Phil's Observations

Mass Media & Political Funnies

2005-11-30T20:21:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, I just can't resist laughing out so loudly. Good thing people already know I am nuts, and are used to it.

Courtesy of

Liberal activists at movon.org have yanked an anti-war ad blasting the administration for leaving U.S. troops in Iraq over the holidays after the Pentagon pointed out it used British soldiers to represent Americans in Iraq. The picture appeared as the ad's narrator says, "A hundred and fifty thousand American men and women are stuck in Iraq."

But a Pentagon spokesman tells Cybercast News that American men and women wear darker fatigues with a different pattern and don't have shorts as part of their combat uniforms. After trying to fix the error by doctoring the original photo to darken the uniforms and put long pants on the soldier in shorts MoveOn.org removed the ad from its Web site.
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The four activists kidnapped by terrorists in Iraq are part of the anti-war group Christian Peacemaker Teams and you might think the organization is furious with their captors, but you'd be wrong. Instead, the peace group is blaming the U.S. and Britain for the abduction, saying, "We are angry because what has happened to our teammates is the result of the actions of the U.S. and U.K. governments due to the illegal attack on Iraq and the continuing occupation and oppression of its people."

The group's Web site reveals that it's a left-wing organization that has also stood with Palestinians against "Israeli occupation," and with illegal Mexican immigrants against harsh "U.S. immigration policy."

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Connecticut Democrat Joe Lieberman who just returned from Iraq, defended U.S. efforts there in Tuesday's Wall Stree Journal and a subsequent news conference on Capitol Hill, saying the military has "a good plan" for victory in Iraq, that progress is "visible and practical" and warning that such progress could be turned back by a premature withdrawal.

But the major media that played up Democratic Rep. John Murtha's call for withdrawing U.S. troops largely ignored Lieberman's remarks. Neither ABC nor CBS mentioned the senator in their nightly newscasts while NBC aired a short sound byte. And The Washington Post, New York Times, and USA Today ran not a word of Lieberman's praise for U.S. efforts in Iraq.

Soldier's Story Praised, then Found Not To Be True

2005-11-11T20:22:00.000-06:00

Courtesy the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

WASHINGTON — For more than a year, former Marine Staff Sgt. Jimmy Massey has been telling anybody who would listen about the atrocities that he and other Marines committed in Iraq.

In scores of newspaper, magazine and broadcast stories, at a Canadian immigration hearing and in numerous speeches across the country, Massey told how he and other Marines recklessly, sometimes intentionally killed dozens of innocent Iraqi civilians.

Among his claims:

• Marines fired on and killed peaceful Iraqi protesters.

• Americans shot a 4-year-old Iraqi girl in the head.

• Tractor-trailers were filled with the bodies of civilian men, women and children killed by American artillery.

Massey's claims have gained him celebrity. Last month, Massey's book, "Kill, Kill, Kill," was released in France. His allegations have been reported in nationwide publications such as Vanity Fair and USA Today, as well as numerous broadcast reports.

This year, he joined the anti-war bus tour of Cindy Sheehan and he's spoken at Cornell and Syracuse universities, among others.

News organizations worldwide published or broadcast Massey's claims without any corroboration and in most cases without investigation. Outside of the Marines, almost no one has seriously questioned whether Massey, a 12-year veteran who was honorably discharged, was telling the truth.

He wasn't.

Each of his claims is either demonstrably false or exaggerated — according to his fellow Marines, Massey's own admissions and the five journalists who were embedded with Massey's unit, including a reporter and photographer from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and reporters from the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal.

Massey, 34, of Waynesville, N.C., was with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines based out of Twentynine Palms, Calif. The unit went to the Middle East in January 2003 and participated in the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Massey was discharged in December 2003, shortly after returning from Iraq, due to depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome.

He began turning up in news stories last spring with accounts of military atrocities. Massey's primary claim has been that Marines from his battalion — some of whom, he told a Minneapolis audience, were "psychopathic killers" — recklessly shot and killed Iraqi civilians, sometimes, he said, upon orders from their commanders. During a hearing in Canada, Massey said, "we deliberately gunned down people who were civilians."

The Marine Corps investigated Massey's claims and said they were "unsubstantiated."

From the beginning, Massey misled reporters.

In early interviews, he told how he had lost his job at a furniture store because of his anti-war activities. But when asked about the incident in an Oct. 19 interview with the Post-Dispatch, Massey said that he had quit his job but never felt pressure to leave.

"I left on good terms," he said.

He also backtracked from allegations he made in a May 2004 radio interview and elsewhere that he had seen tractor-trailers filled with the bodies of Iraqi civilians when Marines entered an Iraqi military prison outside of Baghdad. He said the Iraqis had been killed by American artillery.

He told listeners the scene was so bad "that the plasma from the body and skin was decomposing and literally oozing out of the crevices of the tractor-trailer bed."

He repeated the story during the Post-Dispatch interview. But when told that the newspaper's photographs and eyewitness reports identified the trailer containing all men, mostly in uniform, Massey admitted that he had never seen the bodies.

Instead, he said, he had received his information from "intelligence reports." When asked if those reports were official documents, he answered, "No, that's what the other Marines told me."

The details of Massey's stories changed repeatedly.

For example, he almost always told his audiences and interviewers of an event he said he'd never forget: Marines in his unit shooting four Iraqi civilians in a red Kia automobile.

In some accounts, Massey said Marines fired at the vehicle after it failed to stop at a checkpoint. In another version, he said the Marines stormed the car.

Sometimes he said three of the men were killed immediately while the fourth was wounded and covered in blood; sometimes he said the fourth man was "miraculously unscathed."

Sometimes he said the Marines left the three men on the side of the road to die without medical treatment while the fourth man exclaimed: "Why did you shoot my brother?" In other versions, he said the man made the statement as medical personnel were attempting to treat the three other men, or as the survivor sat near the car, or to Massey personally.

There is no evidence that any of the versions occurred.

Massey told a version of the story before an immigration hearing in December in support of an American soldier trying to flee to Canada. The Seattle Times reported Massey's allegations in a story about that hearing. Then, Massey said he and the Marines killed four of the demonstrators. In other interviews, he said the Marines shot at 10 demonstrators and killed all but one that he let crawl away.

In interviews with more than a dozen 7th Marines and journalists who were in the military complex that morning, none can recall such an incident.

The Marine Corps readily admits that some of its men shot civilians, but not intentionally, they said. The Post-Dispatch reported on the second day of the war that Marines in one battalion had mistakenly shot and killed members of a British-based television network while shooting at Iraqi attackers.

When Marines moved into Baghdad a month later, the Post-Dispatch reported two separate automobile-related incidents in which Marines from Massey's battalion inadvertently shot and wounded 12 civilians. All of the passengers survived following treatment by medical personnel.

One of the checkpoint shootings is apparently the basis for one of most shocking recollections claimed by Massey in numerous speeches and interviews: The shooting of a 4-year-old girl in the head.

While touring with Sheehan in Montgomery, Ala., he told of seeing the girl's body. "You can't take it back," he said, according to the local newspaper.

But in the interview with the Post-Dispatch, Massey admitted that he had never seen the girl.

No 4-year-old died in the incident or was even wounded, according to witnesses, including a Post-Dispatch photographer at the scene who filed photos of the incident that were published in the newspaper.

Someone has been following the Mary Mapes philosophy on what journalism is: Let's tell a story, even if it isn't true!

Mary Mapes ... What a Sham

2005-11-11T20:04:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of GMA on ABC ... Brian Ross interview... on the "Memogate" scandal ...

"No one has proved that the documents were not authentic," Mapes says on this morning's "Good Morning America." Um, ya dumb ass journalist ... isn't it your job to verify accuracy of a story before reporting it?

"If you're talking about an investigation that basically gutted a news organization, and turned people one against another and made people afraid of each other and really scooted the country's most experienced anchor out of his chair . . . I didn't do that," she says. Yeah, right.

What Mapes doesn't dispute is the fact that she called a member of John Kerry's presidential campaign before the 60 Minutes II report was aired. Why would a journalist contact the opponent of the other canidate before the damn show aired? Something smells like fish ...

"I don't think I committed bad journalism. I really don't," she says. How do you define bad journalism, dumbass??

Mapes believes that Rove masterminded the public attack on the CBS guard story. It came out in September 2004, during the heat of a presidential election campaign. Umm, I think average Americans with a sense of what is right and what is wrong is why the public attacked, not because of Rove. This just goes to show you what she really thinks of the viewing public.

"For some reason, we've gone through this incredible period of media self-flagellation. We have become much more comfortable attacking and taking each other apart than we've been asking this administration tough questions." I'll tell you what, doorknob, bring something credible, and maybe there will be a real discussion among the American people.

Mapes tells ABC News she is continuing to investigate the source of the controversial documents. But she insists she had no journalistic obligation to prove their authenticity before the "60 Minutes II" report.

"I don't think that's the standard," she says. I thought that was what journalism was all about!

I think that says about all I need to say about Mary Mapes.

NASA Prioritizes

2005-11-03T22:51:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

NASA's top priorities are a replacement for the space shuttle and completing the international space station, and some other programs are being cut or deferred to concentrate the agency's resources, NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin said Thursday.
"NASA cannot afford to do everything on its plate today," he told the House Science Committee. Funding priorities required the agency to cancel several programs that "we either did not need or did not need right now," Griffin said.
For example, it seemed like putting the cart before the horse to continue life science studies about how people respond to being in space before the agency was sure it could put people back in space, he said.
In addition to life sciences, another affected program is nuclear systems technology, Griffin said.
That program is designed to provide power to an outpost planned for the surface of the moon. But that won't be needed until after 2018, so the work is currently being deferred, he said.
The agency has adopted a "go-as-you-can-pay" approach, Griffin said.
That focus on two primary areas should serve as a warning of potential cuts for the rest of NASA, Rep. Bart Gordon (news, bio, voting record), D-Tenn., commented.
Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., expressed support for Griffin but added that "NASA cannot use aeronautics and science as a piggy bank to fund human space flight."
Griffin said the next flight of the space shuttle is still planned for spring, adding that while the agency was surprised by problems with the foam insulation on the last flight, a lot has been learned from that.
NASA has been developing the new crew exploration vehicle, which is intended to fly to the moon but also can replace the space shuttle when it goes out of service.
Delaying that work could result in the United States being out of the manned spaceflight business for a few years after the shuttle is retired, at the same time other nations are increasing their space programs, Griffin said.
In addition, he said, NASA is encouraging private industry to submit proposals to carry cargo and crew to the space station.

Phil's Observations
It's about frickin tim NASA prioritized its projects. I'm all for space exploration, but com'on folks, we have to determine which projects are more or less important than others.

Tax Reform Panel Reports

2005-11-01T21:19:00.000-06:00

Well, the tax code needs to be fixed, that is for sure. What I am not sure about is the recommendations that have been presented to the Secretary of the Treasury. I hope this leads to a massive, evolutionary change.

President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform Final Report

Check it out for yourself. If you pay taxes, it's important you understand the proposals and it's important that you tell your government what you think.

Personally, I think our current tax system is in shambles. Here's my proposal:

Eliminate all income taxes and start from scratch.
All persons with income two times the poverty rate and below are exempt from paying income taxes.
Everyone else pays x percent of their income. My suggestion is 15-19%.
Everyone else pays the same damn rate - no exceptions.
There are only two exemptions to the income tax:

A deduction for purchasing your first home.
A deduction for charitable contributions up to 25% of your income

That's it folks! Nice, simple, clean, and fair. What do you think?

A Couple of Tidbits from the News

2005-10-29T17:05:00.000-05:00

Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination this week. The entire political spectrum and commentators were all over this, like a huge storm. It was hilarious to watch and listen and read. She wasn't a household name. She didn't have any constitutional record that she could use to demonstrate her qulifications. And it looks like Bush didn't prep as well as he should have. I still think it would have been interesting to hear her speak at the confirmation hearings...

VP Cheney's Chief of Staff was indicted yesterday. Another storm of controversy on the political spectrum. Two in one week. One hell of a week. The whole grand jury/special prosecutor thing was investigating if there was an intential leak of a covert CIA agent. Well, as of today, no crime was committed as it relates to the origin of the investigation. But it looks like Scooter Libby has lied and misled the investigators. Funny thing, I'm not really sure that a crime was actually commited; he may have done this to cover up something else or actually not intentially lied at all or forgot some of the details. I've heard it both ways. It will be interesting to find out if any of this comes out in trial.

I'm starting to believe that way too many Americans do not grasp the significance of terrorism, how it works, why it is a threat to the American culture, and why it is vital to stop it. There was a terrorist attack in New Delhi today. Far away from us. Why should we care? Because it is a monumental day towards cooperation and freedom: India & Pakistan agreed to open the Kashmir border to help with aid to victims of a recent, major earthquake. These are two countries that have been at odds with each other for a very long time. Yet they come together to help those victimized. The terrorists didn't like the two countries cooperating. 3 blasts. 58 dead. Dozens wounded. It never stops. Until we, as Americans, break the cycle and use our might to take care of the problem.

There were school girls were beheaded this week. Killed because they were Christian. Makes me wonder what the other religions are telling people to do.

Rosa Parks died this week. It's amazing how a stubborn woman would inspire a movement to right a wrong. What a fabulous country we live in.

Bone fragments were found last month, and verified this month that they originated from the 9/11 attacks. Four years later and scars are still visible with new ones found.

Phil Declares Public Support of the Minutemen Project

2005-10-19T19:32:00.000-05:00

First, some quotes that make me laugh and sick at the same time:

"Five people were arrested in a deliberate attempt to protest these people planning to hunt and trap immigrants," said Kara K. Norlander, 23. [courtesy Daily Southtown]

"The Bay Area Coalition to Fight the Minutemen is mobilizing an action to oppose the Minutemen Project's rally to gather public support for their attempts to harass poor, undocumented border-crossers" [courtesy indybay.org]

"I call on President Bush … to call on extremist members of his own party to end their anti-immigrant rhetoric and support for the Minutemen vigilante group, both of which are helping spread fear and hatred in America,” said Dean, chairman of the DNC. [courtesy Vermont Guardian]

"They are outsiders, and we don't want them here," said David Van Deusen of Moretown, Vt., who helped to organize the protest. "We don't want their racist policies in Vermont." [courtesy sciencedaily.com]

Phil's Observations
There's even a website to stop the minutemen project ... http://swarmtheminutemen.com/ ... They even have a page entitled "Why We Remain Anonymous". Funny, isn't it? The minutemen are proud of their action and don't hide behind the curtain.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of Americans have a favorable opinion of the volunteers who patrolled portions of the Mexican border earlier this year. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 22% have an unfavorable view of the "Minutemen" volunteers. Check out out for yourself at rasmussenreports.com

The bottom line is really this: The government is not doing enough to stop terrorists from getting though. The government is not doing enough to reduce illegal immigration. Some citizens have stepped up to fill the lack of action. This is not a racial issue. This is not a vigilante issue. This is not a rent-a-cop issue. No one is getting hurt. No one is getting trapped. No one is getting harrassed - except the courageous volunteers themselves. There is no extremism issue here. The Minutemen are strictly nonconfrontational and use "observe and report" methods. To join the Minuteman Project, people must submit to a criminal background check. Anyone who has committed a crime is prohibited from joining or remaining in the group. What the hell is wrong with that?

I'm looking forward to your comments.

Here is the website of the minuteman project: Minuteman Project

The Minuteman Pledge

I. A Minuteman upholds the Constitution of the United States of America, and reveres the American Creed that unites us as one people, our Declaration of Independence.

II. A Minuteman knows well America is a nation of immigrants, and realization of our national promise has always relied upon those who come to America from other countries to participate fully, with their children and descendants, as loyal and law-abiding U.S. citizens.

III. A Minuteman believes that just as ethnicity, race, religion and all such factors are incidental and do not affect our God-given, constitutional equality as American citizens, such factors are also irrelevant in the debate over illegal immigration. There is no tolerance among Minutemen for racism or bigotry — E Pluribus Unum — Out of Many, One.

IV. A Minuteman believes in a strong, safe and secure America that begins with borders open only to those who have a legal right to enter, and who have met all the lawful criteria to cross into our territory established by the sovereign American people.

V. Minutemen vow to use every legal means at our disposal to assist law enforcement authorities in identifying and apprehending those who violate our borders, whether they are illegally trafficking people, weapons, arms, property, sexual slaves or any other contraband.

VI. Minutemen vow to report to the proper authorities any business entity which knowingly recruits, facilitates or employs people who have entered America illegally, or which cooperates in any commercial activity which involves contraband smuggling or marketing of persons, products or materiel.

VII. Minutemen promise to raise our voices — on cellular phones along the borders of America and in the halls of Congress — in the defense of the rule of law. The American people are firm but fair, and we share their great compassion for the many powerless victims of cruel, illegal human trafficking and labor exploitation. But we also support our citizens' adamant rejection of the blatant disregard for our laws and ordered liberty represented by the U.S. government's failure to secure our borders, enforce our nation's sovereignty and end the flood of illegal trafficking into American territory.

I vow before God and my fellow Americans that these principles guide my actions as a Minuteman. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty..." And so I will stand watch on America's borders and in her sovereign interest until relieved from duty by my fellow countrymen.S

Standard Operating Procedure for Minuteman Project

Minutemen are courteous to everyone with whom they come into contact, and never discriminate against anyone for any reason.
Minutemen do not respond to any taunts or harassment from outside agitators, and must never be present for duty or serve in any capacity if intoxicated.
Minutemen Observe, Report and Direct Border Patrol or other appropriate emergency or law enforcement agencies to suspected Illegal Aliens or Illegal Activities.
Minutemen do not verbally contact, physically gesture to or have any form of communications with suspected Illegal Aliens.
Minutemen follow the Standard Operating Procedures to the letter and spirit.
Minutemen follow all federal, state and local laws, understanding that we are being held to a higher standard by all.
Minutemen understand that, while our actions cannot stop illegal activities along the boarder, we can change world perception and national thought concerning Homeland and Border Security.
Minutemen monitor their behavior, the behavior of the people around them and the group as a whole to ensure compliance with the SOP and any instruction given by Minuteman Corps Leadership.
Minutemen leave no garbage behind and follow strict pack-in / pack-out procedures.
Minutemen respect the property rights of everyone, start no fires, never drive off road, and follow the directions of all law enforcement personnel.

Driver Charged in Nursing Home Bus Blast That Killed 23

2005-10-17T22:10:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

DALLAS — The driver of a bus that caught fire while carrying nursing-home patients fleeing Hurricane Rita was charged Monday with criminally negligent homicide in the deaths of 23 passengers.

Juan Robles Gutierrez, a 37-year-old Mexican citizen, was taken into federal custody on an immigration violation five days after the Sept. 23 explosion near Dallas.

Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Don Peritz would not give any specific examples of any negligence by Robles, saying details will be released if he is indicted.

"The bus is under his care, custody and control, and so is everyone on board," he said. "Safe transportation from the nursing home to the final destination is his responsibility. Based on the end result, he failed in that responsibility."

There was no immediate comment from the bus company, Global Limo Inc., which was shut down by federal regulators Oct. 7 as a hazard the public. Its telephone has been disconnected.

Peritz said the investigation was continuing and additional charges could be filed.

Each of the 23 counts of criminally negligent homicide carries up to two years behind bars and a $10,000 fine.

The bus erupted in flames about 16 hours after leaving Houston. Some passengers and the driver escaped, but the flames, fed by 18 medical oxygen tanks, trapped many inside.

From the beginning, investigators focused on the condition of the bus brakes. A motorist told investigators he motioned the driver to pull over shortly after seeing a rear wheel hub that was glowing red.

Authorities said Robles did not mention the encounter with the other driver when they interviewed him after the fire.

Sheriff Lupe Valdez said investigators also found no evidence that Robles helped several people off the bus before it was engulfed in flames, which was widely reported after the explosion.

"After an exhausting number of interviews, we have been unable to confirm any of those claims," Valdez said in a statement.

However, Peritz said a failure to help crash victims was not part of the charges against Robles.

Robles did not have a lawyer Monday. The Mexican Consulate said it would provide him with legal help.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has said that the bus' right rear brakes failed because of the loss of bearings, and that the left rear brakes were "not maintained in good working order."

Phil's Observaions
Let's see. Mexian resident. Immigration violation. Didn't help passengers. Didn't disclose other motorist warning during questioning. What else needs to be said?

Phil's Observation's about My Buddy Aaron

2005-10-16T00:29:00.000-05:00

Regular readers of Phil's Observations know that Phil is generally open-minded about most things. New readers may need a refresher, so skip past the next paragraph if you're not new:)

My ideology dictates the following about me: a) abortion is killing a child and is wrong b) people who do things with malicious intent should suffer some sort of punishment c) anyone who hurts a child should be executed immediately upon conviction d) the prosecutor and public defender should have the same resources available to do do their clients justice and e) if you have a negative personality, I don't want to be around you.

OK, that part is done for the newbies. So I have this buddy, Aaron, who I have known since my freshman year in college. We roomed together one year, and worked together for two. Back in those days, we could get into some really intense discussions about politics. I never thought anyone could be more right wing that him. I would have to offer up some common sense and bring him back to reality. He would get very boisterous in his arguements. Trust me, I got a few good laughs out of what he said. But he was really confident in his opinions, and vary rarely ever changed his view. I never considered myself a liberal, but next to my buddy, I was like Howard Dean. Fast forward a decade and a half later. After some career changes and moving around a little bit, we hooked up again maybe five years ago. While Aaron was still gung-ho republican, he wasn't as dedicated to the party as he had been back in college. So we've kept in touch over the last five years, getting togther every 3-4 months for dinner & drinks. It was his last visit over to my kneck of the woods that it finally hit me: My right-wing republican buddy was going liberal.

He started bashing Bush and other republicans. He says he now favors unions. He says now he believes the corporate America is out to ruin the little guy. He now says that Clinton did a lot of good while in office. He now things entitlements are good for the "common man". Aaron even said the "republican party left him." I couldn't believe it. My friend was becoming more liberal, and I was becoming more conservative. As we grow older and get more life experience, our views and opinions often evolve. What shocked me was how much we had changed since our college days, only a little more than a decade ago.

You see, my friend, and I have told him this, doesn't get it yet. It's more than political parties. I'm not a republican. I'm not a democrat. But I do have an ideology that dicates who I am. Whomever best fits my ideology gets my support and vote. Yeah, most of the time I vote for someone under the republican party. But not always. Yeah, most of the time when I write to a political leader, it's to a republican. But not always. Get over the party affiliation crap. Get over the extremism. Get over the acedamia. Get over the apathy. Support who you want because s/he satisfies your ideology.

I write quite a bit to my local, state, and federal representatives. Both in support of and against their position, I want to make sure that specific person knew what I wanted out of them. I encourage you to do the same. Isn't that democracy is all about?

Oh, and for those of you regular readers who like to challenge me on this, my answer is yes, I know we are a represntative government, not a pure democracy. And that is why my vote counts to get rid of my representative doesn't do what I want.

Be safe. Enjoy Life.

Supreme Court ... Harriet Miers

2005-10-16T00:26:00.000-05:00

Ya know, I am getting some pretty good laughs from both parties of the political spectrum when it comes to this nomination. I don't know enough about the nominee to make a sound decision. I do know enough about the President to make a sound decision. So what has Phil decided?

Awww, come on, you should know by now!

Sit back, take it all in, enjoy people making idiots of themselves, and then decide whether or not I support this nominee.

That wasn't so hard, now was it?

White Man Declined Membership to Black Caucus

2005-10-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Rep. Stacy Campfield may seem an unlikely candidate for his state's black caucus. But the white Republican said he wants to join the group to serve a segment of his constituency better.

But Campfield's membership to the caucus was rejected and the state representative says it's because of the color of his skin.

"Only blacks can become full members — full and equal members," Campfield said. "I think that's the definition of racism."

The chairman of the caucus, Johnny Shaw, says at first he dismissed Campfield's request as a joke. Now, however, he thinks Campfield has other motives.

"I think the issue is money. He probably wants to know how we spend our money," Shaw said.

Shaw pointed out that the caucus meetings are open to anyone, and that the group offers honorary memberships.

But he has not changed his initial decision to deny Campfield a full membership.

In one press interview, Campfield compared the caucus' membership policies to that of the Ku Klux Klan, a statement that drew the ire of the NAACP, which demanded that the freshman representative resign.

Stefanie Lindquist, a professor of law and political science at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, said the case sets the Constitution against itself.

"You have, in effect, one piece of the Constitution pitted against another piece of the Constitution — the First Amendment freedom of association pitted against the equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment," she said. "Hard to say which one will win out."

