"We don't steal wives"

Perhaps this is the next quotable lie from the president? Apparently, not only do we torture in Iraq, but we steal wives as a means of pressuring suspected insurgents to turn themselves in.

Think about this. You have a supposedly militant person, who is armed. You take something they care for a lot away. Will they turn themselves in? This will still keep them separated from her, and break the family unit so central to their culture. Doesn't this create more erratic behavior? Just like the war, which creates more terrorists. Guy missing his wife = new terrorist.

More aboard for universal healthcare

"Free-market" magazine, the Economist, has called for the US to adopt a European-style Healthcare system. More of a catalyst for Dems to take up the good fight?

Abramoff still a Republican scandal

Backing up what we've been saying all along, another study shows Abramoff is a Republican scandal. Apparently, since higher Abramoff, Tribal clients decreased contributions to Democrats by 9%, while increasing contributions to Republicans by 135%. [Link]

Medicare Debacle

As you may have heard, the recent Medicare drug changes that began on Jan 1st have been a disaster. I have never known much about Medicare or Medicaid, or health care in general. As I learn more, I see some good and more bad.

In this case, 6 million people on Medicaid were switched to Medicare. The bad is that prices are higher for Medicare patients (Medicare covers seniors 65 and above, Medicaid is for low income citizens). Medicaid can barter for lower prices; Medicare cannot.

By combining much of Medicare and Medicaid (I get the idea that Medicaid isn't abolished, but reduced) , it opens the door to expanding Medicare further. For example, Medicare could provide coverage for all minors. If it is no longer just for seniors, that opens the flood gates for more national care. A long term goal could be Medicare for all, as a universal health care program. Of course, Medicare, to be financially responsible, must barter with companies on prices. This costs the program $100 Billion dollars, according to Hillary Clinton. This is a clear give-away to Pharmaceutical companies, who fund Republicans much more than Democrats.

So while Medicare laws have been terrible this year, denying coverage to many, and confusing many Medicaid users, and raising prices, there is some good. We can use this as a launching point for national health care. Also, this puts health care back to the forefront of national problems. Open the debate, and push hard for health care for everyone!

News Bits 1/27

President Bush promised son of assassinated Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri that the killers will be held accountable. This is interesting. It could play out like the vow to fire anyone involved in Plamegate....unless its Dick Cheney and Carl Rove. Or it could play out like how we account for Iraqi civilian deaths: "We don't do body counts." And that’s why majority of the nation thinks we're on the wrong track.

Prospects are grim for a Democratic filibuster on Alito. Kerry is trying hard, but Harry Reid isn't. Just after I complimented him.

Our economy is growing at the slowest pace in three years. Don't fret though, I'm confidant something will be found wrong with these numbers, because taxes are at a low point for the last three years. Everyone knows that as taxes go down, the economy explodes! Or was it implodes...

Mayor Bloomberg rallied for the Federal government to provide universal healthcare today. Not directly, but he complained of the future $50 billion that healthcare will cost the city. He gave no stats as to how many years that would be spent over, but a staggering number indeed. But if the cost is spread among the entire population, and for-profit hospitals are closed, and the government can barter with drug companies on prices- we may have a cheaper system like the rest of the civilized world, as discussed by Dom.

Palestinian terror-linked group Hamas won the election yesterday, creating an international stir. One thing on the bright side, yet to be discussed, is the benefits to democracy. Much has been said to President Bush spreading democracy, and then pointing out this election as a bad effect. At least, around the middle east, fringe groups will feel confident that whoever receives the most votes wins. No one has asked for a revote to oust Hamas. We need to embrace, and hopefully tame Hamas if there is hope for peace. Removing them would remove faith in democracy.

And I always like to point out something good that George Bush does. He increased funding for development of hydrogen powered vehicles to $119 million (from $88 million one or two years ago). What bothers me about his plan though, is that car companies have said they can make hydrogen cars at close to the cost of today’s cars-if they could sell 500,000 a year. This requires an infrastructure, including refueling and hydrogen production. This would cost $18 billion to give 50% of Americans access to hydrogen refueling (we're giving a total of $1.7 billion over the next few years, for all hydrogen research). We have a long way to go, but the President is starting. I'm sure we'll hear more during the State of the Union address next week.

Phy Ops

Today, Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged that Physiological Operations, including trying to influence popular opinion overseas, and putting money into Iraqi newspapers, have backfired. Here’s a hint on foreign policy: STOP FUCKING WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS!

