this is a fact I see being played out everday. It is being reformed from within by people like Jack Markell and Howard Dean. It is being reformed from the outside by people like Richard Korn, John Kowalko and Karen Peterson. These people are changing the Democratic party back into a party of conscience and social justice.
Now more than ever, working and voting for the Green Party is just wrong. It is simply wrong to waste your liberal energy and talents on a party other than the Democrats. (Unless you secretly like George Bush, then it makes sense.)
Monday, April 24, 2006
8th General Calls For Rumsfeld’s Resignation
Fox News is reporting an eighth general has called for Rumsfeld’s resignation. Ret. Marine General Paul Van Riper said he constantly talks with many active duty and retired senior officers who share his feelings that Secretary Rumsfeld has not fought the Iraq war competently. He told Fox that Rumsfeld has run the Pentagon through intimidation and that a change in leadership is needed. Watch it at Think Progress.
If this leader is not capable of doing it, now going in excess of five years, has not demonstrated he is, then perhaps it is time to find a new one. If I was the president, I would have relieved him three years ago.
Note to G REX: A poster in think progress is way ahead of you.
Let me fill you in on this guy. He’s a coward, a traitor, a Clintonista, a partisan Democrat, he gave money to Tom Daschle and Ted Kennedy and Joseph Stalin, he is gay, he’s a hack, he got his job by being a suck-up, he has a book for sale, he is out of touch, he is a thug, a goon, a thrid world dictator wannabe, he looks like Noriega, Pinochet, Khaddaffy, Idi Amin, he’s selling a new book, he hates America, he hates freedom, loves Al Qaeda, he is French, Muslim, queer, blah,blah,blah…..
Bush Suspends Environmental Regulations for Oil Companies
WASHINGTON - President Bush on Tuesday ordered a temporary suspension of environmental rules for gasoline, making it easier for refiners to meet demand and possibly dampen prices at the pump. He also halted for the summer the purchase of crude oil for the government's emergency reserve.
Somewhat related: Here is the impeachment template if anyone missed it the first time around.
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF GEORGE BUSH
WHEREAS, Section 603 of the Manual of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives provides for impeachments to be initiated on a motion based on charges transmitted from a state legislature, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has committed high crimes and misdemeanors as he has repeatedly and intentionally violated the United States Constitution and other laws of the United States, particularly the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Torture Convention, which under Article VI of the Constitution is a treaty as part of the “supreme law of the land”,
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has acted to strip Americans of their constitutional rights by ordering indefinite detention of citizens, without access to legal counsel, without charge and without opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to challenge the detention, based solely on the discretionary designation by the President of a U.S. citizen as an “enemy combatant”, all in subversion of law, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has ordered and authorized the Attorney General to override judicial orders for the release of detainees under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) jurisdiction, even though the judicial officer after full hearing has determined that a detainee is held wrongfully by the Government, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has ordered at least thirty times the National Security Agency to intercept and otherwise record international telephone and other signals and communications by American citizens without warrants from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, duly constituted by Congress in 1978, and designated certain U.S. citizens as “enemy combatants”, all in violation of constitutional guarantees of due process, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has admitted that he willfully and repeatedly violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and boasted that he would continue to do so, each violation constituting a felony, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has violated the United Nations Charter and other treaties prohibiting aggressive war by invading Iraq without just cause or provocation, and has misled the US Congress by deliberate or grossly, wantonly negligent falsehoods to obtain the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq resolution (Public Law 102-1)
--------------------------------
NOW THEREFORE the ____ DISTRICT Democratic Committee submits that his actions and admissions constitute ample grounds for his impeachment, and that the General Assembly of the State of Delaware has good cause for submitting charges to the U.S. House of Representatives under Section 603 as grounds for George W. Bush’s impeachment.
The ___ District Committee further submits that Articles of Impeachment should charge that George W. Bush has violated his constitutional oath to execute faithfully the office of President and to the best of his ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
In all of this George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President, subversive of constitutional government to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the State of Delaware and of the United States.
WHEREFORE, George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any offices of honor, trust or profit under the United States.
Somewhat related: Here is the impeachment template if anyone missed it the first time around.
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF GEORGE BUSH
WHEREAS, Section 603 of the Manual of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives provides for impeachments to be initiated on a motion based on charges transmitted from a state legislature, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has committed high crimes and misdemeanors as he has repeatedly and intentionally violated the United States Constitution and other laws of the United States, particularly the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Torture Convention, which under Article VI of the Constitution is a treaty as part of the “supreme law of the land”,
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has acted to strip Americans of their constitutional rights by ordering indefinite detention of citizens, without access to legal counsel, without charge and without opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to challenge the detention, based solely on the discretionary designation by the President of a U.S. citizen as an “enemy combatant”, all in subversion of law, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has ordered and authorized the Attorney General to override judicial orders for the release of detainees under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) jurisdiction, even though the judicial officer after full hearing has determined that a detainee is held wrongfully by the Government, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has ordered at least thirty times the National Security Agency to intercept and otherwise record international telephone and other signals and communications by American citizens without warrants from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, duly constituted by Congress in 1978, and designated certain U.S. citizens as “enemy combatants”, all in violation of constitutional guarantees of due process, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has admitted that he willfully and repeatedly violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and boasted that he would continue to do so, each violation constituting a felony, and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush has violated the United Nations Charter and other treaties prohibiting aggressive war by invading Iraq without just cause or provocation, and has misled the US Congress by deliberate or grossly, wantonly negligent falsehoods to obtain the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq resolution (Public Law 102-1)
--------------------------------
NOW THEREFORE the ____ DISTRICT Democratic Committee submits that his actions and admissions constitute ample grounds for his impeachment, and that the General Assembly of the State of Delaware has good cause for submitting charges to the U.S. House of Representatives under Section 603 as grounds for George W. Bush’s impeachment.
The ___ District Committee further submits that Articles of Impeachment should charge that George W. Bush has violated his constitutional oath to execute faithfully the office of President and to the best of his ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
In all of this George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President, subversive of constitutional government to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the State of Delaware and of the United States.
WHEREFORE, George W. Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any offices of honor, trust or profit under the United States.
Q: How do you know that the Republicans have become a cheap rip-off of the old Soviet Union's Communist party?
A: Members of the Republican party pledge allegiance to their party's own symbols.
At a GOP dinner in San Diego, the fine Republican attendees stood like good meerkats and began to say the Pledge of Allegiance until some observant Pavlovian diner noticed that there was no, you know, American flag to pledge to. "Pledge to the elephant," shouted one quick-thinking GOPer, and all the pledgers, including weepy Rep. Darrell Issa, turned to say the pledge to a starred and striped elephant banner. - Via Rudepundit
“No one could have forseen this...”
These fools want the person who was Bush's National Security Advisor when we were attacked on 9/11 to be the next President of the United States.
Buckley deserves nod for seat on Red Clay School Board
I don't usually endorse candidates in school board elections but when someone of Jack Buckley's caliber is willing to serve on the Red Clay School Board, I feel compelled to publicly support him.
Jack Buckley is not the "anointed" candidate for the seat. That distinction belongs to one of the governor's staffers. This means that Jack would not be a rubber stamp for the administration or school board on such issues as raising our taxes without a referendum.
He would be an independent, no-nonsense, no-shenanigans member of the board. He believes, as I do, that government ought to conduct its business in public (not behind closed doors prior to the "public" meetings) and that board members work for the people, not the administration.
If you're sick and tired of the way the Red Clay School Board conducts its business, please join me on Tuesday, May 9 in voting for Jack Buckley.
Sen. Karen Peterson, Wilmington
-------------------
Guest blogging by way of the News Journal Editorial page.
Jack Buckley is not the "anointed" candidate for the seat. That distinction belongs to one of the governor's staffers. This means that Jack would not be a rubber stamp for the administration or school board on such issues as raising our taxes without a referendum.
He would be an independent, no-nonsense, no-shenanigans member of the board. He believes, as I do, that government ought to conduct its business in public (not behind closed doors prior to the "public" meetings) and that board members work for the people, not the administration.
If you're sick and tired of the way the Red Clay School Board conducts its business, please join me on Tuesday, May 9 in voting for Jack Buckley.
Sen. Karen Peterson, Wilmington
-------------------
Guest blogging by way of the News Journal Editorial page.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Rothenberg Political Report:
The Sunday "read it and weep" edition
The national mood remains bleak for Republicans. President George W. Bush’s poll numbers have not rebounded, and there is no reason to believe that they will before the fall midterm elections. The public still gives low marks to Congress and tells pollsters that the country is headed in the wrong direction.
At the district level, voters are more critical of GOP incumbents than they usually are at this point in the election cycle. Democratic voters are already polarized against Republican House members, so Democratic challengers can focus their efforts at wooing Independents and disgruntled Republicans, rather than mobilizing their Democratic base.
----------------
Thanks Stu !!
The national mood remains bleak for Republicans. President George W. Bush’s poll numbers have not rebounded, and there is no reason to believe that they will before the fall midterm elections. The public still gives low marks to Congress and tells pollsters that the country is headed in the wrong direction.
At the district level, voters are more critical of GOP incumbents than they usually are at this point in the election cycle. Democratic voters are already polarized against Republican House members, so Democratic challengers can focus their efforts at wooing Independents and disgruntled Republicans, rather than mobilizing their Democratic base.
----------------
Thanks Stu !!
Saturday, April 22, 2006
John Kowalko to Announce Run for 25th District Rep
Newark resident and community activist John Kowalko will announce his candidacy for State Representative in the 25th District on Monday, April 24th at 5pm at the Newark Senior Center, 200 White Chapel Drive in Newark.
Kowalko says: "I don't believe the interests of the public and the district have been fairly served by the incumbent and in fact those interests have often been ignored. I will bring the voice of the people to Dover and address their needs with a responsible, well-informed, committed approach to legislating."
