hey TRex!

WHAM! Hi, TRex!

wow, you’re fast

Vote early and often.

Zed????

Howdy TRex!

Hi TRex. Hi y’all!

TRex !!

heh

What? Not our beloved Senator “internetz toobz” Stevens!!

Hey, LL!

No Zed, but I have an Amen for Brother TRex!

What could be better than Baked Alaskan?

It’s NOT a Truck!!!111

EvilDrPuma @ 12

What could be better than Baked Alaskan?

*spew*

hey burns!

Stevens and Lieberman and Craig are all pretty sterling arguments for senatorial term limits if you ask me. Letting those old farts moulder in place for thirty-plus years hasn’t done them or the nation any goddamn good at all, frankly. And if we can’t get term limits, can we at least get a minimum competency test? Ugly and old is fine for a Senate position, but I think we can all agree that “senile, belligerent, and delusional” should disqualify them from higher office.

Can I get a witness?

Amen!

Contrary to what KO said, today’s Worst Person in the World is not Joe Lieberman.

Today’s Worst Person in the World is Nicole Petignat.

I love my toobz! Thanks TRex.

Great post, TRex! Pithy, easily quotable, . . . and snark-filled from beginning to end.

Mutant Poodle @ 16

Stevens and Lieberman and Craig are all pretty sterling arguments for senatorial term limits if you ask me. Letting those old farts moulder in place for thirty-plus years hasn’t done them or the nation any goddamn good at all, frankly. And if we can’t get term limits, can we at least get a minimum competency test? Ugly and old is fine for a Senate position, but I think we can all agree that “senile, belligerent, and delusional” should disqualify them from higher office.

Can I get a witness?

Amen!

Ted Kennedy is I suppose the counter argument to that one.

TRex says “Stevens and Lieberman and Craig are all pretty sterling arguments for senatorial term limits if you ask me. Letting those old farts moulder in place for thirty-plus years hasn’t done them or the nation any goddamn good at all, frankly. And if we can’t get term limits, can we at least get a minimum competency test? Ugly and old is fine for a Senate position, but I think we can all agree that “senile, belligerent, and delusional” should disqualify them from higher office.”

Sorta sounds like the House of Lords…

Hi Peterr. Please email me with your birthday. Or else let me know if you’re on facebook. Thanks.

peanutbutter @ 20

Mutant Poodle @ 16

Amen!

Ted Kennedy is I suppose the counter argument to that one.

And Sen. Byrd. Love him.

In honor of 9/11, and with all due respect to KO, I think the worst person in the world has got to be Guliani.

EvilDrPuma @ 12

What could be better than Baked Alaskan?

Three Baked Alaskans: Stevens, Murkowski, and Young.

“Stevens and Lieberman and Craig are all pretty sterling arguments for senatorial term limits if you ask me.”

and for election reform.

cleter @ 24

In honor of 9/11, and with all due respect to KO, I think the worst person in the world has got to be Guliani.

You get an amen for that!

Alex the African Grey died.

The cause of Alex’s death was unknown. The African Grey parrot’s average life span is 50 years, Pepperberg said. She said Alex was discovered dead in his cage Friday morning. Pepperberg said she waited to release the news until Monday so grieving researchers could get over the shock and talk about it.

Pepperberg said the last time she saw Alex on Thursday, they went through their goodnight routine, in which she told him it was time to go in the cage and said: “You be good, I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Alex responded, “You’ll be in tomorrow.”

Dammit.

TRex

are you joking about the pjs? that’s really funny.

Great post, by the way. Thanks

TexB — got an email addy?

burnspbesq @ 17

Contrary to what KO said, today’s Worst Person in the World is not Joe Lieberman.

Today’s Worst Person in the World is Nicole Petignat.

who’s she?

cleter @ 24

In honor of 9/11, and with all due respect to KO, I think the worst person in the world has got to be Guliani.

Well, Joe got the daily version.

Giuliani is Worst Person in the World Emeritus.

peanutbutter @ 20

Mutant Poodle @ 16

Amen!

Ted Kennedy is I suppose the counter argument to that one.

I was thinking of Robert Byrd but same idea.

Uncle Ted, as he is known here, is much beloved, and could probably win if he ran for election again. Why? Because he brings home the bacon, pork, sausage, ham, and all manner of chazerei. And how is he able to do so? Thank the seniority system for that.

Having said all of that, he has one main goal in life, namely to open up ANWAR. Doing so is approved of by 95% of the population up here, including me. Ditto the gas pipeline.

But that doesn’t mean Ted is not crazy, bellicose and not exactly the brightest bulb on the marquis of life.

I’m still trying to get over the fact that an oil company executive was overseeing someone’s home renovation project. Does this happen a lot up there? When I’m looking for interior decorating tips, the oil company isn’t the first place I’d call.

Peterr @ 30

TexB — got an email addy?

tex betsy at g mail

Mutant Poodle @ 33

cleter @ 24

In honor of 9/11, and with all due respect to KO, I think the worst person in the world has got to be Guliani.

Well, Joe got the daily version.

Giuliani is Worst Person in the World Emeritus.

Nah that’s BillO

Frank Probst @ 35

I’m still trying to get over the fact that an oil company executive was overseeing someone’s home renovation project. Does this happen a lot up there? When I’m looking for interior decorating tips, the oil company isn’t the first place I’d call.

Probably why you overpaid…

Imagine?

or

Imagine?

or

Imagine.

Great post TRex, but I have to disagree about term limits. We already have term limits for incompetent congress critters, they are called elections. We just need to use them and to reform the system to eliminate some of the advantages of incumbency (particularly campaign finance reform). We have term limits at the state level here in Montana and it is a disaster (that is if you value effective government). Many of our best state legislators have termed out and there is no institutional memory or knowledge of how the system works. It has also led to the election of ever crazier Rethugs as the saner ones term out.

dakine01 @ 37

Mutant Poodle @ 33

Well, Joe got the daily version.

Giuliani is Worst Person in the World Emeritus.

Nah that’s BillO

There’s room for more than one.

dakine01 @ 37

Mutant Poodle @ 33

Well, Joe got the daily version.

Giuliani is Worst Person in the World Emeritus.

Nah that’s BillO

There’s some Capitol police officers obviously starved for negative attention….

wangdangdoodle @ 39

Imagine?

or

Imagine?

or

Imagine.

I gather that the new job is still wearing you out?? Hope it gets easier for you soon.

peanutbutter @ 20

Mutant Poodle @ 16

Amen!

Ted Kennedy is I suppose the counter argument to that one.

And Robert Byrd, whose seat might end up in the hands of a Republican, unlike Ted Kennedy.

Frank Probst @ 36

I’m still trying to get over the fact that an oil company executive was overseeing someone’s home renovation project. Does this happen a lot up there? When I’m looking for interior decorating tips, the oil company isn’t the first place I’d call.

Maybe it’s a gay oil company.

Uh, I made the “Hulk” pajamas up, but he does, apparently, have an eight-year-old’s attachment to his “Hulk” tie.

Filthy old asshat.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 — The White House is closing in on a nominee to replace Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, with former Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson considered one of the leading candidates, administration and Congressional officials said Tuesday.

