No One Wants To Hire ex-Atty Gen Gonzales

It has been a few months since Alberto Gonzales stepped down amid heavy public pressure. You know things are bad when Mr. George "Loyalty-first" Bush lets one of his cabinet members go. Even though he wasn't impeached for his crimes by a Congress still looking for its spine, it seems that karma has a way of getting around to everyone.

From The NY Times:

WASHINGTON — Alberto R. Gonzales, like many others recently unemployed, has discovered how difficult it can be to find a new job. Mr. Gonzales, the former attorney general, who was forced to resign last year, has been unable to interest law firms in adding his name to their roster, Washington lawyers and his associates said in recent interviews.

He has, through friends, put out inquiries, they said, and has not found any takers. What makes Mr. Gonzales’s case extraordinary is that former attorneys general, the government’s chief lawyer, are typically highly sought.

A longtime loyalist to George W. Bush dating to their years together in Texas, Mr. Gonzales was once widely viewed as a strong candidate to be the first Hispanic-American nominated one day to the Supreme Court. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he carried an impressive personal story as the child of poor Mexican immigrants.

Impressive personal story aside, Mr. Gonzales decided to sell his soul to make it to the big leagues under George Bush. He helped to push for torture, spying on Americans and many, many other illegal or illicit items against either U.S. citizens or people around the world affected by the Bush Administration. Unlike living inside the bubble of the White House, now he must deal with the real world and many in it see him for the scoundrel he is. No attorney in his or her right mind would add an award-winning ex-Attorney General to their firm.

Pennsylvania Crowd Doesn't Buy Clinton's Crap

A picture says a thousand words, but a video tells 24,000 per second:

Associated Press Finally Realizes What We Already Know About McCain

He's a conservative! Congratulations to the AP for actually printing it, despite making sure he gets his favorite donuts. What we on the left have known since McCain was making himself present on the stage of the U.S. Senate many years ago, the AP is starting to catch on. Instead of going along with the "maverick" crap that so many in the media have, they actually (gasp) looked at his record and found that the so-called moderate is much more to the right than McCain's friends in the media let on.

From The AP/Huff Po:

The likely Republican presidential nominee is much more conservative than voters appear to realize. McCain leans to the right on issue after issue, not just on the Iraq war but also on abortion, gay rights, gun control and other issues that matter to his party's social conservatives.

The four-term Arizona senator, a longtime member of the Armed Services Committee, criticized the earlier handling of the war but has been a crucial ally in President Bush's effort to increase and maintain U.S. forces in Iraq.

Besides the war, McCain agrees broadly with Bush and other conservatives on:

_Abortion.[...]

_Gay rights.[...]

_Gun control. [...]

His conservatism could be a problem for McCain _ particularly if this November's contest is as close as recent presidential elections, which were decided by independent-minded voters in the center of the political spectrum.

But he might avoid this problem to the extent people know him as an independent-minded politician. And many do view him that way.

"People see him as a centrist. They don't see him as a conservative," said Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

People see him as that because the media hasn't been doing their job, but if the rest of the "journalists" out there would report on McCain's record and issue positions instead of eating ribs at the ranch in Arizona, maybe Americans would see the "Maverick" for who he really is. Despite this one article however, most coverage of the Senator is extremely favorable. That is why I won't be holding my breath for the traditional media outlets to do their job, so the blogosphere will continue to do theirs.

Right Wingers Are Warning Us About Gays Coming To Take Over Our Towns!!!

What would we do without those crazy wingers? How would we know who was evil and who was super-evil? Who will be raptured and those left to spend eternity in hell on Earth and when will it happen? Who hates America? Why do natural disasters happen? You know, all the important things we need to know. Well now we are being prepared to tackle the nation's biggest problem, infiltration of city councils to allow gay people the chance to experience marriage just like the rest of us.

From Think Progress:

Recently, Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) came under intense criticism for making a host of incendiary remarks toward gays. For example, she said gays are a “bigger threat” to our nation than terrorism. She also warned, “Gays are infiltrating city councils.” As an example, she cited the town of Eureka Springs, AR, whose city council she claimed is now “controlled by gays.”

The American Family Association (AFA) has joined in promoting this myth of the evil gay agenda in a new video called “They’re Coming To Your Town.” The poster advertising the DVD appears to have a menacing rainbow-like lights in background. PageOneQ summarizes the trailer for the video:

The presentation in the AFA trailer…”They’re Coming to Your Town,” tells the tale of an uncharacteristically diverse resort town’s government infiltrated by “a handful of homosexual activists” and bent to their will through the enactment of the town’s domestic partner registry on June 22, 2007.

“Watch, and learn,” says the trailer, “how to fight a well-organized gay agenda to take over the cities of America, one city at a time.”

Watch the trailer here.