Phil's Observations
Ya know, this drives me nuts. This caucus is exactly what many have fought against: groups that discriminate because of race. And then the damn leader of the group suspects alterior motives. Maybe the guy just wanted to learn about his constituents? For Christ's sake, when the hell are people going to stop discriminating because of race? We're in the 21st century. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!

Blog Spam

2005-10-06T22:23:00.000-05:00

I was in Minneapolis this week visiting a client. I - like some forgetful seasoned citizen - forgot something. My laptop. I just about died. Flight coming home was late due to traffic issues at ORD. I'm not sure anything will fix the traffice issue at O'Hare. So I just got home a little while ago, and start searching the e-mail for important messages. I have 10 comments on the blog. I found that odd, simply because I haven't posted in a while. All of the frickin comments were spam. I deleted them all, and added a verification process to see if it will reduce or stop it. Now I'm pissed at the idots who need to spam personal blogs to try to raise cash.

Trip was good, thanks for asking. Not going to give any details.

The Air America Saga

2005-09-29T20:26:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of WorldNetDaily

Air America, the liberal radio answer to Rush Limbaugh, is now asking its listeners to send in money, leading some analysts to say the network is "crumbling."

The network, featuring voices including Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo, has developed a program where people become "associate" members by contributing cash.

On its website, Air America lists the benefits of membership, stating, "In return for your help, we'll send you a monthly Associates insider e-mail with the backstage news from our shows and our headquarters. When we take Air America Radio on the road, we'll invite you to meet our hosts and progressive leaders in your community. And for gifts of $50 and up, we've got free stuff to send you."

Among the "free stuff," Air America is giving contributors three bumper stickers to help spread word about the programming. Gifts of $100 or more entitle listeners to "a stylin' yet functional tote bag," and for those donating at least $250, "our hosts and staff will personally thank you at this level of giving on AirAmericaRadio.com and on the air."

"We know we can't achieve this next stage of growth without significant help from you, our loyal listeners," said the network in an e-mail to supporters, according to Mediaweek, which said the "unusual move for commercial radio" was "more common to noncommercial stations and political action committees."

The problems at Air America were the subject of a segment tonight on "The O'Reilly Factor" on the Fox News Channel.

"It is really almost comical that they're putting on these sort of panhandling pleas to their audience members," WorldNetDaily columnist Michelle Malkin told Bill O'Reilly, saying bad content was key to the demise. "They've got a trail of debts, a trail of creditors. There's two stories really here. The crumbling of Air America, and the failure and the refusal of the rest of the mainstream media to cover it as a financial, political and entertainment media story."

Malkin was among the first writers to document a scandal at the network, involving hundreds of thousands of dollars reportedly diverted from the Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club in New York to Air America. The network recently repaid the club $875,000 after the word of the diversion seeped into the national media.

>Radio analyst Brian Maloney told O'Reilly, who also hosts a radio talk show, the company clearly had a bad business model, and he's not sure it can survive.

"As things stand now, they may be down to their last couple of months," Maloney said, "but that could change at any moment if [George] Soros or one of the other big guns comes in, steps to the plate and puts up some cash. But otherwise, I think things are looking bleak. They're overpaying the air talent, they're fending off lawsuits, they're overspending. They just put a brand new studio facility in. They didn't need that. That was at Franken's insistence and now he's not even going to use it. He's moving to Minnesota. So they're wasting money, they're not bringing it in. It's a mess." But some, like media instructor Donna Halper at Emerson College in Boston, are not so sure the network's obituary should be written just yet.

"The early stumbles of a new network like Air America prove nothing," Halper, a radio consultant for 25 years, told WND. "The fact is that most talk-show hosts, no matter what their politics, have to build an audience and a commercial base slowly. Some will succeed, others will vanish."

As WND recently reported, a California radio station pleaded for advertisers to sponsor the liberal programming of Air America shows it broadcasts, claiming it could not get a single ad.

Limbaugh reacted to that news, saying, "I think this is the lesson for all of you who wish to show some sort of financial revenue income by carrying liberal radio. You have to orient yourself to fund-raising, not commerce. Commerce has never been part of the recipe here. ... You are doing something good for the cause."

"Clinton" and "Lewinsky" become condom brand names

2005-09-27T21:51:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

A condom maker in southern China's Guangdong province is marketing its products under "Clinton" and "Lewinsky" brands and has registered the names as trademarks, state press said.

The Guangzhou Haojian Bio-science Co is selling its wares under the Chinese spelling of the names that read "Kelintun" and "Laiwensiji," the New Express reported.

The names in China are easily recognizable as former US president Bill Clinton and his one time lover, Monica Lewinsky.

The Clinton brand is set to be the company's top product selling for some 30 yuan (3.7 dollars) for a pack of 12, while the Lewinsky brand was expected to fetch 18 yuan.

The company unveiled the product on Monday. General manager Liu Wenhua expressed confidence the names would not get him into trouble since they are only "trademarks of two foreign surnames and can't be seen as a violation of rights," the report said.

Phil's Observations
Oh, come on... It couldn't get any easier than this.

2-4-1: Another One Too Good To Let Go ...

2005-09-26T20:13:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

Two residents of a New Mexico town are suing to remove three crosses from the official town seal. The suit says "the crosses serve no governmental purpose other than to disenfranchise and discredit non-Christian citizens" and accuses the city of violating the plaintiff's constitutional right to religious freedom, invading their privacy, and violating the civil rights act of 1964. The mayor says he plans to fight the lawsuit since, he says, the crosses have a historical reason for being in the logo. After all, the town in question is Las Cruces, which is Spanish for "The Crosses."

This One Is Just Too Good To Forget ...

2005-09-26T20:10:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

Cindy Sheehan grumbled this weekend that cable news networks were paying more attention to Hurricane Rita than to her anti-war rally in Washington, posting a message on the liberal Web site writing, "i am watching cnn and it is 100 percent rita...even though it is a little wind and a little rain...it is bad, but there are other things going on in the country today...and in the world!!!!"

That was too much even for some Daily Kos readers. One responded, "shame on you, you're jealous of media coverage of other's suffering," while another wrote, "The right-wing media has painted you as a self-centered, self-absorbed woman and you're living up to that image." Sheehan later posted an apology.

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words

2005-09-11T07:45:00.000-05:00

Nothing else needs to be said.

Closed Grade School Morphed into Community Center

2005-09-09T07:22:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

LEAF RIVER -- Mark and Andrea Pellini have spent more than 100 hours at the shuttered Leaf River Grade School working with other parents to prepare the building for its new role as a community center.
Residents angered by the school's closing last year opted to turn their frustrations into action.
Forrestville Valley School District officials voted to close the school in March 2004, citing financial concerns for the district. The move displaced about 160 students and staff members who eventually were absorbed into other district schools.
Parents packed School Board meetings to protest the decision, many wearing save-the-school T-shirts and carrying signs. At one point, they tried to sue the School District, but the effort failed.
When the building turned up for sale this year, the village approached the School District with the community center plan in mind. The district complied, selling the building to the village of Leaf River for $1.
"The town had mixed emotions about buying it," Mark Pellini said. "Now that it's been purchased, the community has put a lot of effort into the building and gotten it to a good point."
Parents and residents have spent countless hours cleaning, painting and getting the building in working shape. An eight-member board has been appointed to oversee the center's activities.
The building at 608 Main St. now carries the name River Valley Complex. An open house is set for Saturday.
The building has a big gym, so Pellini said the group wants to lure sports leagues to practice and play there. The Leaf River Lions Club spent about $3,000 on kitchen renovations, meaning the building can host wedding, anniversary, birthday and holiday receptions or family reunions.
Village Hall offices and the Police Department have moved into the building. It has 21 rooms, and about four are completely occupied. Pellini said the board is willing to rent out classroom space for small businesses. He added that interest already has surfaced for that plan.
Weights and other fitness equipment were donated, so the group hopes to one day hold open gym nights two to three times a week for residents. They also envision holding activities like tumbling, cake-decorating or CPR.
The land also includes two baseball diamonds and the school's old football field. Village officials maintain the building's exterior, and volunteers oversee the interior work.
"Our purpose was that it wasn't going to sit there and rot," Pellini said. "It's gonna be used. It's a large complex that we can do a lot with. We see a lot of potential good coming out of it."
The Lions Club hosts a variety/talent show fundraiser for the complex at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the building. If you can't attend Saturday's open house but would like to donate to the cause, call Mark or Andrea Pellini at 815-738-2712.

Phil's Observations
What a great example of a community coming together.

NSA Advisor Berger Sentenced

2005-09-08T19:33:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

WASHINGTON — Sandy Berger, President Clinton's national security adviser who was once entrusted with the nation's most sensitive secrets, was fined $50,000 Thursday for taking classified documents from the National Archives.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson handed down the punishment in federal court, stiffening the $10,000 fine recommended by government lawyers. Under the deal, Berger avoids prison time but he must surrender access to classified government materials for three years.

"The court finds the fine is inadequate because it doesn't reflect the seriousness of the offense," Robinson said, as a grim-faced Berger stood silently.

She also sentenced Berger to two years' probation and 100 hours of community service.

Earlier in the hearing, Berger made a short emotional plea that admitted fault and expressed remorse for his crime.

"I let considerations of personal convenience override clear rules of handling classified material," said Berger, calling his actions a lapse of judgment that came while he was preparing to testify before the Sept. 11 commission last year.

"In this case, I failed. I will not again," he said.

The sentencing capped a bizarre sequence of events in which Berger admitted to sneaking classified documents out of the National Archives in his suit, later destroying some of them in his office and then lying about it.

Berger's lawyer, Lanny Breuer, said his client will not appeal the sentence.

The Bush administration disclosed the investigation in July 2004, just days before the Sept. 11 commission issued its final report. Democrats claimed the White House was using Berger to deflect attention from the harsh findings, with their potential for damaging President Bush's re-election prospects.

Initially saying his actions were an "honest mistake," Berger later pleaded guilty in April to a misdemeanor of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material, which contained information relating to terror threats in the United States during the 2000 millennium celebration.

During Thursday's hearing, Breuer characterized Berger as an official eager to get the facts of the Sept. 11 attacks right when he improperly took classified documents and handwritten notes from the Archives.

"The tragedy of 9/11 weighed heavily on him," Breuer said.

Robinson repeatedly questioned Breuer and government lawyers about a provision in federal law that calls for examining a defendant's financial background when issuing punishments. Both attorneys responded that they believed a $10,000 fine was still appropriate.

The Associated Press first reported in July 2004 that the Justice Department was investigating Berger. The disclosure prompted Berger to step down as an adviser to the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

Clinton was among the Democrats who questioned the timing of the disclosure of the Berger probe three days before the release of the Sept. 11 report. Leaders of the Sept. 11 commission said they were able to get every key document needed to complete their report.

Phil's Observations
I wonder what kind of things he did while he was in office ....

I'm Angry

2005-09-08T19:29:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

WASHINGTON — The government's $5 billion effort to help small businesses recover from the Sept. 11 attacks was so loosely managed that it gave low-interest loans to companies that didn't need terrorism relief — or even know they were getting it, The Associated Press has found.

And while some at New York's Ground Zero couldn't get assistance they desperately sought, companies far removed from the devastation — a South Dakota country radio station, a Virgin Islands perfume shop, a Utah dog boutique and more than 100 Dunkin' Donuts and Subway sandwich shops — had no problem winning the government-guaranteed loans.

Dentists and chiropractors in numerous cities, as well as an Oregon winery that sold trendy pinot noir to New York City restaurants also got assistance.

"That's scary. Nine-11 had nothing to do with this," said James Munsey, a Virginia entrepreneur who described himself as "beyond shocked" to learn his nearly $1 million loan to buy a special events company in Richmond was drawn from the Sept. 11 program.

"It would have been inappropriate for me to take this kind of loan," he said, noting that the company he bought suffered no ill effects from Sept. 11.

Arvind "Andy" Patel, 50, said he used his $350,000 loan in fall 2002 to remodel his Dunkin' Donuts shop in western New York state and never knew it was drawn through the Sept. 11 program.

"Not at all," Patel answered, when asked whether his business had been hurt by the attacks.

Government officials said they believe banks assigned some loans to the terror relief program without telling borrowers. Neither the government nor its participating banks said they could provide figures on how many businesses got loans that way.

But AP's nationwide investigation located businesses in dozens of states who said they did not know their loans were drawn from the Sept. 11 programs, suggesting at least hundreds of millions of dollars went to unwitting recipients.

The Small Business Administration, which administered the two programs that doled out Sept. 11 recovery loans, said it first learned of the problems through AP's review and was weighing whether an investigation was needed. But officials also acknowledged they intended to spread the post-Sept. 11 aid broadly because so many unexpected industries were hurt.

"We started seeing business [needing help] in areas you wouldn't think of — tourism, crop dusting, trade and transportation. ... So there were a lot of examples you wouldn't think of, at first blush," SBA Administrator Hector Barre to told AP.

In all, the government provided, approved or guaranteed nearly $4.9 billion in loans, and took credit for saving 20,000 jobs. That would put the average cost of saving a job at about a quarter million dollars each.

Of the 19,000 loans approved by the two programs, fewer than 11 percent went to companies in New York City and Washington, according to an AP computer analysis of loan records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

"I had nothing here," said Shirla Yam, who runs a clothing store in the former shadows of the twin towers that got a $20,000 grant from a local advocacy group but no federal aid after Sept. 11. "I don't know if I'll be here next month."

Under one of the programs, SBA lent money directly to companies that provided detailed statements on how they were hurt. The other program provided incentives — and guaranteed loans from default — so banks could lend money to companies they determined were hurt by the post-Sept. 11 economic downturn.

Most loans were well below market rates — as low as 4 percent, documents show.

SBA officials acknowledged the second program, the Supplementary Terrorism Activity Relief (STAR), left banks on an honor system to determine worthy loan recipients.

"One lender could have been really strict and specific about the borrower providing the documentation to prove that they were affected by the Sept. 11 attacks, and another banker may not have, or may have had ulterior motives for approving loans," said SBA spokeswoman Carol Chastang.

SBA documents obtained by AP show banks had a strong incentive to approve as many loans as possible from the terror program. The banks profited from the interest while incurring little risk because the government guaranteed 75 percent to 85 percent of each loan.

And the annual fee the lenders paid to SBA to get the government guarantee was slashed from 0.5 percent to 0.25 percent — meaning lenders saved an additional $5,000 a year for every $2 million they loaned under STAR.

"There was definitely an advantage to the lender to get that reduced fee," said Christopher Chavez, an SBA official in Colorado. He said he suspects lenders might not always have talked to businesses about damage from Sept. 11 before moving loans into STAR.

While SBA officials expressed surprise at AP's findings, banking officials said the agency encouraged the industry to use the post-Sept. 11 programs liberally, especially when its normal guaranteed lending program was hit by steep budget cuts in 2002.

"They had personnel at our conference stand up and say if you cannot find a reason to move the loan over to the STAR program, contact us and we'll help you find a reason to move it over," recalled Tony Wilkinson, president of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders.

A bank that provided an SBA-backed loan to a trucking firm in Indiana acknowledged it did not tell the recipient about the Sept. 11 connection. "We don't have any indication there was any communication or provisions we shared with the client that these were funds from the government used to support them from Sept. 11," said Pat Schubah, first vice president of small business banking at Indianapolis-based Union Federal.

Major lenders like Wachovia and Wells Fargo declined to say how many loans they shifted into the terror relief program, saying only that they followed the law.

Wells Fargo, the nation's second largest SBA lender, said the STAR program enabled lenders "to provide funds to new and mature businesses impacted by 9/11" and the bank "continues to strictly adhere to SBA operational standards for all SBA loan originations."

Many loans went to local outlets of some of America's most famous and lucrative companies. For instance, 55 Dunkin' Donuts shops across the country, 14 Quiznos sandwich shops and 52 Subway sandwich shops got loans. Fourteen Dairy Queens — part of the ice cream franchise partly owned by Wall Street billionaire Warren Buffett — won more than $5 million in loans.

"I just applied for the loan at the bank. I had no idea where the funds came from," said Tom Mayl, who got two SBA Sept. 11 loans totaling more than $800,000 to open a Subway shop in suburban Dayton, Ohio, and a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Sidney, Ohio.

"It doesn't seem right, just on the surface, but I really don't know the details," Mayl said.

Don Robinson said he too didn't need or ask for terrorism relief when he got a $765,000 government-backed loan in 2003 — drawn without his knowledge from the Sept. 11 program — to start a motorcycle shop in Brigham City, Utah.

"Actually, the motorcycle industry grew after 9/11," Robinson said. "People just took their money out of the stock market to buy toys."

Dentists and chiropractors also were frequent, but unwitting, beneficiaries. "They weren't putting their health second to anything else," chiropractor Colby Shores said of his patients in the suburbs of Rochester, N.Y. He was unaware his $87,000 loan with a 4 percent interest rate came from the terror relief program.

The loan patterns uncovered by AP left some seething in the neighborhoods directly scarred by Sept. 11.

"You have to take it back and give it to us. Even now, I could use it," said Mike Yagudayev, who said the SBA would only provide him $20,000 of a $70,000 loan he requested to rebuild his hair salon flattened by the collapse of World Trade Center towers in New York.

"I said, `You know what, take it back. Twenty thousand is like an insult,"' he recalled.

Thousands of businesses far from the devastation had no trouble getting SBA loans, simply submitting short applications that linked their slow business to the widespread economic fallout caused by Sept. 11. For instance:

—Karl Grimmelmann, general manager of KBFS-AM "Hit Kickin' Country" in Belle Fourche, S.D., borrowed $135,000 from SBA's disaster program after learning about it from a news release. He said his station was forced to pay more money to cover national news and also lost advertisers. "Everybody started holding onto their money, plain and simple," he said.

—Margie Olson, co-owner of the Torii Mor Winery in McMinnville, Ore., said her business needed a $125,000 loan because it couldn't sell high-end pinot noir to Manhattan restaurants that had closed. "Everyone started hitting the heavy stuff," Olson said, laughing.

—Melva Kravitz, co-owner of the Little Dogs Resort & Salon in Salt Lake City that offers boarding and grooming services for small dogs, said people stopped taking vacations and boarding their pets after Sept. 11, requiring her $50,000 loan. "It was awful," she said. "You just couldn't go on."

—Christine Hilty, co-owner of Violettes Boutique on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, said the perfume shop lost 60 percent of its business overnight as tourism stopped. She got a $169,500 loan from SBA. "Would we have closed our doors? It was close," she said. "Everyone was afraid to get on a plane. Tourism was totally halted."

Though the loan programs have ended, the government is inheriting a residual burden. Already, taxpayers have been forced to cover about 600 defaulted disaster loans — some approaching $1 million each — from companies that went bankrupt or closed. More defaults are expected.

Jim Hammersley, who runs the SBA's collection arm, said many applicants asked for too much or too little money to keep their businesses afloat.

"The folks that were dealing with the aftermath of 9/11 didn't have anything that certain to try and gauge whether they needed money or how much they needed," he said.

Phil's Obervations
I'm angry at the negligence and stupidy. My tax dollars wasted again. I usually support the SBA, but this is pathetic. And the fact that our Congress wrote the laws/guidelines/rules so loosely pisses me off.

Racism Card Played Again ... And Again ... And Again

2005-09-04T16:19:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

Racism is partly to blame for the deadly aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, calling President Bush's response to the disaster "incompetent."

"Today, as the President comes to Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi for his ceremonial trip to look at the victims of the devastation, he would do well to have a plan more significant than a ceremonial tour," Jackson said Friday.

"His whole response is unacceptable."

Bush has acknowledged that the federal response has not been acceptable, but promised that the government would get supplies to survivors and crack down on violence in New Orleans.

Jackson questioned why Bush has not named blacks to top positions in the federal response to the disaster, particularly when the majority of victims remaining stranded in New Orleans are black: "How can blacks be locked out of the leadership, and trapped in the suffering?"

"It is that lack of sensitivity and compassion that represents a kind of incompetence."

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russell Honore, head of the military task force overseeing operations in the three states, is black. His task force is providing search and rescue, medical help and sending supplies to the three states in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Jackson was in Baton Rouge to take part in a local project using a caravan of buses to pick up people stranded in New Orleans and transport them out. He spoke at a news conference at the state emergency center.

The civil rights leader said the flooding that caused thousands to be trapped inside the city was caused by a lack of federal funding for its levee system and hurricane planning. The resulting tragedy, he said, has largely hit New Orleans' black residents, because they were too poor to evacuate before the storm hit.

"There's a historical indifference to the pain of poor people and black people" in this country, he said.

Jackson also said the news media has "criminalized the people of New Orleans" by focusing on violence in the city.

Phil's Observations
I think Jesse forgot to mention that the vast majority of New Orlean's government is controlled by his race. The majority of the now-wiped-out New Orleans was also controlled by corruption, all the way up and down the line. Remember, according to Jackson, all blacks appointed by Bush are just figure heads that follow his every lead and have no power. Yet, he still calls for more. Can't you ever get your story straight, Jesse? You even screwed up your marriage by having an affair and a child out of wedlock. Hmmmmm ....

Cindy Sheehan Glad Bush Didn't Come Out To Meet Her

2005-08-31T23:29:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

CRAWFORD, Texas - A woman who led an anti-war protest for nearly a month near President Bush’s ranch said Tuesday that she’s glad Bush never showed up to discuss her son’s death in Iraq, saying the president’s absence “galvanized the peace movement.”

Cindy Sheehan’s comments came as war protesters packed up their campsite near the ranch and prepared to leave Tuesday for a three-week bus tour.

“I look back on it, and I am very, very, very grateful he did not meet with me, because we have sparked and galvanized the peace movement,” Sheehan told The Associated Press. “If he’d met with me, then I would have gone home, and it would have ended there.” (Didn't you protest by saying that you wanted President Bush to come out and talk with you. You mean the whole thing was a front? a fraud? It was all about you? No way, I don't believe it!!)

Sheehan and about 50 other peace activists arrived in the one-stoplight town Aug. 6, the day after she spoke at a Veterans for Peace convention in Dallas. She and a few others spent that night in chairs in ditches, without food or flashlights, off the main road leading to the president’s ranch. (You mean she actually camped out this time? I could swear I saw photos and video footage of you actually protesting, then going away to relax and revitalize!!)

The Vacaville, Calif., woman vowed to stay until Bush’s monthlong vacation ended unless she could question him about the war that claimed the life of her 24-year-old son Casey and more than 1,870 other U.S. soldiers. (This was all about her, not her son. She just completely dishonored and disrespected him and his memory)

‘Love and support’
Two top Bush administration officials talked to Sheehan the first day, but the president never did — although he has said that he sympathizes with her and acknowledged her right to protest. His vacation is to end Wednesday, two days early, so he can monitor federal efforts to help victims of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast.

Sheehan’s vigil attracted crowds of other anti-war demonstrators. Most stayed a few hours or days at the original roadside camp or at the second, larger site about a mile away on a private lot offered by a sympathetic landowner.

The massive response has transformed her life, she said. (Gee, could it be because all those whacko liberal organizations came to your aid?!?!}

“I thought our country was going down, down, down. I thought nobody cared about our children killed in the war, but millions care, and millions care about our country and want to make it better,” she said. “The love and support I’ve received give me hope that my life can someday be normal.” (Stop centering your life around you, and you might actually be able to live a normal life)

The protest also sparked counter rallies by Bush supporters who accused Sheehan of using her son’s death to push the liberal agenda of groups supporting her. Critics also said the anti-war demonstration was hurting U.S. troop morale while boosting the Iraqi insurgency.

Many Bush supporters pointed out that Sheehan never spoke against Bush or the war when she and other grieving families met the president about two months after her son died last year.

Anti-war tour
Sheehan said she was still in shock over Casey’s death during that meeting. She said she became enraged after independent reports disputed Bush administration claims that Saddam Hussein had chemical and biological weapons — a main justification for the March 2003 invasion.

After leaving Crawford, protesters will spread their message on a three-week “Bring Them Home Now Tour” with stops in 25 states. Buses on three routes will meet in Washington, D.C., for a Sept. 24 anti-war march.

Sheehan will leave the tour next week to spend time with her family, including her mother who recently suffered a stroke, which caused Sheehan to miss a week of the protest.

Phil's Observations

The one and only post on this ... this ... this ... excuse for a mom.

Iraqi's Want To Live ...

2005-08-31T23:22:00.000-05:00

Cuortesy of

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Panicked by rumors of a bomber, thousands of Shiite pilgrims broke into a stampede on a bridge during a religious procession Wednesday, crushing one another or plunging 30 feet into the muddy Tigris river. About 800 died, mostly women and children, officials said.

