Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Skip this if you hate cute family stories
My cousin got engaged recently (or so I heard). My future cousin in law is so pretty, even the Twins want her...
All Consequences Great and Small
This seems like a very bad idea to me.
West Pledges To Cease Aid To Palestinians
1) It sends the wrong signal to the nations of the Middle East. At a time when we're trying to promote democracy in the Middle East, this kind of action can only make free elections look like a joke in the region. What's the message? Elect a candidate America likes or else? How do you think you would feel if China, which currently has the power to economically ruin the US , demanded that we elect a certain slate of senators this year? Even if those candidates were the ones you were looking at before, would you continue to trust them or would every action they take from that point forward be viewed as corrupted by Chinese influence? How is this any different?
2) The Principle of the Entrenched Interest. The defeated Fatah movement grew out of the PLO terrorist organization and had largely eclipsed the military branch (not completely, but Fatah was relatively young) in much the same way that Sinn Fein grew out of and eventually largely eclipsed the IRA. People with something to lose generally try to find ways not to. By getting Hamas into the political arena you may very well co-opt the more radical elements and bring a new partner to the table for the purpose of a long-term peace settlement.
3) Humanitarian reasons. If aid is abruptly cut off the Palestinian Territories are likely to descend into civil war resulting in much misery and death. Even if that worst case scenario does not come about, this will be a serious economic blow to an already impoverished area which will lead to additional unnecessary suffering.
4) Breaking the cycle. With those humanitarian concerns in mind, it's important to consider how Hamas got so popular in the first place. In addition to their violent and despicable acts they also operate many charities and help improve the lives of the Palestinians. Driving the Palestinians back into poverty only ensures the continued popularity of Hamas or the rise of a similar-minded group.
Again, if Hamas abuses its position at the head of the PA to foster terrorism there should be swift and dire consequences, but I do not understand how we can reasonably take action against them before we even know how they will act.
Update: One more thing occurs to me. If the West cuts off funding to the PA, what's to stop Iran or Al Queda or another group we are currently trying to keep sidelined from stepping in and providing the funding? It would be in the best interest of both of those groups to see Hamas stay militant, since they are strongly opposed to Israel. It seems like we're driving a potential partner into the hands of the enemy.
West Pledges To Cease Aid To Palestinians
The Bush administration, which opposes providing support to a Hamas-controlled government, yesterday convinced representatives of Russia, the European Union, and Secretary-General Annan - collectively known, with America, as "the quartet" - that a Hamas government would have to renounce violence and recognize Israel before receiving future international aid.Certainly, if Hamas backs violence from here on out there should be real and immediate consequences. However, cutting off funding preemptively seems like a truly bad idea to me. Here's my reasoning:
1) It sends the wrong signal to the nations of the Middle East. At a time when we're trying to promote democracy in the Middle East, this kind of action can only make free elections look like a joke in the region. What's the message? Elect a candidate America likes or else? How do you think you would feel if China, which currently has the power to economically ruin the US , demanded that we elect a certain slate of senators this year? Even if those candidates were the ones you were looking at before, would you continue to trust them or would every action they take from that point forward be viewed as corrupted by Chinese influence? How is this any different?
2) The Principle of the Entrenched Interest. The defeated Fatah movement grew out of the PLO terrorist organization and had largely eclipsed the military branch (not completely, but Fatah was relatively young) in much the same way that Sinn Fein grew out of and eventually largely eclipsed the IRA. People with something to lose generally try to find ways not to. By getting Hamas into the political arena you may very well co-opt the more radical elements and bring a new partner to the table for the purpose of a long-term peace settlement.
3) Humanitarian reasons. If aid is abruptly cut off the Palestinian Territories are likely to descend into civil war resulting in much misery and death. Even if that worst case scenario does not come about, this will be a serious economic blow to an already impoverished area which will lead to additional unnecessary suffering.
4) Breaking the cycle. With those humanitarian concerns in mind, it's important to consider how Hamas got so popular in the first place. In addition to their violent and despicable acts they also operate many charities and help improve the lives of the Palestinians. Driving the Palestinians back into poverty only ensures the continued popularity of Hamas or the rise of a similar-minded group.
Again, if Hamas abuses its position at the head of the PA to foster terrorism there should be swift and dire consequences, but I do not understand how we can reasonably take action against them before we even know how they will act.
Update: One more thing occurs to me. If the West cuts off funding to the PA, what's to stop Iran or Al Queda or another group we are currently trying to keep sidelined from stepping in and providing the funding? It would be in the best interest of both of those groups to see Hamas stay militant, since they are strongly opposed to Israel. It seems like we're driving a potential partner into the hands of the enemy.
In Advance of Tonight's SOTU
A question to ponder:
If the rising cost of health care will soon make Medicare unsustainable, how are individuals supposed to afford it?
If the rising cost of health care will soon make Medicare unsustainable, how are individuals supposed to afford it?
For those of you who we re so disappointed
I'm going to assume he's not coming this week, either.
Please note the report says "stalking" not "staking".
Jonathon Sharkey, 41, of Princeton, was arrested Monday night on two felony counts from Indiana, said Mike Smith, the Mille Lacs County jail administrator. One warrant was for escape, another for stalking.
Please note the report says "stalking" not "staking".
Monday, January 30, 2006
Wegeless
Oh no! What are we to do?
Did the government's search of Google's records point an accusing finger at the All Seeing Eye? Has an NSA wiretap snared the Ragin' Scandinavian? Did he just get carried away by that uncontrollable liberal Bush hatred I hear so much about?
In short, where oh where has our little Wege gone?
Did the government's search of Google's records point an accusing finger at the All Seeing Eye? Has an NSA wiretap snared the Ragin' Scandinavian? Did he just get carried away by that uncontrollable liberal Bush hatred I hear so much about?
In short, where oh where has our little Wege gone?
A Healthy Debate
Flash seems to have touched off a bit of a firestorm with his endorsement of Amy Klobuchar.
I think the question is valid. Which is better for the party? A strong candidate who can look forward to the general election with no obstacles, or a robustly contested primary battle resulting in a candidate who may be bruised, but also battle-tested before the general campaign?
Here are the positive aspects of a vigorous challenge from within one's own party:
On the negative side you have:
While not without risks, therefore, I believe that it is ultimately to the benefit of the party to have this debate.
This is especially true if all involved parties agree that the success of the party's ultimate candidate is the most important thing and therefore agree not to do any sort of negative campaigning against one another. (I know that's probably a Pollyannaish view of politics, but that's why I remain a committed amateur.)
With that in mind, I'm not going to endorse either candidate until the party does so, and while I will probably post about them in the coming months, I hereby vow not to go negative on Klobuchar, Bell or anyone else who throws their hat into the ring. I hope that in some small way I can help the candidates clarify their beliefs and eventually help to get these positions out during the upcoming general election. What it all comes down to is that the most important goal is doing everything within our power to elect a progressive candidate, whoever that may be. (Does this put me on the 'Fringe of the Left'? So be it.) May the best candidate win!
Update: I was remiss in not mentioning that Mr. Sponge's first Minvolved editorial made many of the same points last week. If you haven't already, go read.
I think the question is valid. Which is better for the party? A strong candidate who can look forward to the general election with no obstacles, or a robustly contested primary battle resulting in a candidate who may be bruised, but also battle-tested before the general campaign?
Here are the positive aspects of a vigorous challenge from within one's own party:
- It brings out the issues that your party truly cares about
- It may reveal negative issues in a candidate's past before they can become weapons for the other side
- It gives the candidates experience and practice in campaigning and debating
- It allows a candidate to test and solidify their positions on issues
- It gives all involved candidates additional free media exposure
- It avoids the appearance of 'kingmaking'
On the negative side you have:
- It costs money which can therefore not be spent on the general election
- It may 'damage' a candidate (by being negative) or 'give the other side ammunition' (ie-Candidate X stated in a debate that we should have a 90% tax rate, do you want to vote for such an ultra-liberal?)
While not without risks, therefore, I believe that it is ultimately to the benefit of the party to have this debate.
This is especially true if all involved parties agree that the success of the party's ultimate candidate is the most important thing and therefore agree not to do any sort of negative campaigning against one another. (I know that's probably a Pollyannaish view of politics, but that's why I remain a committed amateur.)
With that in mind, I'm not going to endorse either candidate until the party does so, and while I will probably post about them in the coming months, I hereby vow not to go negative on Klobuchar, Bell or anyone else who throws their hat into the ring. I hope that in some small way I can help the candidates clarify their beliefs and eventually help to get these positions out during the upcoming general election. What it all comes down to is that the most important goal is doing everything within our power to elect a progressive candidate, whoever that may be. (Does this put me on the 'Fringe of the Left'? So be it.) May the best candidate win!
Update: I was remiss in not mentioning that Mr. Sponge's first Minvolved editorial made many of the same points last week. If you haven't already, go read.
Friday, January 27, 2006
IDiocy knows no nationality
All too often it seems like the US might just be the dumbest country on the planet. So, in a very sad sort of way, it's comforting to see that people in other countries can be just as gullible as we are:
Britons unconvinced on evolution
Memo to the 52%: when Tom Friedman says "The World is Flat" he doesn't mean it literally. I know that probably confused a lot of you.
