Blogressive March 31, 2006
Quotable
"President Bush took this country to war by choice, not because we had to fight but because he wanted a fight. I have a question for President Bush. If you really believe that the war that you started in Iraq is a fight to defeat terrorism and to defend our freedoms, why haven't your girls enlisted?"
Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr. at St. Louis Community College at Meramec in Kirkwood, MO.
Congressional candidate offers photographic evidence that life is "calm" and "stable" in Baghdad. Exhibit A: This photo of Istanbul.
On his campaign website California Republican Congressional candidate Howard Kallogian, who describes himself as a "taxpayer hero" and a "supporter of our troops and the U.S. military all my life" (though not quite enough to ever join the military), posted this photo, which he claimed he took in "Downtown Baghdad" to prove that life is "calm" and "stable" in there. Other photos demonstrating his point featured him on a military base, seated a military aircraft, and in a Centcom briefing.
His photo of "Downtown Baghdad" actually depicts a shopping area in Istanbul, Turkey. To his credit things are relatively calm there.
After bloggers took him to task yesterday, Kallogian switched the photo with an wide angle shot apparently taken from a distant balcony or aircraft as his proof. Did Kallogian ever actually walk through the streets of Baghdad and see a similar idyllic shopping scene? If he did, then he must be kicking himself for leaving his camera back at the hotel.
To help him out, I'm posting a few scenes from my recent trip to "Downtown Baghdad":
Making stuff up about Iraq is hardly a disqualification for public office. If history is any indication, Kallogian has a long career in politics and journalism ahead of him. Source: dailykos.com
Delay compared to the son of God Delay compared to the son of God
Embattled Congressman Tom DeLay recently attended a conference in Washington titled "The War on Christians and the Values Voter in 2006." The conference, also attended by Phyllis Schlafly, Alan Keyes, and Sen. Sam Brownback, was organized by longtime DeLay ally Rev. Rick Scarborough and was intended to mobilize "patriot pastors." Rev. Scarborough publicly elevated DeLay to messenger of God status, "This is a man, I believe, God has appointed ... to represent righteousness in government.” He also counseled his friend not to worry too much about his indictment on money laundering charges: "God always does his best work after a crucifixion."Source: chron.com
Meanwhile, Rep. Delay wants his gun back Meanwhile, Rep. Delay wants his gun back
"Rep. Tom DeLay is fighting to regain his concealed handgun permit after it was suspended because of his indictment on felony charges. A justice of the peace suspended DeLay’s license in January after the former majority leader was indicted last year. A judge dismissed a conspiracy charge, but DeLay still faces a felony charge of money laundering." Source: msnbc.com
Did Jesus get to keep his gun?
The Emperor wears no Speedo The Emperor wears no Speedo
Disappointing producers of "Commander Gone Wild II," President Bush says he will be wearing a Speedo in Mexico.
"Answering questions in Washington at a forum before he left, he joked, 'No Speedo here.' And while the audience giggled at the image of a commander-in-chief in a tight swimsuit, he added, 'Thankfully.' " Source: wftv.com
Florida, which has 0% unemployment, public schools that are the envy of the world, and free health care for all of its citizens, has moved on to more important issues... like selecting the state pie. Florida, which has 0% unemployment, public schools that are the envy of the world, and free health care for all of its citizens, has moved on to more important issues... like selecting the state pie.
Who says politicians are out of touch?A big pie fight in the Florida legislature is the sort of thing taxpayers have been clamoring for.
“State Representative Mitch Needelman thinks key limes would best represent Florida since the state has such a large citrus industry. But lawmakers from other areas of the state think otherwise. Some legislators in the northern part of the state argued that pecan pie should be the official state pie, while some in the central part of the state pushed for strawberry pie." Source: wftv.com
Ad proclaiming "Today is election day" runs two days early Ad proclaiming "Today is election day" runs two days early
“Elections Ontario ran an advertisement in Tuesday's edition of the Ottawa Citizen mistakenly telling residents of Nepean-Carleton to cast their ballots Tuesday for the provincial by-election. The election is actually on Thursday. The quarter-page advertisement...announced in bold letters, 'Today is election day in the electoral district of Nepean-Carleton.' " Source: cbc.ca
Something like this would never accidentally happen in the U.S.
