Byron York Calls McClellan Naive! What Nerve!

As usual on the Fox Sunday shows, ridiculousness ensues from its conservative guests. Here Byron York calls Scott McClellan naive for believing in the goodness of George W.



Hey Byron, who are you calling naive (not to mention twisted and demented)?

Does George Bush Consider "Floating Prisons" A Model Of Good Public Service?

George Bush told the graduating class at Furman University to be good, model citizens this weekend, but he certainly didn't mention extraordinary rendition as part of that role. Bush's hypocrisy knows no bounds and the latest story about the United States' torture/secret imprisonment saga is definitely out there on the plane of morality. One thing that would have been truthful is that to be a good George Bush, get better at keeping secrets such as where to keep prisoners who are denied any rights away from the media.

From The Guardian:

The United States is operating "floating prisons" to house those arrested in its war on terror, according to human rights lawyers, who claim there has been an attempt to conceal the numbers and whereabouts of detainees.

Details of ships where detainees have been held and sites allegedly being used in countries across the world have been compiled as the debate over detention without trial intensifies on both sides of the Atlantic. The US government was yesterday urged to list the names and whereabouts of all those detained.

Information about the operation of prison ships has emerged through a number of sources, including statements from the US military, the Council of Europe and related parliamentary bodies, and the testimonies of prisoners.

The analysis, due to be published this year by the human rights organisation Reprieve, also claims there have been more than 200 new cases of rendition since 2006, when President George Bush declared that the practice had stopped.

Secrets and lies, more lies and more secrets are what he and his Administration do best. The media for the most part is doing its part for him by not reporting this. Most stories are on international outlets and curiously the one that stands out in the U.S. is FoxNews. Perhaps their viewers like to hear about "American ingenuity" in action. What is important here is that our government is allowed to get away with this, shredding more chunks from what little respect we garner around the world as we disrespect what our country is all about.

Keeping Senator Kennedy In Our Thoughts Today

As the news is beginning to report, Senator Ted Kennedy is undergoing brain surgery today. The operation is the first step to reduce the tumor before he undergoes chemotherapy and radiation. He is definitely in good hands this morning with one of the nation's top neurosurgeons, so all we can do is say a prayer (or send good thoughts if you choose) as he begins to fight this as he has fought every other challenge in his life.

From The Huffington Post:

Kennedy said that over the past few days he and his wife, Vicki, "along with my outstanding team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital, have consulted with experts from around the country and have decided that the best course of action for my brain tumor is targeted surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation."

Kennedy said he selected a team of neuro-oncologists from Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital and Duke University Medical Center.

Friedman is "one of the thought leaders" and a giant in the field of neuro-oncology, said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, speaking from Chicago, where more than 30,000 cancer specialists are attending an American Society of Clinical Oncology conference.

Friedman is chief of the division of neurosurgery in the surgical department at Duke and also co-director of the neuro-oncology department there. His clinical interests are brain tumors, skull-based tumors, peripheral nerve surgery, pituitary tumors and cerebrovascular disaster, according to his resume on the medical center's Web site.

After his treatment, Kennedy said, "I look forward to returning to the United States Senate and to doing everything I can to help elect Barack Obama as our next president." Kennedy has endorsed Obama, the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

I'm so happy to see his fighting spirit still remains, and further proof that absolutely nothing can keep this great man down. If you haven't done so already, you can send him a letter at his Senate website.

Always Listen To Your Mother

Truer words could not have been said:

What The President Did This Weekend

I don't know about everyone out there, but I had a great weekend. We walked the Manhattan Bridge, hit the flea market and caught the Jazz and Roses festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. It was nice, relaxing and mellow and certainly nothing hypocritical about it, which would be the opposite of George Bush's plans that took him to Furman University to deliver their commencement speech.

From RawStory:

President Bush, ignoring faculty members who stood in silent protest of his commencement speech, admitted Saturday that when he left college, thinking about how to be a "model citizen" was the furthest thing from his mind.

Yet that was the goal the president set for the 2008 graduating class of Furman University.

"As you move ahead in life, you will find temptations and distractions that can take you off course," Bush said. "You might also find that years may pass before you learn some important truths: That who you are is more important than what you have. And that you have responsibilities to your fellow citizens, your country, your family, and yourself."[...]

"As you leave this campus today, my call to you is this: Strengthen this rising culture of responsibility in America by serving others, contributing to our civic life and being accountable to yourself and your families," he said.

The president also urged the graduates to resist the temptations of drugs, alcohol and promiscuity.

Yeah he fessed up to alcohol, but he still can't remember if he did cocaine. Drugs aside, the man was a complete hypocrite on that podium. George Bush is anything but a "model citizen." He has brought death and destruction to numerous countries, turmoil to the American and world economies and ruled our nation with disregard for our laws and with irrational, petulant and immaturity that is unbecoming any adult let alone the supposed leader of the free world.

