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The Donnybrook
Thursday, June 30, 2005
 
Bush Wanted The EPA To Test Pesticides On Infants And Fetuses...

Luckily, 44 Senate Democrats and 16 sane Senate Republicans voted to prohibit the practice.

In a funny twist of fate, Sens. Rick Santorum (R-Short Time) and Sam Brownback (R-Outer Space), two of the most hardcore anti-choicers on this or any other planet felt that exposing the same fetuses they claim to protect to pesticides is a great idea...

David Sirota has the scoop...

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Wednesday, June 29, 2005
 
The Reality Of "Honoring The Military"...

From Bush's photo-op last night:
I thank those of you who have re-enlisted in an hour when your country needs you. And to those watching tonight who are considering a military career, there is no higher calling than service in our Armed Forces. We live in freedom because every generation has produced patriots willing to serve a cause greater than themselves.
Now, the reality from an excerpt in today's Washington Post:

The Bush administration disclosed yesterday that it had vastly underestimated the number of service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan seeking medical treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and warned that the health care programs will be short at least $2.6 billion next year unless Congress approves additional funds.

Veterans Affairs budget documents projected that 23,553 veterans would return this year from Iraq and Afghanistan and seek medical treatment. However, Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson told a Senate committee that the number has been revised upward to 103,000 for the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30. He said the original estimates were based on outdated assumptions from 2002.

Now the GOP Congress must flip-flop and come around to Democratic proposals to raise VA funding. Isn't it good to know that at least one party on Capitol Hill is walking the walk and not just talking about honoring the military?

Senate Republicans, embarrassed and angered over the revelations, yesterday announced plans to pass emergency legislation this morning to add $1.5 billion to the fiscal 2005 appropriation. The move is designed to appease angry veterans groups and preempt a Democratic proposal calling for $1.42 billion in increased VA spending.

The action represents a reversal of GOP policies toward the VA. For the past four months, House and Senate Republicans have repeatedly defeated Democratic amendments to boost VA medical funding.


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Tuesday, June 28, 2005
 
Exactly How Unpopular Is Dubya Around The Country?

SurveyUSA has new approval/disapproval figures for all 50 states, and it ain't looking too good for Dubya, even in several of the states he won in 2004.

As PoliticalWire points out, Bush has a positive rating in only 17 states, a negative rating in 30 states, and a neutral rating in 3 states.

This data isn't earth-shattering at first glance (since Dubya is an incompetent buffoon and all), but a closer look at the state-by-state numbers holds some surprises.

Now, I'm not naive enough believe that every state that disapproves of Bush today will go blue in 2006 and 2008.

However, it seems increasingly apparent that GOP candidates in '06 and '08 may spend a lot more of their time running away from the Bush record than they did in '02 and '04, where they ran toward it...

UPDATE: Bush's second term agenda is being so poorly received, he's been forced to call on the ebullient Ben Stein to help him sell his Social Security scheme.

I thought Republicans hated celebrities...


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Bush Flip-Flops On Timetables...

As Dubya gears up for another primetime speech (read as: photo-op with the troops to reassert his Preznit-ness) designed to save his pitiful approval numbers, be prepared to hear him talk about how setting timetables "sends the wrong message" to our enemies.

Be reminded that he didn't always feel that way. Just take a look at some of the comments he made during the Kosovo war in 1999.

(Thanks to ThinkProgress for doing the heavy lifting...)

“Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is.”
George W. Bush,
4/9/99

“I think it’s also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn.”
George W. Bush,
6/5/99

Contrast these statements with what you hear tonight. It'll probably sound a lot like this:

“It doesn’t make any sense to have a timetable. You know, if you give a timetable, you’re — you’re conceding too much to the enemy.”
George W. Bush,
6/24/05


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Monday, June 27, 2005
 
39 Days And Counting...

Why does time go by so damn slow when you're waiting for football season???

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Santorum Puts Blame For Catholic Abuse Scandal On The City Of Boston...

(Thanks to CapitolBuzz)

This is what Senator Man-On-Dog wrote in Catholic Online about the sexual abuse scandals that have plagued the Catholic Church:
"When the culture is sick, every element in it becomes infected. While it is no excuse for this scandal, it is no surprise that Boston, a seat of academic, political and cultural liberalism in America, lies at the center of the storm."
If the good Senator's nonsensical ranting has gotten you as pissed off as it has gotten me, do a great thing and give some green stuff to the guy who'll be taking his seat in the Senate next year...