For a man who believes in the free market, let the consumers decide what to buy, spread democracy to the people at any cost (More specifically, almost $300 Billion and 2236 Americans), you'd think that the President would be against this kind of interference. It didn't work in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq take one, Iraq take two....just STOP! Its wasted American lives, money, and reputation. Why do you think the people of the world hate us? Why do you think the children in Arrested Development hate their mom? Because they're controlling!

I liked John Kerry's platform of using alliances, and worrying about international opinion. He really did have an agenda out there, even if he was confident the "I can't be worse than this guy" arguments would work. Hopefully we'll move toward international relations, not our sanctioning crap for Iran. A new age in foreign policy is desperately needed. Everyone, Democrat and Republican, since World War II has had a horrible foreign policy of interference. I'm not saying don't interfere. Afghanistan overthrew a terrorist government. Helping out in Rwanda would have been nice. There are areas we can help, and build our reputation. We desperately need to pull back on the offensive military, and use them for aid. Build schools abroad, secure elections, help governments who ask, not people Chalabi says we should. I hope the next administration is a Democrat unlike the past ones. But I'd vote for any Republican who says he'll half the military budget and only hope where necessary. That is, if I can actually trust them.

Good Leadership

Harry Reid, who has surprised me over the last month or so for his bold speeches, has challenged President Bush’s new health care system. The new Medicare program has left most seniors confused, and left some with difficulty or inability to receive their prescriptions. Harry Reid, who has been Senate Minority leader for just over a year, has really taken the role on very well in the last month. Now, he calls on President Bush to “to come clean and join Democrats in offering a real solution to this disastrous program.” This aggressive approach is a great fix for the Democrats. Instead of seeing what the Democrats stand for as the opposite of the Republicans, this shows Democrats plans for reform as clear and their own. Keep spreading the good word Senator!

News Bits: January 26th

First off, I finally found more of a reason to visit this blog. Sure, we have a unique perspective and compile news faster than most popular blogs, but our news comes from others. But on Feb 14th, I will be attending the filming of the Daily Show. I will report all about the set, guest, Jon Stewart, and any other cool details I can. You won't find that on any famous blog!

Secondly, there are some poll numbers for all Senators. Daily Kos has a section of important Republicans listed who are up for reelection. The numbers are promising, the full list is here.

Talking Points Memo has an interesting story. Apparently, the Bush Administration has systematically removed pictures of Jack Abramoff from a website where it has been since 2003. The story has played out much more since this post, so go to the main page for more updates.

And finally, two books I'm directing you towards. One is Crashing the Gates, from founders of Mydd and Daily Kos. It'll be here in 2 weeks, I'll have my copy then. Also, I just put in the order for Lets Get This Party Started. This is contributed to by Matthew Kerbel of MyDD. I'll put up a short review of these sometime in February, in what I hope will be an increased number of Book reviews. I've been devouring politics books lately in the absence of serious class work, so look forward to some soon.

Budget Problems

You know that sickening feeling you get when you look at a terrible financial situation? Your student loans piling up, or some other money problems? Well add one more to the list. Estimations for the budget deficit for this year are on the rise. President Bush expects us to have a $400 Billion deficit this year. I thought conservatives were supposed to be good with money? Well, we’ll all have to pay the 8 Trillion+ deficit that bush is mounting (I think its $8.18 trillion, either way, ridiculous).

There isn’t anything left to cut, after years of cutting back. Like when we cut funding for the levees in New Orleans. Or when we cut funding from the Mine Health and Safety Organization, leaving them unable to enforce regulations. Or when we cut student loans, Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps (as discussed before).

But I’m sure we’ll find something besides the military to cut from. I mean, when you aren’t making enough money to pay the bills, you do things like drop out of college, don’t get healthcare and prescriptions, stop eating, and stop protecting yourself. No one would do anything like try to make more income (raise taxes on the rich!), or sell your guns!

There are only two more budgets for Bush to fuck up until there’s a new President in town, so don’t get too upset over your future. We may even be able to make a responsible budget for '07 with the Democratic House this November.

Filibuster

Senator Kerry, joined by Senator Kennedy, has called for a filibuster of Samuel Alito. It appears that they are taking Steve Almond's advice from "What We Do Now," describing what the Democrats need to do to win: "Step One: Grow some balls."

This is joined by news that Democratic Senators Byrd and Johnson will be supporting Alito. Combined with 55 Republicans, they are at 58 known votes. It will take 60 to break a filibuster. My only concern is that the President will make Democrats out to be "obstructionists" during the State of the Union address. That’s a price worth paying to fight the good fight. Thank you Senators! Daily Kos has the story.