John has got an uphill fight against Stephanie Ulbrich the incumbent*. However, he picked up 42% as a total greenhorn last time out. With his campaign experience with, the GOP in disaray, and registrations in the 25th favoring Democrats (4,160 to 3,350) you have to consider this (at least) a toss-up right now.
kowalkoforthe25th@verizon.net
www.johnkowalko.com
* For more on the gullible Ms. Ulbrich click here.
I love me some Howard Dean
(Bloomberg) -- Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean said Saturday that George Bush, his chief adviser, Karl Rove, and Republicans in Congress offer Americans "deficits, divisiveness and deceit,'' and predicted Democrats will retake the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in November.
"Six months from today, Americans will be asked one simple question: Do you want more of the same Bush and Republican policies or do you want change?'' Dean said at the spring meeting of the Democratic National Committee in New Orleans.
Dean said that Democrats will fight for a six-point plan that includes raising the minimum wage, tax fairness' for the middle class, a complete ban on gifts and travel from lobbyists, the inspection of all cargo coming into U.S. ports, fixing the Medicare drug plan, and transition in Iraq. "Iraqis need to take responsibility for their own future,'' Dean said.
"I'm tired of being lectured to by Republicans who have brought a culture of corruption, cronyism and incompetence to Washington that has put party ahead of country and undermines our values.''
Hell yes!
"Six months from today, Americans will be asked one simple question: Do you want more of the same Bush and Republican policies or do you want change?'' Dean said at the spring meeting of the Democratic National Committee in New Orleans.
Dean said that Democrats will fight for a six-point plan that includes raising the minimum wage, tax fairness' for the middle class, a complete ban on gifts and travel from lobbyists, the inspection of all cargo coming into U.S. ports, fixing the Medicare drug plan, and transition in Iraq. "Iraqis need to take responsibility for their own future,'' Dean said.
"I'm tired of being lectured to by Republicans who have brought a culture of corruption, cronyism and incompetence to Washington that has put party ahead of country and undermines our values.''
Hell yes!
Radical religious extremists
Your run-of-the-mill-wingnut Republican probably does not want to have The Constitution amended to include The Ten Commandments. However, the un-American and anti-American policies pursued George Bush (including "Nation Building" and waging pre-emptive war, transferring the cost of running the country from the wealthly to the worker) gives life and breath to this more extreme form of Republican insanity.
Ten Commandments Commission
To create a mechanism by which the Word of God can be restored in every aspect of society peacefully and without violation of the legal system.
I know - crazy. "The Word of God" was left out of our Constitution on purpose. The framers had this crazy idea that all religions could flourish and be free here. An American would know that. Sadly, the people we have in charge now have dispensed with being Americans - and should be referred to for what they are: Republicans.
Ten Commandments Commission
To create a mechanism by which the Word of God can be restored in every aspect of society peacefully and without violation of the legal system.
I know - crazy. "The Word of God" was left out of our Constitution on purpose. The framers had this crazy idea that all religions could flourish and be free here. An American would know that. Sadly, the people we have in charge now have dispensed with being Americans - and should be referred to for what they are: Republicans.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Regarding gas prices Delathought wrote:
I know that the truth isn't really part of your agenda, but gas prices are rising due to the fact that the oil industry is no longer using MTBE and instead is using ethanol as an additive.
This would be funny if it were not so sad. That otherwise smart people would bend their reality to protect the worst President in the history of the country says something very dark about the future. I use Delathought here as an example of what Mr. Rove and Mr. Bush have wrought.
It is the RNC party line these days that the President is really just a figurehead who has no control over anything. When you read otherwise smart people like Delathought defend Mr. Bush you know that his avoidance of accountability is complete and total.
This would be funny if it were not so sad. That otherwise smart people would bend their reality to protect the worst President in the history of the country says something very dark about the future. I use Delathought here as an example of what Mr. Rove and Mr. Bush have wrought.
It is the RNC party line these days that the President is really just a figurehead who has no control over anything. When you read otherwise smart people like Delathought defend Mr. Bush you know that his avoidance of accountability is complete and total.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Think about this the next time you buy gas
Oil prices leapt above $72 a barrel yesterday. It was the third straight day of a record setting high close for oil. A government report showed shrinking U.S. gasoline supplies and traders fears of nuclear tensions between Iran and the United States were pushing prices up.
Laurence Lindsey, President Bush's senior economic advisor in 2002, said that "Under every plausible scenario, the negative effect will be quite small relative to the economic benefits that would come from a successful prosecution of the war. The key issue is oil, and a regime change in Iraq would facilitate an increase in world oil."
If you don't think Bush is doing a good job, the only reasonable thing to do is vote against Michael Castle.
Castle is a Bush enabler who thinks the President should STILL be in office. Removing Castle would seriously hamper Bush's ability to do more damage to the country in the last two years of his misadministration.
When the time come, everyone (regardless of party affiliation) who thinks Bush is a disaster should vote for Dennis Spivack.
Laurence Lindsey, President Bush's senior economic advisor in 2002, said that "Under every plausible scenario, the negative effect will be quite small relative to the economic benefits that would come from a successful prosecution of the war. The key issue is oil, and a regime change in Iraq would facilitate an increase in world oil."
If you don't think Bush is doing a good job, the only reasonable thing to do is vote against Michael Castle.
Castle is a Bush enabler who thinks the President should STILL be in office. Removing Castle would seriously hamper Bush's ability to do more damage to the country in the last two years of his misadministration.
When the time come, everyone (regardless of party affiliation) who thinks Bush is a disaster should vote for Dennis Spivack.
Why Are Delaware’s Democrats Represented by Republicans in the State Legislature?
...Two reasons
1) Republican’s are running unopposed.
2) Democrats have seemed “surprised” by elections. They start late and play "catch-up" for the 12 months before the election, while Republicans plan for elections.
Here is my list of districts that should be sending progressive representatives to Dover:
4th RD - Hay (D) lost to Dipinto 42% to 58% in a district that went 61% for Kerry.
7th RD - Tanzer (D) lost to Smith 39% to 61% in a district that went 55% for Kerry.
9th RD - Ascione (D) lost to Cathcart 36% to 64% in a district that went 50% for Kerry.
10th RD - Williams (D) lost to Valihura 42% to 58% in a district that went 56% for Kerry.
11th RD - Lavelle (R) ran unopposed in a district that went 54% for Kerry.
12th RD - Gravell (D) lost to Hudson 35% to 65% in a district that went 51% for Kerry.
18th RD - Spence (R) ran unopposed in a district that went 62% for Kerry.
21st RD - Brewer (D) lost to Maier 31% to 69% in a district that went 54% for Kerry.
24h RD - Oberle (R) ran unopposed in a district that went 64% for Kerry.
25st RD - Kowalko(D) lost to Ulbrich 42% to 58% in a district that went 60% for Kerry.
27th RD - Lofink (R) ran unopposed in a district that went 56% for Kerry.
1) Republican’s are running unopposed.
2) Democrats have seemed “surprised” by elections. They start late and play "catch-up" for the 12 months before the election, while Republicans plan for elections.
Here is my list of districts that should be sending progressive representatives to Dover:
4th RD - Hay (D) lost to Dipinto 42% to 58% in a district that went 61% for Kerry.
7th RD - Tanzer (D) lost to Smith 39% to 61% in a district that went 55% for Kerry.
9th RD - Ascione (D) lost to Cathcart 36% to 64% in a district that went 50% for Kerry.
10th RD - Williams (D) lost to Valihura 42% to 58% in a district that went 56% for Kerry.
11th RD - Lavelle (R) ran unopposed in a district that went 54% for Kerry.
12th RD - Gravell (D) lost to Hudson 35% to 65% in a district that went 51% for Kerry.
18th RD - Spence (R) ran unopposed in a district that went 62% for Kerry.
21st RD - Brewer (D) lost to Maier 31% to 69% in a district that went 54% for Kerry.
24h RD - Oberle (R) ran unopposed in a district that went 64% for Kerry.
25st RD - Kowalko(D) lost to Ulbrich 42% to 58% in a district that went 60% for Kerry.
27th RD - Lofink (R) ran unopposed in a district that went 56% for Kerry.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
April By the Numbers
Days `til Census Day in Canada: 27
Days 'til "Mission Accomplished Day": 13
Percent of April that's over: 63%
Number of Americans who use the internet daily to get their news: 50 million
Proportion of brides-to-be who expect to have sex on their wedding night: 59%
Percent who simply plan to sleep: 28%
Number of people in Delaware who think George W Bush should STILL be in office: 2
Number of DE legislators Richard Korn has forced into retirement: 1 (so far).
Days 'til "Mission Accomplished Day": 13
Percent of April that's over: 63%
Number of Americans who use the internet daily to get their news: 50 million
Proportion of brides-to-be who expect to have sex on their wedding night: 59%
Percent who simply plan to sleep: 28%
Number of people in Delaware who think George W Bush should STILL be in office: 2
Number of DE legislators Richard Korn has forced into retirement: 1 (so far).
It was a long wait to opt out of utility payment plan
Amy Richardson guest blogs by way of a letter to the NJ opinion page.
I have accepted the fact that I am powerless when it comes to Delmarva Power's coming 59 percent rate increase. Although I agree with deregulation of utility companies nationwide, it may be years before Delmarva has any viable competition in New Castle County. I have accepted that exorbitant installation fees make solar energy an unrealistic option for me and many others.
What I will not accept is a company that forces customers into an interest payment plan unless they opt out of it.
It is disturbing that elected officials would endorse a plan so detrimental to constituents.
Despite my horror, I took time to log onto Delmarva's Web site. I found no obvious icon for opting out. Once I located it and entered my account number, my request could not be processed and I was directed to a toll-free phone number.
