Politico A Go Go

Schiavo, DeLay, and Hypocrisy

2005-03-24T13:34:00.000-06:00

[I posted this rant on MGROE earlier this week.  Since then, the
Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal so the matter is probably
closed, at least in the courts.  What will they do now?  Cry out that
the "activist judges", many of whom are Republicans, have disobeyed the
will of Bush, DeLay, and Frist?  Maybe some judges don't appreciate being
given orders by elected officials.]

This whole thing makes me sick.  The GOP, led by Tom DeLay who is trying
to cover his political ass from all the corruption charges by wrapping
himself in the "life of the innocent" cloth, have proven themselves to be
a bunch of sick, ghoulish opportunity (did you hear that Sean Hannity has
been broadcasting his shows from the hospice parking lot?).  The District
Court Judge James Whittemore, who refused to order the tube reinserted,
has reportedly been asked to leave the Southern Baptist church where he
was a member...yes, this judge who was *doing his job by interpreting
*the law* and is a Southern Baptist conservative was given the bum's
rush by his pastor.  He's also been rewarded with death threats by these
"pro life" creeps.  Look, it's all fine and good to believe that Terri's
fate is in the hands of God, but SHE IS DEAD.  If God wants her to live,
she wouldn't need to be kept alive by artificial means. This whole thing
is incredibly sad and I am sympathetic to the family; I'm sorry but the
woman is gone, lights on, nobody home.

As Phil points out, polling data shows that the public is NOT on the
side of DeLay and Bush, but the husband who is trying to respect his
wife's desire.  But do the "liberal media" bother to mention this in
their 24/7 coverage?  Hell no.  ABC News, who commissioned the latest
poll didn't even mention it on their evening newscast.  They're so
afraid of what Rove and the rest will do to them if they dare mention
something that indicates that this piece of garbage legislation that
Congress passed might not be so popular with the people (ya know, the
ones they supposedly serve?!).

Charlotte mentions a doctor who, like a number of other experts who
have looked into this for YEARS, says that her higher brain function
is gone, hence the term vegetative state.  But "Dr." Bill Frist ("I'm
not a doctor, but I play one in Congress") doesn't agree
with those kooky liberal neurologists.  I'm sure he just "knows" that
she isn't a living vegetable.  Frist is a doctor who believes in the
field he studied when it's politically convenient.  He's either a liar
or a moron...I choose the former.

"Sactity of life" My Ass.  These people don't care about the suffering
of innocent life or they would try and do something about all the people
who die all the time in this wealthy country because they don't have
access to health care instead of this political grandstanding.  
You just know that no matter how this turns out, these assholes will be
using this issue as a political football.  I sincerely hope that it blows
up in their faces.  The Dems are too weak or afraid of the Christian Right
to speak out.  It's a wonder any of them voted against the measure.  So now
that the issue is going to the Supremes.  What will they do when they refuse
to hear it or rule in a what that Tommy doesn't like?  Amend the Constitution?
Nope, they'll just portray themselves as heroes for charging in to save
Terri's "life."

Still More Schiavo

2005-03-24T09:19:00.001-06:00

More Here

1) The righty media keeps saying, "What is the husbands hurry?" and implying that he has ulterior motives - what do they mean "hurry" - it's been YEARS!! I imagine any life insurance he gets would be eaten up by legal bills. They also wonder why he doesn't just let the family take care of her like they want. She didn't want that! When people get married their spouse has legal rights over the parents and that's the way it should be. Parents have a hard time seeing their children as adults I think in someways, but a spouse (usually) doesn't have that problem.

2) Wasn't it about 13 years ago that the religious right was saying medicare patients shouldn't be kept alive like this because it was against "God's plan"? What's different here? I don't get it! Only rich people should be kept alive or something?

3) Some of these people who are so upset about her being allowed to die have no idea what they are talking about, including some of the people in Congress. They also seem to lack an understanding of the Constitution and the separation between the Judicial and Legislative branches and the role they are meant to play.

4) You know damn well some of these folks in Congress are using this poor families pain to attempt to get political gain AND how about deflecting some of that attention Delay was getting? The media goes right along like a piddling puppy waiting for a chance to hump the President's leg. Shame on them all. And shame on the Dems that voted for this.