The Terrorist Surveillance Project

This is what President Bush wants us to call domestic spying, reminding us that one end of the spying is overseas. Perhaps a lawyer should remind him that it is illegal to spy on any American, or even anyone on American soil, without a warrant from the FISA court. That includes Osama Bin Laden. The law is so loose, that you can spy on someone for 72 hours before receiving the warrant. [Link]

"It wasn't designed in the White House. It was designed where you expect it to be designed, in the NSA," Bush said. Maybe Bush is trying to prevent himself from being impeached? I hope he doesn't expect there to be any less pressure. Even if there are no repercussions now, I hope the next Democratic House of Representatives (coming in '06) will try for impeachment, even if it doesn't pass the Senate.

More corruption

This corruption is in Iraq though, not the Republicans in congress. Apparently, the US-led interim government spent $9 billion in cash that can't be accounted for out of Iraqi oil money. Keep in mind, Al Franken talks about Paul Bremer, in charge for a year, most likely pocketing a billion dollars (in The Truth: with jokes). That’s $9 in just over one year. Good thing we run a tight ship on our budget over here, cutting $12.7 billion from student loans, around $12 billion in Medicare/Medicaid, some from food stamps, welfare, child support enforcement, and other unnecessary things. [Link]

Military News

There has been plenty of news about the military today. To begin, a report was released by former military generals and Clinton's presidential cabinet, claiming that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have severely weakened out military. Stretching the military too thin will inhibit the militaries ability to deal with new threats, like Iran and North Korea.

This created a response from Donald Rumsfeld that I simply can't wait to see on video. In a fit of anger, perhaps because more successful military strategists don't like his work, he gave a blistering response at a press conference. Notable quotes include:

"Anyone with an ounce of sense would see it exactly opposite."

"So
I'd read very carefully what these reports are saying and ask yourself the
question: Do the authors of them really have a clear understanding of what's
gone on in this department in the last five years?"

Apparently, no one in the world besides the Bush administration has "an ounce of sense."

Also notable, Secretary of the Treasury John Snow announced a tight budget for this year. Lets see if that includes military spending, next month.

And finally, liberal think tank Center for American Progress has released a vision of a more secure military, which by the title does not mention smaller, but the ability to tackle one major conflict is less than our current two major conflicts. I haven't had a chance to look at, but I may comment on it exclusively soon.

Alito Anger

What bothers me most about the debate of judge Alito is that the best thing said about him is he's "qualified." There are thousands of people qualified to serve on that court, judge Alito included. We're debating if he will uphold the constitution, or twist it to serve his partisan goals. No Democrat has said he is unqualified. It all came from Harriet Miers, who wasn't at all qualified. But approving the second person just because they are qualified is like cheering on your child for getting a D instead of an F. Maybe it's just patriotism, but I find the Supreme Court to be a highly esteemed body. It takes more than a law degree and experience to get there. But here is the Alito praise:

In the opening debates today, Senator Bill Frist: "I support Judge Alito because he is exceptionally qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice." (note: this was the first reason Frist gave). "There is no question that Judge Alito is exceptionally well-qualified, measured..."

Senator Lindsay Graham: "he's a historically well-qualified nominee and it's kind of sad to me that it will be a party-line vote."

Senator Mel Martinez: "Samuel Alito epitomizes the type of individual we should have serving on the Supreme Court of the United States; his experience, qualifications"

Senator Sam Brownback: " You're undoubtedly qualified. You were cited by the ABA to be unanimously well-qualified."

Senator Chuck Grassley: "The Senate has an important responsibility to confirm to the federal bench well qualified individuals"

"...with the American Bar Association rating him “well qualified” to sit on the nation’s highest court..." [Link]

"Despite reservations about several rulings by Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, Democratic Senate candidate Robert P. Casey Jr. said yesterday that Alito should be confirmed because, ultimately, he is qualified." [Link]

"In preparation for a Senate vote on Judge Samuel Alito, the Family Research Council has launched several ad buys encouraging state leaders in South Dakota, Arkansas and Louisiana to vote based on Alito's qualifications, not on agenda." [Link]


Ironically, qualifications are not important to Republicans to become President.

Patriot Act

The Patriot Act was what got me into politics as a liberal. And in February, it expires. This comes after the Democrats, along with 5 sane Republicans, filibustered the hell out of it. Apparently, according to the New York Times, the law is having trouble in becoming an acceptable one for both the House and Senate (the Senate seemed to be more liberal on the bill last year). This can only pay off for Democrats.

