Snippet from Yesterday

Yes, I've been away. By need I have had to devote a lot of time to assisting in fighting a development in my town, which has taken a number of twists. And it has also taken my time from other things.

But here is an impression of yesterday:

"But the image of him falling is something I’ll never be able to get out of my mind. I fired, and there’s Harry falling. And it was, I’d have to say, one of the worst days of my life, at that moment." - VP Dick Cheney on shooting an acquaintant in his hunting party, Whittington - appearing on FoxNews with Brit Hume 2/15/05

I have not been able to get this statement out of my mind.

Since I heard it I wonder and have wondered how many US Service men and women who have been sent to an illegal and useless war, who've watched friends, enemies and the innocent die, can say this and feel this way. Given that my exhusband is a Veitnam Veteran and that during the 1980's I became very good at spotting other Vietnam Veterans (something in their eyes), I say very many, most, if not all, have felt or feel this way.

One thing is for sure, Cheney will get top notch PTSD counceling, both public and private, if he feels the need. Our service people who've had to deal with more death, more images of people going down will be lucky to get half that.

David E Fablog

P.S. Jasmine, lost your phone #, please call.

They're Heeeeeeeere

I've gotten really busy as of late and have not been able to blog. This afternoon I was running an errand when I pulled up in back of a van that had the fish symbol on it.

Okay, seen it a lot before. Free speech. Sometime soon I'm going to have to put my "Tuna Fish" symbol on my car.

But then I looked below and the sticker I saw gave me a shiver.
It looked something like this:

Please, this is Massachusetts! Can we stay an ID free zone?

The flag is not a religious symbol

Now I for one don't like seeing the American flag being torched. But it is free speech, and therefore protected. When's the last time you saw a Chinese flag burned in a protest in China, or an Iranian flag burned in a protest in Iran (against Iranian policies)? Would Saddam have allowed the Iraqi flag to be burned? Of course not!

I do think it's wrong to equate a national symbol with a religious symbol, or even put it on a similar footing with the same kind of reverence. In fact I believe it to be cultish and sacrilegious to accord the flag a religious symbol like status.

But isn't it interesting that right wingers get far more exercised over setting the flag on fire than they do setting a cross on fire.

A Bad Stump Speech Is Poor Tribute on Veterans Day

So what did the Bible Belt do to tick off God?

Last Tuesday the people of Dover, PA decided to replace all it's school board members there that were trying bring ID (intelligent design) to it's classroom.

Yesterday on the 700 Club, Rev. Pat Robertson said this about that:

“I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover. If there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city. And don’t wonder why He hasn’t helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I’m not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that’s the case, don’t ask for His help because he might not be there.”

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't the most natural disasters (that man does not contribute to, such as not understanding topography when building in a landslide/mudslide area) happen in the Bible Belt?

With the exception of the occasional flood, errant tornado and bitter cold, very few disasters (by contrast) happen in the North East, or even the North or West. Most (hurricanes and tornadoes) seem to happen in the South, where luck would have it Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Franklin Graham et. al. are.

So if rejection of the Christian God in public school classrooms is going to bring out the wrath of God, or at the very least have God turn his/her back on an area, well then one's got to ask: "What did you all in the Bible Belt South do to tick off God so often and consistently?"

But maybe Rev. Robertson's mouth got him into trouble again because he just confirmed that ID is about a Christian Creator into the public school classroom. I'll let my kids learn about that in our church, thank you.

700 club Video
PFAW

Republicans show how they really feel about our service men and women

Being the ex-wife of a Vietnam Veteran I already knew they felt this way, so this really isn't any surprise. Whenever cuts, empty or broken promises have come to veterans, especially disabled veterans, it's usually Republicans who are doing it. Democrats usually restore benefits.

But this isn't even in the usual realm of subterfuge.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A proposal to end the long-standing practice of veterans groups addressing a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees is an insult to all who have fought, sacrificed and died to defend the Constitution, according to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). And in a strongly worded letter to House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), the DAV has urged him to continue the joint hearings as an invaluable tool in formulating public policy toward America's veterans.

Chairman Buyer recently announced that veterans service organizations will no longer have the opportunity to present testimony before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees.

"The tradition of legislative presentations by veterans service organizations dates back to at least the 1950s. And the timing of this announcement -- just before Veterans Day -- could not have been worse," said DAV National Commander Paul W. Jackson.

Veterans Lash Out at Loss of Voice on Capitol Hill
Veterans Day Outrage

The fifty gafaws of a president

The sad thing is that there is enough material to fill up all fifty stars and then some. I was saying to my nephew the other day that every time I hear the president say "ta" instead of "to" it irritates, like fingernails on a chalk board. His elemtary school English teacher must be turning over in her/his grave. I know it causes other English teachers to have nightmares.