Reports of Mr. Olson’s candidacy suggested that President Bush, in choosing the third attorney general of his presidency, might defy calls from Democrats and choose another Republican who is considered a staunch partisan to lead the Justice Department. Mr. Gonzales is departing after being repeatedly accused of allowing political loyalties to blind him to independently enforcing the law.

“Clearly if you made a list of consensus nominees, Olson wouldn’t appear on that list,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat who led the Judiciary Committee effort to remove Mr. Gonzales. “My hope is that the White House would seek some kind of candidate who would be broadly acceptable.”

(NYT)

DrDick @ 40

Great post TRex, but I have to disagree about term limits. We already have term limits for incompetent congress critters, they are called elections. We just need to use them and to reform the system to eliminate some of the advantages of incumbency (particularly campaign finance reform). We have term limits at the state level here in Montana and it is a disaster (that is if you value effective government). Many of our best state legislators have termed out and there is no institutional memory or knowledge of how the system works. It has also led to the election of ever crazier Rethugs as the saner ones term out.

Term limits also don’t serve us well in VA, where the governor is out after 4 years.

TRex @ 46

Uh, I made the “Hulk” pajamas up, but he does, apparently, have an eight-year-old’s attachment to his “Hulk” tie.

Filthy old asshat.

There is a certain resemblance to the Hulk. Mostly speaking style.

DrDick @ 40

Great post TRex, but I have to disagree about term limits. We already have term limits for incompetent congress critters, they are called elections. We just need to use them and to reform the system to eliminate some of the advantages of incumbency (particularly campaign finance reform). We have term limits at the state level here in Montana and it is a disaster (that is if you value effective government). Many of our best state legislators have termed out and there is no institutional memory or knowledge of how the system works. It has also led to the election of ever crazier Rethugs as the saner ones term out.

Same in CA. The institutional memory in Sacramento moved from the legislature to the lobbyists. “Welcome to town, rookie. Let me help you out, and explain how things work . . .”

Big Mitch…..I used to live up in Kaktovik in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I’ve done a lot of stomping around there and don’t want to see it opened. Even best estimates of potential could be offset by a little conservation down in this part of the US.

However, we can politely disagree, not so?

TRex @ 47

Uh, I made the “Hulk” pajamas up, but he does, apparently, have an eight-year-old’s attachment to his “Hulk” tie.

Filthy old asshat.

Perhaps you were thinking of equally demented Pete Domenici, who wandered around the halls in what he called his “hunting pants” but were clearly, to everyone else, pajamas.

WASHINGTON — Oil prices jumped to a record Tuesday as investors continued to fret about tight supplies even after OPEC announced it would pump more oil later this year.
The price of a barrel of light, sweet crude oil for delivery in October rose 74 cents to $78.23. That was the highest price, not adjusted for inflation, on record, beating the previous record of $78.21 set July 31.

rwcole @ 47

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 — The White House is closing in on a nominee to replace Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, with former Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson considered one of the leading candidates, administration and Congressional officials said Tuesday.

Reports of Mr. Olson’s candidacy suggested that President Bush, in choosing the third attorney general of his presidency, might defy calls from Democrats and choose another Republican who is considered a staunch partisan to lead the Justice Department. Mr. Gonzales is departing after being repeatedly accused of allowing political loyalties to blind him to independently enforcing the law.

“Clearly if you made a list of consensus nominees, Olson wouldn’t appear on that list,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat who led the Judiciary Committee effort to remove Mr. Gonzales. “My hope is that the White House would seek some kind of candidate who would be broadly acceptable.”

(NYT)

Wow, Bush choosing a partisan nominee? I am just shocked!

Memo to Sen. Schumer-Chucklenuts has be president for over 6 years now. Has he ever, in all that time, presented any candidte for any post that is not a total partisan hack, often totally unqualified for the position for which they are nominated? What in the hell makes you think anything will change at this late date?

TeddySanFran @ 45

Frank Probst @ 36

I’m still trying to get over the fact that an oil company executive was overseeing someone’s home renovation project. Does this happen a lot up there? When I’m looking for interior decorating tips, the oil company isn’t the first place I’d call.

Maybe it’s a gay oil company.

I’d thought of that. I just don’t think that Uncle Ted could be in bed with a gay oil company and still look as yucky as he does.

TeddySanFran @ 52

TRex @ 47

Uh, I made the “Hulk” pajamas up, but he does, apparently, have an eight-year-old’s attachment to his “Hulk” tie.

Filthy old asshat.

Perhaps you were thinking of equally demented Pete Domenici, who wandered around the halls in what he called his “hunting pants” but were clearly, to everyone else, pajamas.

I am almost afraid to ask what he was “hunting” for.

DrDick @ 40

Great post TRex, but I have to disagree about term limits. We already have term limits for incompetent congress critters, they are called elections. We just need to use them and to reform the system to eliminate some of the advantages of incumbency (particularly campaign finance reform). We have term limits at the state level here in Montana and it is a disaster (that is if you value effective government). Many of our best state legislators have termed out and there is no institutional memory or knowledge of how the system works. It has also led to the election of ever crazier Rethugs as the saner ones term out.

DrDick you are my hero. I have long felt this way. Whenever people start whining about the need for term limits I bring up elections.

LoudounLib @ 48

DrDick @ 40

Great post TRex, but I have to disagree about term limits. We already have term limits for incompetent congress critters, they are called elections. We just need to use them and to reform the system to eliminate some of the advantages of incumbency (particularly campaign finance reform). We have term limits at the state level here in Montana and it is a disaster (that is if you value effective government). Many of our best state legislators have termed out and there is no institutional memory or knowledge of how the system works. It has also led to the election of ever crazier Rethugs as the saner ones term out.

Term limits also don’t serve us well in VA, where the governor is out after 4 years.

That is a legacy through out the South. In KY the Governor could only serve one term at a time until the ’90s. The law also used to be the same for positions like County Judge and Sheriff. The result would be a couple of folks would trade off every four years between sheriff and deputy or sheriff and county judge.

LoudounLib @ 31

burnspbesq @ 17

Contrary to what KO said, today’s Worst Person in the World is not Joe Lieberman.

Today’s Worst Person in the World is Nicole Petignat.

who’s she?

The referee of this morning’s US-North Korea match at the Women’s World Cup. North Korea is arguably the dirtiest team ever seen at the top level of women’s soccer, and she let them get away with all sorts of mayhem.

Twain @ 43

wangdangdoodle @ 39

Imagine?

or

Imagine?

or

Imagine.

I gather that the new job is still wearing you out?? Hope it gets easier for you soon.

I have an old job. It’s demi who has a new job. But it’s still wearing me out, yes.

Maybe I should get a new job, too. New worn out is always better than old worn out.

;)

DrDick @ 56

TeddySanFran @ 52

Perhaps you were thinking of equally demented Pete Domenici, who wandered around the halls in what he called his “hunting pants” but were clearly, to everyone else, pajamas.

I am almost afraid to ask what he was “hunting” for.

“My name is Elmew J. Fudd, miwwionaiwe. I own a mansion and a yacht.”

Teddy Olsen and his dead wife earned their spurs in the great Clinton wars- yakking about the evil blow job twenty four fuckin hours a day..