If the law cannot get passed, it will be watered down (more respect of the constitution), or will not be given another sunset. The second option is another extension of the Patriot Act. The extension of the Patriot Act issued in December was only for a little over one month. This was simply due to the Christmas holiday, and the original expiration was Jan 2006. What I'm hoping for is for a long extension. Although I hate the law and find it unconstitutional, holding off on the vote until a new Congress is in session would have huge benefits for Democrats. Hopefully this law will be phased out soon. The courts will definitely not overturn this, especially if Alito joins their ranks. I'll keep you updated on this soon.

Quick Idea

The ACLU, or some legally connected body, should bring a dummy case to the courts. The case would be people v US Census bureau, and ask that they make everybody’s age increased by 9 months, to reflect the "fact" that life begins at conception. The courts would never accept this, and could set a legal precedent that you're born at birth, and therefore that is when life begins. This would take away the argument of abortion as murder, since it would be legally established that a fetus isn't a person. Not sure if you can wiggle a way out of it, or simply not take up the case, but none the less, it's interesting.

Chris Matthews, who believes that Osama Bin Laden and liberal film makers are similar (mentioned previously), has yet to apologize. Send a letter to him (hardball@msnbc.com), even if you have before. Keep the pressure on. Left wing media my ass. 50,000 People have visited the site, and thats an old count.

Update: Rep Louise Slaughter, Democrat of New York, has posted comments on Crooks and Liars about Matthews.

Impeachment

The President is expected to be impeached in February. This blindsided me, I had no idea that a Republican congress would act. But a conservative magazine, Insight, has reported that this is on the way. Check out the story at Mydd.

Dems gains in 2006

As previously mentioned, the Democrats need to win 16 seats from the Republicans in order to gain control of the House of Representatives. I have been hopeful of this, and I don't think it's overly aggressive. Stuart Rothenberg, a Washington analyst, has predicted that the Democrats could gain 4-6 seats this November. She recently increased her predictions to 5-8 seats.

Confidence in Republican leadership, nationwide, is declining. I haven't looked at all of the numbers and challengers nationwide, but I have in New York. In New York’s 29th District, the incumbent is Republican Randy Kuhl, now finishing his first term in office. He won in 2004 with 51% of the vote. The fact that less voters come out for interim elections makes it hard to predict this November's turnout, but you have to assume that the challenger is more likely to come out with full force. On the other hand, the incumbents’ supporters would be more comfortable in office, and therefore less aggressive (at least its happened in the local elections by my school in Fairfield, Ct). But even regardless of turnout, the decline in Republican support on the national scale should turn over this district to the Democrats. And it seems like there have to be more districts out there for the Dems to get, I’m hopeful for double digit gains. Hopefully I'm closer to right.

The President's Pro-Life Speech

Besides defending illegal wiretapping, the president also made time (between naps perhaps?) to address a pro-life group. Here's my favorite quote:

"These principles call us to defend the sick and the dying, persons with
disabilities and birth defects, all who are weak and vulnerable, especially
unborn children," the president said.

To save me the trouble, there is a great article on why this is a bullshit statement. My main point is her point #1, about how the president has hurt every group he mentioned, except the "unborn." Much much more here.

"I've made a huge mistake"

I'm reminded of this phrase, used comically by GOB on Arrested Development, when I read this new article. The best Secretary of State since Thomas Jefferson, Condi Rice, has said the "time for talking with Iran is over." Wow, when did it begin? This is scary, and not simply in a comedic sense. If we can only stomach a handful of talks before we go down risky roads, how do we plan to avert war? Does the president just desperately want to prove there is a need for our grossly inflated military budget? This is a sad day indeed for peace, as war is almost definitely coming in the next year or two with this attitude.

Bush on Illegal Spying

On a new marketing push for illegal spying, Bush made another ridiculous defense.

``If I want to break the law, why was I briefing members of Congress?'' Bush asked. The eavesdropping has been vetted by Justice Department lawyers, he said, adding, ``I'm mindful of your civil liberties.''

Now, consider that he only informed selected members of congress. And they weren't permitted to tell anyone about the program. That means releasing the info is treason. That’s not congressional approval.

The civil liberties part; you can't blame him for not understanding the civil liberties, or more appropriately, undeniable rights. But how could you blame him, it's writing from the 1700's! It’s hard reading!