Britons unconvinced on evolution
Just under half of Britons accept the theory of evolution as the best description for the development of life, according to an opinion poll.The numbers aren't as bad as in the US, but they're still not good.
Furthermore, more than 40% of those questioned believe that creationism or intelligent design (ID) should be taught in school science lessons.
The survey was conducted by Ipsos MORI for the BBC's Horizon series.
Its latest programme, A War on Science, looks into the attempt to introduce ID into science classes in the US.
Over 2,000 participants took part in the survey, and were asked what best described their view of the origin and development of life:
* 22% chose creationism
* 17% opted for intelligent design
* 48% selected evolution theory
* and the rest did not know.
Memo to the 52%: when Tom Friedman says "The World is Flat" he doesn't mean it literally. I know that probably confused a lot of you.
Raising the Level of Discourse
The party of decorum.
"We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens' creme brulee," Coulter said."
"We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens' creme brulee," Coulter said."
Moron Mail
(With apologies to the Kool Aid Report.)
Seriously, though, I don't know what else to call this.
Pre-9/11 mind-set
(or, to put it another way)
Why is it kinda cool when Vic Mackey beats a confession out of a suspect on "The Shield", but we won't let the LAPD do it real life? Why do our soldiers keep dying in Iraq when all they have to do is hit "up; up; down; down; left; right; left; right; B; A; Start" and they'd get 99 lives? It's time to face the fact that I don't get out of my house very much and have a serious problem separating things that happen in the real world from fiction. I should get a job with the Center of the American Experiment.
Seriously, though, I don't know what else to call this.
Pre-9/11 mind-set
I think those who opposed President Bush's NSA wiretapping program have selective amnesia. If you were to ask any American -- regardless of ideology -- shortly after 9/11 if we should be "spying" on suspected terrorists or terrorist groups, there would have been about a 98 percent approval.
Not today. And the reason is the anti-Bush-biased media frenzy, much like the one over the college fraternity-hazing tactics that were used at Abu Ghraib prison and called "torture."
Why is it when our fictional heros, such as Jack Bauer of "24" or Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, bend the rules to avert some major catastrophe, we applaud them, but if the real-life leader of our country does it, we dump all over him?
It's time to face the fact that we are at war.
ROBERT LOVELL, MAPLE GROVE
(or, to put it another way)
Why is it kinda cool when Vic Mackey beats a confession out of a suspect on "The Shield", but we won't let the LAPD do it real life? Why do our soldiers keep dying in Iraq when all they have to do is hit "up; up; down; down; left; right; left; right; B; A; Start" and they'd get 99 lives? It's time to face the fact that I don't get out of my house very much and have a serious problem separating things that happen in the real world from fiction. I should get a job with the Center of the American Experiment.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Where does the competence start?
These are the people keeping us safe and winning the war on terror?
U.S. posts wrong photo of 'al-Qaida operative'
U.S. posts wrong photo of 'al-Qaida operative'
WASHINGTON - United States intelligence agencies have been hunting for one of al-Qaida's most notorious members - an expert in poisons and lethal chemicals. But NBC News has learned they have been trying to find him by using a photo of the wrong man on his wanted poster.So, after a year and a half, the CIA wasn't able to tell that they had the wrong picture? I guess in a way it makes me feel kind of good...I don't think these morons could tap my phone even if I gave them the number.
For a year and a half, the U.S. government has been asking for the public's help in finding Midhat Mursi al-Sayid 'Umar, also known as Abu Khabab al-Masri, a dangerous al-Qaida operative. But now intelligence officials admit to NBC News they were using a photo of a different man.
In case you missed it
Lots of local senate news in the last few days, which has kept things more quiet over here.
A Question
If a person wins over $10 million dollars in the lottery, should 90% of those winnings be given back in taxes?
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Drinking Liberally
Rumors of beer guzzeling and card playing are not exagerated.
Rumors of vampyres, however, unfortuantely were.
Rumors of vampyres, however, unfortuantely were.
Meanwhile, Back at Home
Oh, Lord...please don't abort the taxpayers!
Almighty God, we come humbly into your presence this morning, seeking your favor.
I thank you, God, that in the great state of Nebraska we do have a Legislature that does not deny you God, but who rather seeks your favor and guidance. I do ask, Lord, that you would guide these leaders of our people. I ask that you would give each of them a renewed sense of conscience, of conviction and courage to do what is right.
I do also come, Lord, this morning with a heavy heart. I ask your forgiveness on our people, a people who have killed 47 million of my fellow Americans since the year I was born. We have aborted 47 million babies made in your image. God, forgive us. Forgive us for our complacency. We go to work and school, and come home and watch television, while genocide, infanticide and homicide is being committed on our own children. Open our eyes, Lord. Open our eyes to your morality that when you said "thou shalt not murder," you meant even the most innocent and unwanted among us.
Open our eyes to the other aspects of this 33-year-long bloody nightmare. Open our eyes to see that we've killed 47 million young American taxpayers, and indeed Social Security is in crisis. Open our eyes to see that 47 million of our countrymen are gone - doctors, lawyers, inventors, authors, musicians and artists. Forgive us, oh God, and open our eyes and change our path. Comfort the mothers and fathers who have great wonder and regret. Heal us, oh God.
Forgive us also, Lord, for the teaching of the religion of evolution to our young citizens, a religion that tells us that we are only here by chance; that we are here for no reason and human life means nothing more than any other life; that we will never face a Judgment Day. We've put our children into the same category as other mammals, and we wonder why sometimes they act like animals. Forgive us for sowing the seeds of anarchy in the hearts of children.
Open our eyes, God. We can see, when we look at our wristwatches, intelligent design, but when we gaze into the incredible complexity of biology and nature, we see chance. Open our eyes; change our path.
Lord God, I pray that in these halls this and every day our leaders would make the right choices; they would make decisions based upon right and wrong, not on politics. I pray that you and your will would indeed be done through these leaders. Bless them, oh God; strengthen them; guide them. I pray that your will indeed would be done on earth as it is in heaven, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
This guy is going to be president
He saw something he didn't like. He took a stand. He fought for his cause. And he won. Even if it wasn't exactly the victory he was looking for...
Male Student Wins Fight to Wear Skirt
Male Student Wins Fight to Wear Skirt
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) -- A male high school student can wear a skirt to school after the American Civil Liberties Union reached an agreement with school officials.
The ACLU announced the deal Tuesday. It will allow a Hasbrouck Heights School senior to wear a skirt to protest the school's no-shorts policy.
The district's dress code bans shorts between Oct. 1 and April 15, but allows skirts, a policy 17-year-old Michael Coviello believes is discriminatory.
"I'm happy to be able to wear skirts again to bring attention to the fact that the ban on shorts doesn't make sense," Coviello said in a statement.
Does this make me a bad person?
Actor Chris Penn found dead
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Actor Chris Penn, brother of Sean Penn, was found dead Tuesday at a condominium near the beach in Santa Monica, police said.So, does it make me a bad person to think, "I really hope he didn't die doing something stupid?"
Police said they discovered the 40-year-old actor's body around 4 p.m. Lt. Frank Fabrega said there were no obvious signs of foul play.
[snip]
Chris Penn's latest film, "The Darwin Awards," was scheduled to premiere Wednesday at the Sundance Film Festival.
What are they concerned about?
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life takes millions of dollars and uses them to fund an ad campaign attempting to shame women.
I eagerly await the Katherine Kersten column suggesting that that money would have been better spent trying to prevent the pregnancies that lead to abortion, rather than wasted on a vanity project.
Of course, that'll never happen. It's one of those striking differences between being "reality based" and trying to pass laws based on how you think the world should work. They don't want to stop abortion, they want to outlaw it. As if those are the same thing.
I eagerly await the Katherine Kersten column suggesting that that money would have been better spent trying to prevent the pregnancies that lead to abortion, rather than wasted on a vanity project.
Of course, that'll never happen. It's one of those striking differences between being "reality based" and trying to pass laws based on how you think the world should work. They don't want to stop abortion, they want to outlaw it. As if those are the same thing.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
This is starting to get a little creepy
Is anyone else starting to get a little creeped out about the way the President stages seemingly every one of his speeches in front of a military audience? If he's talking about Iraq or Afghanistan, fine. But the NSA spying program is an essentially domestic issue. Why is he giving this speech to a military audience? What next? A speech on Medicare Part D delivered at Ft. Hood?
Here we go again
Culpepper's future is talk of league
What the heck has Al Davis done that we feel the need to keep sending him presents?
These days, the possibility of another major departure -- this time, quarterback Daunte Culpepper -- has become the talk of the league. While team officials say they have not even hired the person who would play a significant role in the decision, Culpepper's name already has surfaced in Baltimore and Oakland, while some believe St. Louis and Arizona could have interest as well.I have an idea! Let's trade Culpepper to Oakland for a couple of second stringers. That's a fantastic idea.
What the heck has Al Davis done that we feel the need to keep sending him presents?
Monday, January 23, 2006
Tap! Now with 100% More Scandal.