LoudounLib @ 49

DrDick @ 40

Great post TRex, but I have to disagree about term limits. We already have term limits for incompetent congress critters, they are called elections. We just need to use them and to reform the system to eliminate some of the advantages of incumbency (particularly campaign finance reform). We have term limits at the state level here in Montana and it is a disaster (that is if you value effective government). Many of our best state legislators have termed out and there is no institutional memory or knowledge of how the system works. It has also led to the election of ever crazier Rethugs as the saner ones term out.

Term limits also don’t serve us well in VA, where the governor is out after 4 years.

Oddly, Virginia only prohibits consecutive terms as governor. Mills Godwin, for example, served two non-consecutive terms, having changed parties in the off-season.

dakine, that makes for a scary logjam in law enforcement!

I’ve lost track of which ones, but there are a number of states that require drivers over a certain relatively high age to re-take the “behind the wheel” drivers test if they want to renew their license.

Surely we could come up with a similar exam for Senators of a certain age . . .

wangdangdoodle @ 60

Twain @ 43

I gather that the new job is still wearing you out?? Hope it gets easier for you soon.

I have an old job. It’s demi who has a new job. But it’s still wearing me out, yes.

Maybe I should get a new job, too. New worn out is always better than old worn out.

;)

Well, get a new job – we can’t have me making mistakes like that. :)

I’m not interested in term limits, TRex, Leahy and Whitehouse can serve as long as their constituency wants them in my opinion. But a test to qualify to run? Been there for a long time. Every elected official, down to the school board member, ought to pass a competency test the same as is required of government employees.

Termm limits are a vetige of the last time goopers were on the outs with the voters- they figured they’d win more if the dems got kicked out.

rwcole @ 62

Teddy Olsen and his dead wife earned their spurs in the great Clinton wars- yakking about the evil blow job twenty four fuckin hours a day..

Jealousy

Teddy, I’d forgotten about Godwin. Well hmmm, maybe Warner can come back next time around, and then Kaine again ;-)

rwcole @ 47

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 — The White House is closing in on a nominee to replace Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, with former Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson considered one of the leading candidates, administration and Congressional officials said Tuesday.

Reports of Mr. Olson’s candidacy suggested that President Bush, in choosing the third attorney general of his presidency, might defy calls from Democrats and choose another Republican who is considered a staunch partisan to lead the Justice Department. Mr. Gonzales is departing after being repeatedly accused of allowing political loyalties to blind him to independently enforcing the law.

“Clearly if you made a list of consensus nominees, Olson wouldn’t appear on that list,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat who led the Judiciary Committee effort to remove Mr. Gonzales. “My hope is that the White House would seek some kind of candidate who would be broadly acceptable.”

(NYT)

In today’s performance, the part of George W. Bush’s middle finger will be played by Ted Olson.

DrDick @ 57

TeddySanFran @ 52

Perhaps you were thinking of equally demented Pete Domenici, who wandered around the halls in what he called his “hunting pants” but were clearly, to everyone else, pajamas.

I am almost afraid to ask what he was “hunting” for.

his pants?

LoudounLib @ 64

dakine, that makes for a scary logjam in law enforcement!

They changed the sheriff and county judge law 25 or thirty years ago. Not sure it improved things. Of course, that may be because I was a classmate of the current sheriff and he was always a bit of an a**.

RE: **Letting those old farts moulder in place for thirty-plus years hasn’t done them or the nation any goddamn good at all, frankly. And if we can’t get term limits, can we at least get a minimum competency test? Ugly and old is fine for a Senate position, but I think we can all agree that “senile, belligerent, and delusional” should disqualify them from higher office.

Can I get a witness?**

Let California be a witness as to what reliance on gimmicks gets ya.
First you had Prop. 13, the rallying cry for the tax cutters. RR honed his ‘anti-government’ chops in this atmosphere.
Then the mania for term limits. Did you ever wonder how Pombo, Rhorbacher, and the like worked their way up the ladder. Term limits. If Lieberman wasn’t in the Senate he’d probably be on the SCROTUS.
To frost the cake, we have “three strikes” (and all its relatives around the country, including minimum mandatory federal sentencing terrorist enhancements (for car- and resort- arsonists and soon for delinquents like us), and throwing away the key for smoking a joint within 1000 feet of a school.

Let the voters use their brains. Some electoral reform wouldn’t hurt. How about proportional voting in the senate. Lets see…Liebfraumilch would have about 1/1000 th of a vote.

burnspbesq @ 17

Contrary to what KO said, today’s Worst Person in the World is not Joe Lieberman.

Today’s Worst Person in the World is Nicole Petignat.

Who’s that?

marymccurnin @ 69

rwcole @ 62

Teddy Olsen and his dead wife earned their spurs in the great Clinton wars- yakking about the evil blow job twenty four fuckin hours a day..

Jealousy

Which one?

TeddySanFran @ 72

DrDick @ 57

I am almost afraid to ask what he was “hunting” for.

his pants?

Well, given that he is a Republican, I don’t think I would want to be a staffer of any age or gender.

Peterr @ 66

I’ve lost track of which ones, but there are a number of states that require drivers over a certain relatively high age to re-take the “behind the wheel” drivers test if they want to renew their license.

Surely we could come up with a similar exam for Senators of a certain age . . .

I would be fine with that, especially since Bobby Byrd carries that pocket constitution with him everywhere he goes. Betcha Stevens and Domenici would never pass a test about the constitution.

TeddySanFran @ 63

LoudounLib @ 49

Term limits also don’t serve us well in VA, where the governor is out after 4 years.

Oddly, Virginia only prohibits consecutive terms as governor. Mills Godwin, for example, served two non-consecutive terms, having changed parties in the off-season.

The only Kentucky governor in my lifetime who served two terms prior to the law being changed was Happy Chandler. I think he had a period as Commissioner of Baseball in between. But Happy was a Dem for both of his terms. His grandson Ben is a Blue Dog in the House now.

For me I just want Senators and Congressmen (including women) to take a basic exam on the constituion. If they fail, they must take a class that requires them to read the document.

May not actually help, but jeez they should be required at a minimum.

Peterr @ 65

I’ve lost track of which ones, but there are a number of states that require drivers over a certain relatively high age to re-take the “behind the wheel” drivers test if they want to renew their license.

Surely we could come up with a similar exam for Senators of a certain age . . .

Good idea! How about 30?

LoudounLib @ 71

Teddy, I’d forgotten about Godwin. Well hmmm, maybe Warner can come back next time around, and then Kaine again ;-)

Mark Warner would like to be Governor again, they say, but the pressure seems to be on him to run for Senate. I think we’ll know tomorrow, per The Great Orange One (whose birthday it is — happy birthday, Markos!)

Be vewy, vewy quiet. I am hunting pants!

TeddySanFran @ 78

Peterr @ 66

I’ve lost track of which ones, but there are a number of states that require drivers over a certain relatively high age to re-take the “behind the wheel” drivers test if they want to renew their license.

Surely we could come up with a similar exam for Senators of a certain age . . .

I would be fine with that, especially since Bobby Byrd carries that pocket constitution with him everywhere he goes. Betcha Stevens and Domenici would never pass a test about the constitution.

