Will Bunch Gets It Big Time!

For those of you out there who need to be hit over the head with a two-by-four, here it is:

Tonight we're gonna party like it's 2002

Yup, they've found the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the Democrats are aiding the terrorists, Karl Rove is back in the saddle, and now they' ve busted another "terror cell" in Miami which we can guarantee will ultimately prove to be not what it seems to be.

When are they going to raise the "terror alert" level to orange?

Break out the "freedom fries," boys. Must be a new election year.

Oh, hell, just raise the “Terror Alert” level to RED and just get it over with already!

Oh, excuse me, what was I thinking, the RED level is only for a PRESIDENTIAL election.

Silly Me!

Mr. Wolcott Is Concise.

The Bush Doctrine
Posted by James Wolcott

...torturing the mentally ill.

...hiring the intellectually handicapped.

The virtue of a fine writer is the ability to be clear, relevant, and to sum it all up in a nutshell, thereby being salient.

Help!

We need all the Help we can get. America needs it!

Governing, or Not!

Well, this is my rant for today. The Beatles said it best, “You Make Me Want to Shout!”

I am pissed off at the crowd that votes Republican, you know the party that doesn’t believe in Government, and then those same folks who vote for this party’s candidates are pissed off that they are imbeciles when it comes to governing. Well, Alan Wolfe has laid it all out in his Washington Monthly cover story, “Why Conservatives Can’t Govern.”

Well call me an idiot, but if you don’t believe in government, and actually want to eliminate it, why would you believe in being competent when it comes to governing? Isn’t that just basic? When the whole Katrina debacle unfolded all I could do was blame the American Electorate. The American public expressed outrage at the Bush Administration’s response to this catastrophe. Well, where were they when Joe Allbaugh and Michael Brown were nominated to head up FEMA? Neither of these guys were even remotely qualified or capable of heading this all important agency. Their nominations are right up there with Bernie Kerik’s for insult which, of course, ended up adding to injury.

So, where does that leave us? The American Electorate doesn’t want to pay taxes but they want services? So, they consistently vote for the folks who promise to reduce their tax burden. The reality is of course that only the top income earners, or not earners like Paris Hilton, get tax relief, but the American Electorate, being so well informed by the supposedly “liberal media,” continue to buy the faux story.

Folks, if candidates deride government they are not going to govern effectively. The bottom line is that if you don’t believe in something you are not going to do it well, or at all for that matter.

So, if you want government to work effectively, you must elect folks who believe in government. How simple is that!

Whenever I think of the debacle that is the destroyed city of NOLA I think of the Animals, and whenever I think of Iraq I also think of the Animals: We’ve Gotta Get Out this Place.

This cabal in Washington, Executive, Congress and Courts, and it is a Republican cabal, have no investment in governing, only in the looting of our treasury whether it is through earmarks or the other pork, see Haliburton, et al., and the Pentagon, and the myriad corporate campaign contributions to keep them in power to continue the former.

The rant is STOP VOTING FOR FOLKS WHO DON’T BELIEVE IN GOVERNMENT TO GOVERN. HOW SIMPLE IS THAT?

Billy Preston

R.I.P.

1946 – 2006

Better late than never.

A Response to Coulter

Ann Coulter’s appearance on the Today Show and her criticism of some of the 9/11 Widows has raised quite a storm in the MSM. The MSM is obviously late to this discussion and faux outrage. I don’t understand this as Coulter has always been outrageous, mean, nasty, and of course incoherent in her slandering and libeling anyone who doesn’t hew to the Dear Leader’s line of reasoning, not to mention her pension for being totally fact free.

So, it was with great timing, and comedy and life are all about timing, that Kathy Griffin was on the Today Show on the same day and later in the program.

Here is her take down of Coulter and the Today Show. She didn’t raise the obvious question which is why Coulter was given air time on a Major Network, though I think she was hinting at it, with the fact checking comment. What does NBC gain from having Coulter on the Today Show? We know Coulter, who may be a felon, gets publicity for her latest screed. But why exactly would NBC put this nut job on their show?

That is the real controversy, not what she says.

Priorities!

Molly, once again, nails it. Who are the folks who buy this shit: gay-marriage, flag burning, and Paris Hilton’s tax-free unearned inheritance? The U.S.A. has real problems, such as the trashing of the Constitution, the coming economic meltdown, and let’s not mention the Iraq Debacle. So, apparently Rover and company believe that Americans are such idiots that they will fall for this “Cultural Divide” crap again? I know, they fell for it, or something, in 2004, but are they still so stupid that they will fall for it again? Note that the President is busy pushing the “Immigration Crisis” on primary day! HMMMMM!

Here are Molly’s thoughts on the current state of our Union, and it’s not a pretty picture:

Flag Burning and Other Dubious Epidemics
By Molly Ivins
Creators Syndicate

Monday 05 June 2006

Austin, Texas - Thank goodness the Republicans are around to tell me what to worry about. The flag-burning crisis - here in Austin, there's that pall of smoke rising from the west every morning (it's from an area called Tarrytown, where they burn hundreds of flags daily).

