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
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Monday, March 06, 2006
Banned Abortions & Funeral Protesters
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
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
Friday, March 03, 2006
New Poll Posted
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
Take the "Ports Deal" poll.
-Adam
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Bush Knew Wrath Of Katrina
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Outsourcing Our Ports - To The Middle East
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)
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)
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Top 10 Presidential Blunders
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
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
Sunday, February 12, 2006
CHENEY SHOOTS FELLOW HUNTER
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 --
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
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 ! ! ! ).
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 ! ! ! ).
Monday, February 06, 2006
State of the Union & Alito's First Vote & the IAEA
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
-- 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
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.
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.
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