Unlikely allies in war on wiretaps
I was accused strongly of partisanship when I first started talking about Bush's illegal wiretapping, but if this is partisanship, what's the other party? The critics of the program now include:
Sen. Arlen Specter
Bob Barr
Paul Weyrich
Grover Norquist
Sen. Lindsey Graham
Sen. Dick Lugar
George Will
William Safire
The American Conservative Union
Citizens Against Government Waste
Free Congress Foundation
National Taxpayers Union
Not to mention the fact that one of the lawsuits filed by a liberal group was joined by Christopher Hitchens, the recent hero of the conservative punditocracy.
When I agree on an issue with Grover Norquist, you know there's something to it.
Now that we're past the tiresome partisanship talking point, can we get down to discussing the issues here? The issues are an unprecedented power grab by the executive branch and the admitted illegal activities of this administration. These are certainly topics which should be of interest to all Americans, and I think it's high time we investigated them.
Conservative groups join liberals in an unusual coalition against the Bush administration's warrantless eavesdropping.I'm hoping we can finally put to rest that most tired talking point of the Bush-can-do-wrong crowd: That every criticism of the administration is nothing more than partisan rhetoric. It's lazy, intellectually dishonest and false and it reflects very poorly upon those who resort to it (or, more often, start with it).
I was accused strongly of partisanship when I first started talking about Bush's illegal wiretapping, but if this is partisanship, what's the other party? The critics of the program now include:
Sen. Arlen Specter
Bob Barr
Paul Weyrich
Grover Norquist
Sen. Lindsey Graham
Sen. Dick Lugar
George Will
William Safire
The American Conservative Union
Citizens Against Government Waste
Free Congress Foundation
National Taxpayers Union
Not to mention the fact that one of the lawsuits filed by a liberal group was joined by Christopher Hitchens, the recent hero of the conservative punditocracy.
When I agree on an issue with Grover Norquist, you know there's something to it.
Now that we're past the tiresome partisanship talking point, can we get down to discussing the issues here? The issues are an unprecedented power grab by the executive branch and the admitted illegal activities of this administration. These are certainly topics which should be of interest to all Americans, and I think it's high time we investigated them.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
How to Become Minvolved
Long ago, in a land far away (okay, more like about 6 months ago in a bar in uptown) I was told about a developing endevor in local liberal blogging. The goal was to create a one-stop shop that would provide readers with ideas on how to get involved in local politics. More than just the regular pontification provided by us bloggers, it could also showcase local political meetings, fundraisers, rallies, and links and research about accessing your officials, potential officals, like-minded politico's and even those on the other side of the fence.
Now, after many months of anticipation, a site is born:
Minvolved
It's still new and it's still developing. But I hope that some day soon it will be an active informational tool for anyone who wants to get involved in the process.
I will be begining some columns on women's issues, hopefully with a local focus, twice a month. Normally, I will keep my content there separate from the Powerliberal, but I wanted to provide something for its launch, as well as spread as much pro-choice blogging as I can today.
Be sure to check out the site frequently, and see how you can become Minvoled in politics as well.
Now, after many months of anticipation, a site is born:
Minvolved
It's still new and it's still developing. But I hope that some day soon it will be an active informational tool for anyone who wants to get involved in the process.
I will be begining some columns on women's issues, hopefully with a local focus, twice a month. Normally, I will keep my content there separate from the Powerliberal, but I wanted to provide something for its launch, as well as spread as much pro-choice blogging as I can today.
Be sure to check out the site frequently, and see how you can become Minvoled in politics as well.
Why We Fight
(The Power Liberal is a participant in Blogging for Choice for the 33rd Anniversary of Roe V. Wade)
From today's Star Tribune:
I am one of those women who grew up totally within the years of legalized abortion. Being in my late 20's, I have never known a time when a woman could not have access to that service, and the back alley abortions and wire coat-hangers are the boogey-men of long gone feminist nightmares.
In college I marched for women's rights in a town so small that there was more campus security than local police officers. Faces became so familiar that I was asked to leave the only Catholic Church in the city, where I was attending services for a class, simply because they recognized me from my protests.
We were young, we were focused, we always spelled women with a y, and we continued with a zeal and sense of righteousness that was reserved only for the pampered upper middle class girls who could never truly grasp what we were supporting because we had never been without it.
My senior seminar was the study of autobiography, and the last book was Audre Lorde's biomytholgy "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name." Inside, I found my first and most graphic glimpse of the desperation of a pregnant woman pre-RvW:
In the end, Audre Lorde pays a nurse to perform a "homemade abortion" with a boiled Foley catheter.
Scared, young, alone and afraid, she survived her ordeal. Many other women didn't.
Today, I blog for Choice not because I knew that time, but because I never want to.
From today's Star Tribune:
"While young women may understand theoretically that an altered lineup of Supreme Court justices could easily overturn Roe, it's hard for them to imagine that a right they've had all their lives could vanish -- poof -- overnight just because a majority of justices declare it so," Glamour wrote.
Scott Fischbach, executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), the state's largest group of abortion opponents, said a number of forces have converged to change public attitudes toward abortion and other reproductive issues, particularly among young women.
Fischbach said one factor may be the impact of 30 years of experience with legal abortion, including women coming forward to talk about regretting their decisions to have abortions.
I am one of those women who grew up totally within the years of legalized abortion. Being in my late 20's, I have never known a time when a woman could not have access to that service, and the back alley abortions and wire coat-hangers are the boogey-men of long gone feminist nightmares.
In college I marched for women's rights in a town so small that there was more campus security than local police officers. Faces became so familiar that I was asked to leave the only Catholic Church in the city, where I was attending services for a class, simply because they recognized me from my protests.
We were young, we were focused, we always spelled women with a y, and we continued with a zeal and sense of righteousness that was reserved only for the pampered upper middle class girls who could never truly grasp what we were supporting because we had never been without it.
My senior seminar was the study of autobiography, and the last book was Audre Lorde's biomytholgy "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name." Inside, I found my first and most graphic glimpse of the desperation of a pregnant woman pre-RvW:
Castor oil and a dozen bromo quinine pills didn't help.
Mustard baths gave me a rash and didn't help either.
Neither did jumping off a table in an empty classroom at Hunter...
I asked Ann to get me some ergotrate from the pharmacy, a drug which I had heard from nurse's talk could be used to encourage bleeding.
"Are you crazy?" she said in horror. "You can't mess around with that stuff, girl; it could kill you. It causes hemorrhaging. Let me see what I can find out for you."
In the end, Audre Lorde pays a nurse to perform a "homemade abortion" with a boiled Foley catheter.
The narrow, hard-rubber tube...softens when sterilized. When passed through the cervix into the uterus when soft, it coiled, all fifteen inches, neatly into the womb. Once hardened, its angular turns ruptured the bloody lining and began the uterine contractions that eventually expelled the implanted fetus, along with the membrane. If it wasn't expelled too soon. If it did not also puncture the uterus.
...
She said it was safe. The worst is over, and if anything goes wrong I can always go to the hospital. I'll tell them I didn't know her name, and I was blindfolded so I couldn't know where I was....I did not think about how I could die from the hemorrhage...
Scared, young, alone and afraid, she survived her ordeal. Many other women didn't.
Today, I blog for Choice not because I knew that time, but because I never want to.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Where's the Outrage?
While every dime spent on mass transit is endlessly scrutinized, no matter how wildly popular the program is, another transportation boondoggle seems to be getting a pass from the roads-only crowd. The generally mild mannered Strib editorial board outdoes itself with this headline:
Hwy. I-394 toll lanes fail to cover their cost
Hmmm, fail to cover costs? So, what, a couple hundred short or so? I'm sure they'll make that up in a week or two, right? Bull:
Well, for that kind of hard hitting analysis there's only one place to go, Mark Kennedy:
Like so many "user fees" proposed over the last four years this was nothing more than an attempt to have one's cake (more roads) and eat it too (no new taxes). Guess what? It doesn't work like that. 394 is only a fraction less of a mess and the State is out millions of dollars. Brilliant!
Hwy. I-394 toll lanes fail to cover their cost
Hmmm, fail to cover costs? So, what, a couple hundred short or so? I'm sure they'll make that up in a week or two, right? Bull:
The project's $1.2 million operating budget will come up one-third short for its first year, ending in May, unless higher tolls can make up the difference. But that's unlikely since drivers can simply opt out if they consider the new tolls too high.I might be reading that wrong, but it sounds to me like the toll lanes aren't even paying for their operating expenses. If that's the case, then not only are they persistent money losers, but they'll never recoup the initial capital outlay for their construction. Remind me again how this is supposed to help us with our transportation funding shortfall or relieve congestion?
Despite the toll shortfall, MnDOT's private partner in the venture, Cofiroute Global Mobility, will get its money -- $1.2 million in the first year of a five-year contract and unspecified amounts in coming years. Not a bad deal. The French company isn't the only supplicant lining up for phantom toll revenues: Tolls must also cover the project's $10 million construction cost before they can be applied to Cofiroute's operations, according to authorizing legislation.
