Bush needles Cheney on Halloween

Fed cuts rate to help ease housing slump - Yahoo! News

Fed cuts rate to help ease housing slump - Yahoo! News

Jim Cramer from Mad Money was looking for 50 basis points. I was looking for 400 basis points, but hey, I'm an optimist.

Seriously, 50 bp isn't enough. The Fed always does too little, too late. I know, they're not in the business of roiling the markets or the economy, but that's what they seem best at :)

Hughes out at State Department

Elvis regains crown as top-earning dead celebrity - Yahoo! News

Elvis regains crown as top-earning dead celebrity - Yahoo! News:

Elvis shimmied his way back atop the seventh annual list of 13 top-earning legends that he had ruled since its inception, with estimated earnings of about $49 million in the year ending this month.

It's good to be the King.

Chinese Chemicals Flow Unchecked to World Drug Market - New York Times

Chinese Chemicals Flow Unchecked to World Drug Market - New York Times:

Pharmaceutical ingredients exported from China are often made by chemical companies that are neither certified nor inspected by Chinese drug regulators.

Nice

More

Giuliani’s Prostate Cancer Figure Is Disputed - New York Times

Giuliani’s Prostate Cancer Figure Is Disputed - New York Times:

"The citation is an article in a highly respected intellectual journal written by an expert at a highly respected think tank which the mayor read because he is an intellectually engaged human being,” Ms. Comella said in an e-mail message.

I call bullshit.

First of all, Rudy Giuliani is a Neanderthal. Just look at his huge crown, balding scalp, and sweaty palms, not to mention his mouth-breathing, hyperbole-infesting spittle.

Second, this quote, and many others, of statistics shows a mental deficiency known as bullshitism. Rudy is full of the BS. It may be terminal.

Here's a story from a reliable source, which also quotes the author of the study that Rudy's campaign falsely and misleadingly quotes.

Furthermore, Rudy is always one to take a personal experience and exploit it to maximum efficacy while forgetting crucial details (just read about Rudy's five big lies about 9/11 -- it's almost all crap).

This time, he forgets to mention that men who don't have health insurance are more likely to die sooner than those who don't, which is the cause the Democrat want to pursue -- no health insurance versus having the government run the health care system. It's funny (i.e., twisted) how the Dems take one stand and the Repugnicans twist it to mean something it isn't.

Actually, men with prostate cancer are more likely to die sooner if they don’t have health insurance, according to a recent study published in one of the American Medical Association’s journals. Giuliani doesn’t mention that.

(By the way, I think the answer is neither. Rather, we need the government to step in and figure out what the hell happened to the health care industry such that it's costs rise far faster than inflation. Then, figure out how to unravel the mess. There's absolutely no reason why an appendectomy should cost $60,000.)

Here's a video from firefighters telling how Rudy Giuliani is a fraud.



Rudy Giuliani is really no different than George Bush. Well, that's not entirely true. He is worse, in every way save for religion.

Here's more on Rudy "The Fraud" Giuliani

Ted Stevens in hot (fishing?) water

Ole "bridge to nowhere" Ted Stevens is in the news yet again. He seems to be an attention whore. Now, his son's lobbying efforts are refocusing the feds on Steven's dealings with and about the Alaskan fishing industry, a $2 billion a year business.

News from The Associated Press
More Ted Steven's news

cbs2.com - Navy Mistakenly Drops Dummy Bomb In Virginia Beach

cbs2.com - Navy Mistakenly Drops Dummy Bomb In Virginia Beach

Gotta love ineptitude. Glad it didn't fall on anyone's head...

CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker Mukasey: Waterboarding ‘repugnant,’ no legal opinion �

CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker Mukasey: Waterboarding ‘repugnant,’ no legal opinion �:

President Bush's pick for attorney general, Judge Michael Mukasey, called the interrogation technique known as 'waterboarding' a 'repugnant' practice Tuesday, but again refused to say whether it violates U.S. laws banning torture.

What's he hiding? Well, we already know it, don't we?

He's protecting the Bush administration from retribution -- if he says it's torture, and he knows we do it, then it's just a procedural matter to bring the President and his cohorts to trial. If he says it isn't torture, he doesn't get confirmed (though with this Congress, anything that panders to the President is not surprising, for they are the weakest bunch of idiots known to mankind).

So, he's a lot like "Alberto" Gonzales. He's just not Hispanic.

More on "Alberto" Gonzales, former Attorney General and future rotter in hell.

CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker Kucinich questions Bush’s mental health �

CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker Kucinich questions Bush’s mental health �

“You cannot be a President of the United States who's wanton in his expression of violence," Kucinich said. "There's a lot of people who need care. He might be one of them. If there isn't something wrong with him, then there's something wrong with us. This, to me, is a very serious question."

A blonde and her melons

This blonde was walking down a road carrying a bag, when a guy came along. The guy asks, ''What are you carrying?''

''Melons,'' the blonde replies.

''Cool," the guy says. "If I can guess how many there are, can I have one of them?''

The blonde giggles and says, ''If you can guess how many there are, you can have BOTH of them.''

Just a Girl in short shorts talking about whatever: Revolutionary Times

Just a Girl in short shorts talking about whatever: Revolutionary Times

I've read a bit of Becky's stuff and quite often, she's right on the money. I think she hit the ball out of the park on this one. I've been thinking the gist of what she says for a long time now; I've even taken steps to move to Canada.

It's that serious. And while I think Ron Paul has less than a snowball's chances in hell of becoming president, he may in fact be the best person for the job. I don't like all of his views, but I really don't think he has the stomach for all this constitution-busing crap George Bush and his co-conspirators have.

Bono's anti-poverty groups to be combined

Bono's U.S.-based anti-poverty groups to merge | Entertainment | Reuters

"ONE and DATA are two organizations with the same outrage: extreme, stupid poverty in the 21st century makes no sense when the resources and technology exist to do something about it," Bono said in a statement.

He may be a rock star, but he seems to be so much more.

BREAKING: AT&T spying for FBI

More on this later, as time permits, but here's the short version: AT&T plays “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” with you and your phone numbers.

Freedom to Tinker » Blog Archive » AT&T Explains Guilt by Association

Another nice set of tools for getting your financial house in order

Money Hacks: Mortgage, home equity, and retirement calculators

(full disclosure: Money Hacks is a blog owned, administered, and authored by me)

FICO Score Simulator

This is pretty cool!

Money Hacks: FICO Score simulator

FDIC Approves The Assumption of The Insured Deposits of Netbank, Alpharetta, Georgia

Boy, was I asleep at the wheel on this one: The largest depository institution failure in 15 years.

