Democrat Views

Post-State Of The Union Wrap-Up

2010-01-28T11:41:00.001-08:00

Hey readers (the one or two I may have left),

So, last night was President Barack Obama's first "official" State of the Union since taking office. Now, I could do one of two things. I could break it all down, line by line, just like all the T.V. commentators have done last night and into today (like I'm sure they are doing right now). However, I learnt during my skoolun' (pump money in the schools, please!) that over-analyzing isn't fun for anybody, especially the one writing the paper. So, if you want a broken down analysis onf Obama's outlined policies, then I humbly direct your attention to the links on the right havd side of the page.

My second option (and the one I've decided to go with, if you haven't figured that out already) is to point out some of the interesting things I've read since the SOTU, some intested finds by others during the speech, and something else only Chris Matthews can get into.

First off, I love fact checks. They were so helpful during the campaign. Here's an Associated Press fact check of some of Obama's bigger statements last night.

In gooder news (darn those public schools again!), 83% of Americans had a favorable view of Obama's first SOTU. Now if that can just translate into support, specificly by members of Congress. But as blindly as the Democrats will follow Obama, the Republicans will stray in the other direction.

*Sigh* Just what do I say about Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito. When President Obama admonished the Supreme Court's recent 5-4 decision to lift the 100-year old campaign finance law that prevents massive corporation from spending however much they like and saturate the airwaves with tons of commercials saying how great one candidate is, and how terrible another candidate is, Justice Alito dropped his head, shook it back and forth, and appeared to be saying "not true". Here's the video, including Obama's line, and Alito's response:

YouTube's CitizenTube page is compiling questions from you (well, maybe not exactly YOU, but the average, everyday viewer, to present in an interview next week they are conducting with President Obama himself. So, if you have and questions about anything in the State Of The Union speech, send those into YouTube (that's a suggestion -- not a threat or anything.

*Double Sigh* Any finally, drumroll please, from the That's Just Plain Stoopid file: MSNBC host and political commentator Chris Matthews after Obama's SOTU. For those of you who haven't seen this yet -- before you watch this next video -- pop quiz, hotshot: What color is President Barack Obama's skin? Well, obviously, Chris Matthews was so enthrawled with the SOTU, well, just watch:

Okay, so I guess I understand what he's TRYING to say -- I think -- but it either didn't come out right, or this is one of those situations where is sounds sorta-kinda stupid in your head, and you say it anyway, and it sounds even more idiotic out loud, where everyone else earshot and TV-shot can hear you. Chris later clarified his comments (which made sense) a little bit later.

-Adam

Democrats Axe Public Plan From Health Bill

2009-12-09T00:24:00.000-08:00

Those mysterious "sources" are at work again, except this time, they aren't talking about Tiger Woods supposed, um, relationship issues. This time, however, these sources are confirming to the media that the Democrats have struck an internal agreement on what they want in the health reform bill.

And as sure that the fact that my dry sense of humor can't translate through keystrokes, this "all public" healthcare bill is DOA. Now the plan will be private plans with government oversight, which will no doubt be a breath of fresh air to moderate Democrats, and those who can count to 60 through the mid-western political map.

The plan reportedly also calls for Medicare to be expanded to all people ages 55+, which will no doubt be a breath of fresh air to everybody who can order off of the back page of a Denny's menu.

Look, I know a lot of Democrats aren't going to like this, but this really is the only option at this point. If the public plan went forward, not only would Democrats be railroaded by the Republicans, but by the more moderate Democrats as well. Not to mention that next year is an election year.

Believe it or not, this does still meet President Obama's message of change -- instead of going to the table divided, or wanting something to pass that never will, calling a huddle first ensures that at least we can all sell the same play.

-Adam

AP sources: Dems reach deal to drop gov't-run plan - Yahoo! News

Democrat Views now on Twitter!

2009-12-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

Democrat Views is now on Twitter! Obviously, this site has been lagging lately, so I thought that maybe I could get back into it (slowly) by getting into Twitter first.

Find me @DemocratViews.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Dead at 77

2009-08-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

Long-time Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who has served 43 years in the United States Senate, has died at 77.

-Adam

Franken's Long Road is Finally Over, Sworn in to Senate

2009-07-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

~~Comedian~~ ~~candidate~~ Senator Al Franken was finally sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden today, eight months after election day on November 4th. Raw video of the swearing-in can be found here.

There's been a lot of talk since this whole Franken-Coleman thing started, about how Franken would be the 60th vote, that some iron-clad fist would come down upon the Senate, preventing any and all possible filibusters. That is such a load of bull. There will be no 60-vote filibuster override. There will likely not even be any serious filibusters -- even the back-and-forth threats of filibusters during the Bush Administration produced more threats than actual attempts. Have any of these any of these Senators actually sat down and listened to debates on the floor of the Senate? Where you find a member of Congress, you'll likely find two different opinions on a matter. 60 votes means 120 different opinions, folks -- there's no way this will ever happen. Especially when you look at some of these Democrats in the so-called super-majority. Let's take a look at one in particular:

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) - Former Democrat. Caucused with the Democrats, and sides with them on a majority of issues, with the exception of the that get talked about on the news. One these issues, Joe always seems to surround himself with Republicans and denounce whatever happens to be on the table at the time CNN's cameras show up. Won't likely vote for cloture on big issues; smaller issues won't likely be filibustered. He's may be caucused with the Democrats, but since he had to get there as an independent, I have to imagine that he's still somewhat upset at his former party, and no one should put it beyond an elected officials to stick it to someone he doesn't like, just because.

This brings the total down to 59. I really doubt a vote for cloture would come to rest at 59-41, but it would be enough. You know, I'm sure that Joe Lieberman is a great guy, but c'mon, Connecticut, you couldn't have voted for Ned Lamont?

-Adam

Sanford & ...Argentine Beauty?

2009-07-07T01:21:00.000-07:00

Gov. Mark Sanford, who recently ~~destroyed his marriage~~ admitted to having an affair with a woman in Argentina... on state time... using state money, was censured yesterday after a vote within the the South Carolina Republican Party. Their vote fell short of asking him to resign, however. The vote was 22 to censure, 10 to resign, and 9 in support of the embattled governor.

Sanford's biggest problem, to me anyway, was the fact that he left the state,. and the country, without taking the appropriate steps to transfer power to the Lt. Governor first. And spending state funds during these trips. And while the state review shows Sanford did no wrong doing, we know he did use state money, since he wrote the state a $3,300 personal check. Yes, the affair was personally wrong, and it speaks to character if the elected leader of a state decides to go outside of his marriage, but an affair hurts the state and the people differently than misuse of state funds and failing to perform the duties of the office you're elected to. Those most hurt are your own family, while the state is dragged through the mud. Perhaps one of these offenses alone would be forgivable, as least as far as the general public is concerned, but with all of these things against him, a censure of the governor is getting off pretty well.

And for some personal advice for the governor: Lord knows you shouldn't ask me for relationship advice, but Gov. Sanford, if you are not in love with your life, and if this other woman is your "soul mate", get a divorce, move her up here, so you can stay near your kids, and live contently ever after (it's not happily ever after since he blew his chances of running in 2012.) Your kids will gain nothing by "staying together for the kids", which is likely what you are doing now. They're smarter than that, Sanford.

-Adam

No Title

2009-07-07T00:48:00.001-07:00

I sit here dumbfounded that it has been 665 days since my last post of this blog. I most likely suffered some burn-out during the drawn-out campaign process -- as an avid news junkie, almost everything I watched on television was election-based news coverage. Everything that I read, or typed, on the internet had to do with Obama, McCain, and 2008. I couldn't get enough.

It would be a logical assumption to assume that I was not the only one this happened to -- after all, with the rush to place primaries so close to the beginning of the year, resulting ever earlier campaigning by the perspective candidates, this country's election process has now become, like it or not, a two-year affair (which may or may not be longer than Gov. Sanford's affair, and Gov. Palin's career.) Politics seemed to almost become a daily burden, and while the right man won, the whole thing lasted way to long in my opinion.

It is my intent to revive this site, and if it is to be so, than it will happen; otherwise, it'll likely fizzle out like last time. The objective of this blog remains the same -- as the title says, these posts are the ideas, thoughts, and views of a Democrat, me, and anyone whom wishes may read my thoughts (at least those thoughts which are transcribed here anyway, for the rest is likely too dirty, and nobody would want it.)

-Adam

Six Year Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

2007-09-11T07:33:00.000-07:00

God bless those who were lost, the families they left behind, the United States of America, and all her citizens.

-Adam

The Fall of Karl Rove

2007-08-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

Karl Rove submitted his resignation to the President today, and it was accepted. He will leave at the end of August. There is no more I could put here that could make this post any greater than it currently is, so I'll stop here.

-Adam

Hit The Snooze... It's Too Early For Politics

2007-08-12T23:55:00.000-07:00

I love politics.

I find it enjoyable. When I watch T.V., often the news channels are my first choice (thus causing me to not watch the ever-increasing amount of programs on my DVR). Politics is one of the things I love to talk about. I have yet to determine whether this makes me twisted and insane, or lining me up for a career in the political world; when I find out for sure, I'll let you know.

But unfortunately, the world of politics has taken an unfortunate, and possibly unbearable, turn. The 2008 campaign for the general elections will, if certain state's laws are held up, last almost an entire year. Of course, this all depends if New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's prediction holds true that a winner will be picked by the first four states.

In case you haven't heard (if you have, you will have no doubt performed several bouts of eye-rolling and groaning) many states have recently switched their primaries to near the beginning of the year. The South Carolina Republican party has officially switched their primary to January 19, assuring the Palmetto State will be the first southern state to hold a primary. This was due to, in part, Florida changing its primary to January 29. The SC Democratic party has stated that it will not change its primary date. However, New Hampshire has a law on it's books which requires their primary to be held 7 days be fore any other state primary. If that isn't enough, Iowa has a special law of it's own, which requires that the Iowa Caucuses be held 8 days before ANY other state votes at all, regardless of whether it uses the primary or caucus system. It's possible that Iowa new caucus date could take place at the very end of this year.

This is very concerning. After all, campaign coverage has already been going full swing for several months, and this is with just shy of 20 candidates and lots of speculation. If this thing gets locked by February, all the coverage on T.V., online, and in the papers will cause a severe strain on the American people. People who already aren't extremely interested in politics could distance themselves from it even more, because two candidates continually repeating the same slogans are all that plays in the media. People like myself will no doubt become less tolerable to the endless mudslinging and false promises continually being thrown around. While a year-long Presidential campaign could get voters to know the candidates more, it will no doubt be a continuous string of rhetoric. I don't think it will result in less voter turn-out (Bush pretty well wrapped that one up, didn't he?), but it will start a wave of Americans who are not as involved in politics as they should be; I count on that.

-Adam

AFL-CIO Democratic Debates

2007-08-08T03:28:00.000-07:00

I'm going to forego the fact that I promised to update this site more, than took several months off. As the old adage (okay, song) goes: "It's my party [blog] and I'll cry [choose not to compose posts] if I want to" [this part works].

The debate was impressive, and addressed many issues the the "average, everyday American" was concerned about. I did note a few problems, though:

1. The candidates, as usual, didn't always completely ask the questions. I especially noticed this with Chris Dodd & John Edwards. Look, I'm glad that you walked on picket lines and support unions (my father's in a union), but I want to hear about what you WILL do, not what you HAVE done. But don't get me wrong, I want to know what you have done to help a certain issue, but perhaps that's better suited for a campaign commercial, or for a flash video on your website. Lets focus on the future, guys (and girl.) Unfortunately for us, the guy who directly answered the most questions directly was Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who was voted "Hobbit least likely to win the Presidency."

2. Joe Biden is vying for Hillary Clinton's V.P. position.

3. Not enough time is given to many of the candidates, which really bothers me. People like Gov. Bill Richardson (N.M.), who probably has more experience for the Presidency than most of the candidates combined. I should note here that while I have yet to decide on whom I will vote for, Richardson is one of my higher probables, along with Obama, and maybe Clinton. These so-called second-tier candidates have a lot of good ideas, and a lot to bring to the table, but they are simply not getting enough questions in these debates, nor enough debate between this so-called political strategists. But I don't suppose it's a problem many people can solve.

4. Rep. Dennis Kucinich is the funniest Democrat -- hands down. He was also very much correct, in respect to China.

While these problems did exist during the debates, and will most likely be present in the future, but I think that the AFL-CIO debates was the best Democratic debate yet. Maybe we should shove Presidential candidates in the middle of union members who want to protect their pension EVERY TIME there is a debate.

-Adam

Clip: Iraq For Sale

2007-05-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

The following is a four-minute segment from the documentary Iraq For Sale. The director of the documentary, Robert Greenwald, appeared before Congress today, May 10th, after being invited by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) but was not allowed to show the clip, which was the original intention.

This clip shows how KBR/Halliburtion is robbing the U.S. blind, and stealing jobs away from the U.S. military. This entire video is unbelievable. You must watch.

Bush Out of Touch?

2007-04-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

Last week on Larry King Live, President George Herbert-Walker Bush, otherwise known as Bush 41, said that America may be getting tired of the Bush family. I tend to agree with him, and I don't really even remember when Bush 41 was President. I can tell you that I am certainly sick of this one.

President Bush issued a warning to Congress Friday, saying that he will indeed veto the defense spending bill, due to the October 1st withdrawal from Iraq stipulation. Now, we all know that the President doesn't "read newspapers or watch the news", but I've always believed he's lying. But maybe he's right. I don't think he accurately grasps exactly how many people want out of Iraq. The number of Republicans who support the war drop every time another poll is released. Many of the American public have spoke out against it, as have most of the elected officials. We can no longer continue on the track we are on. But the President must not understand this.

Somebody give Bush 50 cents for a newspaper.

Vetoing this spending bill is foolish. It provides enough money to fund the troops until October, technically probably longer. Bush needs to either sign this into law, which he openly said he won't do, so it falls upon conservative Congressmen to, God-forbid, vote the way that represents a majority of their constituents, instead of the platform of the GOP.

Since the President isn't willing to listen to the American people, the job of correcting Iraq now falls upon the shoulders several elected legislatures. And that still doesn't comfort me.

-Adam

Are You An Expert Voter?

2007-04-17T00:45:00.000-07:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: ExpertVoter.org in it's current form appears to be a personal blog, and not the site I reviewed way back in 2007.

I found a site a while back that that holds no secrets.

~~ExpertVoter~~ is a site where you can discover where EXACTLY each candidate running for President stands on some of the most important issues, straight from the politicians mouth. On ExpertVoter, you can view video, from show all cards C-SPAN to everyone's favorite spin doctors, of what each candidates declares their stances as. So, if you ever hear Mitt Romney flip-flop on another issue again, you can check this site and see if he's "misspoke". Oh, and I suppose it can also help you decide who to vote for, though the former is much more fun.

~~Visit ExpertVoter.org~~

-Adam

The Obama Factor

2007-04-17T00:22:00.000-07:00

Senator Barack Obama has raised $24.8 Million in donations for the Democratic Primary, over $5 Million more than top Democratic contender Senator Hillary Clinton ($19.1 Million). Obama has also basically matched Clinton in total donations, with $25.8 Million compared to Clinton's $26 Million. Obama also has a long list of better-known donors. So, the question is, can Obama really win? I believe he can.

Obama, despite not having a long political resume, is attractive (in a political sense) to many people who believe that the country has been screwed by too many career politicians. While most career politicians aren't crooked, those that are, whether it be for money or power, have left a bad taste in too many voters mouths to trust someone who's been in public office all their lives. Obama, being somewhat new to the realm of Washington, and seeming to be of good conscience and sound mind, may just be the perfect person to lead this country. After all, don't most of us wish a "normal, everyday person" were in the White House? While it's true that being a Senator is not an "everyday" job, Obama's probably the closest to it.

After all, there's no such thing as perfect in politics.

-Adam

Washington, D.C. May Finally Get Representation

2007-04-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Washington, D.C., the capitol of the free world, has been without representation in Congress since the legislature. Taxation Without Representation. The capitol of this country has been experiencing the exact same injustice that we declared our independence over 230 years ago.

Now, this ridiculous failure by 109 former Congresses may finally be corrected.

On Monday, thousands are expected to march on the capitol, supporting a bill in the House demanding Congressional representation for Washington, D.C. Republicans, however, not wanting to freely give a seat to the Democrats, have hashed out a compromise with Democrats to also give another seat to Utah, as to reflect current population increases in that state. No additional seats would be created in the Senate, where two Senators from each state comprise the body. This bill would not make D.C. a state.

All I can say is it's about freakin' time Congress gives representation to these people. Residents of D.C. didn't get presidential voting rights until 1961, and the people there have always had to fight for these continual voting rights. D.C. has an estimated population of 582,049 (as of 2005); which, by Constitutional standards, would deserve 2 Congressmen. But one is much better than none.

It appears that our President, however, does not appear to support any bill giving Washington a seat in in the House. Bush had popular D.C. vanity plates removed from the Presidential limos which read "No Taxation Without Representation". Close aides to the President have also said that he would veto it.

Mr. President, if this bill JUST allowed for an additional seat in the House for Utah, would you veto it then? Or do you just dislike the idea of having Democrats having a voice in Congress? It's a two-way street, Mr. President.

This bill, when it is introduced, is likely to pass the House, but must also pass the stalemate Senate.

-Adam

Democrat Views

2007-04-15T01:21:00.000-07:00

I've been silenced for far too long, and I will no longer be quiet...

...Okay, I'm pretty much full of crap. I haven't been censored, or any of that nonsense. Where have I been, you may ask? (not that anybody even comes here anymore.) I'm probably about to commit blogger suicide by admitting this, but the truth is, I simply got tired of blogging, and I got frustrated with all the redundancies in the news. I'm sick of the bickering about who said what about whom, and why he did this to prevent that, but that happened anyway.