Well, for that kind of hard hitting analysis there's only one place to go, Mark Kennedy:
While Minnesotans sit in traffic, we’re spending billions in federal gas tax dollars on things like bike paths, bridges to nowhere, and Amtrak. It’s time to end the old ways of doing things and for new ideas based on common sense.Yay, Mark! Get rid of alternatives to driving and throw money down a black hole of a system that doesn't work. Sounds like a Republican brainchild to me. (It's especially funny because right before lambasting Amtrak and "bridges to nowhere", he touts all of the money going into the Northstar line. I guess earmarks are okay, as long as the money goes into your district.)
For years, I have been working with taxpayer, highway user and construction groups on a common-sense solution to our congestion problems. I introduced the Freeing Alternatives for Speedy Transportation (FAST) Act, to promote innovation and fiscal responsibility in our transportation policy. This bipartisan legislation has been called "one of the most significant improvements in the federal highway program since it was created in 1956." FAST lane users would have new lanes to use, and those who choose not to use the FAST lanes will benefit from having fewer cars in existing lanes.
Like so many "user fees" proposed over the last four years this was nothing more than an attempt to have one's cake (more roads) and eat it too (no new taxes). Guess what? It doesn't work like that. 394 is only a fraction less of a mess and the State is out millions of dollars. Brilliant!
The Benefits of Deregulation
Fire erupts in another West Virginia mine; two miners missing
MELVILLE, W.Va. — Rescue teams searched today for two miners who were unable to escape after a fire broke out in an underground coal mine. Nineteen miners were able to flee the blaze, state officials said.Hmmm, wonder how many safety violations this mine had?
According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration's Web site, the Alma mine received 95 citations from MSHA inspectors during 2005. The most recent were issued on Dec. 20, when the mine was cited with seven violations ranging from controlling coal dust and other combustible materials to its ventilation plan.Coming as this does on the heels of the Sago disaster and it's 200+ violations it just makes you think, "big business really does have our best interests at heart", doesn't it? Let's get rid of all that pesky g'ubment regulation that's holding back American enterprise.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
It's all according to design
The series of tiny bones in the human ear that allows us to hear...too complex to have evolved by chance, right? Had to be designed! Whoops:
Human Ears Evolved from Ancient Fish Gills
This new information is coming out on the day after the Vatican's official paper announces that ID isn't science.
It's almost enough to make you believe in a higher power.
Then you read something like this (from the Functional Ambivalent):
Human Ears Evolved from Ancient Fish Gills
Your ability to hear relies on a structure that got its start as a gill opening in fish, a new study reveals.Another piece of the puzzle falls into place.
Humans and other land animals have special bones in their ears that are crucial to hearing. Ancient fish used similar structures to breathe underwater.
Scientists had thought the evolutionary change occurred after animals had established themselves on land, but a new look at an old fossil suggests ear development was set into motion before any creatures crawled out of the water.
This new information is coming out on the day after the Vatican's official paper announces that ID isn't science.
It's almost enough to make you believe in a higher power.
Then you read something like this (from the Functional Ambivalent):
In related news, the governor of the not-at-all-backward Commonwealth of Kentucky, where I live, has just come out in favor of teaching ID in the schools. Governor Ernie Fletcher, Baptist lay-preacher and certified dolt, apparently doesn't read the papers. He also seems to have trouble putting together an argument that makes sense:Oh well.
Fletcher said he encouraged schools to teach the concept because it's "the foundational principle of our nation."
"Our inalienable rights are based on the self-evident truth of those endowed inalienable rights. And all I was saying is that from my perspective, that's not a matter of faith and it's not a matter of religion," Fletcher said. "It's a matter of something called self-evident truth."
Morning News Round-Up
Do you ever wake up and feel like you've already read the newspaper as soon as you unfold it? Today for example:
The Bush administration's illegal wiretapping operation probably violated another law. But really, is anyone surprised?
The same administration routinely tortures prisoners. Tell me something I don't know.
Whoah...hold on a minute...PETA protester arrested after allegedly showing too much skin
Oh, and one other thing. I'm always going on and on about all of those countries that have the guts to stand up and legalize gay marriage or civil unions, you know, Canada, the Netherlands, Great Britain, etc...so I would be remiss if I didn't mention countries going the other way such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and now Nigeria. Hey, at least they don't cut off your head in Nigeria, just throw you in jail. Nice company you keep, conservatives.
The Bush administration's illegal wiretapping operation probably violated another law. But really, is anyone surprised?
The same administration routinely tortures prisoners. Tell me something I don't know.
Whoah...hold on a minute...PETA protester arrested after allegedly showing too much skin
A scantily clad activist for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was arrested Wednesday afternoon in downtown Minneapolis while protesting outside the Minnesota Pork Congress.Come on! After all these years, PETA finally does one good thing and the Minneapolis police break it up? That's just wrong. If good looking PETA activists want to take their clothes off I'm fully in support of that. If it gets them to stop doing everything else that they do, all the better.
Oh, and one other thing. I'm always going on and on about all of those countries that have the guts to stand up and legalize gay marriage or civil unions, you know, Canada, the Netherlands, Great Britain, etc...so I would be remiss if I didn't mention countries going the other way such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and now Nigeria. Hey, at least they don't cut off your head in Nigeria, just throw you in jail. Nice company you keep, conservatives.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Quote of the Day (okay, half quote)
emphasis his:
Ring, Ring! "Pot? Hi! Guess who? Yep, it's me and THE TERROR LEVEL HAS RISEN TO ORANGE! What do you mean, 'again'? Don't you remember 9-11 changed EVERYTHING?!?! FINE!" (Kettle slams down phone) "See if I warn Pot again..."
The Democrats taking up their all too common position of scaring the crap out of people for their own political gain
Ring, Ring! "Pot? Hi! Guess who? Yep, it's me and THE TERROR LEVEL HAS RISEN TO ORANGE! What do you mean, 'again'? Don't you remember 9-11 changed EVERYTHING?!?! FINE!" (Kettle slams down phone) "See if I warn Pot again..."
Drinking Liberally 2-nite
Come discuss the conservative media bias tonight at Drinking Liberally.
When: 6-9 Tonight
Where: 331 Club (13th & University in NE)
Update: I hear rumors that we will be joined by 2 special guests tonight. The Mad Scientist himself, PZ Meyers, and Grrlscientist who I've never met before, but she certainly sounds mad. So come on down, all you lovers of squidporn and haters of ID. The 331 is the place to be!
When: 6-9 Tonight
Where: 331 Club (13th & University in NE)
Update: I hear rumors that we will be joined by 2 special guests tonight. The Mad Scientist himself, PZ Meyers, and Grrlscientist who I've never met before, but she certainly sounds mad. So come on down, all you lovers of squidporn and haters of ID. The 331 is the place to be!
Women Who Make My Newspaper Worse
Another bit of "media bias" I've noticed lately is the Strib's tendency to print fawning reviews of right-skewing books and less flattering reviews of left-skewing ones. A particularly noxious example of this trend is evidenced in today's Op-Ed section by this bit of offal by Mona Charen. It's a review of the book "Women Who Make the World Worse" by Kate O'Beirne, and I can only hope that the book isn't quite as vapid and pointless as the review makes it out to be.
I'll skip lightly over the irony of Kate O'Beirne using the freedom gained for her by the feminists to attack the feminists. That's just too easy. I won't even go into depth on the irony of O'Beirne using as "proof" of her thesis an incredibly subjective "happiness study". Exactly the kind of study that conservatives the world over reject when they consistently show that people living under brutish third world conditions consistently self-report being more happy than those of us with a higher standard of living in the West. I guess when you're trying to prove such an outre thesis as O'Beirne's you have to grab onto any scrap of data that you think supports your notion.
Instead, I would like to focus on the ridiculous tactic that seems to be all the rage of the modern conservative movement to discredit anything they don't like...the tactic of picking obscure quotes from people on the edges of a movement and using them as a broad brush to smear the entire movement. Anybody remember Ward Churchill? Exactly. Every social movement has a penumbra of radicals who push past the "mainstream" of the movement. Does the existence of those radicals invalidate the point of the movement? Not at all. For example, there were many many people on the fringes of the civil rights movement who advocated all-out "race war"; they said that blacks would never be free until all white people were dead. Does this mean the civil rights movement was fundamentally flawed and we should go back to Jim Crow laws? Obviously not. This is a cheap and intellectually dishonest method of attacking the message by trying to discredit the messengers.
As for the "all-macho army" bit at the end, ouch. I can't believe that stuff would fly thirty years ago. It's flat out insulting today. The same "women are good for babies not [fill in the blank job]" argument was the exact same one used when women were first trying to enter the work force. And by that quote from S.L.A. Marshall at the end, is O'Bierne suggesting that man act less "manly" around women? Clearly she needs to get out more. If anything, when women are present men act more "manly" as anyone who has ever been in a bar before could tell you.
As far as I can tell from this review, this book is nothing but reheated arguments that were rejected long ago held together with rhetorical tricks to try to make them seem new. It makes me sad to think the Strib can't find anything better to say about this tripe. Now, I leave this thread open to REW who probably has some more, uh, colorful things to say this...