Hundreds of lost sandals littered the two-lane bridge while children floundered in the waters below, trying to reach dry land. The tragedy was the single biggest loss of life known in Iraq since the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

"We heard that a suicide attacker was among the crowd," said Fadhel Ali, 28, barefoot and soaking wet on the riverbank. "Everybody was yelling, so I jumped from the bridge into the river, swam and reached the bank. I saw women, children and old men falling after me into the water."

The crowd was on edge because of the 110-degree heat, a mortar barrage near the Shiite shrine where they were headed and the ever-present fear of homicide bombers, etched into memories after repeated attacks against large religious gatherings. Seven people died in the mortar barrage three hours before the stampede, the U.S. military said.

Police later said they found no explosives at the bridge — either on any individual or in any cars parked nearby. Instead, poor crowd control and the climate of fear in Iraq after years of bullets, bombings and bloodshed appeared largely to have caused the horrific carnage.

Marchers jammed up at a checkpoint at the western edge of the Imams bridge, which has been closed to civilians for months to prevent movement by extremists between the Shiite neighborhood of Kazimiyah and the Sunni district of Azamiyah across the river.

"This tragedy was the direct result of terrorism; hundreds of innocent people, mostly women and children, have died because of the fear and panic that terrorists are sowing in Iraq," NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in a statement.

Defense Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi, a Sunni, said three bombers were stopped Wednesday some distance from the shrine, but "blew themselves up before reaching their destination."

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington that he was not aware of any evidence that the stampede on the bridge was caused by a bombing.

Others blamed the government and the U.S.-trained security forces.

"Early security measures should have been taken to protect the lives of citizens and organize their processions," Iraqi Communist Party leader Hameed Majid Mousa told Al-Arabiya television. "We all know that there are terrorists who lie in wait for such events and prepare to ambush the people. ... Why are the processions not organized?"

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, told state-run Iraqiya television that "the government should take measures for an honest investigation to determine how failures doubled the casualties."

The marchers were commemorating the death in the year 799 of Imam Moussa ibn Jaafar al-Kadhim, one of the 12 principle Shiite saints who is buried in a mosque in the northern Baghdad neighborhood of Kazimiyah.

Since the 2003 ouster of Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, the Shiite political parties have encouraged huge turnouts at religious festivals to display the majority sect's power in the new Iraq. Sunni religious extremists have often targeted the gatherings to foment sectarian war, but that has not stopped the Shiites.

The ceremonies have often been chaotic, with huge crowds overtaxing the ability of police and security services to protect them. Television reports said about 1 million pilgrims from Baghdad and outlying provinces had gathered near the shrine on Wednesday.

Reflecting the confusion, casualty figures from various government agencies also varied widely. The Health Ministry said 769 people were killed and 307 wounded, while the Interior Ministry put the figure at 844 dead and 458 injured. The country's biggest Shiite party gave figures of 759 dead and 300 wounded. Other reports estimated the death toll would climb above 1,000.

"Pushing started when a rumor was spread by a terrorist who claimed that there was a person with an explosive belt, which caused panic," Interior Minister Bayn Jabr said. "Some fell from the bridge, others fell on the barricades" and were trampled to death.

No official offered any evidence that Sunni insurgents were directly responsible for spreading the false rumor.

Scores of bodies covered with white sheets lay on the sidewalk outside one hospital under the broiling sun because the morgue was packed. Many of them were women in black gowns, as well as children and old men.

Sobbing relatives wandered among the dead, lifting the sheets to try to identify their kin. When they found them, they would shriek in grief, pound their chests or collapse to the ground, sobbing.

Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a Shiite, declared a three-day mourning period.

In other violence, a U.S. soldier was killed and three were wounded Wednesday when a bomb exploded in the city of Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said. The military also said another American soldier was killed Tuesday by a bomb in Iskandariyah, 30 miles south of Baghdad.

The several mortar and rockets fired at the Shiite neighborhood before the march struck about 600 yards from the Imam Kadhim shrine, the U.S. military said. U.S. Apache helicopters fired at the attackers.

In March 2004 homicide attackers struck worshippers at the Imam Kadhim shrine and a holy site in Karbala, killing at least 181 overall.

The head of the country's major Sunni clerical group, the Association of Muslim Scholars, told Al-Jazeera television that Wednesday's disaster was "another catastrophe and something else that could be added to the list of ongoing Iraqi tragedies."

"On this occasion we want to express our condolences to all the Iraqis and the parents of the martyrs, who fell today in Kazimiyah and all over Iraq," said the cleric, Haith al-Dhari.

Phil's Observations
It seems clear to me that the everyday, common Iraqi's want to live. You see, it is the extreme finatics and terrorists that don't care if they die killing the infidels. The others want to live and prosper. Fuck those who think the everyday Iraqi man, woman, or child doesn't want us there to give them freedom.

Corporate Citizenship: Remember the Companies Who Cared

2005-08-31T23:19:00.000-05:00

Phil's Observation
The corporate world is riddiculed often. Always out for the big buck, screw the little guy, you know, stuff like that. But we need to remember that just like there are rotten apples out there, there are a few good ones, too. Like these ...

Pharmaceutical companies rounded up much-needed medicine, water suppliers loaded trucks with thirst-quenching cargo and companies from petroleum giants to beer makers pitched in millions in cash and products Wednesday to help communities battered by Hurricane Katrina.

The efforts to collect money and goods to help the Gulf Coast rebuild gathered momentum Wednesday as officials continued assessing the damage from one of the nation's worst natural disasters.

American Red Cross spokeswoman Sarah Marchetti said at least 30 companies had made donations by Wednesday morning, and the number was expected to climb.

"They've been pouring in," she said.

In Indianapolis, drug maker Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) prepared to send 40,000 vials of refrigerated insulin to patients in the Southeast, along with at least $1 million in cash to the American Red Cross.

"We're poised to ship as soon as we get the OK," Lilly spokesman Edward Sagebiel said.

Drug maker Wyeth (WYE) of Madison, N.J., planned to donate antibiotics and nonprescription pain relievers, health care giant Johnson & Johnson provided $250,000 worth of kits containing toothbrushes, soap and shampoo, as well as pallets of pain relievers and wound care supplies. Drug maker Merck & Co. (MRK) planned to send antibiotics and hepatitis A vaccines to protect those facing contaminated waters.

"Our commitment is open-ended," said Merck spokeswoman Janet Skidmore.

Illinois-based pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories Inc. is giving $2 million cash and at least $2 million in nutritional and medical products.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said initial corporate donations to the relief efforts could total more than $100 million.

Hank Goldstein, chairman of Giving USA in Glenview, Ill., said individual and corporate donations combined could reach $1 billion.

But he predicted the corporate relief effort would be smaller than those recorded after the 2001 terrorist attacks and the tsunami that ravaged Asia in December.

"This kind of money comes quick and comes early and then falls off fast after that," Goldstein said. "It will abate along with the water."

Donations Wednesday already had reached well into the millions and included $5 million from Chevron Corp., $3 million each from JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup, $2 million from Pfizer and $1 million from insurer State Farm.

The Walt Disney Co. contributed $2.5 million, $1 million of which will go to the American Red Cross and the rest for rebuilding efforts and volunteer centers helping affected communities.

The contributions also included 50 trucks donated by Nissan North America to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, more than 825,000 cans of water supplied by Anheuser-Busch (BUD) in St. Louis and 3,000 walkie talkie-type phones for emergency personnel from Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) Kellogg Co. (K) of Battle Creek, Mich., sent seven truckloads of crackers and cookies to hard-hit areas. General Motors Corp. (GM) also planned to donate 25 cars and trucks to the Red Cross.

Qwest Communications International Inc. will send 2,000 long-distance calling cards so those affected could call loved ones, said spokesman Michael Dunne. He said Denver-based Qwest also has given the Red Cross $230,000 to help train responders.

Home improvement companies Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW) pledged cash and manpower, while Culligan International of Northbrook, Ill., sent five truckloads of water to residents in Alabama and Mississippi.

The water, part of a larger, 28-truck convoy organized by the Missouri-based Convoy of Hope, was traveling at 10 mph through Mississippi.

"It's very treacherous," said Mike Ennis, director of strategic initiatives at Convoy of Hope.

Office Depot (ODP) of Delray Beach, Fla., donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief efforts. Officials announced Wednesday the company also would give the contents of its five New Orleans stores, valued at $4 million, to New Orleans officials to use as they recover from Hurricane Katrina.

Spokesman Brian Levine said the contents include items such as printers, paper, cartridges, pens and notebooks. What might be available and its condition were unclear.

City officials on Wednesday commandeered equipment from a looted Office Depot. During a state of emergency, authorities have broad powers to take private supplies and buildings for their use.

But Levine couldn't say what condition the items might be in given the flooding that has ravaged the city.

"I couldn't tell you if it's completely flooded, a little flooded, or not," he said. "Our position is we're donating the contents of the entire store."

Katrina: Images of Destruction

2005-08-31T23:15:00.000-05:00

Katrina: The Storm That Marked Time

2005-08-31T20:54:00.000-05:00

You know, every once-in-a-while, an event occurs that marks time. You know, you refer to a period of time when there was a major event. The event - whatever it was - helps the listener's mind retrieve memories. Typically, there are feelings associated with the memories that acts like a catalyst to open that part of our brain and a rush of memories comes to the forefront. Here are some events that have marked time in my mind: the Iranian Hostage Situation, the Challenger Accident, the Columbia Accident, The Chernobyl Incident, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Exxon Valdez accident, the 1985 Mexico earthquake killing 7,000 people, the 1989 San Francisco quake, Hirricane Andrew, Mississippi flood of '93, Oklahoma City bombing, TWA 800, and, of course, 9/11.

Now I have to add Katrina to the mix. This is an enormous disaster. It was a Cat 5, then a Cat 4, and went east of New Orleans ... we thought it wasn't going to be as bad ... then it got worse ... and then worse ... and then worse ... and officials speculate if New Orleans is even salvageable. We are now day three after the hurricane. It's an emotional toll. People, places, property, economy are all effected. What can you say to respond to such a natural disaster?

I'm posting some tidbits, thoughts, and photos from what I am seeing and reading. All tidbits and photos are courtesy of AP and Reuters. All thoughts are Phil's Obersvations ...

As of August 31st, a recap on the wrath of Katrina:

LOUISIANA:

— Deaths: The mayor said the hurricane probably killed thousands of people in New Orleans — an estimate that, if accurate, would make the storm the nation's deadliest natural disaster since at least the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Relief crews put aside the counting of bodies to concentrate on rescuing the living, many trapped on rooftops and in attics.

— Estimated 80 percent of New Orleans under water, up to 20 feet deep in places. Water still rising as engineers struggle to plug two breached levees along Lake Pontchartrain with giant sandbags.

— Authorities drew up plans to clear out the tens of thousands of people left in the Big Easy and all but abandon the flooded-out city. Many of the evacuees — including thousands now staying in the Superdome — will be moved to the Astrodome in Houston, 350 miles away.

— Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu said 3,000 people rescued by boat and air.

— Sections of Interstate 10, only major freeway leading into New Orleans from the east, destroyed.

— At least 370,000 customers estimated without power.

— BellSouth Corp., the region's dominant local phone provider, estimated that about 750,000 lines may be out of service in the most heavily damaged areas.

— Looting broke out in some New Orleans neighborhoods. Thieves took guns from a Wal-Mart. One police officer shot in the head by looter but expected to recover. Looters also used a forklift to smash open a pharmacy. City officials themselves commandeered equipment from a looted Office Depot. During a state of emergency, authorities have broad powers to take private supplies and buildings for their use.

— Quote: "You know, it's not like people are just there because they want to be there. They're there because they're trapped in the city." — Gov. Kathleen Blanco on ABC "Good Morning America"

MISSISSIPPI:

— Deaths: At least 110.

— More than 900,000 customers without power, utilities said.

— Hundreds of waterfront homes, businesses, community landmarks and condominiums obliterated.

— Casinos built on barges along the coast damaged or destroyed, some floated across beach onto land. Dozen casinos employed about 14,000 people, generated $2.7 billion in annual revenue.

— More than 1,600 Mississippi National Guardsmen activated.

— Major bridges damaged in three coastal counties, including those linking Biloxi with Ocean Springs and the connection to Bay St. Louis.

— Looters picked through casino slot machines for coins and ransacked other businesses.

— Quote: "It is indescribable — blocks and blocks and blocks of no houses. Ninety percent of the structures are gone. I saw Camille and the aftermath in 1969 and this is worst than Camille." Gov. Haley Barbour on NBC's "Today." Camille killed 143 and destroyed 6,000 homes.

ALABAMA:

— Deaths: Two.

— About 405,000 homes and businesses without power.

— Flooding reached 11 feet in Mobile, matching record set in 1917, according to National Weather Service. Water up to roofs of cars in downtown Mobile and bayou communities. Piers ransacked and grand homes flooded along Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.

— Major bridge over the Mobile River partially reopened; it was struck by oil drilling platform that floated away from a shipyard.

FLORIDA:

— Deaths: 11.

— 38,000 customers without power in the Panhandle, hit by eastern edge of storm Monday. In South Florida, about 70,000 customers still without power Wednesday.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:

— President Bush cut Texas vacation to return to Washington.

— Federal Emergency Management Agency sent medical teams, rescue squads and groups prepared to supply food and water into disaster areas.

— Navy sent four ships to the Gulf Coast with water, other supplies.

OIL MARKETS:

— Crude oil prices dropped to a little below $70 a barrel after U.S. government decided to make petroleum available from strategic reserve.

— Oil and gas companies found some Gulf of Mexico oil rigs as far as 17 miles from their original locations.
---
NEW ORLEANS — A public health emergency was declared for the entire Gulf Coast Wednesday as New Orleans officials estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, of city residents were killed by Hurricane Katrina and the storm's aftermath.

"This recovery will take a long time," President Bush said. "This recovery will take years."

There will be a "total evacuation of the city. We have to. The city will not be functional for two or three months," New Orleans Mayor Nagin said.

In some counties, search and rescue teams were marking an "X" on homes and roofs where dead bodies were found so that they can later be retrieved.

The U.S. Coast Guard has rescued over 1,200 people from rooftops as rescue workers toil around the clock with the help of Navy, U.S. Customs, Marine and Army helicopters.

It could take close to a month to get the water out of the city. If the water rises a few feet higher, it could also wipe out the water system for the whole city, said New Orleans' homeland security chief, Terry Ebbert.

A giant new Wal-Mart in New Orleans was looted, and the entire gun collection was taken, The Times-Picayune reported. "There are gangs of armed men in the city moving around the city," said Ebbert, the city's homeland security chief. Also, looters tried to break into Children's Hospital, the governor's office said.

According to New Orleans power grid managers, it will take six to eight weeks to get power back on in the city after the water is drained. Water service likely won't be reestablished until a week or so after that, at the earliest.
----
NEW ORLEANS — As a public health catastrophe unfolded Wednesday in New Orleans, hospitals in the Crescent City sank further into disaster, airlifting babies without their parents to other states and struggling with more sick people appearing at their doors.

"We've identified 2,600 beds in hospitals in the 12-state area. In addition to that, we've identified 40,000 beds nationwide, should they be needed," said Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt.

Reporting from New Orleans Wednesday, Fox News' Shepard Smith said the breakdown in communication equipment was exacerbating the problem, as survivors had no information about where to go or how to get help. Thousands of victims were not being reached by rescue and relief efforts, Smith reported, and many were desperate for drinking water and food. A group of 14 people, including a five day-old baby, told Smith they had spent two days trapped in the attic of a house flooded with water 14 feet high before being rescued. Trapped in sweltering heat, without working phones, cell phones or television, survivors begged for help and information.
------
The enormity of setting up to what's essentially a small, working city is daunting, said Margaret O'Brien-Molina, a Red Cross spokeswoman.

"After Sept. 11, we had a lot of logistical work to do, but we weren't setting up a whole city for people who have no homes to go to anymore. This is different, so we'll adapt to it," she said.
-----
Transportation Department workers were ordered to help highways, airports, seaports and oil pipelines in the region. Generators were being moved to pipeline pumping stations to restore the flow of oil to the region.

Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta said that more than 400 trucks are mobilizing 5.4 million read-to-eat meals, 13.4 million liters of water, 3.4 million pounds of ice, 135,000 blankets, 11,000 cots, 200 tables and 450 chairs among other items.

The Pentagon sent four Navy ships from Hampton Roads to the Gulf of Mexico to help with hurricane relief efforts. They will join the U.S.S. Bataan, which was already in the Gulf for training. Two ships left Norfolk Thursday morning and two more headed out in the afternoon.

In addition, the hospital ship USNS Comfort was departing Baltimore for the Gulf region on Wednesday while eight swift water rescue teams from California headed to Louisiana to help pull stranded residents from their flooded homes and neighborhoods. The Army and Air Force were also providing search and rescue helicopters.

Bodman said that his agency is keeping an eye out for price gouging. In some areas on Wednesday, gas prices had surpassed $3 per gallon, with rates rising as much as 40 cents per gallon overnight at some stations.
-----
NEW YORK — U.S. retail gasoline prices will probably vault well over $3.00 per gallon in most parts of the country as early as this weekend after Hurricane Katrina devastated the energy industry in the Gulf Coast, analysts said Wednesday.

Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast on Monday, shutting nearly all of the Gulf of Mexico's oil production -- about a quarter of the nation's oil output -- and closing down nine refineries and several pipelines along the coast, according to government figures.

The price rise could bring the cost of gasoline above the inflation-adjusted peaks in the early 1980s.
------
NEW ORLEANS — Mayor Ray Nagin ordered 1,500 police officers to leave their search-and-rescue mission Wednesday night and return to the streets to stop looting that has turned increasingly hostile as the city plunges deeper into chaos.

"They are starting to get closer to heavily populated areas — hotels, hospitals, and we're going to stop it right now," Nagin said in a statement to The Associated Press.

The number of officers called off the search-and-rescue mission amounts to virtually the entire police force in New Orleans.

Managers at a nursing home were prepared to cope with the power outages and had enough food for days, but then the looting began. The home's bus driver was forced to surrender the vehicle to carjackers.

"We had enough food for 10 days," said Peggy Hoffman, the home's executive director. "Now we'll have to equip our department heads with guns and teach them how to shoot."

"We will restore law and order," Blanco said. "What angers me the most is that disasters like this often bring out the worst in people. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior."

Phils' Observations
New Orleans is destroyed. Golf Shores is destroyed. Mobile almost gone. Gulfport, Biloxi destroyed. Not sure what's salvageable or not. Thousands displaced. No power, no gas, no communications. Dead bodies everywhere. Thousands walking in water struggling to find dry land, water, food and sleep. Fuckin' looters taking guns, electronics, and other non-survival crap. Hospitals struggling. Nursing homes looted. Geez, what else can you say?

Sharpton's Driver Pulled Over Doing 110

2005-08-29T20:35:00.000-05:00

Cuortesy of

CRAWFORD, Texas — A driver for the Rev. Al Sharpton led Ellis County Sheriff's deputies on a nine-mile chase at speeds up to 110 mph before state troopers stopped the car, authorities said.

The driver was rushing Sharpton to the airport after his visit anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan on Sunday at her camp outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford.

The car carrying Sharpton and two other passengers was clocked doing 110 mph in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 35 in Ellis County in North Texas, said Lt. Danny Williams.

The car ignored deputies' attempts to stop it and continued speeding and weaving in and out of traffic before it was stopped, Williams said.

Calls Monday to Sharpton's spokeswoman were not immediately returned. A spokesman for his attorney, Michael Hardy, referred inquiries to the spokeswoman.

Deputies arrested Jarrett Barton Maupin, 43, of Phoenix. Maupin told the officers he was hurrying to get Sharpton to the airport. Deputies impounded the rented 2005 Lincoln.

Williams said his officers offered Sharpton and the other, unidentified passengers a ride to a hotel across the highway, but they declined and walked there instead.

Maupin posted a total of $1,000 in bonds on charges of evading arrest with a vehicle and reckless driving.

Canadians & Republicans Dissappointed: American's Didn't Flock to Canada After All

2005-08-28T14:31:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of

OTTAWA- Canadians can put away those extra welcome mats -- it seems Americans unhappy about the result of last November's presidential election have decided to stay at home after all.

In the days after President Bush won a second term, the number of U.S. citizens visiting Canada's main immigration Web site shot up sixfold, prompting speculation that unhappy Democrats would flock north.

But official statistics show the number of Americans actually applying to live permanently in Canada fell in the six months after the election.

On the face of it this is not good news -- Canada is one of the few major nations seeking to attract immigrants -- but Immigration Minister Joe Volpe was philosophical.

"We'll take talent from wherever it is resident in the world. I was absolutely elated to see the number of hits and then my staff said 'You know what? A hit on the Internet is after all just a hit'," he told Reuters on Thursday.

"I guess I'm happy Republicans and Democrats have found a way to live together in peace and in harmony," he said.

Canada generally tilts more to the social and political left than the United States.

Data from the main Canadian processing center in Buffalo, NY shows that in the six months up to the U.S. election there were 16,266 applications from people seeking to live in Canada, a figure that fell to 14,666 for the half year after the vote.

A spokeswoman for Canada's federal immigration ministry declined to speculate on the reasons for the drop.

Toby Condliffe, who heads the Canadian chapter of Democrats Abroad, did have an explanation of sorts.

"I can only assume the Americans who checked out the Web site subsequently checked out our winter temperatures and further took note that the National Hockey League was being locked out and had second thoughts," he told Reuters.

Last year, Canada, which has a population of about 32 million, accepted 235,808 immigrants from all over the world.

Phil's Observations
I'm not sure what to do besides laugh. And smile. And then laugh again.

New Link Added to Phil's Observations

2005-08-27T15:04:00.000-05:00

A buddy of mine has a new site promoting how his amazing talent will make your major life event so much more special. Joe's got the ability to take whatever idea you have and turn it into a beautiful song. Even better, he'll come and perform for you. Be sure to check out his new site. Click on the pic of Joe and his guitar in the left column.

Time for a change ...

2005-08-21T23:25:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a new background for da blog. Previews look great, but the url doesn't show the blog like the way I want it. I may have to figure something out, cuz I don't think I know what I am doing ... like usual!

Civics Lessons?

2005-08-09T07:58:00.000-05:00

O'Connor to Lead Civics Lessons for ABA

Courtesy of

CHICAGO — Retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is taking on a new challenge: overseeing a national civics lesson.

Many adults struggle to identify the branches of government — legislative, executive and judicial — and explain the concept of separation of powers, according to a new poll.

Michael Greco, a Boston lawyer who takes over as ABA president this week, asked O'Connor and former presidential candidate and Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J., to help educate people on the subject. They will be honorary co-chairs of a civic education commission.

The ABA poll, being released Monday, shows that just over half of adults can correctly identify the branches. One in five incorrectly said that the three branches were Republican, Democrat and independent, and 16 percent thought the three were local, state and federal. While eight in 10 people said that separation of powers is important, less than half, when given four choices, correctly picked that "Congress, the president and the federal courts each have different responsibilities." Nearly a third said it meant different federal departments have different powers.

"There are some significant gaps in people's knowledge," Greco said. O'Connor, 75, served as an Arizona state senator and judge before President Reagan named her to the Supreme Court in 1981.

Her retirement, announced last month, provides its own civics lesson. Under the Constitution, Supreme Court justices (judicial branch) are named by the president (executive) but must be confirmed first by the Senate (legislative).

The poll of 1,002 adults was conducted July 22-27 by Harris Interactive. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Phil's Observations
Doesn't this so clearly demonstrate that our educational system is lacking???? I really understand if someone doesn't know the specifics of how our "for the people, by the people" government works, but can't we just learn the basics? Simple things like the three branches, their roles, and how laws are made?? Aweful scary to me ...

Ya ever have that feelin'?

2005-08-07T15:25:00.000-05:00

that time flies so damn fast it's hard to keep up? It's been months since I've posted to the blog, and it's been months since I've thought about it. So many other "things" are to be completed or accomplished, it's like this grand idea of a blog that I had just got pushed to the wayside. I actually feel a little bit guilty over it, simply because my intention was to stay on top of the blog.

There have been so many events that have taken place since I last posted, and now it would take forever to get caught up. So I am just going to have to live with the fact of no posts in several months, sincerely ask for readership apology, and continue on.

What's on my mind today do you ask? Individual spirit. One of the women I help though an agency I volunteer for drives me insane. This woman is 51 years old, twice divorced, with six kids, the littlest ones being 7, 9, and 14. This poor woman has had to deal with so many court hearings and trials since her divorce from her second husband it's insane. She struggles to keep up, and she struggles to maintain a positive attitude. Sometimes she loses this struggle. She has a hard time managing her time, and an even harder time managing what little money she has. But yet, this women has been enrolled in five consecutive semesters part-time at a local college, and has recieved a 4.0 for four of them, a 3.8 for the other. It simply amazes me that she struggles so much to live life, but when she's committed to something, she can do so well.

