Wednesday, November 30, 2005

An apology

Ladies and gentlemen I apologize for the error earlier. I was under the impression Bush's speech would be later in the day then it was. So for that I messed up. I was right though instead of an exit stragedy (something the administration has no idea what the term means) we got a stay the course. If nothing else he is consistant.

27 seconds

In a speech today it took BUsh just 27 seconds to say Iraq was connected to 9/11. He really thinks you people are stupid enough to believe that and for those who do just look at the 9/11 commission report to know otherwise. He really thinks you are stupid.

What I want to hear

Actually the post should be what I want to hear and what will be said. Bush is giving a speech tonight about Iraq a possible exit stragedy (I believe he is calling it a "victory" stragedy which is something he has never said before). There are four things I would like answered:

How will we chracterize the end of our soldiers presence?

When will we start to leave?

When will all our troops be home?

What will our residual involvement be?

While I won't like Bush anymore at least I will be satisfied if I can get answers to those four questions.

But we will probably get the everything is doing fine response he always gives.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

More on Christmas

From the O'Reilly Factor last night:

Every company in America should be on its knees thanking Jesus for being born. Without Christmas, most American businesses would be far less profitable. More than enough reason for business to be screaming “Merry Christmas.”

So even according to Bill O'Reilly Christmas is about the money. And nevermind on his site he has the O'Reilly Christmas store.

Monday, November 28, 2005

What will they say

I wonder with Bill O'Reilly's war on Christmas what he will say about what Laura Bush said talking about the hollidays. This is from whitehouse.gov



MRS. BUSH: Well, all things bright and beautiful is the theme this year. I think it will be really bright and beautiful with this fabulous tree. But thank you all very much. Happy holidays. I know this is the real start of the season, the Monday after Thanksgiving, and so I want to wish everybody happy holidays. And we'll see you later this week with the White House decorations.


No words about Christmas just happy hollidays. Make a bet no one from the right though will say a thing about that.

DeLay

I see where Tom DeLay is trying to get back in power. I'm really confused here I keep hearing how Republicans are supposed to be the party of morals and ethics and he is being investigated or indicted on many counts so I ask why is anyone even considering this and if he does regain power what does that state again for the party of ethics and morals?

Just some food for thought.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

My Favorite

I'd like to give a quote from Bill O'Reilly talking about the continuing "War on Christmas." Here is the quote : "Some Jewish leaders are refusing to place Merry Christmas signs on synagogues."

Now let's take a look at a few things about that statement that make it completely stupid.

First: Sysnagogues are where JEWISH PEOPLE goto worship. Not christians.

Second: If Jewish leaders have to place Merry Christmas signs in synagogues does that mean that Christian leaders have to put Happy Chanukah signs on churches?

I mean I realize what's happening he is trying to distract people from the war and it's failure and he isn't even making arguments that make any sense.

Let's be real here as I said I love Christmas and the happiness it brings in otherwise dismal times. I know it is the holliest day for the christian faith but again contrary to what O'Reilly believes you can't have it both ways and that's really the bottom line.

Friday, November 25, 2005

I was right again

Remember how I said the right-wing media would have the stupidity of insulting John Murtha's ammendment on wanting the troops to come home? Well from Ann Coulter's Column:

It is simply a fact that Democrats like Murtha are encouraging the Iraqi insurgents when they say the war is going badly and it’s time to bring the troops home…[T]hey long to see U.S. troops shot, humiliated, and driven from the field of battle. They fill the airwaves with treason…These people are not only traitors, they are gutless traitors.

Again I've said this before but these so-called people don't want a discussion on the war. They don't statements like those prove it.

Oh yeah here is one from Rush Limbaugh: Murtha is the most useful idiot at the moment. Like Cindy Shehan.

It's funny how people who don't know what war is like can critisize war heroes like Murtha, like they did with Kerry. These people disgust me to no end.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Thankful

What I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful that my niece is going to beat the cancer she has.

I'm thankful that O'Reilly,Hannity,Limbaugh, the Bush Administration, the conservative media is giving me months of material when I didn't think I could get it when I started this site.

I'm thankful for a forum where I can post my views and have others, whether they agree with me or not, post theirs.

I'm thankful for my friends, Bryan,Robert,BB,Joe,Jade,Michelle,Erika,Brian,Ken,Michael D,Jeff,Mia,Karman,James,Brittney,Zeke,Steve and everyone else who have been there for me especially now.

I'm thankful to be working. The first half of the year was especially rough for me not working so it makes me appreciate work more.

I'm thankful for my family who have supported me with the good and the bad.


Last but not least I'm thankful to everyone who comes to my site. I appreciate your support and it won't be forgotten.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving

Everyone even though it's a day early I just want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. I hope this you have a safe weekend and DO NOT drink and drive under any circumstances. You know the police will be in force this weekend as they always are. As always I want to thank you for your support of this site and again have a happy Thanksgiving.

Low Bar

I see where the Department of Homeland Security rates FEMA's response to huricane Katrina as one of it's top accomplishments in 2005. Man the bar must be set real low if that's the case.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

2nd thoughts

I think if Hilary Clinton wants to run for President in 2008 she might have lost a lot of votes by saying "we need to stay in Iraq" I know I, at least in the primary, am not going to vote for her based on that statement alone.

Just Wondering Part 2

Again just wondering when Cheney said critics of the Iraq war are "dishonest and reprehensible" and then says in a speech yesterday (here is the exact quote) ""I do not believe it is wrong to criticize the war on terror or any aspect thereof," then he says a few minutes later ""What is not legitimate, and what I will again say is dishonest and reprehensible, is the suggestion by some U.S. senators that the president . . . misled the American people on prewar intelligence." This, he said, "is revisionism of the most corrupt and shameless variety."

Here is a few things I don't understand (I know it's more but let's start with this): We are supposed to have free speech in this country last I checked we have the right to agree with people and to disagree with people yet people who are against the war like myself have been called dissenters, I've been told I'm treasonist (funny how the same people who outed a covert CIA op are calling other people that) I've been told in no uncertain terms support the President or else nevermind these people are the same who critisized President Clinton for Bosnia and Rwanda and for having cuts to directly go after Osama Bin Laden I mean if these people are the biggest hippocrites out there and the media, the so-called "liberal" media doesn't call them on it.

By the way I see O'Reilly even has been thinking about starting an "enemies list" of websites that are liberal and have the courage to attack him. I say and have sent him an email stating to start with this little site here because I will continue to speak compliment when deserved complain when deserved and promote free speech whether you agree with what I say or disagree. These people need to be stopped I'd recommend prozac to call them down but at least one of them (Limbaugh) is already a drug addict.

Just wondering

I'd like to talk about headlines I've seen over the past couple of days in newspapers I read: One day "Iraq Leaders ask for Timetable of U.S. Withdrawl" the other "Bush says he would Withdraw from Iraq if asked"

So the Iraqi leaders want a timetable and Bush says he will if asked.. Seems to me Iraqi's asked and yet I hear "we have to stay the course." Just wondering who is not listening to who here.

Monday, November 21, 2005

What is enough?

Ladies and Gentlemen a couple of weeks ago I typed out a post about "Tookie" Williams, the founder of the notorius gang (at least here in Los Angeles) the crips (spelling probably wrong but I'm not a member) who is about to be executd for 4 murders he committed. So I was watching the news today and they said that both the reverend Jessie Jackson and Bianca Jagger (daughter of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger)are going to ask for clemency for him and I just don't understand. He killed 4 people is his "gang" of thugs are responsible for hundreds if not thousands of deaths here in Los Angeles and I wonder, what is enough? Why does the person DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for 4 lives being lost and he doesn't deserve to have the same fate thrust upon him? I will be even more upset if Gov. Arnie agrees to this idiotic request.

War on Christmas

More about the religious right. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/11/20/MNGVDFRH081.DTL

So now Jerry Falwell is threatening to sue companies who recognize all hollidays instead of just Christmas. I've said this before I'm Jewish, I celebrate Chanukah and not Christmas. I know Christmas I know that Chistmas is the most holliest day of the year for the Christian faith but understand people like him and O'Reilly (who has said there is a war against Christmas) there is no war. The companies are just simply recognizing that there are other hollidays besides Christmas and there is nothing wrong with that. These people are out of control.