FDIC: Press Releases - PR-81-2007 9/28/2007

President Bush is nothing if not The Delegator

Time and calamities have shown that George Bush is a delegator. This is what the American public gets for hiring "The MBA President."

Here's a great quote from Dan Froomkin's article in WaPo.

Bush: 'That's How I Work' - washingtonpost.com

Bush: "I appreciate that very much. I wasn't kidding -- (laughter.) I was going to -- I pick up the phone and say, Mr. Secretary, I've got an interesting question. (Laughter.) This is what delegation -- I don't mean to be dodging the question, although it's kind of convenient in this case, but never -- (laughter.) I really will -- I'm going to call the Secretary and say you brought up a very valid question, and what are we doing about it? That's how I work. I'm -- thanks. (Laughter.)"

Tancredo retiring from House of Representatives

They're dropping like flies...

Tancredo retiring from House - Tom Tancredo News - MSNBC.com

Clinton versus Giuliani in general election?

Talk about hawkish war mongers from New York! This may -- yet again -- turn out to be a choice of the lesser of two evils!

Political markets' money on Clinton vs Giuliani - 2008 Candidates - MSNBC.com
Iowa Electronic Markets

Cheney in Halloween costume

Funny.

esoterically.net/weblog » Cheney’s costume

Bonus Quote of the Day: From the John Edwards camp on Stephen Colbert's candidacy

Now, it's getting fun, and I don't mean that sarcastically. It really is fun!

Quote:

"What is more troubling than his quest for a status his own mother won't grant him (favorite son) are his ties to the salty food industry," Wells said. "As the candidate of Doritos, his hands are stained by corporate corruption and nacho cheese. John Edwards has never taken a dime from taco chip lobbyists and America deserves a President who isn't in the pocket of the snack food special interests."

CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker Colbert campaigns in S.C.; Edwards camp attacks Doritos link «

Quote of the Day: Your brain is the size of a marble and twice as smooth

Dilbert: "My theory is that your brain is the size of a marble and twice as smooth."

Bonus: "The root cause probably involves slow learners mating for many generations."

Bay Area fisheries acting weird

Two words: Climate change

Something weird is going on in the water

Friday office follies: Guy uses copier as printer

You'll know what I mean when you see it

VP Cheney nods off during cabinet meeting on California fires

I'm pretty fed up with Veep Cheney. First, he ruins California with the energy crisis, now he sleeps while decisions are being made about California's fate in the wild fires burning here and that have displaced over 1 million people.

I'm starting to think Cheney's got something against California.

Cheney's apparent battery run-down can be seen in the video below about half way in.

What if Mary had a little lamb rather than a hippie?

This guy is really good. I love these!

One in four Americans say the Internet can serve as a substitute for a significant other

The 463: Inside Tech Policy: Hi there. I'm the Internet. I like romantic dinners, long walks on the beach and....

This is kinda creepy. Why only 1 in 4?

88 foods full of trans fat that will kill you

Fast Food Items Highest In Trans Fat - The 88 least healthy foods.

Like I said, it's the worst ingredient your food could contain. And, guess what? Fast food is pretty much the most common place you'll find this evil type of fat. Fast food is also the place you'll find the highest amounts of it.

I'm pretty sure there are worse things our food could contain, like arsenic, Chinese antifreeze, glass chards, and rat poison.

More on the Chinese killers

Teen found guilty of felony rape for having oral sex freed

Previous posts on this topic.

Genarlow Wilson, the Georgia state teenager convicted of felony aggravated child molestation (oral sex with a minor), when he himself was a minor, has been released!

We know he'll never get 4 years of his life back (2 years of hell before going to jail for 2 years), but if he's smart, he'll start life TODAY. Don't look back, man! It does you no good.

You didn't do anything wrong. Well, except be stupid enough to let somebody video tape the whole thing. That was really stupid. What good could come of that?

Nevertheless, keep your chin up and make today the first day of the rest of your life!

FEMA interrogates itself in news conference

Only in Amurika...

FEMA workers masquerade as reporters - The White House - MSNBC.com

One way to get decent coverage in this rough-and-tumble city is to arrange to have your own employees interrogate you at your news conference.

...some FEMA employees played the role of reporter, asking questions of Johnson (deputy FEMA administrator) - queries described as soft and gratuitous.

"I'm very happy with FEMA's response," Johnson said in reply to one query from a person who was an agency employee, not an independent journalist.

Asked about this, Mike Widomski, FEMA's deputy director of public affairs, said, "We had been getting mobbed with phone calls from reporters, and this was thrown together at the last minute."

Johnson issued a statement Friday saying that FEMA's goal was "to get information out as soon as possible, and in trying to do so we made an error in judgment."

Truth be told, I'm glad they made this error in judgment rather than repeating Katrina. But it's still awesome the lengths to which this government will go to look better than it really is.

And the truly scary thing: They look so bad!

How bad would they look if they didn't try to cover up, obfuscate, hide, and/or lie about? Banana republic, anyone?

Dividing by zero: A picture

Stumbled upon this one. It's so weird, it's funny.

Word of the Day: Repugnican

I've coined a term. It's my way of saying, "I love you, Republican!"

Well, not really.

It's more like, "I really despise you, you hypocrite, you fat, prescription-drug-using, illegal-alien-hiring, self-righteous piece of purported "conservative" asshole, holier-than-thou, pro-life (if it's a fetus), pro-death (if it's an adult -- unless it's a brain-dead adult) POS. Okay, wait, that mostly describes Rush Limbaugh.

Whew.

I used to be one. Now I'm not sure I really fit into any political party. Back in my high school days, I used to banter with my Bruce Springsteen-loving, anti-war, bandana-wearing classmate about the virtues of the Republican party. You see, I loved Ronald Reagan. I was 17.

Reagan talked a good game. And after the mediocre Jimmy Carter presidency, Ronald Reagan made me proud to be an American. But so did Sylvester Stallone with his Rambo and Rocky movies. I was easily led. And I liked Michael Jackson. I've made mistakes. I've moved on (not to be confused with MoveOn, which I don't really like either).

I voted Republican all the way until 2001. I voted for our current idiot-in-chief, Chimpy. I thought it would be a fine idea to have an MBA president, with his senior advisers like the Veep, Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, and Secretary of State, Collin Powell.

Boy, was I wrong. These guys, and a whole host of others that made up the Bush administration turned on me and my conservative values. I hate the neo-cons and anybody associated with the Republican "party line." They scare the snot out of me.

They've desecrated the Constitution, they've made a mockery of the Geneva Conventions, they've ruined any hope we had of diplomacy, etc. I could go on forever. But that's not why you called.