Eureka Springs is not pleased with people such as Kern, who claim that they have the city’s best interests at heart. Responding to Kern, Eureka Springs’s mayor said the city is “welcoming to all visitors and residents without regard to their race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability or national origin. It is our hope that all people would aspire to this ideal.”

This what these "religious" people spend waste their time with. It isn't about helping their fellow man, it is about destroying anyone that might not look or sound or feel the same way as them. When you have that much fear and loathing inside of you, there must be a lot of people on the list to attack. Gays may be a current topic, but give them a chance to succeed at what they're doing, we'll be burning books within no time.

"Shame On Hillary Clinton"

Barack Obama called out Hillary Clinton yesterday in Steelton, PA for disparaging his comments about how people are bitter in Pennsylvania and around the country. His response to her criticism was told brilliantly, and the crowd response is spot on.

Weiner Wants The IRS To Do Our Taxes

So today is April 14th, meaning by the midnight tomorrow, you've either have to have your tax returns mailed in, filed for an extension or as many others do, have an accountant take care of it for you. It is a major headache for millions of Americans and makes late March and early April a hellish time for CPAs and all those that do taxes for a living. However, that could all change if a bill proposed by Congressman (and Mayoral candidate) Anthony Weiner passes through Congress this year.

From The NY Daily News:

Some 40% of Americans who file the simplest tax forms would qualify for the proposed "auto file" program, which will be introduced by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn, Queens) when Congress returns next week.

"More people will file. Fewer people will have to spend money on tax firms or on computer software. And we'll be improving the relationship between the IRS and taxpayers for whom April 15 is a big headache," Weiner said.

The voluntary system, similar to California's "Ready Return" program, would apply to taxpayers who use 1040EZ and 1040A forms.

The IRS would use the W-2 and 1099 documents it gets from employers to fill out the forms.

Taxpayers would have a chance to review the IRS's calculations and make changes before signing the forms, Weiner said. Those who itemize their deductions probably would not want to use auto file, he said. And taxpayers would still have to take care of their state tax forms.

So the program is voluntary and if you have itemized deductions this won't work for you. If you simply file taxes without trying to pay less then go ahead, but most people want to do the opposite. After looking at this bill, it seems that Weiner is just trying to get some publicity in time for the height of tax season.

A Solution For The Horses Of Central Park

Many tourists who come to New York love to see the horses that pull antique carriages around the Central Park area. It's romantic and charming sure, but when you are in town for a short time, people don't see the abusive nature of this trade. Horses have been killed because of the hectic atmosphere on the border of the park and Midtown. Horses are also mistreated not only by certain individual owners but by the very nature of what they are being made to do. Thankfully though, City Councilman Tony Avella has something to offer in its place.

From The Gothamist:

A plan is afoot to have horse drawn carriages around Central Park replaced by environmentally friendly classic cars, like the Ford Model T. The carriage horse business has come under increasing scrutiny recently as an outdated and cruel practice. Several incidents where horses were killed or injured after bolting in city traffic have galvanized opponents and some politicians to ban the use of horses in New York City. Technology remains a barrier, according to the Post.

One option would be the classic replicas that run on propane and hydrogen currently shuttling tourists around San Francisco. But Nislick said the coalition would prefer electric cars with zero emissions - technology that may not be available until 2010.

Councilman Tony Avella is interested in the possible substitution of cars for horses. He's already proposed a bill to ban horse drawn carriages in the city. Carriage owners insist that their animals are well cared for and think that a car ride won't have the same appeal as a carriage ride. Spokeswoman for the Horse and Carriage Association, Carolyn Daly, told the Post "No one wants to replace clip-clop, clip-clop with chitty chitty bang bang."

The Horse and Carriage Association can make all the noises they want, but the truth remains that their profession is inherently cruel to the animals who are forced to pull people around the park. These people need to stop whining and let the horses be cared for in a way that is actually caring. Despite their claims, anyone that passes by them around Central Park South can see the truth of what they are trying to pull. Putting classic cars into practice is a novel and refreshing idea that is good for both man and horse.

Brooklyn Does Matter

And it matters more to its residents than Bruce Ratner thought. Pulling one over the citizens of the community with eminent domain abuse is going to take more than having the good graces of some local politicians. Again, activism matters and it does work.

Of All People, Bob Shrum Nails The "Elitist Obama" Crap

oIn all this craziness surrounding the "contest" between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the last person (or at least in the back of the line) to correctly surmise a ridiculous political situation would be serial-campaign loser Bob Shrum. However with him on the sidelines thus far, his commentary concerning the "elitist" remarks were spot on. He calls out the Republican BS and not surprisingly, the way Hillary has gone right along with the crap coming from the GOP.