Of course, it helps when your pocket constitution is signed “To Bobby, Best Wishes, James Madison.”

wangdangdoodle @ 83

Be vewy, vewy quiet. I am hunting pants!

heheheheheh (Elmer Fudd laugh)

Time to sack out — g’nite, all!

EvilDrPuma @ 49

TRex @ 46

Uh, I made the “Hulk” pajamas up, but he does, apparently, have an eight-year-old’s attachment to his “Hulk” tie.

Filthy old asshat.

There is a certain resemblance to the Hulk. Mostly speaking style.

“Senator no like! Senator smash!!”

TeddySanFran @ 82

LoudounLib @ 71

Teddy, I’d forgotten about Godwin. Well hmmm, maybe Warner can come back next time around, and then Kaine again ;-)

Mark Warner would like to be Governor again, they say, but the pressure seems to be on him to run for Senate. I think we’ll know tomorrow, per The Great Orange One (whose birthday it is — happy birthday, Markos!)

I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the Senate along with Webb. Sure would like to see VA keep turning bluer, however!

retracted comment

G’nite, Peterrrrrr….

“NO!!” — Senator Ted Stevens (R-Oil Company Remodeled My Home)

wangdangdoodle @ 83

Be vewy, vewy quiet. I am hunting pants!

Day-Glo Orange?

Goodnight all, an early exit for me but I am beat!

Loo Hoo. @ 75

burnspbesq @ 17

Contrary to what KO said, today’s Worst Person in the World is not Joe Lieberman.

Today’s Worst Person in the World is Nicole Petignat.

Who’s that?

See #59.

g’night madmommy, hope your little one has a great birthday tomorrow!

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Night Peterr and MM.

DrDick @ 96

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Let me put down my opinion that any such exam should be essay.

EvilDrPuma @ 98

DrDick @ 96

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Let me put down my opinion that any such exam should be essay.

That would get rid of a lot of the chaff right there!

LoudounLib @ 99

EvilDrPuma @ 98

Let me put down my opinion that any such exam should be essay.

That would get rid of a lot of the chaff right there!

Damn straight.

EvilDrPuma @ 98

DrDick @ 96

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Let me put down my opinion that any such exam should be essay.

Hell most of the Rethugs in the state leg here couldn’t passes a multiple choice test with the key.

Krikey, I wouldn’t want to have to grade some of the crappy-ass essays you would get. I wonder if you can hear Lieberman’s whine even on paper?

DrDick @ 96

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Also a requirement that they win their election. Oh, we have thatEvilDrPuma @ 98

DrDick @ 96

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Let me put down my opinion that any such exam should be essay.

Let it be written by Lee Hamilton. He’s the expert on everything.

DrDick @ 101

EvilDrPuma @ 98

Let me put down my opinion that any such exam should be essay.

Hell most of the Rethugs in the state leg here couldn’t passes a multiple choice test with the key.

I’ll take that as an endorsement!

EvilDrPuma @ 98

DrDick @ 96

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Let me put down my opinion that any such exam should be essay.

Since Republicans only see things in Black
& White, I think yes and no questions would fit them better.

IMHO, this is a MUST READ!

The Problem With a “War” Strategy
by Thom Hartmann

The eerie juxtaposition of General Betrayus testifying today before Congress, and it being 9/11 (which helped Bush bring us disasters ranging from the PATRIOT Act to the Iraq War and Occupation) brings an opportunity to re-understand what’s been happening here and in Iraq these past six years, and offers an insight into a way forward.

Imagine, God forbid, that a major city in America were to be dramatically attacked (a 9/11 level of destruction only on steroids), or fall apart because of a natural disaster. Detroit, for example, or San Francisco. Massive destruction, damaging most of the homes – it could be an earthquake in San Francisco, or a horrific tornado in Detroit, or a nuclear device in either.

Water is cut off, electric wires downed, the phone systems taken out. People are dazed, in shock and awe. The prisons are damaged, and thousands of criminals are now on the streets, quickly melting back into the civilian populace. The destruction is massive.

The federal government then responds. They put up a wall around the city, and remove from office all employees and elected officials of the state and local governments. Fire all the police and fire departments. Stop paying doctors and hospitals. Throw up cordons around each city to prevent nearby communities from coming in to help.

Why? Because the President believes that a mythical force – “The Free Market” – will automatically and magically come to the aid of the damaged city.

He declares that instead of paying normal taxes and getting normal services, nobody will any longer get Social Security payments, food stamps, Medicare or Medicaid. All the “big government” programs are ended, replaced with a flat 15% income tax and an elimination of all regulations on corporate action, either local or multinational. Unions are outlawed. The 200 largest companies – and thus the largest employers – in each city are shut down, because they’ve been running “inefficiently”: they’re now for sale to any transnational corporation that wants them, (but, given the devastation, none are showing any interest).

more

G’nite pups!

Another looooooong day tomorrow.

In tonight’s episode, Big Mitch learns an important lesson from Yogi Berra.

“It ain’t over until it’s over.”

Final score: Boston 16, Tampa Bay 10.

John Edwards is rather snarky:

The president taking credit for this withdrawal is like taking credit for gravity.

Sleep well doodle.

Night WDD. Sleep well and wake rested.

TeddySanFran @ 109

John Edwards is rather snarky:

The president taking credit for this withdrawal is like taking credit for gravity.

I like that!

wangdangdoodle @ 39

Imagine?

or

Imagine?

or

v=2GoPSRZOdts”>Imagine.

Oy. Excellent, WWD. Just have a problem with the vid putting Hill and Bill on the same platform as Bush and Osama. That one doesn’t work for me. Love the other two.

Interesting analysis about the growing prospects of war between Israel and Syria.

Olmerts’ folly?

It is written by a Syrian analyst, FYI.

-GSD

TRex- not so sure about the term limits thing. There might be a few worth keeping.

But, as to question often raised at FDL “why can’t Lieberman be recalled”- nope, he can’t be. Due to some thing or other that I do not remember right now.

But, the option to “recall/ vote” on Senators would be a big step forward. Much more to the point than setting term limits. imho.

wangdangdoodle @ 107

G’nite pups!

Another looooooong day tomorrow.

g’night wdd, sleep well!

burnspbesq @ 108

In tonight’s episode, Big Mitch learns an important lesson from Yogi Berra.

“It ain’t over until it’s over.”

Final score: Boston 16, Tampa Bay 10.

And Red Sox Nation rejoices…

EvilDrPuma @ 98

DrDick @ 96

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Let me put down my opinion that any such exam should be essay.

and let it also — at least for
the next four or five years — have
a deep section on vietnam’s lessons,
and watergate-excesses — these jokers
seem to blithely ignore both. . .

thus, tonight’s “nightly nolo” video
segment covers all rep. robert wexler
reminded them about yesterday. . .

do watch — only 2:30 or so. . .

with lotsa’ archival vietnam war,
and war memorial, shots. . .

p e a c e,

and g’night!

Edwards nailed it- I was tryin to come up with somethin along those lines today…

Gravity is perfect.