Today is a beautiful day. Family is coming over so I am gonna fire up the grill for some good ol' burgers and brats. I hope you're doing well.

Feel Guilty

2005-03-15T00:21:00.000-06:00

Hi gang. I haven't posted in a while. Been busy, haven't placed much priority on the blog. I will again soon. So much to write about. Take care.

2005-02-28T23:34:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

BEIRUT, Lebanon — With shouts of "Syria out!" 25,000 protesters massed outside Parliament in a dramatic display of defiance that forced out Lebanon's pro-Syrian prime minister and Cabinet Monday, two weeks after the assassination of a popular politician touched off increasing unrest.
Minutes after Prime Minister Omar Karami announced he was stepping down, jubilant demonstrators — shouting, waving flags and handing red roses to soldiers — demanded that Syrian-backed President Emile Lahoud bow out, too, and pressed on with their calls for Syria to withdraw its troops from the country.
Syria remained silent about the rapidly changing atmosphere in Beirut, where it ruled unopposed for years, even deciding on Lebanon's leaders, after deploying troops ostensibly as peacekeepers during the 1975-90 civil war.
But the dramatic developments — reminiscent of Ukraine's peaceful "orange revolution" and broadcast live across the Arab world — could provoke a strong response from Syria, which keeps 15,000 troops in Lebanon. It also could plunge this nation of 3.5 million back into a period of uncertainty, political vacuum or worse.
Like their counterparts in Ukraine, the Lebanese demonstrators took their ground and held it — they planned to stay in Beirut's central Martyrs' Square again Monday night. And like Ukraine, their movement had trademark colors: the bright red and white of the Lebanese flag, waved high in the air and worn as a scarf.
The White House welcomed Karami's resignation, saying it opens the door for new elections that are "free of all foreign interference" from Syria, but called again on Damascus to pull out its soldiers.
"Syrian military forces and intelligence personnel need to leave the country," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. "That will help ensure that elections are free and fair."
In one sign Syria has no intention of just packing up and leaving, Syrian President Bashar Assad said in remarks published Monday that there will be a price for Syrian troop withdrawal: a settlement with Israel.
"Under a technical point of view, the withdrawal can happen by the end of the year," Assad told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. "But under a strategic point of view, it will only happen if we obtain serious guarantees. In one word: peace."
At first glance, the resignation of Karami and his government was a huge victory for the opposition, united by dislike of the Syrians, the Syrian-backed government and the drive to find those who killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri two weeks ago. Many blame Syria for his assassination.
A series of protests have shaken Lebanon since Hariri, the nation's most prominent politician, was killed by a bomb in Beirut Feb. 14. Sixteen others also died.
The government may have stepped down, at least in part, in hopes of quelling the unprecedented anger at Syria and its allies in Lebanon. Despite the resignation, Damascus remains the major player in Lebanon: aside from its troops, it has powerful allies, including the president, the intelligence services and the military.
President Lahoud quickly accepted the resignation of Karami's 4-month-old Cabinet — which replaced Hariri's government — and asked Karami to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.
But opposition leaders — a diverse group of Muslim, Druse and Christians — demanded a neutral government to organize parliamentary elections this spring and to investigate Hariri's murder.
Druse opposition leader Walid Jumblatt, responding to Assad's published remarks, said Lebanon "cannot wait for peace to be achieved" in the Middle East and demanded a speedy troop withdrawal.
The State Department's annual report on human rights abuses around the world, released Monday, called the events in Lebanon a "Cedar Revolution" — a moniker that brings the country in line with Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution, Georgia's Rose Revolution, and Ukraine's Orange Revolution.
"In Lebanon, we see growing momentum for a Cedar Revolution that is unifying the citizens of that nation to the cause of true democracy and freedom from foreign influence," Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky said, referring to the majestic tree that is celebrated in the Bible as a symbol of well-being and appears on Lebanon's flag.
Monday's demonstration came exactly two weeks after Hariri's slaying. Banks, businesses and most schools were closed to protest the killing. Among the demonstrators were lawyers in black court robes, doctors in white coats, businessmen, housewives and students.
Hundreds of soldiers and police ringed Martyrs' Square, but there was no violence, even as more and more protesters evaded the cordon and join the demonstration. Protest leaders urged their followers not to provoke the security forces, and some security officers appeared to sympathize with the illegal demonstration.
Protesters gave red roses to some soldiers, and sang the national anthem and chanted: "Syria out!" and "We want no other army in Lebanon except the Lebanese army!"
At the nearby Parliament building, Karami had asked the legislature for a vote of confidence. Even though he almost certainly would have won, he resigned instead of calling the vote.
In announcing his resignation, Karami said he did it for the good of Lebanon after withstanding unjust criticism of his government in the parliamentary debate.
"I am keen that the government will not be a hurdle in front of those who want the good for this country. I declare the resignation of the government that I had the honor to head. May God preserve Lebanon," Karami said in remarks heard through loudspeakers and watched on a giant screen by throngs on the Martyrs' Square.
Demonstrators immediately shouted for Lahoud to step down, and speakers urged them to stay put until heads of the security agencies resign as well. The demonstrators also called for the Syrian intelligence chief to leave and for the Syrian army to withdraw.
"Lahoud, your turn is coming!" the crowd shouted.
Lahoud's six-year term was renewed in September by Parliament, under apparent Syrian pressure, in defiance of a U.N. resolution that demanded Lebanon hold presidential elections and the withdrawal of Syrian troops.
While Karami's Cabinet continues as a caretaker government, the president consults with parliament then appoints a new prime minister. That person consults parliamentary blocs to form a Cabinet, which must withstand a parliamentary vote of confidence. Normally, the process takes a few weeks.
Opposition leaders were quick to try to quiet any qualms in Damascus.
"We don't want this victory to be a defeat for Syria," legislator Ghazi Aridi told the crowd.
And Jumblatt, who has been holed up at his ancestral home in the mountains for fear of assassination, said: "We reject any animosity toward Syria. We want a correct relationship."
Phil's Observations
I'm taking the optomistic approach to this news. I think it could lead to a new Labanon with a representative government. But I also know the region, and am cautious to see how Syria effects the next few months.

No posts

2005-02-24T11:58:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've posted. Been busy and haven't been inspired to write about anything lately.

An "anonymous" person posted a comment on a recent post. I deleted their comment and pasted it in a new comment. The only change I made to the original comment is that I removed a link to a website. The website promoted hate. As most of my regular viewers know, I do not promote hate, and found the website inappropriate. Actually, I found it very childish. It's now gone.

I am often amused by people. It's fun to observe how people present themselves. I love a good debate. I love people who strongly disagree with me. In fact, some of my best friends have differing viewpoints than I do. But do you know why we are still friends? Because we know that when we have a very lively debate, we still love each other and ourselves and can laugh about it. We don't take it personally. We don't get offended by what each other says. We can discuss or argue about life, media, politics, friends, family, laws, whatever and get very dramatic when we present an idea or perspective, but we always let it go when we're done and go out for some drinks or dinner. Or go on vacations or trips together. You don't hear me talking about a friend's opinion to another person. And you don't hear my friend talk about my opinion to someone else. We let it go and move on. Too many times, people aren't willing to let it go and move forward. We need to stop re-living the present or past. You'll get left behind if you don't move forward.

P.S. Seth is on his way home from Iraq. I wish him a safe and speedy trip home. I hope he continues to post once he gets home and transitions back into "semi-regular" life. Be sure to check out his blog. The link is in the left sidebar.

Oh, and another thing. Somewhere, somehow, I got some spyware, adware, or virus on my PC. I'm working diligently (or not so diligently) to remove it. I think I've located the problem, but am having trouble getting rid of it. Everytime I try to get rid of it, I get an Windows error message that it cannot be deleted because another program is using it. Actually, now that I've been infected, I think I have more that one problem. I've got a VX2, whatever the hell that is, and have had no luck getting rid of it. Any, it's caused me some frustration. But hell, how enjoyable would life be if we didn't have some challenges to overcome.

I have Thursday & Friday off this week, so I get four straight days to do nuttin but vegitate. I'm looking forward to it.

Chicago Auto Show

2005-02-16T21:02:00.000-06:00

Here is where I will be tomorrow, in case anyone wanted to know. LOL

Chicago Auto Show Website

Remember, if someone doesn't pump up my ego, I might as well do it.

Iran, Nukes, & Spy Planes

2005-02-16T08:23:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

Iran: U.S. Flew Spy Drones Over Nuke Sites

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's intelligence chief on Wednesday accused the United States of flying spy drones over its nuclear sites and threatened to shoot down the unmanned surveillance crafts.
Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi comments backed a report in The Washington Post on Sunday that quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying the drones have been flying over Iran for nearly a year to seek evidence of nuclear weapons programs.
"U.S. spying activities over Iranian airspace have been going since a long time ago," Yunesi told reporters.
"Most of the shining objects that our people see in Iran's airspace are American spying equipment used to spy on Iran's nuclear and military facilities," the minister told reporters.
He said they would not reveal anything the United States doesn't already know.
"Our nuclear activities are open and very transparent. Our military activities are all legal," Yunesi said. He spoke while visiting a prison for dissidents under the Shah that has been turned into a museum.
The Washington Post reported the drones had been flying over Iran from U.S. military bases in Iraq and were equipped with air filters to pick up traces of nuclear activity.
In December, the Iranian air force was ordered to shoot down any unknown flying objects. At the time, there were reports in Iranian newspapers that Iran had discovered spying devices in pilotless planes its air defense force had shot down.
"If any of the bright objects come close, they will definitely meet our fire and will be shot down. We possess the necessary equipment to confront them," Yunesi said.
Last month, Yunesi said the United States had been conducting aerial surveillance, but he neither mentioned drones nor nuclear and military sites. Yunesi said U.S. commandoes had not entered Iran, adding the security forces would catch any American who did.
Iranian media has been gripped by a kind of "flying object" fever with dozens of reported sightings in recent weeks. State-run media has reported numerous sightings of unknown objects flying over parts of Iran where nuclear facilities are located.
The objects were spotted near Natanz — which has a uranium enrichment plant — and Isfahan, which has a facility for producing uranium hexaflouride gas, the feedstock for enriching uranium. Uranium enriched to low grades is used for fuel in nuclear reactors. Further enrichment makes it suitable for atomic bombs.
The United States accuses Iran of having a secret program to manufacture nuclear weapons. Iran denies this, saying its nuclear program is entirely for the generation of electricity.

Phil's Observations
1) I sure the hell hope we have spy planes flying over Iran. I hope we have some agents over there, too.
2) If Iran's nuclear program is for electricity only, why they hell are they so worried about spy planes?

Well Crap

2005-02-15T22:01:00.000-06:00

I guess we have dual themes today. Not that I'm not able to multi-task or anything, but this day just seems to have a lot of news that worries me. It worries me about what is happening to our way of life, our society.

Where the hell are the parents in either of these cases? Don't try to blame violent movies, music or other crap on this either. I listened to and watched violent crap too, but you don't see me out there acting like it's ok to stab or shoot someone.

Courtesy of

Boy Stabs Sister Over Chicken Pot Pie

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — A 12-year-old boy stabbed his sister in the arm in an argument over a chicken pot pie, authorities said.
The boy is charged as a juvenile with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, said Robert A. Holmes, senior assistant Isabella County prosecutor.
The alleged attack took place Monday evening at the siblings' home in Mount Pleasant.
"They were having a brother-sister argument," Officer Michael G. Covarrubias told The Saginaw News for a story Wednesday. "This is going to make them sound stupid, but they were arguing over a chicken pot pie."
When the 13-year-old girl refused to give up the microwavable pie, her brother drew a nine-inch folding knife and attacked, Covarrubias said.
"They were just arguing over the pot pie, and she said her brother became very upset and pulled out this knife and swung at her," he said. "It appeared she put her arm up to block it, and then she got stabbed."
Medics treated the girl at the scene for an inch-long forearm gash, Covarrubias said. The siblings' 35-year-old mother apparently broke up the fight and called police, he said. Authorities did not release the mother's or children's names.
The boy was ordered held in a youth home in neighboring Osceola County pending a Feb. 23 pretrial conference. He faces anywhere from probation to detention until he turns 19, Holmes said.

Courtesy of

Girl Accused of Killing Sister Over Burger

ST. LOUIS — A 12-year-old girl has been charged with murder under juvenile law for allegedly killing her 9-year-old sister, apparently in a dispute over a hamburger.
A Family Court judge will determine if the girl should be tried as an adult, but no date has been set for that proceeding, said Kathryn Herman, assistant administrator for the St. Louis Family Court. A detention hearing is set for Wednesday.
The older girl reported finding her sister lifeless on the floor of their home near downtown Dec. 22.
Medical Examiner Michael Graham said Tuesday that the 9-year-old girl had minor injuries to her neck, but an autopsy did not initially determine the cause of death.
On Feb. 1, a social worker told police the 12-year-old was in a hospital psychiatric unit, suffering visions and nightmares, and had told the staff she strangled her sister during a quarrel over a hamburger, police told the Post-Dispatch.
Graham said those statements and the injuries led him to determine the cause of death was strangulation. "No other condition reasonably explains her death," he said.
Police did not immediately respond to calls seeking additional details Tuesday.
Charges against the 12-year-old were filed Thursday, Herman said. She remained hospitalized but was expected to be moved to a juvenile center. If convicted as a juvenile, the maximum penalty would be confinement until her 21st birthday.

I Guess the Theme of the Day is ...

2005-02-15T14:52:00.000-06:00

Men who go after boys. No need for me to state my thought on this. Well, maybe there is. Sometimes you have to repeat something many times for people to listen. ADULTS WHO HURT KIDS SHOULD BE EXECUTED UPON CONVICTION.

What the hell is this 12-15 year sentance? Fuckin kill the bastard already! Why does he deserve to live in misery on my tax dollars?

Courtesy of

Ex-Priest Shanley Gets 12-15 Years for Rape

BOSTON — Defrocked priest Paul Shanley, a central figure in the Boston Archdiocese clergy sex abuse scandal, was sentenced Tuesday to 12 to 15 years in prison for raping a boy repeatedly in the 1980s, sometimes in a church confessional.
"It is difficult to imagine a more egregious misuse of trust and authority," Judge Stephen Neel said in imposing the term. But he turned aside a prosecutor's request for a life sentence.
Shanley, 74, once known for being a hip "street priest" who reached out to troubled children and homosexuals, was convicted last week of two counts each of child rape and indecent assault and battery on a child.
He will eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or 8 years. He was also sentenced to 10 years' probation.
The case hinged on the reliability of the accuser's memories of the abuse, which he said he recovered three years ago as the clergy sex abuse scandal unfolded in the media.
Prosecutor Lynn Rooney had recommended a life sentence, saying Shanley used his position of authority to gain the trust of the boys he then molested.
"He used his collar and he used his worshipped status in that community," Rooney said. "There has been no remorse shown on the part of this defendant. There has been no acceptance of responsibility."
Shanley's lawyer, Frank Mondano, did not suggest a specific term, but asked Neel to allow Shanley to serve his sentence in a county lockup rather than state prison. The judge refused. Another notorious pedophile priest, John Geoghan, was killed in a Massachusetts state prison, allegedly by a fellow inmate.
Mondano said the prosecution's case was built on "vilification, half truths and lies." He has said he plans to appeal.
Among the spectators who packed the courtroom for Shanley's sentencing hearing were other people who accused Shanley of sexually abusing them but were not part of the criminal case. As Shanley was led from the courtroom in handcuffs, they burst into applause and one man called out "Goodbye."
Shanley's accuser, now a 27-year-old firefighter in a suburb of Boston, said the former priest would pull him from Sunday morning catechism classes at St. Jean's parish in Newton and rape and fondle him. The abuse began in 1983, when he was 6 years old, and continued for six years, he said.
Rooney read a written statement by Shanley's accuser.
"I want him to die in prison," the man's statement said. "I hope it is slow and painful."
The accuser's wife addressed Shanley in court, saying "no words can ever explain my disgust for you. You are a coward. You hid behind God."
"You robbed my little boy of his innocence," the accuser's father told Shanley. "You destroyed his understanding of good and bad and right and wrong."
During the trial, the accuser broke down on the witness stand as he described in graphic detail being abused by Shanley in a church bathroom, rectory, confessional and pews.
"He told me nobody would ever believe me if I told anybody," he testified.
Shanley became a focal point of the scandal after plaintiffs' attorneys forced the church to release internal records about him. Among the records were documents indicating that he was transferred from parish to parish after allegations surfaced, and that he had attended a forum with other people who later went on to form the North American Man-Boy Love Association, or NAMBLA.
He was one of the few priests among hundreds implicated in the scandal to face criminal charges. Most others escaped prosecution because the statute of limitations ran out long ago. But in Shanley's case, the clock stopped when he moved out of Massachusetts. He was arrested in California in May 2002.
Some inmate advocates say whatever prison term Shanley gets could amount to a death sentence.
Geoghan was beaten and strangled behind bars in 2003, a year after being convicted of molesting a 10-year-old boy. A fellow prisoner later told investigators he killed Geoghan "to save the children."
Shanley is "so high-profile that that puts a big target on his back," said James Pingeon, a lawyer at Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services, a group that provides civil legal services to inmates. "We feel concerned. Obviously, he's a vulnerable person because of his notoriety and his age."

Sick, Sick Men Should Die

2005-02-15T14:22:00.000-06:00

I really don't want to get into details why I think this right now - simply because I do not want to have to explain it. These men should be executed upon conviction. This isn't a gay thing. This is a power thing. This is a sick thing.

I dare anyone to tell me why there isn't anything wrong with what these men did.

Courtesy of

Seven NAMBLA Members Busted in Sex Sting

LOS ANGELES — Seven members of the North American Man/Boy Love Association, including two teachers, were arrested in Southern California and charged with allegedly planning to travel to Mexico to have sex with boys, authorities said.
An eighth man was charged with distributing child pornography, said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. Four men were arrested in Los Angeles and three in San Diego Saturday.
They were charged Monday, following a sting operation in which each man allegedly paid hundreds of dollars to an undercover agent to arrange the sex, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said during a news conference Monday. During the investigation, the FBI set up a fake travel company that offered a trip to Mexico to meet boys for sex, Eimiller said.

The men had allegedly traveled from their homes to Southern California with the expectation of boarding a boat to Ensenada, where they were told sex with the boys was awaiting them at a bed-and-breakfast, Eimiller said. Through the undercover agent, she said, they requested that the boys be as young as 8 years old. "This investigation exemplifies the FBI's commitment nationwide, and the commitment of our local, state and federal task force partners, to finding child predators within the United States and beyond our borders," Richard Garcia, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office, said in a statement.

Jeff Devore, 53, of Fullerton was arrested Saturday and charged with distributing child pornography as a result of the sting, Eimiller said. Devore, a minister at the Brea Congregational Church, in Orange County, was not accused of planning to go on the Mexico trip.
Devore, who is also a chiropractor, first met an undercover FBI agent at a North American Man/Boy Love Association meeting.

The association, which was formed in 1978 and advocates relationships with men and boys, was not charged in the case. Devore was allowed to post bail but it was immediately unknown whether he had done so. A phone call to the church and a message left on Devore's answering machine seeking comment were not immediately returned.

The seven arrested included: Sam Lindblad, 56, of Albuquerque, N.M.; Gregory Mark Nusca, 43, of Dania Beach, Fla., also known as David R. Busby or Steven West; Steven K. Irvin, 46, of Pittsburgh, a special education teacher at Carrick High School; Richard Stutsman, 59, of Seneca, S.C., a substitute teacher for a school district in Oconee County; Phillip Todd Calvin, 43, of Dallas; David Cory Mayer, 49, of Chicago, a flight attendant; and Paul Ernest Zipszer, 39, of Deltona, Fla.

Grrrrr ...

2005-02-14T18:55:00.000-06:00

My sense of humor isn't here right now. Please leave a message.

I looked my blog today and about shit my pants. It didn't look right, & I knew I did it to myself. I messed something up with the template for the blog and now I can't figure out what I did to make it change. All of a sudden (keep in mind that I know I was an indiot for not saving the HMTL code before messing with it) the right border is extended to far out, the text is appearing after the sidebar, and the frickin Google Ads aren't doing what they're supposed to. All of this cuz I was trying to change a couple of minor details and I didn't pay attention to what I was doing.

I'll confess now. I'm jealous of people who actually know what they are doing with HTML, and those who have the time and energy and desire to learn more about it. No comments on this post because I am pissed. This was 'sposed to be a fun, pet project, and now I am irate and I don't wanna hear about it. Not that many comments are made to my blog anyway, LOL.

If You Don't Have a Sense of Humor ...

2005-02-14T18:46:00.000-06:00

You need to grow up. Laughter keeps you alive and invigorated.

Be sure to check out Seth's blog. The link is on the left. On the right side of his page is a link to his photo gallery. Be sure to check out the funny pics category.

Hamas to Honor Undeclared Israel Truce

2005-02-12T08:17:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

JERUSALEM - The Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad said Saturday they will not attack Israeli targets, but they refrained from officially joining a Palestinian cease-fire with Israel agreed upon during last week's summit in Egypt.
Leaders of both groups met Saturday with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who is trying to keep the fragile cease-fire intact.
A Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, told The Associated Press the group will wait to see whether Israel stops its military activities and targeted killings of Palestinian militants before deciding whether to join the truce agreed upon by Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Zahar said after meeting with Abbas that Hamas was "committed to what is called 'quietness'" until it determines whether Israel meets its truce obligations, including disclosing the criteria for releasing Palestinian prisoners.
"Up to this moment, we are committed to the previous agreement with Mr. Abbas, and we are going to see how the Israelis" will act, Zahar told the AP.
Hamas, which opposes Israel's existence, pledged to Abbas it would stop attacks against the Jewish state as part of a general halt to violence by all militant groups. Hamas has killed hundreds of Israelis during the past four years of fighting.

Phil's Observations
Sounds to me like there may actually be a Palastinian leader within Abbas. Arafat would have gone to Hamas to congratulate them. Abbas went to Hamas to tell them to knock it off. Maybe there is some real hope and real progress coming to solve their conflict.

The Show Must Go On!

2005-02-10T08:05:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

Phil's Observations
Now this is a story of doing what you've gotta do! What a great story! How could anyone not be impressed?

Original Story:
Owner Quits, Employees Don't
Sunday, February 06, 2005

What would you do if your boss stopped coming in to work?
That's what happened to the employees of a Quiznos Sub sandwich franchise in Seattle when the store owners suddenly dropped out of the picture, reports the Seattle Times.
But instead of quitting, several employees carried on, keeping the shop open by themselves despite no paychecks, no food deliveries and increasingly irate customers.
"Due to bad owners, we are out of a lot of things. Please do not get mad at the employees and manager," read a note on the shop door this past Tuesday. "This [is] out of their control. We are so sorry for the problems. Thanks."
Things started going south in November, store manager Dawna Lentz said, when the owners of the month-old store went AWOL. She wouldn't be more specific.
So Lentz, 25, rallied the three other employees who didn't quit when the paychecks stopped coming.
Food supplies were bought with cash from the register, as was the special Quiznos bread, which she got from other local franchises.
Wages were also paid with what cash was available, with Lentz carefully tallying each worker's hours and how much he'd been paid (or not) on the back of his worthless last paycheck.
"I like working here," said employee James Zambrano, 26, even though he was still owed about $450. "Everybody gets along like family."
Nevertheless, the shortages started adding up. A list of what the store didn't have in stock was posted on the door, until it got to be three pages long and was replaced by the more general plea above.
When the Times reporter visited last Tuesday, there were no desserts and no chips except for jalapeño.
The soda machine had little Post-It notes reading "Out of Order" stuck on every self-serve spigot except for Vanilla Coke and lemonade.
"I'll have a large Out of Order," said one customer.
"Is that with ice or without?" replied Lentz.
"You're doing good for what you have to work with," said another customer, though Lentz said many others weren't so sympathetic.
"I've been called 'stupid,' 'incompetent,'" she said.
The Times got in touch with the Quiznos company, which sent people down last week to check out the situation.
On Thursday, food deliveries were resumed, staff was added and employees were paid back wages, according to Quiznos spokeswoman Stacie Lange.
Lange added that the franchise ownership was being transferred to a new set of owners.
As for Lentz, she had feared that she'd lose her job in the end, despite having worked 12-hour days and racking up $900 in unpaid wages, not including overtime, during the crisis.
But as of Thursday, she was still the manager, even though she wasn't allowed to talk to the media any more.
"The employees who were there yesterday are still there today," explained Lange.