P.S. If anyone can explain why I've got a large blank space on my site, I would really appreciate the help...

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So Republicans Don't Believe In The Free Market?

Or so it seems when George Soros is looking to buy the Washington Nationals baseball team...

Check out what they're saying at the DCCC blog...

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Thursday, June 23, 2005
 
An Important Story That Got Lost In The Mix...

Amid the cacophony of uber-important news stories such as the Michael Jackson trial, Tom Cruise's battle with the voices in his head, and the runaway zombie's new haircut, an important story in Connecticut received very little attention.

Governor Jodi Rell (R), who took office after her predecessor, Gov. John Rowland (R) got busted for taking bribes and resigned, decided that it was in her state's best interest to veto a bill that would have banned junk food from the state's public schools.

The bill, which passed through Connecticut's Democrat-controlled state legislature by wide (but unfortunately not veto-proof) margins would've not only removed most sodas and other junk foods from schools, but also added 20 minutes of recess a day to the curriculum.

You might wonder why Gov. Rell passed on the chance to keep her state's children from being exposed to garbage that only serves to make them fat and teaches them the wrong lessons about nutrition.

You might wonder, that is, until you read the following:
The controversial bill was one of the most heavily lobbied of the entire 2005 General Assembly. Williams estimated that giant soda companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, along with major vending corporations, spent about $250,000 on the lobbying to block the legislation.
Now I know what you're saying: A Republican favoring giant companies over everyday citizens seems totally implausible, but I'm here to tell you that this shit is actually happening...

Thanks to Gov. Rell's veto, Connecticut's children can continue to eat junk food and become obese like so many children in America, driving up healthcare costs and incidence of all sorts of diseases later in life.

One of Gov. Rell's reasons for vetoing the bill is so ridiculous, I actually laughed out loud when I read it:
"I am also disturbed that the bill undermines the control and responsibility of parents with school-age children," Rell said.
Um, FYI, kid's parents don't go to school with them. And if any parents would've actually been disappointed by a ban on junk food, let them give it to their kids at home...

I think the lesson here is that most Republicans, even ones with a resonably sensible track record, will gladly side against the well-being of their constituents if large sums of corporate money are involved...

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Wednesday, June 22, 2005
 
GOP Congressman Says 9-11 Victims Would Want Flag-Burning Amendment...

It's about freaking time!

Since the 2004 elections are now 7 months past, I was wondering when the GOP'ers would revive the ol' "9-11 changed everything" talking point in order to whip their constituents into a meaningless frenzy.
"Ask the men and women who stood on top of the (World) Trade Center," said Rep. Randy (Duke) Cunningham, R-Calif. "Ask them and they will tell you: pass this amendment."
You may have seen Rep. Cunningham's name around the blogosphere recently. He's been served subpoenas for allegedly taking a substantial bribe.

As evidenced by Tom DeLay's foul handling of the Terri Schiavo case, this seems to be the newest play in the GOP's playbook:

If one of your members has an ethical problem, raise his profile using a completely unnecessary non-issue to make him/her seem like a real sweetie...

As far as the flag-burning amendment goes, it is just that: completely unnecessary.

The men and women of the United States Armed Forces don't fight and die for flags, they fight and die for freedom, which is (oddly enough) the same freedom to burn the flag...

Besides, as Atrios points out, the US Flag Code tells us that the only way to properly dispose of a flag is to (you guessed it!) burn it...

UPDATE: John at AmericaBlog has compiled a list of the next 5 amendments to the US Constitution...

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What Song Was #1 On The Day You Were Born?

Here's a neat lil' site I just came across...

Punch in your date of birth and it will tell you what song was #1 on the charts in the US or the UK on that date.

I'll go first...

May 5, 1977

US "Hotel California" by The Eagles
UK "Free" by Deniece Williams


I'll bet not too many of you have one of the greatest rock tunes in the history of the planet as your birthday #1. Be sure to hide your jealousy...

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Wanna Advertise On Some Nice Boobs?

Well then look no further! PSoTD has discovered some fun eBay auctions including this one to advertise anything on this girl's ample chest...