The 2008 graduates of Furman University may go out and do great things for themselves and their country, but it will certainly not be at the behest of our failure of a President. As one of the protesters' sign said "The End is Near!"

DNC Dramafest 2008 Is Upon Us

It is now approaching 6:00 EDT and the members of the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee have heard and asked questions of various representatives all day long. For the last two hours, they have been in recess, supposedly having a late lunch but probably trying to hammer out a deal behind the scenes before coming out into the watchful eye of C-SPAN (they are now trying to fill time with repeats from earlier today). The question is, what will come from their decision?

From the arguments we've heard a lot of substantive information emotional crap. The Hayes/Tilden Presidential election of 1876 was referred to as well as the more recent stolen election in Florida eight years ago. The worst offender was Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) a supporter of the fiscally responsible candidate, talking about the poor disenfranchised voters from years past and incessantly grandstanding for every vote to count. It'd be great for that to happen Bill, but the reality of the events surrounding Florida's primary run against the stated DNC rules is a slap in the face to every voter outside of Florida (and Michigan). Then there was this Hillary supporter arguing with the designated Hillary supporter. Some people really need to re-take kindergarten, jeez.

There were some better performances though, from Senator Carl Levin (especially for his passionate stance against Iowa and New Hampshire always going first), Michigan Chair Mark Brewer (for stressing party unity) and Obama supporter David Bonior for reminding us of what Hillary Clinton said before all of this was essential for giving new life to her campaign. Though with all of the emotion, passion and wishing for their side to win, Donna Brazile invoked the words of her Momma, and that is what should ultimately rule the day.

Update (7:13PM): Florida's and Michigan's delegation is now to be seated with each delegate given a half vote, split up 69-59. That gives Hillary Clinton 34.5 delegates while 29.5 delegates remain "uncommitted" from Michigan. In Florida she earns back 19 delegates from Obama's approximate 200 delegate lead. When all said and done with superdelegates, Clinton picks up 94.5 delegates and Obama got 68. It is a terrible decision for those that wish Hillary to win at all costs, but a fair compromise considering the rules that were violated. Now Obama is 66 delegates away from the nomination and we can wrap this up in three days once the final votes are tallied.

Thanks to Sean Robertson for the pic above!

This Is What It Means To Have A Democratic Governor

Someone who fights for equality for all and backs it up:

Working Less To Save More, Effects Of Gas Price Rise Spreads Out

Everyone with a car knows how bad it is to fill up their tanks. Just ten years ago, gas was a dollar and a change and now prices are anywhere from four to five dollars a gallon. The rapid jump in prices, especially in the last couple years has had a profound effect on the American economy. Retail spending was reduced to pay for gas, raw materials increased in price because it costs more to ship them and debt has skyrocketed to keep American families afloat in the moment. Now it is becoming hard for people to pay to drive to work, so extraordinary measures are being taken by employers.

From Financial Week:

In America’s struggling automaking heartland, the shorter workweek offers employers a way of rewarding employees when the budget does not allow a salary increase, said Oakland County, Michigan, executive L. Brooks Patterson.

“By allowing employees to work four 10-hour days it will save them 20 percent on their commute costs and ease the financial pinch of filling up their cars,” said Mr. Patterson, who last week proposed the compressed week for county workers.

Gasoline prices have begun altering U.S. commutes in many ways, a survey released on Thursday showed.

Some 44% of respondents said they have changed they way they commute—doing things such sharing a ride or driving a more fuel-efficient car—or are working from home or looking for a closer job in order to reduce gasoline costs, according to staffing services company Robert Half International. That’s up from 34% two years ago.

On Long Island, New York, Suffolk County legislator Wayne Horsley also has proposed employees have the option of working four 10-hour shifts, rather than five eight-hour shifts, saying it would save 461 barrels of oil in a 120-day pilot project.

“This is a gasoline-driven proposition and we’re looking to change people’s long term philosophies of life,” Mr. Horsley said.

In these times of ridiculous gas prices the government that has failed to take appropriate action against greedy oil companies. Nor has it provided a suitable transition to an economy that relies on solar and wind power. Therefore employers and even local legislators are coming together to help people make a living and not lose all their money to the hands of executives at Shell, ChevronTexaco and the behemoth ExxonMobil.

Activism Can Make Albany Work

Perhaps more appropriately, activism taken by New Yorkers has the potential to make Albany work for the citizens before the select Committee Chairs in the Assembly and the State Senate. For the most part, popular bills are pressed by either constituent or legislator, only to be quashed by the leadership of the respective party in control (Dems in the Assembly, Repubs in the Senate). Legislators rarely have the ability to exercise power or else they can be subject to punishment from their party leaders. Well, sometimes that can be thwarted.