OT, but not really OT:

On 9-11, the story that the Bush adminstration won’t tell you, but the story that is true about 9-11, is that America won in the only way that is meaningful to win in a contest against terrorism.

The passengers of United 93–blended race, creed, political pursuasion and all–learned of the other attacks on 9-11 and spontaneous rose to combat and defeat the terrorists who hijacked them.

Within one hour!

Americans all. True patriots, all.

The winners on 9-11, through their sacrifice–all Americans.

Don’t let Bush steal their victory with his fear-mongering.

The Daily show is a must watch today. John Hodgman has a pitch perfect take on Bush.

LoudounLib @ 117

burnspbesq @ 108

In tonight’s episode, Big Mitch learns an important lesson from Yogi Berra.

“It ain’t over until it’s over.”

Final score: Boston 16, Tampa Bay 10.

And Red Sox Nation rejoices…

Damn, Skippy!!! Evening, Late-Niters!!!

Be careful about how you talk about old farts, TRex, even snarkily.
* Robert Byrd (D-WV)
* Dan Akaka (D-HI)
* Daniel Inouye (D-HI),
And probably a few others that I’ve forgotten. (How old is Ted Kennedy?)

All 80 . Dan Akaka, one of the most progressive Senators, was challenged last year by a young Blue Dog (Ed Case), who argued that it was time for “transition”, a double intendre for generational change AND Progressive –> Blue Dog change.

Bob in HI

Hey, CT. How’s life in paradise? Smoke came back here with a vengence today.

Wes,

The Mother of All Bombs versus the Father of All Bombs.

Looks like Putin is playing mark Foley with George W. Bush—-”measure it”.

-GSD

If there’s gonna be an exam ta become a congresscritter- it should be job related- not theoretical…

“Describe your opponent with language that is neither obscene nor PG rated”

“Explain why your spouse is being paid three hundred thousand for signing postcards”

“Why should your constituents not be concerned about your recent arrest for sexual relations with a Newt?”

Bush to Osama about 9/11

“I demand a rematch- I was off my game that day”.

bobschacht @ 123

Be careful about how you talk about old farts, TRex, even snarkily.
* Robert Byrd (D-WV)
* Dan Akaka (D-HI)
* Daniel Inouye (D-HI),
And probably a few others that I’ve forgotten. (How old is Ted Kennedy?)

All 80 . Dan Akaka, one of the most progressive Senators, was challenged last year by a young Blue Dog (Ed Case), who argued that it was time for “transition”, a double intendre for generational change AND Progressive –> Blue Dog change.

Bob in HI

…And the Blue Dog Case was resoundingly defeated…!!! 8-)

Six years after 9/11 and George W. Bush can boast about this grand accomplishment.

The one Muslim nation that has a nuclear arsenal has Bin Laden polling above the dictator of that nation.

Both Bin Laden and Musharraff poll above Bush who racks up a stunningly low 9% approval rating in Pakistan.

Hearts and fucking minds baby.

-GSD

WAPO WITH A WHOPPER EDITORIAL on Iraq

“It’s up to the president”

In honor of General Petraeus,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Thompson Twins

DrDick @ 124

Hey, CT. How’s life in paradise? Smoke came back here with a vengence today.

That sucks… I’ve got an active volcano in my back yard and I’m positive I don’t receive the amounts as you are these days!

burnspbesq @ 131

In honor of General Petraeus,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Thompson Twins

Perfecto.

rwcole @ 130

WAPO WITH A WHOPPER EDITORIAL on Iraq

“It’s up to the president”

That’s a whopper, all right. It’s abundantly clear that it shouldn’t be up to this president to choose his own breakfast.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20727165/

Link to good Charlie Cook article on senate elections

CTuttle @ 132

DrDick @ 124

Hey, CT. How’s life in paradise? Smoke came back here with a vengence today.

That sucks… I’ve got an active volcano in my back yard and I’m positive I don’t receive the amounts as you are these days!

Yes, but Pele is a merciful goddess. Whatever gods control forest fires (I think that Coyote must have a hand in it somewhere) are rat bastards.

Valley Girl @ 115

TRex- not so sure about the term limits thing. There might be a few worth keeping.

But, as to question often raised at FDL “why can’t Lieberman be recalled”- nope, he can’t be. Due to some thing or other that I do not remember right now.

But, the option to “recall/ vote” on Senators would be a big step forward. Much more to the point than setting term limits. imho.

There is no recall for federal officers, except in Arizona. Don’t ask me why or how, but Arizona has a very active current recall movement going against McCain.

burnspbesq @ 131

In honor of General Petraeus,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Thompson Twins

Perfect choice. Betrayus actually hit a trifecta today: lies, damned lies, and statistics. 8-)

TeddySanFran @ 137

Valley Girl @ 115

TRex- not so sure about the term limits thing. There might be a few worth keeping.

But, as to question often raised at FDL “why can’t Lieberman be recalled”- nope, he can’t be. Due to some thing or other that I do not remember right now.

But, the option to “recall/ vote” on Senators would be a big step forward. Much more to the point than setting term limits. imho.

There is no recall for federal officers, except in Arizona. Don’t ask me why or how, but Arizona has a very active current recall movement going against McCain.

Wouldn’t it be nice if THAT worked out!

Smoke came back? Hell I could use a Pall Mall!

If I get old enough I’m gonna start smokin again!

CTuttle @ 132

DrDick @ 124

Hey, CT. How’s life in paradise? Smoke came back here with a vengence today.

That sucks… I’ve got an active volcano in my back yard and I’m positive I don’t receive the amounts as you are these days!

nifty backyard grill, that!

DrDick @ 138

burnspbesq @ 131

In honor of General Petraeus,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Thompson Twins

Perfect choice. Betrayus actually hit a trifecta today: lies, damned lies, and statistics. 8-)

Those weren’t statistics. Those were more goddamned lies.

Time for me to take off, as my squad is back at work tomorrow.

But in the meantime, this public service announcement: if any of you ever have to call 911, and I sincerely hope that you don’t, please please please do the following: know where you are, and don’t tell the calltaker “Just send someone!” and then hang up. Makes it tough for us to send you help.

Thank you, and good night all!

Petraeus says that if you have better numbers in 8 of 12 weeks- yer winning…

Hell- I’ve done that in Vegas and lost my ass.

masaccio @ 121

The Daily show is a must watch today. John Hodgman has a pitch perfect take on Bush.

Gosh, M. John makes us laugh like crazy — and we really needed this tonight.
Christine

night LL.

More Lies.

Check out the Young Republican haircut on the lead singer.

Just read the WaPo editorial and was not impressed. We are where we are because of George and Dick. Let them decide?! Screw that!

Night LL. Good luck protecting the public from themselves.

Warner and Shaheen to run for Senate in VA, NH

That’s two pickups right there.

Buh-bye, RGJoe!

LoudounLib @ 143

Time for me to take off, as my squad is back at work tomorrow.

But in the meantime, this public service announcement: if any of you ever have to call 911, and I sincerely hope that you don’t, please please please do the following: know where you are, and don’t tell the calltaker “Just send someone!” and then hang up. Makes it tough for us to send you help.

Thank you, and good night all!

Thank YOU for this excellent advice from the other end of the 911 call!