Grab your wallets, gentlemen!

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Tuesday, June 21, 2005
 
So, It's Basically The Late 70's With An Unpopular War Thrown In...

That's what I get from today's USAToday/Gallup poll which shows the United States "generally in a funk".

Sky high gas prices, a slowing economy, and a President who looks increasingly ineffectual in the face of tough times defined the late 70's in America.

Add in a very unpopular war with no foreseeable end and you've got 2005...

Malaise, indeed...

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Monday, June 20, 2005
 
Anyone Else Still Miss SRV?

"Life By The Drop"

Hello there, my old friend
Not so long ago it was 'til the end
We played outside in the pouring rain
On our way up the road we started over again

You're livin' a dream....Wo you on top
My mind is achin'....Lord it won't stop
Thats how it happens....Livin' life by the drop

Up and down that road in our worn out shoes
Talkin' 'bout good things and signin' the blues
You went your way....I stayed behind
We both knew it was just a matter of time

You're livin a dream....Wo you on top
My mind is achin'....Lord it won't stop
That's how it happens....Livin' life by the drop

No wasted time....We're alive today
Churnin' up the past....There's no easier way
Time's been between us....A means to an end
God it's good to be here walkin' together my friend

You're livin a dream....Wo you on top
My mind is achin'....Lord it won't stop
That's how it happens....Livin' life by the drop
That's how it happens....Livin' life by the drop
That's how it happens....Livin' life by the drop

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Friday, June 17, 2005
 
The Greatest Foods You've Ever Had?

The Sports Guy got me thinking about this in his mailbag today.

I'm not asking about your favorite food, specifically, but rather the greatest food you've had from a particular place at a particlular time in your life.

The food itself doesn't have to necessarily be amazing, but the memories attached can elevate even a crappy meal to Emerilesque heights.

My list, sure to miss a lot of good ones:

1. Wawa's Classic Italian Hoagie (various locations in the Northeast): The mere fact that you can get a freshly made hoagie that is this damn good at any hour of the day if you live close enough to a Wawa simply defies the boundaries of what should be legally allowed.

2. The Blue Ribbon, Tom Jones' Diner (Brookhaven, PA): 2 of almost everything on the menu; pancakes, sausage, eggs, bacon, and toast for a whopping $2.99!!! That's value. Made even better by the multiple trips my buddies and I used to take after coming back from a New Jersey strip club at about 3am...

3. Cheesesteak w/ provolone & fried onions, Concord Pike Steak Shop (Concordville, PA): Pat's, Geno's, and Jim's have nothing on these guys. Just trust me...

4. Ravioli Bolognese, Fratello's (Cary, NC): I just had this for the first time a few months ago and damn, it is good.

5. Plain Cheese Pizza, Casino Pizza (Sea Isle City, NJ): An absolute dream food when it's late at the Jersey Shore...

6. Handmade Gnocchi from a restaurant whose name I can't remember (Playa del Carmen, Mexico): If you ever vacation there, you may stumble upon a tiny little restaurant whose chef happens to be a grad of the Culinary Institute of America. Get the gnocchi...

More to come as I think of them...

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Jeb Bush Continues To Smear Michael Schiavo...

What a sanctimonious, self-important jizzbucket.

It's not bad enough that he repeatedly stuck his nose in a private matter, disregarded court orders, and went so far as to insinuate that Mr. Schiavo had been beating his brain-dead wife, but now Gov. Bush is calling for an investigation into what happened the day Terri Schiavo collapsed in 1992.
Gov. Jeb Bush asked a prosecutor Friday to investigate why Terri Schiavo collapsed 15 years ago, calling into question how long it took her husband to call 911 after he found her.

In a letter faxed to Pinellas-Pasco County State Attorney Bernie McCabe, Bush said Michael Schiavo testified in a 1992 medical malpractice trial that he found his wife collapsed at 5 a.m., and he said in a 2003 television interview that he found her about 4:30 a.m. He called 911 at 5:40 a.m.


"Between 40 and 70 minutes elapsed before the call was made, and I am aware of no explanation for the delay," Bush wrote. "In light of this new information, I urge you to take a fresh look at this case without any preconceptions as to the outcome."

Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment Friday from The Associated Press. In comments in The Miami Herald, he said Terri Schiavo would not have survived if her husband had not immediately called 911.

"It's absolutely preposterous," Felos said. "If he had waited 70 minutes she would have been dead."

Given the results of Terri Schiavo's autopsy, Bush should be on his hands and knees apologizing to Mr. Schiavo. Instead, he's still trying to destroy his reputation.

Good job, dickless. I'm sure you don't have better things to do with your time...

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Thursday, June 16, 2005
 
Frist Is A Liar...Again...

You can lie to the American people (as you have repeatedly), but you do not lie to Matt Lauer...

Watch...

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House Smacks Down Part Of The Patriot Act...

The Preznit achieves lame duck status in the 6th month of his 2nd term. That's gotta be a record...

The House handed President Bush the first defeat in his effort to preserve the broad powers of the USA Patriot Act, voting yesterday to curtail the FBI's ability to seize library and bookstore records for terrorism investigations.

Bush has threatened to veto any measure that weakens those powers. The surprise 238 to 187 rebuke to the White House was produced when a handful of conservative Republicans, worried about government intrusion, joined with Democrats who are concerned about personal privacy.

One provision of the Patriot Act makes it possible for the FBI to obtain a wide variety of personal records about a suspected terrorist -- including library transactions -- with an order from a secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, where the government must meet a lower threshold of proof than in criminal courts.


It seems like some Republicans in Congress are looking at the Preznit's (and their own) abysmal poll numbers and realizing that if they continue to roll over and do his bidding, they could very easily be out of a job next year...

Now if they would just come to their senses about the other horrible ideas Bush has forced upon the country...

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Wednesday, June 15, 2005
 
15 GOP Senators Can't Be Bothered To Co-Sponsor Lynching Apology...

You would think that a measure like this that is intended to take some small step toward righting a heinous wrong of the past would not only get a floor vote in the Senate but would also be co-sponsored by every single Senator...

You would be wrong on both counts...

Not only did the measure not come to a floor vote, thanks to the apparent refusal of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) to call for one, but it seems that a total of 15 Republican Senators did not choose to attach their names to this apology.

It doesn't necessarily mean they would've voted against the measure had a roll call vote come up, but think of what it does mean:

These 15 GOP Senators did not want to be on record apologizing for the Senate's inaction on an atrocious part of America's not-so-distant past.

I assume they fear the more radical elements of the electorates that gave them jobs in the first place. Let it never be said that GOP'ers don't stick to principle...

Here are the 15 Senators:

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Robert Bennett (R-UT)
Thad Cochran (R-MS)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Michael Crapo (R-ID)
Michael Enzi (R-WY)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Judd Gregg (R-NH)
Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Trent Lott (R-MS)
Richard Shelby (R-AL)
John Sununu (R-NH)
Craig Thomas (R-WY)

(Big thanks to John at AmericaBlog for keeping up with this story...)

UPDATE: George Voinovich and Lisa Murkowski have signed on to the legislation, bringing the total of non-co-sponsors down to 13...

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Tuesday, June 14, 2005
 
SurveyUSA Rates All 100 Senators...

They did this last month with all 50 governors (with some surprising results), and now they're polling approval rates on every Senator in the country.

I swear their work might be, all at once, the most interesting and mundane stuff in all of politics...

Here are the top and bottom 10:

Top 10

1. Obama (D-IL)
2. Collins (R-ME)
3. Conrad (D-ND)
4. Leahy (D-VT)
5. Snowe (R-ME)
6. Dorgan (D-ND)
7. Inouye (D-HI)
8. Rockefeller (D-WV)
9. Reed (D-RI)
10. Bayh (D-IN)

Bottom 10

90. Nelson (D-FL)
91. Sununu (R-NH)
92. Dayton (D-MN)
93. Santorum (R-PA)
94. DeWine (R-OH)
95. Inhofe (R-OK)
96. Coburn (R-OK)
97. Martinez (R-FL)
98. Burr (R-NC)
99. Lautenberg (D-NJ)
100. Cornyn (R-TX)

How did our own Richard Burr end up in the dog house this early into his first term?

Other than voting against more up-armored Humvees for our troops, that is...

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Monday, June 13, 2005
 
High Times For Philly Sports Fans...