Story Updated:
Plucky Manager Promoted, Not Fired
Wednesday, February 09, 2005

It's a happy ending for the can-do manager of an orphaned fast-food restaurant.
As earlier reported in Out There, Dawna Lentz, the manager of a Seattle Quiznos Sub franchise, kept things going on a shoestring budget for two months after the restaurant's owners dropped out of the picture, deliveries stopped coming and the bank account emptied out.
After the store's dire situation was reported in the Seattle Times last week, the Quiznos company restocked the shelves, paid back wages and began to find new owners.
Lentz, however, was sure she'd be fired for running the restaurant without supervision.
Instead, she's being given more management training in preparation for a promotion and is flying to Quiznos headquarters to meet the company president.
"She's shown loyalty to Quiznos like no other employee has," corporate spokeswoman Stacie Lange told the Times. "Her ability to keep that store afloat through a very difficult time needs to be commended."
She's even getting job offers from competing fast-food chains.

Report: FAA Warned About Hijacking Pre-9/11

2005-02-09T23:40:00.000-06:00

Phil's Observations
Before you read this article, I want to share my reaction with you first. The bottom line is that I am dissapointed. There are many things about the events leading to 9/11 that I am dissapointed with. But before I blow my top, I remind myself that hindsight is 20/20. Yeah, if we only knew yeaterday what we know today. The benefit of hindsight is that it provides us with an opportunity to learn from our mistakes. It is up to us to learn from our mistakes. IT IS VITAL that we do not let opportunities like these slip by us. We must take the responsibility and accountability to learn from what we have done wrong in the past. IF WE DO NOT, we will repeat the same mistake again.

Courtesy of

NEW YORK — Federal aviation officials received dozens of warnings before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks about Usama bin Laden and Al Qaeda, including some that mentioned airline hijackings or homicide attacks, The New York Times reported.
In its Thursday editions, the Times said a previously undisclosed report by the commission that investigated the airliner attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon detailed 52 warnings given to leaders of the Federal Aviation Administration from April to Sept. 10, 2001, about the radical Islamic terrorist group and its leader.
The commission report, written last August, said the warnings came from the FAA's own security branch. The paper said five security warnings mentioned Al Qaeda's training for hijackings and two reports concerned homicide operations not connected to aviation.
The Times said that a classified version and a partially declassified version of the 120-page report were given to the National Archives two weeks ago. The Times story cited the declassified version of the document.
Al Felzenberg, former spokesman for the 9/11 commission, which went out of business last summer, said the government had not completed review of the report for declassification purposes until recently. He said the Justice Department delivered the two versions of the document to the Archives.
An Archives spokeswoman said Wednesday night the unclassified version of the document would not be available to the public until Thursday morning.
The Times gave these highlights from the commission report:
Aviation officials were "lulled into a false sense of security" and "intelligence that indicated a real and growing threat leading up to 9/ll did not stimulate significant increases in security procedures."
It takes the FAA to task for not expanding the use of in-flight air marshals or tightening airport screening for weapons. It said FAA officials were more concerned with reducing airline congestion, lessening delays and easing air carriers' financial problems than thwarting a terrorist attack.
Information in this report was available to members of the 9/11 commission when they issued their public report last summer. That report itself contained criticisms of FAA operations.

John Stossel's Book

2005-02-07T23:48:00.000-06:00

I've watched John Stossel on ABC's 20/20 and his special reports for years. So when I heard that he had a new book out, I figured I should read it. It's great! Check it out to see if it interests you, too!

Amazon's Website

Shia & Sunni's Fight Back

2005-02-07T23:35:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Company

Iraqi police are investigating an election incident at a small Iraqi village south of Baghdad. The villagers, a mix of Shia (search) and Sunni Muslim (search) turned out in large numbers to vote in Sunday’s election, even though insurgents threatened voters with violence.

The Australian Broadcasting Company (search) reports that when the insurgents returned to make good on their threats, they got a nasty surprise. The residents fought back, killing five insurgents and wounding eight, then burning the insurgents’ car. Australian broadcast reporter Mark Willesy concludes, "The people of that village have certainly had enough of the insurgents."

- - - - -
Speaking of ABC, you may find it worth your time to check out their Special Report: Four Corners.

Obstructionist?

2005-02-06T16:09:00.000-06:00

My friends, I talk alot about Social Security because the government program is huge. Unless the program is updated, it will fail. Imagine that you are running a business, and a machine you use to make a product is 50 years old, and breaks down. You need to decide whether to buy stuff to fix it permanently, buy stuff to temporarily fix it (i.e. bandaid), or you buy a new one that will produce better results. This is the crisis that we find ourselves in with SS. We are only a couple generations away from our SS system failing. Unless it is modernized, I have no confidence I will get any of it when I retire.

There are many of our congressional folk who say that SS isn't in a crisis. There are many who say there is no problem at all. There are many who just want to raise taxes to cover the extra spending. It simply doesn't add up. Once you start making more withdrawls from your checking account than you are putting in, you'll start paying a lot more to have the checking account.

This is not a partisian issue. But I've been observing a lot of partisian talk lately. Just so everyone knows, those who deny SS is in trouble now, didn't always think so. Here are some Democrats on the subject:

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV):
"[M]ost Of Us Have No Problem With Taking A Small Amount Of The Social Security Proceeds And Putting It Into The Private Sector." (Fox’s "Fox News Sunday," 2/14/99)

"We’re Visiting Chile Because It Is Doing Interesting Things In Social Security And Other Parts Of Its Free Market System." (Tony Batt, "Reid To Embark On South America Trip," Las Vegas Review-Journal, 3/30/99)

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
"Durbin Said Due To The Increasing Number Of ‘Baby Boomers’ Reaching Retirement Age, Social Security Will Be Unable To Pay Out Full Benefits … But The Sooner Congress Acts To Avert This Crisis The Easier And Less Painful It Will Be." (Sen. Dick Durbin, "Reforming Social Security," Press Release, 9/15/98)

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
"We Have To Move On Now, And Start Fixing Social Security And Preserving It And Reining In The HMOS And Making Our Schools Better." (Fox’s "Special Report," 2/12/99)

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
President Clinton’s "Budget Focuses On The Right Priorities For The Nation – Education, Health Care, Child Care And The Strengthening And Protecting Of Social Security." (Melanie Eversley, "Budget Proposal Has Some Good News For Michigan," Detroit Free Press, 2/2/99)

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
"Fixing Social Security Is An Urgent Priority. It Ought To Be At The Top Of Both Parties’ Agendas." (Sen. Byron Dorgan, "Fixing Social Security Must Top Both Parties’ Agendas," Roll Call, 12/6/99)

"This Report [By The Center On Budget And Policy Priorities] Provides Powerful And Convincing Evidence Of The Need To Save Social Security First." (Sen. Byron Dorgan, "Dorgan Says New Report Provides Powerful Evidence Of Need To Save Social Security First," Press Release, 7/24/98)

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
"I’ll Tell You Exactly What I’d Do. I Would Lift The $65,000 Cap, Let It Go Right Up To The Top Of -- For Payment For Individuals And Then Cut The Payroll Tax For Every American That Pays It And That Would Be Significant -- That Would Be A Significant Reduction For Working Families." (CNN’s "Evans, Novak, Hunt & Shields," 6/27/98)

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
"West Virginia Has The Oldest Population Of Any State, So I Share Completely The President’s Commitment To Working Quickly To Strengthen Social Security …" (Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Rockefeller Reacts To State Of The Union Address," Press Release, 1/19/99)

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)
"I Was At The Social Security Summit At The White House, Along With 40 Of My Colleagues, Republicans And Democrats. And There Was Virtual Unanimity Of Opinion That We Simply Have To Get A Higher Return From The Social Security Investments." (Fox News’ "Special Report," 1/20/99)

Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI)
"People Can See, I Think, A [Social Security] Crisis Where There Immediate Family Is Affected Even If Not Immediately … This Is Something That Affects Almost Everybody’s Immediate Family." (Richard A. Ryan, "Social Security Reform Stalls," The Detroit News, 2/2/02)

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
"I Am One Democrat That Truly Believes That Democrats Will Not Benefit By Doing Nothing On Social Security." (Rep. Charles Rangel, Press Conference, 1/21/99)

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND)
"This Investment Of The Trust Fund In Equities Would Bring Social Security Into Line With The Best Practice Of Both Private And Public Sector Pension Plans." (Rep. Earl Pomeroy, Committee On Commerce, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony, 2/25/99)

Former Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-MO)
"Why Should Social Security Recipients Be Disadvantaged By Not Getting To Be Able To Have Higher Returns Out Of The Stock Market?" (Rep. Dick Gephardt, Press Conference, 1/21/99)

President Clinton
"[F]irst, And Above All, We Must Save Social Security For The 21st Century." (President Bill Clinton, State Of The Union, 1/19/99)

"Now Is The Time To Strengthen Social Security For The Future. … We Can And Must Accomplish This Critical Goal For The American People." (The White House, "Statement On Congressional Inaction On Legislation To Strengthen Social Security," Press Release, 4/23/99)

"[W]hat I Believe We Should Do Is To Invest A Modest Amount Of This In The Private Sector, The Way Every Other Retirement Plan Does. The Arizona State Retirement Plan Does; Every Municipal Retirement Plan Does; Every Private Plan Does." (President Bill Clinton, Remarks To The Citizens Of Tucson On Medicare And Social Security, Tucson, AZ,
2/25/99)

"[P]eople … In The Investment Community … Said They Thought I Was Right And They Hoped That We Wouldn’t Let Initial Criticism Stop Us From Offering A Plan Which Would Demonstrate To The American People That You Could Run This Investment Just Like Any Other Public Pension Investment Is Run. And I Am Confident That We Can Do That." (President Bill Clinton, Remarks To AARP National Legislative Council, Washington, DC, 2/3/99)

"Here We’ve Identified It And There Are Obvious Differences About What Should Be Done To Fix Social Security For The 21st Century. But We All Know That There Are Basically Only Three Options: We Can Raise Taxes Again, Which No One Wants To Do Because The Payroll Tax Is Regressive. Over Half The American People Who Are Working Pay More Payroll Tax Than Income Tax Today. We Can Cut Benefits … Or We Can Work Together
To Try To Find Some Way To Increase The Rate Of Return." (President Bill Clinton, Remarks At Social Security And Y2K Event, Washington, DC, 12/28/98)

"We Must Act Now Across Party Lines To Make Social Security As Strong For Our Children As It Has Been For Our Parents." (President Bill Clinton, Radio Address, 9/19/98)

"We Know The Problem. We Know That If We Act Now It Will Be Easier And Less Painful Than If We Wait Until Later. I Don’t Think Any Of You Want To See America In A Situation Where We Have To Cut Benefits 25 Percent, Or Raise Inherently Regressive Payroll Taxes 25 Percent, To Deal With The Challenge Of The Future And Our Obligations To Our Seniors." (President Bill Clinton, Remarks To The Concord Coalition/AARP Social Security Forum, Albuquerque, NM, 7/27/98)

"It May Seem A Long Way Away From The Time You’re Now – Where You Are Until You Will Need Retirement. It May Seem A Long Way Away Before Most Of Your Parents Need Retirement. But It Isn’t. And Great Societies Plan Over Long Periods Of Time So That Individual Lives Can Flower And Take Root And Take Form. And That Is What We Have To Do Today." (President Bill Clinton, Remarks At Georgetown University On Social Security, Washington, DC, 2/9/98)

"We Now Know That The Social Security Trust Fund Is Fine For Another Few Decades. But If It Gets In Trouble And We Don’t Deal With It, Then It Not Only Affects The Generation Of The Baby Boomers And Whether They’ll Have Enough To Live On When They Retire, It Raises The Question Of Whether They Will Have Enough To Live On By Unfairly Burdening Their Children And, Therefore, Unfairly Burdening Their Children’s Ability To Raise Their Grandchildren. That Would Be Unconscionable …" (President Bill Clinton, Remarks At Georgetown University On Social Security, Washington, DC, 2/9/98)

Hillary Clinton
"Clearly, It’s In All Our Interests To Preserve And Strengthen Social Security Into The Next Century. And If We Don’t Want To Burden Our Children And Grandchildren, If We Want To Make Sure Social Security Remains Solvent Well Into The 21st Century, We Must Make Bold Decisions Now." (Hillary Clinton, Op-Ed, "Bold Decisions Needed For Social Security," Chattanooga Times Free Press, 2/21/99)

"[O]ne Of The Most Critical Challenges Of Our Time [Is] Preserving And Strengthening Social Security For Future Generations." (Remarks By Hillary Clinton, White House Event On Social Security, The White House, Washington D.C., 2/17/99)

Bruce Reed, Clinton White House Domestic Policy Adviser
"Some Type Of Structure Like The Thrift Savings Plan" For Universal Savings Accounts. (The White House, "Press Briefing By Senior Administration Officials," Press Release, 1/20/99)

Source for quotes was provided by "A Guide to Social Security Reform", printed by the House Republican Conference and the Senate Republican Conference.

Looking for a laugh?

2005-02-05T22:08:00.000-06:00

I ran across this post while surfing. Too damn funny!

now here's intelligence (you may have to scroll down to see the picture)

Private Acccounts for SS

2005-02-03T23:31:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of
Commentary courtesy of Phil, of course.

President Bush said Wednesday that Social Security's solvency problems will not be solved by raising taxes because the tax base is not growing as quickly as the problem. He offered details of his plans to create private accounts during his State of the Union address.

Establishment and Eligibility
— People 55 years of age and older — those born in 1949 or earlier — will not be affected by the plan.
— The program is voluntary (for my liberal friends, that means you're not required to participate) for those born in 1950 or later. Individuals can choose to stay entirely in the system. Recipients will get "the benefits the system is able to pay," the official said, which may indicate that benefits will decrease over time (duh! more people taking out than bringing it typically means money will run out).
— The federal government's Thrift Savings Plan is the model for the accounts. TSP is the retirement savings plan for civilians who are employed by the U.S. government and members of the uniformed services.
— A centralized, administrative entity will be created to administer the program. Management of the various investments funds will be contracted out. No big new government-run fund manager is being proposed.
— The accounts can be bequeathed to survivors (unlike today's SS, your benificeries actually keep what you've contributed).
—- Costs could be incurred after that 10-year period.
— Social Security trustees estimate that two-thirds of the workforce will participate.

Investments
— Investors can choose from a number of accounts. The accounts will parallel those available under TSP. The five current TSP funds can be reviewed at http://www.tsp.gov/.
— Because the program will be much larger than the TSP plan, more than five funds are likely to be available, a senior administration official said. Even if more funds are available, however, they will be limited in number.
— Under the president's plan, a "life cycle fund" will be created. In this fund, the proportion of the money invested in stocks shrinks as an individual nears retirement in order to lower investment risks. This fund will become "a standard" at a certain age. If an individual has other money for retirement and chooses not to participate in this low-risk fund, he or she can choose to opt out of the program (you'll have options you get decide on, not the government AND the government looks out for you by preventing you from selecting high-risk funds in your later years).
— Accounts will be phased in starting in 2009. Every worker who wants to participate will be enrolled by 2011. In 2009, anyone born in 1965 or earlier can enroll. In 2010, anyone born 1978 and earlier can enroll. After 2010, citizens of any age can enroll.
— Contributions will be phased in. Officials would like to permit individuals to put 4 percent of their payroll taxes into a personal retirement account. Annual contributions will be capped at $1,000 per year in 2009. The cap will gradually rise over time, growing by $100 per year after that. The contribution grows with growth of wages.
— Administrative costs for TSP are currently at 0.3 percent of account balances. The official said a similar cost should be expected for the new accounts, primarily to pay for record keeping.
— Workers will not be permitted to take loans against these accounts.
— Wage inflation is generally 3 percent. The average rate of return on TSP funds ranges from 4.32 percent to 10.99 percent, according to a 10-year average taken from TSP.
— Individuals cannot opt out of the program once they join. If individuals do not want to participate, their investments will be put into a separate fund like a Treasury bond-based fund that effectively will replicate the Social Security benefit.

Retirement
— Upon retirement, restrictions will be placed on withdrawals. Individuals will not be able to withdraw any amount from the personal accounts combined with the traditional Social Security benefit that would put them below the poverty level.

OK, I'm ready to hear some comments on these details released. Sock it to me!

Merit Pay for Teachers

2005-02-03T23:23:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

LOS ANGELES — Merit-based pay, which rewards workers for a job well done, is still a novel idea for teachers in America's schools, but one shining example in Los Angeles has boosted some people's hopes that teachers' salaries will one day be commensurate with their performances in the classroom.
Vaughn Next Century Charter School pays its teachers on a scale tied to annual performance evaluations. According to school principal Yvonne Chen, the system has helped turn the once failing school into an award-winning, blue ribbon center for learning while spending one-third less money per student than most average schools spend.
"At the end of the day, good teachers should make more and this will keep the teachers in their profession. They don't take two or three jobs and also waitress at Denny's or get out of the classroom to be administrators," Chen said. "Everybody should be able to receive extra compensation just like everybody in the real world."
Despite the success of such programs in some of the largest school districts in the nation, performance-based pay is strongly opposed by teachers unions and school administrators who say it's a bad idea for teachers to compete against one another.
"It's an old idea, it's not new, and then again, it's contrary to a school working together and collaboratively," said Jack O'Connell of the California Department of Education.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is backing a bill that would give the concept of merit pay a fighting chance by allowing individual school districts the power to craft their own plans and standards. Currently, teachers are paid according to seniority.
"We believe in local control. We believe the district itself has to decide how to make their school the best school, how to make the teachers proud to be teachers, how to reward the good teachers and how to get rid of the terrible teachers," said Richard Riordan, former Los Angeles mayor and now the state's secretary of education.
Schwarzenegger's supporters say protecting the status quo when so many kids are failing to learn basic skills is reason enough to try something new. They add that a merit-pay system will help save money and garner better teaching talent.
But critics say not only does merit pay become too expensive, the competition it creates in the classroom causes tension and problems among teachers.
"The plan that has been put forward thus far really creates a whole new bureaucracy and is not consistent with our school base accountability plans," O'Connell said. "If you're in competition with one another ... you're not going to be working collaboratively and our entire accountability system is based upon a school site of performance."
In order for merit pay to be permitted statewide, California's constitution would need to be amended. That would require approval by the state Legislature followed by passage by voters on a statewide ballot.

Phil's Observations
Contigent compensation? Paying for results? What a novel idea!

Sunni Clerics Call Iraqi Elections Illegitimate

2005-02-02T15:41:00.000-06:00

Duh! Who in the hell is surprised by this?

Courtesy of

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's leading Sunni Muslim clerics said Wednesday the country's landmark elections lacked legitimacy because large numbers of Sunnis did not participate in the balloting, which the religious leaders had asked them to boycott.
Emboldened by the elections, which U.S. and Iraqi authorities cited as a victory for democracy, the police chief in Mosul demanded the insurgents hand over weapons within two weeks or he would "wipe out" anyone giving them shelter.
The level of insurgent violence has appeared to drop sharply after the election — similar to a short-duration decline in attacks which occurred after the transfer of sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government in June.
It is unclear whether the drop is due to disillusionment within insurgent ranks, the effects of the stringent pre-election security measures that are being slowly relaxed, or whether the militants have paused to reassess their strategy in light of the ballot.
"The coming days and weeks will show whether this retreat will continue or whether it is tactical because of the strike against them," interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi told Al-Iraqiya television.
"I don't know if what happened is a decrease (in attacks) that will continue or will escalate, but the final outcome is that it is a failure. They will continue for months but this (insurgency) will
With the threat of election violence past, the U.S. Army handed over control Wednesday of several combat outposts to Iraqi security forces on the west side of Mosul, Iraq's third-largest city.
Allawi, meanwhile, hosted a meeting of leaders from 16 of the country's prominent political factions Wednesday, his office said.
The leaders, who included President Ghazi al-Yawer, Sunni elder politician Adnan Pachachi and Finance Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, a Shiite, agreed to pursue the participation of all political, ethnic and religious groups in the new government, the statement said.
Large numbers of majority Shiite Muslims and Kurds participated in Sunday's election for a new National Assembly and regional parliaments. Although no results or turnout figures have been released, U.S. officials say participation appeared much lower in Sunni areas where the insurgency is strongest.
The low turnout has been blamed variously on the clerics' own boycott call and on fears of insurgent reprisals against those who voted.
In its first statement since the balloting, the Association of Muslim Scholars said the vote lacked legitimacy because of low Sunni participation. The association months ago urged Sunnis to shun the polls because of the presence of U.S. and other foreign troops, and insurgents threatened to kill anyone who voted.
Iraqi officials have acknowledged voting problems, including a ballot shortage in Baghdad, Basra and Mosul, which have substantial Sunni populations and which also may have contributed to a low Sunni turnout.
With many Sunnis having stayed away, a ticket endorsed by the Shiite clergy is expected to gain the biggest number of seats in the 275-member National Assembly, followed by the Kurds and a list headed by Allawi, a secular Shiite.
Shiites comprise an estimated 60 percent of Iraq's 26 million people, and Shiite candidates were expected to fare best regardless of Sunni turnout. However, low Sunni participation was believed to have reduced the totals of other tickets.
Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, the Shiite Muslim who heads the ticket expected to have won the largest number of parliamentary seats, indicated in a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press that his group wants the post of prime minister in Iraq's new government.
Al-Hakim, a Shiite cleric with close ties to Iran, said representatives of all Iraqi groups should participate in writing the new constitution.
In its statement, the association said the election "lacks legitimacy because a large portion of these people who represent many spectra have boycotted it." As a result, the group said the new leadership lacked a mandate to draft a new constitution and should be considered a temporary administration.
"We make it clear to the United Nations and the international community that they should not get involved in granting this election legitimacy because such a move will open the gates of evil," the statement said.
"We are going to respect the choice of those who voted and we will consider the new government — if all the parties participating in the political process agree on it — as a transitional government with limited powers."
Official voter turnout figures have yet to be released, but a Western diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity Wednesday said turnout appeared to have been "quite low" in Iraq's vast Anbar province, which includes the rebellious cities of Fallujah and Ramadi.
He said that based on anecdotal accounts, turnout in three other provinces with large Sunni Arab populations was slightly higher but not more than 50 percent.
Meanwhile, Carlos Valenzuela, the chief U.N. election expert in Iraq, told the AP that turnout in Sunni Arab areas was higher than expected, with lines forming outside polling centers in insurgency strongholds like Fallujah and Mosul.
Valenzuela cautioned, however, that forecasts for the Sunni areas were so low to begin with that even a higher-than-expected turnout would remain low.
In Mosul, police Gen. Mohammed Ahmed al-Jubouri offered amnesty to insurgents who handed over their weapons within two weeks but promised tough action if they did not. In an interview with the provincial television station, al-Jubouri threatened "to wipe out any village that would hide weapons after the two-week period and shell any safe haven for the insurgents."
Mosul has been tense since insurgents rose up in November in support of rebels under siege in Fallujah, west of Baghdad. The entire 5,000-member police force deserted before U.S. and Iraqi troops regained control.
Meanwhile, insurgents blew up an oil pipeline Wednesday near the central city of Samarra, police said. The pipeline serves domestic power stations in Baghdad and Beiji and does not affect exports.
Four civilians were killed Wednesday in a drive-by shooting in Iskandariyah south of Baghdad, police said. The motive was unclear.
An Iraqi motorist was shot to death on the main desert highway west of Baghdad on Wednesday. A witness claimed U.S. troops opened fire when the vehicle tried to overtake an American military convoy. U.S. vehicles have often been targeted by car bombers who ram convoys.
A U.S. Army spokesman said he had no information on the shooting.
Elsewhere, Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday urged the world body to stop using the country's oil revenue to pay compensation to Kuwaiti victims of the 1991 Gulf War and the salaries of U.N. weapons inspectors.
The payments were mandated under resolutions approved by the U.N. Security Council after a U.S.-led coalition drove Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991.
"I think it's generally acknowledged that Iraq now does not pose such a threat and does not in its present form have any weapons of mass destruction," Ambassador Samir Sumaidaie said. "And, therefore, to continue to fund a bureaucracy to do what, to just continue to say every day that they have found nothing?"

Do I get to blame Kerry & Kennedy for this?

Secretary of State, Dr. Rice

2005-01-31T23:34:00.000-06:00

Dr. Rice has accomplished many things in her career, and made many firsts. Where are all of the women support groups (i.e. NOW) declaring support for her accomplishments?

Phil Declares Support for DNC Chair

2005-01-31T23:32:00.000-06:00

January 31, 2005

I hereby pledge my support for Howard Dean to take role as the Democratic National Committee Chair. He will provide the radical left-wing of the democrats the inspiration they need to push their hate agenda forward. His leadership will be beneficial to all.