Then, a few days ago, while watching a clip of the President speaking on MSNBC about his favorite topic, how right he was about Iraq, I told him to shut the hell up. This was strange, since I hardly ever curse (yeah, probably not considered a curse anymore, but bear with me). I've never used a harsh word at any President, current or file footage, nor with any V.P. That's right, I've never said anything rude to Cheney, either; this came as somewhat of a shock to me. I've always respected the Office of the President, and it's holder, though I've made it clear I think Bush is a fool.

Anyway, that's when I realized that I DID indeed care about what's happening day-to-day, even if it seems to be repeating news, and that I needed to express my views.

So, without further ado, and LONG overdue, I'm rebooting this site. I christen thee... Democrat Views 2.0! This would be more significant if I could legally purchase a bottle of wine, or if I were willing to drench my laptop.

-Adam

P.S. Imus is an idiot.

Trump: Bush is the Worst President in History

2007-03-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

I personally never thought that the political views of Donald Trump would have any interest to me. I'm glad to see that he is very intelligent politically, as well as financially.

U.S. Flag As A Bar Chart?; NYC Bans "N-word"

2007-03-02T02:34:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Flag chart

As it turns out, the U.S. Flag can double as a bar chart, comparing American's views on the Iraq war. I can only assume that this is fairly accurate, or it was when it was made. I think our flag would be a little more white if it were made today.

Enough of my rambling, check it out.

NYC Bans "N-word"

NYC, in a completely symbolic gesture on Wednesday, banned the offensive racial slur from being used in it's city. It's the latest attempt in the state's battle to ban offensive language. While there is no legal penalty, the decision will hopefulyl discourage others from using it.

The full story is here.

-Adam

Untitled

2007-02-27T22:32:00.000-08:00

It's sickening to think that it's almost been a month since my last post. It's even more sickening to think that the GOP Senators care more about giving unequivocal support to the President than doing what's right. Even though the non-binding resolution story is a few weeks old, I figured I should still note it, since it's a significant fault on the part of the Republicans. They're not helping their chances for '08, that's for sure.

Reports hit the news today that the Democrats will not end funding for U.S. troops in Iraq, but instead will likely "attempt to embarrass Bush into abandoning his war strategy." I'll admit that I really don't understand the strategy, albeit the plan hasn't actually been released.

In other news, former V.P. Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" won an Oscar for Best Documentary at the Oscars last Sunday night. Congratulations, Mr. Vice President. Also, don't let the Republican spin doctors fool you... Al Gore did NOT win an Oscar himself. The Documentary did.

-Adam

Presidential Candidate Obama Introduces Withdrawal Resolution

2007-01-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

From CNN World Headquarters

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama, a possible Democratic presidential contender, introduced binding legislation Tuesday that would bring all U.S. combat troops in Iraq home by the spring of 2008.

Obama's bill would stop President Bush's plan to send more than 21,000 additional troops into the conflict-ridden country to try to put a stop to insurgent and sectarian violence there. Instead, the Illinois senator is calling for troops to begin leaving by May 1, 2007.

Obama has formed an exploratory committee to look into a possible run for the Democratic nomination for president and plans an official announcement next month.

The senator's plan caps the number of troops in Iraq at the roughly 135,000 there on Jan. 10, 2007 -- when Bush announced he was dispatching more troops -- and lays down 13 benchmarks for the Iraqi government in the areas of security, political accommodation and economic progress. Should those benchmarks be met, the plan would allow for the "temporary suspension" of the troop withdrawal. (Posted 7:44 p.m.)

Almost everybody believes that the war in Iraq is a loss. The President is holding on way too long. I sincerely hope that this passes. As was pointed out today by prominent GOP Senator Arlen Specter -- "Bush is not the only decider."

Bill Richardson Announces Presidential Committee Formation

2007-01-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

While considered by most to not be as exciting as a former First Lady running for President, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico has announced he is forming a Presidential Exploratory Committee, to assess whether or not he has the popularity to become President. One thing he certain does have, though, is th experience.

Governor Richardson's political resume is something many politicians would pay to see. He was elected to Congress from the NM 3rd District in 1982, serving a little over 14 years in the House of Representatives. While Congressman, he traveled to Iraq and negotiated with Saddam Hussein for the release of two American aerospace workers. He was appointed the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in 1997 by President Bill Clinton. A year later Clinton made him Secretary of Energy, where he stay until the end of Clinton's term. In January of 2003, he took office as Governor of New Mexico.

Richardson certainly is the man of experience, and might make a good President, or Vice President, if he doesn't win the nomination. Definitely yet another one to keep an eye on.

But like Sen. Obama says "you don't run to be Vice President."

-Adam

Hillary Clintion Expected to Announce Formation of Exploratory Committee

2007-01-20T05:31:00.000-08:00

Breaking news hot of the presses:

Hilly Clinton, New York Senator and former First Lady, is expected to make an announcement today that she is forming an exploratory committee to test her odds at becoming President of the United States.

It has been long rumored that Senator Clinton (D-NY) would run for President in 2008, and her announcement was not expected until the end of the month; however, freshman Senator Barack Obama's (D-IL) recent internet announcement that he was forming an exploratory committee of his own may have prompted Senator Clinton to move up her announcement to sometime today. Neither her personal website, nor her official Senate website say anything about her announcement.

Senator Clinton was elected in 2000, winning 15 of New York's 62 counties. She was re-elected in 2006, carrying 58 of New York's 62 counties.

-Adam

Skinny Kid With A Funny Name Explores Presidency

2007-01-16T17:23:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama, the self-proclaimed "skinny kid with a funny name", has announced he has filed papers to form a Presidential Exploratory Committee.

In a video on his website titles "A Message From Barack", Senator Obama says that America "must change its politics" before it can address its problems.

The video can be found here.

Obama has always been publicly opposed to the war in Iraq, saying it's been a mistake since the beginning; perhaps he'll be the solution to Iraq's problems.

-Adam

Recent Democratic News

2007-01-13T05:07:00.000-08:00

Recent Democratic News:

Denver has been chosen to host the 2008 Democratic convention. I think them choosing Denver oven a "blue powerhouse" like New York is a good idea.

70% of Americans oppose the President's troop surge for Baghdad. As one Congresswoman pointed out, there have been numerous "troop surges", some with more than the 20,000 troops now slated to go, and they have not worked; so why will this one?

The Democrats, while somewhat divided on how to do it, have vowed to resist the surge of U.S. troops in Iraq. Hearings by the House Armed Services Committee & the Senate Foreign relations Committee have been taking place the last few days.

The House of Representatives has recently passed a bill providing government funding to stem-cell research, with a vote of 253-174. It will probably have a harder time passing the Senate, and the President, as stubborn as he is, will not sign it, simply because he refuses to do tests on embryos that are already slated to be destroyed, instead of developing cures for diseases and conditions which could save millions of lives. This is foolish; people who are currently alive should come first over embryos that are sitting in a cooler.

The Iraqi Health Ministry has put the number of Iraqi deaths in 2006 at 22, 950. That's a lot of Iraqis. If the death toll for the other years we've been in Iraq is half of that, it already blows the U.S. count out of the water.

-Adam

Army Inadvertently Asks Ultimate Sacrificers For More Time

2007-01-05T22:01:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Army inadvertently sent out letters to fallen and wounded soldiers in the War on Terror, asking them to reenlist.

A few days after Christmas, the Army sent letters to over 5,100 soldiers, who had recently left the service, to reenlist for another tour. Unfortunately, 75 of those were sent to soldiers who had been killed in action, and another 200 were sent to soldiers who had been wounded in combat. The Army apologized Friday for the accident, and said they would send personnel out to personally apologize to the soldiers and families of the fallen for the mistake.

This is a horrible mistake made by the best and most equip army in the world. Their failure to update their mailing lists is an inexcusable mistake; I can only imagine the sad feelings that are stirred up when the families opened these letters. The last thing the the government needs is the military sending out reenlistment letters to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I would recommend that the U.S. Army change web hosts immediately, and try to find better software for their mass-mailing list. A $135K program should compliment that $40K hammer well.

-Adam

Transfer Of Power

2007-01-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everybody!

The Democrat Congressmen (and women) who seized control of Congress after the November elections were sworn in today, marking the beginning of the 100th Congress. Leading them are two ground breakers.

Nancy Pelosi is the first woman ever to become Speaker of the House of Representatives, finding herself "two heartbeats" away from the Presidency, as the media continues to remind us. Rep. Pelosi is now the most powerful woman in U.S., overthrowing the former U.S.'s most powerful woman, Madeleine Albright. New Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is the first Mormon to lead the Senate. A Muslim & two Buddhists also expand the makeup of the next Congress.

The first day of Work in the House was pretty lax, with many praises of Pelosi, the newly elected representatives, the voters, and America as a whole. Things soon changed back to normal, when the first votes, dealing with rules and ethics changes, went along party lines. But I wonder how that could be? After all, didn't the Republicans want to continue the "bipartisanship" that they had under the 12 years of GOP rule?

What's left of the first 100 hours will show that the voters hopefully made a good choice last November.

-Adam

Saddam's Execution Imminent...Maybe

2006-12-29T13:11:00.000-08:00

Hopefully everybody had a Merry Christmas. Mine was merry and bright, but not white, sadly. It was rainy on Christmas Eve, but dry on Christmas Day, which is always nice.

As everyone knows by now, former President Gerald Ford, the only man never to be elected to either the Vice Presidency or Presidency, has died at the age of 93. He held out just long enough to claim the record of longest living former president from Ronald Reagan. If you are hoping to see a sweeping article about Ford's interesting presidency, you've come to the wrong place. I'll leave the news outlets to that sort of thing. I wasn't around yet when he was President, so I don't really have any firsthand knowledge of how he did his job.

Moving on to the world's biggest former annoyance, Saddam Hussein...

Saddam could be executed in a matter of hours, tomorrow, or by Sunday, depending on which Iraqi minister who wants his 15 minutes you want to believe. Supposedly, "key legal issues" have been hashed out, which has cleared the path to Saddam's hanging. One course to the news outlets has the Iraqi P.M. still talking to judges and other political figures, trying to figure out when this will take place.

Whenever that may be, it'll do to things. 1) it will shut up that bearded fool (who would look like Mel Gibson if he grew his beard out longer) and we won't have to hear about him anymore and, 2) his execution will more than likely piss off his "followers" (i.e. the al-Qaeda branch who uses his removal as a reason to finally kill their enemies) to the point that a massive surge of violence will ensue, causing many deaths. Of course, to counter the massive surge in violence, President Bush will want to add more troops, and go against everything that everybody is telling him...

...If you give a mouse a cookie.

-Adam

The Generals Who Couldn't Get Through

2006-12-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

The President is set to decide in the next few days whether or not it would be a good idea to increase the U.S. troop presence in Iraq. This, obviously is not a good idea, given the fact that Iraqi insurgents stepped up attacks last time there was a troop increase in Baghdad, and for once I have U.S. generals to back me up. What Bush has decided to do, however, is increase the size of the Army & Marines.

Bush seems to be standing alone on this one. However, being the determined fellow he is, he's sent newly-appointed Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Baghdad to get military leader's opinions on the subject. General John Abizaid, who commands all the U.S. soldiers in the middle East, does not agree with the idea of an increase in troops, as he told a Senate Committee last month. Interestingly enough, Gen. Abizaid, along with Gen. George Casey (commender of all U.S. troops in Iraq) are planning to resign in the coming months. While CentCom says that Abizaid's resignation has been a long time coming, I have to wonder whether or not it was "encouraged", especially after he came out and disagreed with an increase in boots on the ground. In the interest of fairness, he also disagreed with a decrease in troops.

Former General & Secretary of State Colin Powell also disagrees with the Presidents proposal to a troop increase. Powell says that the military is overextended and "about broken". However, being the ever-loyal soldier, Powell hasn't gone as far as saying something along the lines of "We've screwed up", "The President didn't think before he leaped", or "Oops!"; hopefully he will before too long, especially at the rate he's speaking out.

I really, really hope Bush doesn't go out on his own, forging ahead with out listening to the military officers who actually know what they're talking about. But Bush will be Bush.

-Adam

Senate May Hang In The Balance

2006-12-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

Senator Tim Johnson's (D-SD) possibly life-threatening illness, which required him to have brain surgery on Wednesday could put the Senate in Jeopardy. If by some horrible means Senator Johnson doesn't recover enough to carry on his elected duty in the Senate, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, is empowered with the gut-wrenching ability to pick a replacement, who will finish the remainder of his elected term.

Naturally, the most important thing is that Johnson lives, since this is potentially life-threatening, and hopefully he'll be alright and God-willing fully recover, even if he cannot continue his term.

If Johnson has to resign, Rounds will more than likely choose a Republican, which would knock the Senate back to a 50-50 split, this giving Cheney veto power. I urge the Governor that, if he is forced to pick a replacement, he respect the voters' opinions and pick a Democrat with similar views as Senator Johnson.

Will he do that? Most likely not, at the probable urging/threatening of the GOP. It would show his trust in th voters, and is naturally the best thing to do. It would be hard, but I hope the petty partisan bickering can be put aside for one moment, and the Republicans face the face that this is life, life isn't always fair, the voters weren't happy, and they need to try again in 2008.

But when the last time Republicans actually tried listening to the people?

-Adam

One Year Old; Senator Angered Over Iraq; Rep. Pushing Impeachment Bill

2006-12-08T22:41:00.000-08:00

Editor's note: This blog turned one year old on December 7th. A big thanks to everybody who's taken the time to come here.

So many things have happened since my last update (Rumsfeld resigns, Gates confirmed as new DefSec; Iraq Study Group reveals results which Bush doesn't like; North Korea says U.S. hiding nukes in South Korea; V.P.'s lesbian daughter pregnant, you know, the important stuff.) I've been somewhat busy and somewhat more lacking at drive to write. But I'm over my block, so here we go.

For the record, I think that Gates will make a good Defense Secretary. At least better than Rummy, anyway. There's a reason he was voted in 95-2 (the two against being two Republican Senators, faithful-follower Rick Santorum being one of them.)

Senator Angered
Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR, one of my Senators) took the floor of the Senate Thursday night, the eve of the last day of this sitting Congress, and made a sweeping speech denouncing the Iraq war & how President Bush carried it out. Smith, who until Thursday officially was a "good soldier" and supported the war, said that he wouldn't have voted for the war if he knew the intelligence was as faulty as is has been proven, and that whether the U.S. "cuts and runs or cuts and walks" just as long as the troops are brought home.

I'm proud of you, Senator, for looking at the situation objectively, arriving at your own opinion, and not allowing your party's official policy to drag you through the mud. Most of the American people agree with your speech, and have already reached "the end of [our] rope" with this pathetic, poor-excuse-for-a-policy policy, and no longer support Bush and his leadership.

God, please let the President actually read a newspaper or turn on the T.V., just once (not FOX) so he can see how many American people hate it. The American people, Senator Smith, and a well-known, very conservative, unnamed Senator who came to Smith's office after the speech and tole him that he "felt the same way", no longer support the war, the direction of this country, and especially this fool I get to see on T.V. everyday behind the Presidential podium.

Rep. Pushing Impeachment
Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), the headline grabber who felt that putting on her Congressional pin or stopping to tell the guard who she was, and instead decided to take a swing at him, has taken a last stand (after losing her House seat) against the Bush administration by introducing a bill Friday to impeach the President... yes, impeach.

I'm really not keen on impeaching our national mistake of electing Bush, not only because I don't want the Democrats to fall to the level the Republicans were on back during Clinton's term, but also because she's only doing it to grab more headlines, and go down in flames.

Bush has not defended the Constitution as well as he swore he would, but McKinney's last-ditch effort is completely absurd. This bill, not to mention McKinney herself, is a waste of breath by the news anchors; the bill will not pass. Even incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has said she refuses to entertain the idea of impeaching the President.

She needs to go away from the public limelight, instead of overly embracing it (she's joined groups urging to look into government knowledge of 9/11 before it happened), just like President Bush should do in 2008.

-Adam

Praying Imams Removed From Flight In Minneapolis

2006-11-20T23:35:00.000-08:00

Six Imams were removed from a U.S. Airways flight Monday after a passenger became concerned over their "suspicious" activities. What was the "suspicious" activity, you ask?

......They were praying.

We have now entered a world where, if you happen to be one of the 1.2 Billion people who share a religion with 19 evil men, you will immediately be considered a terrorist and arrested. When did this happen, and better yet, why did we allow this to be so? Simple answer......President Bush's and the Republicans injection of fear into society.

Did ANYBODY even bother to gather information, such as, I don't know, ask them what they were doing? Or did the flight attendant, who received a note nonchalantly passed to her by a concerned, uninformed, close-minded passenger decide to run to the captain and get the plane landed? I'm willing to be it's the latter.

One recent contribution the current administration has made to the "see a Muslim and hide" effort was the commercial used right before the election, in which picture of UBL appeared, along with an audio recording of one of his hate-filled speeches, and the line "These are the stakes" appearing at the end (echoing Lyndon B. Johnson's "Daisy" commercial.) This commercial
was designed solely to inject fear into Americans, and remind them who was in power during 9/11, and that they should stick with them.

The Patriot Act, which many people consider unfair, and which has been used used to detain "enemy combatants" for unjust long periods of time, has also contributed to this problem. I'm sure the fact that every single Bush speech, one way or another since the War on Terror began, has mention the War on Terror.

And, while I hate to say it, it seems if anybody is going to hijack a plane and use it as a weapon, it would be a Muslim, given the history. However, the small amount of Muslims who are extremists don't even put a dent in those Muslims who are normal humans, and would do no such thing. However, this seems completely unapparent to the close-minded citizens who, as passengers on airplanes, decide that a Muslim wearing a T-shirt saying "We shall not be silenced" in Arabic is enough to get someone booted (these are the same people who believe that women who are breastfeeding their babies also deserved to get the boot.)