Sunday, November 20, 2005

I was right

So in the "debate" about Rep. Murtha's proposal to have the troops redployed and out of Iraq Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) she, who has never served, had the complete nerve to call Rep. Murtha a coward. It takes bravery to serve (more then what I have) and to be put into harms way as soldiers, past and present, are. Isn't it funny how republicans who never serve call democrats who have cowards? Like they did with Kerry, like they are doing to Hackett (running in Ohio) and like they did with Max Cleeland from Georgia? This is why I call them at best hipocrites.

rewrite

So I found this piece at thinkprogress.org . Remember Bush in his speech on Veterens Day talking about those who disagree with him are re-writing history? Check this out from Rummy:

In last Sunday’s Washington Post, Rumsfeld downplayed his role significantly:

For there comes a point when even the secretary of defense must realize that “it’s not your decision or even your recommendation,” Rumsfeld reflected with Woodward. By which he meant the Iraq war wasn’t Don Rumsfeld’s decision or recommendation.

He went even further this morning on ABC’s “This Week,” telling George Stephanopoulos that he “didn’t advocate invasion” and in fact, “wasn’t asked” about the decision.

Now here are a few notes from the history of Rummy:

Rumsfeld can’t rewrite history. The truth is, as early as 1998, he signed a letter urging President Clinton to turn his attention “to implementing a strategy for removing Saddam’s regime from power. This will require a full complement of diplomatic, political and military efforts.”

Hours after the 9/11 attacks, Rumsfeld was already urging his aides “to come up with plans for striking Iraq — even though there was no evidence linking Saddam Hussein to the attacks.” According to notes, he wanted “best info fast. Judge whether good enough hit [Saddam Hussein] at same time. Not only [Osama bin Laden].”

Indeed, a Newsweek article from September 2002 described Rumsfeld as “the most visible and certainly the most colorful frontman for attacking Iraq.”

So now Rummy is lying about his role in this. Ain't this administration great it's like the old saying one lies and the others swear by it.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Not Science

I found this story quite interesting http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051118/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_evolution

The story states representatives of the Vatican state Intelligent Design is NOT NOT NOT science. Rev. George Coyne, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory said the following: "Intelligent design isn't science even though it pretends to be," the ANSA news agency quoted Coyne as saying on the sidelines of a conference in Florence. "If you want to teach it in schools, intelligent design should be taught when religion or cultural history is taught, not science."

So the Vatican thinks Intelligent Design is not science so that would mean these people who are for it being taught in science here in the United States are just acting blindly and they are the people to be afraid of.

Friday, November 18, 2005

3

Only three people in the House of Representatives voted to support the amendment to have the troops in Iraq sent home. These are the true patriots and I hope when the people who voted against the amendments term is up this vote is remembered.

I love it

Now that the republicans have egg on thier face they want to have an investigation into Rep. John Murtha regarding ethics violations. These guys really are pathetic.

This was from rawstory.com

Bracing

After Pennsylvania Rep. Murtha's comments for a relocation for the troops home from Iraq I'm waiting for the right's response. You know what it will be. The Limbaughs, Hannity's and O'Reilly's etc. will say something of the following: They will either downplay the fact that he has two purple hearts, they will minimize what he did in the millitary, they will insult him, they will claim he is unpatriotic, they will claim any or all of that only because he is for the troops coming home for, using Bush's own words, mission accomplished. Funny how none of the above have served in the military and yet anyone who is against the war that actually has been in the military is, in their eyes, unpatriotic. Yet again the media is liberal.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

New Leak

So now Bob Woodward says Libby didn't tell HIM the source it was another "senior White House official" to me that doesn't vinticate Libby that indicates that there was more then one leaker. Which makes it more scary.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Understanding

I want to see if I understand what Dubya,Cheney and Rummy have been saying: It's Democrats fault that we believed what Dubya said about WMD's in Iraq? Is that what they are saying? I mean come on Bush might think the public is dumb but the bottom line is the war on IRaq was based on what HE said and the facts HE gave the people. The facts Dubya,Cheney,Rummy,Powell gave the people and we know now that they were lies yet it's DEMOCRATS fault? I mean come on here how stupid do they think we are? This whole mess is falling flat on their faces and they are desperate to blame anyone and everyone but themselves. IF this isn't cause for impeachment I don't know what is. I've never seen anyone in such denial in my life.

Aruba

I see where Natilee Halloway's mom wants us to boycott trips to Aruba casue they haven't done enough to find the killer/s of her daughter. Tell you what using her logic then we should boycott every state, every city that has an unsolved murder. Boy the economy would suck then wouldn't it?

As much as I hate to be blunt here Natilee Halloway's death while sad is insignificant in the world. As I said there are missing/murdered children throughout the world and she is just one. Why the media is paying so much attention to her I don't know but it is.

Why is her death more important then say soldiers dying in Iraq? I don't think it is.

Clinton Bashing

Another inacurate Bill Clinton bashing letter in the Los Angeles Daily News. You remember that last one, which inacurately blamed President Clinton for the slow response after hurricane Andrew hit Florida when he wasn't even President yet don't you? Well this one says that Bill Clinton did nothing to stop Bin Laden after the terrorists attacks on the Cole and in Africa and did nothing on the first World Trade Center attacks.

Well let's see first everyone connected with the first World Trade Center attacks last I checked is currently in jail after being arrested. Same with Oklahoma City where McViege (sorry mispelled I know) is dead and Nicholls is serving a life sentence for the crime. As far as the USS COle and the African Embassy bombings, I'm sure everyone conveniently forgets he went after Bin Laden. He was bombing in Sudan the terror base where Bin Laden was suspected to be. What did we hear from the right-wing media? We heard either one of the following:

This is a distraction
How can someone who hasn't served attack the bases?
These missiles cost $1 million dollars everytime they are shot off. What a waste of money.
And my favorite: Wag the Dog.

Funny how the right forgets about this.

O'Reilly

Maybe someone can answer this but regarding the comments Bill O'Reilly made the other day about allowing Al Queda to attack San Francisco isn't that making a terrorist threat? Shouldn't he be investigated for that??

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Bravo

http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2005-11-15a.asp

Bravo to the senate for killing the famed bridge to nowhere in Alaska. That's money that will be better spent elsewhere.

A prayer please

Ladies and gentlemen I try not to ask for much from you. As always your support for my site is appreciated. Ladies and gentlemen I ask for one thing from you today. I just found out my 9 year old niece has lymphoma (sorry if it's not spelled right). My niece has never done anything to anyone and she is way to young to have something so serious. Please ladies and gentlemen I ask for one thing: A prayer for her. She is going to need the support of anyone and everyone so please just give me that one thing. If I don't post as much I hope you understand my thoughts are with my niece Megan right now. Thank you very much.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Running away

I see where both Bush and our Gov Arnie are taking trips to Asia this week. I wonder if they are taking these trips to run away from their problems at home with Arnie losing the special election and Bush's popularity shrinking these trips might be necessary for them.

Your Tax Dollars at Work?

Ladies and gentlemen I want to tell you about something that happened to me Saturday Night. I was at one of the most amazing concerts I have seen which was I was at the Paul McCartney concert in Anaheim at the Arrowhead Pond. The reason why I'm brining it up is something fascinating happened at the show. Two songs were beamed up to the International Space Station and the astronauts that are currently up there and while again that was cool I just wonder who paid for that? You know how am not for the wild spending spree that is currently going on in Washington D.C. so was that our tax dollars at work? Just curious.

Another Battle

Hot on the heels of the special election waste of money that we just had there is going to be on our June ballot anti-gay initiatives including one that will amend our state constitution to recognize marriage as between a man and a women.

If everyone in California thought the ads in the last election were nasty wait til these come up. It won't be pretty.

Rich getting Richer

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Oil_firms_see_tax_rates_fall_1114.html


Not only are oil companies making record profits due to them gauging America but thanks to those idiots in congress they pay less taxes then most corporations. Most of the time the oil companies pay %35 for taxes but one and four pay their taxes at a lower rate.