EvilDrPuma @ 142

DrDick @ 138

Perfect choice. Betrayus actually hit a trifecta today: lies, damned lies, and statistics. 8-)

Those weren’t statistics. Those were more goddamned lies.

YES!! How I wish someone would point out that there’s a significant difference between figures and stats!! They ain’t the same animal at all… All we’ve been looking at are raw data. Until they’re crunched, we know nada.

TeddySanFran @ 150

Warner and Shaheen to run for Senate in VA, NH

That’s two pickups right there.

Buh-bye, RGJoe!

Cool!

Myth of the liberal media fact.

More conservative op-eds than liberal.

George Will is king.

-GSD

“nite LL. And my hat is off to you. I did a sit-along with a dispatch once, and cannot think about that job without feeling the tension all over again.

Alright, gang. I’m outta here. It’s grocery night, so it may be an hour or more before I get home, but I left you all a little Late Late Nite treat in the queue.

See you in a bit!

Vitter. TRex left out the diapers and Vitter.

Like the old book written by Bob Welch of the Dodgers, “5 Oclock Comes Early”, so do term limits for some . . . ;-)

DrDick @ 96

Actually I am warming to the idea of a qualifying exam to run for public office. Rethugs are all about such things for immigrants, minority voters, teachers, etc. Be nice to make them take an exam before they can run for office (Dubya and any number of Republican representatives and senators would not now be in office).

Exactly. Senators and Reps. are government employees. They should absolutely be required to pass an exam before being qualified to run. What’s the problem? Frankly, I’m freaking sick of school board members who sometimes can’t read running the
show.

We actually had a stroke victim (not to be against disabled people) who couldn’t read, write, or speak on our school board. He was supported by the board members who wanted his vote. Testing out to be qualified is really a necessity.

EvilDrPuma @ 12

What could be better than Baked Alaskan?

All them whipped whites?

This evening’s snack is apples and honey. Jewish new year starts tomorrow evening, and this will help us get it off to a sweet start.

TexBetsy @ 160

This evening’s snack is apples and honey. Jewish new year starts tomorrow evening, and this will help us get it off to a sweet start.

Mazel Tov!

TexBetsy @ 160

This evening’s snack is apples and honey. Jewish new year starts tomorrow evening, and this will help us get it off to a sweet start.

Happy New Year in advance to Betsy, Big Mitch, and all of our other Jewish pups. מזל טוב

TexBetsy @ 160

This evening’s snack is apples and honey. Jewish new year starts tomorrow evening, and this will help us get it off to a sweet start.

YUM! L’Shanah Tovah, TB!

Stevens and Lieberman and Craig are all pretty sterling arguments for senatorial term limits if you ask me.

Very good and funny post, TRex, but I have one objection to the above sentence. That sentence would also cover our Democratic oldest congress member, Robert Byrd, who by all reports did an outstanding job at this mornings hearings. In fact, from all reports, Robert Byrd is a national treasure who regularly does an outstanding job. I wanna keep him as long as we can. As they say in the movies, no sense throwing away a perfectly good white boy. (That really was paraphrased from a movie; I would hate for anyone to think I am just being a big bigot.)

burnspbesq @ 161

TexBetsy @ 160

This evening’s snack is apples and honey. Jewish new year starts tomorrow evening, and this will help us get it off to a sweet start.

Happy New Year in advance to Betsy, Big Mitch, and all of our other Jewish pups. מזל טוב

How on earth did you paste Hebrew??

(Correct greeting is L’Shanah Tovah — Happy New Year)

And to you Laura!

TexBetsy @ 160

This evening’s snack is apples and honey. Jewish new year starts tomorrow evening, and this will help us get it off to a sweet start.

Lashana tovah :-)

Thanks for that Hartmann link, Betsy, and for the snack!

TeddySanFran @ 167

Thanks for that Hartmann link, Betsy, and for the snack!

Any time!

(Except possibly the next few nights.)

Funniest headline ever at WaPo:
“Bush to Endorse Petraeus Plan”

Who are they trying to kid?

So Teddy, any word yet on what Herr Gropenator is going to do with the new marriage law?

Fun!

Apple turned on a new feature in the iTunes Music Store today. iPhone users can buy and download a song and for an additional 99 cents, use any part of the song as a ringtone.

Hmmm … “So What” or “Green Onions?”

TeddySanFran @ 170

Funniest headline ever at WaPo:
“Bush to Endorse Petraeus Plan”

Who are they trying to kid?

Seems more than a tad circular to me. Patraeus endorses Bush plan, Bush endorses Patraeus plan? Doesn’t any body want to own that smelly sucker?

burnspbesq @ 171

Fun!

Apple turned on a new feature in the iTunes Music Store today. iPhone users can buy and download a song and for an additional 99 cents, use any part of the song as a ringtone.

Hmmm … “So What” or “Green Onions?”

enjoying your iphone?

DrDick @ 171

So Teddy, any word yet on what Herr Gropenator is going to do with the new marriage law?

They are very quiet and busy in Sacramento satisfying the health insurance lobby before announcing the compromise on health insurance for all. Nothing I’ve heard yet on the marriage bill.

Good nite everyone. Blessings on all the new years beginning this fall. May they usher in peaceful times. (I’m grateful for any and all beginnings….)

Sleep well Laura Doty.

GSD @ 129

Six years after 9/11 and George W. Bush can boast about this grand accomplishment.

The one Muslim nation that has a nuclear arsenal has Bin Laden polling above the dictator of that nation.

Both Bin Laden and Musharraff poll above Bush who racks up a stunningly low 9% approval rating in Pakistan.

Hearts and fucking minds baby.

-GSD

Goes to show that the other criteria to run for congress should include a basic triple digit IQ.

TexBetsy @ 165

burnspbesq @ 161

Happy New Year in advance to Betsy, Big Mitch, and all of our other Jewish pups. מזל טוב

How on earth did you paste Hebrew??

(Correct greeting is L’Shanah Tovah — Happy New Year)

I have no idea why that worked — I was totally surprised when it pasted correctly. It came from a page of Google search results. Mac user’s luck, I guess.

TeddySanFran @ 175

DrDick @ 171

So Teddy, any word yet on what Herr Gropenator is going to do with the new marriage law?

They are very quiet and busy in Sacramento satisfying the health insurance lobby before announcing the compromise on health insurance for all. Nothing I’ve heard yet on the marriage bill.

Well, you have my best wishes on both fronts. I’ll keep my fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes crossed.

Night Laura.

DrDick @ 173

TeddySanFran @ 170

Funniest headline ever at WaPo:

Who are they trying to kid?

Seems more than a tad circular to me. Patraeus endorses Bush plan, Bush endorses Patraeus plan? Doesn’t any body want to own that smelly sucker?

Circular? Sounds more like three times twenty-three to me.

List? Did Someone Say, LIST? From Phoenix Woman, At Mercury Rising

Well, thanks, DrDick — don’t strain anything, though!!

burnspbesq @ 179

TexBetsy @ 165

How on earth did you paste Hebrew??

(Correct greeting is L’Shanah Tovah — Happy New Year)

UTF!