After a 10-minute wait, I got to speak with a representative. After a brief conversation, I was assured by the young woman that I had successfully opted out of the payment plan. I find it interesting that a company that has the technological capability to accept payments online and by telephone in a few minutes cannot create a system to allow a customer to opt out of the imposed payment plan in less than 30 minutes.
Amy Richardson, Wilmington
Thanks Amy! We all need to remember to "thank" our elected officials for this situation in November.
I have accepted the fact that I am powerless when it comes to Delmarva Power's coming 59 percent rate increase. Although I agree with deregulation of utility companies nationwide, it may be years before Delmarva has any viable competition in New Castle County. I have accepted that exorbitant installation fees make solar energy an unrealistic option for me and many others.
What I will not accept is a company that forces customers into an interest payment plan unless they opt out of it.
It is disturbing that elected officials would endorse a plan so detrimental to constituents.
Despite my horror, I took time to log onto Delmarva's Web site. I found no obvious icon for opting out. Once I located it and entered my account number, my request could not be processed and I was directed to a toll-free phone number.
After a 10-minute wait, I got to speak with a representative. After a brief conversation, I was assured by the young woman that I had successfully opted out of the payment plan. I find it interesting that a company that has the technological capability to accept payments online and by telephone in a few minutes cannot create a system to allow a customer to opt out of the imposed payment plan in less than 30 minutes.
Amy Richardson, Wilmington
Thanks Amy! We all need to remember to "thank" our elected officials for this situation in November.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Vile Laziness
It has been a recurring theme here that Celia Cohen is lazy. It is not really fair to single out Cohen. Ron Williams is also lazy. Check out the fanciful nonsense he spews out in lieu of actual journalism.
But some, I among them, believe (Roger Roy’s) sudden departure had more to do with an upcoming election challenge from Democrat Richard Korn than it did grandkids.
The irony of this scenario is the New Castle Democratic Party isn't going to endorse Korn let along offer him financial support.
Who the hell does Ron Williams think he is ? HE speaks for the Democratic party. Funny, I did not get that memo. And yet, as idiotic sounding as Williams is, and as tempting as it might be to laugh off – this bit of inanity exposes a deeper problem, the vile laziness of the media.
Why do I seem to be so determined to expose the vile laziness of Cohen and Williams? Here is why, they are small time local version of what is happening in the larger world. The vile laziness of the press, and its infatuation with power, has given us this corrupt administration and this pointless tragic war.
Jeff Feldman lays it down in this Kos Diary:
(In the recent past) we had a press that asked questions of our leaders, that once gazed down the halls of government as if journalism was a partner of the people in a democratic America, but now--now they gobble up whatever is fed to them by those in power while they sit and pass judgment on the citizens of this country.
They have become lazy. Lazy from cocktail parties and jet rides, photo ops and award dinners. Reporters in DC are no longer reporters. They are overweight and docile lapdogs, timid sellouts who blush in the presence of power like schoolgirls worried if they act too brash the boys won't ask them to dance.
If this is still a democracy, people like Jan Ting, Dennis Spivack and Richard Korn deserve a fair hearing and a level playing field in the press. They don't deserve the sniffing and patronizing asides that the local media has learned to substitute for journalism.
Ting, Spivack and Korn are you and I, but with guts. They have enough to contend with without the News Journal editorial board and the likes of Celia Cohen constantly regreasing the entrenched incumbent's thoroughly greased skids.
But some, I among them, believe (Roger Roy’s) sudden departure had more to do with an upcoming election challenge from Democrat Richard Korn than it did grandkids.
The irony of this scenario is the New Castle Democratic Party isn't going to endorse Korn let along offer him financial support.
Who the hell does Ron Williams think he is ? HE speaks for the Democratic party. Funny, I did not get that memo. And yet, as idiotic sounding as Williams is, and as tempting as it might be to laugh off – this bit of inanity exposes a deeper problem, the vile laziness of the media.
Why do I seem to be so determined to expose the vile laziness of Cohen and Williams? Here is why, they are small time local version of what is happening in the larger world. The vile laziness of the press, and its infatuation with power, has given us this corrupt administration and this pointless tragic war.
Jeff Feldman lays it down in this Kos Diary:
(In the recent past) we had a press that asked questions of our leaders, that once gazed down the halls of government as if journalism was a partner of the people in a democratic America, but now--now they gobble up whatever is fed to them by those in power while they sit and pass judgment on the citizens of this country.
They have become lazy. Lazy from cocktail parties and jet rides, photo ops and award dinners. Reporters in DC are no longer reporters. They are overweight and docile lapdogs, timid sellouts who blush in the presence of power like schoolgirls worried if they act too brash the boys won't ask them to dance.
If this is still a democracy, people like Jan Ting, Dennis Spivack and Richard Korn deserve a fair hearing and a level playing field in the press. They don't deserve the sniffing and patronizing asides that the local media has learned to substitute for journalism.
Ting, Spivack and Korn are you and I, but with guts. They have enough to contend with without the News Journal editorial board and the likes of Celia Cohen constantly regreasing the entrenched incumbent's thoroughly greased skids.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Castle gives a lesson on how to speak without saying anything
If anyone doubts that Michael "Fake Moderate" Castle is a slippery two-faced politician just read this bit on immigration from the Cape Gazette.
While most of the illegal immigrants who enter the United States do so for the purposes of finding work and making a better life, it is important that we establish procedures to prevent terrorists and other criminals from taking advantage of our porous borders, said Castle. “In addition to securing our borders, it is also essential that we develop a realistic strategy for managing the large number of illegal immigrants who are already living and working in our communities. Several of my colleagues, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., have introduced bills establishing temporary worker programs and I believe Congress should vote on these proposals as soon as possible.
But how would you vote on temporary worker programs Mike? We still don't know.
Castle leaves the question open and says enough pleasant sounding things that nearly anyone (from G Rex to Liz Allen) can project their views onto what he is saying. You'd have a better chance grabbing a handful of steam than you have grasping Castle's vaporous position on immigration.
Contrast Castle's slippery politicking with this straightforward, no nonsense statement from Dennis Spivack:
I do not support the current bill that just passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with regard to 11 million illegal immigrants. That bill is basically a blanket amnesty program, which is unacceptable.
You may not agree with Dennis Spivack, but at least you will know where he stands on the issue.
While most of the illegal immigrants who enter the United States do so for the purposes of finding work and making a better life, it is important that we establish procedures to prevent terrorists and other criminals from taking advantage of our porous borders, said Castle. “In addition to securing our borders, it is also essential that we develop a realistic strategy for managing the large number of illegal immigrants who are already living and working in our communities. Several of my colleagues, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., have introduced bills establishing temporary worker programs and I believe Congress should vote on these proposals as soon as possible.
But how would you vote on temporary worker programs Mike? We still don't know.
Castle leaves the question open and says enough pleasant sounding things that nearly anyone (from G Rex to Liz Allen) can project their views onto what he is saying. You'd have a better chance grabbing a handful of steam than you have grasping Castle's vaporous position on immigration.
Contrast Castle's slippery politicking with this straightforward, no nonsense statement from Dennis Spivack:
I do not support the current bill that just passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with regard to 11 million illegal immigrants. That bill is basically a blanket amnesty program, which is unacceptable.
You may not agree with Dennis Spivack, but at least you will know where he stands on the issue.
Gone Fishin' !
Maybe some light posting from Delawareliberal HQ south so check in from time to time.
I'll be back to helping overturn the festering evil of Republican misrule full-time next week.
Peace out & may this season of rebirth allow each of us to wonder anew what The Almighty can do.
Where Do They Find These Whores?
Media Matters for America reports that yesterday on Fox News retired Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney said that the United States would "lay out a campaign today that will take Iran down very quickly,"
In 2002, promised Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney (on Fox News) that the military campaign in Iraq, which has now lasted longer than three years, would be "shorter" than the 42 days it took to complete the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
Now I can understand doing things for money, but doing sommthing like this for money is just unfathomable.
In 2002, promised Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney (on Fox News) that the military campaign in Iraq, which has now lasted longer than three years, would be "shorter" than the 42 days it took to complete the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
Now I can understand doing things for money, but doing sommthing like this for money is just unfathomable.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Fighting Dem in DE
Dennis Spivack gets some Kos love.
The Kos community got introduced to Spivack in this excellent post, complete with an Act Blue fundraising link.
Time to shine a little spotlight on a Fighting Dem who's got an uphill battle ahead of him - Dennis Spivack. He's running against 7 term incumbent Mike Castle, a very popular former governor (2 terms) who is also the president of the Main Street Republican Partnership, the nearly-toothless coalition of GOP moderates.
Every ounce of conventional wisdom suggests that Castle's seat is as safe as can be - so what's to stop him from passing his campaign cash on to fellow so-called moderates like Curt Weldon and Jim Gerlach? This is why we need to show Spivack a little love, so he can force Castle to spend his cash locally to defend his seat
Read the whole thing.
The Kos community got introduced to Spivack in this excellent post, complete with an Act Blue fundraising link.
Time to shine a little spotlight on a Fighting Dem who's got an uphill battle ahead of him - Dennis Spivack. He's running against 7 term incumbent Mike Castle, a very popular former governor (2 terms) who is also the president of the Main Street Republican Partnership, the nearly-toothless coalition of GOP moderates.
Every ounce of conventional wisdom suggests that Castle's seat is as safe as can be - so what's to stop him from passing his campaign cash on to fellow so-called moderates like Curt Weldon and Jim Gerlach? This is why we need to show Spivack a little love, so he can force Castle to spend his cash locally to defend his seat
Read the whole thing.