First, the Phantoms win their 2nd Calder Cup in franchise history after sweeping the Chicago Wolves in front of the largest crowd in AHL playoff history (20,103 in attendance)...

Then, the suddenly unbeatable Phillies completed a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers and capped off one of the best homestands in the team's history (12-1).

The Phillies are now only a game and a half out of first behind the equally scorching Washington Nationals.

Good times...

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Friday, June 10, 2005
 
Meet The Congressional Black Republicans...

John over at AmericaBlog has a great photo of the group.

I'm not sure if they're all Christians...

UPDATE: Kos has more on God's Own Party...

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Thursday, June 9, 2005
 
Helms: Integration Didn't Need To Be Forced On Us...

Oh, how proud I am to be living in a state that elected this guy to the U.S. Senate five times. It seems Jesse still feels integration was forced on the South by “outside agitators who had their own agendas.”

Hey Jesse, those "outside agitators" are some of true heroes of the last several decades of American history. Sorry you still have such a bitter taste in your mouth about them.

“We will never know how integration might have been achieved in neighborhoods across our land, because the opportunity was snatched away by outside agitators who had their own agendas to advance,” according to the uncorrected proof. “We certainly do know the price paid by the stirring of hatred, the encouragement of violence, the suspicion and distrust.”

Am I crazy, or is Jesse saying that the push-back against the civil rights movement (which included lynchings, beatings, and other atrocities that lead to wonderful images like this), was actually the fault of those who sought to aid those being denied their rights?

The fact is that desegregation was the right thing to do all along, whether or not you like the idea of federal intervention, it had to be done. The wait had been long enough already.

The problem with Jesse's logic is that the wait for the time to be "right" might still be going on today in some parts of this country without the civil rights movement.

I guess you really can't teach an old bigot new tricks.

Did he really need an entire book to say "We would've shut off the hoses eventually"?

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Thanks To My iPod: One Of My Favorite Songs...

Outside the rain begins and it may never end.
So cry no more on the shore a dream will take us out to sea.
Forevermore, forevermore.
Close your eyes and dream and you can be with me.
Neath the waves, through the caves of hours.
Long forgotten now.
We're all alone, we're all alone.

Close the window, calm the lights and it will be allright.
No need to bother now.
Let it out, let it all begin.
And learn how to pretend.

Once a story's told
It can't help but grow old
Roses do lovers too
So cast your seasons to the wind
And hold me dear oh hold me dear

Close the window calm the light
And it will be alright
No need to bother now
Let it out let it all begin
All's forgotten now
We're all alone oh oh we're all alone

Close the window calm the light
And it will be alright
No need to bother now
Let it out let it all begin
All's forgotten now
We're all alone we're all alone
Let it out let it all begin
Owe it to the wind my love...

(Bonus points if someone can tell me who did this song first, Boz Scaggs or Rita Coolidge. I don't know, but I'm curious...)

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Wednesday, June 8, 2005
 
A Pretty White Girl Is Missing! A Pretty White Girl Is Missing!

She's pretty!!! She's white!!! She's missing!!!
She's pretty!!! She's white!!! She's missing!!!
She's pretty!!! She's white!!! She's missing!!!

In other news, a White House offical with ties to the oil industry has been doctoring information about climate changes to downplay the effects of greenhouse gasses...

She's pretty!!! She's white!!! She's missing!!!
She's pretty!!! She's white!!! She's missing!!!
She's pretty!!! She's white!!! She's missing!!!


In other news, four more US soldiers died in Iraq today, bringing the total to 1,684...

Go back to bed America!!! Your government is in control!!!

Look at the
pretty white girl!!!

She's pretty!!! She's white!!! She's missing!!!

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You Can Only Eat One Kind Of Cuisine For The Rest Of Your Life...

What would you choose?

I suspect it's a tough choice for most, but I'd have to go w/ Italian. I say this in spite of the fact that my wife and I eat Mexican at least once a week.

The thought of never having pasta, fresh mozzarella, fried calamari, or Bolognese sauce again just shakes me to my core.

Japanese would be tough to let go too, but them's the breaks...

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Tuesday, June 7, 2005
 
Guess What Local Story Is Hitting The National Scene...

If you guessed the still-undecided North Carolina State Superintendent of Schools race, you'd be right!