Sincerely,

Phil

Democrats Give 'Pre-Buttal'

2005-01-31T23:10:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

WASHINGTON - The two top Democrats in the U.S. Congress challenged President Bush on Monday to draft an "exit strategy" in Iraq and work with them in his drive to revamp the Social Security retirement program.
With Bush set to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night, the Democratic pair made a political pre-emptive strike or, as they put it, a "pre-buttal," in a joint appearance of their own at the National Press Club.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, hailed as "a milestone" Sunday's Iraqi elections, when millions defied threats and went to the polls.
"But on Wednesday night," Reid said, "the president needs to spell out a real and understandable plan for the unfinished work ahead: defeat the growing insurgency, rebuild Iraq, increase political participation by all parties ... and increase international involvement."
Without offering a timetable, Reid added, "Most of all, we need an exit strategy so that we know what victory is and how we can get there."
House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, focused her remarks on domestic matters, and took aim at the administration's drive to revamp Social Security by allowing workers to invest part of their payroll taxes in stocks and bonds.
Many oppose such private accounts, fearing that they could undermine, rather than strengthen, the program.
"We can solve this long-term challenge without dismantling Social Security and without allowing this administration's false declaration of a crisis to justify a privatization plan that is unnecessary, unaffordable and unwise," Pelosi said.
"To be sustainable, any long-term solution must be bipartisan," Pelosi said.
An updated Congressional Budget Office projection released on Monday estimates the retirement system will exhaust its trust fund by 2052, 10 years later than projections cited by Bush.
Brian Jones, a spokesman for the Republican Party, replied, "While President Bush is looking to work with Democrats in confronting the challenges facing our nation, the Democrat leaders' attacks on a speech that has not even been delivered are a sad reminder of their determination to score partisan political points even at the cost of accomplishing the business of the American people."
Millions of Americans are certain to tune in at 9 p.m. on Wednesday (0200 GMT Thursday) to the State of the Union address, an annual event that hands the president a major opportunity to speak to the nation and the world.
Afterward, Reid and Pelosi will deliver their party's official response. If history is any indication, many will have turned off their TVs or switched channels by the time they speak.
Still, as former Democratic House Speaker Tom Foley put it, Reid and Pelosi will likely be addressing their biggest audiences ever. "They will be heard," said Foley, who attended the pair's joint appearance.
As a result of the Republicans' success in the November elections, Reid and Pelosi face expanded majorities in Congress as they seek to rally public support for the Democratic case for change.
Pelosi said, "As the president begins his second term, it is fitting that we pause to look at where our nation stands, where we are headed and what better course of action should be taken."
Reid said: "Let me be clear; There is no partisan split in our commitment to defending this nation. America stands united in waging the war on terror. We Democrats simply believe we need a stronger strategy for winning this war."

Phil's Observations:
Reid: "Most of all, we need an exit strategy so that we know what victory is and how we can get there."

Phil: "Listen up, you idiot. There is an exit strategy. We know what victory is. We know how we can get there."

Reid: "Oh yeah? Then what is it?"

Phil: "Jackass. Listen up, 'cuz I am only going to say this once. Victory is when Iraq has become stable, has created a consitution and represetative government, and when it is able to provide sercurity for its citizens. We can get there by doing what we have been doing: provide security and help rebuild its infastructure. Then, we will exit. Why the hell are you so selfish?"

I am so tired of hearing my liberal friends whining about an exit strategy. We have one, and we're on our way of accomplishing it. How dense can you be to not understand this?

Pelosi: "We can solve this long-term challenge without dismantling Social Security and without allowing this administration's false declaration of a crisis to justify a privatization plan that is unnecessary, unaffordable and unwise,"

Phil: "Why don't you just come out and say what you mean without beating around the bush? 'We want to control you, dear citizen, tell you what's best for you, so you cannot have any control over your future'"

Pelosi: "That's not what I am saying"

Phil: "Duh! Of course not. You would never say something that you mean. You don't have a belief system to stand on. You claim that a solution to SS must be bipartisan. Calling the administration's goal as false, unecessary, unaffordable, and unwise really shows how you feel about working together to get things done. Go back to your hole in California"

Iraqis Express Pride & Hope

2005-01-30T18:51:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

ASKAN, Iraq — Some couldn't read, but knew their party's identification number on the ballot. Others couldn't see, but were led to the polls by police. Across wide swathes of Iraq, especially in the southern Shiite and northern Kurdish areas, Iraqis went to the polls Sunday, expressing fierce determination and pride, together with hope that the election will improve their hard lives.
"I don't have a job. I hope the new government will give me a job," said one voter, Rashi Ayash, 50, a former Iraqi lieutenant colonel.
From the early hours of Sunday morning, Iraqis stood in long lines that wrapped around street corners, defying militant threats of violence to cast their votes for the 275-member National Assembly. Dozens were killed as militants fired mortars, and in one town, a suicide bomber mingled with voters waiting outside a polling booth.
But people continued to vote undeterred.
"Am I scared? Of course I'm not scared. This is my country," said Fathiya Mohammed, 50.
Security was tight across the country. Iraqi police provided much of the frontline protection, checking women's' handbags and even babies wrapped in blankets, while female Iraqi guards patted down women voters.
Voters heading into a polling station in a boys school in Baghdad's middle-class Karada district were searched twice, first at an outer perimeter about 40 yards from the school. Then they removed their jackets and the batteries from their cellular phones, which have been used in the past to detonate bombs. Finally they walked past coils of barbed wire under the eyes of sharpshooters on nearby rooftops.
Authorities banned cars from voting centers as part of security measures meant to stop car bombings, a rule that left some people struggling to reach the ballot boxes.
In the northern Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah, a man carried 80-year-old Mohammed Karim Khader over his shoulders and trekked the last few steps to the polling station.
At a polling place in eastern Baghdad, an Iraqi policeman in a black ski mask tucked his assault rifle under one arm and held the hand of an elderly blind woman to guide her to the polls.
Fathiya Mohammed shrugged off the incessant threats of violence and donned her head-to-toe abaya before heading to her neighborhood polling station in the small town of Askan south of Baghdad.
"This is democracy," the elderly woman said proudly, holding up a thumb stained with the purple ink used to mark those who had voted. "This is the first day I feel freedom."
Turnout was brisk in mixed Shiite-Sunni neighborhoods like Askan, and in heavily Shiite areas in Baghdad and Basra. Polling stations in heavily Sunni cities such as Fallujah, Ramadi and Samarra were virtually deserted in the morning. By midday hundreds of people were voting in Samarra and the volatile city of Mosul in the north, though there were still big pockets with little turnout.
In the mostly Sunni province of Salaheddin, Gov. Hamad Hmoud Shagti took to the radio to urge voting. "This is a chance for you as Iraqis to assure your and your children's future," he said.
The prospect of impending violence was never far away.
When an unexplained boom sounded near one Baghdad voting station, some women put their hands to their mouths and whispered prayers. Others continued walking calmly to the voting stations. Several shouted in unison: "We have no fear."
Electoral commission official Mijm Towirish said the fact that voters came to the polls showed Iraqis "broke a barrier of fear."
Voters all across the country said they hoped the election would bring them security, jobs and a better future.
"I came here to vote for our goal, which is freedom," said Abu Ahmed, a 55-year-old Shiite voter in Baqouba north of Baghdad.

Iraq Delcares Freedom!

2005-01-30T18:08:00.000-06:00

News, Quotes & Photos Courtesy of and
(Commentary & Observations Courtesy of Phil, of course).

"Today, the people of Iraq have spoken to the world and the world has heard the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East," President Bush said, adding that Iraqis firmly rejected the anti-democratic ideology of the terrorists and refused to be intimidated by thugs and assassins.

"Men and women have taken righful control of their country's destiny and they have chosen freedom and peace," Bush said. He also thanked Americans for being "patient and resolute" even during difficult times.

Voter turnout was expected to be around 8 million eligible voters or 60 percent, according to the Independent Electoral Commission. That comes despite considerable morning violence in which nine homicide bombings and mortar strikes at polling stations killed at least 44 people, including the bombers. Voting in Sunni areas was expected to be lower than predicted, suggesting that the minority Muslims who led the country under Saddam Hussein may not have the representation they would like in the new National Assembly. You know what? The Sunni's had their chance to participate, if they chose not to participate in mass, then they won't have the representation they wanted. Oh well, it just goes to prove another point that if you want something, you have do something to get it.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., also tempered joy for the occasion during a Sunday morning news show. "It is hard to say that something is legitimate when whole portions of the country can't vote and doesn't vote," Kerry said. After the show, he told reporters that the election is also a chance for the United States to begin mending bonds internationally and start considering reducing its presence in Iraq. Fuck you, Senator Kerry. Pessimistic bastard. This is why you didn't and won't be elected President of the US. Our world is changing for the better because of the Iraqi vote, and you are whining that the better world won't be legitimate? This is a historic day full of optimism and freedom, and you tell the world that it's "hard to say" that it is legitimate? Why do you spit on the brave Iraqi's who had the will and the courage to risk their life to vote? Why do you signal to the people who were afraid to come out and vote that the election isn't legitimate? They chose to hide. You give the terrorists hope when you say things like that. You're providing them reasons to continue resisiting freedom. Iraq's and soldiers may die becuase you say things like that. Shame on you!

Added Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who has called the situation in Iraq "George W. Bush's Vietnam": "While the elections are a step forward, they are not a cure for the growing violence and resentment of the perception of an American occupation ... I continue to believe that the best way to demonstrate to the Iraqi people that we have no long-term designs on their country is for the administration to withdraw some troops now and to begin to negotiate a phase-down of our long-term military presence." Of course this one event isn't a cure, you sick idiot. This historic vote is the first step of the cure. I don't know about you, but I am fine with the terrorists resenting our presence there. We stand for freedom, they do not. Why is it so hard for you to grasp this concept, Senator Kennedy? The troop withdrawl will come with time, Mr. Kennedy, as we work with the new Iraqi government. We are not going to abandon them. Most Americans are not sick bastards, like you.

The election will create a 275-member National Assembly and 18 provincial legislatures. The assembly will draw up the country's permanent constitution and will select a president and two deputy presidents, who in turn will name a new prime minister and Cabinet to serve for 11 months until new elections are held. Remember, it took many years for other democracies to get their start. Let's give the Iraqi's the time they need to get their country in order.

Pix of the Iraqi Vote

2005-01-30T17:30:00.000-06:00

Enjoy these pictures, courtesy of and

SBC, AT&T Board Meet on Merger: Source

2005-01-30T17:09:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of

NEW YORK- The boards of directors of SBC Communications Inc. and AT&T Corp. met on Sunday afternoon to vote on a more than $15 billion stock deal in which SBC will acquire AT&T, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The companies, which have been in talks for days, have come to a tentative agreement, the source said. The combination would bolster SBC's business with large corporations and spell the end for AT&T, the once ubiquitous "Ma Bell."
If the boards approve the deal, it could be announced as early as Monday, the source said.
According to the Wall Street Journal, which cited people close to the companies, the deal would include $15 billion in SBC shares as well as an additional $1 billion special dividend to be paid to AT&T shareholders

Phil's Observations:
You know, I am a little bewildered by this move. I'm not sure I see the benefit of it. In 1984, Ma Bell breaks up. SBC, Ameritech, GTE, and others are now independent companies. In the '90s, they all start merging and aquiring each other. SBC buys Ameritech and others, and Verizon buys GTE and others. Now, SBC wants its big daddy, AT&T back into the family. I'm not so sure about this move.

As a side note, I'm not so sure about the P&G and Gillette move either. That, too, would create a mammath company.

Steve Harrigan

2005-01-29T22:55:00.000-06:00

If you'd like to get an up-close view of world events, you should spend a few moments reading Steve Harrigan's blog. He's a correspondant for Fox News. His blog is his personal commentary and observations. Click on his latest post to get a taste. It's a great blog!

The Dodge Charger

2005-01-28T22:14:00.000-06:00

I don't care what the critics say, I like the new Dodge Charger. I think it's a great looking car.

Click on this link to see more pictures and get more info.

Why Companies Fail ... Or At Least Not Excel

2005-01-26T21:01:00.000-06:00

You know what really drives me up the wall? Poor customer service. It doesn't matter where it's coming from. The utilities. The financials. The healthcares. The services. The hospitalities. Name an industry, and I can cite numerous examples of poor service. What saddens me, though, is that our service levels reflect our society: the expectations are getting lower and lower and lower.

Lemme explain. I want to work for a company that is customer-centric. I want the companies I do business with to be customer-centric. Hell, in today's world, I am even willing to pay more for better service. Here's my thing: If I don't get service that at least meets my expectations, I don't come back. Ever. That's right. Unless I have no choice, chances are I will never, ever come back to you for business again. Yeah, I said chances are. If you try hard enough, I might give you another chance, but the odds of me coming back to you are not in your favor. BUT, if you exceed my expecations, I will be come your loyal customer.

Why am I bringing this up now? Because I've had a couple of recent customer experiences that have frustrated me. And because so many companies don't get it. In order to be successful for the long haul, you need your customers to become loyal. You need to wrap yourself around your customer and make your customer feel like there's no need to even consider going anywhere else because you offer the best solution for them. Why is this such a hard concept to grasp? It all goes back to treating others as you'd like to be treated.

You have to spend a ton of money on marketing and sales to get customers excited about your solutions. Once they are your loyal customer, keeping them costs a lot less than getting new ones in. I honestly believe that if a company sincerely takes care of its customers, the customers will take care of the company. Sure, as in every case, there are exceptions. Some people (and some companies) don't want any responsibility with the relationship. Steer far away from them. A potential customer doesn't have poor credit just because. He or she didn't take personal responsibility with their relationship with their finances. A company doesn't steal money from its shareholders just because. The company didn't take personal responsibility with their relationship with their code of business ethics & moral conduct.

It all boils down to relationships. If you've done anything to inconvenience me, offer me a guesture or token of appreciation. Here's a couple of examples.

I was in line at my local Road Ranger Citgo gas station one morning, and I had to stand in line at the cashier longer than normal. The cashier was talking with the customer in front of me for a while. When that customer left, she apologized about the longer-than-normal wait, explained that she was catching up with one of her regular customers, and offered me a gift certificate for a free cup of coffee. I was impressed, and now I am one of her regular customers. It wasn't just the one experience that made me a loyal customer. It was the icing on the cake. They have always been very friendly. They smile all the time. It's a clean store. Their shelves are full of stuff I might want.

I was flying into DFW for a meeting. I used National. I had some delays in returning the car. I was frustrated. I told Emerald Club about it. Their response was canned and insincere. My next trip to DFW, I used Hertz. Once again, I had some delays getting the car returned. I contacted Gold Club, and I received a letter of apology and a gift certificate for $25. I am now a loyal Hertz customer. Was it because of that one exeperience that I became a loyal customer to Hertz? No, it was the icing on the cake. I've had great experiences with them before.

My cable internet connection had been having issues for a couple of days. I called the tech support line, we did some trouble shooting, and they dispatched a tech to come during a window of time I felt was convenient. They came, the problem was resolved. I was happy. The tech was a great guy. Then, a few days later, I get a postcard from my cable company apologizing for letting me down. I wasn't expecting that. They made a difference. Our relationship is stronger now. I'll probably become a loyal customer when they offer a product that I've been wanting. Why don't I leave them because they don't offer the product I want? Because right now no one does in my area. It's available in other areas, so I know it will get to me eventually. If one of their competitors offers it before they do, I'll consider what to do then. But I can tell you, it will take a lot for me to leave this company.

You see, it takes a little effort to create a loyal customer. If you make feeble attempts to keep your customers, you're building a relationship with a defective foundation. If the foundation isn't strong, your relationship with your customer will crumble. But here's the amazing thing: It typically doesn't take a lot to build the genuine customer relationship. Remember, all it's taken for me in these examples are smiles and tokens of appreciation for my business (and my money).

Here's another big aspect of creating a loyal customer. Keep them out of the middle. Remember, I am buying something from you, a company. I am not buying something from a department, or a division, or a single person. If you're having a problem servicing me or providing me with a product because of a problem internally, or with a vendor, I don't care. That's not my problem. Keep me out of the middle. You take care of it. That's what I pay you for.

Hey, and while your at it, ask yourself this question every time you change something - no matter what it is, a product, a service, a process, whatever - How is this change going to benefit my customer?

Ya know what? No company is ever going to advertise bad service or a bad product. I know that. I'm not buying a service or a product. I'm buying a company. I'm buying a relationship. Save yourself some time, money, and effort. Don't bother trying to get me as one of your customers if you aren't centering everything you do around your customer.

Shooting for the Stars; Going for the Gold

2005-01-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

After I posted my last message, I got to thinking. Why don't some people go for the gold, shoot for the stars, or try to be the best they can be?

Is it apathy?

Is it a lack of confidence?

Is it pessimism?

Is it a lack of self-worth?

Is it despondency?

Is it a lack of love? Friendship?

Is it distrust?

Is it a fear of change?

I simply don't understand why people are afraid to take the action needed to make themselves feel happier and more successful.

You Do What You Need To Do

2005-01-24T22:05:00.000-06:00

I really don't get people who don't do what they need to do to get something done. That statement is pretty vague, isn't it? Yup. Lemme explain.

I know three women from various associations.

1. A 50-year-old single mother; divorced twice; has three grown kids, one teen out of wedlock, and two kids from the second marriage; she works about 30 hours a week; goes to college part time; lives in an apartment she can't afford; and one of her adult children lives with her to provide support; she is the mom of the other two as well.

2. A 28-year-old single mother; has two kids from the same father; has never married; boyfriend (& father of kids) is serving 7 years for armed robbery while he was high on meth; works part-time; also lives in an apartment she can't afford; doesn't have a car.

3. a 23-year-old single woman; works full-time; was diagnosed with Rhuemetoid Arthritis when she was 4; lives in an apartment with her boyfried she can't afford; works full time; boyfriend has his own medical and mental health issues

So what's common with these three women?

a) None of them have a positive attitude; they all expect bad things to happen to them.

b) None of them know how to manage money. The first mom only works about 30 hours, and make some attempts to get a better paying job but isn't consistent about it. The second mom doesn't have a high school diploma or GED; has trouble even working part-time, and relies on her mom and siblings to watch her kids. The third one works full-time, but doesn't work overtime offered to bring in more money.

c) None of them manage time well. They all feel like they don't have enough time in the day. Yet, they all seem to find time to play games on a computer or watch TV.

d) All of them have had a difficult life.

e) All of them say they need to do more. But none of them make the effort to do more.

f) None of them have a sense of confidence or self-resilience.

This is what I don't understand. Wasn't it Einstein who said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results? When I am not happy with something in my life, I change what needs to be changed. Why can't I seem to help these women understand that concept?

I believe that when someone is struggling, they reach a breaking point. That is, they realize they are not happy with their life, and then make a decision: I am not happy with my life and I need to make a change, or I'm frustrated and I give up. I'm not sure if any of these women have reached that point yet. And that concerns me. They have gone through so much - so many things that would have taken me to the breaking point some time ago - that I don't understand how much more misery they can live in before they make a change.

You see, I donate quite a bit of my net income to charitable organizations. I also volunteer for a couple of organizations. If you can't tell yet, I'm a little depressed. I am motivated by seeing the results of my efforts. I enjoy giving my love, effort, time and money to helping others. But my resources aren't unlimited. I can only give so much love, effort, time and money before I need to ask that all-important question: Am I doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? I've been working with these three women for almost 2 years now to help them improve their lives ,to help them become self-sufficient, and I haven't seen significant improvement over the last few months. It bothers me. I want to see positive results, and I'm not. I know that I am not the solution to their problems; they are. But yet, I can't quite seem to get them to understand that they are in control of their future. The choices we make today dictate what the future holds for us.

Why are these three women so afraid to make a change? Fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of sucess? I dunno. Sure, all decisions have some risk. Some results are good; some are not. I understand that if I am rejected or I fail, that is one less rejection or failure I'll have to face in the future. Why can't I help these three ladies understand this concept? Something only changes to benefit you if you make the change happen.

Isn't this pathetic? I'm depressed because I've been trying to help these three ladies and I'm not seeing the results of my efforts. I'm so frustrated that I've actually thought about terminating my relationship with these three ladies and letting the pro's do it with the money in donate. I know that I'll miss the personal contact, and am sure that I will do it again in the future, but right now I am drained. I need to stop and anaylze my priorities. Look at this. Here I am concerned about three people who are so much worse off than me, but I am talking about myself. How pathetic!

Mom: Crack Calms My Toddler

2005-01-22T10:26:00.000-06:00

Once again, a parent puts her child in harm's way. Dammit. Forget the fricckin test to be a parent. Now I'm starting to think an adult needs to get a state license to become a parent.

Mom Charged With Giving Crack to Son, 4
Friday, January 21, 2005

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A mother has been arrested on charges that she gave crack to her 4-year-old son to "calm him down."
Michelle R. Shelton, 32, of Kansas City, was arrested Thursday on a child endangerment charge. Police said the boy did not suffer any obvious injuries from taking the highly addictive drug. He remains in state custody.
Police first began investigating Shelton a year ago when officers said they saw her escorting drug users into the apartment complex where she and her son lived. Police said some residents at the complex told investigators Shelton sometimes gave the boy crack cocaine to "calm him down."
Social workers were sent to the apartment where they took hair samples from Shelton and her son to test for illegal drugs. The tests came back positive, police said.
According to court records, Shelton told detectives she found empty crack bags and drug paraphernalia throughout her home after parties her son attended. She said it was possible the child found some of the drug.

Mom: Kid's Friends Get Drugs; I Get Sex

2005-01-22T10:05:00.000-06:00

"Well, gee mom! How come my friends like you more than me?" Once again, adults should have to take a test to qualify to be a parent.

'Cool Mom' Threw Sex Parties for Boys
Friday, January 21, 2005

ARVADA, Colo. — A 40-year-old woman faces charges of sexual assault and contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allegedly supplying drugs and alcohol to high school boys and having sex with some of them.
Sylvia Johnson, 40, told police she wanted to be a "cool mom," according to an arrest affidavit.
Johnson did not immediately return a telephone message Thursday.
The arrest affidavit alleges Johnson had parties for the boys almost weekly between October 2003 and October 2004. The affidavit says she gave them marijuana, methamphetamine and a variety of alcoholic drinks.
"She described herself as a 'cool mom,' " Detective R.J. Vander Veen wrote in the affidavit. He said Johnson told investigators "she was never popular with classmates in high school and now began 'feeling like one of the group.' "
Jefferson County district attorney's spokeswoman Pam Russell said she could not comment on whether Johnson has any children. If she does, they would be considered victims, Russell said, and state law shields their identities.
The affidavit accuses Johnson of providing drugs and alcohol to eight boys and having sex with five of them.
Authorities said the investigation began after one of the boys told his mother about the encounters, and she called police.
Johnson faces a preliminary hearing in February on two counts of sexual assault, eight counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. She was arrested last month.

Dad Puts Son's Life In Jeopardy

2005-01-22T09:47:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, I wish we could execute people simply for putting kids in harm's way. How stupid are some of my fellow humans? I'm starting to think that people should have to take a test to qualify to be a parent.

Fla. Boy Found; Kidnap Suspect Still at Large
Saturday, January 22, 2005

ATLANTA — An 11-year-old boy was found safe Friday in Georgia, three days after he disappeared with a convicted child molester who had been living with him and his father in Florida.

"He is safe and he is OK," FBI spokesman Steven Lazarus said of the boy Friday evening. Police were searching for the man who had been with the boy in the same woods where the child was found.

Frederick Fretz, 42, picked up the boy Tuesday from his school in Dunnellon, Fla., police said. Their drive ended about 375 miles to the northwest when their car stalled on an exit ramp off Interstate 75 north of Atlanta.

The discovery of the car Friday morning triggered the search for the two. Emerson, Ga., police received a call when Fretz and the boy went to a store to buy a gallon of water and some candy, police Maj. Mike Powell said.

Police found the child near a gas station less than 12 hours after the car was found and about two miles from the vehicle. "Two of my officers were chasing the suspect through the woods, and the boy was running toward us," Powell said.

The boy's father said he was going to Georgia to reunite with his son.

The boy's father says Fretz never told him he had been convicted of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy in Pennsylvania in 1991. Authorities issued an Amber Alert on Wednesday to notify the public and other law enforcement agencies once they learned about the conviction.

The boy's father had invited Fretz to move into his home in October after they served time together in the Marion County, Fla., jail — Fretz for domestic battery and marijuana possession, the boy's father for a probation violation on an aggravated battery charge. While in jail they realized that they had known each other as teens in New Jersey.