Talk about the rich getting richer. Sad.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

A few numbers

I'd like to throw out some numbers about last weeks special election just so you know. This is neutral from today's current section of the LA Times.

$54 million is what the election cost.
$100 million is the amount unions spent to beat Gov. Arnie's initiatives
65,000 union nurses whose keisters Arnie failed to kick, per his promise
37% students who failed the California high schoo math exit exam last year
3,321,416 test prep books for the math exit exam that $54 million would buy
$30 million was the salary ARnie got for Terminator 3
$25 million the amount of his money Arnie has spent on pollitics since 2003

Thought you would like to know.

Stunning

I might stun you all but I think Bill O'Reilly, to a point anyway, for the first time has a valid point(again to a degree) in his column in today's Los Angeles Daily News. He's talking today about how the country is swinging left after Tuesday's election. I still say wait to next years congress and senate elections to make sure but I disagree with two of the three reasons he states.

First I disagree with him. He states the public doesn't understand the importance of Iraq and why the sacrafice is necessary. While I agree to the last sentence the president hasn't been able to spell it out what he fails to understand is we were lied to about going into Iraq and we see soldiers dying everyday based on that lie. That's why American's are against the war.

His second point I agree completely. He sates people are pissed off cause of high gas prices. The president who has influence over the oil companies (anyone who denies that is not seeing straight) and the oil companies are making record profits. Not like I'm against anyone making money but they are making money at the suffering of others and the president has sat on his hands and done nothing. The head of the oil companies when they testified before the senate did not even have to be sweared in so they lied to the senate. That is going to hurt come election time.

His last point I disagree with. He blames the negative media. Funny I remember when Bill Clinton was president the NEWS media hardly showed any of his daily speeches yet they are showing every speech Bush makes. I've never seen a president get such favorable press from the media as Bush does so the media is a big Bush supporter and to deny that you again need to look at reality cause these are facts.

Saturday, November 12, 2005

One More Thing

I didn't know until today that the Times also fired conservative cartonist Michael Ramirez. While I didn't agree with him on a lot of what he said I did find him quite funny. He also will be missed.

New La Time

To continue with my last post about the new Los Angeles Times Editorial Board I'd like to, courtesy of thinkprogress.org like to make a few quotes on the new editor named Jonah Goldberg:

On McCarthy’s wisdom:

What makes McCarthyism so hard to discuss is that McCarthy behaved like a jerk, but he was also right.

Banning books:

Now, I’m not in favor of pulling Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn from libraries, but let’s at least give a small nod to the fact that some material actually can be banned from libraries without the sky falling.

A message to Katrina victims:

ATTN: SUPERDOME RESIDENTS – I think it’s time to face facts. That place is going to be a Mad Max/thunderdome Waterworld/Lord of the Flies horror show within the next few hours. My advice is to prepare yourself now. Hoard weapons, grow gills and learn to communicate with serpents. While you’re working on that, find the biggest guy you can and when he’s not expecting it beat him senseless. Gather young fighters around you and tell the womenfolk you will feed and protect any female who agrees to participate without question in your plans to repopulate the earth with a race of gilled-supermen.

More:

In praise of “The Bell Curve”:

[Charles Murray crunches] the numbers with the sort of élan and sophistication we’ve come to expect from the author of “Losing Ground” and coauthor of “The Bell Curve.”

Anti-sodomy laws:

Santorum is probably right that anti-sodomy laws are constitutional.

Nazi appreciation for anti-war activism:

GOOD FOR CINDY [SHEEHAN]! She’s rallied the Nazis to her cause (obviously unintentionally, but it’s interesting how her message resonates in such quarters nonetheless).

And, of course, Goldberg’s explanation for why he can’t be troubled with serving in Iraq:

As for why my sorry a** isn’t in the kill zone, lots of people think this is a searingly pertinent question. No answer I could give — I’m 35 years old, my family couldn’t afford the lost income, I have a baby daughter, my a** is, er, sorry, are a few — ever seem to suffice.

Oh yeah the Times is liberal. This guy is for banning books, he calls anti-war people nazi's...great person.

Liberal LA Times

SO the so-called "Liberal" LA Times is getting rid of their main liberal op-ed writer Robert Scheer. Who they are replacing him with I'm not sure but yeah the times is a real "liberal" paper. Please note sarcasm on the liberal part.

One more thing about the speech

I just heard a portion of Bush's speech today and here is the quote: "Other people shouldn't rewrite history on the attack on 9/11" Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever heard I mean how many times has he changed it? Again more proof how disgusting he is.

Friday, November 11, 2005

Veterens Day

I watched Bush's speech for Veterens Day and I know one thing he hasn't mentioned: Every year he,congress,and the senate cut their benefits year after year and how they cut the salary for reinlistments. I bet he didn't mention that did he?

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Liberal Newspapers

After the major defeat of Arnie's propositions on Tuesday I opened up two newspapers I read in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily News (supposedly liberal newspapers) and found the following in the op-ed pieces and letters today:

First op-ed pieces in the L.A. TImes here are the headlines: "How the Liars won" The piece is about how the people against the props lied (nevermind it went both ways) and another op-ed headlined "What doesn Arnold do now?" And he is indicating in the opinion piece that Arnie is going to raise taxes as a result of this.

In the Daily News, here is some of the quotes from letter writers(mind you nothing positive was printed) "Major issues promoted by Arnold as "needed for reform" Was it the limited turnout or that they wbelieved the "misinformation" of special interests (I assume he means unions, not business) and since we voted the measures down we will send the state to bankruptcy."

Another letter states the left ran a campaign of mispresentation which is not true if the left did so did the right..

Another states she is leaving California cause taxes are going to go up.

Again liberal newspapers my (BEEP)

How's he gonna spin this?

From the Bill O'Reilly radio factor on November 8th..

O'REILLY: Hey, you know, if you want to ban military recruiting, fine, but I'm not going to give you another nickel of federal money. You know, if I'm the president of the United States, I walk right into Union Square, I set up my little presidential podium, and I say, "Listen, citizens of San Francisco, if you vote against military recruiting, you're not going to get another nickel in federal funds. Fine. You want to be your own country? Go right ahead."

And if Al Qaeda comes in here and blows you up, we're not going to do anything about it. We're going to say, look, every other place in America is off limits to you, except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead.

The 210-foot Coit Tower was dedicated in 1933 and contains a museum and murals that depict working life in 1930s California.


So he states "if San Francisco votes against military recruiting not only will your federal funds be banned but we(I assume by we he means the right-wing government or does he mean the right-wing media it's hard to tell by him) are going to "let" al-queda come in and attack the city and "blow up" the beautiful Coit Tower. This from a man who has never served himself this from a man who supports people who never served. And you wonder why so many now hate us. And yes for the record I never served but I'm not going on the record saying you better serve as he is or if you ban recruiters you will be attacked.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

How's the war going?

How's the war on terror going? Another terror attack this time in Jordan where at least 18 dead and 100 injured. Nice job W.

Fallout

I guess the burning question with the results yesterday of the election is, for democrats anyway, is this a sign of things to come? Can democrats use any momentum from yesterday in next years house and senate elections. I guess time will tell but it was a good sign especially in Virginia where Bush killed the republican candidate there with his last minute appearence.

Church and State

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-
allsaints7nov07,0,6769876.story?coll=la-home-headlines


So the IRS sends a letter to a church here in Pasadena, California threatening to end their tax-emempt status for the sole reason Rev. George F. Regas gave an anti-war sermon two days before the 2004 election.

I mean this is rediculous beyond belief. I wonder if the IRS did the same for Jerry Falwell,James Dobson,Pat Robertson and the archbishop for every Catholic Church who declared John Kerry persona non grata for his pro-choice stand on abortion?? I bet they didn't.

This is an abuse of power.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Looking good

Looks like in California we are giving a big FU to Arnie and his "reforms" that only benefited big business and kills unions. Good job California we won't stand for wastes of times like this election.

so far

So far good news on the election tonight as democrats won the New Jersey and Virginia governor's races. More to come on the balot measures here in Ca. as well as other issues in the country.