Sadly I must admit that the fear has even gotten to me. While flying in October of 2004, a handful of people decided to get up and use the lavatory after the 10,000-feet announcement (which is a BIG no-no.) A few of these people looked as if they either were from, or were descendants from, the Middle East. I'm sorry to say, in this world where everybody should be accepted, my heart skipped a beat. In fact, when the flight attendant made the announcement that everybody was to remain seated, these men were the first to retake their seats.

The world we live in does have it's dangers, this being apparent to the soldiers serving overseas more than anybody else. However, we need to get past our "Shoot first, ask questions later......but only if he's Arab" approach, and learn to ask questions, and learn that those in the aisle praying are thanking God for everything they have, and aren't trying to harm you, or anybody else. If a Christian, a Jew, of a Buddhist got into the aisle to pray, that person would probably be asked to return to his/her seat, but only if they were clogging up the aisle.

Muslims? Nope, they have to be detained. Thanks a bunch, Mr. President, you just turned the U.S. back to the 1950's. We'll probably need an Arab equivalent to MLK, Jr. to fix the equality problem, but unfortunately, he was detained due to the Patriot Act.

-Adam (not a Muslim, just a level-headed American)

Read The Full Story Here

Guiliani Makes That Leap

2006-11-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

Just about 48 hours after I my last post, in which I guessed Guiliani would hop onto the train heading towards the White House, he does.

Rudy Guiliani formed an exploratory committee yesterday to investigate whether or not it would be lucrative for him to make a run for the White House. According to a poll I saw on CNN this morning, Guiliani had a three-point lead on Sen. John McCain, who formed his own committee last Friday.

Now that both of the BIG names have came forward with their possible intentions of wanting to succeed President Bush, no doubt all eyes will be on the Democratic Party, to see if some of our BIG names will run.

Also, the U.S. Senate has decided who it's leaders will be.

-Adam

Vilsack Announces W.H. Run; McCain Exploring Idea

2006-11-11T04:37:00.000-08:00

Possible Contenders?
Two more people could be added to the "Possible '08 Contenders" list. Iowa governor Tom Vilsack (D), currently in his second term, has decided to forego running for a third term, and has instead decided to run for President of the United States. He made the announcement Thursday. Vilsack won the governorship in 1998, marking the first time in 30 years a Democrat was the executive of that state. Vilsack's had to deal with a Republican state legislature for a majority of his time in office. Hopefully, if he wins, he won't have to deal with that, thanks to the incredibly smart and well-informed Americans who voted on Tuesday.

Also giving politics and bloggers something to talk about on Friday was the announcement of an exploratory committee by Arizona Sen. John McCain (R). Republican officials said that the committee would be formed next week, and a bank account has already been created. McCain's aides said that McCain would consult his family, and that he would have an answer in December.

Thanks to McCain's announcement, I'll be sitting on my hands to see if the ONE Republican that could actually win the Presidency will run. If McCain doesn't run, then the Democrats have a fairly good chance of winning. Obviously, Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani could throw a wrench into a "Bush screwed up, let's vote Democrat" movement, especially considering Guiliani relates with Democrats on most big issues.

Could they Win?
I don't know too much about Gov. Vilsack to say either way, but I do honestly think that John McCain or Rudy Guiliani could become the next President. Despite being Republicans, both are very moderate, on occasion even liberal, and could appeal to a wide base. HOWEVER, Senator McCain's recent "flip-flopping" (yes, I said it) between supporting the President, no doubt to gain votes from the more conservative voters, and clashing with him has, I believe, created some distrust among those swing-voters and Independents who do not like the President's policies. This could open the door to Guiliani, especially if he comes out against some of Bush's actions and standpoints.

Democrats will definitely have some grand contenders vieing for the presidency, if those names who are rumored, or have hinted at running, decide to make that giant leap.

-Adam

Beaking Senate News

2006-11-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

Moments ago, MSNBC just posting a breaking news story at the top of their homepage. It's the most beautiful thing in the world:

"Associated Press projects Jim Webb the winner in Virginia Senate race." Webb ran against current incumbent Republican Senator George Allen.

If this is indeed true, and if Jon Tester can hold onto slight lead in Montana over incumbent Conrad Burns, then the Democrats have, for the first time since their loss in 1994, control of (both houses) of Congress.

-Adam
MSNBC Homepage

Democrats Seize House, Gain Governors; Senate Still Waiting For Leader

2006-11-08T01:32:00.000-08:00

WOW! What a night.

The Democrats , for the first time in 12 years, have control of a house of Congress. This could also be the first time, since modern voting began, where one house has gone one way, and another house possibly going another. Of course, that's all up to the voters in Montana & Virginia.

Who would have thought that Montana could be the focus of the country. In Montana's Senate race, John Tester (D) holds a slight lead over Conrad Burns (R), 49-48% (Tester leads by roughly 4,000 votes, with 84% of the precincts reporting.) I assume there will be a recount here.

In Virginia's Senate race, Democrat Jim Webb picked up a small gain, LATE. In fact, the very last county to report it's results in VA was a primarily Democratic county, which placed Webb in the leading spot. His opponent, incumbent Sen. George Allen, is trailing 50-49% (Webb leads with 1,170,412 vs. Allen's 1,162,293.) Under the current rule in VA, any candidate who loses by less than one percentage point can ask for a recount. There definitely will be here.

In other, already determined races:

Democrat Harold Ford, Jr. lost his bid at the Tennessee Senate seat to Republican Bob Corker, 51-48%. A bright spot in Tennessee is that Democrat Phil Bredesen easily won reelection over GOP challenger Jim Bryson. Ford's loss brings the Senate that much closer to Republican control; on the other hand, it shows that Democrats are gaining a strong foothold in the state.

In Pennsylvania, Democratic challenger Bob Casey beat out current Republican Senator Rick Santorum for his senate seat. Santorum, who is an extremely strong supporter of President Bush, lost 59-41%. Hopefully is has become painstakingly apparent for the soon-to-be ex-Senator that siding with everything the President does does not sit well with Pennsylvanians, along with most of the country.

In Connecticut, Democrat-turned-Independent Joseph Lieberman won reelection over Democratic challenger Ned Lamont & left behind GOP challenger Alan Schlesinger, 50-40-10%, respectively. Those on T.V., which CNN & MSNBC insist on calling "experts" estimated that 1/2 of Democrats & 1/2 of Republicans would vote for Lieberman. I don't know how it broke down, but obviously did something right (I guess running after losing the Democratic nomination would be the first thing.)

Missouri's Senate race came down to the wire, but in the end Claire McCaskill, the Democrat's answer to Republican incumbent Jim Talent, 49-47%.

Ohio & Massachusetts picked up Democratic governors, after having GOP executives in about a decade (leave me a comment if this estimate is wrong.) In Ohio, Democrat Ted Strickland beat GOP J. Kenneth Blackwell 60-37%; Massachusetts Democrat Deval Patrick beat GOP challenger Kerry Healey 56-35%. Of course, the news touted the fact that Patrick was the first black man elected governor of Massachusetts. So what? As long as he's a Democrat, I don't care if he's purple.

To no one's surprise, both of New York's top positions up for grabs went to Democrats. Current Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, easily won the governorship over GOP rival John Faso (69% - 29%.) Governor George Pataki met his term limits and could not run again. As far as the New York Senate race went, the intelligent voters of New York swiftly choose incumbent Democratic Senator (and former FLOTUS) Hillary Clinton, to represent them for the next two, er... I mean six years. Many people think, since Clinton was to easily beat GOP challenger John Spencer (not the late actor) for her second term, that she might be set to run for President in 2008.

She might, and we might get an answer, since she said that she was thinking about the '06 elections first. Well, the '06 elections are over, Mrs. Senator... have you made a decision? Personally, while she's definitely one to watch, I'm also keeping my eye on a certain Hispanic executive in the south-west, or a "skinny kid with a funny name" from the a mid-western state.

Well, if I missed anybody who's an attention-grabber, just turn on a cable news channel, I'm sure they'll be on there. I'm tired, and I'm getting sick of all the squiggly red lines under the names of candidates that Blogger doesn't recognize, so I better stop now.

Keep on eye on Montana & Virginia, they could throw this country, and President Bush, for a loop. And congratulations to California Rep. Nanci Pelosi, who not only won reelection, but picked up the job Speaker of the House. Next time you year the House's Sargent-at-Arms do his "Mr. Speaker" line, it'll be "Mrs. Speaker", and he'll be talking to her. I hope he can get the line straight.

P.S. Projections currently set Democrats having as 33-seat lead over the GOP in the House.

-Adam

Election Day

2006-11-07T01:34:00.000-08:00

Well, the day is finally here. If you are registered to vote (which I really hope you are) you NEED to show up to your polling place today, and carry out one of our most important Constitutional rights.

If you are not sure who to vote for, if you want to know about who's running or what measures are up, of if you just want to follow today's news, here are a few sites which might help you.

http://news.yahoo.com/fc/US/Midterm_Elections_2006/
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15593981/
http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm
http://www.electoral-vote.com:2006/

If you are here, you are probably someone who is voting for a change. I encourage you to do so. If you are against any policies of the current administration, or don't like how Congress is being run, send a strong signal to The Powers That Be. Do NOT neglect this. If you don't vote, you won't die, but no one will feel sorry for you if you grumble how "your guy lost", since you didn't cast your ballot.

I hate to sound like a scratched CD (is that a suitable replacement for "broken record"?), but sometimes people have to be motivated.

After the results are in, I'll be back to update this place with results. Until then...

-Adam

[Another] Congressional Settlement

2006-11-02T16:25:00.000-08:00

9/11 Remains
Five years, and 21 days after the September 11 attacks, victim's remains are still being found at Grounds Zero:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061102/ts_nm/sept11_remains_dc

U.S. Representative paying off ex-mistress

Don Sherwood, a Representative from Pennsylvania, is paying Cynthia Ore, his former mistress, a $500,000 settlement reached at the end of last year. As it turns out, Ore was to file charges against Rep. Sherwood, claiming abuse. Sherwood denied the claim, and agreed to the payment.

The kicker, though, is that there was a clause stating that if she came forward to the press BEFORE the upcoming elections, she would lose part of the settlement money. Pretty bold of the Rep. to put in an election clause. Chances are, though, this will not hurt his reelection bid, since the story has now come out.

-Adam

Kerry Redux

2006-11-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

This post is sponsored by Iran. On your next trip to Iran, book with an Iran travel agency, and help support the local economy; and be sure to tell them that Amhadinejad sent you.

Kerry, Kerry, Kerry...

With one week to go until DemoVictory '06, Senator John Kerry made a "misspeak", like oh so many politicians do, and pissed off a bunch of Fox News watchers in the process (not saying that's necessarily a bad thing.)

Kerry, trying to make a joke about the president's obvious learnt disabyl-eighties, insinuated that troops serving in Iraq were people who weren't smart enough to get a higher education. Naturally, this is untrue, since a lot of people join the armed forces to receive money for college.

Unfortunately, as politics goes, the GOP took this opportunity to twist Kerry's real words into a fake meaning. Kerry was trying to make a joke about how uneducated the president is (although he does have degrees from Yale & Harvard) and obviously failed. Senator Kerry does not know how to joke, especially scripted jokes, since I don't seem to remember him as being the life of the party during the 2004 election.

In any case, Kerry needs to shut up until after the elections. In fact, EVERY Democrat in Washington & on the campaign trail, excluding those who are actually running for office, needs to keep their mouth shut for another week. Then they can talk all they want, within bounds, until about September of 2008. We cannot lose this election based on the fact that a few speech-writers & aides try to be witty.

I do accept Kerry's explanation of what happened, and what he really meant is painfully obvious if you get the opportunity to see the whole thing (a la Fox News, which I'm sure hasn't taken the initiative to show it all.) C'mon, Kerry, try harder, unless you're not running, like in this election, when you shouldn't have to try at all.

Kerry has canceled all future stumps for other candidates, with the exception of those who canceled with him first.

-Adam

Thrid Party Strategies To Win

2006-10-29T21:01:00.000-08:00

First off, I hope the new template works out. It should, since it's one of the official Blogger ones, but if it doesn't look right to you, drop me a line and I'll see if I can fix it.

Now, I'm (obviously) not a member of a third party, in fact, it would be downright weird, considering the name of this site, but I have a few ideas about how third parties could better organize for elections. After all, I'd rather have an Independent in office than a Republican.

When you vote, you want your guy to win. In third parties, the guys don't win. They can't win big elections. Not now, anyway, maybe in the future. When the Democrats & Republicans band together, they can get enough votes to make their guy win. If all the Independent & third party voters got together and voted for one guy (which would never happen), he still wouldn't win. State races might be possible, especially in Oregon, where Libertarians are the third-largest party.
If you want a third party candidate to win, the first thing you need to do is build up the party, from the ground. Parties need to make a stand at the local & state levels. Then, once they, and more importantly, their views are established and known among the public, they can run for a national offices. The Office of the President is the Omega of all political offices. You can't just jump into the drivers seat if you're from a third party.
It'll take a generation or two, but then the third parties who are serious about being in the political world will be "dug in" and ready to actually be a major campaign. In another completely pathetic cliche, third party candidates such as Ralph Nader & Pat Buchanan just wanted to skip to the end of the movie, without first watching the character development.

Or, for those of you who are familiar with Operating Systems:

They are like the operating system Linux. It's all based on the same core software, but they're all different, with differing standards. If they were to unite, on even the most basic issues, they would be just as strong as Microsoft & Apple. The same goes with third-party politics. There are WAY to many parties, when they're not that many different points of view. If they were to unite on some basic ideas, they would be taken [really] seriously. But until then, there are too many choices.

Now, I realize that not all third parties have the same views. But many of the smaller ones are very similar, and should unite and compromise, in order to gain political footing. Yes, some are there to "make a point", but making a point, and not seriously trying to win, can be dangerous. Just look at 2000. That whole fiasco may have not happened if Darth Nader didn't need to make a point.

Gee, thanks Ralph.

-Adam

New Poll Numbers

2006-10-20T01:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, for a while there, I got really sick of politics. I almost got to the point where I hated it, but then I realized "Hey, the Republicans are screwed in the midterms"; thus, I am back here. I'm going to try to breathe new life into this place (maybe a new template would be nice), but for right now, I've got some new poll numbers (these I got off of MSNBC this morning.)

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

Okay, in a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll,

On the subject of Iraq,

Now - 68% are feeling less optimistic about Iraq
Now - 20% are felling more optimistic about Iraq
June - 44% are feeling less optimistic about Iraq
June - 45% are felling more optimistic about Iraq

On the subject of the president's approval rating:

38% approve of the president's overall job. That's down three points from the last poll.

On the subject of who Americans would like in power:

52% - Democrats, 37% - Republicans -- That's the widest gap ever measured on this poll.

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

Okay, over on CNN, they had a few other numbers:

Is Congress out of touch with Americans?

Now - 74% say YES!
1994 - 75% said YES!

In 1994, the Democrats lost control of Congress to Republicans.

Does big business have too much influence over the Bush Administration?

79% - Yes, 19% - No

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

Denny Hastert: remember to leave the keys to the speaker's office on the counter, so the Democrats can pick them up afterwards.

I'm not sure how many seats Democrats will pick up, but I know it'll be enough. Remember to vote this November.

-Adam

Why I Hate Bill O'Reilly

2006-09-08T00:21:00.001-07:00

Okay, I'm not exactly sure how old this video I found on Throw Away Your T.V. is, but some of the footage it contains isn't new. No matter, if you hate Bill O'Reilly, you want to watch this.

I haven't made to big of a case about how evil Bill O'Reilly is, but when I saw this, I got really pissed off at him. He has some horrible things to say to this guest, who just happens to be the son of a Port Authority officer killed when the WTC collapsed. NOBODY, for any reason, should treat someone who directly suffered from that day, like this.

Now, if anyone reading this is a conservative, who happens to be a fan or supporter of Mr. O'Reilly, please don't immediately brush this aside. Please watch this. O'Reilly eventually accuses the son of the PA officer of accusing President Bush of plotting 9/11. This kid does not say that, no level-headed would say that. The Bush Administration dropped the ball, but they did not cause it; and this guy did not say that they did.

Now that I've made the once-in-a-lifetime point of defending President Bush, let's move on to the video:

I now join the legions of those who officially hate Bill O'Reilly.

America Gets Quizzed

2006-09-03T04:30:00.000-07:00

We Americans, as it turns out, have NO idea what's going on in the world. This video is so pathetic, I'm putting it on my misc. blog and here.

Please, pay attention, and don't be like these people:

http://view.break.com/135988

Bush IS Violating Constitution; Net Neutrality

2006-07-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

BUSH IS VIOLATING CONSTITUTION

According to a task force group from the American Bar Association, President Bush continuing trend of signing personal exceptions to laws he has just signed violate the U.S. Constitution.

"The ABA group, which includes a one-time FBI director and former federal appeals court judge, said the president has overstepped his authority in attaching challenges to hundreds of new laws.

"The attachments, known as bill-signing statements, say Bush reserves a right to revise, interpret or disregard measures on national security and constitutional grounds."

"ABA's president, Michael Greco: . . ."If left unchecked, the president's practice does grave harm to the separation of powers doctrine, and the system of checks and balances that have sustained our democracy for more than two centuries."

-CNN.com

President Bush has about 800 of these "bill-signing statements", while ALL the other Presidents combined have signed about 600. So, it appears that the President is indeed completely bypassing federal & constitutional laws which have stood for over 200 years.

Use the CNN.com link above to read the whole story. I anxiously wait for the 2008 elections.

NET NEUTRALITY

So there's been this debate about "Net Neutrality" going on lately. Basically (if you don't know about it) some people want to make an "express lane" for information transfer for "accredited" companies. Google, Amazon, eBay, and news channel websites would be among these.

Most smaller and personal websites, such as small businesses or, ahem, blogs probably would be among those to use the fast lane. Most of these websites would be required to use the slow lane, and have slower transfer times...meaning pages load slower & info doesn't get to you as quickly.