Fretz regularly took the boy to and from school because his dad has been able to leave home only for work and church.

Phil's Commentary on the President's Address

2005-01-21T08:21:00.000-06:00

Here's the address with comments mixed in.

Vice President Cheney, Mr. Chief Justice, President Carter, President Bush, President Clinton, reverend clergy, distinguished guests, fellow citizens:

On this day, prescribed by law and marked by ceremony, we celebrate the durable wisdom of our Constitution, and recall the deep commitments that unite our country. I am grateful for the honor of this hour, mindful of the consequential times in which we live, and determined to fulfill the oath that I have sworn and you have witnessed.

At this second gathering, our duties are defined not by the words I use, but by the history we have seen together. (Wow, he understands that it's not all about him ... for my liberal friends who say he is conceited) For a half century, America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders. After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical - and then there came a day of fire.(Just like our brave firefighters, America doesn't run away from fire, we go in to save lives.)

We have seen our vulnerability - and we have seen its deepest source. For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny - prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder - violence will gather, and multiply in destructive power, and cross the most defended borders, and raise a mortal threat. There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom. (Human freedom is the catalyst to destroy tyranny!)

We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world. (This is the one thing that liberals either don't understand or choose not to. Any one who doesn't want a democracy is a threat to democracy!)

America's vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one. From the day of our Founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth. Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave. Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our Nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security, and the calling of our time.(Why are so many liberals so afraid to spread democracy?)

So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. (What a visionary statement!)

This is not primarily the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary. Freedom, by its nature, must be chosen, and defended by citizens, and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities. (After all, isn't that what freedom is all about?) And when the soul of a nation finally speaks, the institutions that arise may reflect customs and traditions very different from our own. America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling. Our goal instead is to help others find their own voice, attain their own freedom, and make their own way.(i.e. for my liberal friends, we are not forcing America's way of life upon them)

The great objective of ending tyranny is the concentrated work of generations. The difficulty of the task is no excuse for avoiding it. (Wow, a President who understands that an excuse is just that... an excuse!) America's influence is not unlimited, but fortunately for the oppressed, America's influence is considerable, and we will use it confidently in freedom's cause.(You know, my income isn't unlimited, but I still give to charitable organizations. Just because the resources are limited doesn't mean you shouldn't fight the good fight.)

My most solemn duty is to protect this nation and its people against further attacks and emerging threats. (Not many Presidents have understood this. I won't mention the name of our President in the late 70's.) Some have unwisely chosen to test America's resolve, and have found it firm.

We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right. (WAIT A SECOND! You mean there is actually a difference between what is right and wrong? So many of my liberal friends don't acknowledge this.) America will not pretend that jailed dissidents prefer their chains, or that women welcome humiliation and servitude, or that any human being aspires to live at the mercy of bullies.

We will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people. America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies, yet rights must be more than the grudging concessions of dictators; they are secured by free dissent and the participation of the governed. In the long run, there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty.

Some, I know, have questioned the global appeal of liberty - though this time in history, four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen (Look at the past 50 years. How many more democratic governments are there because of America?),is an odd time for doubt. Americans, of all people, should never be surprised by the power of our ideals. Eventually, the call of freedom comes to every mind and every soul. We do not accept the existence of permanent tyranny because we do not accept the possibility of permanent slavery. Liberty will come to those who love it.

Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world:

All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.(Oh my God! He's making a committment!)

Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country. (Wow! This man can see beyond today!)

The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it." (Wow! We still believe that? Bet your ass we do !)

The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know: To serve your people you must learn to trust them. Start on this journey of progress and justice, and America will walk at your side. (Wow! Another committment!)

And all the allies of the United States can know: we honor your friendship, we rely on your counsel, and we depend on your help. Division among free nations is a primary goal of freedom's enemies. The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy is a prelude to our enemies' defeat.(Holy cow! You mean this President can be realistic, AND promote optimism? Damn straight!)

Today, I also speak anew to my fellow citizens:

From all of you, I have asked patience in the hard task of securing America, which you have granted in good measure. Our country has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill, and would be dishonorable to abandon. Yet because we have acted in the great liberating tradition of this nation, tens of millions have achieved their freedom. And as hope kindles hope, millions more will find it. By our efforts, we have lit a fire as well - a fire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power, it burns those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world. (You mean it's possible for every country in this global community could be a democracy? What a vision!)

A few Americans have accepted the hardest duties in this cause - in the quiet work of intelligence and diplomacy … the idealistic work of helping raise up free governments … the dangerous and necessary work of fighting our enemies. Some have shown their devotion to our country in deaths that honored their whole lives - and we will always honor their names and their sacrifice.

All Americans have witnessed this idealism, and some for the first time. I ask our youngest citizens to believe the evidence of your eyes. You have seen duty and allegiance in the determined faces of our soldiers. You have seen that life is fragile, and evil is real, and courage triumphs. Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself - and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country, but to its character.(Wow! You mean the young folks matter? Yup. This guy is looking out for you!)

America has need of idealism and courage, because we have essential work at home - the unfinished work of American freedom. In a world moving toward liberty, we are determined to show the meaning and promise of liberty.

In America's ideal of freedom, citizens find the dignity and security of economic independence, instead of laboring on the edge of subsistence. This is the broader definition of liberty that motivated the Homestead Act, the Social Security Act, and the G.I. Bill of Rights. And now we will extend this vision by reforming great institutions to serve the needs of our time. To give every American a stake in the promise and future of our country, we will bring the highest standards to our schools, and build an ownership society. We will widen the ownership of homes and businesses, retirement savings and health insurance - preparing our people for the challenges of life in a free society. By making every citizen an agent of his or her own destiny, we will give our fellow Americans greater freedom from want and fear, and make our society more prosperous and just and equal.(A side note ... My career has revolved around leading and managing people. I can cite so many examples of how employees peform better and strive to be the best they can be when the employee feels that s/he belongs and feels like they have ownership in what they are doing. One of my most challenging and enjoyable experiences was taking a staff of 75 data entry and customer service folks with an accuracy rate of 84% and leaving them with an accuracy rate above 99% in about 14 months. How did I do it? I didn't! I provided an environment that encouraged process and customer ownership. Once they felt they had a role and owned it, they took off and performed better than they have ever before! They did it, not me! If it worked for an employee, what's to say that it won't work for an average citizen? Let the individual be in control of their future. Encourage them to own their home. Encourage them to prepare for retirement by allowing them to own personal savings accounts. Encourage them to manage their own health care. An ownership society will take America to places it never imagined possible before. Remember, so many people came to this country simply for the opportunity to own land!)

In America's ideal of freedom, the public interest depends on private character - on integrity, and tolerance toward others, and the rule of conscience in our own lives. Self-government relies, in the end, on the governing of the self. That edifice of character is built in families, supported by communities with standards, and sustained in our national life by the truths of Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount, the words of the Koran, and the varied faiths of our people. Americans move forward in every generation by reaffirming all that is good and true that came before - ideals of justice and conduct that are the same yesterday, today, and forever.(You mean that people from all faiths can contribute. Yes! That is your obligation as an American citizen.)

In America's ideal of freedom, the exercise of rights is ennobled by service, and mercy, and a heart for the weak. Liberty for all does not mean independence from one another. Our nation relies on men and women who look after a neighbor and surround the lost with love. Americans, at our best, value the life we see in one another, and must always remember that even the unwanted have worth. And our country must abandon all the habits of racism, because we cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same time.(It's time to start living in the 21st century folks! Look at my very first entry in this blog to get a futher explanation on that comment.)

From the perspective of a single day, including this day of dedication, the issues and questions before our country are many. From the viewpoint of centuries, the questions that come to us are narrowed and few. Did our generation advance the cause of freedom? And did our character bring credit to that cause? (There's that ownership thing again! Are we acting like we are accountable? Whenever you look at the effectiveness of a process, there are three simple steps: Plan, Do, Verify. Yes folks, every once in a while we need to stop and ask that all-so-important questions: Are we getting results from our actions?)

These questions that judge us also unite us, because Americans of every party and background, Americans by choice and by birth, are bound to one another in the cause of freedom. We have known divisions, which must be healed to move forward in great purposes - and I will strive in good faith to heal them. Yet those divisions do not define America. We felt the unity and fellowship of our nation when freedom came under attack, and our response came like a single hand over a single heart. And we can feel that same unity and pride whenever America acts for good, and the victims of disaster are given hope, and the unjust encounter justice, and the captives are set free.(America did all of that? Yes. Have you been asleep at the wheel?)

We go forward with complete confidence in the eventual triumph of freedom. (We must always have faith!) Not because history runs on the wheels of inevitability; it is human choices that move events. Not because we consider ourselves a chosen nation; God moves and chooses as He wills. We have confidence because freedom is the permanent hope of mankind, the hunger in dark places, the longing of the soul. When our Founders declared a new order of the ages; when soldiers died in wave upon wave for a union based on liberty; when citizens marched in peaceful outrage under the banner "Freedom Now" - they were acting on an ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled. History has an ebb and flow of justice, but history also has a visible direction, set by liberty and the Author of Liberty.

When the Declaration of Independence was first read in public and the Liberty Bell was sounded in celebration, a witness said, "It rang as if it meant something." In our time it means something still. America, in this young century, proclaims liberty throughout all the world, and to all the inhabitants thereof. Renewed in our strength - tested, but not weary - we are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom.(i.e. Do something that means something!)

May God bless you, and may He watch over the United States of America.
And God bless you, Mr. President!

Mell & Blag ... what's next?

2005-01-20T17:32:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) -- With the threat of a defamation lawsuit looming, powerful Chicago Alderman Richard Mell on Thursday recanted allegations that the chief fund-raiser for his son-in-law, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, traded government appointments for campaign contributions.
"When I said that you, as the governor's chief fund-raiser, traded appointments to commissions and state boards for $50,000 donations I knew that to be inaccurate," Mell wrote in a letter to Christopher Kelly, who had been Blagojevich's campaign finance director. "My comments were based upon my misreading of earlier published reports and were an exaggerated extrapolation made by me in the heat of the moment."
Paul Levy, Mell's attorney, said Kelly signed a legal document that prevents him from suing Mell over the issue.
Kelly, in a statement read by his lawyer, said he insisted Mell acknowledge he misspoke "or be forced to tell his story in a court of law.""The truth is not negotiable, and we stood our ground and the truth has emerged," Kelly's statement said.
Mell, the father of Blagojevich's wife, Patti, made his accusations during a public argument with Blagojevich after the governor closed a landfill run by a distant cousin of his wife. Mell accused Blagojevich of shutting down the landfill to punish him for criticizing the governor in the past and to polish his public image.
The influential Democrat said he spoke in the heat of the moment after he had been told that people in the governor's office were saying he was part of an illegal landfill operation, which he denied.
"I probably overreacted when a (Chicago) Sun-Times reporter called me and I said things that, in retrospect, I certainly wouldn't have," Mell told The Associated Press.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Cook County State's Attorney Richard Devine and Blagojevich's executive inspector general are investigating Mell's accusation.
Mell said if the investigations are based only on his comments, they should be halted. Robert Clifford, Kelly's attorney, declined to go that far.
"It's not for me to say where she should go," Clifford said about Madigan, whose office and Devine's were working together. "From what I know about the matter, it's closed and should be closed."
On Friday, Kelly denied the accusation and threatened to sue Mell for defamation if he did not retract his statement publicly.
Mell told the Chicago Tribune last week that he based his allegations on articles that appeared in that newspaper in November. The Tribune investigated the amount of money donated to the Blagojevich campaign by appointees and found that more than 120 appointees donated $1.9 million total to his campaign fund.
In his letter, Mell apologized to Kelly for "any distress that my comments may have caused you or your family," and said it was "never my intention to impugn your reputation. I know that you would never compromise your integrity."
Levy denied that the threat of litigation prompted the letter.
"The litigation was not the concern. The concern was setting the record straight and correcting an error," Levy said.
"The alderman misspoke under the pressure of an emotional moment. He made a mistake and he wanted to correct that mistake," Levy said. "Frankly, he really wanted to do the right thing. This letter is evidence of that intent on his part."
The unusually public family fight began Jan. 6 when Blagojevich shut down a landfill run by Frank Schmidt, a distant cousin of the governor's wife. Schmidt vehemently denied rumors that he suggested he could operate his dump unlawfully because of his family ties.
The governor ordered the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to investigate Schmidt's Land Reclamation Services Inc. in Joliet, then told the agency to shut down the landfill after the investigation found multiple violations.
Mell reacted angrily, saying Blagojevich was acting as a "white knight" trying to show he was "the champion of virtue."
Days later, Mell choked back tears when he said he was right to criticize the governor but wanted the fight to end for the sake of his family.

A local story that caught my eye

2005-01-19T18:01:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of the Rockford Register Star

ROCKFORD -- The Winnebago County state's attorney dropped a dozen pending felony drug cases after the resignation of a Rockford detective who was involved in what officials call "an unethical relationship" with a female informant.
The decision allows 12 suspected drug dealers, who were accused of pushing heroin, crack and marijuana, to walk without being taken to trial. And defense attorneys say the dismissals call into question 15 more felony and misdemeanor drug cases that could be open to post-conviction appeals.
The decision to dismiss the cases came two weeks after Rockford Metro Narcotics Detective Doug Palmer told department brass about his relationship and resigned.
Calling it a personnel matter, police officials aren't saying with what or whom Palmer was involved, but the former detective is not under investigation, and charges have not been filed against him.
"We don't believe that anything improper occurred, but there could be the appearance of impropriety," Winnebago County State's Attorney Paul Logli said.
"Basically, with input from the Rockford Police Department, and at the department's suggestion, these cases were dismissed."
Devastating to department
Logli said not all cases Palmer was involved with have been dismissed. Only cases that involved him and a particular contact were dismissed. Palmer was an 11-year police veteran who worked gangs and narcotics as a detective.
"From the time that this surfaced, we acted," Deputy Police Chief Dominic Iasparro said. "We are very uncomfortable with even the appearance of impropriety."
Iasparro said the dismissals were devastating to the department, and in particular the Metro Narcotics Unit, because many of the cases took weeks, if not months, to put together.
"It's not to say these people aren't dope dealers -- they are," Iasparro said. "If they continue to do that, we'll arrest them and they will be prosecuted."
Palmer did not return a call placed through his former union rep.
Four cases gone
Officially, only four cases have been dismissed: Lonnie Morris, accused of possession of 100 to 400 grams of heroin; Glenn Robertson, accused of possession of cocaine near school grounds; Adrian Scott, accused of possession of 300 to 500 grams of marijuana; and Victor Tilson, accused of possession of marijuana.
Logli said the other dismissals will occur when the suspects appear for their next court date. He added that he does not plan to refile charges on these cases.
"You could say they'd be dismissed with prejudice," Logli said.
Public Defender Karen Sorensen, whose office handled Tilson's case and started work on another until that suspect got a private attorney, said dismissing only pending cases might not go far enough.
Sorensen said she plans to vet the earlier cases involving Palmer and possibly file appeals.

Rice Confirmation Hearing

2005-01-18T20:42:00.000-06:00

LOL, what a waste of government time. The onlly bright spot is that I was able to get a good chuckle or two. Everyone knows she is going to be confirmed because she is intelligent, passionate, and knows how to get things done.

Here's a sample of my favorites:

Rice was visibly irked when Boxer said, “I personally believe — this is my personal belief — that your loyalty to this mission to sell this war overwhelmed your respect for the truth.”

“We can have this discussion in any way that you would like, but I really hope you will refrain from impugning my integrity,” Rice replied. “I really hope that you will not imply that I take the truth lightly.”
- - - - -
"Sept. 11, 2001 was a defining moment for our nation and for the world. Under the vision and leadership of President Bush, our nation has risen to meet the challenges of our time: fighting tyranny and terror, and securing the blessings of freedom and prosperity for a new generation. The work that America and our allies have undertaken, and the sacrifices we have made, have been difficult and necessary and right. Now is the time to build on these achievements to make the world safer, and to make the world more free. We must use American diplomacy to help create a balance of power in the world that favors freedom. And the time for diplomacy is now." — Condoleezza Rice
- - - -
"We went in to rescue Iraq from Saddam Hussein," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. "Now I think we have to rescue our policy from ourselves."

Rice replied: "I'm sure that we (made) multiple, many decisions, some of which were good, some of which might not have been good. But the strategic decision to overthrow Saddam Hussein was the right one."
- - - -
"We must use American diplomacy to help create a balance of power in the world that favors freedom," Rice told the committee. "And the time for diplomacy is now."

Biden shot back: "Despite our great military might we are in my view more alone in the world than we've been in any time in recent memory. The time for diplomacy, in my view, is long overdue."
- - - -

Seth's Post & My Comment

2005-01-17T19:57:00.000-06:00

If you haven't checked out Seth's blog, it may be worth your time. Here is a recent Seth post and my comment.

Gay Paris
I’m tired of people picking on the French because they didn’t want to get into the “war”. They stayed neutral, so what? The United States did the same thing years ago. Remember WWII? Well the Germans invaded France in 1940 but the United States refused to get involved until we were attacked in 1942. Iraq never attacked France so why should we persecute them for not going to war? In all honesty Iraq never attacked America either. Granted Iraq should have been liberated and I am glad we are over here doing what we are doing but we shouldn’t pick on a country for staying out of a fight that isn’t theirs. Later.
posted by SethIsRoot at 8:15 PM
- - - -
Seth, I'm not really bothered if a country decides to stay "neutral" and out of a conflict; that is their priority (although I may consider them to be wimps). The problem with France is that they are not neutral! They are waist deep in shit from their dealings with Saddam. They just didn't just not want to assist America, they argued against it! Wait for a few more months, and they may be chin-deep in shit as it folds out.And while I'm on this rant, I've got to explain that it is not the French people I am angry with. It's their government. I really wish they would fight for a new government. I've been to France twice on vacations; they have some absolutely great people there, and I love to travel the countryside with my camera.
You're absolutely right. Iraq did not attack us directly. Key word is directly. Saddam knew it would be nuts to do that. That's why he offered habor & support to Al Queda. He lost the bet, though. We still came and kicked his ass. No wait. We couldn't. His ass was hidden in an underground hole.
By Kicknit, at 4:38 AM

Toddler Ripped From Home

2005-01-16T11:31:00.000-06:00

AP Reports via FoxNews
Saturday, January 15, 2005

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — The adoptive mother of a 31/2-year-old boy at the center of a custody dispute tearfully handed the boy to his biological mother on Saturday, then dropped to the ground and repeatedly screamed: "How can they do this to a little boy?"
Evan, bundled in a blue jacket and sucking on a pacifier, was carried outside by Dawn Scott, who along with her husband, Gene, cared for the child for most of his life. The couple had appealed a judge's ruling transferring custody to the biological mother, Amanda Hopkins.
News crews gathered around the Scotts' home Saturday morning in anticipation of the meeting, and the child's biological father and grandfather pushed a television cameraman out of the way during the transfer.
Evan, who could be heard wailing inside the home, appeared calm after he was placed in a car seat in a van driven by Hopkins' husband, Michael Hopkins.
Amanda Hopkins scolded photographers taking pictures of the child: "Leave him alone. He's just a little boy."
Hopkins, a member of the U.S. Navy, lives in Illinois with her husband and infant daughter, but their hometown has been kept in sealed court files.
Evan was quickly whisked away, and Dawn Scott then dropped to the ground in an emotional outburst.
Gene Scott called it a "very emotional, traumatic situation" and said the family would continue their legal fight.
"If they truly loved him, they wouldn't have done this," he said, tears welled in his eyes.
The Scotts had appealed Friday to the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee, asking the court to let them keep the child. But their attorney, Susan Pniewski, said the court never acted in the case.
The case began about 31/2 years ago when the childless Scotts met Hopkins, who was pregnant. She agreed to a private adoption, according to court files.
The Scotts watched Evan's birth in May 2001, and he was placed with them two days later.
The adoption was supposed to be final in August 2001. But a month before that, the boy's biological father, Stephen White, filed a motion demanding custody. The Scotts claimed White should not be able to block the adoption, but a judge disagreed.
Hopkins supported the adoption until it appeared the court might grant White's request for custody. Late last month, she was awarded custody and White was given liberal visitation rights.
Calls to attorneys representing Hopkins and White were not immediately returned Saturday.
Carl Moodispaugh, 37, who lives in the Scotts' cul-de-sac, said his 8-year-old stepson, Christopher, often played "Hot Wheels" with Evan, and the youngster was like a little brother to his son.
"It is like one of our kids being ripped from us," Moodispaugh said.

Phil's Observations
We should be ashamed of courts when they rip kids from loving homes with responsible parents. This kid is now going to have to learn how to deal with a new mommy & daddy.

SS Cuts Coming?

2005-01-16T11:14:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Rueters
Bush: Social Security Cuts Not Inevitable -- Report
Fri Jan 14, 2005

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Future retirees will not necessarily see smaller Social Security checks if Congress approves the administration plan to allow younger workers to invest part of their payroll taxes, President Bush said in an interview published on Friday.
Asked if people should expect some reduction in future guaranteed benefits as a necessity of overhauling the system, Bush responded, "No," without elaborating.
Bush has said his plan would not cut benefits of current or near-term retirees.
But conservative groups familiar with some of the White House thinking on the proposal said officials were considering changing the way benefits were calculated from wage inflation to price inflation. That eventually would lead to deep cuts in guaranteed Social Security benefits because wages rise faster than prices.
Bush told USA Today his goal was to protect the federal retirement system "without bankrupting our economy by having to raise payroll taxes so high, or dramatically slashing benefits."
"What people should expect is that we will work with people of both parties to do the best we can possibly do to prevent the system from going bankrupt and to making the system viable," Bush said.
The White House is trying to persuade lawmakers and the public that Social Security's finances are in peril and that the president's proposal, which he has yet to spell out in detail, offers the right fix.
Democrats have accused the administration of exaggerating Social Security's problems in order to push through Bush's plan to let workers shift part of their payroll taxes into private accounts, which could then be invested in stocks and bonds.

Bush is Right: We Have an Obligation to Fix SS

2005-01-16T11:12:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Reuters
Bush: Fixing Social Security Is 'Moral Obligation'
Sat Jan 15, 2005

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Facing an intensifying fight over his plan to revamp Social Security, President Bush insisted on Saturday that the retirement program was in peril and he had a moral responsibility to fix it.
"Saving Social Security is an economic challenge. But it is also a profound moral obligation," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
He described the 70-year-old U.S. retirement system as broken and urged that it be changed to allow younger workers to divert a portion of their payroll taxes into private stock and bond accounts.
U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy this week accused Bush of hyping concerns about the nation's retirement program, just as he did on Iraq, and urged Democrats to stand up to the "politics of fear."
The scathing remarks from Kennedy, a leading liberal voice in Congress, came as opponents of Bush's plan stepped up their fight against it.
The AARP, which represents 35 million senior citizens, is spending $5 million this month a newspaper ad campaign to beat back Bush's plan. Labor unions are also strongly opposed to it.
Even some Republicans became skittish about Bush's strategy after a leaked White House memo suggested the administration favors curbing the rate of growth in future retirement benefits.
Bush, who has yet to unveil a detailed Social Security proposal, was noncommittal about whether he favored cuts in future benefits.
When asked by USA Today on Friday if people should expect some reduction in future guaranteed benefits as a necessity of overhauling the system, Bush responded, "No," without elaborating.
In 2018, Social Security will begin paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes, according to report from the Social Security trustees, which includes Treasury Secretary John Snow and other members of Bush's Cabinet.
But Social Security will continue to earn interest income from the U.S. government bonds it holds in the trust fund.
The fund is expected to run out of cash in 2042, leading Bush to warn that the system is headed for "bankruptcy."
But many Democrats said the use of such descriptions exaggerates the problem because even under pessimistic scenarios, workers would still be paying into Social Security in 2042 and retirees would still receive benefits, although at a reduced rate.