Celia Cohen Gives Ting an 861 Word French Kiss in Order to Benefit Tom Carper
Just forget the fact that apologizing for being AGAINST the Viet Nam war is idiotic. Forget the fact that the only person who cares that Jan Ting was AGAINST the Viet Nam war when he was in college 40 years ago is Mike Protack. Just forget about all of that for a second, and ask yourself - why does Celia Cohen feel it is necessary to track down and interview Oberlin falculty and devote 861 words to keeping this non-issue alive?
The answer is that Cohen is contrasting Ting and Carper in order to make Carper look good. (As if he needs the help)
Here is the money, in the form of a typical Cohen aside:
Carper, who was in college at about the same time and place as Ting at Ohio State University, Class of 1968, was in the Navy during the Vietnam War after going to school on an ROTC scholarship,
This, my friends, is what is so wrong with Cohen. She is the absolute tool and mouthpiece of the Delaware political establishment. There was absolutely no reason to write about Ting's Viet Nam protest days again, other than to curry favor with Carper.
As a guy who sticks to the Democratic line - even I have to say that this is disgusting.
To read the Cohen hackery click here.
The answer is that Cohen is contrasting Ting and Carper in order to make Carper look good. (As if he needs the help)
Here is the money, in the form of a typical Cohen aside:
Carper, who was in college at about the same time and place as Ting at Ohio State University, Class of 1968, was in the Navy during the Vietnam War after going to school on an ROTC scholarship,
This, my friends, is what is so wrong with Cohen. She is the absolute tool and mouthpiece of the Delaware political establishment. There was absolutely no reason to write about Ting's Viet Nam protest days again, other than to curry favor with Carper.
As a guy who sticks to the Democratic line - even I have to say that this is disgusting.
To read the Cohen hackery click here.
Delawareliberal in the news
Hube clued me into this Dover Post story (?) about Delaware's bloggy goodness by Diccon Hyatt.
Funniest line: Delaforum: This is the place where retirees from Claymont go to insult each other.
Biggest Outrage: Delawareliberal: "Reliably toes the Democrat (sic) line."
Mr. Hyatt already knows to expect 12-page-4-sentence-un-proofread-ALL-CAPS-exclaimation-point-abusing-screed in his mailbox. First of all, it is "Democratic", but don't worry. Gov. Minner makes that same mistake every time she speaks. Also, "Reliably" ...I have never been called reliable in my life.
Funniest line: Delaforum: This is the place where retirees from Claymont go to insult each other.
Biggest Outrage: Delawareliberal: "Reliably toes the Democrat (sic) line."
Mr. Hyatt already knows to expect 12-page-4-sentence-un-proofread-ALL-CAPS-exclaimation-point-abusing-screed in his mailbox. First of all, it is "Democratic", but don't worry. Gov. Minner makes that same mistake every time she speaks. Also, "Reliably" ...I have never been called reliable in my life.
If you don't like George Bush,
- don't think we should bomb IRAN first and ask questions second,
- don't like being represented in Congress by a guy who thinks Bush is doing a great job,
and, If you...
- are sick of entrenched incumbents in Leg. Hall from both parties who are out of touch, and
- don't think the Democratic National Committee is doing enough about it...
Check this out!
- don't like being represented in Congress by a guy who thinks Bush is doing a great job,
and, If you...
- are sick of entrenched incumbents in Leg. Hall from both parties who are out of touch, and
- don't think the Democratic National Committee is doing enough about it...
Check this out!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Breaking: Leading Member of the "Demarva Power Conflict Caucus" to Retire
Does this signal that the "conflict of interest caucus" is feeling the heat?
DOVER – Veteran legislator and Bond Bill Committee power Rep. Roger P. Roy announced today that he will not seek re-election to the seat he has held for 30 years.
Roy’s announcement stunned his colleagues, who clearly had not expected it.
Sherwood Park Democrat Rep. Robert F. Gilligan, the longest-serving member of the House, was so emotional that he could not join in the accolades to Roy and fled to his office.
Roy, a Limestone Hills Republican, said his three decades in the Legislature took him away from his family and that it is time to retire.
- By J.L. MILLER
The News Journal
04/13/2006
DOVER – Veteran legislator and Bond Bill Committee power Rep. Roger P. Roy announced today that he will not seek re-election to the seat he has held for 30 years.
Roy’s announcement stunned his colleagues, who clearly had not expected it.
Sherwood Park Democrat Rep. Robert F. Gilligan, the longest-serving member of the House, was so emotional that he could not join in the accolades to Roy and fled to his office.
Roy, a Limestone Hills Republican, said his three decades in the Legislature took him away from his family and that it is time to retire.
- By J.L. MILLER
The News Journal
04/13/2006
Michael Castle Thinks Bush Should STILL be President*
I found this picture of "Fake Moderate" Michael Castle heading into a House GOP breakfast with his pals Tom DeLay, Roscoe Bartlett and Trent Franks on the new Spivack for Congress Campaign blog. (Notice the new addition to the blog roll.)
If anybody has any worthy additions to the new "Campaign blogs" category let me know.
* I know the header has nothing to do with the post, but I just can't get over the fact that Castle chaired Bush's re-election campaign in Delaware, and STILL thinks that the President is doing a good job. He is either stupid or a liar, and I know Castle is not stupid.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
ITMFA
Who did not know that the mobile chemical lab was complete BS?
I'm just so over President "lying dipshit" Bush.
Caution: The "F" word is used.
I'm just so over President "lying dipshit" Bush.
Caution: The "F" word is used.
Smyrna generates more news than it can consume locally
UPDATE: That picture of Schaeffer was freaking me out.
Mike's Musings clued me into this News Journal story:
Residents of Kates Way, where (Smyran Mayor) Schaeffer and fellow Councilmen Patrick Cahill and Douglas Chervenak live, arose Monday morning to find that their signs backing council candidate Gene Mullen had mysteriously gone missing.
"I think it was nine in total," said resident Kathleen R. Melvin, who reported the theft. (snip) "I said, 'Maybe you can check Mayor Schaeffer's camera,' " Melvin said.
It was Schaeffer's security camera that picked up evidence used in the February trial of Cahill and his wife, Julie, on charges of harassing and terrorizing Schaeffer and his family during an Oct. 6 incident. ...This time, the camera apparently picked up images of signs being removed from the Cahills' lawn as well as from homes across the street. Melvin said the overnight theft Sunday involved only Mullen signs. "I believe it's politically motivated rather than just a prank," Melvin said.
Patrick Cahill said he lost one sign, and that the hooded duo "basically went down one block in town and took down the signs for Gene Mullen on that block."
Two things:
1) If Jim Fox who is running for the at-large seat against Mullen was trying to figure out some way to ruin his reputation, running for office as a part of the Schaeffer syndicate will prove to be a pretty good way to do it.
2) If I were Schaeffer, I'd sue the News Journal to get them to stop using that picture.
Mike's Musings clued me into this News Journal story:
Residents of Kates Way, where (Smyran Mayor) Schaeffer and fellow Councilmen Patrick Cahill and Douglas Chervenak live, arose Monday morning to find that their signs backing council candidate Gene Mullen had mysteriously gone missing.
"I think it was nine in total," said resident Kathleen R. Melvin, who reported the theft. (snip) "I said, 'Maybe you can check Mayor Schaeffer's camera,' " Melvin said.
It was Schaeffer's security camera that picked up evidence used in the February trial of Cahill and his wife, Julie, on charges of harassing and terrorizing Schaeffer and his family during an Oct. 6 incident. ...This time, the camera apparently picked up images of signs being removed from the Cahills' lawn as well as from homes across the street. Melvin said the overnight theft Sunday involved only Mullen signs. "I believe it's politically motivated rather than just a prank," Melvin said.
Patrick Cahill said he lost one sign, and that the hooded duo "basically went down one block in town and took down the signs for Gene Mullen on that block."
Two things:
1) If Jim Fox who is running for the at-large seat against Mullen was trying to figure out some way to ruin his reputation, running for office as a part of the Schaeffer syndicate will prove to be a pretty good way to do it.
2) If I were Schaeffer, I'd sue the News Journal to get them to stop using that picture.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The Contract on Republicans
Al Franken: Republicans say Democrats don't have a plan. This is something I disagree with, we do have a plan, we haven't laid it out in a formal way, but everybody knows what we stand for and I'm laying it out, and I keep repeating this. We have 200-some days until the election and I don't think it's a bad idea to just keep repeating what our plan is. I call it a "Contract on Republicans". (Although, they'll benefit from it.)
One: Universal Health Care. And on the first day we're in, immediately day one, insure all kids, it's just right. Medicare for kids.
Secondly, restore fiscal sanity, start by repealing the tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans, and on them only. We are at war, ladies and gentlemen, and never in the history of this country until George W. Bush, have had tax cuts during a time of war.
Number three: corruption. Restore honor and integrity to government. No outing CIA agents. Clean up congress. Real lobbying reform. Clean elections, meaning public financing of federal elections. We will save so much money. The American taxpayer will save billions and billions.
Four: Education. Really leave no child behind. This means more resources for teachers. More teacher training. And understand that kids in poor areas, the kids that are left behind, need more resources, not less resources. So, let's dedicate the general tax funds to education, and not rely on property taxes, because the kids who need it the most live in areas that have low tax bases. Let's not kid ourselves about it. Let's suck it up and really leave no child behind, how about that?
Number five, Science. Still back to science. Article today in the NY Times about the molecular complexities in evolution. Evolution is science. Creationism isn't. Global warming, we know it's happening, the only climate scientists who disagree with it that are biostatutes, paid for by the oil companies. We know that.