Repugnican is the meshing of two words: Republican and repugnant. To me, they're really one in the same. So I made the word up: Repugnican. I've used it quite extensively and I haven't seen anyone else use it.

So, I want two things to come of this: First, I want to be the recognized originator of the term and Two, I want EVERYBODY to start using it.

R-E-P-U-G-N-I-C-A-N. Say it out loud. It feels good.

Now, start using it. Spread the word. Get it out there. Blog about it. Talk about it. Comment about it.

Shrinking pay gap?

Sure, between men and women.

But what about haves and have-nots? Not so much shrinkage going on there.

Greg Mankiw's Blog: The Shrinking Pay Gap

Pandemic scenario: 1.7 million will die in US

Cheers.

Pandemic test undertaken by financial services paints dire scenario

If a pandemic strikes the U.S., it will kill about 1.7 million people, hospitalize 9 million, exhaust antiviral medications and reduce basic food supplies, according to a planning scenario developed by financial service firms preparing for such a catastrophe.

Quote of the Day: Bush on California wild fires -- "We got a big problem out here"

Wow, what a perceptive dimwit.

Chinese economy grows at 11.5% pace

This is why we should shake in our cowboy boots. The Chinese, at this rate, will dominate the world's economies and businesses VERY soon.

Meanwhile, the US in the 2nd Quarter, grew at a 3.8% yearly pace. Where does our dollar go from here?

China Says Economy Grew at 11.5% Pace - New York Times
China moves ahead of US in Top 20 companies
Economists React: China Economy Still Risks Overheating

Bush and Cheney looney? Rosa Brooks thinks so

Because she's from the LA Times, her credibility immediately takes a hit, but she has compelling arguments for throwing at least the top 2 dogs of the Bush administration in the psychiatric ward at, where else?, Walter Reed.

Straitjacket Bush - Los Angeles Times

Impeachment's not the solution to psychosis, no matter how flagrant. But despite their impressive foresight in other areas, the framers unaccountably neglected to include an involuntary civil commitment procedure in the Constitution.

Man receives 300 joints a month from George Bush's government (it's not MY government anymore)

(I don't have the capital required to buy my government)

This is ironic, hypocrisy in action, sad, and funny. You be the judge --

This Man Receives 300 Marijuana Joints a Month From the Federal Government | Stop the Drug War (DRCNet)

So don't be jealous of Irv Rosenfeld. He may receive huge amounts of free government-grown marijuana that he can smoke wherever he wants. But he also has painful bone tumors, and his free weed sucks.

Syrian-born Canadian citizen tortured in, of all places, Syria!

Welcome home, comrade!

Seriously (or is it Syriously?), WTF? Guy gets stopped in a US airport, we ship him to Syria to be flogged.

Canada pays him $10 million for his troubles and apologizes (for what, I might add?).

USA does nothing, not even an apology. We get monkey girl saying his case was mishandled.

Rice concedes U.S. mishandled torture case - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com

The Bush administration has not apologized. Arar's name remains on watch lists that forbid his entry into the United States.

And now, he most likely will never visit his neighbors to the south. Sad. We'll never get a dime of his prize money from Canada.

Rudy Giuliani: Power grabber and skirt wearer

Okay, so Rudy Giuliani wore women's clothes. I'm not sure why, but there was probably a good reason, right? Like pantyhose makes him feel sexy or something. But this story is really freaking me out: The author believes Rudy would be more power-hungry than Bush and Cheney. I find this startling beyond belief.

Giuliani Would Grab More Power Than Bush and Cheney - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought

Many Giuliani watchers already understand that Rudy is a hothead and a grandstander, even a bit of a dictator at times. These qualities have dominated the story of his mayoralty that most people know. As that drama was unfolding, however, so was a quieter story, driven by Giuliani’s instinct and capacity for manipulating the levers of government. His methods, like those of the current White House, included appointments of yes-men, aggressive tests of legal limits, strategic lawbreaking, resistance to oversight, and obsessive secrecy. As was also the case with the White House, the events of 9/11 solidified the mindset underlying his worst tendencies. Embedded in his operating style is a belief that rules don’t apply to him, and a ruthless gift for exploiting the intrinsic weaknesses in the system of checks and balances. That’s why, of all the presidential candidates, Giuliani is most likely to take the expansions of the executive branch made by the Bush administration and push them further still. The blueprint can be found in the often-overlooked corners of his mayoralty.

Iraq & Afghanistan wars could cost $2.4 TRILLION

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Monkey girl Condi Rice confronted by protester

And I don't say monkey girl as a diss as a racial slur, rather that she and her Bush cronies act like, and sometimes (okay, always) look like primates of the monkey variety.

Quote of the Day: Schwarzenegger says "Serve the people not the party"

It's refreshing to hear a politician say those words. I think he means them, too!

Calif. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Warns Republicans To "Serve The People, Not The Party" | October 24, 2007 | AHN

Image of Terrorism

So, in this view, terrorism is civilian on civilian and/or civilian on military.

However, if military on civilian, it's a war crime or oppression.

Hmmm. Shouldn't they be treated the same, then?

Mitt Romney slip of the tongue

Two things about this story:

1. He is just like Ronald Reagan -- senile.
2. Never thought I'd hear "Mitt Romney" and "slip of the tongue" in the same sentence. Kinda grosses me out.

Romney Slip: Another Osama-Obama Mix-Up - washingtonpost.com

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "Apparently, Mitt Romney can switch names just as casually as he switches positions, but what's wrongheaded is continuing a misguided war in Iraq that has left America less safe."

Bush administration altered CDC climate change testimony

And we pay for this! How many times have you paid for a terrible product, only to ask for, or demand, a refund?

Well, we need to do this with government. They work for us! Damn it!

White House Altered Climate Change Testimony - washingtonpost.com

Documents obtained by The Washington Post show that White House officials heavily edited testimony on global warming delivered to Congress yesterday by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, downplaying the specific health problems that could arise.



Bush administration officials cut CDC director Julie L. Gerberding's testimony to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on "climate change and public health" from 12 pages to six, removing sections that detailed how global warming would affect Americans and suggested that the government has yet to fully respond to the potential risk posed by climate change.

Beef recall foreshadowed by inferior testing standards

Typical Bush administration kowtowing (or 'cowtowing'?) to the industry it purports to inspect...

Many Red Flags Preceded a Recall of Hamburger - New York Times

Five years ago, the government demanded more stringent safeguards against contamination because of a deadly form of the germ E. coli.

Kid Rock arrested after fight at Waffle House

Kid Rock arrested in DeKalb after fight at Waffle House | ajc.com

This is the epitome of class. Here's my Waffle House story.