Election day fun

I just thought we'd have some fun here on election day with some of the more odd state laws.

http://www.members.tripod.com/~the_country/laws.html

Alabama

In Jasper, it is illegal for a husband to beat his wife with a stick larger in diameter than his thumb.
It is illegal to play Dominos on Sunday.
It is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church.
Putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death.

Alaska

In Fairbanks, it is illegal to feed alcoholic beverages to a moose.
While it is legal to shoot bears, waking sleeping bears for the purpose of taking a photograph is prohibited.

Arizona

In Tucson, it is illegal for women to wear pants.
In Globe, it is illegal to play cards in the street with a Native American.
In Glendale, it is illegal to drive a car in reverse.
In Nogales, it is illegal to wear suspenders.

Arkansas

A man can legally beat his wife, but not more than once a month.
In Fayetteville, it is illegal to kill "any living creature."
Schoolteachers who bob their hair may forfeit their pay raises.
Flirtation between men and women on the streets of Little Rock may result in a 30-day jail term.

California

In Los Angeles, a man may legally beat his wife with a leather strap, as long as it is less than two inches wide, or she
gives him permission to use a wider strap.
It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.
In Pacific Grove, "molesting" butterflies can result in a $500 fine.
In Pasadena, it is illegal for a secretary to be alone in a room with her boss.
It is illegal to set a mousetrap without a hunting license.
In Long Beach, it is illegal to curse on a mini-golf course.
In San Francisco, it is illegal to wipe one's car with used underwear.
It is illegal to cry on the witness stand in Los Angeles courts.

Colorado

In Durango, it is illegal to go out in public dressed in clothing "unbecoming" one's sex.
In Logan County, it is illegal for a man to kiss a woman while she is asleep.
In Pueblo, it is illegal to let a dandelion grow within city limits.

Connecticut

In Hartford, it is illegal to educate a dog.
It is illegal to dispose of used razor blades.
In New Britain, the speed limit for fire trucks is 25 m.p.h., even when going to a fire.
In Hartford, it is illegal for a man to kiss his wife on Sunday.

Delaware

In Lewes, it is illegal to wear pants that are "form-fitting" around the waist.
Getting married on a dare is grounds for an annulment.
It is illegal to fly over any body of water, unless one is carrying sufficient supplies of food and drink.

Florida

In Miami, it is illegal for a man to wear any kind of strapless gown.
Unmarried women who parachute on Sundays may be jailed.
In Sarasota, it is illegal to sing while wearing a bathing suit.

Georgia

All males in the state between the ages of 16 and 50 are required to work on public roads.
In Columbus, it is illegal to sit on one's porch in an indecent position.
In Quitman, it is illegal for a chicken to cross a road.
It is illegal to change the clothes on a storefront mannequin unless the shades are down.

Hawaii

It is illegal to appear in public wearing only swimming trunks.
It is illegal to own a mongoose without a permit.

Idaho

In Pocatello, "the carrying of concealed weapons is forbidden, unless same are exhibited to public view."
Also in Pocatello, "It is prohibited for pedestrians and motorists to display frowns, grimaces, scowls, threatening and
glowering looks, gloomy and depressed facial appearances, generally all of which reflect unfavorably upon the city's
reputation."
Boxes of candy given as romantic gifts must weigh more than 50 pounds.

Illinois

In Chicago, people who are diseased, maimed, mutilated, or deformed to the point of being "an unsightly or disgusting
object" are banned from going out in public.
In Chicago, it is illegal to fish in one's pajamas.
In Chicago, it is illegal to take a French poodle to the opera.
According to state law, it is illegal to speak English. The officially recognized language is "American."
In Guernee, it is illegal for women weighing more than 200 pounds to ride horses in shorts.
In Joliet, it is illegal to mispronounce the name Joliet.

Indiana

Monkeys are forbidden to smoke cigarettes in South Bend.
In Gary, it is illegal to attend the theater within four hours of eating garlic.
The Stepford Wives is banned in Warsaw.

Iowa

State law forbids any establishment from charging admission to see a one-armed piano player.
In Fort Madison, firemen are required to practice for 15 minutes before attending a fire.

Kansas

It is illegal for restaurants to sell cherry pie a la mode on Sundays.
In Wichita, a man's mistreatment of his mother-in-law may not be used as grounds for divorce.
In Wichita, it is illegal to carry a concealed bean snapper.
In Lang, it is illegal to ride a mule down Main Street in August, unless the animal is wearing a straw hat.
In Natoma, it is illegal to throw a knife at anyone wearing a striped shirt.

Kentucky

It is illegal for a woman to appear in a bathing suit on a highway unless she is: escorted by at least two police officers;
armed with a club; or lighter than 90 pounds or heavier than 200 pounds. The ordinance also specifically exempts
female horses from such restrictions.
State law stipulates that a person is considered sober until he or she "cannot hold onto the ground."
It is illegal to remarry the same man four times.

Louisiana

In New Orleans, fire trucks are required by law to stop at all red lights.
It is considered "simple assault" to bite someone in New Orleans; it is "aggravated assault" if the biter has false teeth.
It is against the law to gargle in public.

Maine

In Portland, it is illegal for men to tickle women under the chin with feather dusters.
The most money one can legally win gambling is three dollars.
In Rumford, it is illegal for a tenant to bite his/her landlord.
In Waterville, it is illegal to blow one's nose in public.

Maryland

In Baltimore, it is illegal to wash or scrub sinks, no matter how dirty they get.
Every person who has bowled since 1833 may be fined $2 for each offense.
In Halethorpe, it is illegal to kiss for more than one second.
It's illegal to mistreat oysters.
It's illegal to play Randy Newman's "Short People" on the radio.

Massachusetts

In Salem, even married couples are forbidden from sleeping in the nude in rented rooms.
It is illegal to wear a goatee without a license.
North Andover prohibits its citizens from carrying "space guns."
State legislation forbids dueling with water pistols.
In Boston, it is illegal to take a bath unless one has been ordered by a physician to do so.
In 1659, the state outlawed Christmas.

Michigan

In Clawson, it is legal for a farmer to "sleep with his pigs, cows, horses, goats, and chickens."
A state law stipulates that a woman's hair legally belongs to her husband.
In Detroit, it is illegal to make love in a car unless it is parked on your property.
In Detroit, it is illegal to "ogle" a woman from a moving car.
In Port Huron, the speed limit for ambulances in 20 m.p.h.
Under state law, dentists are officially classified as "mechanics."

Minnesota

Women may face up to 30 days in jail if they impersonate Santa Claus.
In Minneapolis, double-parkers can be put on a chain gang.
Every man in Brainerd is required by law to grow a beard.
It's illegal to tease skunks.

Mississippi

It is still legal to kill one's "servant."
In Truro, a would-be groom must "prove himself manly" prior to marriage by hunting and killing either six blackbirds or
three crows.

Missouri

In Saco, women are forbidden from wearing hats that "might frighten timid persons, children or animals."
In St. Louis, it is illegal for an on-duty firefighter to rescue a woman wearing a nightgown; in order to be rescued, a
woman must be fully dressed.
While children may purchase shotguns in Kansas City, they are not allowed to buy toy cap guns.
Missouri considers drunkenness an "inalienable right."

Montana

It is a felony for a wife to open her husband's mail.
It is a misdemeanor to show movies that depict acts of felonious crime.
In Whitehall, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with ice picks attached to the wheels.

Nebraska

It is illegal for a mother to give her daughter a perm without a state license.
In Waterloo, barbers are forbidden from eating onions between 7am and 7pm.
In Omaha, barbers are forbidden from shaving their customers' chests.
If a child burps during a church service in Omaha, his or her parents may be arrested.
It is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup.

Nevada

In Nyala, a man is forbidden from buying drinks for more than three people other than himself at any one period during
the day.
It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.
In Eureka, men who wear moustaches are forbidden from kissing women.
Everyone walking on the streets of Elko is required to wear a mask.

New Hampshire

It is illegal to sell the clothes one is wearing to pay off a gambling debt.
It is illegal to check into a hotel under an assumed name.