What does that mean? Research. Research into renewable energy, an Apollo program into renewable energy, folks. And conservation, we're going to have the mayor of this fair city on in just a few moments and he will be telling us that this Chapel Hill has signed on to the Kyoto Accords, that's right. And Mayor Foy will tell us what we know, and it is that, NOT signing on to the Kyoto agreement, is going to damage our economy, damage our world. The dumbest thing this President says, and that is a high, high bar, is that signing on to the Kyoto Accords would ruin our economy. The opposite is true. Over 200 cities have signed on to it. They're finding, first, they're spending less money on energy, duh. They're finding that they're creating new jobs in conservation, in energy efficiency, in renewable energy. That's the future. I can go on and on and I will do it every damn day.
Speaking of science, stem cell research. Let's not throw out 400,000 frozen embryos. Let's not toss them in the garbage. These are 12 cells. Let's do adult stem cell research, too. But how many people in this country have a family member who same some sort of disease, or malady, that can be helped by, that stem cell research holds some hope for. Let's tell them that we're on their side.
Six: Real National Security. Real Port Security. Secure loose nukes in the (former) Soviet Union. Why Aren't We Doing That.? And how about this? Work with our Allies in the fight against Global Terrorism.
Seven: Stop the Lying. Tell the American people the truth, especially before leading us into a war.
Eight: Fair trade. When we make trade agreements, let's have environmental standards and let's have labor standards, so that we're not exploiting working people around the world, and we're not hurting our American workers here in the United States.
Nine: And speaking of our workers, let's make sure that our pensions are secure. Let's be on the side of workers and not on the side of corporations.
Ten: A Dark Chocolate Almond Joy. And that'll get us the 500 votes in Florida that we need.
One: Universal Health Care. And on the first day we're in, immediately day one, insure all kids, it's just right. Medicare for kids.
Secondly, restore fiscal sanity, start by repealing the tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans, and on them only. We are at war, ladies and gentlemen, and never in the history of this country until George W. Bush, have had tax cuts during a time of war.
Number three: corruption. Restore honor and integrity to government. No outing CIA agents. Clean up congress. Real lobbying reform. Clean elections, meaning public financing of federal elections. We will save so much money. The American taxpayer will save billions and billions.
Four: Education. Really leave no child behind. This means more resources for teachers. More teacher training. And understand that kids in poor areas, the kids that are left behind, need more resources, not less resources. So, let's dedicate the general tax funds to education, and not rely on property taxes, because the kids who need it the most live in areas that have low tax bases. Let's not kid ourselves about it. Let's suck it up and really leave no child behind, how about that?
Number five, Science. Still back to science. Article today in the NY Times about the molecular complexities in evolution. Evolution is science. Creationism isn't. Global warming, we know it's happening, the only climate scientists who disagree with it that are biostatutes, paid for by the oil companies. We know that.
What does that mean? Research. Research into renewable energy, an Apollo program into renewable energy, folks. And conservation, we're going to have the mayor of this fair city on in just a few moments and he will be telling us that this Chapel Hill has signed on to the Kyoto Accords, that's right. And Mayor Foy will tell us what we know, and it is that, NOT signing on to the Kyoto agreement, is going to damage our economy, damage our world. The dumbest thing this President says, and that is a high, high bar, is that signing on to the Kyoto Accords would ruin our economy. The opposite is true. Over 200 cities have signed on to it. They're finding, first, they're spending less money on energy, duh. They're finding that they're creating new jobs in conservation, in energy efficiency, in renewable energy. That's the future. I can go on and on and I will do it every damn day.
Speaking of science, stem cell research. Let's not throw out 400,000 frozen embryos. Let's not toss them in the garbage. These are 12 cells. Let's do adult stem cell research, too. But how many people in this country have a family member who same some sort of disease, or malady, that can be helped by, that stem cell research holds some hope for. Let's tell them that we're on their side.
Six: Real National Security. Real Port Security. Secure loose nukes in the (former) Soviet Union. Why Aren't We Doing That.? And how about this? Work with our Allies in the fight against Global Terrorism.
Seven: Stop the Lying. Tell the American people the truth, especially before leading us into a war.
Eight: Fair trade. When we make trade agreements, let's have environmental standards and let's have labor standards, so that we're not exploiting working people around the world, and we're not hurting our American workers here in the United States.
Nine: And speaking of our workers, let's make sure that our pensions are secure. Let's be on the side of workers and not on the side of corporations.
Ten: A Dark Chocolate Almond Joy. And that'll get us the 500 votes in Florida that we need.
I sure hope this is not happening to Spivack
David Siorta takes on "The Consultant Red Herring" and makes a good case that "consultants" are not the cancer on the Democratic party that they are made out to be. However, here is the money:
Let's be clear - Markos Moulitsas Zuniga and Jerome Armstrong's new book Crashing the Gate is far more astute on this subject than Klein or other Washington pundits/operatives who are so afraid of being knocked off politicians' Christmas Card lists that they are trying to blame the Democratic Party's demise purely on the faceless, nameless consultant effigy - instead of on the often confused, soulless politicians who hire and listen to them.
While most in the media have simply said their book bashes consultants, Crashing the Gate touches on the one area of the consultant class that, I will admit, really is damaging to Democrats: not consultants' out of touch elitism or their idiocy (that, after all, is everywhere in politics), but the system designed to force new, first-time, or lower-tier candidates to hire and follow orders from consultants without question. Yes, that's right: the Democratic Party in Washington and in various urban power centers very brazenly demand that candidates submit to the consultant stranglehold - or face real consequences in the form of choked off campaign resources.
Scary. And who knew? It makes me worry that the direct, gutsy candidate I met in the winter is going to be a neutered "play it safe" pansy this spring.
I guess time will tell.
Let's be clear - Markos Moulitsas Zuniga and Jerome Armstrong's new book Crashing the Gate is far more astute on this subject than Klein or other Washington pundits/operatives who are so afraid of being knocked off politicians' Christmas Card lists that they are trying to blame the Democratic Party's demise purely on the faceless, nameless consultant effigy - instead of on the often confused, soulless politicians who hire and listen to them.
While most in the media have simply said their book bashes consultants, Crashing the Gate touches on the one area of the consultant class that, I will admit, really is damaging to Democrats: not consultants' out of touch elitism or their idiocy (that, after all, is everywhere in politics), but the system designed to force new, first-time, or lower-tier candidates to hire and follow orders from consultants without question. Yes, that's right: the Democratic Party in Washington and in various urban power centers very brazenly demand that candidates submit to the consultant stranglehold - or face real consequences in the form of choked off campaign resources.
Scary. And who knew? It makes me worry that the direct, gutsy candidate I met in the winter is going to be a neutered "play it safe" pansy this spring.
I guess time will tell.
Calling the Delaware Democratic Party...
63% of America believes Bush acted illegally or unethically.
A Gallup poll out today finds that over 6 in 10 Americans are "critical" of Bush's role in the Plame controversy. Of those polled, 21% believe he did something illegal, 42% think he acted unethically, while 28% say he did nothing wrong.
70% of independents think Bush did something wrong when he selectively leaked intelligence for political gain.
What to do with such informartion? Here is an idea:
Leaders of the Vermont state Democratic Party voted Saturday to urge Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush. The vote makes Vermont's Democratic Party committee the fifth to do so, following New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
Hello....Del Dems? Anyone home? What are you waiting for? Delaware is blue, and we have a great many "I's" that are sick to death of Bush.
By the way, if anyone still thinks that Bush should NOT be impeached, read this and get back to me.
This scares the bejeesus out of racists, xenophobic right wing republicans
Debunking the myth that Republicans are good for the economy
I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to the gas lines this summer. No amount of bombing IRAN will distract people from the fact that Republicans have trashed the vibrant economy that Clinton left for them.
As the foreign capital flees this country, and rising interests rates force everyone with adjustable rate mortgages to live off onion skins and egg shells, the notion that Republicans are good for the economy will be put to rest forever.
Here are the facts:
1) The economy has done better under Democratic presidents than Republican ones since the 1940s.
2) The Standard & Poor's 500 stock index rose 54 percent on average during a Democrat's term; only 32.3 percent with a Republican. The DJIA? Don't ask.
3) Unemployment fell with Democrats in the Oval Office (by 0.3 percentage points) and rose (1.1 points) with Republicans in charge.
4) Gross domestic product: Real growth in the measure of the nation's total goods and services averaged 4.0 percent a year with a Democratic president; only 3.1 percent with a Republican.
I don't mind going over this from time to time. Heck. It is such a one sided victory form Dems that I don't even mind mentioning Inflation. Republicans beat Democrats on inflation. Under the Democrats it increased 1.6 percentage points; it fell 1.1 points under GOP presidents.
Sources:
www.money.cnn.com/2004/01/21/markets/election_demsvreps
www.americanprogressaction.org/ site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=231770
www.eriposte.com/economy/other/demovsrep.htm
As the foreign capital flees this country, and rising interests rates force everyone with adjustable rate mortgages to live off onion skins and egg shells, the notion that Republicans are good for the economy will be put to rest forever.
Here are the facts:
1) The economy has done better under Democratic presidents than Republican ones since the 1940s.
2) The Standard & Poor's 500 stock index rose 54 percent on average during a Democrat's term; only 32.3 percent with a Republican. The DJIA? Don't ask.
3) Unemployment fell with Democrats in the Oval Office (by 0.3 percentage points) and rose (1.1 points) with Republicans in charge.
4) Gross domestic product: Real growth in the measure of the nation's total goods and services averaged 4.0 percent a year with a Democratic president; only 3.1 percent with a Republican.
I don't mind going over this from time to time. Heck. It is such a one sided victory form Dems that I don't even mind mentioning Inflation. Republicans beat Democrats on inflation. Under the Democrats it increased 1.6 percentage points; it fell 1.1 points under GOP presidents.