While it's something to be concerned about, as that would be WRONG to do, but why not have a little fun with it? Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who heads the committee on the internet, does an excellent job in describing the internet & how it works.

Then the Daily Show does a good job explaining what the net neutrality act means to you.

You have to understand Democratic humor to get it, though. Until next time...

-Adam

Middle East Headed To War...Again

2006-07-14T03:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it appears that Israel & Palestinian militant group Hezbollah have escalated their conflict into a conflict, which, if eitherside is provoked in certain ways, could be turned into an all-out war.

In most countries of the world, when you exchange bomb and missle fire with another country, you're already at war. But in the Middle East, especially that area, it's reported that they're heading for a "major conflict". Israel & their Palestinian enemies are the only two countries in the would that can begin & end wars in days, without anyone winning or losing. And a few years later, it will happen again...and again.

If the U.S. would have been in this situation (thank God we haven't), we'd be at WAR by now. Of course, we'd discover, one way or another, that Cuba has some old militants lying around and end up invading them instead.

I don't think it helped matters when the U.S. vetoed the U.N. resolution condemning the attacks & that Israel pull out of Lebanon. Yes, we're their friends and allies, but sometimes, even friends make mistakes, and they need to know when you don't support their actions.

Will Israel & Hezbollah go to war, or will they make some sort of "roadmap" peace deal, which could last anywhere from 2 days to 2 decades. Every hour this conflict changes, evolving into a new campaign with new rules. Lets hope and pray for peace, before all chances of peace between these countries are lost altogether.

Let's also hope that the U.S. stays out of this for a while. Lets, for once, only help if we're called upon, or if their conflict threatens to harm innocent countries. Basically, not another Iraq.

-Adam
Source: CNN.com-UPDATES,
CNN.com-RESOLUTION

A New Post: Sorry For The Lack Of Updates

2006-06-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

WOW! It's been the better part of a month since I last made a post.

Let's see, since my last post:

1. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed, then immediately replaced. His death was symbolic and didn't really mean anything.

2. Seven Marines & 1 Sailor currently face murder charges for an assult on Iraqi citizens.

3. We reached the 2,500 deaths mark for U.S. troops in Iraq. So far, there have been about 310 deaths in Ahfghanistan & we've been there since 2001.

4. The Democrats offered two bills in Congress for pulling out of Iraq, one nearly immediate withdrawl, the other a phased withdrawl. The Republicans decided to blindly follow President Bush by rejecting both measures.

Number 3 is an extremely sad event. Why did so many soldiers have to die? What's out plan for exiting Iraq? And most of all, What's President Bush feeling right now? Does he even care?

NOT JUST A NUMBER---

I found this animation from Peace Takes Courage, a website dedicated to, well, peace. I think everybody should watch this quick animation. Really helps remind you about the Iraq war:

Peace Takes Courage

I'll try to keep this place updated a little more. Until next time.

-Adam

New Treasury Secretary; Why Listen To Frist?

2006-05-30T22:47:00.000-07:00

SNOW RESIGNS, PAULSON TAPPED

Treasury Secretary John Snow (the guy who signs your money) has resigned. His departure has been rumored for about a month. The Treasury Dept. has been facing a falling Dollar in the world economy lately.

Henry Paulson, CEO of Goldman Sachs, has been nominated by President Bush to replace Snow.

Not super exciting, I know...Let's move on to Frist...

FRIST'S COMMENTS

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R) recently changed his tune on the (most likely) illegal search & seizure of documents in Rep. William Jefferson's office. Frist NOW says that it was leagal, and the right thing to do.

First of all, he's a heart surgeon & U.S. Senator. What does he know about the LAW?

Second, this is a House of Representatives issue. I can understand Speaker Hastert & Minority Leader Pelosi commenting on it, but Frist is in the Senate. What does his opinion matter? He is disambiguous of the House, until Bills are passed, and half the time they can't even do that!

Frist won't have to deal with any internal punishment Jefferson may recieve, like asking him to step down from his committee chairmanships. That's Rep. Pelosi & Speaker Hastert's job. Forgive the continuous critisism, but that's like a member of Microsoft's Board of Directors embezzeling, and the CEO of Google asking him to step down.

Keep your focus on the Senate, Senator Frist. It needs enough work as it is...

-Adam
Source: CNN/Money

Rep. William Jefferson

2006-05-27T03:22:00.000-07:00

"Former associates have said Jefferson accepted more than $400,000 in bribes to help them sell telecommunications technology to Nigeria and other West African countries."

"Two of those associates have pleaded guilty to bribery charges, and the FBI disclosed on Sunday it has videotaped Jefferson accepting bribe money and has found $90,000 in cash in his freezer."

-Reuters.com

Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) is the target of an FBI investigation, as stated above. Then, the day before yesterday, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R) joined Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi in asking the Dept. of Justice to release the information seized from Rep. Jefferson's Congressional office back to Congress. They claimed that the Constitution prevented the DoJ from using evidence seized from a Congressman's official office from being used in an investigation (If you want to read about the ABC's accusation towards Hastert, using an interestingly-timed leaked info, read below.)

Now, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Deputy Atty. Gen. Paul McNulty, & FBI Director Robert S. Mueller all threated to resign if the White House ordered them to return the information to Congress. President Bush has order an immediate 45-day freeze on the documents, until the DoJ & Congress can work out a solution.

I'm really not sure who's lawfully right, but since I like to see the Bush's Administration crumble under its own weight, I'd tell the President to give 'em back. Is that wrong? Maybe. But then again, I'm not in politics...yet.

[Note: I forgot to mention in my last immedate post (directly below) that CNBC reported that Secretary of Treasury John Snow, will resign once Bush has picked a replacement.]

-Adam

Source: Reuters.com

The United States Senate (And A Little More)

2006-05-27T03:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been feeling sick the last few days, but I'm better now, and ready to lash out at our Conservative leaders (when they deserve it).

The Senate's been very active the last few days:

General Michael Hayden, who has spent most of his life in the Air Force, is now head of the CIA. Hayden is leaving his job as head of the NSA, which he's held since 1999. Hayden was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 78-15. I don't know where the other 7 senators were. I assume he's qualified, since he was easily confirmed. But I'm proud to say that my senator, Ron Wyden, laid into Hayden over the wiretapping, which he [Hayden] oversaw.

Hayden now oversees the CIA, which I guess is good, because he won't be able to wiretap (the CIA operating in the U.S. is illegal.)

The whole "English as a National Language" OR "English as a Unifying and Common Language" issue. Take your pick. It really won't matter. Congress members admit that it's largely symbolic. I get the feeling, however, that it will cost $200M+ a year to uphold.

President Bush, during his recent joint press-conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, admitted that the U.S. had made some mistakes during the Iraq war. This follows up Secretary Rice's earlier admission that errors had been made. I didn't watch it, but I imagine that no large admissions of guilt were made.

Also, as you have may heard, ABC News reported that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert may be involved in the same scandal that Jack Abramoff was in. Rep. [Speaker] Hastert demanded a retraction of the story. ABC stands by the story. The White House declined they released the story in an effort to "punish" Speaker Hastert for criticizing the probe on Rep. William Jefferson (see above story.)

There's one more thing I'm forgetting...let me think...

...Oh! We're giving some of those who came here illegally citizenship. Even worse, we're giving others the chance to "gain" citizenship. The Congress is effectively making a 2nd class citizen. They had something like that about 250 years ago. They were called Indentured Servants.

[Note: Each House of Congress has passed a different version of this bill. Chances are something will be lost during negotiations.]

-Adam

Phone Companies Deny; Border Plan Half-baked

2006-05-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

ASSTANCE DENIED
This is just getting weirder. Both BellSouth & Verizon deny the fact that they turned over phone record information to the NSA, as reported in an article for the NYT.

As they pointed out on CNN this morning, though, it was the wording of the company statements that could draw attention. They statements were along the lines of 'we didn't give any information to the NSA'. Which, I suppose, leaves open the possibility that they gave the records to someone else, or the information was not volutarily given. Of course, as of right now, there's no evidence to support either of those senarios.

GUARDS TO BORDER
President Bush, in his primetime address to the nation, really didn't impress anyone. The President ordered the National Guard, the official 'minutemen' of our country, to the southern border, to keep out all the illegal immigrants. Makes me wonder if Bush will bring back the rest of them from Iraq to defend our country here. That's what their supposed to do, but the President obviously doesn't know that.

The 6 thousand he's posting along the border probably aren't enough. And they won't have the ability to detain or arrest, either. This means that they'll either need to have a few Border Patrol officers with them at all times, or call BP and hope they show up before the "crossers" get away. EIther way, this will draw resources from other areas where BP could have been posted.

Once again, President Bush has an entry plan for the situation, but NO CLUE what to do when he gets there. The border security issue is an all-or-nothing-at-all situation. The U.S. needs to have the ability for 'easy entry' for those who wish to come here legally, a plan for those who are already here illegally, and a stategy for those who are willing to challenge the troops posted on the border.

Bush's plan is half-baked.

-Adam
Source: CNN.com

May 11: The CIA Scandal Gets Worse

2006-05-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

It's getting worse.

1. First, CIA Director Porter Goss suddenly resigned without a public explanation.
2. Hours later, the CIA's Executive Officer (#3 guy) Kyle "Dusty" Foggo, resigned.
3. The Director of National Intelligence's top deputy, General Michael Hayden, is tapped by President Bush as the next CIA Director.
4. Criticism arises due to the fact that Hayden is in the Army, possibly making him a 'pointman' for the SecDef.
5. Gen. Hayden said he may resign his post if he's confirmed by the Senate.
6. The NSA is now monitoring tens of millions of calls across the country, and General Hayden oversaw it.
7. "Dusty" Foggo was issued a search warrant by the FBI for his home & CIA office.

Dusty Foggo apparently has connections to the same Defense Contractor which Cal. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham was involved with, and ultimately went to jail over. So far, at least, I assume his resignation had to do with this issue, not anything having to do with the NSA or anything else.

It's getting nasty. The CIA has suddenly been engulfed in scandal, which is not what it needs right now. Maybe the government needs to "reboot" the CIA, like they're going to do with FEMA. After all, it's just a government agency. It's not like it has any public respect, anyway.

This post brought to you by Verizon, AT&T, and BellSouth, and the National Security Agency. "We're listening."

-Adam
NOTE: This post is not sponsored by any phone companies or any government agency.

Moussaoui Jailed For Life; May Day Protests

2006-05-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS: Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person held in the attacks on America on September 11, 2001, has been sentenced to like in prison without the possibility of parole.

Moussaoui will rot in prison for the rest of his life. But from what the news is reporting, it was NOT a unanimous verdict. The majority of the jury concluded that some mitigating circumstances, including his upbringing, may have contributed to him joining the terror group al-Qaeda.

MAY DAY PROTESTS

Well, the protests were two days ago, and the stores are still open. In fact, I only know of two establishments of which had to close on the 1st, throughout the whole state of Oregon. Both were Burger Kings, who didn't have enough employees show up to stay open.

Over 1 Million people protested H.R. 4437, which would make all people who enter America illegally, felons. However, it sounded more like the protests took place to protest the U.S. stance on immigrants altogether (Leave a comment if you think I'm wrong...or right).

But I don't think the numbers are in yet, as far as financial damage. Since it was an economic boycott, the only way to see if it was truly effective is to wait for monthly earning reports. I know that many immigrants (illegal, legal, naturalized citizens) did not skip work and protest, due to the concern that they may not have a job on the 2nd.

I can understand wanting rights (if you're here legally), but the economic protest probably hurt this country. How does that help you? Doesn't it also damage the economy you've been working for? The one you, and everyone else, relies on?

Maybe I'm wrong, but maybe not...

-Adam

Snow New Pressman; Soldiers Not So Receptive

2006-04-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

NOTE: A new poll has been posted.

Tony Snow is new White House Secretary

FOX News (former) anchor Tony Snow will be the new White House Press Secretary, the White house announced the other day. Snow, who was a speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush, will replace current Press Secretary Scott McClellan. McClellan replaced Ari Fleischer as Press Secretary about 2 years ago.

Some political analysts have said that Snow will be "more open" with the press than McClellan was. One analyst, who's name I can't recall, said that Snow will do a better job "handling" NBC's White House Correspondent, who presses McClellan, or whoever the Press Secretary may be, to be clearer with his answers & not 'dance' around the questions.

Some soldiers could care less about Rummy & Rice's "Suprise" visits to Iraq

Some U.S. soldiers currently serving in Iraq said they really didn't care whether or not Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld & State Secretary Condie Rice came and visited Iraq for their suprise tours.

In fact, many troops don't get to see, or even don't know about, the VIP's when they visit. Most soldiers are simply too busy doing their job to praise Rummy & Rice when they come to Iraq on their 'trips'. One unidentified soldier, on his second tour, said that if he got the opportunity to see Rumsfeld, he'd "...ask him for a plane ticket home to see my wife. I have barely seen her in the last two years."

For more about this story, including a story about what one Division was doing during Rumsfeld's visit: http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/04/27/damon.baladtroops/index.html

-Adam
source: CNN.com

New Orleans Voted...It's A Runoff

2006-04-25T02:13:00.000-07:00

38% of New Orleans resident eligible to vote cast their ballots for Ray Nagin, the current mayor of New Orleans. He recieved the most votes, but he also failed to secure 62% of the votes, which could hurt him when the runoff election takes place.

Under the current NOLA law, the Mayor must recieve 50% of the votes, otherwise a runoff would occur. The other candidate to appear in the runoff will be Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, who recieved 29%. The third place finisher, business Ron Foreman, who recieved 17% of the vote & will not be in the runoff, threwhis support behind Landrieu. This is understandable, because a person who comes in third in anything would never throw his support behind the leader.

I don't live in New Orleans, so don't really know how Mayor Ray Nagin is viewed down there. It sounds like he's popular, but there might be some mistrust in the workings of the government in that area, which is understandable, considering all the failures.

NOTE: The jury is now deliberating in the Zacharias Moussaoui case. It'll be interesting to see what verdict he recieves...and how fast the defense will appeal over the fact that the trial was not "fair".

-Adam
SOURCE: MSNBC.com

Change Is Upon The White House

2006-04-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, Donald Rumsfeld will not be among them, according to President Bush.

Scott McClellan, the White House Press Secretary, announced his resignation today. This comes right after McClellan relayed new Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten's message that "whoever wants to leave better get out now".

McClellan said in a statement with the President in tow on the White House "press" lawn that he looked forward to the next chapter of his life, and would stay on to help with the transition of a new, not-yet-announced Press Secretary.

CNN has learned from a senior WH official that Karl Rove, the Deputy Chief of Staff, will be shifting his focus from White House policy to the ever-increasing importancy of political strategy. This is what he's best at. I don't think he was at all qualified to be a policy director.

Joel Kaplan, a Deputy Director of the Office of Budget & Management, is expected the take the Deputy Chief of Staff position of policy advisor, which has been held by Rove since the beginning of Bush's first term. Joshua Bolten, the Chief of Staff, was formerly the Director of the Office of Budget & Management. Looks like he's bringing in his own people to fix the situation.

All this comes a few weeks after Andrew Card, the former White House Chief of Staff, resigned. I bet the WH isn't done.

-Adam
SOURCE: CNN.com

9/11 Transcripts

2006-04-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

But first, an interesting story:
‘No-fly’ list delays Marine's Iraq homecoming

9/11 Transcripts:
The cockpit tape recording of Flight 93's events were played for the first time ever in public yesterday. The tape was played as evidence in the courtroom, which was closed to T.V. cameras & audio recorders, in the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui. If you haven't read it yet, here it is:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12286423/

Moussaoui helped the jurors expedite their decision of sentencing him to death by saying that it 'made his day' hearing what happened on 9/11 (he was already in jail), and would like to see similiar attacks "every day".

He also insulted a Navy sailor when she cried during her testimony of two of her fellow sailors' deaths. He said is was discusting for a military soldier to die, ands since she is in the military, she should expect people to die.

Moussaoui said he was convinced that before the end of the President's term, he [Bush] would free him [Moussaoui]. I somehow don't see this happening.

-Adam
SOURCE: MSNBC.com

Multi-City Immigration Protests

2006-04-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

Protests are taking place in approximately 70 U.S. cities today, in response to H.R. 4437. Part of the House of Representatives resolution would classify all illegal immigrants as felons. They have all been non-violent, and legal immigrants & American-born relatives of immigrants are taking part, in addition to many illegals.

These marches follow up several marches that took place on Sunday.

What could be the largest nationally-organized protest ever could take place on May 1st of this year. Many Hispanic rights groups are planning a national economic boycott on what is commonly referred to as "May Day", in which they ask all Hispanics to stay home from work and not buy any items which are marked "Made in the USA", in an effort to show that, with out Hispanics, the U.S. economy will come to a standstill. Today's marches could be just a peek into what we may see on May 1st.

However, I doubt that the economy will shut down on May 1st, considering every product in the U.S. is manufactured overseas already. Also, how patriotic is it to try and shut down the U.S. economy? One day of that many people not showing up for work can send our economy into a freefall, of which could take months to fully recover. That's not good for anybody, natural-born citizens, legalized immigrants OR illegal aliens.

I would holeheartedly understand if this was something like revoking the 1986 amnesty act, but this in in defense of illegal immigrants. They didn't come here the right way; their not supposed to be in this country in the first place. All people who have either moved to the U.S. & became citizens, or those who have work visas, welcome to America. I doesn't bug me one bit that you're here. In fact, it's some of those who were born here I find irritating.

If you're an illegal immigrant, I recommend that you become a U.S. citizen. There's a lot of great perks to it. Just because you're not born here, doesn't mean you cant't be a citizen. I've heard the process isn't the funnest thing to go through, but in the end, it'll be worth it.