You didn't know hundreds of flags were being burned daily? Actually, you can count on your hand the number of incidents reported over the last five years. For instance, there was one flag burned in 2005 by a drunken teenager and one by a protester in California in 2002. This appalling record of ravishment must be stopped. You're clearly not worried about what matters.

Gay marriage, now there's a crisis. Well, OK, so there isn't much gay marriage going on here in Texas. None, in fact. First, we made it illegal. Then, we made it unconstitutional. But President Bush is all concerned about it, so I guess we have to alter the U.S. Constitution.

Gus and Captain Call (of "Lonesome Dove" fame) will be an item - with who knows who waiting in line right after them.

Also of great concern to Republicans is God Almighty, who, rather to my surprise, has been elected chairman of the Texas Republican Party. That's what they announced at the biannual convention in Fort Worth this week: "He is the chairman of the party." Sheesh, the Democrats couldn't even get Superman.

Also weighing down the nation with a heavy burden is the estate tax, which the Senate will try to repeal this week. The estate tax applies to around 1% of Americans, and I have yet to find any record of it costing anyone a family farm or business. It affects only very, very, very rich people, of whom you are probably not one. And they don't, actually, need another tax break.

These are the things we are supposed to be worrying about, and you notice that it frees us of quite a few troubles we might otherwise fret about.

The war in Iraq? No sweat.

War with Iran? We're carefree.

The economy? Hey, did you see that employment report? Well, ignore it.

Budget out of control, shipwreck ahead? Never mind - Bush doesn't. Worst class divisions since the Gilded Age, rich so much more enormously richer than everybody else, country starting to get creepy? Don't worry, be happy. Torture, massacre, extraordinary rendition, hidden gulag of prisons in foreign countries, Guantanamo and massive violations of international law, American law and the Constitution? Well, you can see why gay marriage is a far greater menace.

Wipe out for the environment; hundreds of regulations and laws changed to favor those who exploit and damage natural resources; all so common no one is keeping track of them all? Let her rip.

Global warming? In the first place, it's Al Gore's issue. In the second place, it's a downer. In the third place, who cares if it's too late in a few years?

Homeland security/war on terror? With the highly excellent disposition of anti-terror funds once more judiciously applied by the Department of Homeland Security, we truly have nothing to worry about. We're ready to stop terrorist attacks in Wyoming, and there are no important cultural sites in New York City, so let's rock.

Oil crisis? Ha! What oil crisis? You want a $100 rebate you can then give the oil companies? Hey, we're going to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and that should see us through ... oh, about nine months.

Windfall profits? You think the oil companies are ripping us off for windfall profits? Who? ExxonMobil? Why, they would never!

I believe what we have here is a difference over moral values.

The Republicans are worried about the flag, gay marriage and the terrible burden of the estate tax on the rich. The rest of us are obviously unnecessarily worried about war, peace, the economy, the environment and civilization. Another reason to vote Republican - they have a shorter list.

I hope that the results of our current primaries give us some idea of where the U.S.A. is headed. I am a half-full glass person usually, and that is why I am so often shocked, but I have to tell you I am getting less shocked at the apathy and/or idiocy of the American Electorate every day.

This is not a good sign!

The New Police State!

Ralph over at Newsfare posts this and I think it is a logical follow-up to my Buffalo Springfield post.

So, I offer it up for your edification on the new national security and civil liberties situation. And please follow the links. Here it is:

Carol Fisher to be Sentenced

This story makes me ill. I discussed it in an earlier post.

Carol Fisher, an activist with “The World Can’t Wait - Drive Out the Bush Regime,” will be sentenced this Friday, June 2 at 10 am in the courtroom of Judge Timothy McGinty, on the 21st floor of the Justice Center in downtown Cleveland.

Ms. Fisher was convicted on April 28 of 2 counts of assaulting police officers in Cleveland Heights for putting up posters which read “Bush Step Down.” This case been covered in the Cleveland Free Times, Sun Press, the Plain Dealer, along with radio shows and blogs all over the country.

For background on the case, see this link. A brief excerpt:

The officer’s partner arrived on the scene and Carol was thrown face down on the sidewalk with one cop’s knee in her back and her face held to the ground. She was handcuffed and her legs were shackled. Additional backup arrived.

After she was restrained, the arresting officer said, “I am sick and tired of this anti-Bush shit.” Another cop said, “Shut up or I’ll kill you”. The officers said “she is definitely crazy, we should send her to the psych ward.”

Back to the main story…

[Fisher] is facing a maximum of three years in jail with a fine of several thousand dollars. After the guilty verdict, Judge McGinty told her, “When you come to the sentencing, be prepared to apologize and admit you were wrong, or bring your toothbrush - you are going to jail.” Judge McGinty repeated these threats to her attorneys yesterday.