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Who besides a lawyer could decipher that? He’s an MBA, not some fancy lawyer! For a more in debth look, check out the story on Daily Kos.

Liberal Majority

Well, in a sense. We now have a 60% disapproval rating for the president. He ties his all-time low approval rating with 36%. And apparently, five years wasn't long enough for the remaining 4% of the nation to have an opinion of the President. But I'm sure the Health Savings Accounts will jumpstart his ratings....

General Defends Domestic Spying

This week, the Bush Administration hopes to make the American people passive enough to allow continued illegal domestic spying. He didn't mention that we don't have war powers in the constitution. We don't have emergency powers in the constitution either. What we do have is the fourth amendment, protecting us from unnecessary search and seizure (which brings up the patriot act, but that’s another story.) If any law were passed making domestic spying legal, it would be unconstitutional, and therefore illegal, no matter who defends it (which is why we can't let Alito on the Supreme Court, considering this moderate/right court did nothing about the Patriot Act). So what do you do to get the American people to forget about the constitution? 9/11, 9/11, 9/11. Take it away, general!

"Had this program been in effect prior to 9/11, it is my professional judgment that we would have detected some of the 9/11 al Qaeda operatives in the United States and we would have identified them as such," said Hayden, who now serves as principal deputy director of national intelligence.

First of all, you could have spied on Americans before 9/11 with the FISA courts. You just need a warrant. You can even spy without a warrant if it is an immediate concern. You just need a warrant within 72 hours. With these flexible laws, clearly a judge would allow spying on suspected terrorists! The only excuse is that we aren't spying only on terrorist suspects, or we're spying on so many damn people that threes no time for the courts (which means tons of non-terrorist).

More on Bush's defense tommorow.

On Democratic Undergrounds "Top Ten Conservative Idiots" (Great weekly insight into the news, very funny too), I was directed to this quote:

A week ago, I would have told you it's not likely to happen. As of [Wednesday], I just can't rule it out. I was surprised by the intensity of feeling of some of my colleagues. It's a matter of counting. We have 45 Democrats, counting [Vermont independent] Jim Jeffords, on our side. We could sustain a filibuster if 41 senators ... are willing to stand and fight..

We're asking senators where they stand. When it reaches a critical moment when five senators have said they oppose a filibuster, it's off the table. It's not going to happen. But if it doesn't reach that moment, then we'll sit down and have that conversation.

Apparently our hard-fought battle to fight this ultra-conservative nominee has paid off, and we have a strong Democratic defense in place. If it will stand up for a long time, I don't know. But anyone looking to run as a moderate this November is going to have trouble. A filibuster will publicize Alito's radical agenda further, and probably build more resistance to him. Keep the pressure on, this guy is dangerous to our democracy.

Remember this one?

Let’s see if this sounds familiar. A group opposed to the leadership of their Middle Eastern country is claiming to the United States that their leader is planning nuclear weapons operations.

Well, the Foundation for Democracy, a group opposed to current Iranian leadership, has claimed that Iran plans to test a nuclear weapon by March. Let me refresh your memory to January 2003.

"The INC, formed in 1992, is an umbrella group comprising Shi'a and Sunni Muslims and Kurds. Dr Chalabi runs an extensive spy network in Iraq and claims to have tens of thousands of Iraqi opposition troops at his disposal.

He makes a forceful case that Saddam's regime is disastrous not just for Iraqis but for the Middle East and the West. "Saddam is actively pursuing the development of chemical and biological weapons," he said. "He's trying very hard to get nuclear weapons." -April 27, 2002, The Daily Telegraph, London

Now wait one second....wasn't Chalabi....lying? If I'm not mistaken, Chalabi planned that once Iraq was rid of Saddam, he would be leader, greeted with open arms. So he was delusional on two counts.

And now we have another group coming forward, doing the same thing to Iran. If you see America claiming during the State of the Union that an inside source says Iran will be testing a bomb in March, know its bullshit. Hopefully the President got a little more skeptical too...

Fox is Liberal

Although Fox News is painfully biased towards the right, I found this quite interesting. In terms of campaign contributions, 80% of what News Corp (owner of fox, FX, Direct Tv, Harper Collins Publishing) gives goes to Democrats. Sure Rupert Murdoch is conservative. But everyone else at the company isn't. So as long as you aren't watching their news, or reading the New York Post, you're helping put more money in the pocket of Democrats. Hope you guys found that as interesting as I did.

[Link] Scroll down for the graph.