I went to Atlanta a couple times while I was working for a company called Impresse Corp., a startup that stopped during the dotcom bust. I was a techie, going around and ensuring that all our salespeople's computers were running up to speed with the latest patches, applications, etc.

So I got on a plane and arrived at around 1 or 2 in the morning, got my rental car, and headed for the hotel. As I got closer to my hotel, I began to look for something to eat. I chose not to go after possum roadkill, but hindsight being 20/20, perhaps I should have. As I approached a major intersection, I didn't know whether to turn left or right. Waffle Houses all around! Sounded great, never heard of them!

So I turned left. There were, amazingly, quite a few 'patrons' (all day and all night breakfast-eating zombies, more like it) in the -- ahem -- restaurant, mostly sucking down coffee and thinking about where their damn lives went, why they have 7 kids with 9 different women (do the math), what the fuck is that on the floor ruminations, etc.

I sat down, took a look around, and found something that, to this day, amuses me: The 'waitress' was mopping the countertops with a sponge, while making coffee and toast, eggs and waffles, while the janitor-looking frycook hosed the place down!

Seriously. He was hosing the place down! Not mopping with a mop, but he had a garden hose that he was using to squirt down the concrete floor, leaving puddles all over the place.

So I can see why Kid Rock might have been a little edgy. I know I ate my waffles quickly and bolted.

Southern California on fire, half million flee

This happens every year in California, yet this fire season seems especially, pardon the pun, hot.

Lots of people have lost their homes, many thousands have had to abandon their homes and possissions, and FEMA seems to be, at the very least, engaged on the topic.

I find humor is the best medicine for what ails ya, so here goes:

(I live in Northern California)

These guys will do everything to get our water.

California Fires Out of Control as More Than 500,000 Flee - New York Times

China moves ahead of US in Top 20 companies

China now has 41% of all companies in the $200 billion and above market cap area; the US has 38%. I'd say, from this obviously distorted view, that the world economy is an oligopoly. And since it's China who does all the exporting, I'd say they're market-makers or price-makers.

Hopefully, the same fate that befell Japan will happen to China.

If not, then it's us. Click the picture for an expanded view (coming soon -- for the time being, click the link below and then click on the multimedia link in the story).

There’s Peril in the Parallels as China Takes a Top Spot - New York Times

Blackwater ties to Iraq embassy

Gotta love the cronyism that exists (runs rampant) in the Bush administration. Here's a story about Blackwater, its contributions to Bush, and its ties to the First Kuwaiti General Trading and Contracting Company, builders of the American embassy in Iraq

Put Down Your Coffee and Grab a Barf-Bag

Hillary Clinton will not get my vote: Zogby Poll

Half of Zogby-polled voters will not vote for Mrs. Clinton. No surprises there.

esoterically.net/weblog » Zogby: Never say never

MPAA takes extreme illegal steps to counter pirates

In this exclusive Wired story, hacker Robert Anderson describes his marriage to the MPAA: In return for most-certainly illegally-obtained information about a popular bitTorrent site, Anderson was to receive "a nice paying job, a house, a car, anything...(he) needed."

The MPAA needs to reconsider their business model. It seems as if their business model is to stick to the steam engine and sue anybody who chooses to use a modern automobile to arrive at their destination, metaphorically speaking.

Besides that, they're fucking idiots.

Exclusive: I Was a Hacker for the MPAA

Dean Reassures Democrats: ‘We Will Find a Way to Screw This Up’

Satire, of course. But will it happen? Yes.

The Borowitz Report .com

Comcast hammered after they fail to deliver 'triple play'

Woman, 75, fined for hammering Comcast office - U.S. Business - MSNBC.com

"I smashed a keyboard, knocked over a monitor ... and I went to hit the telephone," Shaw said. "I figured, 'Hey, my telephone is screwed up, so is yours.'"

I'm sure a lot of folks have wanted to do something similar. Cable and phone companies are notorious for really horrible customer service (read: no service).

No doubt more people will have the urge to break up an office or two when they find out their P2P downloads have been throttled.

Net Neutrality

Who's afraid of Google? AT&T

Everybody always talks about how Microsoft ought to be afraid of Google. That Microsoft will lose its dominance and Google will be computing's king.

Well, enough hogwash. There's a big enough pie, that keeps on growing, for the both of them. Plus, one will figure out that it shouldn't be competing with the other. Rather, they ought to forge an alliance.

An alliance against the telecoms. AT&T should be quaking in its boots over Google. Google seems to want in on the cellular/wireless business, AT&T's only growing business. And Google has enough cash to buy not only all of the 700MHz property for auction, but probably enough to buy AT&T!

But I'm sure Google wants no part of that "so-last-century" business. Can you imagine AT&T pairing up with Google on anything? Seriously, Kid Rock and Mother Theresa have better chances of hooking up!

AT&T unsure about bidding in 700MHz auction | InfoWorld | News | 2007-10-19 | By Juan Carlos Perez, IDG News Service

National Do Not Call registry

Friendly reminder to update your data. Don't let those pesky telemarketers take away your dinner time with your family.

National Do Not Call Registry

Barack Obama campaign on wrong course?

Seems so. I really like the guy, but I don't think he's ready for this. It's a great first attempt, though. Unfortunately, the fantasy of a newbie taking the highest office on the planet is not going to come to fruition.

Biden, Edwards, and Clinton -- ahem -- are all that's left of the Democrat's hope to regain the White House.

Not sure any of them have what it takes to win. Sadly.

Memo to Obama: You've Made the Wrong Choice, Again - Real Clear Politics - Mid Term Elections - Elections 2008 - TIME

Hastert quitting Congress

Shamed, beaten, and battered (in heavy cooking oil, no doubt), Denny Hastert is leaving Congress for greener pastures (probably literally).

The Fat Man half of Jake and the Fat Man is leaving the public trough for private dining. RIP, fat ass.

Hastert to Step Down Soon, Sources Say - washingtonpost.com

Brunette meets genie

A brunette is walking through the country, when she finds a bottle. She rubs it and, you guessed it, a genie appears.

The genie says, "You are allowed three wishes. But, I must warn you,
anything you get, all the blondes in the world get twice as much."

The woman says, "Okay. Give me a nice house."

The genie replies, "You now have one nice house and all the blondes in the world have two."

The the lady says, "Give me a gorgeous man."

The genie replies, "You now have one gorgeous man, while all the blondes have two."

The lady says, "For my last wish, Genie, see that stick over there? Beat me half to death with it."