Ms. Fisher’s supporters will rally outside the Justice Center Friday morning at 9 am, by the sculpture on Ontario St between Lakeside and St. Clair. Press packets will be available, along with a new statement from the Cleveland chapter of World Can’t Wait. People will then fill the courtroom to witness the sentencing.

Before the sentencing, in court, Ms. Fisher will make a statement. She has consistently declared that she has nothing to apologize for and is not guilty.

An appeal will be filed by her attorneys, Terry Gilbert and Dan Sheilds.

Carol Fisher is about to be imprisoned solely for her political views. Note that the judge specifically threatened to send her to jail if she did not publicly recant. You can donate to help cover Fisher’s appeal costs at this Paypal page.

So, this is what we have come to. Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid!

There is Something Going on Here!

Yes, when the Powers that Be make “Fear” the enduring policy you need to “Stop Look What’s Going Down!”

Buffalo Springfield lays it out:

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware

I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind

I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side

It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away

We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

What is wrong with our National Psyche that we as a Nation are so easily manipulated? Are Americans so insecure and paranoid? Is that what we have come to? We, as a Nation, are so paranoid that we are willing to give up our civil rights and liberties to be “protected” by faux protectors. Is that what this country has come to?

And why would we believe that these faux protectors can protect us? It isn’t as if they were interested in the “Terrorist Threat” enough to pay attention before September 11, 2001. And there isn’t any evidence of this administration’s desire to protect the Homeland from Terrorism since then as we invaded Iraq and made the Terrorist Threat even more threatening.

So, what is going on here? And are you paying attention? And if not, why not? Are Americans so anti-democratic that they are willing to give up their rights for some faux protection?

As Ben Franklin said: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

The question then is does the electorate support the constitution or not? Is there a plurality of Americans who support a Constitutional America or not? That is the question!

I Heart Cliff!

He’s back and with a wack:

Friday, June 02, 2006

Cliff's Corner
by Cliff in DC - 6/02/2006 07:45:00 PM

The Week That Was 6.2.06

Another week. More preposterousness to report.

So this week that collection of Mensa neocortexes at the Homeland Security Department — in between browsing senior prom signup sheets to find their next friend with benefits — have decided that they are going to allocate funds for our protection based upon familiar criteria to anyone even casually observing this profligate presidency over the past 5+ years. They have cut money granted to New York and Washington D.C. by 40% — where some event happened about five years ago, but I forget exactly what it was because Karl Rove so seldomly mentions it — while jacking up funds for such asset-rich terrain such as Topeka and Terre Haute.

Where GOP voters and Republican marionette legislators hail from would be the most accurate way to figure out the destination of government cash (although in Rick Santorum’s case you would think that would mean Northern Virginia). It correlates nicely with places where there’s enough brush to give our president a stiffy or allow our vice-president cover to shoot another man in the face. Hey, why shouldn’t national security take its rightful place right next to estate tax elimination and bridges to Ted Stevens’ reelection when it comes to its likelihood to be whored out to special interests by those tough-talking-bed wetters known as the Bush Administration.

And while this may not be the first time, with this most recent decision I think we can safely say the degree of stupidity at the DHS has ascended from Code Level Red to Mary Matalin.

I must admit this is a subject area I take quite personally. I grew up in New York and was unlucky enough to be working an election in lower Manhattan on 9/11. I have vivid memories of watching incredulously from a mile away as the second plane made contact. I live right outside of Washington D.C.

So when these putrescent blowhards who would sell out America’s ports, soldiers and Friday nights on Christopher Street with Ken Mehlman — all for political power and a trip to the Marianas — lay bare their pathetic record on homeland security and then plan to run on it in the 2006 midterms, I become as irate as Rush when the maid arrives 15 minutes late. Without all the lipids, excessive sudation and furious heaving of course.

Very simply put, again and again we are presented with the fact that Republicans running homeland security is much like David Duke doing an open mic night at the Apollo or Joe Lieberman being a Democrat.

Therefore, I would like to offer this humble bit of advice to Democratic candidates and consultants who may be reading: DON’T HIDE FROM THIS ISSUE AGAIN.

There were no WMDs, troops in Iraq don’t have enough armor, numerous generals have basically said that Donald Rumsfeld planning a war is like Tom Cruise becoming a psychiatrist, nuclear facilities remain vulnerable, Osama bin Laden’s sipping sherry at his summer time-share and lest we forget, there was that Oscar Madison response to Katrina.

And now funding has been drastically cut from the areas most likely to be attacked, which also just happens to be where such trivial things as the federal government and financial markets are headquartered.

Like with everything else, from riding bicycles to balancing budgets, this president is the ridiculously incompetent and corrupt jester that many of us predicted he would be six years ago from all available evidence. Now 34% of the public concurs that he is the worst president in 50 years (although adding 100 and going back to Buchanan would probably be more accurate).

So when Rove runs on national security this time, Democrats should have a simple, unapologetic response:

Bring It On

I couldn’t have said it better, so I didn’t!