BTW how can this guy talk about literacy and "no child left behind" when he is proud that he doesn't read? Oxymoron?

This is funny though:

George Bush Misunderestimated

Black Fridays

Black Friday's are our answer to the Red Fridays we found out about on Americablog this past Saturday. The original letter (below) is being circulated among right wingers. This is our answer, please send to your friends and relatives, make Friday's black.

*** begin cut and paste *****

BLACK FRIDAYS --- Very soon you will see a great many people wearing Black every Friday. Why? Because while we are true and patriotic Americans who support our men and women who serve our country, we are concerned that we were lied into a war that had no planning, troops poorly outfitted and under supported, and clearly no plans to win the peace. We are now mired in a conflict with no foreseeable end.

We love our country and we support our service men and women, even when the government continues to break their promises to them. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We will probably get no media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops, but do not support the poorly planned war that is draining our resources and crippling us at home. Our answer and idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home. We hope to send a defining message that the majority of Americans who love this country, and support those who serve, are deeply disturbed by this White House and how we entered into this war. We will wear black.

By word of mouth, email, blogs, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of black. War is not a game, it is not a homecoming, it is something to be taken seriously. As seriously as those, who now number over 2,000, took it when they gave up their lives in the service of this country.

Our patriotism, our love of this country and the people in it should never be questioned. If every one of us will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLACK. It is not pleasant, nor a raucous party but it is the color of mourning, respect, concern and solemnity with which we believe war truly is.

We will not wear the Friday red of others and celebrate the spilling of blood, bloodlust or join a cheering section of those who celebrate the loss of our men and women in arms. As they said in their letter: “THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED!”.

Show your love of your fellow man, those men and women in arms, and this country by letting the world and this administration know that those who fight have your utmost respect, that you will not forget them and that their lives and their blood are taken seriously. That they deserve a government and a people who take it seriously too.

Wear black every Friday until our service people come home.

IF YOU SUPPORT THE TROOPS, LOVE YOUR COUNTRY, PASS THIS LETTER ON.

IF YOU COULD CARE LESS – THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR CHOICE. WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE AND THEY DESERVE OUR ATTENTION, RESPECT AND CONCERN.

*** end cut and paste ****


Original Red Friday letter

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear some thing red every Friday.

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON –

IF YOU COULD CARE LESS – THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR CHOICE. WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.

THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO BECOME ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.

---

Special thanks to Carol for posting the Red Friday letter on AmericaBlog and Linda for proofing the Black Friday letter.

The failed memorandum

Memorandum
January 20, 2001


MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Standards of Official Conduct


Everyone who enters into public service for the United States has a duty to the American people to maintain the highest standards of integrity in Government. I ask you to ensure that all personnel within your departments and agencies are familiar with, and faithfully observe, applicable ethics laws and regulations, including the following general principles from the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch:

(1) Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws, and ethical principles above private gain.

(2) Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.

(3) Employees shall not engage in financial transactions using nonpublic Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.

(4) An employee shall not, except as permitted by applicable law or regulation, solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee's agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's duties.

(5) Employees shall put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.

(6) Employees shall not knowingly make unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the Government.

(7) Employees shall not use public office for private gain.

(8) Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.

(9) Employees shall protect and conserve Federal property and shall not use it for other than authorized activities.

(10) Employees shall not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with official Government duties and responsibilities.

(11) Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.

(12) Employees shall satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens, including all just financial obligations, especially those -- such as Federal, State, or local taxes -- that are imposed by law.

(13) Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.

(14) Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating applicable law or the ethical standards in applicable regulations.

Executive branch employees should also be fully aware that their post-employment activities with respect to lobbying and other forms of representation will be bound by the restrictions of 18 U.S.C. 207.

Please thank the personnel of your departments and agencies for their commitment to maintain the highest standards of integrity in Government as we serve the American people.





GEORGE W. BUSH

Did you happen to count all those "standards" that this White House has failed at?

Standards of Official Conduct

They're growing em! Bravo!

Yesterday it was "Give 'em Hell," Harry Reid (Senate) today it is Nancy Pelosi (House).
The Resolution
The video (wmv file)
The vote

Comment from hopelesspedant on AmericaBlog

One reason for a no vote is that if under parliamentary rules, only a person from the winning side can move to reconsider a vote. Therefore, someone who actually would have voted yes if it were the winning side would cast a no vote to allow for that.

It sounds confusing, but it is a maneuver done all the time.

Finally!

Did we (the US) undermine the freedom movement in Iran

Because of the war in Iraq, our tough talk, and our own renegade posturing did we just undermine and betray all the moderate voices in Iran?

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's hard-line government said Wednesday it was removing 40 ambassadors and senior diplomats, including supporters of warmer ties with the West, from their posts in a shake-up that comes as the Islamic republic takes a more confrontational international stance.