Courtesy Comedy Central

Pete Stark goes a little haywire in blasting Bush over SCHIP

Pete Stark goes off the deep end, at the end, where he says Bush is amused when soldiers get their heads blown off. Up to that point, I was on board with Stark.

FBI raids magician David Copperfield's house

Looks like he's not so magical after all. If he were, he'd have made the $2 million in cash they found disappear.

Silly rabbit.

FBI raids Copperfield's warehouse, finds $2 million - Celebrity News - MSNBC.com

Brownback is out, who's next?

Sadly, it's always about money. Or lack thereof. We need some real reform. How about abolishing the whole damned thing and starting over with respect to campaign public financing?

Brownback to drop '08 bid - Sam Brownback News - MSNBC.com

Quote of the day -- Mission accomplished

Quote of the Day - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought

“Hillary is not the first politician in Washington to declare mission accomplished a little too soon,” Mr. Obama said, the crowd laughing and applauding. “So we’re – we’ve got a long way to go before the first vote is cast, but we do this every year, every election. Four years ago, you know, President Howard Dean was coronated, and that didn’t work out. And so really until those folks start going into the polling place, these races end up being very fluid.”

–Barack Obama on The Tonight Show after Jay Leno asked him if he was discouraged because “Hillary appears to be a shoo-in.”

Daily Show clips -- all of them -- going online at Comedy Central

In a perfect world, I'd like to see entire shows posted as well as individual clips with zero commercials (oh, I'd settle for the commercials they show on TV)...but this is a good step towards that. I know everybody wants to 'monetize' (is this a new word I hate? perhaps.), so ads or some other money-making schemes need to be considered. This I understand.

I may not like it, but I understand it.

Now Viacom needs to take the next step -- by using the social networking and viral marketing aspects of the Internet, they can spread their love like some mutant venereal disease.

Let users post clips, or entire shows, on their own web sites, and pay them a portion of the resulting 'monetization.' Similar to the new YouTube/Google Video ads and Voxant Newsroom clips.

Just giving a small portion to bloggers and other web users would create great effects, in my opinion.

Viacom to offer all clips of 'Daily Show' online - Los Angeles Times

Politital poster causing riots in Switzerland

Swiss going nuts over poster...

World War III: Bush throws out dreaded words

Oh, no, he didn't...

Bush warns of WWIII over Iran - Focus on Iran - MSNBC.com

“We’ve got a leader in Iran who has announced that he wants to destroy Israel,” he said. “So I’ve told people that, if you’re interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.”

Two crazy men, going at it. I think it's time for a presidential death match. Get it over with. Go 'mano a mano.'

Armenian genocide bill may be taken off table

Democrats blink yet again.

Democrats put heat on Pelosi over genocide bill - Los Angeles Times

Bush also renewed his request to Pelosi to not bring the resolution to a vote. "Congress has more important work to do than antagonizing a democratic ally in the Muslim world, especially one that's providing vital support for our military every day," he said.

But the resolution's supporters took Bush to task for worrying about offending Turkey but being willing to anger China by attending a congressional ceremony for the Dalai Lama on Wednesday.

It' amazing to me that this bill ever made it this far. Wrong time. Wrong circumstances.

Underwhelming Hillary Clinton: One woman's opinion

I tend to agree with the girl in short shorts: I am confounded as to why Ms. Clinton is leading in the polls, too. Why aren't Edwards and Obama closer, hell, why aren't they ahead?

Time will tell. Polls mean nothin' until somebody wins a state...string a few wins together, and anybody could win. But I hate the idea that Clinton might win. She will only lose in the general election. And, as I've said before, even if she does become president, she'll be a terrible president, if only because all lawmakers hate her and will band together to stop her, even if she's doing the right thing.

Just a Girl in short shorts talking about whatever: The Underwhemlming Hillary Clinton

CA assembly speaker Fabian Nunez in hot water over lavish expenditures

Talk about megalomaniac: Fabian Nunez, speaker of the California State Assembly, has bought some pretty fabulous things with his meager (he'd call it "middle class") salary. To note:

Nunez's expenses include nearly $9,000 in charges at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona, Spain; $5,000 for a meal in France's Bordeaux region; and over $2,500 in purchases at a jewelry store in Paris.

Nunez offered that he traveled to Barcelona because he was invited by the president of Spain's parliament. He said the meal in France also was business: Lunch for 26 people. And he said the purchases at Louis Vuitton were gifts for dignitaries.

But he said he would not give reporters access to documents about all of the $70,000 in travel expenses he's recorded.

Nuñez defends his lavish travel expenses - Los Angeles Times

Nunez seems like a likable guy. But I guess Attila the Hun could be likable too if he showered his neighbors with expensive meals and gifts.

More on Nunez' lavish lifestyle.

Bush meets Dalai Lama over Chinese protest

I've written before about Congress' contemplation of a resolution to call the Turks murderers, but how is this different?

The Bush administration got all pissy about that, saying that the Turks would get mad, shut down supply channels, move into Iraq, ruin our efforts there (like our efforts are working!).

Other officials have warned, without specifying, of a “serious impact” on relations between the United States and China.

Mr. Bush, during a news conference, appeared unconcerned.

“I don’t think it ever damages relations,” he said, “when an American president talks about, you know — religious tolerance and religious freedom is good for a nation.”

So Bush meets with the Dalai Lama. China really hates the dude, and every time somebody meets with him, they do something that harms foreign relations. All we need is the Chinese to be angry with us, maybe stop transport of cheap crap only Americans are dumb enough to buy, maybe screw with our currency or bonds. We need them a lot more than they need us.

Furthermore, we need the Chinese way more than we need the Turks.

Doesn't anybody see this?

Bush and Congress Honor Dalai Lama - New York Times

Resolution declaring genocide by Turkey is still on the table

I heard about this last week and thought to myself, "Why does this matter? Who cares? Seriously."

But now it seems that a lot of people are pissed off about this, most especially and most importantly, the Turks.

Why does Congress care to do anything about this? This is definitely water under the bridge. Sure, genocide occurred. Sure, it should be condemned.

But it already has.

Doesn't Congress have bigger, more important and tasty fish to fry? Angering the Turks in this way might just force them to cut off our access to their country, which we need to fight the war in Iraq (which I don't believe in, have never believed in, and most likely never will).

Pelosi stumbles over Armenian resolution

Take the current brouhaha over a congressional resolution that would declare 92 years after the fact that the death of a million Armenians at the hands of what was then the Ottoman Empire was genocide, as if anyone who was aware of the 1915 slaughter had any doubts about it.

Mitt Romney taking a beating from fellow Republicans

McCain and Thompson take issue with Romney's proclamation that he's the only real Republican in the race...

CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker McCain ‘perplexed’ on Romney comments «

NYT on W. & Giuliani

The Trivial Pursuit - New York Times

Al Gore: “Having served in the White House with the Gingrich Congress, and having watched the best of intentions so often turned into small changes ballyhooed as revolutionary, sometimes having no lasting mark, I really do believe that fixing the dynamic of democracy is an urgent task.”

That’s just the kind of thoughtful comment that can’t get a real hearing in our sound-bite politics. The result is that reality, untidy and complex, is almost always trumped by well-crafted phoniness.

Which brings us to Mr. Giuliani.

Indeed.

NSA started spying on you when Bush took office

...long before 9/11. Lying bastards.

Qwest CEO Not Alone in Alleging NSA Started Domestic Phone Record Program 7 Months Before 9/11 on Threat Level

A few kind words for Canada

Canada is very nice. My wife and I went to a hockey game (it's their national sport) and we didn't get beat up, picked on, or molested (try being a visitor at an Oakland Raiders game). I bumped into somebody on the way out, and he said "Excuse me."

Homeless people there say "please" and "thank you." Read more about the polite Cannucks -- The Canadian Connection

Giuliani buddy Bernie Kerik to have charges filed

UPDATE: Kerik pleads not guilty to charges filed against him.

It's about to become Giuliani's nightmare: His former best bud, Bernard Kerik, is about to be indicted on bribery, tax fraud, and obstruction of justice charges. As Rudy knows, it's not what you know, it's who you know.

And that principle works on the way down more effectively than on the way up. So, here's to Rudy dropping in the polls, if not out of the race.

Which leaves Lurch, um, Fred Thompson, and Mitt Romney as the front-runners. Oh, the Repugnicans have nothing left.

Oh, except that the Dems aren't offering much better (i.e., Hillary). Still can't understand why Obama, Edwards, and Richardson aren't doing better...

Prosecutors expected to file charges against Bernard Kerik

The indictment, expected next month, could prove to be an embarrassing obstacle for Kerik's former mentor Rudy Giuliani, who is cruising at the top of the polls heading into the presidential primary gauntlet.

I used to be a neocon

I Used To Be a Neocon by Drew O'Neill

I could have written something similar 25 years ago, when Ronald Reagan was president and could do no wrong in my eyes. But time, circumstances, and other events coalesce sometimes and you realized that you were completely wrong. It's good to know that some people are introspective enough to figure this out.

Men versus women in the shower

This is pretty funny. And true.

Moronland.net - How We Shower

If Bush were to run against Jesus...

jesusbushweb.JPG (JPEG Image, 398x530 pixels) - Scaled (97%)

Dilbert creator Scott Adams on Iran's Ahmadinejad

This is one of the best satirical takes on Iran and its crazy mo-fo dictator.

The Dilbert Blog: A Feeling I'm Being Had

Ahmadinejad believes his role is to pave the way for the coming of the
Twelfth Imam. That's a primitive apocalyptic belief! I thank Jesus I do
not live in a country led by a man who believes in that sort of
bullshit. Imagine how dangerous that would be, especially if that man had the
launch codes for nuclear weapons.

Woman seeking wealthy husband gets cold shoulder

Woman seeks rich husband, banker says crappy deal | Oddly Enough | Reuters

The banker responding to the New York Craigslist.com advertisement offered a priceless comment:

"Your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity ... in fact, it is very likely that my income increases but it is an absolute certainty that you won't be getting any more beautiful!" the banker wrote.

Who said romance was dead?

Jimmy Carter: Dick Cheney is a disaster

Thanks, Mr Obvious. Stupid peanut farmer...Seriously, I'm glad somebody has the balls to call Dick a dick. I just wish that somebody relevant would do it. Carter is no longer relevant. Oh, he's a smart, pragmatic, wonderful person. Just nobody will ever listen to him. Well, except those that already are on his side.

He's not very persuasive, I guess is what I'm trying to say.

Jimmy Carter calls Cheney a disaster for U.S | U.S. | Reuters

"You know he's been a disaster for our country," Carter said. "I think he's been overly persuasive on President George Bush and quite often he's prevailed."

Al Gore frontrunner on winning Nobel Peace Prize

Is it just me or is there something wrong with the Nobel Peace Prize if it's given to Al Gore? Not that Al's a bad guy or anything, but how can anyone equate Gore's work with promoting peace? This just doesn't make any sense to me.

Gore widely tipped for Nobel Peace Prize Friday | Environment | Reuters

"Such an award would fall under the expanded concept of peace but the activity can be linked to the climate-conflict combination and is highly timely," said NRK veteran journalist Geir Helljesen who has a solid record of tipping prize winners.

What is a libertarian?

I call myself a conservative, but I may be better 'categorized' as a libertarian, at least if the article below is to be belived.

What a Libertarian Is and Is Not

Media ownership: 50 in 1983 to 5 in 2004

Amazing media consolidation...

Media Reform Information Center

FactCheck.org: Giuliani guilty of multiple missteps

FactCheck.org: Fred's Facts Check Out; Rudy's Don't

Two things about the Republican October 9 debate: Fred Thompson's facts check out and Rudy Giuliani's don't.

But here's the deal: Giuliani threw out facts and figures like he knew what he was talking about. People will believe his crap. Problem is, he was wrong a few times, and in BIG ways. For example:

• Giuliani claimed Sen. Hillary Clinton once called the free-market economy "the most destructive force in modern America." She didn't say that. She quoted another author who said free markets were "disruptive." She also said free markets bring prosperity.
• The mayor falsely claimed Clinton proposes to give $1,000 to "everybody." Her proposed subsidies to workers' retirement accounts would be for couples making up to $60,000 a year and would be $500 for those making up to $100,000.
• Giuliani falsely claimed that more than 2 percent of the nation's gross domestic product is spent on "frivolous" lawsuits. The figure is from a study about the cost of all lawsuits.

My take on this is that Rudy is extremely dangerous. Using his selective memory and other dubious character flaws, he can "lead" a country down a path more perilous than our current president.

Beware Rudy Giuliani.

US does not torture says the President

The President says we don't torture, so it must be true.

CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker Carter: America tortures «

Last week, the White House confirmed the existence of the documents though would not make them public. Responding to the report last Friday, Bush defended the techniques used and said, “This government does not torture people.”

We'll see if Jimmy Carter caves on this assertion, like he did last time.

Key Texas Republican sues Giuliani law firm

Poor, Rudy, can't get a break even from his own party. Is Giuliani the Independent that many have been clamoring for?

He certainly doesn't fit well in the Republican party. He's more Democrat than Republican. Only on one issue does he stand with the RNC: Illegal, ill-thought out wars.