Update: Fixed the gobbledygook in the second paragraph back into "outre". Does anyone know how to make accent marks in Blogger? 'cause I sure don't.
I'll skip lightly over the irony of Kate O'Beirne using the freedom gained for her by the feminists to attack the feminists. That's just too easy. I won't even go into depth on the irony of O'Beirne using as "proof" of her thesis an incredibly subjective "happiness study". Exactly the kind of study that conservatives the world over reject when they consistently show that people living under brutish third world conditions consistently self-report being more happy than those of us with a higher standard of living in the West. I guess when you're trying to prove such an outre thesis as O'Beirne's you have to grab onto any scrap of data that you think supports your notion.
Instead, I would like to focus on the ridiculous tactic that seems to be all the rage of the modern conservative movement to discredit anything they don't like...the tactic of picking obscure quotes from people on the edges of a movement and using them as a broad brush to smear the entire movement. Anybody remember Ward Churchill? Exactly. Every social movement has a penumbra of radicals who push past the "mainstream" of the movement. Does the existence of those radicals invalidate the point of the movement? Not at all. For example, there were many many people on the fringes of the civil rights movement who advocated all-out "race war"; they said that blacks would never be free until all white people were dead. Does this mean the civil rights movement was fundamentally flawed and we should go back to Jim Crow laws? Obviously not. This is a cheap and intellectually dishonest method of attacking the message by trying to discredit the messengers.
As for the "all-macho army" bit at the end, ouch. I can't believe that stuff would fly thirty years ago. It's flat out insulting today. The same "women are good for babies not [fill in the blank job]" argument was the exact same one used when women were first trying to enter the work force. And by that quote from S.L.A. Marshall at the end, is O'Bierne suggesting that man act less "manly" around women? Clearly she needs to get out more. If anything, when women are present men act more "manly" as anyone who has ever been in a bar before could tell you.
As far as I can tell from this review, this book is nothing but reheated arguments that were rejected long ago held together with rhetorical tricks to try to make them seem new. It makes me sad to think the Strib can't find anything better to say about this tripe. Now, I leave this thread open to REW who probably has some more, uh, colorful things to say this...
Update: Fixed the gobbledygook in the second paragraph back into "outre". Does anyone know how to make accent marks in Blogger? 'cause I sure don't.
Media Bias - Part 1
Yesterday, we pointed out that there will be a discussion on media bias presented by some of our favorite local righties.
Since these guys are always nice enough to invite us for a beer, we thought we would return the favor and help them with their research for their speech. So, until the chili supper on the 7th, we will be providing them with examples that they can feel free to use. We won't even ask for recognition, so steal away!
On Sunday, the Star Tribune ran an article entitled, "Christian colleges pull more students." States the Strib:
The impression conveyed in the article is that, well, more students are choosing to go to a Christian college than a regular college. Yet that is in no way supported by what little numerical evidence they provide.
Unfortunately, the online version does not provide the handy-dandy chart that Sunday's paper did, but we can piece most of it together from their article itself.
So, Bethel has gained a less than 1000 students since 2000, and Northwestern about the same amount of students (simple estimates, since I'm not a big math person). In comparison, The University of Minnesota, which they used as the example in their chart on Sunday, grew by only 7 percent in the same amount of time. Unlike the Christian colleges, which had both a 2000 number of students, a 2005 number of students, and a percent increase listed, the U was only provided with a sad little 7% next to its name.
The University of Minnesota currently has 60,000 students. Assuming that this is the 7% increase that they discuss earlier in the article, they would have had roughly 55,000 in 2005. The college baseline that they are providing increased nearly 5,000 students. Suddenly, that "Christian Surge" doesn't look nearly that impressive.
The Star Tribune did a great disservice to its readers by only providing the numbers for the Christian colleges in an attempt to puff their numbers and write a biased article stating that college campuses are out recruiting non-Christian campuses. We hope that the Strib will remember that there are readers out there paying attention to their incredibly biased reporting.
Since these guys are always nice enough to invite us for a beer, we thought we would return the favor and help them with their research for their speech. So, until the chili supper on the 7th, we will be providing them with examples that they can feel free to use. We won't even ask for recognition, so steal away!
On Sunday, the Star Tribune ran an article entitled, "Christian colleges pull more students." States the Strib:
Minnesota private colleges that encourage or require students to explore their faith have increased their student numbers between 28 and 49 percent in the past five years, compared with a private college average of about 7 percent.
The impression conveyed in the article is that, well, more students are choosing to go to a Christian college than a regular college. Yet that is in no way supported by what little numerical evidence they provide.
Unfortunately, the online version does not provide the handy-dandy chart that Sunday's paper did, but we can piece most of it together from their article itself.
Bethel, with about 3,860 students excluding seminary students, is the biggest of the evangelical schools in Minnesota and is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference. The school, once known mostly for its seminary and undergraduate program, is aggressively expanding graduate programs. Enrollment has risen about 29 percent in five years.
[snip]
That trend is benefiting schools such as Northwestern College, which was founded in 1902 and is a nondenominational Protestant school. The Rev. Billy Graham was once president. Student numbers are up almost 29 percent in five years, with 2,931 students reported on campus last fall. The school is just beginning to offer graduate courses.
So, Bethel has gained a less than 1000 students since 2000, and Northwestern about the same amount of students (simple estimates, since I'm not a big math person). In comparison, The University of Minnesota, which they used as the example in their chart on Sunday, grew by only 7 percent in the same amount of time. Unlike the Christian colleges, which had both a 2000 number of students, a 2005 number of students, and a percent increase listed, the U was only provided with a sad little 7% next to its name.
The University of Minnesota currently has 60,000 students. Assuming that this is the 7% increase that they discuss earlier in the article, they would have had roughly 55,000 in 2005. The college baseline that they are providing increased nearly 5,000 students. Suddenly, that "Christian Surge" doesn't look nearly that impressive.
The Star Tribune did a great disservice to its readers by only providing the numbers for the Christian colleges in an attempt to puff their numbers and write a biased article stating that college campuses are out recruiting non-Christian campuses. We hope that the Strib will remember that there are readers out there paying attention to their incredibly biased reporting.
My Thoughts Exactly
A president who breaks the law is a threat to the very structure of our government. Our Founding Fathers were adamant that they had established a government of laws and not men. Indeed, they recognized that the structure of government they had enshrined in our Constitution -- our system of checks and balances -- was designed with a central purpose of ensuring that it would govern through the rule of law. ...As the kids say, read the whole thing.
An executive who arrogates to himself the power to ignore the legitimate legislative directives of the Congress or to act free of the check of the judiciary becomes the central threat that the Founders sought to nullify in the Constitution -- an all-powerful executive too reminiscent of the king from whom they had broken free. ...
The president and I agree on one thing. The threat from terrorism is all too real. There is simply no question that we continue to face new challenges in the wake of the attack on Sept. 11 and that we must be ever-vigilant in protecting our citizens from harm. Where we disagree is that we have to break the law or sacrifice our system of government to protect Americans from terrorism. In fact, doing so makes us weaker and more vulnerable. ...
The president's men have minced words about America's laws. The attorney general openly conceded that the "kind of surveillance" we now know they have been conducting requires a court order unless authorized by statute. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act self-evidently does not authorize what the NSA has been doing, and no one inside or outside the administration claims that it does. Incredibly, the administration claims instead that the surveillance was implicitly authorized when Congress voted to use force against those who attacked us on Sept. 11. ...
If the president has the inherent authority to eavesdrop, imprison citizens on his own declaration, kidnap and torture, then what can't he do? The dean of Yale Law School, Harold Koh, said after analyzing the executive branch's claims of these previously unrecognized powers: "If the president has commander-in-chief power to commit torture, he has the power to commit genocide, to sanction slavery, to promote apartheid, to license summary execution."
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Pick and Choose Pro-Lifers
In an unsurprising move, the pro-life movement is angry that state's rights are being upheld over federal law, even though they use the opposite arguement to state the Roe should be overturned.
In another unsurprising move, Roberts sides with the pro-lifers:
In another unsurprising move, Roberts sides with the pro-lifers:
The case is the first major pro-life battle to involve new Chief Justice John Roberts and he sided with pro-life Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia in dissent.
...
Retiring pro-abortion Justice Sandra Day O'Connor also sided with the majority and the Senate is expected to replace her with appeals court Judge Samuel Alito, who pro-life groups hope will be a pro-life vote.
He hates the cans!
Is the Strib really hard up for editorials or are they slyly mocking their conservative readers? Those are the only two reasons I can come up with for their decision to run an editorial by Jonah Goldberg this morning. I could give it a serious once-over, but that would be "serious" than Jonah's original writing. Therefore, I think Jonah gets the snark.
Shorter Jonah Goldberg.
Where to begin...where to begin...how about:
Liberals shouldn't attack the president's spying program because they don't really have all the details. But lacking all the details won't stop me from defending it!
or
In a perfect world, the president would obey the law. But this isn't so he doesn't have to.
or
People like big numbers, it's why they play the lottery. So, in a way, the people that got spied on won the lottery.
ugh. Note to the Strib. If you're so hard up for editorials, I'll write one for you. Drop me a line at the email address in my profile. I'll have it for you by tomorrow. Will it be better than Jonah's tripe? Can't guarantee, but I can guarantee it won't be any worse.