Four Whoppers cost $4,334 Four Whoppers cost $4,334
“Four burgers at his neighborhood Burger King cost George Beane a whopping $4,334.33. Beane ordered two Whopper Jr.s and two Rodeo cheeseburgers when he pulled up to the drive-through window last Tuesday. The cashier, however, forgot that she'd entered the $4.33 charge on his debit card and punched in the numbers again without erasing the original ones - thus creating a four-figure bill. The electronic charge went through to George and Pat Beane's Bank of America checking account and left the couple penniless. Their mortgage payment was due and they worried checks they had written would bounce, Pat Beane said. 'We were thinking, 'No, not now!' she said of the overcharge. Terri Woody, the restaurant manager, said Burger King officials tried to get the charge refunded. But the bank said the funds were on a three-day hold and could not be released, Pat Beane said. The hold is designed to prevent customers from spending money that no longer is available in their accounts and to let the bank confirm a transaction is legitimate before transferring funds, said Bank of America supervisor Joel Solorio. Burger King did not charge the Beanes for their meal, and the couple got their $4,334.33 back on Friday." Source: orlandosentinal.com
We live in technologically wondrous times. It only takes three days for Bank of America to confirm that a $4,334 charge at Burger King might not be legitimate.
RNC Memo: "If he drops, we all drop" RNC Memo: "If he drops, we all drop"
In a memo to Republican National Committee Chairman, Ken Mehlman, pollster Jan van Lohuizen advises the party of Lincoln to hang together.
“The President is seen universally as the face of the Republican Party. We are now brand W. Republicans. The following chart shows the extremely close correlation between the President's image and overall ratings of the party. President Bush drives our image and will do so until we have real national front-runners for the '08 nomination. Attacking the President is counter-productive for all Republicans, not just the candidates launching the attacks. If he drops, we all drop." Source: hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com
"Gays adopt kids to molest them" "Gays adopt kids to molest them"
Tennessee State Rep. Debra Young Maggart (R-Hendersonville)doesn't think gay couples should be permitted to adopt children because they are more likely to molest them. Maggart, whose bio states that she is a single mother, is also concerned that gay couples are more likely to break up.
“We also have seen evidence that homosexual couples prey on young males and have, in some instances, adopted them in order to have unfretted [sic] access to subject them to a life of molestation and sexual abuse. Some of the evidence we were presented showed that lesbian and gay couples have a higher rate of breaking up than heterosexual coupes as well as higher rates of promiscuity outside of their relationships.”Source: pamspaulding.com
Limbaugh's latest target: a 16-year-old girl who can hit a ball farther than he can Limbaugh's latest target: a 16-year-old girl who can hit a ball farther than he can
According to Rush Limbaugh 16-year-old golfing sensation Michelle Wie is a "triumph of marketing" and a product of political correctness. Limbaugh famously made the same claim about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. McNabb rode the wave of political correctness to an NFC championship and the Super Bowl the following season.
From an interview with golf writer Chris Baldwin:
Baldwin: Vijay Singh said it at one point about Annika Sorenstam, saying she was talking a spot away from a deserving PGA Tour player. But he's since reversed that stance with Michelle Wie.
Limbaugh: He learned like many people in our unfortunate society where political correctness is prized most. Vijay was honest and look what it got him. Attacked by a bunch of liberals and femi-nazis. No professional athlete wants that. These guys are not trying to impact change on society. They want to sell some sneakers or golf clubs before their careers are over.Source: badgolfer.com
GM layoffs require planning. For instance, white-collar workers with company cars need rides home. GM layoffs require planning. For instance, white-collar workers with company cars need rides home.