Giuliani law firm sued by high profile Texan - Ben Smith - Politico.com

The Waggoner lawsuit is the latest messy allegation to hit Giuliani’s private businesses, which include the law firm and his consulting firm, Giuliani Partners, located five blocks from each other in Midtown Manhattan.

Clinton in, 4 Dems out of Mich. primary - Yahoo! News

Politics is fun, isn't it?

Clinton in, 4 Dems out of Mich. primary - Yahoo! News

Jonny Fairplay can ride a bull but not Danny Bonaduce

Jon Dalton, otherwise known as Jonny Fairplay, got a taste of not-so-fairplay the other night, when he jumped on former Partridge Family star, Danny Bonaduce (has Fairplay not seen Bonaduce before? My gosh, to rumble with that guy will get you hurt).

Apparently, Fairplay lost some teeth and broke a toe? WTF? The dude just learned how to ride 2000 pound bulls. How could he not break his fall with...his hands?

Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge
Background on Jonny Fairplay
Background on Danny Bonaduce

Bush explains why Iraq War is not about oil

002.gif (GIF Image, 600x619 pixels) - Scaled (87%)

Sandy Berger now Hillary Clinton adviser

She either has bigger balls than her male counterparts, or she is seriously stupid. Could be both. Politically speaking, Sandy Berger is toxic. The Repos will have a field day with this one. Maybe not tomorrow, but if Clinton is nominated, you can bet your bottom dollar that Sandy Berger will be her albatross.

He’s back: Sandy Berger now advising Hillary Clinton - Examiner.com

Idaho Hall of Fame inductee, Larry Craig

Sen. Larry Craig chosen for Idaho Hall of Fame - CNN.com

Omg, he's been chosen for induction into the Idaho Hall of Fame! I guess Charles Manson, Al Capone, and PeeWee Herman can rest easy now, for they may be considered as future candidates.

What a bunch of morons. Now, to be fair, the Idaho Hall of Fame Association had chosen Craig in March, before he pleaded guilty to his now infamous charge. But c'mon! The dude is clearly a weirdo dweeb cross-dressing buffoon who hates gays but wants to have sex with them.

Video

Spoof: Alicia Silverstone anti-meat / PETA

UPDATE to Alicia Silverstone commercial.

Support the troops

This pretty much sums up how a lot of us "unpatriotic" Americans feel about the Iraq War, our troops, and our government.

Religion and Sex: Blessed, unblessed, and you're going straight to Hell

Interesting little map of sexuality and its relation to 7 different religions.

Religion and Sexual Ethics

Beginnings of American-style facism? Or just really freakin' scary?

Nice little bit on the characteristics of a fascist state. Parallels with today? Surely. Is there anything we can do about it? Damn, it's the gov'ment doing it!

Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism

End of the Internet? Must be, it's right there on the Internet!

The End

Self evident "Official redneck application"

Ponder this for a moment.

Official Redneck Application

Topps to close after 2nd largest beef recall

30 people got sick.

Beef recall forces Topps to shut down - Yahoo! News

The CDC reported the number of linked cases in these states: Connecticut, 2; Florida, 1; Indiana, 1; Maine, 1; New Jersey, 7; New York, 9; Ohio, 1; and Pennsylvania, 8.

Hillary Clinton strategist's tie to Blackwater USA

Edwards raps Clinton over Blackwater tie - Yahoo! News

Penn, Clinton's pollster and senior strategist, is the worldwide president of Burson-Marsteller, a public relations firm. A subsidiary, BKSH, helped prepare Blackwater founder Erik Prince for a contentious congressional hearing this week, but Burson-Marsteller says the relationship has ended.

So it's all good now.

Oral Roberts University in deep shit with God

Scandal brewing at Oral Roberts U. - Yahoo! News

Items of misconduct: (no doubt God told them to do it)

• A longtime maintenance employee was fired so that an underage male friend of Mrs. Roberts could have his position.
• Mrs. Roberts — who is a member of the board of regents and is referred to as ORU's "first lady" on the university's Web site — frequently had cell-phone bills of more than $800 per month, with hundreds of text messages sent between 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. to "underage males who had been provided phones at university expense."


• The university jet was used to take one daughter and several friends on a senior trip to Orlando, Fla., and the Bahamas. The $29,411 trip was billed to the ministry as an "evangelistic function of the president."


• Mrs. Roberts spent more than $39,000 at one Chico's clothing store alone in less than a year, and had other accounts in Texas and California. She also repeatedly said, "As long as I wear it once on TV, we can charge it off." The document cites inconsistencies in clothing purchases and actual usage on TV.
• Mrs. Roberts was given a white Lexus SUV and a red Mercedes convertible by ministry donors.


• University and ministry employees are regularly summoned to the Roberts' home to do the daughters' homework.


• The university and ministry maintain a stable of horses for exclusive use by the Roberts' children.


• The Roberts' home has been remodeled 11 times in the past 14 years.

South African miners freed

Lucky or competent (compared to U.S. mines)?

FOXNews.com - Last of 3,200 Trapped South African Miners Freed - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News

Marion Jones to admit using performance-enhancing drugs

This is so sad to me, a life-long track and field fan. She is such the personality, that smile went a mile. Too bad she cheated. Now, she might lose all her medals. It's a sad day in the world of track and field.

Report: Track star Marion Jones admits doping, using "the clear," before 2000 Sydney Games - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports

Craig vows to stay despite court loss

Nice.

Craig vows to stay despite court loss - Yahoo! News

"I have seen that it is possible for me to work here effectively," Craig said in a written statement certain to disappoint fellow Republicans who have long urged him to step down.

Ohio legislator shows high school children nude woman

Nude woman shown during lecture - Peculiar Postings - MSNBC.com

State Rep. Matthew Barrett was giving a civics lesson Tuesday when he inserted a data memory stick into the school computer and the projected image of a topless woman appeared instead of the graphics presentation he had downloaded.

“I have no idea where these came from,” the Democrat said.

Barrett said the data memory stick was a gift he received about three weeks ago from a legislative liaison from the state Library of Ohio.

3 things here:
1. Examine 'gifts' you receive. Your 'friends' might not be so friendly.
2. Examine your stuff. Don't mix business with, ahem, pleasure.
3. Own up to it. Kids really aren't so stupid that they think you don't look at porn, naked women, etc. Move on dot org, man!

Ann Coulter: Bush is mentally retarded

Finally, Ann Cunter and I agree on something! George Bush is mentally retarded. Yes, I have taken her words out of context. I admit that. Surely, the words were a lead-in to a hilarious joke that would probably be lost on most liberals, but because I'm not a liberal, I get it.