Shorter Jonah Goldberg.
Where to begin...where to begin...how about:
Liberals shouldn't attack the president's spying program because they don't really have all the details. But lacking all the details won't stop me from defending it!
or
In a perfect world, the president would obey the law. But this isn't so he doesn't have to.
or
People like big numbers, it's why they play the lottery. So, in a way, the people that got spied on won the lottery.
ugh. Note to the Strib. If you're so hard up for editorials, I'll write one for you. Drop me a line at the email address in my profile. I'll have it for you by tomorrow. Will it be better than Jonah's tripe? Can't guarantee, but I can guarantee it won't be any worse.
Monday, January 16, 2006
A pitcher for a screen shot
Smartie and I have on channel 6 - public access at 7 pm. We are currently watching a man give a discussion on why scientists are bad people for not accepting Intelligent Design in the classroom. As the man is speaking, underneath him it says "Pofessor[sic] of Science."
Free pitcher at DL to anyone who can provide me with a screen shot of this, since the camera is down. It should be on until 8. And it makes me giggle, a lot.
Free pitcher at DL to anyone who can provide me with a screen shot of this, since the camera is down. It should be on until 8. And it makes me giggle, a lot.
Power Liberal - 100% All American
Or we will be, now that we've won our green card!
Well, the body and name were the same, but ours came from the "Consulate of Kentucky".
Thank you, Mr. Stella Va Djik!
(Edited because I had the wrong scam the first time)
Well, the body and name were the same, but ours came from the "Consulate of Kentucky".
Thank you, Mr. Stella Va Djik!
(Edited because I had the wrong scam the first time)
Just Have a Draft Already...
After 155 Years, Marine Sentries Removed
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A Naval Academy tradition that lasted 155 years has come to an end: The Marine Corps sentries who guarded the gates and the crypt of Revolutionary War Capt. John Paul Jones have been withdrawn and sent to war.This tradition lasted through the Civil War and both World Wars and it ends now? Are we really this hard up for troops? What next? Are they going to send to Iraq those slackers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
The four dozen Marines were released from their security duties in a ceremony on Friday and are being replaced by Navy enlisted personnel.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Ick
I have the sickness, so just a few links:
Spotty takes on Sticks better than I ever did. And ironically, I'm listeing to my co-workers debate Rand right now. And my head hurts too much to play.
Good post on BvC.
My favorite Nebraska blog shows some Minnesota Influence.
And lots of new stuff up at DFL Senate.
Spotty takes on Sticks better than I ever did. And ironically, I'm listeing to my co-workers debate Rand right now. And my head hurts too much to play.
Good post on BvC.
My favorite Nebraska blog shows some Minnesota Influence.
And lots of new stuff up at DFL Senate.
Citizen's League Event-February 8
Dagnabbit, why do they have to plan their events on Drinking Liberally night?
And, hey, since it's on a Wednesday, you could take your shiny new knowledge and head over to DL! I think that may be my plan for the evening.
Policy and a Pint - Strapped: Why America's 20- and 30-Somethings Can't Get AheadI went to one of their events a few months ago and I highly recommend them. Not only are the presentations themselves informative, but you have a real chance to interact with the presenters and other smart people. Not always the situation at large events.
with author Tamara Draut and Chris Farrell, host of MPR's MarketPlace Money. Hosted by The Current's Steve Seel.
February 8, 6:00 p.m.
Varsity Theater
1308 4th St. SE, Minneapolis (in Dinkytown).
STRAPPED, a new book by Tamara Draut, offers a groundbreaking look at the new obstacle course facing young adults as they try to build careers, buy homes, and start families. As Draut explains, various economic and social trends over the last thirty years, as well as adverse government policies, have conspired to alter dramatically the process of becoming an adult. Connecting the economic stagnation of today's young adults to broader social and cultural changes in America over the last three decades, STRAPPED will help jumpstart a national conversation about where the country is failing—and how we can make it right again.
Policy and a Pint is co-sponsored by the Citizens League and 89.3 The Current.
And, hey, since it's on a Wednesday, you could take your shiny new knowledge and head over to DL! I think that may be my plan for the evening.
Sheep
Sad, but not really surprising:
Baa Baa
In August 2002, there was little party division over the issue of government monitoring of personal telephone calls and emails. Both Republicans and Democrats opposed the idea by similar margins. In fact, if anything, Republicans were less likely to see this kind of surveillance of American citizens as justifiable.The Republican party stands for something. It has values and principles!
However, in the wake of the news that President Bush has authorized the National Security Agency (NSA) to monitor Americans suspected of having terrorist ties the issue has become more divisive. Today, Republicans are twice as likely as Democrats (37% vs. 18%) to say they favor allowing the government to monitor their telephone and email communications. This marks a 15-point increase in support among Republicans, and a nine-point drop among Democrats since 2002.And those values are staying in power and not disagreeing with the President!
Baa Baa
Putting the "Political" into "Political Theater"
Senator Lindsey Graham. A man so cynical about the political process that he uses a solemn duty like confirming a Supreme Court Justice as a personal platform for justifying criminal activities and influincing an on-going investigation. In his own words:
You know why I believe you when you say that you disavow those quotes? Because the way you have lived your life and the way you and your wife are raising your children.Somebody investigate that guy, quick. Me thinks the senator doth protest too much.
Let me tell you this: Guilt by association is going to drive good men and women away from wanting to sit where you're sitting. And we're going to go through a bit of this ourselves as congressmen and senators.
People are going to take a fact that we got a campaign donation from somebody who's found out to be a little different than we thought they were -- and our political opponent's going to say, Aha, I got you!
And we're going to say, Wait a minute. I didn't know that. I didn't take the money for that reason.
And you know what? I'm going to believe these senators and congressmen for the most part, because that's the way we do our business. We meet people here every day. We have photos taken with people -- and sometimes you wish you didn't have your photo taken.
But that doesn't mean that you're a bad person because of that association.
Judge Alito, I am sorry that you've had to go through this. I am sorry that your family has had to sit here and listen to this.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
We finally agree on something
I think everyone should be praying for Scott McClellan. Poor man.
White House Press Secretary-Scott McClellan
Scott McClellan has the important job of representing President Bush to the members of the media on a day-to-day basis. His relationship with the White House Press Corps is based on trust and honesty, and he faces their probing questions in order to give the most accurate and helpful information to the people of the United States.
rew Day 2
Smartie seems to have caught the flu, so once again you've got more rew. Part of me is wondering if he's really sick, or if he wanted to stay home and watch the Alito proceedings. I have to admit, I kind of wanted to call in sick and watch them, personally. I hate having all of my info filtered down to me.
Until the hearings are over, you're going to be getting a lot of links from my new favorite blog, Bush v. Choice. Today's tidbit:
It's a question that needs to be asked. Both sides of the abortion issue want the same resolution, that every child be a wanted child. It is the reason why I find the bill in Indiana that will not allow an exeption for abortion during cases of rape unaccpetable; you are telling a woman who has been violated that not only can she be forced into the act of sex against her will, but into the act of incubation and birth as well. You are not only saying that someone can use her sexually against her will, but that she must then carry the pregnancy as well. It is the ultimate culmination of blaming the victim our society can condone.
During college I lived in a house with a safe room, and had to walk a woman to the clinic for testing after she was raped on campus. The clinic was being protested that day, and the picketers chanted at her that she was a whore. That momement in time solidified my impression of the pro-life movement. When they decide to talk about more productive birth control strategies and dealing with violence against women, maybe then I'll be willing to give them another chance.
Especially if they reign in their "tolerant" spokespeople.
Until the hearings are over, you're going to be getting a lot of links from my new favorite blog, Bush v. Choice. Today's tidbit:
The story, basically, is that more American women are giving birth to babies that were unwanted when they became pregnant. To start, I think this story has been over-simplified on both sides. Many pro-choicers responded with, "This means women lack access to abortion," while pro-lifers claimed, "This means women's attitudes have shifted to be more pro-life." Those both may be true, but I'm willing to bet that, like most social shifts, it's a lot more complicated than that.
First, I'd be interested to see where these unintended pregnancies are most strongly concentrated. That isn't detailed in this article, so if anyone has info on it, post away. The article points out that the number of abortion clinics has decreased from 2,000 in 1996 to 1,800 in 2000. While I'm sure this has an impact, the bigger issue to me is the fact that so many women are getting pregnant in the first place when they don't want to be. Something is going on with access to contraception, the education on how to properly use it, and the stigma related to being on it (or to having sex). [bold added]
It's a question that needs to be asked. Both sides of the abortion issue want the same resolution, that every child be a wanted child. It is the reason why I find the bill in Indiana that will not allow an exeption for abortion during cases of rape unaccpetable; you are telling a woman who has been violated that not only can she be forced into the act of sex against her will, but into the act of incubation and birth as well. You are not only saying that someone can use her sexually against her will, but that she must then carry the pregnancy as well. It is the ultimate culmination of blaming the victim our society can condone.