New Jersey

It is against the law to "frown" at a police officer.
In Newark, it is illegal to sell ice cream after 6pm, unless the customer has a note from his doctor.
It is illegal to slurp soup.
In Trenton, it is illegal to throw a bad pickle in the street.

New Mexico

In Raton, it is illegal for a woman to ride horseback down a public street with a kimono on.
The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary is banned in Carlsbad.
State officials ordered 400 words of "sexually explicit material" to be cut from Romeo and Juliet.

New York

In New York City, it is illegal for a woman to be on the street wearing "body hugging clothing."
In New York City, it is illegal for a man to turn around and look "at a woman in that way," and violators are forced to
wear horse blinders.
In Staten Island, it is illegal for a father to call his son a "faggot" or "queer" in an effort to curb "girlie behavior."
In New York City, "It is disorderly conduct for one man to greet another on the street by placing the end of his thumb
against the tip of his nose, at the same time extending and wiggling the fingers of his hand."

North Carolina

In Charlotte, women must have their bodies covered by at least 16 yards of cloth at all times.
In Ashville, it is illegal to sneeze on city streets.
Ironically, Hornytown has banned all massage parlors.
State law mandates that all couples staying in rooms for one night must be kept in room with double beds, kept a
minimum of two feet apart, and making love on the floor between the beds is strictly forbidden.
It is illegal to have sex in a churchyard.

North Dakota

In Fargo, one may be jailed for wearing a hat while dancing, or even for wearing a hat to a function where dancing is
taking place.
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.
It is illegal to serve beer and pretzels at the same time in any bar, club, or restaurant.

Ohio

In Cleveland, women are forbidden from wearing patent leather shoes, lest men see reflections of their underwear.
In Columbus, it is illegal for stores to sell cornflakes on Sunday.
In Oxford, it is illegal for a women to disrobe in front of a man's picture.
In Youngstown, it is illegal to run out of gas.
Catch 22 is banned in Strongville.

Oklahoma

People who make "ugly faces" at dogs may be fined and/or jailed.
In Schulter, it is illegal for a woman to gamble in the nude, in lingerie, or while wearing a towel.

Oregon

One may not bathe without wearing "suitable clothing," i.e., that which covers one's body from neck to knee.
The town of Hood River prohibits the act of juggling without a license.
Salem has barred women's wrestling.
In Marion, ministers are forbidden from eating garlic or onions before delivering a sermon.

Pennsylvania

"Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket
or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass. If the horses appear skittish, the motorist must take
his car apart, piece by piece, and hide it under the nearest bushes."
In Morrisville, women need a permit to wear cosmetics.
Ministers are forbidden from performing marriages when either the bride or groom is drunk.

Rhode Island

In Providence, it is illegal to sell toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday.
It is illegal to throw pickle juice on a trolley.
In Newport, it is illegal to smoke a pipe after sunset.

South Carolina

Every citizen is obliged to carry his gun to church.
No horses are allowed into Fountain Inn unless they are wearing pants.
In Charleston, all carriage horses must wear diapers.

South Dakota

It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep in a cheese factory.
Movies that show police officers being struck, beaten, or treated in an offensive manner are forbidden.

Tennessee

It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.
In Dyersburg, it is illegal for a woman to call a man for a date.
In Memphis restaurants, it is illegal to give any pie to fellow diners. It is also illegal to take unfinished pie home. All
pie must be eaten on the premises.
Also in Memphis, it is illegal for a woman to drive by herself; "a man must walk or run in front of the vehicle, waving a
red flag in order to warn approaching pedestrians and motorists."

Texas

The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home.
A recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and
to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.
In El Paso, churches, hotels, halls of assembly, stores, markets, banking rooms, railroad depots, and saloons are
required to provide spittoons "of a kind and number to efficiently contain expectorations into them."
It is illegal to milk another person's cow.
In Houston, it is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday.
In LeFors, it is illegal to take more than three swallows of beer while standing.
In San Antonio, it is illegal for both sexes to flirt or respond to flirtation using the eyes and/or hands.
In Mesquite, it is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts.

Utah

Birds have the right of way on all highways.
A husband is responsible for every criminal act committed by his wife while she is in his presence.
In Monroe, daylight must be visible between partners on a dance floor.

Vermont

Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.
It is illegal to deny the existence of God.
It is illegal to whistle underwater.

Virginia

In Richmond, it is illegal to flip a coin in any eating establishment to determine who buys a cup of coffee.
In Norfolk, a man may face 60 days in jail for patting a woman's derriere.
There is a state law prohibiting "corrupt practices of bribery by any person other than candidates."
In Lebanon, it is illegal to kick your wife out of bed.

Washington

In Seattle, women who sit on men's laps on buses or trains without placing a pillow between them face an automatic
six-month jail term.
In Auburn, men who deflower virgins, regardless of age or marital status, may face up to five years in jail.
Seattle residents may not carry concealed weapons longer than six feet.
It is illegal to pretend that one's parents are rich.

West Virginia

In Nicholas County, no clergy members may tell jokes or humorous stories from the pulpit during church services.
Doctors and dentists may not place a woman under anesthesia unless a third person is present.
It is illegal to snooze on a train.

Wisconsin

In St. Croix, women are not allowed to wear anything red in public.
It is illegal to cut a woman's hair.
It is illegal to kiss on a train.
Cheese making requires a cheese maker's license; Limburger cheese making requires a master cheese maker's license.

Wyoming

It is illegal to wear a hat that obstructs peoples' view in a public theater or place of amusement.
It is illegal for women to stand within five feet of a bar while drinking.

A Serious Claim

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4417024.stm

Charges have been brought out from an Italian documentary that the United States used chemical weapons in Iraq in the attack on Falluja, the same thing they charged Saddam Hussein with. Now I haven't had the chance to see the documentary yet (it is availible on the internet) but if, and I am only saying if, any part of that is true that makes Bush, who said we do not torture the same day 5 soldiers were charged with torture, if any of that is true that makes Bush,Rummy,Cheney,Powell, everyone (including democrats if any knew this was going on) eligible to be put on trial and charged with crimes against humanity.

Who said it

"The sad certanty of Jews going to hell for not accepting Jesus"

Who said that quote: Pat Roberton,Ryan Church,George Bush (answer at the end of the post)

It's amazing in today's day and age that people still think exactly like that. As far as race relations have come it's amazing on how far we have to go. The person who said that probably think like Mel Gibson that the hollocost never happened and christianity is the only true religion in the world. THere is NO PLACE in the world for people like that I with anyone who thinks that goes straight to hell where they deserve to be.

The answer was Ryan Church, Washington Nationals outfielder.

Monday, November 07, 2005

Tomorrow

While I realize it's not a huge election year. We have our propositions going and there are two governor's races in New Jersey and I believe Virginia remember tomorrow to vote. I'm not going to tell anyone how they should vote or even tell how I am going to vote that is each of their own business but just vote.

Another Tragedy

It seems I writing that too many times but here we go again. Yesterday at about 2 am central time a tornado hit Kentucky and Indiana killing (last I heard) 21 people. Evansville, Indiana was among the hardest hit.

Just another tragedy in what's been a very sad year in the world.

Religion and Music

http://www.bloggingbaby.com/entry/1234000760063731

I heard this on CBS news yesterday and wanted to talk about this. Everyone knows the late 70's or so hit from Charlie Daniels "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" or at least I assume people know of the song.

So what happened is the C.D. Hylton High School marching band of Woodbridge, Virginia is scheduled to preform at the Peach Bowl in Georgia and were going to play that song however once that was found out the religious nuts flew into an outrage and for the only reason of that song containing the word devil in it. I wonder where the ACLU is?

Ladies and gentlemen this is why I bash religion. The song is about a battle between a devil and a fiddle player and the fiddle player wins. To ban a band from playing this is rediculous and stupid. What happened to freedom of speech huh?