I have no idea why that worked — I was totally surprised when it pasted correctly. It came from a page of Google search results. Mac user’s luck, I guess.

Just a drive-by to say hi before hitting the sack. Didn’t read comments but

Stevens and Lieberman and Craig are all pretty sterling arguments for senatorial term limits if you ask me.

But then there’s always Byrd, who redeemed himself in his old age.

TexBetsy @ 174

burnspbesq @ 171

Fun!

Apple turned on a new feature in the iTunes Music Store today. iPhone users can buy and download a song and for an additional 99 cents, use any part of the song as a ringtone.

Hmmm … “So What” or “Green Onions?”

enjoying your iphone?

Oh, yes, very much so. Thanks for asking. Although I’m not terribly happy that the price dropped by $200 nine weeks after I bought the thing. Ol’ Steve’s trying to goose the fourth quarter results (Apple’s fiscal year ends in September). According to this morning’s WSJ, they sold the one millionth iPhone yesterday.

Much as I’d like to see Sen. Stevens get all the trouble he so richly deserves, this story doesn’t seem like it will do the job. After, Stevens can argue that it doesn’t take bribes to make him want low taxes and see lots of oil drilling; wingnuts already believe that crap for free.

So we can’t get him by showing just that he took positions favorable to the oil industry. It’ll take more, like showing that he collected some real graft for playing ball.

TexBetsy @ 160

This evening’s snack is apples and honey. Jewish new year starts tomorrow evening, and this will help us get it off to a sweet start.

Wonderful!

tw3k @ 185

burnspbesq @ 179

UTF!

I have no idea why that worked — I was totally surprised when it pasted correctly. It came from a page of Google search results. Mac user’s luck, I guess.

Its the miracle of that new fangle modern technology stuff. Mysterious, too.

Laura Doty @ 176

Good nite everyone. Blessings on all the new years beginning this fall. May they usher in peaceful times. (I’m grateful for any and all beginnings….)

Good night!

Renee in Ohio @ 28
What an amazing story.

marymccurnin @ 190

tw3k @ 185

Its the miracle of that new fangle modern technology stuff. Mysterious, too.

No luck at all. It’s rendered in unicode, which most modern browsers handle just fine. The trick is in generating unicode, but a copy and paste is easy :-)

Alright, now that I’ve geeked myself out of the closet, I’ll retire quietly back into it.

TeddySanFran @ 170

Funniest headline ever at WaPo:
“Bush to Endorse Petraeus Plan”

Who are they trying to kid?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo…

Joe Buck @ 188

Much as I’d like to see Sen. Stevens get all the trouble he so richly deserves, this story doesn’t seem like it will do the job. After, Stevens can argue that it doesn’t take bribes to make him want low taxes and see lots of oil drilling; wingnuts already believe that crap for free.

So we can’t get him by showing just that he took positions favorable to the oil industry. It’ll take more, like showing that he collected some real graft for playing ball.

Or helped direct such graft to his son, Ben. That’ll be what happened, I betcha.

rwcole @ 53

WASHINGTON — Oil prices jumped to a record Tuesday as investors continued to fret about tight supplies even after OPEC announced it would pump more oil later this year.
The price of a barrel of light, sweet crude oil for delivery in October rose 74 cents to $78.23. That was the highest price, not adjusted for inflation, on record, beating the previous record of $78.21 set July 31.

OPEC or APEC?

Think I’ll make an early night of it. Have my theory seminar tomorrow and have to be at least semi-coherent. Take care and enjoy the snark.

albert fall @ 120

OT, but not really OT:

On 9-11, the story that the Bush adminstration won’t tell you, but the story that is true about 9-11, is that America won in the only way that is meaningful to win in a contest against terrorism.

The passengers of United 93–blended race, creed, political pursuasion and all–learned of the other attacks on 9-11 and spontaneous rose to combat and defeat the terrorists who hijacked them.

Within one hour!

Americans all. True patriots, all.

The winners on 9-11, through their sacrifice–all Americans.

Don’t let Bush steal their victory with his fear-mongering.

I stand proudly by my pre-9/11 mindset…

NZ Expat, now in KS @ 51

Big Mitch…..I used to live up in Kaktovik in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I’ve done a lot of stomping around there and don’t want to see it opened. Even best estimates of potential could be offset by a little conservation down in this part of the US.

However, we can politely disagree, not so?

Anyone such as I who hangs around in Democratic blogs and supports opening ANWAR needs to learn to agree to politely disagree with others. For the record, I think we need a lot of conservation, to go with exploration. And research in alternatives.

peanutbutter @ 193

marymccurnin @ 190

Its the miracle of that new fangle modern technology stuff. Mysterious, too.

No luck at all. It’s rendered in unicode, which most modern browsers handle just fine. The trick is in generating unicode, but a copy and paste is easy :-)

Alright, now that I’ve geeked myself out of the closet, I’ll retire quietly back into it.

I knew that.

TeddySanFran @ 195

Joe Buck @ 188

Much as I’d like to see Sen. Stevens get all the trouble he so richly deserves, this story doesn’t seem like it will do the job. After, Stevens can argue that it doesn’t take bribes to make him want low taxes and see lots of oil drilling; wingnuts already believe that crap for free.

So we can’t get him by showing just that he took positions favorable to the oil industry. It’ll take more, like showing that he collected some real graft for playing ball.

Or helped direct such graft to his son, Ben. That’ll be what happened, I betcha.

Duncan Hunter Jr. is running to replace his dad in Blackwater country.

CTuttle @ 122

LoudounLib @ 117

And Red Sox Nation rejoices…

Damn, Skippy!!! Evening, Late-Niters!!!

Well put, but as I recall, I said, “Enjoy the moment.” I stand by that advice.

DrDick @ 180

TeddySanFran @ 175

They are very quiet and busy in Sacramento satisfying the health insurance lobby before announcing the compromise on health insurance for all. Nothing I’ve heard yet on the marriage bill.

Well, you have my best wishes on both fronts. I’ll keep my fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes crossed.

I do believe he’s already said he’ll veto it. But as Teddy says the current bill is the healthcare one, which is really up in the air. http://www.calitics.com has the goods, generally.

I’ve pulled together a post about Alex the parrot here.

I hadn’t known about his work with phonics until tonight. (It’s a fun story.)

peanutbutter @ 203

DrDick @ 180

Well, you have my best wishes on both fronts. I’ll keep my fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes crossed.

I do believe he’s already said he’ll veto it. But as Teddy says the current bill is the healthcare one, which is really up in the air. http://www.calitics.com has the goods, generally.

All the press I’ve read sez “he’s expected to veto it,” but then Peterr found that Bay Area Reporter article from the Arnold Inauguration when Tom Arnold said Arnold might go for gay marriage, freed up as he is in his second term.

Do you have a link for an Arnold statement that he’ll veto this bill?

I fully realize Californians wanting a health care bill, but I fail to see that this one is great shakes. By my lights, there is no logical reason for insurance to be linked to employment. It makes no sense.

Any bill that doesn’t create universal single-payor, not-for-profit health care is a compromise which will kill what we really need.

We have VA benefits for millions of men and women. We can have it for everyone.