From The Daily Politics:

The almost unthinkable happened in Albany this week when Assembly Health Chairman Richard Gottfried lost a pair of votes in his own committee.

The rare event unfolded Wednesday, when two autism research bills came up at a committee meeting. Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, moved to put them on "hold" rather than approve them for further consideration. Normally, Gottfried's wish would be his committee's command.

But heavy-duty lobbying by autism activists and the bill sponsors -- Bronx Democrat Peter Rivera and Long Island Republican James Conte -- carried the day. Seven of the 19 Democrats joined all seven Republicans in support of the bills, for a final vote of 14-12 on each.

This was a huge victory for those that lobby for autism research. No, they weren't "lobbyists," they are regular citizens who are most likely affected by autism in the home or for someone that they know. People who stand up and deliver enough pressure in the right way can get things done.

Of course that was just one committee and the bill has many more hurdles to jump. The chances for its implementation is still slim considering the way things work in Albany. However, before we can have the ability to jump every single obstacle on the track, we have start with the first hurdle.

If Hillary Were Ten Years Old...

Could you imagine one of your fifth grade classmates being Hillary Clinton?

Warning: Extreme humor may ensue by clicking the play button, Hillary supporters be advised!

Young Hillary Clinton
Uploaded by 60Frames

There's More To The Price Of Oil Than Just Supply And Demand

The Commodities Futures Trading Commission has taken the extraordinary step of coming out with an investigation of oil traders who are suspected of manipulating the market in order to make unconscionable amounts of money at the expense of the American and even world economies. Now it is great that high oil prices get people to switch to mass transit, but if the CFTC can prove there was criminal wrongdoing, the bastards involved should face a long, long prison terms.

From The Washington Post:

The CFTC said its investigation started in December, before this latest surge in prices but after an earlier surge that took oil prices over $90 a barrel.

Congress has been pressing the CFTC to take tougher action to stop what lawmakers call "speculation" -- which is not illegal -- and possible unlawful manipulation of oil markets. Some lawmakers have suggested that the commission discourage speculation by increasing margin requirements so that traders would have to put up more cash to buy positions on commodity markets.

The CFTC said that in addition to the investigation, it had reached agreements with British and European regulators to share more information about oil markets. It also said it would take steps to increase transparency by getting more information from index traders and other financial players.

It was unclear whether the commission's announcements were a reaction to congressional pressure, but they were praised by many lawmakers. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) said he was pleased, adding that "the CFTC must vigorously pursue all leads to protect the American people from market manipulation during a time of record prices at the pump."

The real question is whether if/when the CFTC finds wrong-doing, will Congress take the appropriate actions and deal the oil industry the crushing blow that it deserves? ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco and the rest have been figuratively raping America right along with their trader friends on Wall Street. Enough is enough, the people demand action and simply talking about how bad they are won't cut it.

McCain Doesn't Have A Clue On Iraq, Nor Cares Much About It

Sometimes I worry about John McCain. He has so many problems remembering what is going on in the world that perhaps he should go back to school or at least get a tutor to tell him about world events. Shias and Sunnis confused him, but maybe that doesn't matter to him because in his crowd, Muslims are all the same and in some cases they don't even have to be Muslim. Yet McCain tries to claim he is the number one candidate in the race that supports the troops, even if he doesn't want to help them pay for college. Now we find out he doesn't even know how many soldiers we have in Iraq and the campaign could care less.

From ThinkProgress:

Yesterday at a townhall meeting in Wisconsin, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) claimed that troops in Iraq are already down to “pre-surge levels”:

So I can tell you that it is succeeding. I can look you in the eye and tell you it’s succeeding. We have drawn down to pre-surge levels. Basra, Mosul and now Sadr city are quiet and it’s long and it’s hard and it’s tough and there will be setbacks.

This assertion is wrong. There are now 155,000 troops in Iraq — far above the 130,000 before the surge.

But today on a conference call with reporters, the McCain campaign tried to dismiss this factually inaccurate statement. “So what?” said Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), a strong McCain supporter. “What does that amount to?” He added that McCain just “misspoke.” According to adviser Randy Scheunemann, McCain meant to say that troops will be eventually drawn down to pre-surge levels.

Um, nice try Kyl. No one is going to buy that except for McCain's group of sycophants that surround him like yourself. Certainly the troops are smart enough to see through it. McCain makes up whatever he wants to paint a rosy picture, no matter how bad the real situation is. It conjures up the thoughts of what he'd be like in the Oval Office. Oh yeah, we already have one of those "painters" in there already.