I'm sure these indigenous freedom/democracy fighters will some day thank us for setting them back 25 years.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051102/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_ambassadors

ob·jec·ti·fi·ca·tion

If I shopped at Ambercrombie and Fitch I'd join these girls and the "girlcott." And I hope my daughter does. As it is I can only say "brava, go girls!"

Finally girls are taking on the disturbing trend of more and more objectification of women. I was beginning to wonder if we'd start seeing a new version of the Doral "taste me" ad and jingle and I absolutely shuttered when I recently saw a woman draped all over a new car in an advertisement. We are going back in time.

The two tees that were discussed with Katie Couric, "With these who needs brains?," and "Gentlemen perfer tig old bitties" are not on the on-line Ambercrombie and Fitch website store, but probably can still be purchased on site.

With so many problems with girls and their view of self, why are we continuing to think this is okay? Interestingly enough Paula Zahn NOW" this week is taking on eating disorders 'Walking the Thin Line' . One girl's eating disorder started when she was 5 years old.


Attitude Tees - - - Embellished Tees


see also:
http://www.apieceofshirt.com/?p=39
http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=ee02ed52-4e68-4691-ba41-0ff00831a6e8&f=email
http://www.abc27.com/news/stories/1105/273986.html
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/pittsburgh/s_389458.html
http://kdka.com/local/local_story_303162012.html
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/s_389458.html
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/s_387780.html

Hello?! Washington Republicans, are you listening?

Yesterday Colorado voted to "give up" $3.7 billion in tax refunds over the next five years to ease their strict spending limits imposed by TABOR (Taxpayer's Bill of Rights). They agreed to do this instead of cutting services (education, roads, etc.) and borrowing 2.1 billion dollars.

Turn out for this vote was higher than expected. So high infact that several polling places ran out of ballots.

Washington Republican's are you hearing this? You've told us over and over again that the "nation" wants their money back. What might this tell you about the mood of the country?

Are you going to continue to put the lives and welfare of women, children, the poor, the elderly and the powerless in jeapordy? Are you going to continue to mortgage the future of the nation's children by your continued reckless borrowing? Are you going to continue to hand back tax "rebates" (that depleted a "rainy day reserve")? Or are you going to start listening to the people?

This red state could be your bell weather of things to come. I hope so.

see also:
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_3171985
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_3173638
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_3173613
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3020834
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3020831
http://extras.denverpost.com/2005election/refer.html
http://extras.denverpost.com/2005election/index.html
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_3173687

Golly Moses you've got to be kidding

After a full day of trying to tame my computer so I could post tonight, I gave up, only to find this ad on yahoo! -->

Are you kidding me? *The* party of "family values" and "morals" is testing the waters for a man who was most notable prior to 9-11 for his wife and his mistress having a very public fight over who got to live in the marital abode . You've got to be kidding.

Hypocrites

http://www.newsmax.com/poll/Giuliani/?PROMO_CODE=14AA-1&refid=1364

Our New National Emblem

Thanks to suebeehoneytree on Ed Schultz's message board.

Yet another crony up for a job she's not qualified for.

No it's not Miers, it's Ellen Sauerbrey. She's being nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration

She unqualified for this position because:

1. she does not support women's reproductive and health rights
   
   
2. as Ambassador to the UN Commission on the Status of Women she has prioritized politics over the needs and rights of women


3. she would be responsible for working with the United Nations but has said that she is "not terribly interested in the UN because we don't see it as a friendly forum"


4. she has no experience with refugee protection


5. she has no experience with responding to complex humanitarian emergencies

source: Gender Health.org

Call your Senators if they are on the Foreign Relations Committee today if you live in AK, CA, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, MA, MD, MN, NE, NH, OH, RI, TN, VA, or WI, or call both Senator Lugar's office (chair of the committee) and Senator Biden's office (ranking member on the committee).

Senators who review Sauerbrey's nomination will meet this week! (October 24th)

Go to genderhealth.org for more information


See also:

• http://www.unitedfamilies.org/ellen.asp
  
• http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/~/gd-051005-ellen-sauerbrey.xm
  
• http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/levey/bob0602.htm
  
• http://www.un.int/usa/02_027.htm
  
• http://www.us-mission.ch/press2001/sauerbrey.html
  
• http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/6712/


• http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/05/09/19/roberts.htm
  
  

GOP take on the mayor early

My husband and I were watch Law and Order Criminal Intent tonight when a political advertisement came on opposing Cranston Mayor, Stephen Lafferty. On first glance it's a pretty straight forward political attack add. In a small city of 80,000, Lafferty spent $15,000 in city money on surveillance cameras to catch city employees napping, raised taxes and the ad detailed some other problem which I can't remember now (but will edit in when I see the ad again).