5) Where are the Libertarians?! Where are the moderate Republicans?!

6) How can anyone compare this to the process death row inmates go through in their appeal process? Come on people. If you are going to go down that route, let me ask you, "Why is it ok to kill some people but not let others die? Shouldn't we let God sort that out too?"

7) The righty media also says, "Why can't we let the family have their day in court?" What the hell are you talking about? You mean, keep trying different courts until some judge agrees with them?

I could go on and on about this...heck I am!

Another Book To Check Out!

2005-03-10T19:55:00.000-06:00

Straight Talk from the Heartland
by Big Ed - Ok so I'm an Ed Head...If you haven't checked out his show, you should. I was a caller on the show today!

Future Politico Book Club Reading?

2005-03-10T13:46:00.000-06:00

Go Here for article: Foxes in the Henhouse

More Republican Mean

2005-03-10T13:28:00.000-06:00

Go Here if you want to keep up with the latest on the attacks on the working poor and middle class the Repubs are ramming through (despite the best efforts of the Dems to make the bill more fair and balanced.

This and the tax cuts for the rich - shifting the brunt of the tax burden further to the Middle Class, begs the question: Does America need a Middle Class? Evidently the Repubs are doing everything the can to erode it. They put a good spin on it though and I guess for now they somehow have the Middle Class convinced these changes are necessary and "good for them". Dean, where art thou when we need thou?

A Good Ol' Slap in the Face

2005-03-09T08:08:00.000-06:00

Bush Nominates UN Critic Bolton as UN Envoy...

Brother, this Administration couldn't hold onto "goodwill" any better than a slippery ol' bullhead flappin' on the Brazos River bank. [Read that last sentence with your best Dan Rather voice.] They were getting a bit of mileage from Rice's tour - she was saying "all the right things". Then they go and nominate this yahoo? What message does this send? Actions speak louder than words. Isn't about time for another month long vacation for W?

Hillary: The Bitch Factor

2005-03-08T12:28:00.000-06:00

Joan Vennochi complains about efforts by hardcore supporters to lock up the 08 Democratic Presidential nomination for Hillary Clinton, pointing out that the Republicans would go to town on Hillary with their tested methods of turning Democratic candidates into caricatures. Thanks to Republicans, Hillary is already perceived by millions as a castrating bitch. Why make it easy for the Rove-ites? At any rate, how could Hillary possibly win over swing voters with her baggage?

I, too, was among the Hillary-doubters, until I realized that Hillary could be, in the current environment, the candidate least vulnerable to the classic Republican assault. Don't forget that Hillary has already withstood more than a decade of abuse from right-wing media hooligans, who've accused her of, among other things, abetting the murder of Vince Foster. Where else can you go from there? Unlike Kerry last year or even Gore in 2000, Hillary's very well-defined in the public imagination.

Well, you say, how does that help if the Republicans have already done their job: people won't vote for her because they simply don't like her. Not so fast! There is a very fine (perhaps non-existent) line between a castrating bitch and an "Iron Lady" like Margaret Thatcher, and we may be underestimating how quickly Hillary could come to be seen as a foreign-policy ass-kicker. After 9/11, a castrating bitch is precisely what America needs. "Hillary is our castrating bitch, and she's going to castrate the terrorists!"

If seen as America's Iron Lady, Hillary would be a very effective Presidential candidate for the Democrats, who are always derided as flip-floppers and wafflers and are perceived as not tough enough on terrorism. Even more, with bitch credentials already in the bag, Hillary can afford to soften her image, attracting swing voters who may not have liked her before, but are willing to take another look.

Consumption Tax

2005-03-03T13:04:00.000-06:00

Alan Greenspan spoke favorably about this idea when speaking earlier today at the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform. I find the idea somewhat intriguing actually - worthy of exploration at least, as long as food and clothing would be exempt. A mix of Income Tax and Consumption Tax would probably be best I would think - I mean how much would this drive up the cost of goods? Would a tall Starbuck's latte increase to $10 a cup? If so, Al's right - that would encourage savings. I wouldn't pay $10 for a cup of warm milk and an espresso shot. I am not an economist, but it also seems to me that if costs for items increase too much, it would hurt the economy because people would decrease their impulse buying drastically. How much of our economy is driven by people racking up debt? What if that "bubble" burst? Where's Art Rolnick when I need him?