I do. Funny is funny. Coulter's punchline is funny. But it's not relevant. She's still reveling in John Kerry's defeat. Let's get one thing off the table right now: It doesn't matter where you went to college. With enough money, anybody can go to Harvard. It's really not that big a deal.

You see, Harvard and all other educational institutions are conflicted: If you are kicked out for poor grades, your money cannot be collected. So the schools 'reward' mediocrity by letting you stay, granting you a diploma that means shit, and getting your money.

But that's another topic.

Ann says, in her new book, If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans,

President George W. Bush is evidently the first mentally retarded person to get a Harvard M.B.A.

Now, this statement, taken as is, completely out of context, as any good Repugnican would do, serves to illustrate the point that many of us have made since 2001: George Bush is retarded.

The full quote is,

President George W. Bush is evidently the first mentally retarded person to get a Harvard M.B.A., graduate from the U.S. Air Force Flight School, be elected governor of Texas and then be elected President of the United States twice. I guess this is what they call 'mainstreaming.' Admittedly, it took Bush two weeks to learn how to pronounce 'Shiite,' but he had higher grades at Yale than John Kerry.

Hmm, I liked my punchline better. Now I can live a happier life because Ann Coulter agrees with me. I am so special. But not 'special' like Bush.

Fred Thompson: Opportunistic skirt chaser

The Tennessee stud: U.S. presidential candidate Fred Thompson's womanising ways | the Daily Mail

His second wife, Jeri, is a blonde 24 years his junior. They wed in 2002 after Thompson was advised that if he wanted to become President he needed to quell a reputation as a womaniser that earned him the nickname the Tennessee Stud.

Nixon on Fred Thompson: Dumb as hell

CRIMES AND CORRUPTION OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER NEWS: Fred Thompson "Dumb as Hell": Nixon on Tape

Nixon was disappointed with the selection of Thompson, whom he called "dumb as hell." The president did not think Thompson was skilled enough to interrogate unfriendly witnesses and would be outsmarted by the committee's Democratic counsel.

Mr Flintstone, please remove yourself from the race.

GOP voters want someone who’s not like Bush

Well, duh (b'ya)

GOP voters want someone who’s not like Bush - Politics - MSNBC.com

Even John McCain is criticizing the president

McCain: Bush should've urged enlistment - Yahoo! News

After having been beaten down in the 2000 race for the Republican presidential nomination, John McCain has been a good little Bush soldier, most likely out of fear that he'd be castigated again. But now the kid gloves are off. Well, a little.

State Children's Health Insurance Program extended

Okay, so I have to admit that I thought the president was being his dimwitted, class-warfare self again when I heard he vetoed the SCHIP bill. This president strikes me as less a race-divided twit than a class-divided twot.

Let me explain. Bush only cares about people in his circle: You know, fuckups and failures with money. His derision for people of color comes not from their skin tone but from there lack of financial heft.

So I have probably over-reacted to Bush's veto. Then I stumbled upon Greg Mankiw's blog. Greg is a former Bush admin employee, famous for having said that outsourcing was good and getting creamed for saying it. Mankiw is no longer employed by BushCo, but he obviously still has connections. Here is an excerpt from an email sent to him from the "inside."

Here's where we disagree.

3. We think the "C" in SCHIP stands for "children". Over the past several years, adults have been added to SCHIP. Some were parents of kids with health insurance, others were adults without children. We were responsible for some of those additions, as we approved State waiver requests. We made a policy shift this year, based in part on further input from the Congress, and we're now returning SCHIP to its original purpose. Over the next few years, our policy will return SCHIP to a kids-only program. States that are now covering adults will have to move them onto Medicaid or a State program. While the advocates for HR 976 argue they share this goal, the bill doesn't match the rhetoric - it lets adults in some states back into SCHIP. And in six States (IL, NJ, MI, RI, NM, and MN), more than half of their projected SCHIP expenditures this year are for adults. We think this is the wrong direction for a program that should be about children.

4. We think SCHIP should be about helping poor kids.

I really couldn't agree more with this assessment. I may have mentioned on this blog before that everyone should have health insurance and I might have implied -- hell, I might have even explicitly said it -- that the government should ensure that all Americans be covered by some national health care system. But over the course of the past few years, with the reading I've done coupled with personal experience, I'm coming around to a more libertarian view. That is to say, I don't necessarily agree that the government should play any part in a national health care system. The advent of insurance was brought on by the need for large numbers of folks to share risk. The obvious example: Tornadoes and other "acts of God." Many people contributed to the reserves needed by the insurance companies to cover just a relative few catastrophic events. While hundreds if not thousands of people were affected by a tornado ripping through Oklahoma, only a few lost their homes.

Now, people rebuild in Florida after having survived dozens of hurricanes. Insurance companies simply should refuse to insure them.

Anyway, what I should have said in the past is that this country has no reason for a significant number of people to be without health care. This is considerably different than saying that the government ought to design some sort of new bureaucracy that only serves to put us further into debt than we already are.

Bottom line: America is too rich a country to have this problem. We should all be covered by some health care policy or plan. Private enterprise might be able to resolve this. Talk to you later.

Greg Mankiw's Blog: POTUS on SCHIP

Bush thought Saddam might flee

Bush thought Saddam was prepared to flee: report - washingtonpost.com

This mess keeps getting messier.

Democrats propose a war tax

These idiots fall for the bait every time. I'm a reformed fisherman and I know I could catch these muthafukkers with boloney coated with crude oil.

Taxing people in the midst of a most-likely economic downturn is tantamount to driving the car over the economic cliff.

What we need now, but have no wiggle room in which to give it, is a tax cut. I'm not one of those "cut taxes and raise spending" Repugnicans. Nossir. I care about our country.

This is why, in times like these, I would have held off spending your grand children's inheritances, until now. And I would have spent only a bit of it. Not all you had and then some.

Congressmen propose war tax - Los Angeles Times

Letterman grills Paris Hilton about jail time

Keep an eye on her latest project. It will be a monumental flop. Unless it isn't.

Paris Hilton squirms in Letterman’s hot seat - Access Hollywood - MSNBC.com

After a few more uncomfortable minutes, Letterman finally switched subjects and Paris was able to promote her projects, including a new movie she is filming in Toronto — “Repo! The Genetic Opera.”

DOJ lawyer: wiretap program is illegal

Ex-Justice lawyer says wiretap program illegal - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com

There were aspects of the Terrorist Surveillance Program "that I could not find the legal support for," Jack Goldsmith, the former head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Nice.

Naked dude rips off market

How could this possibly happen?