Sunday, November 06, 2005

You wonder

In Bill O'Reilly's column he wonders why liberals are upset at Bush's supreme court pick Arlito. Here is why (courtesy of townhall.com)



Alito Embarrassed Government by Failing to Obtain Crucial Mafia Conviction

U.S. Attorney Alito Failed to Obtain Conviction of 20 Mobsters, Saying “You Can’t Win Them All.” Federal law enforcement agencies sustained a major rebuff in their anti-mafia campaign with the August 1988 acquittal of all 20 defendants accused of making up the entire membership of the Lucchese family in the New Jersey suburbs of New York. The verdict ended what was believed to be the nation’s longest federal criminal trial and according to the Chicago Tribune, dealt the government a “stunning defeat.” Samuel Alito, the US Attorney on the case, said, “Obviously we are disappointed but you realize you can’t win them all.” Alito also said he had no regrets about the prosecution but in the future would try to keep cases “as short and simple as possible.” Alito continued, “I certainly don’t feel embarrassed and I don’t think we should feel embarrassed.” [Guardian, 8/29/88; Chicago Tribune, 8/27/88; UPI, 8/26/88]



Alito Held that “States Rights” Trumps Family and Medical Leave Act and Gun Safety Laws

Alito Wrote Opinion Holding that Certain Provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act Was Overridden by State Law. Alito has sought to go even further than the current Supreme Court majority in several cases in restricting Congress’ authority to protect Americans in the name of federalism and “states’ rights.” In Chittester v. Department of Community and Economic Development, he wrote an opinion holding that the 11th Amendment precluded state employees from suing for damages to enforce their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, a decision that was effectively reversed at least as to family leave by a 6-3 Supreme Court majority in Nevada Department of Human Resources v. Hibbs in 2003. [Chittester v. Department of Community and Economic Development, 226 F.3d 223 (3d Cir. 2000)]

Alito Dissented from Decision Upholding Conviction Under Federal Gun Laws; Argued that Congress Had No Right to Enact the Law. Alito also dissented from a decision upholding a conviction under the federal law prohibiting the transfer or possession of machine guns, claiming that there was not sufficient evidence in the record to show that Congress had the power under the Commerce Clause to enact the law. [See United States v. Rybar, 103 F.3d 273 (3d Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 807 (1997)]



Alito Has Record of Hostility to Immigrants

Alito Authored Opinion Allowing Peremptory Challenges for Bilingual Jurors. According to the New Jersey Law Journal, “Excluding all Spanish speakers from a jury does not constitute bias if Spanish testimony at the trial will be translated into English, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. The court’s pro-prosecution ruling, in Pemberthy v. Beyer” reversed the district court’s ruling that Latinos were systematically excluded from the state jury in the defendant’s drug-distribution conspiracy trial—which would violate strictures against peremptory challenges based on race or ethnicity. “The prosecution argued that the challenges were not against Hispanics but against five Spanish speakers… The three-judge appeals panel agreed with the prosecutor. In the March 16 opinion, Judge Samuel Alito wrote that the equal protection clause does not prohibit a trial attorney from making such peremptory challenges.” [New Jersey Law Journal, 4/4/94; Pemberthy v. Beyer, 19 F.3d 857 (1994)]

Alito Ignored Immigrant’s Claim that He Was Persecuted in Home Nation. Alito has dissented in a number of other immigrant rights cases, leading to significant criticism by his judicial colleagues. For example, in Dia v. Ashcroft, Alito dissented from a ruling that an immigration judge should reconsider an immigrant’s claim that he would be persecuted if returned to his home country; the majority specifically noted that Alito’s dissent would effectively eliminate the requirement of substantial evidence in such cases in a way that “guts the statutory standard” and “ignores our precedent.” [Dia v. Ashcroft, 353 F.3d 228 (3d Cir. 2003)]

Alito Supported Harsh Penalties Against Immigrants. In Ki Se Lee v. Ashcroft, Alito argued in dissent that an immigrant’s filing of a false tax return should be considered an aggravated felony requiring removal, which the majority explained was simply “speculation” and contradicted “well-recognized rules of statutory construction.” [Ki Se Lee v. Ashcroft, 368 F.3d 218 (3d Cir.2004)]

This last one might be the only thing so far I agree with him on.

Alito Tried to Imposed Impossible burden on Victims of Employment Discrimination Based on Race. Alito has dissented in several cases where the Third Circuit found in favor of people claiming they had been discriminated against on the basis of race in employment. In one case, the majority explained that Alito would have imposed an almost impossible burden on victims of employment discrimination by “immuniz[ing] an employer from the reach of Title VII if the employer’s belief that it had selected the ‘best’ candidate was the result of conscious racial bias.” [Bray v. Marriott Hotels, 110 F.3d 986, 993 (3d Cir. 1997). See also Glass v. Philadelphia Electric Co., 34 F.3d 188 (3d Cir. 1994)]

Alito’s Dissents Show that He Would Make it More Difficult for Victims of Gender and Disability Discrimination to Prove Their Case. In Nathanson v.Medical College of Pennsylvania, the majority explained that under Alito’s restrictive standard for proving discrimination based on disability under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, “few if any Rehabilitation Act cases would survive summary judgment.” [Nathanson v.Medical College of Pennsylvania, 926 F.2d 1368, 1387 (3d Cir. 1991); See also Sheridan v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co., 100 F.3d 1061 (3d Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 521 U.S. 1129 (1997) (decision concerning standard of proof in gender discrimination case)]


Several First Amendment Opinions Show that Alito Values Neither the First Amendment Nor Court Precedents Protecting First Amendment Protections. In Rappa v. New Castle County, Alito concurred in a decision concerning a First Amendment challenge to the placement of election signs by political candidates that essentially disregarded a Supreme Court decision on the issue. As the dissent explained, “nothing in the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court, or in ours, suggests that a three-judge panel of a court of appeals is free to substitute its own judgment for that of a four-Justice plurality opinion, let alone that of the entire Court.” An Alito opinion upholding a city-sponsored holiday display as constitutional was similarly criticized by the dissent as failing to give sufficient weight to an earlier court of appeals decision in the same case that had ruled that a similar display “was unconstitutional because it had the effect of communicating an endorsement of particular religions.” [Rappa v. New Castle County, 18 F.3d 1042 (3d Cir. 1994); ACLU-NJ v. Schundler, 168 F.3d 92, 109 (3d Cir. 1999) (Nygaard, J., dissenting)]

Alito Supported Police Officer’s Clear Violation of Constitutional Rights. And in Doe v. Groody, he dissented from a ruling that police officers had violated clearly established constitutional rights when they strip searched a mother and her ten-year-old daughter while carrying out a search warrant that authorized only the search of a man and his home. [Doe v. Groody, 361 F.3d 232 (3d Cir. 2004)]

Alito Has Record of Hostility to Reproductive Rights

Alito Would Require Women to Notify Husbands Before Exercising Her Reproductive Rights. Alito wrote a troubling opinion concerning reproductive rights in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey. The Third Circuit in Casey upheld a number of the provisions in the restrictive abortion law enacted by Pennsylvania in the late 1980’s, in an opinion that questioned Roe v. Wade. But the Third Circuit struck down the law’s requirement that women notify their spouses before having an abortion. Alito dissented because he would have gone even further than the rest of the court and would have upheld the spousal notification requirement. He claimed that there was no showing that there would be an undue burden on women from this mandate. [Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 947 F.3d 682 (3d Cir. 1991) , aff’d in part, rev’d in part 505 U.S. 833 (1992); Washington Times, 10/29/91]

Ø Rehnquist, Scalia, and Thomas Agreed with Scalito, and Would Have Overturned Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court in Casey refused to accept Alito’s view, except for the dissenters (Rehnquist, Scalia, and Thomas) who voted to overturn Roe. [Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 947 F.3d 682 (3d Cir. 1991) , aff’d in part, rev’d in part 505 U.S. 833 (1992)]

Alito Has Been Forced by Supreme Court Precedent to Maintain Abortion Rights—But Refuses to Endorse Court’s Reasoning. Alito concurred but refused to join the majority opinion in Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey v. Farmer, which struck down New Jersey’s so-called “partial birth” abortion law. Alito emphasized that the case was squarely controlled by the Supreme Court’s decision in Stenberg v. Carhart, but he carefully avoided endorsing its legal reasoning. [Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey v. Farmer, 220 F.3d 127 (3rd Cir. 2000)]

Alito Ruled Against Investors
Alito Ruled That Investors That Bought Junk Bonds In Donald Trump’s Defunct Casino Were Not Eligible For Compensation. The 3rd Circuit Court dismissed ten consolidated lawsuits filed by investors who bought $675 million in junk bonds from Donald Trump’s Taj Mahal Casino. The investors felt that they were misled by about the amount of debt the Casino had accumulated and the risk inherent in the investment. [Pennsylvania Law Journal, 10/25/93]

And O'Reilly wonders why we are pissed off at the pick. He actually claims (dispite this proof) he is not an activist judge(will someone please give me the republican definition of an activist judge cause he sounds like one and I've always said wasn't it activist judges who gave Bush the election to begin with.) Just wish once in awhile these people (republican controlled media) would see reality.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Shhhh it's a secret

With news coming out of secret prisons run by the CIA in Russia and all over the world isn't it funny how the United States gets up in arms when they hear about other countries commiting the same acts as we are?