During college I lived in a house with a safe room, and had to walk a woman to the clinic for testing after she was raped on campus. The clinic was being protested that day, and the picketers chanted at her that she was a whore. That momement in time solidified my impression of the pro-life movement. When they decide to talk about more productive birth control strategies and dealing with violence against women, maybe then I'll be willing to give them another chance.
Especially if they reign in their "tolerant" spokespeople.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Why this matters
Via Blotter
Abortion would be illegal for most women in Indiana, including victims of rape and incest, under a bill filed last week in the Indiana House by Troy A. Woodruff (R-Vincennes).
Abortion would be illegal for most women in Indiana, including victims of rape and incest, under a bill filed last week in the Indiana House by Troy A. Woodruff (R-Vincennes).
An Indiana law banning most abortions most likely would be challenged in the courts and could end up as a test case before the U.S. Supreme Court to possibly overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide.
Woodruff said the issue should have been left up to the states, and he's hoping a newly constituted Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Roberts and with the possible addition of Samuel Alito, will decide the abortion issue differently than the 1973 court did.
But Garton asks, "Why would someone want to deliberately run up court costs?" He's also troubled that the bill has no exception for rape and incest.
rew to the Rescue
Well, I guess smartie's still sick today, which means I need to take care of my own darn blog instead of hanging out at DFLSenate and expecting him to keep all of you amused.
Light stuff...
I watched most of the Steelers/Bengals game yesterday, and it felt a lot like watching the Vikings season in fast forward. Promising team loses quarterback to knee injury, backup comes in and looks fantastic, part way through the pressure gets to be too much and it's fumbles, interceptions, sacks, and a knock out of the playoffs. Or maybe I just think too much.
Also light, I believe Doug was in the paper this morning. Am I right?
Not so light...
It's going to be a heavy week with Alito Watch. Quote of the morning (too early to give out quote of the day) from Bush v Choice:
This could be an interesting week.
Light stuff...
I watched most of the Steelers/Bengals game yesterday, and it felt a lot like watching the Vikings season in fast forward. Promising team loses quarterback to knee injury, backup comes in and looks fantastic, part way through the pressure gets to be too much and it's fumbles, interceptions, sacks, and a knock out of the playoffs. Or maybe I just think too much.
Also light, I believe Doug was in the paper this morning. Am I right?
Not so light...
It's going to be a heavy week with Alito Watch. Quote of the morning (too early to give out quote of the day) from Bush v Choice:
if the Senate confirms a someone who recognizes that Constitution protects privacy rights, including abortion rights, and doesn't confirm someone who refuses to recognize those rights, that's not a double standard. It's a single standard.
This could be an interesting week.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Smell the Glove (aka the latest Tap)
I guess the DOJ can call off their search now.
NSA Whistleblower Asks to Testify
But that's really beside the point. The issue here is that Bush broke the law. That isn't a controversial statement because he admitted to breaking the law and has said he will do so again. When will our national legislators have the spine to stand up and state unequivocally this obvious truth? If corroboration is necessary, we now have that too. Come on, Democrats, you have all the pieces you could possibly need here. These are far more serious crimes than anything Bill Clinton was ever suspected of having done...and there is far more evidence for them. Do your job.
Link from the All Seeing Eye
NSA Whistleblower Asks to Testify
A former National Security Agency official wants to tell Congress about electronic intelligence programs that he asserts were carried out illegally by the NSA and the Defense Intelligence Agency.Hmmm, so let's compare. An honest and principled whistleblower comes out and identifies himself because he loves his country and believes he is doing right by it. Now, compare that to whichever cowardly hack in the Administration leaked Plame's name and is still hiding. Who's operating in the best interests of the US? See how transparency and morality tend to go together?
Russ Tice, a whistleblower who was dismissed from the NSA last year, stated in letters to the House and Senate intelligence committees that he is prepared to testify about highly classified Special Access Programs, or SAPs, that were improperly carried out by both the NSA and the DIA.
"I intend to report to Congress probable unlawful and unconstitutional acts conducted while I was an intelligence officer with the National Security Agency and with the Defense Intelligence Agency," Mr. Tice stated in the Dec. 16 letters, copies of which were obtained by The Washington Times.
The letters were sent the same day that the New York Times revealed that the NSA was engaged in a clandestine eavesdropping program that bypassed the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court. The FISA court issues orders for targeted electronic and other surveillance by the government.
But that's really beside the point. The issue here is that Bush broke the law. That isn't a controversial statement because he admitted to breaking the law and has said he will do so again. When will our national legislators have the spine to stand up and state unequivocally this obvious truth? If corroboration is necessary, we now have that too. Come on, Democrats, you have all the pieces you could possibly need here. These are far more serious crimes than anything Bill Clinton was ever suspected of having done...and there is far more evidence for them. Do your job.
Link from the All Seeing Eye
Eminent Domain
This Friday morning I'm going to take a moment away from the usual partisan sniping and liberal dooming & glooming to offer a hearty 'atta boy' and 'you go, girl' to all Minnesota politicians involved in refining and limiting the power of eminent domain. I think this effort reflects well on Gov. Pawlenty and on legislators from both sides of the aisle.
Despite all the talk radio hyperventilating, this kind of state/local oversight is clearly what the majority had in mind when they handed down the Kelo decision. How else could you read this passage?
Activist judges, indeed. They were simply upholding the separation of State and Federal power as the Constitution intended.
Despite all the talk radio hyperventilating, this kind of state/local oversight is clearly what the majority had in mind when they handed down the Kelo decision. How else could you read this passage?
In affirming the City's authority to take petitioners' properties, we do not minimize the hardship that condemnations may entail, notwithstanding the payment of just compensation. We emphasize that nothing in our opinion precludes any State from placing further restrictions on its exercise of the takings power. Indeed, many States already impose "public use" requirements that are stricter than the federal baseline.
Activist judges, indeed. They were simply upholding the separation of State and Federal power as the Constitution intended.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Money, it's a crime.
Poor Mark Kennedy. First he has to give back all of the money he received from Duke Cunningham. Now he has to give back all his ill-gotten Abramoff cash.
Sheesh. If you're gonna crack down on corruption how's a fella supposed to run a Senate campaign?
At least Kennedy still has tens of thousands from Tom Delay to keep him going. That's all legit, right? It must be, because Kennedy certainly doesn't seem to be in a rush to give up.
Sheesh. If you're gonna crack down on corruption how's a fella supposed to run a Senate campaign?
At least Kennedy still has tens of thousands from Tom Delay to keep him going. That's all legit, right? It must be, because Kennedy certainly doesn't seem to be in a rush to give up.
Blogroll Changes
Just wanted to let everyone know that I've added new blogs to the Henny Pennies.
I've put in Lloydetta's Nooz, since even though Eva's already got one in the Drinking Buddies, it deserves a little love for the MDE debacle.
Smithers I've been thinking about adding for a while, and linked to last month, but the comment threads over in his land ever since he started debating with Anti-Strib are some of the best reading on the Internets lately. Be sure to check them out.
Of course, now that I think about it, I probably should have added in Anti-Strib since my Goosey Lucys are getting rather thin, but I forgot and redoing my roll takes forever. I try not to do it unless I'm adding more than one, so it will have to wait a bit.
I've put in Lloydetta's Nooz, since even though Eva's already got one in the Drinking Buddies, it deserves a little love for the MDE debacle.
Smithers I've been thinking about adding for a while, and linked to last month, but the comment threads over in his land ever since he started debating with Anti-Strib are some of the best reading on the Internets lately. Be sure to check them out.
Of course, now that I think about it, I probably should have added in Anti-Strib since my Goosey Lucys are getting rather thin, but I forgot and redoing my roll takes forever. I try not to do it unless I'm adding more than one, so it will have to wait a bit.
You spin me right round baby right round
Like a record spinning, the locals spin spin spin to tell everyone that Abramoff gave money to Democrats, too. The "I'm rubber, you're glue" defense is based off of the Republicans' favorite little link right now:
Na na na na Boo Boo! You're as bad as we are!
What they don't like to mention is that it is also a list of the Native American Tribes associated with Abramoff, not just the man himself. And surprise, some Native Americans give to Democrats.
You want to see who Abramoff donates to? Go to this one.
Hmmm...nary a Democrat in sight.
Nice "bi-partisan scandal", there.
Na na na na Boo Boo! You're as bad as we are!
What they don't like to mention is that it is also a list of the Native American Tribes associated with Abramoff, not just the man himself. And surprise, some Native Americans give to Democrats.
You want to see who Abramoff donates to? Go to this one.
Hmmm...nary a Democrat in sight.
Nice "bi-partisan scandal", there.
My Moment of Fairness
I really liked Katherine Kersten's column today. I though it was enjoyable, informative and heartwarming.
I especially liked this bit:
Truer words never spoken.
I am terribly amused that when you go to the online version, the only other article to pop up in the sidebar is her vitriolic and error-ridden gay marriage column, especially since it's over a month old. I assume that's for eveyone who might read today's article and think she's gone soft.
I especially liked this bit:
Americans may differ about the Iraq war. But everyone understands the courage and sacrifice of the men and women on the front lines.