“Cutbacks were apparently first hitting the upper ranks, what is called the eighth level. Workers at that level have company cars so GM arranged for a taxi service to take them home, workers said. A spokesman for one rental car agency in the Detroit area said GM had put them on standby for Tuesday. 'They know we can accommodate them at any moment. We do group moves for GM, Ford and Chrysler all the time,' he said." Source: ap.org
Skirting arms embargos is so easy a kid can do it Skirting arms embargos is so easy a kid can do it
No really, even a kid can do it.
“The British government has been embarrassed by a group of high school students who managed to exploit loopholes in Britain's arms controls to import torture equipment and arrange a series of arms deals with countries under embargo. The teenagers, from Lord William's School in Oxfordshire, imported equipment including thumb cuffs from Taiwan, wall restraints from Poland and a Chinese 'sting stick' -- a metal bar covered with spikes -- using nothing more than a letterhead, an email address, a cell phone and a small amount of money. They also managed to arrange deals to export arms to countries covered by British or other national arms embargos, including the sale of Pakistani grenade launchers to Syria, Turkish guns to Mali, and South African rifles to Israel." Source: upi.com
The pickup from "Brokeback Mountain" will pay someone's education (and then some) The pickup from "Brokeback Mountain" will pay someone's education (and then some)
The auction ended last night. The winning bid was $60,100.00.
“This flat black truck was featured in the beginning of the movie driven by character Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal). It is seen when Jack first meets Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and again when the characters part after their summer on Brokeback Mountain. It is seen again when Jack meets future wife Lureen Newsome (Anne Hathaway). This all metal truck has its original engine and is in superb running condition. This truck was purchased from High Meadow Productions who were in charge of the transportation for the movie. The interior of the truck is in excellent condition as it had been restored for the movie. It has a brown leather bench seat with black dash. It is a 3-speed manual transmission with a push-button start and 235 ci engine. This vehicle is a rare collectors' item for movie and automobile enthusiast alike. This vehicle has been safetied and is completely ready to drive down the road."Source: ebay.com
Man sues eHarmony.com for not letting him join... because he is eMarried Man sues eHarmony.com for not letting him join... because he is eMarried
Attorney John Claassen says eHarmony is discriminating against him because of his marital status.
“Technically, Claassen says, he is legally separated. But that's not good enough for eHarmony, which says it is in the business of matching singles 'free of relationship commitments.' That puts him in cyber-dating limbo. 'Most people don't file a suit to get a date,' Claassen said Friday after filing a civil rights suit last week in Alameda County Superior Court. "If I had my druthers, I'd be divorced by now. I'm emotionally in a different state than I am legally,' the 36-year-old Emeryville lawyer said." Source: ledger-enquirer.com
Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt serving on the front lines, if by "serving on the front lines" you mean getting paid to sit in a climate-controlled radio studio in Manhattan Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt serving on the front lines, if by "serving on the front lines" you mean getting paid to sit in a climate-controlled radio studio in Manhattan
While interviewing Time Magazine's Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware, conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt took offense at Ware's suggestion that Hewitt wasn't qualified to evaluate the situation on the "front lines" in Iraq from his radio studio.
"I'm sitting in the Empire State Building. Michael, I'm sitting in the Empire State Building, which has been in the past, and could be again, a target. Because in downtown Manhattan, it's not comfortable, although it's a lot safer than where you are, people always are three miles away from where the jihadis last spoke in America. So that's...civilians have a stake in this. Although you are on the front line, this was the front line four and a half years ago." Source: blogoland.blogspot.com
Today's Video: "Rubberstamp"
Today's Video: "Rubberstamp"
House Dems have some C-SPAN fun with a big rubber stamp. (Well it is C-SPAN, so it's still kind of boring.) Video at crooksandliars.com