Sources:
www.money.cnn.com/2004/01/21/markets/election_demsvreps
www.americanprogressaction.org/ site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=231770
www.eriposte.com/economy/other/demovsrep.htm
Monday, April 10, 2006
Here is what Delawareliberal readers think
“Down With Absolutes” is the first Delaware blog that 26% of you read in the morning. “Delaware Watch” came in second with 11%.
Does Michael Castle know that stories about him being a "moderate" make him look like a joke? 78% of you say, “Yes, but it is a calculated choice.”
Based on his track record, 80% of you say that George Bush WOULD bomb IRAN simply to get a bounce in the polls.
For what it is worth, I happen to agree with you guys.
Does Michael Castle know that stories about him being a "moderate" make him look like a joke? 78% of you say, “Yes, but it is a calculated choice.”
Based on his track record, 80% of you say that George Bush WOULD bomb IRAN simply to get a bounce in the polls.
For what it is worth, I happen to agree with you guys.
Spivack Needs to Call for Impeachment. Period.
Here are the facts:
1. In the summer of 2003 one-or-more higher-ups in the Bush Admin outed Valerie Plame (a CIA Operative tracking nuclear materials) as revenge for her husband, Joe Wilson, embarrassing Bush on his (Bush's) lies about Iraq's attempts to obtain fissionable material from Niger.
2. Bush, over and over again, claimed that this was a reprehensible leak, that he'd ordered his staff to cooperate with the Justice Department in investigating it, and that he'd fire anyone involved. See great Delaware Dem resource Diary here.
3. We now find out, and the White House has not denied, that Bush himself was behind this crime.
4. This has nothing to do with "declassifying previously classified information", as the media Bushbots who are trying to muddy the waters would have us think.
So - While I was in favor of passing on "impeachment" as an issue a few months ago, I think Spivack must now run a "Vote for me if you want to impeach!" campaign. The President IS the issue. If he can make this race a referendum on President Bush he will win. For that matter, Delaware, and the country will also win. Simply ignore that irrelevant milquetoast, rubber stamp, arrogant jerk, Michael Castle. Take it to Bush.
Needless to say, Biden, Carper and Castle should also be pushing for impeachment, but I will not be holding my breath waiting for that to happen.
1. In the summer of 2003 one-or-more higher-ups in the Bush Admin outed Valerie Plame (a CIA Operative tracking nuclear materials) as revenge for her husband, Joe Wilson, embarrassing Bush on his (Bush's) lies about Iraq's attempts to obtain fissionable material from Niger.
2. Bush, over and over again, claimed that this was a reprehensible leak, that he'd ordered his staff to cooperate with the Justice Department in investigating it, and that he'd fire anyone involved. See great Delaware Dem resource Diary here.
3. We now find out, and the White House has not denied, that Bush himself was behind this crime.
4. This has nothing to do with "declassifying previously classified information", as the media Bushbots who are trying to muddy the waters would have us think.
So - While I was in favor of passing on "impeachment" as an issue a few months ago, I think Spivack must now run a "Vote for me if you want to impeach!" campaign. The President IS the issue. If he can make this race a referendum on President Bush he will win. For that matter, Delaware, and the country will also win. Simply ignore that irrelevant milquetoast, rubber stamp, arrogant jerk, Michael Castle. Take it to Bush.
Needless to say, Biden, Carper and Castle should also be pushing for impeachment, but I will not be holding my breath waiting for that to happen.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Take the "Bomb Iran" poll.
Hartley-Nagle
...runs As Dem, And Independent At Same Time
Karen Hartley-Nagle says she's running for Republican Congressman Mike Castle's seat as a member of not one, but two political parties. Already in the race as an independent, Hartley-Nagle announced yesterday she's also running as a Democrat. She'll face Dennis Spivack, in the Democratic primary September 12th.
This is from a January Delawarewatch post: Karen is the Independent Party candidate running for the US Congress. Karen is best known as a Delaware activist who advocates for open hearings in Family Court and for easily accessible and inexpensive audio and written transcripts of Family Court Hearings. A recent court case for open hearings in Family Court brought by Hartley-Nagle was dismissed in the Court of Chancellery. Karen plans to appeal the decision.
I don't know about this running as an "Independent Party" Candidate and a Democrat, but I know I like primaries. The party hates them.
As I see it, the more people beating up on the arrogant fraud, Michael Castle, the better.
Sunday Sermon: Hey...Who Put the Church in My State? Who put the State in My Church?
Critics Blast Bush For Not Praying Hard Enough
WASHINGTON, DC - President Bush, already facing the lowest approval ratings in history, is coming under fire from former supporters over what they call his "ineffectual and incompetent" use of prayer for national guidance and assistance.
"Every time the president is criticized, he insists that the nation is in his prayers," said the Family Research Council's Bob Jensen. "That may be, but it's becoming more and more clear that these prayers are either too infrequent, too brief, or not strongly worded enough to be effective."
I think The Onion might be on to something. For someone who prays so much, Bush seems to be hated by God. Is Bush lying about his prayer life in the same way he lies about everything else? Or maybe prayers from liars, don't mean much to God. Here is the the Gospel According to Matthew on the topic:
Not everyone who says to me,'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will tell me in that day,'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?
Then I will tell them,'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.'
Amen and Go in Peace.
WASHINGTON, DC - President Bush, already facing the lowest approval ratings in history, is coming under fire from former supporters over what they call his "ineffectual and incompetent" use of prayer for national guidance and assistance.
"Every time the president is criticized, he insists that the nation is in his prayers," said the Family Research Council's Bob Jensen. "That may be, but it's becoming more and more clear that these prayers are either too infrequent, too brief, or not strongly worded enough to be effective."
I think The Onion might be on to something. For someone who prays so much, Bush seems to be hated by God. Is Bush lying about his prayer life in the same way he lies about everything else? Or maybe prayers from liars, don't mean much to God. Here is the the Gospel According to Matthew on the topic:
Not everyone who says to me,'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will tell me in that day,'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?
Then I will tell them,'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.'
Amen and Go in Peace.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Bombing Iran = The Only Card Left
Would President Bush go to war to stop Tehran from getting the bomb?
by SEYMOUR M. HERSH
The Bush Administration, while publicly advocating diplomacy in order to stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, has increased clandestine activities inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack. Current and former American military and intelligence officials said that Air Force planning groups are drawing up lists of targets, and teams of American combat troops have been ordered into Iran, under cover, to collect targeting data and to establish contact with anti-government ethnic-minority groups. The officials say tha President Bush is determined to deny the Iranian regime the opportunity to begin a pilot program, planned for this spring, to enrich uranium.
Unlike "reporters" like Celia Cohen, Seymour Hersh does actual research and reports old fashioned facts. Hersh has a great track record, so it is safe to say that Bush is going to bomb Iran.
This had to be in the planning all along, and it's been dependent on the 2006 mid-term election timing. It's possible that he never would have had to bomb Iran if Iraq had been slower to collapse into civil war. But as always, he misunderestimated the situation, and the Iraqi people are killing each other now while killing US soldiers faster than he planned. Bush's polls are sliding down faster than he planned. So his ace in the hole is looking like the only card in the deck.
We know he likes to use the military to divert attention from how much he sucks. We know that he is capable of killing more hundreds of thousands of brown people to maintain political control over the Congress and avoid a Democratic Senate Select Committee. The only thing we don't know right now, is how much of a "bounce" in the polls the bombing of Iran will give him.
I put the over/under at 5 percent.
by SEYMOUR M. HERSH
The Bush Administration, while publicly advocating diplomacy in order to stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, has increased clandestine activities inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack. Current and former American military and intelligence officials said that Air Force planning groups are drawing up lists of targets, and teams of American combat troops have been ordered into Iran, under cover, to collect targeting data and to establish contact with anti-government ethnic-minority groups. The officials say tha President Bush is determined to deny the Iranian regime the opportunity to begin a pilot program, planned for this spring, to enrich uranium.
Unlike "reporters" like Celia Cohen, Seymour Hersh does actual research and reports old fashioned facts. Hersh has a great track record, so it is safe to say that Bush is going to bomb Iran.
This had to be in the planning all along, and it's been dependent on the 2006 mid-term election timing. It's possible that he never would have had to bomb Iran if Iraq had been slower to collapse into civil war. But as always, he misunderestimated the situation, and the Iraqi people are killing each other now while killing US soldiers faster than he planned. Bush's polls are sliding down faster than he planned. So his ace in the hole is looking like the only card in the deck.
We know he likes to use the military to divert attention from how much he sucks. We know that he is capable of killing more hundreds of thousands of brown people to maintain political control over the Congress and avoid a Democratic Senate Select Committee. The only thing we don't know right now, is how much of a "bounce" in the polls the bombing of Iran will give him.
I put the over/under at 5 percent.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Yet Another Reason to Dislike Mike
He is an arrogant jerk. That's right, I said it.
We already know he is a Republican, which speaks volumes about his low character. We also already know he is a fraud and a calculating politician, but at least he has some humility right?
Wrong.
Thanks to Celia Cohenwe now find out that the real Michael Castle is an arrogant jerk!
Listen to how Castle laughs off his Democratic challenger, Dennis Spivack:
""I'll worry about him in August, September, election time."
WHAT A JERK!
...and be ready to wince as you read Celia Cohen suck up to Castle time and again in that piece. She is about as objective as a Ken Mehlman press release.
We already know he is a Republican, which speaks volumes about his low character. We also already know he is a fraud and a calculating politician, but at least he has some humility right?
Wrong.
Thanks to Celia Cohenwe now find out that the real Michael Castle is an arrogant jerk!
Listen to how Castle laughs off his Democratic challenger, Dennis Spivack:
""I'll worry about him in August, September, election time."
WHAT A JERK!