Now the ad doesn't say whether it is targeting a possible mayoral re-election run in 2006 or for a possible senate run. One is actually left to assume it's to counter a possible mayoral re-election run. And that's when this ad takes a surreal quality. This attack ad is paid for by the National GOP Senate Committee.

Shot across the bow? Perhaps.


See also:
http://www.cranstonri.com/
http://mrliberal.mydd.com/story/2005/2/20/17228/3800
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/19/152911/878
http://www.providencephoenix.com/theater/top/documents/03696603.asp

Something about Eddy

Okay hokey title I know. Here's some links you might want to investigate:

General Wes Clark on his website WesPAC, is urging people to send an email to Members of Congress now to persuade the Pentagon to enforce fair play on Armed Forces Radio by honoring their promise to broadcast Ed Schultz's radio show! Put Ed Schultz on Armed Forces Radio!
(hat tip: http://www.wegoted.com)

Democracy Radio (Ed's radio affliation) has a petition:
"Join thousands of other Americans in demanding that our troops around the world be provided a balanced political perspective on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS)." Radio for the Troops

from Media Matters:

Rush Limbaugh still the only political radio show broadcast on American Forces Radio

Last year, with your help, Media Matters for America drew attention to right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh's presence as the sole political commentator on American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS), a taxpayer-funded service that provides radio programming to American armed forces around the world. In the wake of Limbaugh's reckless and harmful endorsement of the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, Media Matters called for AFRTS to remove Limbaugh from its broadcast schedule.

There is no way to truly provide "balance" to Limbaugh's hateful rhetoric, which ranges from calling people "feminazis" to saying "A Chavez is a Chavez. These people have always been a problem" to claiming that women "actually wish" to be sexually harassed. But AFRTS was set to take a step in the right direction by adding progressive radio host Ed Schultz to its broadcast schedule, beginning October 17.

However, AFRTS put those plans on hold at the last minute -- and now claims it never decided to add Schultz in the first place. Defense Department official Allison Barber personally announced the cancellation just three days after Schultz drew attention to Barber's role in a controversial scripted event President Bush held last week. Barber reportedly called Schultz's producer at home on the morning of the 17th with the news that Schultz would not be broadcast on AFR. The Defense Department's apparent decision to cancel Schultz means that Limbaugh will continue as the only political commentator on American Forces Radio and Television Service.

The brave members of our armed forces deserve an alternative to Rush Limbaugh

New stuff at the Polis store

I've changed the products in the Polis store. three items.
http://www.cafepress.com/thepolis


The bumper sticker looks better that I can make it here .

Limbaugh, NPR and Ed

Limbaugh says that he is the balance on AFRN because it carries NPR. He contends that AFRN doesn't need Ed. However, many on the left have noticed a steady shift to the right in NPR since Kenneth Tomlinson (AFOK) was named to CPB’s Board of Directors. Many long time NPR liberal listeners now turn off NPR.

Ed Schultz remarked on his radio program the other day that there is a vast difference between public and commercial radio and television. And he is right! This is something that conservatives like Limbaugh have said for years. So to try make an equal comparison between public and commercial media now is disingenuous.

Ed is the true balance to Limbaugh on AFRN because he's a liberal in the commercial market. Until now, Limbaugh liked to trumpet that liberal talk shows could not flourish in commercial radio. That the only place they could project their ideas was on NPR. They were not, as he liked to say, commercially viable.

Air America, Democracy Radio and Ed Schultz are proving Limbaugh wrong and that's his real rub. Plus Ed is actually in "fly over country" delivering his radio show from North Dakota. Limbaugh broadcasts from New York City or Florida, but says he speaks for the heartland of America. In addition Ed takes his radio show on the road, something Limbaugh rarely does. (Rush on Broadway is not a live radio show) So who's really out of touch?

Limbaugh really doesn't want to go head to head with an equal on the other side of the aisle, a conservative commercial talk radio host vs. a liberal commercial talk radio host. Despite all his "free market" talk he would rather not compete that way.


*AFOK = A friend of Karl (Rove)

Ed protest banner

See also:
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oId=18930
http://christian-dem-in-nc.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/17/152413/97
http://mediamatters.org/archives/search.html?string=Limbaugh
http://mediamatters.org/items/200510190010

Cheney and Halliburton stock

Another thought as my brain swims in Nyquil. What will a Cheney indictment mean to Halliburton and the stock and stock options he holds?

Could this mean that this behemoth and beneficiary in millions of no bid contracts will be dragged into and down with all of this? Will Cheney do a Frist and unload his stock and exercise his options in the next few days/weeks? Could this take down a major financer of the Bush-Cheney regime?

Watching Chris Matthews got me thinking in this direction.