Gotta love seeing this story front and center on CNN's "Politics" page under the heading "NO WINNER".

Uh, actually there is a winner. It's too bad the loser can't bring himself to admit that.

Like the race for governor in Washington, the Democrat (June Atkinson) won, while the Republican (Bill Fletcher) lost and is preventing the rightful winner from assuming her duties.

Give it up, dummy...

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Swift Boat Liars Were Just That...Liars...

Now that his military records have been fully opened, Senator John Kerry is vindicated in spite of the shit flung at him by right wing conspiracy theorists who will still believe he is a commie no matter what he does.
"The records, which the Navy Personnel Command provided to the Globe, are mostly a duplication of what Kerry released during his 2004 campaign for president, including numerous commendations from commanding officers who later criticized Kerry's Vietnam service...

"Many of the records contain praise for Kerry's service. For example, the documents quote Kerry's former commanding officers as saying he is ''one of the finest young officers with whom I have served;" is ''the acknowledged leader of his peer group;" and is ''highly recommended for promotion."

Don't get me wrong, Kerry fucked this whole thing up by not releasing his full record sooner, but it's good to see a bunch of revisionist liars exposed as the frauds that they are...

More from Bull Moose...

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So Technology Does Have It's Drawbacks...

I for one have had it with these kinds of high-tech shenanigans!

Isn't it bad enough that Lindsay Lohan is losing weight faster than Karen Carpenter and risking induction into the Jennifer Connelly All-Stars?

Paging Dr. Ludd, Dr. Ned Ludd...

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Monday, June 6, 2005
 
Washington Governor's Race Finally Ended...GOP Weeps...

Adding fuel to the already blazing inferno of conservative hatred for judges, Washington State Superior Court Justice John Bridges (no doubt a liberal lackey, right boys?) decided that Gov. Christine Gregoire's victory should stand, citing no "clear and convincing evidence" of impropriety effecting the results of the election.

A great piece from his comments:
"An election such as this should not be overturned because one judge picks a number and applies a proportional deduction analysis," Bridges said. "To do so within the context of the facts of this case would constitute the ultimate act of judicial egotism and judicial activism."

Hopefully, this idiot is watching...

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First "Major Revelation" In Anti-Hillary Book Is A LIE...

It's hard to believe that any book being hyped by that bastion of journalistic integrity, NewsMax, would be based on lies.

But, in this topsy-turvy world, I guess nothing is sacred.

Should be a fun 3 1/2 years...

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Laura Ingraham: "Regular" People = White People

For those of you not familiar with Laura Ingraham, she's basically a female version of Ann Coulter...

According to Ms. Ingraham, Bush won big amongst "regular" people in 2004. She goes on to define "regular people" as "white middle-class voters".

Wonderful...

(Thanks to MediaMatters)

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Friday, June 3, 2005
 
Philadelphia Phantoms In The Calder Cup Finals...

At least one hockey league will be handing out a championship trophy this year.

Luckily, it may be to the hard-charging Philadelphia Phantoms, the American Hockey League team that plays across the street from the hibernating Flyers.

Last night, the Phantoms jumped out to a 1-0 series lead over the Chicago Wolves in the best-of-7 Calder Cup Finals.

Game 2 is Saturday in Chicago...

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Another Reason Why Shaquille O'Neal Is A Great Guy...

The guy is all class. This is just more proof...

Shaquille O'Neal wants to pay more than respects to the family of George Mikan.

O'Neal said Thursday that he wants the Mikan family to contact the Miami Heat offices, so arrangements can be made for him to handle funeral expenses for the league's first dominant big man.

Mikan died Wednesday night at a rehabilitation center in Scottsdale, Ariz., following a long fight with diabetes and kidney ailments. He was 80.

"I'd like to send my condolences to the Mikan family," O'Neal said after Miami beat Detroit 88-76 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night. "I heard they were having some trouble, some problems, so if you contact the Heat office, I would like to pay for the funeral."

O'Neal credits Mikan as someone who helped lay the framework for what the NBA is today.


"Without No. 99, there is no me," said O'Neal, referring to Mikan by his jersey number.


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Thursday, June 2, 2005
 
Bull Moose On Deep Throat Episode II: Attack of the Nixonoids...