What Should Democrats Be Doing?

2005-03-02T13:13:00.000-06:00

This article was forwarded to me by my friend David. It criticizes those Dems that voted for Iraq war funding, the patriot act, etc. It seems to totally disregard any political realities (the importance of compromises, the fact that the Dems are in the minority, the fact that the American people want their congresspeople to "do something", i.e. not simply obstruct and the fact that people are up for re-election. What would the writer suggest?

I do wish the Dems had a more unified front, and to define better and stand for their principals, but it just seems that this article (and many arguments by the farther-left make) come from an ideal that isn't rooted in reality. It is much easier to stay outside of the process and lob attacks rather than work from within to effect change. What about critiquing the farther left for not participating constructively to work for the things they want, rather than spewing these sorts of articles and attacks? What has John Nichols - the writer of the article, done for the cause? Certainly this article could get people talking etc., but does it help? What are the constructive ideas he has for changing things given the system of government we have and the vast majority of Americans want?

US abolishes youth death penalty

2005-03-01T14:51:00.000-06:00

For Complete Article, Click Here.

Personally, I think this is great news. No matter how one feels about the death penalty, putting children to death should give one pause. Ok, maybe not Scalia...Although I wonder if the "overwhelming weight of international opinion" should really be a cited reason...more fuel for the Cons: "The Supreme Court is owned by the UN!" or whatever. "Nominate Alan Keyes!" Yippee.

Dean

2005-03-01T12:30:00.000-06:00

Dean's getting the DNC chairman position and the way he got there are proof to me that the Dems are on the correct path now. He got all these different groups to get behind him - he had a great grassroots campaign AND he got the old guard to wake up. He has proven how the Dems can raise lots of money with small donations. If we can ever get campaign finance reform through, the Dems could have a money advantage for the first time ever. You don't hear much about these things, but from what I've been able to eek out from alternative news sources, I am optimistic. The mainstream media just shows the old scream and goes for an easy laugh. That's fine, maybe some folks will take him for granted and won't see him coming after them. GO DEAN!

Edwards Vs. Gingrich in '08?

2005-02-21T14:46:00.000-06:00

Edwards Says Aim Is to Get Wife Well, Not 2008 Bid

This is in stark contrast to Gingrich who was cheating on his wife when she was recovering from cancer and even had the divorce papers delivered to her when she was in the hospital. He's thinking about running in 2008. I wonder how well he'd do against Edwards if he runs and wins the nomination.

I suppose the strongest GOP candidate right now is Jeb Bush, who is refered to as "the smart one" of the Bush sons. It is no coincidence that Jeb was sent to the tsunami sites for photo ops etc...

Brazen Administration Officials (BAOs)

2005-02-18T09:00:00.000-06:00

bra·zen (brā'zən)
adj.

Marked by flagrant and insolent audacity. See synonyms at shameless.
Having a loud, usually harsh, resonant sound: “sudden brazen clashes of the soldiers' band” (James Joyce).
Made of brass.
Resembling brass, as in color or strength.

Read This (More Rumpsfelt)

I don't care how big a majority a sitting President has or what party they are, this behaviour is not fitting of their position. The President should never appear smug or cocky. His cabinet should answer questions put to them by Congress out of respect for checks and balances the Constitution calls for and out of respect for the office they hold. Time and time again if the current administration answers questions at all, they are defensive; their answers are incomplete and reaking with this attitude of "how dare you ask me compelling questions?"

With the press in tow (or in some cases actually planted) it now feels entirely up to the opposition party to ask "tough" questions. Even moderate Republicans are put off by some of the BAOs actions. Will this tightly woven party line hold up? Many Repubs are up for re-election and some of what W is trying to get through is very unpopular...no surprise here, but I wonder how many folks that voted for him still somehow thought he was more moderate than he is?

Maybe there is a better word for all this than "brazen", but whatever you call it, it's at best reprehensible.

First Post

2005-02-16T14:37:00.000-06:00

Welcome.