...and be ready to wince as you read Celia Cohen suck up to Castle time and again in that piece. She is about as objective as a Ken Mehlman press release.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Wall Street Now Worried About How Much Bush Sucks As President
It is greed driven, but I'll take it.
Bush's Popularity Falls to Lows at Worst Time for U.S. Stocks
April 3 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush's approval ratings have dropped to all-time lows, and the decline couldn't come at a worse time for U.S. stocks.
In a president's four-year term, the second and third quarters leading up to mid-term congressional elections are the weakest period for the market, according to data from Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 produced 2 percent and 2.2 percent losses in the periods, respectively, on average since 1945.
The president's job approval dropped to 37 percent, a new low, in a Time magazine poll of 1,004 adults on March 29-30. The rating fell two percentage points from a survey conducted a week earlier. In a Newsweek magazine poll taken on March 16-17, his rating was 36 percent, matching the low for his presidency.
Potential crises this year may include an outbreak of avian flu or a showdown with Iran over its nuclear program, according to strategists.
"Geopolitical things that keep whizzing overhead are also creating some nervousness,'' said Mark Keller, chairman of the investment strategy committee at A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. in St. Louis. Keller reduced his recommended allocation to equities to 65 percent from 70 percent on March 20.
Even if a crisis doesn't surface, the political climate -- including Bush's waning popularity -- is reason enough to worry, Ghriskey said.
Okay, who still thinks that Republicans are good for the market...?
...anyone?
...anyone?
Bush's Popularity Falls to Lows at Worst Time for U.S. Stocks
April 3 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush's approval ratings have dropped to all-time lows, and the decline couldn't come at a worse time for U.S. stocks.
In a president's four-year term, the second and third quarters leading up to mid-term congressional elections are the weakest period for the market, according to data from Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 produced 2 percent and 2.2 percent losses in the periods, respectively, on average since 1945.
The president's job approval dropped to 37 percent, a new low, in a Time magazine poll of 1,004 adults on March 29-30. The rating fell two percentage points from a survey conducted a week earlier. In a Newsweek magazine poll taken on March 16-17, his rating was 36 percent, matching the low for his presidency.
Potential crises this year may include an outbreak of avian flu or a showdown with Iran over its nuclear program, according to strategists.
"Geopolitical things that keep whizzing overhead are also creating some nervousness,'' said Mark Keller, chairman of the investment strategy committee at A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. in St. Louis. Keller reduced his recommended allocation to equities to 65 percent from 70 percent on March 20.
Even if a crisis doesn't surface, the political climate -- including Bush's waning popularity -- is reason enough to worry, Ghriskey said.
Okay, who still thinks that Republicans are good for the market...?
...anyone?
...anyone?
Jesus' General on Immigration
UPDATE: Guess how that great "moderate" Mike Castle voted on the immigration bill?
If you said that he voted FOR MAKING IT A FELONY TO GIVE AN IMMIGRANT A CUP OF SOUP, you'd be right. How "modetrate" is that?
Here is the smoking gun.
Wearing cammies to make himself invisible, Jesus' General infiltrated an immigrant anti-persecution march in Yakima, where he saw a lot of openly latino people.
...and that scares the hell out of this patriot. It makes me wonder if immigrants are as hated as the media tells us they are. Could it be that people are putting a face to their cheap produce; their inexpensive restaurant fare; their low construction labor costs? Will it eventually lead to the ending of the exploitation of foreign workers? And if that happens, what next? Will people start thinking about the Chinese prisoners slaving away in prison camps to bring us Wal-Mart's low prices.
Immigration is a difficult issue. The owners in Our Leader's ownership society need a workforce they can exploit beyond the limits allowed by law. Undocumented aliens fill that role, because, being undocumented, they cannot complain about being victimized. Now, we've come to a point where the demand for an exploitable workforce has become so great, it's hard to hide all of the brown faces we're bringing into fill it.
That scares the hell out of the rest of us white people, and when we get scared we demand that our government bomb someone. The House of Representatives, being the body that most closely represents white people, did just that in their immigration bill by making it a felony to assist undocumented aliens.
The Senate, being the more rational body, is looking at a different bill, one that focuses more on allaying the fears of the owners, the only group of people who really matter in Our Leader's America. There bill will create an underclass of workers who can be legally victimized. The owners hope that such guestworkers will overfill the demand for labor and thus allow for a weakening of labor protections generally.
The more traitorous among us might suggest that there is a third way. They'd say reward those who've toiled here so long by giving them citizenship, and then pass a law leveling harsh penalties against those who hire undocumented aliens in the future. Of course, this third way does nothing to either calm our fear of brown people or provide our owners with cheap, exploitable labor, so such a solution won't be discussed in the media or the halls of government.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Republicans for Environmental Protection Releases First Congressional Scorecard
Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) today released its first Congressional Scorecard, rating Republican members of Congress for their votes and leadership on critical energy, public lands, air, and water legislation during 2005. (The Scorecard is on line at http://www.rep.org/2005_scorecard.pdf.)
The REP scorecard is a Republican-only scorecard that will allow the public to see which of their GOP Members of Congress are providing responsible environmental leadership.
Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (NY-24th) received the highest score in the House of Representatives with a score of 108. Senator Lincoln Chafee (RI) earned the highest score in the Senate with a score of 87.
In the House, other Members who earned outstanding scores include Jim Saxton (NJ), Michael Fitzpatrick (PA), Michael Castle (DE)
"We are proud of our Republican lawmakers who scored well. They are leading the way on blah blah blah..."
What a scam!
I mean what does it really matter when you throw a few crumbs to the environmentalists by voting for some piece of doomed legislation when you turn around and support the radical right wing when the votes are close? The fact is Castle is a rubber stamp and an enabler of people who claim there is no such thing as global warming. The sad part is, a great many democrats are taken in by this kind of transparent PR stunt.
The REP scorecard is a Republican-only scorecard that will allow the public to see which of their GOP Members of Congress are providing responsible environmental leadership.
Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (NY-24th) received the highest score in the House of Representatives with a score of 108. Senator Lincoln Chafee (RI) earned the highest score in the Senate with a score of 87.
In the House, other Members who earned outstanding scores include Jim Saxton (NJ), Michael Fitzpatrick (PA), Michael Castle (DE)
"We are proud of our Republican lawmakers who scored well. They are leading the way on blah blah blah..."
What a scam!
I mean what does it really matter when you throw a few crumbs to the environmentalists by voting for some piece of doomed legislation when you turn around and support the radical right wing when the votes are close? The fact is Castle is a rubber stamp and an enabler of people who claim there is no such thing as global warming. The sad part is, a great many democrats are taken in by this kind of transparent PR stunt.
TERPS !!!
Okay. I'm not going to pretend that I'm some big women's college basketball fan, but that Maryland/Duke championship game was awesome.
Maryland was 6 for 6 from the foul line in overtime! They had a bunch of freshman girls shooting 87%! And who doesn't love to see Duke lose!? I know I do.
Maryland was 6 for 6 from the foul line in overtime! They had a bunch of freshman girls shooting 87%! And who doesn't love to see Duke lose!? I know I do.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Where is the outrage?
Republican senator's son sodomizes 18 children
18 year old Clifton Bennet is on trial for sodomizing 18 children with a broom stick. Bennet is the son of state Senate President Ken Bennett, a Republican from Arizona. Horrible and shocking, right? You haven't heard nearly the worst of it...
Instead of being charged with 18 counts of sexual assault and being put in jail and placed on the sex offender list for life, Bennet is being charged with a single count of regular assault because of his father.
Three of the 18 victims, all boys between the ages of 11 and 15, are from Tucson, and the families are angry that 18-year-old Clifton Bennett and co-defendant Kyle Wheeler, 19, were not charged with sexual assault.
Also, the families said Bennett is being treated favorably by the court system because of his father's position in the Legislature. Bennett's plea would allow the court to classify the aggravated-assault conviction as a misdemeanor, which means he could go on to become a teacher or counselor and would never have to disclose the so-called "brooming" incident.
So not only were the 18 charges reduced to one single charge, but that charge was reduced from sexual assault no regular assault, which carries a maximum of two years in prison. However, Bennet is more likely to do probation than be imprisoned at all!
- Via pHatidic's diary
Where is Sean Hannity on this? Why is Fox News not all over this? Here is a link to the full story.
18 year old Clifton Bennet is on trial for sodomizing 18 children with a broom stick. Bennet is the son of state Senate President Ken Bennett, a Republican from Arizona. Horrible and shocking, right? You haven't heard nearly the worst of it...
Instead of being charged with 18 counts of sexual assault and being put in jail and placed on the sex offender list for life, Bennet is being charged with a single count of regular assault because of his father.
Three of the 18 victims, all boys between the ages of 11 and 15, are from Tucson, and the families are angry that 18-year-old Clifton Bennett and co-defendant Kyle Wheeler, 19, were not charged with sexual assault.
Also, the families said Bennett is being treated favorably by the court system because of his father's position in the Legislature. Bennett's plea would allow the court to classify the aggravated-assault conviction as a misdemeanor, which means he could go on to become a teacher or counselor and would never have to disclose the so-called "brooming" incident.
So not only were the 18 charges reduced to one single charge, but that charge was reduced from sexual assault no regular assault, which carries a maximum of two years in prison. However, Bennet is more likely to do probation than be imprisoned at all!
- Via pHatidic's diary
Where is Sean Hannity on this? Why is Fox News not all over this? Here is a link to the full story.
Jack Markell excoriates, attacks, berates, and beats up Mike Castle…
…if you read between the lines.
It is too much to hope that a member of Delaware’s incumbent party would openly attack another member of the incumbent party. However, if you read between the lines of this Delaware State News story, and you know about Michael Castle’s unethical support for the President’s budget – you can tell Markell is taking Castle to the woodshed.