Between this and the denial of United Nations Human Rights workers for seeing the prisoners in Cuba is there any wonder why we are the most hated nation in the world? This administration is the most corrupt to say the least.

Friday, November 04, 2005

Fair and Balanced

That's what FoxNews likes to call themselves but http://freedemocracy.blogspot.com/2005/11/fox-news-pays-tom-delay.html

why did they pay for travel for Tom DeLay to Texas for his hearing? For a company that is supposed to be impartial that sure shows they are not but then again smart people knew that already.

A Challenge

As the arrival of Bush in South America is sparking riots I have this challenge: I gave the negatives that Bush has done since the re-election I want a positive and don't say there wasn't a terrorist attack cause we are constantly reminded by him and the administation that one can happen anytime.

What a year it's been

Since it's been a little over a year since Bush took the 2004 election courtesy of thinkprogress.org I'd like to review

2004

November 3: Bush Pledges To Reach Out the Whole Nation In Second Term. Bush: “So today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent: To make this nation stronger and better I will need your support, and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation.”

November 8: Federal Judge Rules Bush Overstepped Constitutional Grounds In Brushing Aside Geneva Conventions In Treatment of Detainees.

November 9: Presidential Election Revealed Major Voting System Failures.

November 17: House GOP Changes Rule Requiring Leaders To Step Down If Indicted.

November 30: Red Cross Investigation Uncovers Widespread Detainee Abuse in Guantanamo.

December 6: Class-Action Suit on Behalf of Soldiers Filed Against Pentagon’s ‘Stop-Loss’ Orders.

December 8: Soldier in Iraq Questions Rumsfeld About Why They Are Not Receiving Proper Armor; Rumsfeld Says ‘You Go To War With the Army You Have.’ At a townhall with Secretary Rumsfeld, a National Guard soldier says, “Our vehicles are not armored. We’re digging pieces of rusted scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass that’s already been shot up, dropped, busted, picking the best out of this scrap to put on our vehicles to take into combat. We do not have proper armament vehicles to carry with us north.” Rumsfeld responds: “As you know, you go to war with the Army you have. They’re not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time.”

December 8: Homeland Security Whistleblower Shown the Door. Clark Ervin, “the man who has issued many critical reports about the mismanagement and security flaws at the Department of Homeland Security, was told Wednesday night that he was out of a job.” Ervin was replaced by Dick Cheney’s son-in-law, Philip Perry.

December 11: Bernie Kerik Withdraws From Nomination To Be Homeland Security Secretary. Kerik’s nomination was withdrawn after it was revealed (among other scandals) that Kerik had long-standing ties to a firm allegedly run by the New Jersey mob and had used an apartment donated for weary Ground Zero police and rescue workers for an adulterous affair. [Link] Despite Kerik’s questionable past, it was President Bush “who insisted on naming the former New York City police commissioner as secretary of Homeland Security despite derogatory information about him.”

December 20: Top Army Reserve General Writes Memo Warning That Reserves Are “Rapidly Degenerating Into a ‘Broken’ Force.”

December 29: Bush Administration Criticized For Slow Response To Tsunami Disaster. International aid organizations complained that Bush was being “stingy” and “insensitive” due to his administration’s slow response to the tsunami disaster.
2005

January 7: Documents Reveal Armstrong Williams Received $240,000 To Hawk ‘No Child Left Behind.’

January 12: Search for Iraq’s WMD Comes To Quiet End. “The hunt for biological, chemical and nuclear weapons in Iraq has come to an end nearly two years after President Bush ordered U.S. troops to disarm Saddam Hussein. The top CIA weapons hunter is home, and analysts are back at Langley.”

January 20: President Bush’s Inauguration.

January 26: Single Deadliest Day For U.S. Forces In Iraq. “U.S. forces suffered their deadliest day since the war in Iraq began when 31 servicemen were killed.”

February 4: Alberto Gonzales Confirmed; Receives Stronger Than Expected “Protest Vote” For Role In Torture Memos. “Despite a stronger than expected protest vote,” Alberto Gonzales was confirmed as Attorney General. “[O]pposition grew over what [senators] considered evasive and equivocal answers to questions about his role in administration memorandums that appeared to condone some types of torture of prisoners held in the campaign against terrorism.”

February 9: Medicare Prescription Drug Bill Revealed To Cost $600 Billion More Than Promised.

February 10: Jeff Gannon Retires As “White House Reporter” After Being Exposed. Gannon, who had been writing for Talon News and GOPUSA, resigned after questions were raised about his background.

February 14: Bush Asks for $82 Billion Supplemental For Iraq, Pushing Cost of Iraq War Over $200 Billion.

February 15: Former Official In White House Faith-Based Office Blasts White House’s Inattention To “Poor People.” David Kuo, former Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives: “From tax cuts to Medicare, the White House gets what the White House really wants. It never really wanted the ‘poor people stuff.’”

March 16: Bush Appoints Principal Iraq War Architect Paul Wolfowitz to World Bank. “The reaction from the board was unfavorable,” one World Bank official said. “Mr. Wolfowitz’s nomination today tells us the U.S. couldn’t care less what the rest of the world thinks.”

March 21: Bush Interrupts Vacation to Fly Back to Washington and Sign Schiavo Bill In the Middle of the Night. A bill intervening in the case of Terri Schiavo, a severely brain-damaged Florida woman, “got final congressional approval a few minutes after midnight, and was signed quickly shortly after 1 a.m. by President Bush, who had flown back to the White House from his Texas ranch to be ready to act quickly…”

April 12: Bush Appoints Central Iran-Contra Player As Top Intel Official. Bush’s nominee for the director of national intelligence played an active role in the controversial “secret arming of [Nicaraguan] contra rebels from bases in Honduras” back in the early 1980s.

April 15: U.S. Report Shows Global Terrorist Attacks Tripled in 2004: “The State Department decided to stop publishing an annual report on international terrorism after the government’s top terrorism center concluded that there were more terrorist attacks in 2004 than in any year since 1985, the first year the publication covered.”

April 20: Bush Signs Bankruptcy Bill. The bill makes it harder for average Americans to recover from financial misfortune by declaring bankruptcy, allowing no exceptions even for victims of identity theft, those suffering from debilitating illness, or U.S. service members.

May 1: Bush’s 60-Day Social Security Tour Ends; More Americans Oppose Privatization. As Bush’s Social Security tour came to end, an ABC News-Washington Post poll showed that 64 percent of Americans disapproved of Bush’s handling of Social Security, up from 56 percent in March when the tour began.

May 1: Downing Street Memo first published in the London Sunday Times.

May 12: Bolton Receives ‘No Recommendation’ From Senate Committee. For “only the third time in 22 years,” the Senate Foreign Relations Committee “has sent a nomination to the Senate without a favorable recommendation.”

May 25: FBI Documents Show Guantanamo Detainees Had Complained About Quran Desecration. Following riots allegedly sparked by a Newsweek report about Quran abuse by U.S. interrogators, Pentagon spokesman Larry DiRita had said there were no “credible allegations” of such activities.

May 31: Vice President Cheney Says Iraq Insurgency In Its “Last Throes.”