From The Huffington Post:

Obama's not running for Sociologist-in-Chief. But there is a powerful element of truth in his comments. Starting in the elder Bob Casey's 1986 campaign for Governor, and again and again since, both James Carville and I have heard or read -- from focus groups or polling reports -- the frustration, anger, and yes, sometimes bitterness of people in depressed towns in the Keystone State who've had politicians promise them help that too seldom comes. Even in the Clinton years, when Pennsylvania gained jobs, the hollowed out economies of once-thriving blue collar communities were largely bypassed.

The political question here, of course, is whether the Clinton and McCain campaigns can exploit Obama's remarks to tag him as an "elitist" -- a label, their focus groups probably tell them, that can really hurt. Ironically, Obama's the one raised by a single mother. He's the one who only recently finished paying off his student loans. He doesn't know what it's like to have $100 million. The opponents who are attacking him are the ones who inhabit that financial neighborhood.

Hillary Clinton has seized happily on Obama's words as a way to distract attention from the latest flight of one of her husband's misguided missiles. Just as the video that irrefutably confounded her tale about sniper fire at the Tuzla Airport was being returned to the network vaults, President Clinton's ill-timed and inaccurate account of the episode rewound and replayed the tapes. Then Obama's talk gave her the chance to push the pause button. But now she has to be careful not to push the "elitism" attack too hard. The Clintons haven't lived in the real world for at least twenty-five years; they've been in a bubble surrounded by aides moving from one mansion to another. This doesn't mean they don't care or can't empathize. But it does make it awkward to damn the guy who was a community organizer helping laid-off steelworkers as someone who is out of touch.

It really is amazing that those who live the "elitist" life can so ambly paint others as elitist to score political points. Maybe not so for Republican candidates, but it is always a sad sight when a Democratic challenger does it to her own. She'll do whatever it takes to get the bad press away from her camp (justified as it is) even when the attack is unwarranted. She could distract people with issues and something to boost her own character. Instead she continues to try and drag Obama through the mud when he was simply pointing out a simple fact of life for so many Americans in this country who are sick and tired of politics as usual.

Does Bloomberg Want To Three-Peat NYC?

There are already so many candidates running for Mayor next year, what would the hat of one more matter to anyone? Well, if that hat belongs to twice-elected Mayor Bloomberg, it would mean a great deal to the city of New York. Supposedly someone close to his Administration hinted that the Mayor is trying to get rid of term limits in the city so that he can run a third time.

From UPI:

The unidentified source said Bloomberg would like to stay in public office beyond the end of his second term on Dec. 31, 2009, the New York Post reported Sunday.

The source said Bloomberg is considering asking for support for a third-term referendum. The source said the mayor "won't make up his mind," however, until he completes the city budget in June.

The source told the Post Bloomberg was considering asking the Charter Revision Commission to place a term-limits referendum up for a vote this November.

Hmm, sounds like someone wants to hold onto their power. Now why would Mr. Bloomberg want to stay, changing the city's term limits in the process? Maybe he's so obsessed about congestion pricing that he wants another four years to see it through? Or, could there possibly be more land within the five boroughs that he wants to rezone for wealthy developers? You never know, he may also want to revive the idea of a West Side Stadium. Nah, not the stadium, but those first two options might have to do something with an attempt at a third run at being on top at City Hall.

The Young Turkish Political Round-Up

If you are looking for the weekly political highlights for Turkey you've come to the wrong place, however if a progressively-minded critique of American politics is what you want, then this is what you want:

Spitzer Is Back To Work

No, thankfully not for the State of New York. Eliot is back from being hidden away upstate to do what it seems his wife always wanted him to do. No more fighting criminals (while being one in a way) or trying to fix the tangled web that is Albany. No, the ex-Governor is going to take over the family business for his ailing father.

From The Gothamist:

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has emerged from his upstate seclusion and now has his nose back to the grindstone--this time in the private sector. There was no need to polish his resumé, however, as his new boss is his father. Bernard Spitzer, who is 83 years old and suffering from Alzheimer's, amassed a half-billion dollar real estate and money management empire during his career.

The abrupt job switch might be at least some comfort to the ex-Governor's wife, Silda Wall Spitzer, who Spitzer said once asked him "What was wrong with going into the family business? That wouldn’t have been so bad." Following Troopergate and Hookergate, it seems that Mrs. Spitzer may have been right from the get go. In addition to the new job, the Daily News reports that Eliot Spitzer is in therapy; presumably to understand his desire to have sex with beautiful young women.

Yeah, I know the obvious response to that last sentence, but paying tens of thousands of dollars for it might take some serious counseling sessions. Then you have to add in violating the Mann Act (famous prosecuting attorneys should know about these things) and moving money around in nefarious ways and then you can see he will have a very busy schedule from now on. I wonder if any of those therapists have offices in one of the five buildings facing Central Park that the Spitzers own?