No morals in government? Treasurer urges political leaders to follow beliefs
By Joe Rogalsky, Delaware State News
DOVER — Elected officials should do more than give lip service to their moral and religious beliefs when making public policy decisions, state Treasurer Jack A. Markell told an audience Tuesday during a talk at Christ Episcopal Church.
Mr. Markell’s speech, entitled “Budget as Moral Documents,” was the first of four Brown-Bag Theology events that will continue through June at Christ Church.
In Congress, he said, members like to take stands, such as passing a toothless resolution supporting Christmas symbols, though they also vote to cut funds for a variety of social programs to help the poor.
It is too much to hope that a member of Delaware’s incumbent party would openly attack another member of the incumbent party. However, if you read between the lines of this Delaware State News story, and you know about Michael Castle’s unethical support for the President’s budget – you can tell Markell is taking Castle to the woodshed.
No morals in government? Treasurer urges political leaders to follow beliefs
By Joe Rogalsky, Delaware State News
DOVER — Elected officials should do more than give lip service to their moral and religious beliefs when making public policy decisions, state Treasurer Jack A. Markell told an audience Tuesday during a talk at Christ Episcopal Church.
Mr. Markell’s speech, entitled “Budget as Moral Documents,” was the first of four Brown-Bag Theology events that will continue through June at Christ Church.
In Congress, he said, members like to take stands, such as passing a toothless resolution supporting Christmas symbols, though they also vote to cut funds for a variety of social programs to help the poor.
Republicans Now "Clean"
...Delay resignation washes away the sins of the (GOP) world.
Michael Castle and the rest of the ongoing criminal enterprise known as the Republican party must be pretty happy that Tom Delay decided to let the Kos-ian pharisees nail him to a tree.
Now Castle can pretend that all of the GOP's sins have been washed away and no longer affect congressional Republicans. Insider trading, fraud, corruption, vote selling, abandonment of constitutional responsibilities, gone. Poof!
No doubt the Wilmington News Journal and Delathought will dutifully repeat that spin.
The thing is Mike Castle and every other Republican in Congress enabled DeLay, and today the Bush/Rove GOP remains a dangerous anti-American cancerous growth on the body politic. One man's resignation changes absolutely nothing.
This is a Delawareliberal-izedpost via - Kos.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Joe Pitts (R) PA 16TH
Please note: This is has not been fact checked. That said, if anyone knows anything about Joe Pitts (R) PA 16th, you know that this exchange in an Eschaton thread is totally believable.
Q: Joe Lieberman say anything stupid yet today?
A:Don't know about Joe Lieberman saying something stupid, but my local PA state representative Joe Pitts did. He went to my daughter's high school class today and told them that a common abortion procedure ("murder" as he called it) was to slit the woman's belly open, stab the fetus in the head and let it bleed to death.
Q: This is so disturbing. How old is your daughter? Was it a school-wide assembly?
A: She's 18. Old enough, and gutsy enough, to pepper him with a few questions. But most of the other kids in the class said "Oh, how HORRIBLE!"
Q: Joe Lieberman say anything stupid yet today?
A:Don't know about Joe Lieberman saying something stupid, but my local PA state representative Joe Pitts did. He went to my daughter's high school class today and told them that a common abortion procedure ("murder" as he called it) was to slit the woman's belly open, stab the fetus in the head and let it bleed to death.
Q: This is so disturbing. How old is your daughter? Was it a school-wide assembly?
A: She's 18. Old enough, and gutsy enough, to pepper him with a few questions. But most of the other kids in the class said "Oh, how HORRIBLE!"
McCain
As much as I'd like Republicans to dissolve the party out of shame for how they have trashed this country, they probably will continue to run candidates for office. Given that sad fact of life, I'm going to have to take a look at the crumb-bums and losers running for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. The first guy is the guy who will probably win the nomination: John McCain.
I liked McCain once. I thought he was the "straight talker" that I could cross party lines to vote for. Alas and alack, he turned out to be just another lowlife Republican politician. There are a lot of reasons to dislike McCain, so I'll pick one. He is the Joe Lieberman of Republicans. That is not to say that he is a Democrat, far from it. It means he is the trophy bride for Democratic "reformers" who want to appear to be "bipartisan". Matt Stoller at MYDD puts it well.
...why is it that John McCain is so beloved? Well, one reason is that he has a lot of allies on the left, allies such as Common Cause, Democracy 21, and a whole host of 'reformer' groups interested in small process issues that find him useful as bipartisan arm candy. For these groups, McCain is an easy ticket to bipartisanship. These groups promote John McCain, because promoting him means promoting their image as bipartisan reformers. This raises his numbers among liberals who tend to like good government groups.
Like so many Republicans McCain is a fraud wrapped in a scam.
Next up: Bill Frist
I liked McCain once. I thought he was the "straight talker" that I could cross party lines to vote for. Alas and alack, he turned out to be just another lowlife Republican politician. There are a lot of reasons to dislike McCain, so I'll pick one. He is the Joe Lieberman of Republicans. That is not to say that he is a Democrat, far from it. It means he is the trophy bride for Democratic "reformers" who want to appear to be "bipartisan". Matt Stoller at MYDD puts it well.
...why is it that John McCain is so beloved? Well, one reason is that he has a lot of allies on the left, allies such as Common Cause, Democracy 21, and a whole host of 'reformer' groups interested in small process issues that find him useful as bipartisan arm candy. For these groups, McCain is an easy ticket to bipartisanship. These groups promote John McCain, because promoting him means promoting their image as bipartisan reformers. This raises his numbers among liberals who tend to like good government groups.
Like so many Republicans McCain is a fraud wrapped in a scam.
Next up: Bill Frist
California Democrats Get a Free Pass
UPDATE: John Kasich: Republicans have gotten the sense that they're going to get elected by passing out money to people.
No wonder finding principled conservatives to run for office is as hard as finding snowcones in an iron foundry. I fully expect to see a great many more stories like this as the filing deadlines begin to pass.
-----------------------------------
Republicans (fatigued from being the party of liars and criminals) have depleted their "bench" and can not get people to run for office.
CA-07: George Miller (D-Martinez) faces a Libertarian
CA-20: Jim Costa (D-Fresno) is unopposed, even though he is a freshman in a competitive district!
CA-31: Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) faces another Democrat
CA-32: Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) faces a Libertarian
CA-33: Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) faces another Democrat
CA-35: Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) faces another Democrat, a Libertarian, and an American Independent
CA-37: Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Carson) faces another Democrat and a Libertarian
I think this says three things loud and clear:
1) The GOP is sucking air. The party of criminal waste fraud and corruption has run out of suckers to join the "tax cuts and kickbacks all around!" pyramid scheme they call elected office.
2) George Bush and Karl Rove have so completely poisoned the well of American politics, that you can't find good people to step up to the challenge of running as a true conservative.
3) Given items 1 & 2, you would be an idiot to send money to the RNC.
No wonder finding principled conservatives to run for office is as hard as finding snowcones in an iron foundry. I fully expect to see a great many more stories like this as the filing deadlines begin to pass.
-----------------------------------
Republicans (fatigued from being the party of liars and criminals) have depleted their "bench" and can not get people to run for office.
CA-07: George Miller (D-Martinez) faces a Libertarian
CA-20: Jim Costa (D-Fresno) is unopposed, even though he is a freshman in a competitive district!
CA-31: Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) faces another Democrat
CA-32: Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) faces a Libertarian
CA-33: Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) faces another Democrat
CA-35: Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) faces another Democrat, a Libertarian, and an American Independent
CA-37: Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Carson) faces another Democrat and a Libertarian
I think this says three things loud and clear:
1) The GOP is sucking air. The party of criminal waste fraud and corruption has run out of suckers to join the "tax cuts and kickbacks all around!" pyramid scheme they call elected office.
2) George Bush and Karl Rove have so completely poisoned the well of American politics, that you can't find good people to step up to the challenge of running as a true conservative.
3) Given items 1 & 2, you would be an idiot to send money to the RNC.
A C-5 cargo plane with 17 people on board has crashed near Dover Air Force base in Delaware, The Associated Press reports.
CNN Scroll...
Sunday, April 02, 2006
More Evidence that Republicans are not fit to govern
...this time from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
BLACKBURN, England (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has defended her government's war in Iraq, despite having made "thousands of errors," as she faced a series of protests during a tour of northwest England.
"I know we've made tactical errors, thousands of them, I'm sure," she said in a speech at Blackburn's Chatham House -- a center for independent research on global. (snip)
"I am quite certain there are going to be dissertations written about the mistakes of the Bush administration," she said.
Too bad he was the only person running for president in 2004....
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/31...pool/index.html
BLACKBURN, England (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has defended her government's war in Iraq, despite having made "thousands of errors," as she faced a series of protests during a tour of northwest England.
"I know we've made tactical errors, thousands of them, I'm sure," she said in a speech at Blackburn's Chatham House -- a center for independent research on global. (snip)
"I am quite certain there are going to be dissertations written about the mistakes of the Bush administration," she said.
Too bad he was the only person running for president in 2004....
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/31...pool/index.html
Saturday, April 01, 2006
I'm trying to better understand my Republican brothers
Given the disaster that was George W Bush's first term, I can't understand why anyone (of either party) could have voted to allow him to have a second term in office.
He lied us into a pointless vanity war that continues to sap our strength. He decided NOT to catch Osama Bin Laden when he had the chance. He EXPLODED the deficit and ran up crazy bills to China taking control of our economic destiny out of our own hands - and yet, given a record of abject failure, people STILL voted for him. Why?
He lied us into a pointless vanity war that continues to sap our strength. He decided NOT to catch Osama Bin Laden when he had the chance. He EXPLODED the deficit and ran up crazy bills to China taking control of our economic destiny out of our own hands - and yet, given a record of abject failure, people STILL voted for him. Why?
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