June 1: William Donaldson Pushed Out as SEC Chairman. White House caves to the business lobby, which was “fed up with what it believes is…a chairman who has been a tougher regulator than expected,” and had made clear “that it would like nothing more than to see Mr. Donaldson gone.”

June 15: Autopsy Shows Schiavo Was Blind, Contradicting Frist’s “Diagnosis.” On the Senate floor, Frist said that video footage suggested to him that she “certainly seems to respond to visual stimuli.”

June 17: White House Caught Doctoring More Climate Documents: In the lead up to a G-8 summit, White House officials caught “working behind the scenes…weakening key sections” of a global warming action proposal.

June 20: Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) Says Bush Administration is “Losing in Iraq.” “Things aren’t getting better; they’re getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality,” he said. “It’s like they’re just making it up as they go along. The reality is, we’re losing in Iraq.”

July 2: Federal Agents Raid Rep. Duke Cunningham House. Agents conduct unannounced raids on the offices of defense contractor MZM, the congressman’s controversial former home in California, as well as the Duke Stir, the boat owned by the defense contractor but on which Cunningham had inexplicably been living for more than a year.

July 4: Karl Rove Confirmed as One of Matt Cooper’s Sources For Plame Identity.

July 11: The White House Stone Wall on CIA Leak Scandal Begins. During his press briefing, Scott McClellan says 23 times that he could not comment because there is an “ongoing investigation.”

July 11: Army Misses Recruiting Goal for Ninth Straight Month.

July 14: Senate Cuts Transit Security Funding by $50 Million: Just eight days after terrorist attacks struck London’s bus and underground metro systems, conservative “leaders beat back a series of attempts – pressed by senators from states with large urban centers – to increase money for mass transit protection by as much as $1.4 billion.”

July 26: For The First Time, Majority Says Bush Misled America Into War: For the first time, “a majority of Americans, 51%, say the Bush administration deliberately misled the public about whether Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.”

July 27: Frist Bends to White House, Derails Detainee Torture Amendment. Under pressure from President Bush, Frist “derailed a bipartisan effort to set rules for the treatment of enemy prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and other military detention camps by abruptly stopping debate on a $491 billion defense bill.”

July 28: Right-Wing Twists Arms and Extends Vote Deadline to Pass CAFTA.

August 1: Bush Names Bolton U.N. Ambassador in Recess Appointment. The recess appointment gave Bolton a year and a half at the UN “unless he wins over Senate critics in the interim or gets another recess appointment.”

August 2: Bush Kicks Off Longest Presidential Vacation in 36 Years. “The president departed Tuesday for his longest stretch yet away from the White House, arriving at his Crawford ranch in the evening to clear brush, visit with family and friends, and tend to some outside-the-Beltway politics.”

August 10: Bush Surrenders War on Pork. “Yesterday, Bush effectively signed a cease-fire — critics called it more like a surrender — in his war on pork. He signed into law a $286 billion transportation measure that contains a record 6,371 pet projects inserted by members of Congress from both parties.”

August 28 - September 3: Bush Administration Botches Response to Hurricane Katrina.

September 7: Tom DeLay’s PAC Indicted.

September 12: Michael Brown Resigns From FEMA.

September 19: Top White House Procurement Officer Indicted. David Safavian, who headed the federal procurement office in the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), accused by federal agents of “lying and obstructing a criminal investigation into Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s dealings with the federal government.”

September 23: SEC Launches Probe into Stock Sales Of Sen. Bill Frist.

September 28: Tom DeLay Indicted, Resigns Leadership Position.

October 3: Harriet Miers Nominated to the Supreme Court.

October 4: Bush Admits Defeat on Social Security. In a press conference, Bush said, “There seems to be a diminished appetite in the short term” for dealing with Social Security.

October 25: Harriet Miers’ Nomination Withdrawn.

October 25: U.S. Military Suffers 2,000th Fatality in Iraq.

October 28: I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby Charged With Five-Count Indictment.


Let's see.. Nov 9: Election problems,the whole Terry Schaivo mess,many indictments, many investigations amazing what he's been able to get away with.

The only thing I won't really complain about is his handling of the Tsunami. I thought between W. his father and President Clinton they did well enough.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Intersting

I see where Denver passed a law where it's now legal to have "small amounts" of pot. I wonder if the federal government will have a say like they did in California when we passed a law saying it's legal for medicinal purposes.

One more quick thing

Sowell also wonders why the people who are now so quiet about President Clinton are upset now I wonder why people who wanted President Clinton impeached for lying are so quiet about this.

Op-Ed's

I'd like to talk briefly about two op-ed pieces in two different Los Angeles newspapers.

One Max Boot in yesterdays Los Angeles Times and in today's Los Angeles Daily News the op-ed piece by Thomas Sowell.

Both are downplaying the Valerie Plame case Boot actully claims Joe Wilson is the only criminal in the case and Sowell states Libby wasn't charged with a crime where the was appointed for(sounds like Ken Starr huh).

There was obvious enough evidence (5 counts worth) to charge Libby and the investigation is continuing on Rove but the point is to downplay the importance of this indictment (remember Bush said he would fire ANYONE involved) this is the biggest scandal since Iran-Contra and if convicted Libby can spend a long time in prison. But to republicans this is not a big deal.

Makes you wonder what is important doesn't it?

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Media Bias

I continue to offer proof how the media is right-wing favored here is more. Yesterday Harry Reid (D, Nevada) closed the senate to the public for hearings demanding an investigation into the faulty intelligence that led to the Iraq war. There is allegedly an investigation going on but leader Pat Roberts (R, Kansas) has been stonewalling it.

CNN(allegedly liberal) and Fox (definately conservative) both gave coverage that favored the conservative view. Proof:

After the hearing there were two press conferences one by democrats Reid, Schumer (D, New York) and Rockefeller (D, West Virginia) as well as afterwards a press conferece by republicans Bill Frist (R, Tennesee) Trent Lott (R, Mississippi), Jon Kyl (R, Arizona) Rick Santorum (R, Pennsylvania). The democratic press conference started at 2:27pm and ended at 2:41 pm the republican press conference went from 2:47 pm - 3:01 pm.

CNN carried all of the republican press conference and only aired Shumer's comments from the democratic press conference and also showed Harry Ried closing the senate to the public for the hearings.

CNN (As Fox) carried all of the republican press conference in fact CNN (again allegedly liberal) featured a full 11 minutes of repulican response to this vs. 2 minutes of democrats.

Yeah the media is liberal.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

HUH?

"The United States Senate has been hijacked by the Democratic leadership," said Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee. "They have no convictions, they have no principles, they have no ideas," the Republican leader said.

That was from Rawstory.com today.

Why is Frist upset? The democratic leaders in the Senate decided to have a closed hearing since the indictment of Scotter Libby for lying about the Iraq War.

Frist, who is under investigation himself for insider trading, is among the many republicans who blocked 20 democrat requests to have investigations into the intelligence that was the basis of the Iraq war.

Really it's sad on a couple of areas. First Frist, who as I said is under investigation saying democrats have no convictions,principles and no ideas is the funniest thing I've heard in a long time considering what he has said and done recently first regarding Terry Schaivo and insider trading and now this.

Second, why not have investigations into the intelligence on the Iraq war. If that was the basis of why we were mislead it should come out. We should know what the truth is and those responsible should pay.

But then again why would the party of morals want that?

More conflicts

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051101/ap_on_he_me/bush_flu


In Bush's plan to fight the bird flu that may or may not be a huge problem (hopefully not) he plans on spending $7.1 billion (with a b) of our taxpayer dollars to prevent it.

Now one of the people conveniently not mentioned who will profit from the is Sec. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

http://www.mercola.com/2005/oct/25/rumsfeld_to_profit_from_avian_flu_hoax.htm
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2005/10/20/bird_flu_scare_handsome_profit_for_rumsfeld.htm

Rumsfeld is a major shareholder in the company that was contracted to make the vaccine and will make a huge profit.

Isn't that a conflict of interest? Oh wait I guess Halliburton and all the conflicts aren't either.

Great party of ethics