I know this sounds a little, dare I say it, conservative, but the law's the law.

-Adam
SOURCE: MSNBC.com

Was Bush The Source Of the CIA Leak?

2006-04-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

UPDATE:

IT APPEARS THAT PRESIDENT BUSH WON'T CHALLENGE THE TESTIMONY GIVEN BY LIBBY WHICH REVEALS HIM AS THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. Is Bush just ignoring invalid claims from someone who's no longer under his payroll, or has Libby backed the President in a corner and he doesn't know what to say?

The story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12187153/

THE STORY:

President Bush's approval rating now site at 36%. Only 73% of Republicans support him.

Former Chief of Staff to V.P. Cheney, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, told the grand jury investigation the leak was authorized by President Bush. Cheney, according to Libby, thought it was "very inportant" to leak the document indentifying Valierie Plame, but told Libby not to, because the President had not authorized it.

Later, Cheney informed Libby that the President indeed has authorized the information to be released. Linny proceeded to leak the document to NYTime sreporter Judith Miller. Miller was sent to jail by a federal judge until she revealed the name of her source. She is no longer being detained, since we now know the source was Libby.

I still wonder if the report mentioning Plame was released because her husband, Fmr. Ambassator Joseph Wilson, critisized the Bush Admin. over their War in Iraq. What other reason could releasing Plame's name & destroying her career serve?

-Adam

Department Of Homeland Sex Soliciting?

2006-04-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

I was about to post a "DeLay-ed" post about Rep. Tom DeLay pulling out of his re-election bid, and I still will, but I found this interesting...

Brian J. Doyle, who currently serves as the deputy press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, and who's job is to be one of the faces of DHS, to get the agency's actions into (or keep them out of) the media spotlight, is now in it.

Doyle was arrested on charges of "use of a computer to seduce a child and transmission of harmful material to a minor." Doyle thought he was talking to, and trying to seduce, was not a 14-year-old girl, but a Polk County Sheriff Dept. Detective.

It gets worse. Doyle sent pornography clips to the "girl". He sent pictures to her, which were not of sexual nature, but instead pictures of him IN the DHS offices, while WEARING his credentials. He felt it was okay to give her the number to the government issued cell phone. Doyle also asked the "girl" to purchase a webcam & perform sexual acts while on camera.

The evening in which he was to see her on camera, and while he was currently talking to the undercover detective, the police paid a visit to his house. They cuffed & stuffed the deputy press secretary, and, earning the title of sexual predator, is now being held in the county jail.

This is really sick. He was the fourth highest ranking official at the DHS, and you'd think he'd know better, being in the public spotlight. Actually, he just should've known better...

-Adam
SOURCE: MSNBC.com

MOUSSAOUI ELIGIBLE FOR DEATH

2006-04-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

ZACARIAS MOUSSAOUI, the only person in the U.S. to be charged in the 9/11 attacks, has been found eligible to recieve the Death penalty. Moussaoui's lies to the FBI, juror's believed, made him responsible for at least one death during the September 11 attacks.

Moussaoui had already pleaded guilty on helping in the 9/11 attacks, so the trial was waived. The most recent ruling means he is now able to get the death penalty from Jurors, if they so choose.

-Adam
SOURCE: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12134752/

Stories In The News

2006-03-31T10:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been so long since the last update. Here's some of the ongoing stories...

- Lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced to 5 years, 10 months in Prison.

JILL CARROLL RELEASED
Christian Science Monitor journalist Jill Carroll was released Thursday, nearly three months after her capture. The strangest thing I took notice of was the fact that Carroll, in her first video-interview after being set free, all but praised her captors for her treatment.

Carroll was released by her captors, the "Revenge Brigade" after, supposedly, the demands for Carrolls release had been met. According to official statements, the U.S. Embassy did NOT pay for her release. However, the statement leaves a loophole the size of L.A., leaving the possibility that another U.S. entity secured her release. The Christian Science Monitor denies paying a ransom.

RICE RECOGNIZES ERRORS
And in a newer story, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today, during her trip to England, admitted that there are errors in the way the War in Iraq was carried out. Rice said "I know we've made tactical errors, thousands of them I'm sure," and followed up this perfectly good moment with "But when you look back in history, what will be judged will be, did you make the right strategic decisions." It was nice while it lasted, but I know no one in the administration will admit to any large errors, w/o putting spin on it, until after Bush is out of Office.

FOOLISH CONGRESSMAN?
Howard Kaloogian, who is running as the Republican challenger for the California 50th Con. District, posted a picture on his campaign websiteshowing that Iraq is really a peaceful place, and that the press was distorting the real story.

The problem is, the picture is NOT from Iraq, it's from Instanbul, Turkey. The office of the prospective Congressman said that the photo was placed by mistake,andhas since been "corrected". The new photo, however, does not completely work with new picture, which is either taken from a helicopter or a tall building, and thus lacking detail.

Here's the picture.

IMMIGRATION BILLS
This whole immigration bill thing is getting out of hand. I don't even know all the details of it, it's so confusing. As far as I understand, there's two bills, but two proposed amendments to them or something.

And I took note that at least some of the political blog sites aren't even talking about it that much. I don't know where my party officially stands on this bill. From what I understand, the Democrats are split on the "Guest-Worker Program", which is being offered in the Senate bill, but not the House, and a majority of the Republicans are behind it, but not all.

Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California had the interesting idea of having the prisoners pick the fruit.

CoS Andrew Card Resigns Post

2006-03-28T12:57:00.000-08:00

NOTE: A new poll on this issue has been added in the right-hand column.

White House Chief of Staff, and possibly the closest aide to the President, Andrew Card has resigned. "Andy", as the President commonly refers to him, has held his position since Bush took office in early 2001.

It appears that Card chose to leave, saying he was ready to "move on". However, Bush is facing very low poll numbers & heat over illegal wiretapping and, of course, growing animosity over the War in Iraq.

Joshua Bolten, who currently is the White House Budget Director, will replace Card. Andrew Card will step down April 14th. Bolten himself is an interesting choice, since his Budget Office has done such a "GREAT"* job of managing the U.S. Budget.

Let's see if Bolten brings the fresh thinking that the White House wants, of if it's the same rhetoric, with a different face.

For more, go to: CNN & MSNBC

-Adam

*Sarcasm

The Worthless Legislature?

2006-03-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

I'm going to switch gears and beat on Congress.

You may or may not have seen a story the news channels have been running on the actual amount of days Congress will be in session this year. The 109th Congress, as if the 27th Amendment* wasn't enough, has been taking an extended amount of days off each session.

Since the start of the new year, the House of Representatives has been in session a total of 19 days. The Senate has a little better record with 33 days. Today is the 82nd day of the year. I don't expect Congress to work everyday, because they're job is so demanding, but stick with me, because it gets worse.

Congress is still in break for St. Patrick's Day, and they will be until the 28th of this month. St. Patty's Day was, what, the 17th? Oh, and they adjourned before the 17th. They also go on Spring Break next month. This is in addition to the extended weekends they usually take.

This is where is gets good. Congress is on track to work a whopping 97 days this year! This is rediculous! The news channels were quick in reminding us, however, that they come home and hold town halls with the voters. Sorry, I haven't heard of any town halls starring my Congressmen.

Congress was quick to note that they are predicted to work 120 days this year. I'm not willing to completely trust Congresses "predictions". Plus, 120 doesn't sound that much better. In 1948, President Harry Truman called his Congress the "Do-Nothing" Congress. They were in session for 108 days. Looks like the 109th is trying to beat that record.

I think we're getting cheated. The Court recently fell to the right, The President's terrible at his job, and now Congress won't do their's...

...Oh well, I've come to expect it.

-Adam

* The 27th Constitutional Amendment basically states that no one (including the President) can change Congresses salary, unless Congress votes & approves it first. This Amendment was originally proposed September 25, 1789, and ratified 203 years later, on May 7, 1992. The Bill of Rights was ratified December 15, 1791; which means Congress (if they had worked faster) could have made the 27th Amendment the FIRST one to appear in the Constitution. Figures...

Happy War Anniversary

2006-03-20T02:10:00.000-08:00

I'd just like to congratulate those in Washington a happy 3 year anniversary on the War in Iraq. That's right, it's been three years since the one of the biggest mistakes in American history took place. What do you get a screwed up government for a "Third Year of Death" anniversary?

2,317 troops have died in Iraq, 2,180 of them since the end of "Major Combat Operations".

-Adam

Whether Or Not To Censure Bush

2006-03-17T00:57:00.000-08:00

I'm finally deciding to write about this. It's been a few days, and at first, I didn't know what to think about Sen. Russ Feingold's (D-Wis) resolution to censure President Bush. I think I've come to a decision. While I'm not overly enthustiastic for it, I think that this should be pursued.

The censure resolution is being introduced due to President Bush's failure to report wire-tapping to the FISA court. President Bush did not do this on a whim. I'm sure the President could have allotted 72 hours for an emergengy submission. Actually, it was only a 24 time limit, but the President himself changed it to 72.

Many people do support the wire-tappings. In some cases, I support it, too. However, whether people supported it or not, what the President did was illegal. And people who break the law need to be punished.

A censure, as defined by Mirriam-Webster OnLine, is the "act of condemning sternly" or an "official reprimand". This is what the President deserves for his actions, even if they were meant well and for National Security purposes. Besides, a censure, if I understand it correctly, technically carries any weight. It's simply a stern warning.

Sen. Bill Frist (R-Ten), the Senate Majority Leader, has publically cme out against the motion.

Actually, I'm suprised that no one has introduced a censure against the president over the war in Iraq. The disapproval numbers on that issue are WAY lower than the numbers on the wire-tapping. Some have recommended impeaching President Bush. I still don't know where I stand on that, though. On one hand, I really don't want to have to listen to another impeachment trial. On the other hand, he REALLY screwed up on Iraq.

Back to the censure, I think it has merit to an extent, but I'm not sure Congress has the guts to persue this. But, as I've said before, only time will tell in politics.

To read more about the censure, go to:
http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/Politics/story?id=1715495&page=1

-Adam

Frist Wins [Tennessee] Straw Poll

2006-03-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

The The Southern Republican Leadership Conference recently met in Memphis, Tennessee for a vote to test the waters, as it were, to see who the best person to endorse in 2008 for the Republican 'Nod would be. Southern and Midwestern Republicans took part in the poll.

Sen. Bill Frist, the Senate Majority Leader, came in first with 36.9%. That suprised me at first, asking why anyone would want someone like him (i.e. someone like Bush) in The White House. Then I remembered that he's from Tennessee, which probably really helped him clench the win.

Gov. Mitt Romney, of Massachusetts, came in a "suprising" second. That's "suprising" because no one thought that a moderate Republican from the north, who runs the BLUEST state in the country, would be popular in the south. Either those in the south are changing, or the southerners know what they'r looking for!

John McCain, who would have gotten 120% of the Democratic vote if it wasn't GOP only, announced that instead of putting his name on the ballot, he asked that all those who would have voted for him to write-in President Bush. Now obviously, President Bush will never be allowed to hold the Office of the President of the United States again (which is actually a good thing), but McCain requested it so they could "show support for the President". It kind of failed.

President Bush only got just over 10% of the vote. Obviously, most of the voters were smart enough to figure that doing such a thing would be a wasted vote, so they more than likely went with their second choice. Also, I believe, while many Republicans will publicly stand up for Bush, in private (such as on a ballot) they want to pick someone who is FAR away from the President. McCain should have clenched this opportunity to point out differences between himself and the President.

I believe also that if McCain would have submitted his name to the ballot, instaed of supporting "the wasted vote" system, he would have won, possibly with a count near a majority.

It should also be noted that out of 1,427 ballots cast, all but 97 of them were from people who live in Tennessee. Now that we know who Tennessee wants, how about the other 49 states?

-Adam

BUSH SUNK IN HARBOR

2006-03-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

Well, the Ports Deal appears to be dead, hopefully . . .

Except it wasn't President Bush who admitted his mistake in backing this deal. Instead, as you already know (sorry I didn't post this earlier, by the way), DP World passed an announcement to Sen. John Warner (R-VA), who readit on the Senate Floor.

The announcement stated that DP World would back out of the U.S. ports part of the purchase, saying that they would "Transfer [management] of the ports to a U.S. entity." Transfer? Not buy? U.S. entity? I'd be cautious about those two key words. A transfer incinuates that the company who takes management would have some connection to DP World. The word entity is more interesting, because there is no company in the U.S. that specializes in running ports.

While this is a great thing, I'm more disappointed that it didn't go another way.

The day before the Ports Deal was announced, Congress was ready to take action. That's right, Congress, the one that's controlled by Republicans (and yes, I'd rather have Republicans control Congress than a foreign country run our ports), was about to forcefully halt the Ports Deal.

The House Appropriations Sub-Committee, which I assume is part of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, had voted 62 - 2 to attach a "Kill Deal" amendment to the President's Defense Spending Bill, which provides the billions of dollars to run the wars in Afghanistan & Iraq. The spending bill was slated as a "Must-Pass Emergency Spending Bill", so adding the amendment to kill the Ports Deal was a great idea.

On this one occasion, I'd like to congradulate the House Republicans on doing the right thing. But naturally, I'm a little disappointed. I would have loved to see the President admit defeat, and sign the bill. He's already hovering at about 34%, and I'm positive that would have sent his numbers below 30%.

But nonetheless, I'd rather have National Security than a failing President. I'll still wonder, though, what Bush had to consent to for DP World to pull out, and help him save face? DP World doesn't care about our National Security. They don't care if we get attacked again, like we did on 9/11. They don't care that two of the terrorists were from Dubai. They couldn't care less. That's why we need to protect ourselves, not just save money by exporting our security.

They never have cared, and they never will . . .

-Adam

Banned Abortions & Funeral Protesters

2006-03-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

I've got TWO stories for you today!

But first, I support the troops, but not the war. But reguardless of what you think, support the troops by contributing to the Fallen Heroes Fund or by buying a Hero Bracelet. Fallen Heroes Fund has made it's goal, but they still need help. Use the links to the right if you would like to help out.

SOUTH DAKOTA BANS ALL ABORTIONS...

Okay, so I support abortions, but I don't think they should be used as birth control. People need to be responsible. But, we're Americans, which (anymore) seems to mean we're completely stupid. Just look at the Ports Deal, but that's for another post.

In the infinite wisdom of the South Dakota State House & Senate, and signed off by Governor Mike Rounds, South Dakota has become the first state to ban virtually all abortions. The one and only exception is if the woman would die if she didn't have one performed.

Than means if the pregnancy or giving birth would be harmful, but not fatal, no abortion would be performed. It also means that, in cases of pregnancy by rape or incest, no abortion would be performed. I certainly hope the press exagerates all those cases of women being raped & getting pregnant, because a few women are about to, without choice, carry a criminal's child.

That is COMPLETELY wrong ! ! ! What reason does the state have to force women to carry children that resulted from a criminal act? They don't. Yet, they are doing it anyway...

It is now a crime for doctors to perform the procedure. Planned Parenthood is planning to challenge the law. Planned Parenthood operates the only abortion clinic in the state, which is located in Sioux Falls.

The law goes into effect July 1st.

Source: MSNBC.com

GROUP PROTESTS SOLDIERS' FUNERALS...

Fred Phelps is a sick-o evil anti-American, who I think is mentally disturbed and lives in a distorted reality. Fred Phelps is the leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, located in Topeka Kansas. (I've talked about his website, "God Hates Fags", before; you can find the previous post in the Archives).

Mr. Phelps, in addition to running a church made up of incestuous family members & claiming that "George Bush worships Mr. Peanut, whose name is the great god Goober" (confirmation still pending on whether the President does! LOL!), Phelps is going to as many fallen soldiers' funerals as he can, protesting not the war, not even the administration, but the country & the soldiers themselves!

He and his family/congregation is showing up to funerls with signs that state "Thank God for IED's" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers." He is protesting because he says that the soldiers "are serving in an army that represents a country that accepts homosexuality."

However, as CNN has reported, a group of motorcyclists, calling themselves the "Patriot Guard Riders", are going to all the funerals that the Phelps' group is protesting, and protests them. These motorcycle-patriots always, sometimes metting up with citizens who have saw the story on T.V. and wish to help "protest the protesters."

The "Patriot Guard Riders" sing patriotic songs, and sometimes, while the funeral service is taking place, turn on there motorcycles and rev their engines to drown out the crazy chanting that Phelps, and his fellow anti-American loser protesters, scream out.

Now, I don't think the "Patriot Guard Riders" are a pro-war group. But even if they were, they are more-so a pro-Soldier group, which means that I support them, and all action they take to make these psycho devil-worshipers, who pretend they're a religious organization, go away.

Source: Paula Zahn Now (on CNN), CNN.com

-Adam

New Poll Posted

2006-03-03T18:24:00.000-08:00

I've posted a new poll about the security of our ports. Will the U.A.E. purchasing control of our ports makeus more or less safe?

Take the "Ports Deal" poll.

-Adam

Bush Knew Wrath Of Katrina

2006-03-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

I was going to write about how the DP World was "kindly" giving us a 45-day review of the deal, but this sounds a little more important.

But first, the Patriot Act just passed the Senate by a vote of 81-18*. Now on to the story...

September, 2005 --
President Bush: "I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees." It turns out President Bush really did know how bad Hurricane Katrina really was going to be.

On August 28, 2005, the day before Katrina made landfall on the gulf coast, Bush and Michael Chertoff, the Homeland Security Secretary, joined in a video tele-conference with top FEMA officials and the Louisiana and Mississippi governors. During the tele-conference, hurricane expert Max Mayfield warned that massive devastation was going to come with Katrina.

Mayfield said that "no one with any certainty" could say whether or not the levees would fail. He called the possible breaching of the levees a "very, very big concern." He also stated that Katrina would be in the top 10 or 15 worst natural disasters.