Truer words never spoken.
I am terribly amused that when you go to the online version, the only other article to pop up in the sidebar is her vitriolic and error-ridden gay marriage column, especially since it's over a month old. I assume that's for eveyone who might read today's article and think she's gone soft.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Huh
MNSpeak now has a geographical view of where many of the blogs listed in the aggregator call home. Not a very large sample size to be sure (you have to both be an aggregated blog & a registered user of MNSpeak to show up) but interesting none the less. (See my last post about RE:Bloggers & Navel Gazing) I'm somewhat surprised by the large concentration around the northern Uptown and Stevens areas and the relative paucity around Downtown and NE.
Speaking of which, I can't help but notice that the lovely and talented REW, both an aggregated blogger and a registered user, is not represented. In fact, as far as I can tell, no one is representing the 55418. For shame!
Speaking of which, I can't help but notice that the lovely and talented REW, both an aggregated blogger and a registered user, is not represented. In fact, as far as I can tell, no one is representing the 55418. For shame!
Tee Hee
If there's one thing bloggers like even more than writing about themselves, it's reading about themselves. With that in mind, there's a ready made audience for this (extremely) short story about what the collapse of the Internet might mean to bloggers.
Here's a sample:
It's called Plumage from Pegasus (Brother, Can You Spare a Hyperlink?) by Paul Di Filippo. Check it out.
Link from Boing Boing
Here's a sample:
Docotrow pushed out of my brotherly embrace, angry now. "Dead trees! You expect me to migrate backward to dead trees! Do you have any idea how painful that would be? To wait actual hours for things to print! To carry objects to the Post Office! To wait days or even weeks for a response from readers! How can I be satisified with that, after the instant feedback loops of the web!"It's pretty funny.
It's called Plumage from Pegasus (Brother, Can You Spare a Hyperlink?) by Paul Di Filippo. Check it out.
Link from Boing Boing
Drinking Liberally Tonight
331 Club,6-9 pm
Everyone's favorite dog will be there.
We will be making a list of New Years Resolutions for the White House, like "I will spy on my own countrymen less this year."
Everyone's favorite dog will be there.
We will be making a list of New Years Resolutions for the White House, like "I will spy on my own countrymen less this year."
'tis the season
2005 may be over, but remember, we're still deep in the heart of the 12 Days of Fitzmas. While Karl Rove leaves unsightly stains in his suit, liberals everywhere gather to sing Fitzmas carols. Here's a verse from one of our favorties while we await the indictments from the second grand jury:
"The 12 Days of Fitzmas"
On the twelfth day of Fitzmas,
the grand jury sent to me:
Twelve domestic spyings
Eleven perjury indictments
Ten O'Reilly meltdowns
Nine lobbyists bribing
Eight money launderings
Seven SEC filings
Six Schmidt's a lying
Five golden coingates
Four Duke Cunninghams
Three chickenhawks
Two Diebold hacks
And an Abramoff singing like a canary
"The 12 Days of Fitzmas"
On the twelfth day of Fitzmas,
the grand jury sent to me:
Twelve domestic spyings
Eleven perjury indictments
Ten O'Reilly meltdowns
Nine lobbyists bribing
Eight money launderings
Seven SEC filings
Six Schmidt's a lying
Five golden coingates
Four Duke Cunninghams
Three chickenhawks
Two Diebold hacks
And an Abramoff singing like a canary
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
A Late Christmas Present
Or maybe a good way to start off the new year, 'Lobbyist A' has flipped:
Abramoff Pleads Guilty to 3 Felony Charges
However, I think the most intriguing prospect in this story, far more important than getting any individual lawmakers, is the potential dismantling of the national Republican machine which has been painstakingly built up over the last twenty or thirty years. Both Ralph Reed and Grover Norquist are at least cast into suspicion due to their association with Abramoff, and the whole "K Street" project is more or less dead because of this. I can't predict with certainty what long-term effects this will have, but I'm hoping we are at the beginning of a new era in DC. A less corrupt era? I wish, but I sincerely doubt it. In the future this country should at least be less of a one-party state, anyway.
Abramoff Pleads Guilty to 3 Felony Charges
Former high-powered lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty today to three felony charges in a deal with federal prosecutors that helps clear the way for his testimony about members of Congress and congressional staffers in a wide-ranging political corruption investigation.Well, this should be interesting. Bob Ney looks to already be done for. Also, it sounds like The Hammer is screwed. Other names mentioned in the article are Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) and Rep. John Doolittle (R-California).
Abramoff appeared in U.S. District Court in Washington early this afternoon to plead guilty to three counts charging him with conspiracy, mail fraud and tax evasion.
The plea bargain settles one of two fraud and corruption cases against Abramoff, involving charges stemming from his lobbying activities in Washington on behalf of Native American tribes. The other case, arising from an indictment in Miami in connection with the purchase of a fleet of casino cruise ships, is expected to be settled by another plea agreement.
However, I think the most intriguing prospect in this story, far more important than getting any individual lawmakers, is the potential dismantling of the national Republican machine which has been painstakingly built up over the last twenty or thirty years. Both Ralph Reed and Grover Norquist are at least cast into suspicion due to their association with Abramoff, and the whole "K Street" project is more or less dead because of this. I can't predict with certainty what long-term effects this will have, but I'm hoping we are at the beginning of a new era in DC. A less corrupt era? I wish, but I sincerely doubt it. In the future this country should at least be less of a one-party state, anyway.
New Year's Resolution, Broken Already
This year I was going to try and not make fun of CWFA, but this is just silly.
Better watch out, Lileks. They're going to genderly confoooooose Toddler.
Better watch out, Lileks. They're going to genderly confoooooose Toddler.
Final Vikings Post of the 2005 Season....
Although it's all academic now, I have to say I support the decision to fire Tice. I've gone back and forth on this, but ultimately, I think it's the right decision. The one moment that finally sealed the deal for me was about seven minutes into the fourth quarter of the Baltimore game. Trailing by seven, on the road, playoff hopes on the line, at Baltimore's 38 yard line, fourth and one and Tice orders a punt? The Vikings wouldn't get the ball back until after the two-minute warning and were, at that point, down by 10 and the game was effectively over. That was the moment that made it clear to me that the Vikings were never going to win a Super Bowl while he was coaching.
Looking back over his tenure, I agree that he was often a victim of circumstance [cough]McCombs[cough], but not all of the teams problems can be laid at the feet of circumstance. In addition to all of the high-profile problems this year, there have been a run of legal run-ins, drug charges, league fines and so on over the last few years that has created a maddeningly inconsistent team. An extremely poor team can usually be laid at the feet of the players, an inconsistent team is largely the fault of management and coaching. Tice himself described his time here as "consistently a little better than average". I'd agree, but that's not exactly what you're looking for in a coach. And that goes back to that call in Baltimore. We're playing to win, not lose by the least amount of points.
I won't say too much about the potential replacement possibilities, as I don't really know that much about most of them, and most of the ones I do know anything about I'm not too interested in. I was never fond of Jim Fassel when he was coaching the Giants and I'm not too excited about the idea of having to watch him every week on the sidelines. I can't get behind Brad Childress both because he actually wanted to woo Terrell Owens, and because of his crazy pass-first offensive philosophy. Gregg Williams seems like an able defensive coordinator, but after his stint in Buffalo, I'm not so sure he's head-coach material. Considering the Viking's D over the last couple of years I'm not so certain Ted Cottrell is the answer, either. At this point the only name I've heard so far that does sound like an interested prospect is Ron Rivera out of Chicago, we could certainly use a defensive minded person at the helm for a change. Hopefully a couple of the others who I don't know anything about are good prospects, since a list of one is not much of a list.
Looking back over his tenure, I agree that he was often a victim of circumstance [cough]McCombs[cough], but not all of the teams problems can be laid at the feet of circumstance. In addition to all of the high-profile problems this year, there have been a run of legal run-ins, drug charges, league fines and so on over the last few years that has created a maddeningly inconsistent team. An extremely poor team can usually be laid at the feet of the players, an inconsistent team is largely the fault of management and coaching. Tice himself described his time here as "consistently a little better than average". I'd agree, but that's not exactly what you're looking for in a coach. And that goes back to that call in Baltimore. We're playing to win, not lose by the least amount of points.
I won't say too much about the potential replacement possibilities, as I don't really know that much about most of them, and most of the ones I do know anything about I'm not too interested in. I was never fond of Jim Fassel when he was coaching the Giants and I'm not too excited about the idea of having to watch him every week on the sidelines. I can't get behind Brad Childress both because he actually wanted to woo Terrell Owens, and because of his crazy pass-first offensive philosophy. Gregg Williams seems like an able defensive coordinator, but after his stint in Buffalo, I'm not so sure he's head-coach material. Considering the Viking's D over the last couple of years I'm not so certain Ted Cottrell is the answer, either. At this point the only name I've heard so far that does sound like an interested prospect is Ron Rivera out of Chicago, we could certainly use a defensive minded person at the helm for a change. Hopefully a couple of the others who I don't know anything about are good prospects, since a list of one is not much of a list.
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