TeddySanFran @ 205

peanutbutter @ 203

I do believe he’s already said he’ll veto it. But as Teddy says the current bill is the healthcare one, which is really up in the air. http://www.calitics.com has the goods, generally.

All the press I’ve read sez “he’s expected to veto it,” but then Peterr found that Bay Area Reporter article from the Arnold Inauguration when Tom Arnold said Arnold might go for gay marriage, freed up as he is in his second term.

Do you have a link for an Arnold statement that he’ll veto this bill?

Arnold Will Veto Gay Marriage Bill

pb, that’s from 2005

TeddySanFran @ 208

pb, that’s from 2005

*blinks*
Damn. this cold is taking a hold of my BRANE! Hang on a ‘mo…

TeddySanFran @ 205

peanutbutter @ 203

I do believe he’s already said he’ll veto it. But as Teddy says the current bill is the healthcare one, which is really up in the air. http://www.calitics.com has the goods, generally.

All the press I’ve read sez “he’s expected to veto it,” but then Peterr found that Bay Area Reporter article from the Arnold Inauguration when Tom Arnold said Arnold might go for gay marriage, freed up as he is in his second term.

Do you have a link for an Arnold statement that he’ll veto this bill?

Arnold has called a special session to deal with the health care issue. He wants to negotiate with the dems. I don’t think that he has vetoed AB8 yet. The repugs reemed Arnold so badly the other day perhaps he has come to his senses. Naaaaaa.

Renee in Ohio @ 204

I’ve pulled together a post about Alex the parrot here.

I hadn’t known about his work with phonics until tonight. (It’s a fun story.)

:) humor is good. I like Alex and never even heard of him before.

I know that universal single-payor, not-for-profit health care is a radical idea, but listen to what some other radicals have said on the subject.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are … endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, … [and] That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…

For “life,” I read “health.”

Big Mitch says:
September 11th, 2007 at 8:06 pm

Uncle Ted, as he is known here, is much beloved, and could probably win if he ran for election again. Why? Because he brings home the bacon, pork, sausage, ham, and all manner of chazerei. And how is he able to do so? Thank the seniority system for that.

Having said all of that, he has one main goal in life, namely to open up ANWAR. Doing so is approved of by 95% of the population up here, including me. Ditto the gas pipeline.

And 95% of winos want free wine.

Alaska – the state where burning Federal resources brings small bribes to the locals.

In the form of Alaska state checks.

And we thought the defense megacorps were good at bribing voters.

The petromegacorps bought the future of the permafrost for a handful of silver.

Alaska’s population is a miniscule fragment of the US – the rest of the population rejects the collective greed of Alaska’a purchased voters.

Hey – but if more drilling brings more checks, who gives a flying fuck about the consequences?

Alaskans are free and independent – as long as Big Oil approves.

BigMitch @ 206

I fully realize Californians wanting a health care bill, but I fail to see that this one is great shakes. By my lights, there is no logical reason for insurance to be linked to employment. It makes no sense.

Any bill that doesn’t create universal single-payor, not-for-profit health care is a compromise which will kill what we really need.

We have VA benefits for millions of men and women. We can have it for everyone.

AB8 will cover 80% of the uninsured. Employees will pay 5% of their salary maximum. Employers will pay 7.5%. There will be oversight of the insurance companies. There will be sunshine. It is by no means a perfect bill. But universal single payer won’t happen this year and probably not the next. Right now 18,000 people die from lack of insurance. That is the official total anyway.

It is better to get more than a few people in life boats rather than keeping them aboard a sinking ship. But the repubs may scuttle the entire thing yet.

BigMitch @ 212

I know that universal single-payor, not-for-profit health care is a radical idea, but listen to what some other radicals have said on the subject.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are … endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, … [and] That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…

For “life,” I read “health.”

I have to say I agree with you and like the context you have chosen.

Best I can find is this:
Gender-Neutral Marriage Bill Passes
But when I checked California Progress Report, I only got more of the “expected to veto” stuff.

And now I’m going to slink off to bed…an early night to get rid of this pending cold is probably best :-)

peanutbutter @ 216

Best I can find is this:
Gender-Neutral Marriage Bill Passes
But when I checked California Progress Report, I only got more of the “expected to veto” stuff.

And now I’m going to slink off to bed…an early night to get rid of this pending cold is probably best :-)

yup, the best thing for a cold, gn.

Mary McC– I hear you, and that is why I have mixed emotions about this bill. Since I am not an uninsured Californian, it is a bit to easy for me to “take a hard line” and demand a better bill. Be that as it may, there is only one acceptable permanent solution: universal, single-payor, not-for-profit insurance. Any steps along the way are good for those they help, but I worry about them being a final destination.

kirk murphy @ 212

Big Mitch says:
September 11th, 2007 at 8:06 pm

Uncle Ted, as he is known here, is much beloved, and could probably win if he ran for election again. Why? Because he brings home the bacon, pork, sausage, ham, and all manner of chazerei. And how is he able to do so? Thank the seniority system for that.

Having said all of that, he has one main goal in life, namely to open up ANWAR. Doing so is approved of by 95% of the population up here, including me. Ditto the gas pipeline.

And 95% of winos want free wine.

Alaska – the state where burning Federal resources brings small bribes to the locals.

Simply not true.

In the form of Alaska state checks.

Hey – but if more drilling brings more checks, who gives a flying fuck about the consequences?

What consequences are you speaking of?

BigMitch @ 218

Mary McC– I hear you, and that is why I have mixed emotions about this bill. Since I am not an uninsured Californian, it is a bit to easy for me to “take a hard line” and demand a better bill. Be that as it may, there is only one acceptable permanent solution: universal, single-payor, not-for-profit insurance. Any steps along the way are good for those they help, but I worry about them being a final destination.

I believe that the final destination will be universal, single payer but I think it won’t happen until after ‘08. It was really hard for me to come to terms with my decision to support AB8. Right now I am on a special medi-cal program for breast ca. women. I recently was approved for another year. My husband has had six months of coverage that we could afford. He was without insurance due to pre-existing heart problems (He got the big zipper). The insurance vultures wanted $2400 a month to cover him. So you see my compromise was born of personal experience. By the way Ron is much better and my cure rate is at 97%.

I said in previous post that I thought Petraeus’ testimony in Congress was overall a good thing. I still think that. But I fust saw some of the Fox News ‘interview’. That was very definitely not a good thing. That was a disgusting show of egregious propaganda catapulting. Some have said Fox was bad for offering as an interview, or as news.

I don’t think Fox even pretended it was anything other than a showcase for their political factions case. Fox is the unofficial reactionary Cheney-bush media outlet now. Either those two dudes were ordered to go on there and do with Fluff and Fume, or it was their choice, and either alternative is disturbing.

There is no excuse for Dems to show any respect for Fox any more. Either boycott it, or be willing to go on and get in their faces until they cut off the microphone.

new upstairs!

peanutbutter @ 216

Best I can find is this:
Gender-Neutral Marriage Bill Passes
But when I checked California Progress Report, I only got more of the “expected to veto” stuff.

And now I’m going to slink off to bed…an early night to get rid of this pending cold is probably best :-)

Ahnold might surprise us all. Am just sayin’ ‘~)