Michael Brown, former director of FEMA, feared there weren't enough disaster teams to help those who were held up in the Superdome (Of course, we now know that they didn't even try to find out if people were seeking shelter in the Convention Center!). He also feared that the roof wouldn't be able to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. Brown later said that he warned the President that the situation in LA would be "dire."

However, during the tele-conference, where President Bush and DHS Sec. Chertoff were broadcasting from Bush's ranch, the President assures the governors that the federal government is "fully prepared" (my emphasis), and they were ready to help during the storm and move in immediately after the storm (Again, emphasis mine).

I don't know, I watched a LOT of the coverage, and it seemed that CNN's Anderson Cooper help people more than the government did. They BOTCHED this one, folks.

NOLA Mayor Ray Nagin said "you know, from the looks of this tape, it looks like everybody was fully aware." I agree.

NBC News attained a transcript of a tele-conference that occurred on the 29th, the day of the storm, which quoted Brown as saying that The President is "...very engaged and is asking a lot of really good questions." Brown went on to say that the Bush asked about hospitals, the Superdome, and the levees possibly breaching.

Asked a "lot of good questions", huh? I'd like to note that on the taped tele-conference (August 28th), the President did NOT ask a single question.

And finally, the White House said that the tape does not contradict anything the Bush Administration has said about Hurricane Katrina. Doesn't contradict? What about "I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees." ? ? ?

By the way, Bush's approval rating is down to 34%.

For parts of the video, visit either of the sources below. (It's not the whole thing)

-Adam
Sources: MSNBC.com & CNN.com

* The Patriot Act passed the Senate by a vote of 81-18, not 89-10. This has been corrected. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Outsourcing Our Ports - To The Middle East

2006-02-22T22:27:00.000-08:00

A company based in Dubai, U.A.E., Dubai Ports World, has purchased Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation, a British- owned company, which manages six U.S. seaports. The deal, at $6.8 Billion, will place Dubai Ports World in management of these ports.

In case you're interested, the ports they are tasking control of are: New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami, & Philadelphia. That's EVERY major East Coast port, and a state-run MiddleEastern country is going to run them? I don't even think that the old British company should have run them. You just can't outsource safety!

Dubai was the location of a nuclear technology sale, led by a Pakistani scientist named A.Q. Khan. More importantly, Two of the hijackers involved in the September 11 attacks were from the U.A.E. They also got money from Dubai-based banks.

There has been rising concerns in Congress over the sale. Congressmen, Senators & Reps., Democrats & Republicans, many do not believe that this sale is right. I wholehearted-ly agree. The President & his "servants", however, defended the deal. President Bush even threatened to use his very first veto of his Presidency in the event Congress tries to block it. Ooh, scary. I just hope Congress doesn't shove it's tail between it's lega and "bow to the Chief".

It was reported (yesterday, I believe) that the President had "no knowledge" of the sale, until it was complete. That's sad. It also shows one of two things: the White House staff conspires on political behind the President's back, then presents it to him with that famous Washington spin, OR the President really is an idiot, and he has all his staffers do his work for him.

Hey, I have a GREAT idea! After this is a done deal, let's outsource our Border Patrol to Mexico! It'll save money and decrease American jobs, all at the same time! And this Blog has just been outsourced to China!

-Adam (counting down the days to the 2008 election)

Top 10 Presidential Blunders

2006-02-19T00:16:00.000-08:00

Well, other than "Cheney" Fudd, there hasn't been too much political news . . .

I found this online. A survey, conducted by the University of Louisville's McConnell Center, asked presidential historians what the top "Presidential Blunder" ever was. Depending, you may or may NOT be surprised by the results.

Here's the finalists . . .

10. The Bill Clinton, for the Monica Lewinski scandal

9. Ronald Reagan, for the Iran-Contra Affair

8. John F. Kennedy, for allowing the Bay of Pigs Invasion

7. Thomas Jefferson, the Embargo act of 1807

6. James Madison, not keeping the U.S. out of the War of 1812

The Top 5 . . .

5. Richard Nixon, Watergate

4. Woodrow Wilson, not compromising on Treaty of Versailles

3. Lyndon B. Johnson, allowing Vietnam War to intensify

2. Andrew Jackson, opposing justice improvements for blacks after Civil War

And, the Number 1 "Presidential Blunder", is . . .

1. James Buchanan, for failing to avoid the Civil War

For more, including defined reasons, CLICK HERE.

-Adam

Source: CNN.com

CHENEY SHOOTS FELLOW HUNTER

2006-02-12T21:47:00.000-08:00

Cheney Accidently Shoots Fellow Hunter - From CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/12/cheney/index.html

This is the second of TWO new posts. Scroll down to see the other --

LIBBY, ABRAMOFF, BROWN, & DeLAY

2006-02-12T21:43:00.000-08:00

LEWIS "SCOOTER" LIBBY, the former Chief of Staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, said that his "Superiors" authorized him to leak the name of (now) former CIA agent Valerie Plame. The funny thing is, since he was Cheney's CoS, he answers to only a few people. Mosthe President's Chief of Staff Andrew Card, his boss the Vice President, and the President himself are the ONLY people who fall into this category. He did not, however, name names.

For more, visit: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060210/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak

A few Senators, from both the Democratic & Republican Parties, said that V.P. Cheney SHOULD be investigated in the CIA leak probe. The probe is currently being carried out by Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald.

For more, visit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11310787/

JACK ABRAMOFF, the embattled former Washington lobbyist, said that he had "met with the guy" (President Bush) at least half a dozen times. "TIME" magazine has run a photo of Jack Abramoff at an event at the White House. The President is in the foreground, and Abramoff is in the background. The White House has confirmed it IS authentic, proving that Abramoff has told the truth (so far) & that President Bush has been incorrect (or lied?).

Fore more, including THE PHOTO, visit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11310507/

MICHAEL BROWN, the FEMA Director who was first removed from overseeing the Hurricane Katrina recovery and was eventually removed from his post, revealed that he has emails between him and the President. The emails supposedly show that Brown kept the White House informed on Katrina, possibly proving that the administration really DID know what was going on.

TOM DeLAY, former U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader who is caught up in the Jack Abramoff scandal, has been appointed to two key House Committees: the House Appropriations Committee & the Sub-Committee on Judicial Review. Both seats were left empty by former California Rep. Duke Cunningham, who oddly enough resigned over his own financial scandal. The KICKER: The Judicial Review Sub-Committee is charged with investigating the JACK ABRAMOFF SCANDAL ( THE ONE HE IS PART OF ! ! ! ).

State of the Union & Alito's First Vote & the IAEA

2006-02-06T01:35:00.000-08:00

Again...Sorry. I figured I'd end up being behind someday. From now on I'll try to be better.

-- STATE OF THE UNION --
I'm sorry to say, it's been too long for me to remember the State of the Union clearly, so I'll try to call up points from memory and the Internet.

Admission of Recession . . .
The President admitted that our country's economy is in recession. This is the first time I recall him actually saying that. Before he's denied it. This leads us to. . .

The Economy . . .
The Budget, the President said, will help three goals: winning the war; protecting our homeland; reviving our economy. He also asked Congress restrain spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. (That will be hard!) Bush said he supports "extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care coverage". He also encouraged "investment in factories and equipment, and speeding up tax relief so people have more money to spend". He asked that Congress pass his stimulus package.

Education . . .
Bush called for an upgrade of "Teacher Colleges" & teacher training, so teachers will be more qualified. He also wants a to "launch a major recruiting drive with a great goal for America: a quality teacher in every classroom". Bush said that "we need to prepare our children to read and succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood development programs."

Oil . . .
They say at one point or another, every American is addicted to something! Who would have thought it would have been oil? Bush called for increased energy production, so we be less dependent on foreign oil.

Homeland Security . . .
The President said that his "Budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security, developing vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases...increased funding to help states train and equip our heroic police and firefighters...improving intelligence collection and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of visitors to the United States". Stricter border enforcement," Bush said, "will help combat illegal drugs." (How 'bout protecting us against people who sneak over the border?)

Stand and applaud . . .
All the Democratic Congressmen stood up and applauded when Bush pointed ou that his privitazation of Social Security did NOT pass. Bush just stood there, looking at them, not knowing whether to smile or to make a mean face.

Healthcare and Retirement . . .
He wants to enact a patients' "Bill of Rights", modernize Medicare system to include coverage for prescription drugs, enact new safeguards for 401K and pension plans. He also called on corporate America to be more accountable to employees and shareholders.

USA Freedom Corps . . .
Bush encouraged people to help each other, their neighborhoods, their country, and the world. He invited people to join the new Freedom Corps, which focuses on responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.

The Environment and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina weren't talked about that much . . .

It boils down to this . . .
It sounds pretty good, but unfortunately, only half of what he called for will ever happen, and half of the things that DO happen will be screwed up, and NOT be as good as it sounds. You REALLY don't need me to sum up The State of the Union for you. It is, sadly, just like the other ones. It all sounds good, but you he doesn't get down into the facts of each of these things.

Where will all the money come from? What will be lost in comittees to get these programs passed? This speech promises the same things as last year.

To sum it up . . .
You either like it, or you don't!

For a transcript or to watch the speech, go to:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020129-11.html

-- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT --

They just grow up so fast . . .

Justice Samuel Alito made his first vote late last week. He split with Conservative Justices Roberts, Scalia, & Thomas, instead voting with the Liberals on the Court, upholding a stay of execution in Missouri.

In a 6-3 decision, The Supreme Court stayed the execution of Michael Taylor, who was convicted in 1989 of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Ann Harrison, a 15-year-old in Kansas City, Missouri.

Conservatives are saying this shows that he can be non-partisan. But making one vote to uphold a temporary stay does NOT prove to me, nor many others, that he is the best for the job. I'm not convinced yet, but as I have said before, only time will tell . . .

IAEA Referral . . .

The IAEA, the United Nation's nuclear watchdog group, recommended sanctions against Iran to the U.N. Security Council. That kind of pissed off Iran. If the Security Council decides to enact sanctions, which could be cut-offs in trade, U.N. troops in Iran, etc., then Iran may raise oil prices, or even cut off oil supplies to the United States and other countries.

The recommendations for sanctions are due to the fact that Iran is, most likely, developing nuclear power. While this COULD be used for energy, they are probably trying to build their first Nuclear Weapon. They may use it, or provide it to another country or a terrorist group.

-Adam

Super Bowl XL

2006-02-06T01:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, first of all, I am SO sorry I haven't got around to updating this site. The State of the Union speech was, what, Tuesday? Wow, I'll try to keep this site updated more. Read above for the State of the Union post. This is my strong, but small, opinion of Super Bowl XL.

God, I HATE Pittsburgh!!! I'm sick about how Bill Cowers needed to "prove" himself to the owner by winning a Super Bowl. I'm sick about hearing about how Jerome Bettis is so "amazing" and how it would be SO great for him to win a Super Bowl before he retired (which he did). Most of all, I'm SO sick of how "great" they are. While yes, now, they are the best team this year, they weren't amazing. They were 6th seed (barely made it), and they barely won the Division against Indianapolis.

As you can probably tell, I am a Seattle fan. While they are a state away, they are the "home" team. They were VERY good this year, and I think they could, I know they could, have won if those Dumb Ref's weren't so frickin' blind, or maybe they were bias? Either way, there were SEVERAL bad calls against the Seahawks. Yes, they did make mistakes, sad mistakes, but I believe that the outcome could have been different if all those calls weren't so screwed up.

Maybe next year . . . Now scroll up and read about the State of the Union & Alito's first vote.

110th Justice

2006-01-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: I wish to express my condolences the the King family for the loss of Coretta Scott King, who died Monday night at age 78. This is a sad loss, and she, along with her Husband, will always be remembered.

Now to the Story . . .
Samuel Alito was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Tuesday, becoming the 110th Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, by securing almost 60 votes.

Alito was confirmed by a vote of 58 to 42. There are 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats, and One Republican -turned Independent. One Republican, Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, voted against Alito, while Four Democrats, Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, & Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, voted for Alito. I couldn't find confirmation, but I think that Sen. Jim Jeffords, the Independent, voted against him.

Samuel Alito now faces an uphill battle for popularity. He is replacing Sandra Day O'Conner, the first woman and arguably the most influential person on the Supreme Court. While a majority, albeit not a huge one, voted for Alito, I believe many in the Senate are not crazy about him.

Alito can do a few different things. He can be exactly what President Bush wants him to be, which is someone that will turn the Court back to a far-right establishment, turning back LONG-established cases at will. However, that would be being loyal to the views of the President who nominated you, which isn't what you're supposed to do. You're supposed to put personal views aside and vote by what's right, not what you believe.

He can be like O'Conner, and hold true to the law. While there were many views and votes and views that I didn't agree with, I liked, along with most Americans, I liked how she voted most of the time. However, I don't Alito has the guts of knowledge to do so.

Or, he can be in-between. I realize that someone who doesn't fall to the graces of their political party, like O'Conner usually did, but I would like if he did sometimes, vote against his party, if it was in the best interest of the country. Some on the Court do vote along party lines, who of which were appointed by BOTH parties' Presidents. I think that Chief Justice Roberts MIGHT be able to be an in-betweener, but I don't think Justice Alito will be. While I could be wrong, and both end up like O'Conner, both could also end up always voting for what's best for the Republican Party.

I hope Alito won't screw up the country too much. Like I've said in a previous post, only time will tell . . .

A Whole Lot of Alito

2006-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

ALITO

When Chief Justice John Roberts went through Confirmation hearings, and was Confirmed by the Senate, it was covered by all the news networks. However, throughout the whole onfirmation, there was nowhere near as much coverage of Roberts as there is of Alito.

One reason is that he's replacing one of the most volatile members of the court. While in reality, the other four didn't vote and Renquist would say "It's four - four, Sandy; How are you gonna vote?", Sandra Day O'Conner, I believe, knew she would be the deciding vote. However, I don't think she was ever influenced by this fact.

Back to Alito. He will never be able to fill her shoes, even if they do vote differently. I think that's part of the reason that the news is covering it so much more. But I believe there's another reason, too. And that is that Alito is not as squeaky-clean as Roberts. As you know, some of his rulings are controversial.

And it seems apparant, now, that there will be a fillibuster. And while the Republicans say they have the sixty votes to halt any such attempt, the Democrats say they have the 41 votes to authorize the continuation of a fillibuster.

If I were in the Senate, I probably wouldn't partake in the fillibuster (unless everybody else was doing it!), but I might just vote to uphold it. I also probably would have voted for Roberts. Although, I'm not olf enough to be elected to the Senate. (You have to be 25!)

Anyway, all of us political bloggers are on Alito watch, so check back Tuesday, if not before, to hear the latest on Alito.

OTHER NEWS

Ann Coulter, I hate her, suggested at a lecture that "We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens' creme brulee." She then went on to say "That's just a joke, for you in the media."

...for you in the media? That means that she wouldn't mind if someone did poison. It' like saying "I'm gonna kill actor xxx, but I'm just joking, security." C'mon, Coulter. She also cut off two members in the crowd at the lecture, saying "I'm not going to be lectured to." At one point in the lecture, she said the crack cocaine problem "has pretty much gone away." She is so stupid!

Justice John Paul Stevens, the oldest and currently longest serving Supreme Court Justice.

Breaking News: Hamas Wins & No Alito Miracle

2006-01-26T01:36:00.000-08:00

BREAKING NEWS: HAMAS WINS

The results of the Palistinian election are in...the terrorists...I mean, Hamas, has won a majority of the 132-seat Palestinian Lesislature. When the results are finalized, Hamas will remove the Fatah Party, founded in 1965 by Yasser Arafat, from power.

Hamas disagrees with a recent exil poll that they would win, but NOT majority. Hasmas claims that they indeed DID win majority. Hamas boycotted the last election, which took place in 1996.

Prime Minister Ahmed Qorie acknowledged the majority win and announced that he and the Cabinet would resign. Qorie suggested that he would not help in forming the new government.

Only time will tell if this really has a long-term impact on the Middle-East Peace Process.

For more, click here to visit CNN.com.

NO ALITO MIRACLE

Pending some sort of Republican epiphany, where they all of a sudden realize they stand for (many) of the wrong things, I think that Judge Samuel Alito will become JUSTICE Samuel Alito, the 109th appointed. (That # seems wrong to me?)

Yes, Alito will most likey be confirmed. It's not going to be too much fun watching the Confirmation vote, mostly because a majority of each party and has already stated HOW they're going to vote.

Now, before you start grumbling that the Democrats "ALWAYS" vote together with it's something the Republican President wants, it's NOT trure, we don't . . .

(Pretend I'm addressing a Republican (Senator) )

Adam: Republicans think the Democrats only vote together, and that they'll "ALL" vote against Alito. I'll ask you, how many Republicans are voting AGAINST Alito ? ? ?
Senator: None, that I can think of.
Adam: Don't you think THAT'S wrong?
Senator: No, because Alito will make a great Justice, and is well qualified.
Adam: So, 40+ Democrats are COMPLETELY wrong? If they can ALL be wrong, who do you know that ALL the Republicans aren't WRONG? (By now, I've rudely interrupted). Last time I checked, there were at least two, maybe three Senators voting FOR Alito. WHo can we mostly all be wrong, Senator? Are the Republicans ALWAYS right? Is that why THEY always vote together?

Anywho, I kind of got bored there, so sorry if that whole conversation is pretty campy.

You know, I just really don't care whether he's confirmed of not. I know I should, but for some reason, I just really don't care. There are currently no cases, current or someday to come, that will strip me of my personal rights, that I'm aware of.

I'm not a woman, so I don't need to worry about Roe v. Wade. Even if I were a woman, which I'm NOT, I probably wouldn't have a need to have an abortion, but I suppose that if I ever were in a situation where I needed one, it'd be nice to know that's there.