I hate to copy stuff wholecloth (it's a very "Martin" thing to do), but when the Moose gets rolling, he's probably the sharpest guy in the blogosphere...
The Moose notes the emergence of the Nixon Big House Vets for Deceit.

With the revelation of the identity of Deep Throat, the Nixon Felon Brigade is out in force. The Nixon Big House Vets for Deceit are attempting to replicate the success of the Swift Boat Vets. Instead of Kerry, their target is Mark Felt.

Forget about the trashing of the constitution- Felt's "betrayal" must be punished! Upright law and order types like Liddy and Colson are now lecturing us on ethics. Talk about defining deviancy down! Chuck - what would Jesus do - keep his trap shut to defend criminality? The Tricky Dick Vets are ably assisted by their Communications Director and Gauleiter Pat Buchanan who is taking a much deserved break from his efforts to discredit the Allies' decision to fight the Nazis.

Yes, the right has learned much since the Old Man went down in '74. Never defend, always attack. Deflect attention from Nixon's crimes with the charge of disloyalty. Make Felt the criminal. Never retreat. Always advance. The media is the enemy. Vietnam was lost by the quislings on the home front. Of course, we want strict constitutionalists on the court.

But if the constitution is an impediment to power - it is only a document for sissies....

And Spiro was framed!
What more can you say?

UPDATE: If you're Peggy Noonan (or an assorted group of Nixon apologists, for that matter), you can apparently say a lot more...

Ol' Peggy puts the responsibility for America losing in Vietnam, the rise of Pol Pot, and the strengthening of the Soviet Union directly on Mr. Felt's shoulders. Seems reasonable...

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Wisconsin State Rep Has The Right Idea About The Drinking Age...But Needs To Go Further...

I've never understood the logic behind allowing 18, 19, and 20-year-olds to fight and die for their country, but not allowing them to drink a beer when they get back...

One Wisconsin lawmaker figures if the U.S. military trusts 19-year-olds with a $10 million tank, then the state should trust them with a beer.

State Rep. Mark Pettis, a Republican who served in the Navy, is pushing a bill that would drop the drinking age to 19 for Wisconsin soldiers, but only if the federal government agrees it will not yank an estimated $50 million a year in highway aid. A federal law ties federal highway dollars to compliance by the states with the required drinking age of 21.

"We're treating these young men and women as adults when they're at war. But we treat them like teenagers when they're here in the states," he said.

Here's where I think Rep. Pettis needs to go further:

1.) The drinking age should be 18. What's the point of lowering the drinking age under the guise of being fair to those who are eligible to join the military if you still negate an entire age?

2.) Military enlistment should not be a requirement for being able to drink a beer. That just seems a little too tedious. For one thing, the number of fake military ID's hitting the scene would be astronomical.

To this point, I would also suggest that if enacted, a lowering of the drinking age should be accompanied by stiffer penalties for 18 to 20-year-olds for drunk driving, reckless driving, disorderly conduct, or any other criminal acts related to alcohol consumption.

Just my $.02...

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Wednesday, June 1, 2005
 
Bull Moose On Deep Throat...

Sounds like a porno Godzilla spoof, doesn't it?

Anyway, the Moose has got the best comments I've seen so far on Deep Throat's identity being revealed:

The Moose is savoring the delicious irony.

After years of keeping an eye on the left and assorted dissenters, Mr. Hoover's FBI got its man - Richard Nixon. The revelation that a protege of J.Edgar, Mark Felt, was deep throat is mega-ironic. Nixon shared Hoover's sentiments. But in the end it was neither the commies nor the liberals who were the source of the Old Man's undoing. It was the FBI.

This revelation is a blow to the right's version of Watergate. It was not a Vast Left Wing Conspiracy that engineered a coup. Rather, it was a button-down G Man who told the truth.

It is also ironic that last week at this time America was lamenting a government leak that proved to be at least partially false. Now, we are celebrating the mother of all leakers who brought down a crooked President.

Life is indeed very interesting.


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Welcome Home To Mo Cheeks...

You gotta love it when a great player comes home to coach his old team...

Such is the case with Maurice Cheeks, the new coach of the 76ers. Cheeks was the point guard for some of the greatest Sixers teams ever back in the early 80's.

Here's a good pic of Mo back in his playing days...

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