I don't know anyone overseas, so I don't need to worry about "Domestic" oh, wait, "International" wiretapping. Actually, I have an uncle overseas, but I doubt that emails between my he and my dad of grandparents would be monitored, because 1) He has the same last name, 2) Our last name isn't Middle-Eastern sounding, 3) He lives in England, our best-est allie, & 4) upon further review, they'll find we're all WHITE. Sadly, if you contact a friend named Sayid al-Abhou, who's Middle Eastern & Lives in Saudi Arabia, this administration will be reading you emails.

I can't name anymore right now, maybe because I'm tired, but there's probably something that can take rights away from African, Mexican, Asian, other Latin, Native, and maybe even Russian, -Americans.

I DO actually care about these cases. I just really don't care about Alito. And since no Democrats are throwing the Philly-Steak Sandwich & Peanut-Buster Parfait around (Hmmm...), Alito will be confirmed, and, as I said in a previous post, I'll never hear about him again. I'll hear about the "reformed" Court, I'm sure, but I won't hear about "Alito" too much.

Get it over with, and make it stop! This way, we can move on and focus on winning in 2006!

-Adam, trying to avoid the Left arrow key :-)

A Slew of Stories

2006-01-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

I WAS going to publish at least 16 paragraphs on 6 different subjects, but I'm WAY too pissed off right now. I lost it all! Why? Well, WHY is the Left-arrow key a delete all? And WHY do paragraphs stay high-lighted after you switch to another page. However, this would ALL have been prevented if when you opened an internet link from your desktop, it opened in it's OWN window, or at LEAST opened in the most RECENT internet page, instead of the first one ! ! !

Okay, moving on . . . Sorry, there's NO way I'm re-typing all that. So instead, I'm gonna give you a short summary on each topic.

Some of these stories are a few days old. Time to catch up . . .

GOOGLE

The Feds want to know what people have been searching online. Yahoo! & MSN have given in, but Google refuses to. The Feds want search results to see how much and what type of pornography is searched. While they say they aren't asking for who searched what, the Government always could collect that information. Hampering the wide band of internet porn good. Knowing what people search, even if it's NOT case specific, bad!

FORD

Ford Motor Co. is shutting down 14 production plants, firing 25,000-30,000 people. Included is a plant in Hapeville, GA, which is the only plant which produces the Ford Taurus. More importantly, though, the plant employs several of the 6,200 residents of Hapeville. The plant also provides 10% of the yearly income of the city. The mayor must find another place to get $1.4 Million. Car manufacturers have a habit of putting plants in small towns. Then, when they decide to shut down the plant, the town is the one who suffers.

TIES?

Photo's have surfaced which shows President Bush with lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The White House denies, however, that even though they were at several events together, shook hands, and talked to each other, the President has NO connection with Abramoff. Oh, yeah, Abramoff donated the top amount, $2,000, to the Bush-Cheney campaign . . .

TAPES

A tape surfaced days ago of Usama bin Laden. He talks of (pretty) recent events, which places the audio tape in the recent month or so. A day or two later, a tape by Ayman al-Zawahiri was released. Zawahiri was the one they were trying to kill, but most likely didn't, last week. However, the tape didn't mention any recent events, so the time it was recorded isn't able to be determined. It is unknown for sure whether he is alive or not.

SEAHAWKS

Send in the Hawks ! ! ! Oh, yeah, Super Bowl bound, baby! Going to Detroit!

WHITE HOUSE

National Broadcasting Bastards (another extraordinary circumstance!)

They canceled the BEST show on T.V. The West Wing will be canceled after 7 seasons, when it concludes on May 14. The show's "failure" is COMPLETELY NBC's fault!

Some say the show started to go south after Aaron Sorkin & Thomas Schlamme left (or were fired). I think the show was still great, as did many people. But, the show, in the last year or two, started to lose viewership. So instead of trying to tweak the show a bit & try to increase viewership, they decide to move the show to Sunday. This was completely stupid, because no one seriously watches T.V. on Sunday.

Recently, this show has gotten a LOT better. If NBC were to move the show to any other day, it would get more viewers. Much more! This is a GREAT show, and I blame NBC for it's demise. If you look at what else NBC plans to do, like put Law & Order up against Lost (insane!), you know they are hurting, BAD!

That's all for today, folks! See you next time!

-Adam

Email Change / Poll Results

2006-01-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

EMAIL CHANGE

Okay, I've changed the Email address to admin@democratviews.org. Yeah, there's not much of a difference between "info" and "admin", but I did it anyway. The old one, "info" is still active, so for those of you not reading this, your Email's won't go unread. I'll probably just leave it active, so use whatever you want.

POLL RESULTS

Here are the Poll Results to the old poll, about the Presidential Primaries.

Democrats...

Hillary Clinton - 5
Al Gore - 1
John Kerry - 1
John Edwards - 1
Evan Bayh - 1
Mark Warner - 1
Joe Biden - 0
Tom Vilsack - 0
Bill Richardson - 0
Barack Obama - 0

Republicans...

John McCain - 3
Mitt Romney - 2
Condelezza Rice - 1
Rudy Giuliani - 1
Jeb Bush - 0
Bill Frist - 0
Chuck Hagel - 0
George Pataki - 0
Rick Santorum - 0
Dick Cheney - 0

From my Democratic point of view, it looks like people either want a Democrat, OR Republican with drastically different views than the current administration. We'll see if these numbers stand true.

Thoughts?

-Adam

Comment & Response . . .

2006-01-15T03:42:00.000-08:00

In the previous post, I got a response which asked several questions. My answer is quite long, so I'm posting it here. Here is the Question:

I have a couple of questions for you, Adam.

First, Ginsberg's "you already know what I believe in..." stance was only on some issues, and she ducked quite a few others. However, the Republicans in the Senate realized that she was qualified and let her through with a 96-3 vote because, though many of them disagreed with her ideology, they realized that a Democrat was in the White House and that means a Democrat gets to pick the nominee. Do you think that the Democrats in the Senate today are willing or prepared to give similar consideration to Alito?

Secondly, as a Christian and a Democrat, what is your position on Alito and, more specifically, do you have a problem with him because he may POTENTIALLY vote to overturn Roe someday?

Here is my Answer:

I honestly don't know if they're prepared to confirm Alito. Half of them confirmed Roberts, which means that at least 22 Senators are willing to see the best in the person. You are correct, they need to know that is NOT a Democrat up for nomination right now.

While I share most views and a Party with those Democrats in Congress, sometimes I think that they aren't always ready to be bi-partisen. I've noticed that Democratic Presidents are bi-partisen, while a Democratic Congress isn't. It's opposite for Republicans. Republican Congressmen CAN be bi-partisen, while Republican President aren't.

That, however, isn't ALWAYS the case.

We'll see how the Alito confirmation goes. They confirmed Roberts, who has the same chance of voting to overturn Roe as Alito does.

As far as me personally, like I said, I like politics, but I don't have the want to have watched ALL of the hearings. I have a general idea of where he stands on the bigger issues, but I couldn't name all of his decisions.

I think he'll be confirmed. But I don't care whether he is or not, because if he isn't, the President will continue to put people up just like him, so they might as well nominate him, so we don't have to go throught this again.

If he is truly a "JUDGE", then he will listen to ALL the facts, in ALL cases, and NOT throw his personal opinion into play. Abortion should be severly discouraged, but not illegal. You shouldn't FORCE a woman to have a baby if she doesn't doesn't to. True, she should have been responisible enough to have avoided this in the first place, but don't DISCRIMINATE against her because she did!

In other cases, too, I just hope that Alito, if he's confirmed, will not throw his personal views into play, like Justice Scalia, but instead be more like who he's going to replace, O'Conner.

Thanks, Mike!

Alito . . .

2006-01-12T06:20:00.001-08:00

Has everyone been watching the Samuel Alito hearings? I think tha...........

.........ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....................

.........Huh? Oh, uh, yeah. What was I talking about? Oh, that's right, Alito.

I've listened tyo parts of the hearings, i.e. I've left the T.V. on and been doing something else on the computer at the same time. Nor do I have any ambition to read online articeles about this person who I will never hear about again. Sure, we'll hear "Yes, Wolf. In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court..." But we'll never hear about Samuel Alito again, just like Anthony Kennedy or Stephen G. Breyer (who?) Something tells me he WON'T be a Sandra Day O'Conner or William Rehnquist.

Obciously, he is qualified from a Judicial standpoint, it's his ideology that's in question. When he gets to the bench, will he put personal views aside and ONLY listen to the facts? Probably not. Will he try to overturn certain rulings, which may take away the rights of a certain group of people, of a certain gender? He just may, and that's why Democrat's are questioning him so toughly.

On the other hand, the Republicans repeatedly apologize about the questioning, and try to give him the easy questions.

Obviously, he's not the MOST qualified for the Supreme Court. I am assuming that Judge Alito was on the short list from before Rehnquist died. He probably was, because I can't see that they're ready to pick someone and Secretary of Yada-Yada Joe Smith, sitting on the couch, says "Hey, what about that Alito guy?" I say he's not the most qualified because he simply wasn't picked first. John G. Roberts, Jr. was.

Events:
1. O'Conner submits resignation
2. Roberts is picked to replace her -- not Alito
3. Rehnquist dies
4. Bush picks Roberts -- instead of picking Alito
5. Bush picks Alito

So, not only was Alito not picked first, he was also not good enough to be Chief. But yeah, Adam, Alito was picjked second! I know, and for some reason I've dedicated to paragraphs and a list to that point! Back to the main topic.

Alito, along with every other nominee. They REFUSE to say what they think about certain issues, which "may" come up in court sometime in the future. Is Roe v. Wade even IN current court dockets? Are any of the other cases he would NOT comment on already in the dockets? I doubt ALL, if ANY currently are, considering the Court currently would still go 5-4 in favor.

However, he DID comment on certain cases, which will probably NEVER come up again, in any courtroom. These include Marbury v. Madison, Dread Scott v. Sandford, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, & U.S. v. Nixon. However, how can he be sure?

Joe Schmo could walk into court tomorrow and try to reverse Dread Scott v. Sandford. That would not make slavery legal, but it would make all Americans with black skin lose Citizenship. Or Joe could walk into court and challenge Brown v. Board. That would segregate schools. Or Joe could walk in and challenge Miranda .v Arizona. Then police officers wouldn't have to read you your rights when you get arrested. Might as well get rid of it anyway, jast watch any Cops episode and you'll see that NO ONE listens to them anyway!

Of course, even if one of these cases DID make it up to the Supreme Court, Joe Schmo wouldn't win. However, when it got there, Joe Schmo would ALREADY KNOW how "Justice Alito" would vote, because Joe like politics, and had watched the Confirmation Hearings.

So, what I'm getting at is, Smauel Alito either can comment on ANYTHING, or he can comment on NOTHING, because you never know when someone may want to take public defenders away from the poor criminals! (Gedion v. Wainwright)

Besides, he's a Republican Judge who's being appointed by a Republican President! I think we know how he'll vote on Roe v. Wade. That's the difference between him and Justice Ginsberg. She had a "You already know what I believe in and how I'm going to vote. But I'm going to humor you. Here's my views, you can take it or leave it!"

BTW, I'm streaming the Hearings. And guess what? A Republican is standing up for Alito against those "EVIL Liberal America-Haters!"

Jeez . . .

-Adam

God Help THESE People!

2006-01-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

Someone pointed out this site on another site I visit.

This is really sick. I don't know HOW these people think that they're doing the "right" thing!

Visit here:
http://www.godhatesfags.com/main/index.html

I thought I've heard of this site before. Basically, this "Church", if you want to call it that, thinks that homosexuals are responible for everything thats EVER gone wrong in this world! From 9/11 to Hurricane Katrine, they say that people who are gay are responsible for all of it.

For more information on them, here's the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church

The Bible says that Homosexuality is wrong. But you know what, it doesn't bother me what people do in their lives. Why should it? As long as a gay man doesn't try to chase me down and have his way with me, I'm fine with their choices.

And you know what, if they DON'T end up going to Heaven when they die, WHY should it bother ME? I don't personally know any gay people. I know of people who are homosexual, but none of them do I see or talk to, unless we happen to run into them at the store. Better yet, why should it bother the people who set up that dispicable site?

Those people need to get lives. You can spread the Word of God, just don't drag people down in the process. I don't know of any religion, as a whole, who promotes the degrading of people who aren't JUST like them. That's NOT the right thing to do!

To make matters worse, that site has a link to another site, also owned by them, which is called God Hates America! I don't think ANYONE hates America. I really dislike the current leaders of the U.S., but I DO NOT hate America!

People like that should be shot.

God help those who set up that site!

UPDATE: It turns out the Preacher there was thrown out of his old Church, and those who follwed him to Westboro are either blood or marriage related. Infact, members aren't able to marry outside the "church", so this had led to certain levels of Inbreeding!

-Adam

DeLay Resigns Post; 9/11 Worker Dies

2006-01-08T00:10:00.000-08:00

Tonight I bring you a DOUBLE post. If you have a comment on both stories, please make separate comments.

DeLAY RESIGNS LEADERSHIP POST

Tom DeLay permanently resigned his post as House Majority Leader, but will seek re-election to the House of Representatives when his term expires this November.

Tom DeLay, who held the Majority Leadership post for 3 years, faces illegal campaign finance charges in the state of Texas. Under Congressional rules, he has to step down until his indictment is over.

DeLay said at a press conference at Sugar Land, Texas, his home district, that:
[about giving up his Majority Leader job] it's "too important to be hamstrung by personal distraction.", and
[about running for re-election] "I plan to run a very vigorous campaign, and I plan to win."

A new House Majority Leader is expected to be elected as soon as Congress reconvenes on January 31.

I think we all expected that he would permanently step down after he was indicted and had to step down. I wonder though why exactly he did. If he was confident that he would be acquitted, why would he step down permanently. DeLay did a BIG No-No, and he knows it. If politics doesn't get in the way, which it very well could, DeLay should be convicted.

But keep in mind there are those people who will do virtually anything to try to keep DeLay in Congress. They will try, because come election time, voters in Texas, and maybe outside of Texas, will remember what Tom DeLay did. And if DeLay gets convicted, there will be repercussions at the polls.

As I type this, I am watching FOX News. The Anchor of "Heartland", John something-or-other, is literally praising Tom DeLay, saying he is, without a doubt, the best Congressional leader in recent times. Thanks for the "Fair and Balanced" reporting, FOX News!

9/11 RESCUE WORKER DIES FROM RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

A retired NYC Detective, who was involved in the rescue efforts at Ground Zero, died from a respiratory disease related to the recovery efforts.

Former Police Detective James Zadroga died at his home Thursday, at his home in New Jersey. He is believed to be the first 9/11 rescue worker to die from the dust and debris, which was floating in the air around Ground Zero.

The President of the Detectives' Endowment Association, Michael Palladino, who made the announcement, also said Unfortunately, I do not think he is going to be the last."

Zadroga, just like all of those other brave heroes at Ground Zero, spending hundreds of hours picking through the rubble, looking and hoping they would find survivors. Only five survivors were found after thebuildings collapsed. (Including a guy who rode the building down from the 83 floor!)

Palladino said that Zadroga, who spent up to 16 hours a day in the month after the attack, developed black lung disease and mercury in the brain. He also developed shortness of breath, as well as other respiratory problems. He retired on disability in 2004.

James Zadroga left behind a four-year-old daughter. His wife died of cancer in late 2004. It was not reported where his daughter will live now.

Several registries, tracking Ground Zero workers' health, have reported that the rescuers have worsened in the recent years.

I was hoping that this wouldn't happen, or if it did, it would take decades. Unfortunatly, it appears that this will not be the case.

-Adam

Another Controversial Nomination

2006-01-06T04:52:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, January 4th, President Bush used the highly-disputed Constitutional powers of Recess Appointment to place Julie L. Myers as the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, while Congress was again on recess.

The power of Presidential Recess Appointment was originally created for the President to fill an emergency vacancy, originally high importance, while Congress was out of town. However, in recent administrations, the recess appointment power has been used to get people into a job without the required confirmation from the U.S. Senate. This is usually used when the nominee is liked by the President, but is considered too controversial for the Senate to approve.

However, this appointment is even more controversial, due to who the President appointed. Here's a few facts about Julie L. Myers:

1. If her last name sounds familiar, that's because you've heard it before. She is the niece of former Joint Chief Chairman Gen. Richard Myers.

2. Her new boss will be D.H.S. Secretary Michael Chertoff. Her husband is the Chief of Staff of Michael Chertoff. That's right, her HUSBAND is the Chief of Staff of her NEW BOSS!

3. She already has an established relationship with Michael Chertoff, since he was her boss previously.

Here are a few stats about her old job and her new job:

Julie L. Myers currently works at the Commerce Dept.

There, she has 170 employees working under her,
At her new job, she will have 20,000

Her operating budget at her current job is $21.5 Million,
At her new job, the operating budget is $4 Billion

Some political consultant on CNN said that in the Private Sector, this sort of job change would never happen, due to the fact that she's not qualified for such a change in budget and personnel.

The news media is calling it an "Inside Job". I tend to agree with them. If you ignore the family associations, which is hard to do, she's simply NOT qualified to go from the Commerce Dept. to Immigration enforcement. The differences between her two jobs are too great, and with all those money and personnel increases, comes the greater chance of a screw up.

I'm not saying she can't do the job, I just think that they could find somebody better qualified.

However, I find it IMPOSSIBLE to ignore all the family connections. Her uncle, her husband, and her former (and now new) boss. This is the sort of thing that shouldn't happen in the Government. Unfortunatly, it does all the time.

Jack Abramoff used money to court votes from Congressmen; Bush is appointing someone close to his top general and his DHS Secretary. If Abramoff didn't break other laws, the the things these to politicans have done would have been just as bad!

When will it END?

-Adam

Bringing Congress To It's Knees

2006-01-04T23:33:00.000-08:00

First off, sorry this story took so long to be posted. I was trying to set up the site, which for the coming year, at least, will stay looking the same as before. The new templates I used weren't friendly for any Firefox readers we may have. Remember to update your favorites to reflect http://democratviews.org.

Indicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff accepted a plea deal Tuesday, agreeing to testify against former associates in an influence-peddling case, in exchange for a reduced sentence. Abramoff is pleading guilty to conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion. Prosecutors also said he used campaign contributions, lavish trips, meals and other perks to influence lawmakers and their aides. He will recieve about 10 years in prison.

The former associates are members of Congress. Abramoff's testimony is expected to be a blow against former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who has already been indicted, and other members of Congress.

Abramoff's testimony is to be joined with the testimony of Michael Scanlon, who was a former associate of Tom DeLay, will probably not only bring down DeLay, but I'm guessing several other members of Congress.

On good thing about this is that, I believe, most of these Congressmen were Representatives, so if tthey're all indicted shortly, no special elections will have to be held. The people simply won't vote for them in 2006.

Today, well actually Wednesday, about 3 dozen politicans, including President Bush, Sen. Maj. Leader Bill Frist, & Sen. Hillary Clinton, said they are planning to donate the money they recieved from Abramoff, or Indian tribes he represented to charities. Three-forth's of those giving money back are Republicans.

Wednesday, Abramoff also pleaded guilty in a Federal Court in Miami, to conspiracy & wire fraud, which was connected to a 2000 purchase of casino cruise ships.

This just adds to a long line of politicans who are indicted or are expected to be indicted. This list is expected to grow.

Two things in this story are extremely pathetic:
1. The only time politicans donate to charities are when they recieve money in "bad faith",
2. The only thing Congressmen can agree on is taking money from Jack Abramoff.

Politics!

-Adam

You Can't Dispute The Facts...

2006-01-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, if you've been here before, you know about the Bush "quote" I posted. Yeah, I picked it up from another site (along with a slew of other people), and yeah, none of the news sites ever talked about it.

That's why I won't post anything like that again without finding secondary sources.

Now that we've got that out of the way, there's something I want you to watch. I picked this up from Bulldog Politics. Sure, the story is six months old, but it's NOT a story, per se.

When you click on the above link, in paragraph #4 (they're numbered) click the words "check this out" and listen to the audioclip. That's Larry Fernstein (spelling?), the owner of the whole WTC site on 9/11 (I believe he still owns it). In the quote, which is from a documentary that aired on PBS, he says that Building 7, the other building that came down that horrible day, was actually pulled.

Okay, I know, "How do I know it's him? There's no picture!" Well, the next part which I want you to watch, has the PBS footage of the owner saying it.

Between paragraphs 4 & 5, select the proper one for you, depending on connection speed & program of choice. This is a segment of a documentary by someone just short of a conspiracy theorist. The video is mostly about Building 7, a 47-story WTC building that fell on 9/11.

PLEASE NOTE: Even thought later on in the clip he is screaming into a microphone at Groud Zero, don't pay attention to the actions of the man on the screen. Instead, just listen to what he says, and pay CLOSE attention to the footage, especially the one where Building 7 falls.

He's got one good thing going for him...Sources. He uses audio & video footage from WNBC helicopter in NYC & an NBC News report, which aired on Nightly News.

In addition to Building 7 stuff, there are a few thing about the twin towers. Of course, you can take it or leave it, but I can't argue with the footage and audio that he supplies.

At first, you'll be going blah, blah, blah...but keep watching!

Here are a few points I want you to pay attention to:

At minute-mark:
15:00 - Hints that Towers 1 & 2 were ALSO pulled,
16:45 - Firefighters say Towers 1 & 2 look like they were pulled,
17:30 - Chief of Safety for FDNY says it appears that a secondary device went off in WTC Tower(s) an hour later, the news chopper also says this,
19:30 - Firefighters went on record saying fires were almost out about an hour after attack,
20:40 - (most compelling) FDNY firefighters release tape of deceased firefighter at sight reporting only two isolated pockets of fire, which they should be able to be put out.

So why did the Towers fall?

While it's entirely possible that this man thinks the government KNEW about 9/11, which I HIGHLY doubt, I think it's entirely possible that there were som Terrorists IN the building, and they detonated a "secondary device". No person alive today can HONESTLY tell me that what I just said is wrong. I don't totally but it myself, but there's SO much evidence.

Reguardless of wehat you think about Towers 1 & 2, the Building 7 information definatly stands out! I simply can't dismiss those facts. Just bacause it's possible that the Gov't brought down a building, doesn't mean it's a conspiracy, though. So, it's entirely possible that the Building 7 stuff is true, but the other stuff could be pure speculation!

Here's the site again: http://bulldogpolitics.blogspot.com/2005/07/911-and-five-major-coincidences.html

Take with a grain of salt, but see if you can swallow it...

I'd really like your Comments on this one!

-Adam

New Site Is Up And Running

2006-01-04T06:23:00.000-08:00

The new site is up and running...

Please direct your browser to:

http://democratviews.org/

Thanks!

-Adam

President Bush Sign Patriot Act

2005-12-30T22:40:00.000-08:00

"President Bush Friday signed legislation extending key provisions of the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act until February 3, despite earlier objecting to anything short of a permanent renewal."

"He also signed a $453.3 billion defense spending bill that included a measure banning cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners, the White House said."

"Bush had initially threatened to veto legislation that contained that provision, but backed off after congressional votes showed overwhelming support for the amendment pushed by Sen.
John McCain, an Arizona Republican who was a former prisoner of war in the Vietnam conflict."

"On the Patriot Act, Bush had strongly pushed for a permanent renewal, but Congress passed a temporary extension to allow more time to consider civil liberties protections."

"The Patriot Act was a response to the September 11 attacks and expanded the authority of the federal government to conduct secret searches, obtain private records, intercept telephone calls, among other activities, to hunt for suspected terrorists."

"The debate over whether some of the provisions infringe too much on civil liberties became more heated after the revelation that Bush authorized the National Security Agency to conduct a domestic eavesdropping operation on Americans with suspected terrorism ties without seeking court approval."

"Among the civil liberties being debated in Congress are rules for "roving" wiretaps of suspects who use multiple telephones and court orders for records for businesses, libraries, bookstores and even personal medical records."

- CNN.com

My Comments: A one month extension. It's sort of a victory for both parties. The Patriot Act wasn't held up in the Senate, which is good for Republicans; yet it was onlu renewed for one month, a victory for Democrats.

The Democrats would never approve a permanent renewal of the Patriot Act, as it is now. Now they have a month to sort out the issues, without letting it expire. We'll just have to wait and see if one month will be long enough to come to an agreement.

I can't believe that the White House was against the "no torture" bill. Come to think of it, I can't believe we NEED a bill to ban torture!

-Adam

My Apologies, I Was Wrong...

2005-12-30T05:01:00.000-08:00

Several days ago, I posted a story titled "NO President Should EVER Say This", in which I reported that President Bush, referring to the Constitution, said "it's just a goddamn piece of paper!" I have, after doing some research on the internet, determined this story to be completely false.

The story, which I picked up from the website Capitol Hill Blue , has been criticized online by Democrats and Republicans alike. The story never appeared on the news networks either, which should have been a huge tip-off!

Capitol Hill Blue's website says that each story posted must have two independent, confirmed sources. I cannot confirm or deny, however, that the rest of the stories on the site are true, but I believe that this story is false.

I give my sincere apology to anyone who was offended or misled by the story. While I'm not the original author, I still decided to post the story without finding secondary sources first. I did not intentionally mislead you, and I promise I never will.

Please accept my apologies. In the future, I will try to confirm the story through other sources before posting.

My sincere apologies. Thank you,

-Adam

2006-The Year Ahead

2005-12-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

Now, many political sites out there are doing a "2005-Year in Review".

Well, I figure if you want to know what happened in 2005, you should have watched CNN more. What I'm going to do is have a "2006-The Year Ahead".

I'm pretty sure these will be some of the Top News Stories of 2006:

1. The Iraq War will continue...And more troops will die...
2. President Bush's approval rating will drop even more
3. Journalist Bob Novak's source in the Plame story will be revealed
4. Lewis "Scooter" Libby will be found guilty and go to prison
5. Karl Rove will be also be indicted and stand trial
6. The 2006 Elections will show the distrust in the Republican Party
7. The Democrat's will pick up several seats in Congress
8. The 2006 Elections will shed light on the 2008 Election results
9. There will be another Hurricane that will hit the Southwest
10. R. Kelly will release another music-sode of "Trapped In The Closet" (It'll be #83 or something!)

Things that might happen in 2006:

1. Talks of Impeaching President Bush will continue and escalate
2. Congress MAY introduce Impeachment Legislation
3. Donald Rumsfeld may resign
4. Katie Couric may take the CBS Evening News anchor job
5. I may move this site to it's own domain (maybe)

This has been 2006-The Year Ahead. Thanks for visiting The Future!!!

-Adam

Our First National Exposure!

2005-12-27T03:33:00.000-08:00

First off, I have no idea how most of you got to my site. I'm listed on the search engines (most anyway), but what makes you type in something like "democrat views" is beyond me! Second, I don't mean to gloat, but I have tro in this case. Sorry, I don't do it often!

I found out just moments ago that the post I made about Bob Novak telling the press that the President probably knew his source, was reference to on cbsnews.com on December 15th.

The article ws talking about the same subject talk on the same issue. Go to: CBSNews.com's Public Eye. If you scroll to almost the end of the story, click on the hyperlinked words "joined the call" (the words are in blue, for those of you who aren't computer-savvy), you will be linked to the specific story here on Democrat Views!

Like I said, sorry to gloat, but I'm very excited! I'd like to thank CBS News for (somehow) picking my site. Thank you!

-Adam

NO President Should EVER Say This - PULLED

2005-12-26T21:26:00.000-08:00

THIS STORY HAS BEEN PULLED DUE TO A LACK OF CONFIRMED SOURCES.

SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE OR CONFUSION.

-Adam, administrator

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

2005-12-24T01:15:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I hope all of you have a good day tomorrow. I hope you have great food, great presents, and great family discussions!

For those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, I sincerely hope you have a Happy Holidays, no matter what religion you are.

For those of who who celebrate the Winter Solstice instead of a religious holiday, please have a good one. Wait, that arleady passed, didn't it? Well, I hope you did have a good one!

Remember to celebrate well, however you happen to celebrate this type of year!

I don't plan on posting anything till a day or two after Christmas, but knowing this country, you better check in often, because you never know what may churn up over the holiday season!

Merry Christmas! Hope it's a good one!!!

-Adam

Secretary Of Defense Announces Troop Withdrawal

2005-12-23T05:36:00.000-08:00

This is Breaking News: Bush did the RIGHT thing!

Actually, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced that President Bush has authorized a "Re-Deployment of Troops", or something like that. Basically, they're taking 7,000 troops OUT of Iraq.

There are currently over 138,000 armed forces personnel in Iraq. The withdrawal will be the first of several planned withdrawals in the coming year. This also means they won't be calling up more troops, two Army brigades that were to be called up, will no longer be needed. According to a count by CNN, this would reduce the number of combat brigades from 17 to 15.

Secretary Rumsfeld said, "The effect of these adjustments will reduce forces in Iraq by the spring of 2006 below the current high of 160,000 during the election period to below the 138,000 baseline that had existed before the most recent elections."

This means that the 20,000 troops The Pentagon sent to Iraq for the election will be coming home.

It's about time. It looks like all the "Democratic whining", or whatever the Republicans like to call it, worked, although they probably won't admit it!

But the calls for troop withdrawal by Democrats and even some Republicans have worked. There is NO doubt that our party's calls for troop withdrawal had some effect on the Bush Administration. Bush's numbers are still real low, and the only reason they raised a few points was because gas prices went down. Undoubtedly, some people use gas prices as their only measure of how a President is doing.

I'd like to see them home, but why don't they send some of the ones who are on their first tour to Afghanistan? Afghanistan isn't exactly a paradise, in fact, it sounds like it's been getting worse over there. The Bush Administration kind of went in there, chased some of the bad guys away, and never talked of it again. I don't want Bush, or God forbid a Republican wins in 2008, to send troops back to Afghanistan. That's why I think a few thousand should go over there.

Or course, Bush won't do that, so bring them home. Don't re-deploy them to Germany, or something stupid like that. Bring them home, let them have at least a year here, maybe two, before you send them to one of our many bases around the world.

But I hope that during the November 2006 Congressional Elections, you and the rest of the American people won't forget that there are STILL 130,000+ troops over there. Don't be overshadowed by the fact that only 7,000 have made it home.

Let's hope this trend continues...

-Adam
oregondemocrat@hotmail.com

GUEST POSTING - Politics Is Over-rated

2005-12-22T04:57:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: This is from a guest poster. The views may or may not reflect my views, or the views of any Political Party...

I dont know much about politics, but i think a lot of it is over-rated.

People need to realize whats best for *us*. And by us, I mean the U.S. Not about the war. Before we think about helping out other countries, we need to make sure WE as a country are stable to stand on our own. Then we can help others in need.

The system of the world totally blows. In the US, we have too many drugs. In Africa, they don't have enough. There's has to be SOME WAY a lot of the world's problems can be fixed. We can SOLVE THOSE, without establishing who is a DEMOCRAT and who is a REBUPLICAN.

Why should that matter? we're all Americans, and we are all humans. We ALL live on this planet TOGETHER. So why cant we, ALL of us, find way to improve where we live? If we dont, who will?

There's not a person in the world who wouldn't agree wth me. EVERYONE wants this in life because thats the way we make it! We keep thinking, hoping the other will change, or 'surrender', because thats the only way. Well its not. We have to meet half-way.

Everyone has to give little, not just wait to take. There will never be anything to take if you don't give!

-Molly, guest poster #1

Thanks, Molly!

Spy Court Judge Quits Over NSA Spying Story

2005-12-21T23:34:00.000-08:00

U.S. District Judge James Robertson, one of the 11 members of the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, has resigned in protest over President Bush's secret authorization of a domestic spying program.

Robertson sent a letter to Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts Monday, but in the letter, he did not give an explanation for his resignation. Two sources of the story said Robertson expressed concern with the authorization, and thought that it violated the workings of the Surveillance Court.

To read the full story, go here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10538136

My Comments: This even more-so points to the fact that what President Bush did probably wasn't legal. Like I said in the earlier post, the government should be able to weed out those specific people, without spying on everybody.

The secret FISA court was considered the only body who could authorize surveillance and spying. No, Bush has over-ridden another part of government who had authority over him. Add that to a growing list.

We'll see where this leads.

NOTE: After clicking on the above link, you can scroll down a bit, and on the right of the page, there's a "Live Vote" asking whether Bush should be impeached. I'm not touching that subject right now, because I consider myself better than the likes of Kenneth Starr, but it should be noted that 85% of the people think that he should be impeached.

Just something to think about...

-Adam
Source: MSNBC.com

President Orders NSA To Spy On Americans After 9/11 - New York Times Reports

2005-12-17T01:55:00.000-08:00

I found this on CNN. My comments will appear below the story.

"A story in The New York Times on Friday claimed that Bush secretly signed an order authorizing the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans who were communicating with individuals overseas to determine if they had terrorist ties.

"After 9/11, I told the American people I would do everything in my power to protect the country, within the law, and that's exactly how I conduct my presidency," Bush said in an interview with PBS' "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," which was scheduled to air Friday evening.

"Sources with knowledge of the program have since told CNN that Bush did sign the secret order in 2002. The sources refused to be identified because the program is classified.

"Pressed on the topic in the PBS interview, Bush said he understood people want him to confirm or deny the report, but he couldn't discuss specifics because "it would compromise our ability to protect the people," according to a transcript of the program.

"The NSA eavesdrops on billions of communications worldwide. While the NSA is barred from domestic spying, it can get warrants issued with the permission of a special court called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court.

"The court is set up specifically to issue warrants allowing wiretapping on domestic soil.

"In the New York Times report, the paper said the NSA has monitored the international telephone calls and international e-mail messages of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people inside the United States without warrants during the past three years as part of its war on terror.

"Bill Keller, the Times' executive editor, said in a statement that the newspaper postponed publication of the article for a year at the White House's request as editors pondered the national security issues surrounding the release of the information.

"I think the point that Americans really want to know is twofold. One, are we doing everything we can to protect the people? And two, are we protecting the civil liberties as we do so?" Bush said during the PBS interview. "And my answer to both is yes, we are."

My Comments: Go figure. I can understand them doing this, to a point.

Tell me, though, what does my dad's emails from Oregon to my uncle who's way outside London gonna tell us about national security? I'm assuming that most terrorists would live in bigger cities. Seriously, they could choose better who they need to watch.

The U.S. has a terror suspect list. They could, oh maybe, focus on these people. They could also check out those who recently were denied entry to the U.S. THis might be easier AND more lucriative than checking EVERYONE who communicates with those outside the U.S., especially since, I assume, they didn't find anything.

The President says he won't confirm or deny the story, due to national security.

UPDATE to Novak story: The President said he doesn't have "any idea" as to why Bob Novak said he would know who the source is. I guess we'll see who's right when the source finally comes out!

-Adam
oregondemocrat@hotmail.com
Source: CNN.com

Very Sad News - John Spencer Has Died

2005-12-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

I was watching CNN and I just saw some horrible news...

John Spencer, who plays former Chief of Staff turned V.P. Candidate Leo McGarry, has died of a heart attack at age 58.

John Spencer co-starred in the West Wing since the first season, playing the Chief of Staff of President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet, who is played by Martin Sheen.

For those who watch the show will remember that last year, Spencer's character, Leo McGarry, suffered a heart attack just after resigning his post, but then came back as a consultant, then as V.P. Candidate to Presidential Candidate Matthew Santos, played by Jimmy Smits.

Spencer's other T.V. credits include L.A. Law and Trinity, while his film credits include Presumed Innocent, The Rock, and the Negotiator.

He will be missed.

-Adam