Sparring over SS

2005-01-16T11:09:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Rueters
Bush, Democrats Spar Over Social Security
Sat Jan 15, 2005

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Facing an intensifying fight over his plan to revamp Social Security, President Bush insisted on Saturday that the retirement program was in peril and he had a moral responsibility to fix it.
But Democrats said Bush's plan to let workers shift Social Security payroll taxes into private accounts would drive up government debt and replace a secure program with a risky one.
"Saving Social Security is an economic challenge. But it is also a profound moral obligation," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
He urged quick action by Congress on his proposals to allow individual stock and bond accounts.
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan countered that Bush's plan, which is estimated to involve transition costs of $1 trillion to $2 trillion, would worsen deficits.
"Our nation already is staggering under the largest budget deficit in the history of the country," she said in the Democratic radio address. "Taking out even more debt could destabilize financial markets, drive up interest rates and stifle economic growth."
Transition costs would be required for private accounts because, under the current system, the benefits of those now retired are paid for through the payroll taxes of those now working. If a portion of such taxes are diverted, the government would need to make up the difference.
Bush has ruled out a rise in payroll taxes, leaving borrowing as one of the few options.
DELAYS COSTLY
The president argued that delaying on changes to Social Security would be costly by itself.
"According to the Social Security trustees, waiting just one year adds $600 billion to the cost of fixing Social Security," Bush said.
Stabenow echoed Sen. Edward Kennedy, a leading liberal in Congress, in saying Bush was hyping Social Security's woes.
"The program does face long-term challenges, and we should act to strengthen and improve the program for the long term," Stabenow said.
But she said the project long-term shortfall in Social Security was equivalent to just one-fifth the cost of Bush's tax cuts.
Labor unions and the AARP, which represents 35 million senior citizens, are fighting to beat back Bush's plan.
Even some Republicans became skittish after a leaked White House memo suggested the administration may favor curbing the rate of growth in future retirement benefits.
Stabenow highlighted the memo as an added reason for Democratic concern about Bush's proposal.
The president, who has yet to unveil a detailed Social Security plan, was noncommittal about whether he favored cuts in future benefits in a USA Today interview on Friday.
When asked if people should expect some reduction in future guaranteed benefits as a necessity of overhauling the system, Bush responded, "No," without elaborating.
In 2018, Social Security will begin paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes, according to report from the Social Security trustees, which includes Treasury Secretary John Snow and other members of Bush's Cabinet.
The trustees project the fund will run out of cash in 2042, leading Bush to warn that Social Security is headed for "bankruptcy."
But Stabenow noted that a separate report by the Congressional Budget Office said the trust fund would not be exhausted until 2052 and could still pay "100 percent of its commitments" until then.

More on SS...

2005-01-16T11:00:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Reuters
US Agency Prepares to Sound Social Security Alarm
Sat Jan 15, 2005 7:02 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Social Security Administration is set to publicize its financial problems and promote partial privatization of the government pension system as part of a solution, despite the objections of many agency employees, The New York Times reported on Saturday.
Agency internal documents include a "tactical plan" for making the case that Social Security is in serious trouble and requires immediate action, the Times said on its Web site.
Social Security officials say the agency is carrying out its mission to educate the public, including more than 47 million beneficiaries, and to support the privatization agenda of President Bush, the newspaper reported.
But many employees at the Social Security Administration have complained to agency officials of being dragged into a battle over the program's future.
They question the accuracy of recent statements by the agency and say that money from the Social Security trust fund should not be used for such advocacy, the Times said.
"Trust fund dollars should not be used to promote a political agenda," said Dana Duggins, a vice president of the Social Security Council of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 50,000 of the agency's 64,000 workers and has opposed private accounts.
Deborah Fredericksen of Minneapolis, who has worked for the agency for 31 years, told the Times, "Many employees believe that the president and this agency are using scare tactics to promote private accounts."
'MORAL RESPONSIBILITY'
Bush insisted on Saturday that the retirement program was in peril and he had a moral responsibility to fix it.
"Saving Social Security is an economic challenge. But it is also a profound moral obligation," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
He urged quick action by Congress on his proposals to allow individual stock and bond accounts.
Democrats said Bush's plan to let workers shift some Social Security payroll taxes into private accounts would drive up government debt and replace a secure program with a risky one.
Social Security trustees warn the program will pay out more in benefits than it collects in revenue in 2018. By 2042, the trust fund will be exhausted and tax income will be sufficient to pay only 73 percent of scheduled benefits, they say.
Alarming comments by officials about the program heading for bankruptcy have prompted inquiries from the public to Social Security offices. Agency managers said they expect a torrent of phone calls after Bush's inaugural address on Thursday and his State of the Union speech two weeks later.
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan said Bush's privatization plan, which is estimated to involve transition costs of $1 trillion to $2 trillion, would worsen deficits.
"Our nation already is staggering under the largest budget deficit in the history of the country," she said in the Democratic radio address. "Taking out even more debt could destabilize financial markets, drive up interest rates and stifle economic growth."
Unlike two other cases, the government is making its role clear in the Social Security debate.
Federal regulators this week said they have opened a probe into whether conservative commentator Armstrong Williams violated a ban on "payola" in promoting the Bush administration's education plan.
Williams has acknowledged that the Education Department's outside media firm paid $240,000 to a public relations company he owns to promote Bush's "No Child Left Behind" education act during a television show he owned and hosted.
Last May a congressional watchdog agency said government video news releases on a new Medicare drug benefit constituted improper use of funds for publicity and propaganda.

Phil's Observations
This story will continue for many years. Some of us already get it. Too bad it takes others longer to understand what the actual problem is and what the actual solution is. It wouldn't be so hard to change if people would stop feeling entitled to getting a Social Security check.

What a Dumbass!

2005-01-14T01:00:00.000-06:00

Prince Harry Slammed Over Nazi Outfit
Thursday, January 13, 2005

LONDON — Being the son of Princess Diana buys some sympathy, but not enough to get away with wearing a Nazi uniform.
So Prince Harry is learning, to immense royal embarrassment, after his party costume provoked outrage from Jewish groups and politicians.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center urged the wayward 20-year-old to go to Auschwitz to atone; the leader of the opposition Conservative Party demanded a public apology, and another lawmedition was hitting the streets with a big headline — HARRY THE NAZI — and a picture of the young royal wearing a swastika armband.
The picture was snapped by a guest at a costume party on Saturday, and apparently sold to The Sun. "It was a poor choice of costume and I apologize," Harry said in a statement issued through the office of his father, Prince Charles.
Prince William reportedly was costumed as a leopard and lion for the "native and colonial" theme party at the home of Richard Meade, who won three gold medals in equestrian events at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. One unidentified woman in the photo was dressed as an American Indian, while another was attired as a European peasant. A man wore what appeared to be an Arab headdress.
"I think a lot of people will be disappointed to see that photograph and it will cause a lot of offense," said Michael Howard, leader of Britain's main opposition Conservative Party.
"I think it might be appropriate for him to tell us himself just how contrite he now is," added Howard, who is Jewish.
Prime Minister Tony Blair sidestepped the furor. "Prince Harry has made it clear that he is very sorry about it. The rest of it is best to leave Buckingham Palace to comment on," he told BBC radio.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles expressed outrage.
"We strongly urge Prince Harry to accompany the British delegation on Jan. 27 to the Auschwitz death camp to commemorate 60 years since liberation," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the center. "There he will see the results of the hated symbol he so foolishly and brazenly chose to wear."
However, a spokesman at Clarence House, Prince Charles' London residence, said sending Harry to the ceremonies at Auschwitz "is not something we would be considering."
"Basically we felt that the prince's apology last evening was very comprehensive and extensive," said a spokesman.
Doug Henderson, a legislator and former defense ministry official, said Harry was unfit to take his place at Sandhurst, the military academy.
But Janner said: "I would send him in the army as fast as possible. I hope that would teach him not to behave like that."
The action also upset many Israelis.
Vice Premier Shimon Peres called it "very bizarre."
"Well, the next time he will dress up and behave like a prince," Peres said.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said: "The use of Nazi symbols is always intolerable ... especially now that we are marking the 60th anniversary of the release from the death camps."
The incident secured Harry's place as the current buffoon in the long-running royal soap opera.
In October, Harry got into a fist-fight with a photographer outside a nightclub. Before that, a former art teacher at Eton claimed she had helped Harry cheat on an exam — a charge rejected by a tribunal. And in 2002, Charles made Harry spend a day at a drug rehabilitation center after he was caught smoking marijuana and indulging in underage drinking.
Charles himself has served his time as most disgraceful royal; so has Harry's outspoken grandfather Prince Philip, his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and their wives, and his aunt, Princess Anne.
But none made the mistake of trampling on sensitivities about World War II and the Holocaust, still vivid issues in Britain even as audiences roar at dancing Nazis in Mel Brooks' musical version of "The Producers" in London's West End.
"This incident serves as another reminder, if one were needed, of the importance for Holocaust education, particularly amongst the young," said Stephen Smith, who heads the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, which organizes British commemorations of the Jan. 27 anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps.
Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, will mark the day by holding a reception at St. James' Palace for death camp survivors and some of the British soldiers who liberated them.

Seth Shares a Positive Moment in Iraq

2005-01-13T16:44:00.000-06:00

If you haven't done so yet, be sure to check out Seth's blog.

His latest entry gives gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling - the side of Seth that he doesn't often share.

Flower Power
I had a mission to one of the water treatment plants in Baghdad today. While we were waiting around a bunch of kids swarmed us. I gave them water and candy and in return one of the little girls went and picked a flower for me (look at the picture below). I thought it was pretty cool so I am posting it.I like knowing that I am making a difference here. The difference may be small but I like to think that we need to help on a personal level instead of just sending a check to some relief organization. Just talking and interacting with the locals shows them that we are not monsters like some say we are. Sorry no rants :(. Later.

Illinois Politics Crack Me Up

2005-01-11T22:15:00.000-06:00

Mell wants end to family feud; Blagojevich 'worried' about father-in-law
By MAURA KELLY LANNANAssociated Press Writer

CHICAGO (AP) -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich's father-in-law, influential Chicago Alderman Richard Mell, said Tuesday he believes he was right to criticize the governor for closing a landfill run by a distant relative, but he said he wants the public feud to end for the sake of the family.
"This is something that is going to be put to rest today," an emotional Mell said, choking back tears. "What was done was regrettable, I think. I'm hoping that there's a possibility of repairing this."
Blagojevich would not say whether they can patch things up.
"I just don't want to get into private discussions in a public setting," he said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I care about my father-in-law. I'm worried about my father-in-law. This has been hard on all of us."
Blagojevich angrily rejected Mell's accusation that his office has appointed people to boards and commissions in exchange for campaign contributions. The governor called the claim "reckless and defamatory" and said his inspector general should look into the issue so it can be laid to rest.
Last week, Mell publicly accused Blagojevich of shutting down a landfill run by a distant relative to punish him for criticizing the governor in the past. Mell said Blagojevich was acting as a "white knight" trying to show he was "the champion of virtue."
"I think you all know that I'm not afraid of a fight," Mell said Tuesday during a news conference at City Hall. "I think you all realize that in fact that when I think I'm right, I will stand up for what I believe is right."
Blagojevich ordered the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to investigate Land Reclamation Services Inc. in Joliet after Frank Schmidt, a distant cousin of Blagojevich's wife, Patti, allegedly told customers he could evade permit requirements because of his family ties. The governor asked the IEPA to shut down the landfill after a two-week investigation found multiple violations there.
Mell is Patti Blagojevich's father and a Democratic political heavyweight credited with helping get his son-in-law elected governor.
"It has to end not for me, or not for Blagojevich. But it has to end for my wife and for the rest of my family. This is not something that can continue," Mell said.
"I sort of wear my heart on my sleeve sometimes and sort of say things that possibly, in hindsight, I shouldn't have said," Mell said. "Do I believe I was right? I certainly do. And I don't regret that."
Blagojevich would not explain why he is "worried" about Mell.
He called it "an occupational hazard" for governors to endure occasional clashes between family and work.
"From time to time in this job, you've got conflicts that develop where a private interest of a family member or a friend conflicts with the public interest. The trick is to never forget what your big public responsibilities are," Blagojevich said.
"I guess the old way of doing business would say, you look the other way, you pretend like it's not there," he added. "Or you see that there may be a problem and you act on behalf of the people. I chose that course."
One of Mell's accusations was that an influential private adviser to Blagojevich had arranged for government appointments in exchange for $50,000 campaign contributions.
Blagojevich dismissed the claim and said a review by his inspector general will reassure the public. "That's what we have an inspector general for, and she'll do her job," he said.
Mell said he hopes his family can "get beyond" what happened. He noted that Blagojevich's daughter Amy loves to fish but hasn't been to Mell's Lake Geneva home to fish for two years.
When asked if he would reach out to the governor, Mell said he did not know what would happen. He did not take further questions.
On Monday, a Cook County judge agreed to a deal that would allow Schmidt to reopen Land Reclamation Services Inc. on Jan. 17 if he comes into compliance. Earlier Monday, Blagojevich shut down another landfill and promised to be more aggressive to stop illegal dumping.

Family Being Torn Apart

2005-01-11T22:05:00.000-06:00

Couple: order sending boy back to birth mom is rife with mistakes

By RON WORDAssociated Press Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- A couple who has cared for a 3-year-old boy since his birth said Tuesday that a court order requiring them to return the child to his biological mother in Illinois is filled with inaccuracies.
Dawn and Gene Scott are trying to block the order requiring them to surrender the boy, now known by his birth name Evan Johnson, to Amanda Hopkins, his biological mother. She is now married and lives with her husband and baby on a Navy base in Illinois. The boy is scheduled to permanently move Saturday.
"We are going to use every avenue we can," Dawn Scott said at a news conference Tuesday, pledging to fight to keep custody of the child. "This was an unnecessary move for this child."
A child advocacy group, "Hear My Voice," and the Scotts claim there are seven inaccuracies in state Circuit Judge Waddell Wallace's order granting custody to Hopkins.
The group claims the Scotts did not "expressly promise to return" Evan to the biological mother if the adoption failed.
They also claim Hopkins sought to keep her pregnancy secret from the boy's biological father, Stephen A. White Jr. The Scotts also said they have never attempted to thwart White's rights or prevent Hopkins from visiting Evan.
Hopkins and White never married, and she did not learn she was pregnant until she sought medical treatment for injuries suffered when she was assaulted in the residence they once shared, court documents show.
Hopkins supported the Scotts' adoption of Evan until it appeared the court might grant White's request for custody.
When Hopkins was pregnant with the boy, she met the Scotts and agreed to a private adoption. The Scotts watched Evan's birth in May 2001, and he was placed with the Scotts two days later.
The adoption was supposed to become final in August 2001, but a month before that, White filed a motion demanding immediate custody. The Scotts claimed White should not be able to block the adoption, but a judge disagreed.
Garrett Barket, an attorney representing White, the boy's biological father, said the judge acted appropriately in ordering the child to return to his biological mother.
"We feel they judge was correct in his findings of fact and his rulings of law," Barket said.
He said he wouldn't be surprised by another court filing by the Scotts.
Hopkins' attorney Elaine Lucas had no comment.
While giving Hopkins custody, Wallace ordered that White be given liberal visitation rights. The boy took a trip to his new home earlier this month before returning to his Atlantic Beach home before making the final move.
The Scotts have appealed a judge's ruling which removed their standing to challenge the boy's custody.
On Tuesday, their lawyer, Susan Pniewski said she is considering a federal lawsuit.
"The federal suit, if it comes to fruition, will allege a violation of the child's constitutional rights and also a violation of the Scott's constitutional rights." She could not say when the suit might be filed.

Phil's Observations
Man & Woman get pregnant. Man beats woman. Woman doesn't tell man she's pregnant with his child. Women gives up child in adoption. Man wants kid. Judge gives kid to mom. Kid is raised by loving couple for three years. Kid knows his adoptive parents as "mommy" and "daddy". What a frickin mess. Man should die. Woman should die. Kid should be raised by the only parents he knows ... you know, the ones that wanted him since birth.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. Not all adults are ready to be parents, at least responsible ones.

Let Capitalism Take Its Course

2005-01-11T09:13:00.000-06:00

I am getting very tired of hearing about the airline industry and their financial problems (including the frickin bankruptcies).

Here are four examples:

Delta

American

United

US Air

Phil's Observations
At some point we're just gonna have to let the changes take place without the frickin government getting involved. United has been in bankruptcy for how long? How many times has US Air filed for bankruptcy? How many skirmishes with bankruptcy have American & Delta had? Come on, folks. If they can't be competitive in the marketplace, they don't belong in the marketplace.

I can understand the government offering financial assistance after 9/11. The industry suffered immensely. But that was 3 years ago. If they can't get back on their feet within 3 years, it's time for them to leave. Although, I must admit, I fly American and hope they don't leave ... I've got tons of AAdvantage miles to use up.

Everything runs in cycles. Let's stop interupting the cycle of the airline industry and let it take its course. If we have to lose US Air, United, Delta, and American, oh well, life will move forward. I want a full-service airline; I am not a big fan of the discounters. But if that is the way it's going to be, I'm not going to cry.

P.S. I've got Bronchitis and it sux.

Can It Be? Terrorists Don't Want a Democracy?

2005-01-10T14:59:00.000-06:00

AP Reports via FoxNews:

When people say the oppose the war in Iraq, are they really saying that they don't want to see a democratic governement there? The answer is simply "yes". The terrorists are doing everything they can to stop an election, constitution, and rights for individuals. Honestly, why the hell should we care why we went there in the first place? We're there now, why not finish the job? Democracy in Afganastan and Iraq can only mean good things to America and the world. The murder of local officials in Iraq should be our motivation to get the job done.

CBS finally takes action

2005-01-10T14:33:00.000-06:00

Not a whole heck of a lot to say about this one, either. Well, one thing. I sincerely doubt that politics had anything to do with it ... my ass. It had everything to do with it.

Heads Roll at CBS

CBS Report

P.S. My favorite part of the whole thing is when Rather was asking Marion Carr Knox, former secretary to Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, "Even though the documents have come under criticism as not being authentic, you believe the documents actually reflect his feelings ..." Nice one Dan!

Here's another favorite:

"Those who have criticized aspects of our story have never criticized the heart of it, the major thrust of our report, that George Bush received preferential treatment to get into the National Guard, and once accepted, failed to satisfy the requirements of his service." Dan Rather, 60 Minutes II, September 15, 2004. Isn't the heart of the story the basis of the story, i.e. the frickin documents?

The Big 3 are losing their audience. I wonder why?

Not going to say a word...

2005-01-10T14:28:00.000-06:00

It speaks for itself.

Liberal Youth

2005-01-09T22:58:00.000-06:00

I just ran accross this blog. I look forward to checking it out once-in-a-while. Contrary to what some of you may think, I look foward to learning about others' observations and having some good debate. While ideology may seperate liberals and conservatives, most topics (and some solutions) we agree on. You see, I am open to others' ideas! Remember, if no one pumps up my ego, I might as well!

Liberal Youth

Remember, life is dull if you don't take some risks. Life is also dull if you aren't enjoying it!

Nice, relatively quiet weekend

2005-01-09T20:23:00.000-06:00

It was a nice and relatively quiet weekend for once. Well, I guess that isn't really the truth, but it's always best to think on the bright side. My house is usually full on the weekend with family visiting. The sad thing is that it's not usually just one or two. It's usually my mom, siblings, or nieces and nephews. The great thing about this weekend is that none of them wanted anything from me. Now that is relatively quiet for me. No one wanted to borrow any money. No one wanted to use my car. No one wanted to use anything of mine except the couch and the TV. Pretty pittiful, isn't it?

Hope ya'll have a great week. I'm off to play some pinochle.

American Report

2005-01-07T19:23:00.000-06:00

Be sure to check out a link on AR's post about the Iraqi elections.
American Report

Speechless...

2005-01-07T01:33:00.000-06:00

AP reports courtesy FoxNews :

Andrea Yates' Conviction Overturned
Thursday, January 06, 2005

HOUSTON — Andrea Yates' murder conviction for drowning her children in the bathtub was overturned by an appeals court Thursday because a psychiatrist for the prosecution gave erroneous testimony that suggested the Texas mother got the idea from an episode of "Law & Order."
The ruling means Yates is entitled to a new trial, though prosecutors said they would try to have the conviction reinstated.
Yates, 40, is more than two years into a life sentence after a trial that stirred national debate over mothers who kill, postpartum depression and the legal definition of insanity.
The appeals court ruling turned on the testimony of Dr. Park Dietz, a forensic psychiatrist who consulted for "Law & Order" and helped prosecutors land a conviction in 2002. Dietz testified at the trial that shortly before Yates' crime occurred, a "Law & Order" episode ran about a woman who drowned her children and was found innocent by reason of insanity.
But it turned out that no such "Law & Order" episode existed.
"We conclude that there is a reasonable likelihood that Dr. Dietz's false testimony could have affected the judgment of the jury," a three-judge panel of the First Texas Court of Appeals said.
A receptionist at Dietz's Newport Beach, Calif., office said Thursday that neither Dietz nor his firm had an immediate comment on the ruling. In its ruling, the court noted Dietz "acknowledged that he had made an error in his testimony."
On June 20, 2001, Yates drowned her five children one by one, then called police to her Houston home and showed them the bodies of Noah, 7, John, 5, Paul, 3, Luke, 2, and 6-month-old Mary.
Yates pleaded insanity, and according to testimony at the trial, she was overwhelmed by motherhood, considered herself a bad mother, suffered postpartum depression, had attempted suicide and had been hospitalized for depression.
Five mental health experts for the defense testified that she did not know right from wrong or that she thought what she did was right.
Dietz, a nationally known authority who took part in the Jeffrey Dahmer and Unabomber cases, was the lone mental health expert to testify for the prosecution, and the only one to say she knew right from wrong. Ultimately, the jury rejected her claim of insanity.
"His testimony was critical to establish the state's case," the appeals court said. "Although the record does not show that Dr. Dietz intentionally lied in his testimony, his false testimony undoubtedly gave greater weight to his opinion."
In his testimony, Dietz said he consulted for the popular NBC series, and added: "As a matter of fact, there was a show of a woman with postpartum depression who drowned her children in the bathtub and was found insane and it was aired shortly before the crime occurred."
Later, during closing arguments, a prosecutor referred to the Dietz testimony to suggest that Yates learned from the TV show a way to escape responsibility for her actions. The prosecutor told the jury: "She watches `Law & Order' regularly, she sees this program. There is a way out. She tells that to Dr. Dietz. A way out."
The error in Dietz's testimony became known to prosecutors and jurors before the sentencing phase in 2002. The defense asked for a mistrial because of it, but the judge refused. The jury ultimately spared her from the death penalty.
The appeals court absolved the prosecutors of any wrongdoing. And Joe Owmby, who prosecuted Yates, said Thursday that he had no reason to doubt Dietz at the time.
"We fully intend to pursue a motion for a rehearing," said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Alan Curry.
Yates was thrilled by the news after learning of the ruling at the psychiatric prison where she is serving her sentence.
"She smiled and said she was basically just kind of in shock," said Todd Foxworth, warden at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Skyview Unit, who delivered the news. "But she was very happy. Physically and mentally, she's doing as well as I've ever seen her."
Yates' husband, Russell Yates, said in a televised interview Thursday, "I'm happy, happy for Andrea."
"I think she needs to be in a state mental hospital until she's well," said Yates, who has filed for divorce. "Had she not been mentally ill, she never would've done what she did."
Defense attorney George Parnham said he had no plans to seek her release from the prison about 140 miles north of Houston, where she works in the flower garden and has janitorial duties.
"Andrea is where she needs to be right now, as far as security is concerned for her," he said. "The last thing Andrea needs, quite frankly from my perspective, is to walk from the TDCJ Skyview Unit into the public arena."
The Yates case, and others in Texas where the insanity defense was cited, have prompted Texas legislators to take another look at the state's insanity laws. The case also stirred debate over whether postpartum depression is properly recognized and taken seriously.

Phil's Observations
I don't know what to say. This is frickin rediculous. The damn woman killed her five kids, found guilty of only killing three of them. And now the conviction is overturned? What the hell kind of country do we live in? What the hell kind of judicial system do we have? Anyone who kills a person is insane. Duh!!! This whole insanity defense is way over used by lawyers. I think it shohuld be used for those with real mental handicaps. Those that don't know right from wrong or cannot grasp concepts. This frickin women knew exactly what she was doing. She had to fill the tub and kill each one of those kids one by one. If this isn't an example of a death penalty case, I don't know what is.

Seth cracks me up ...

2005-01-07T01:10:00.000-06:00

I've got a link to Seth's blog on the sidebar. Be sure to check it out. Not sure if it will stay there.

One of Seth's last posts was expressing his frustration with blogs that revolve around politics. I guess we all write about things we care about or are passionate about. Politics is important to me because we need leaders to take us to new places. None-the-less, I vote for who I think the best candidate is, regardless of his or her party affiliation. I just wish more Democrats represented my interests. I've voted for a couple in local elections ... I will never vote for Blag, Illinois' governor though.

P.S. The Democrats would have had a better chance nationally with a different nominee such as Howard Dean, Dick Gephardt, or Joe Lieberman. These guys had a national profile, I could tell you what they stood for. I couldn't tell what Kerry actually stood for or campaigned on. Oh well.

Keep on sharing your journal, Seth. Be Safe. Thanks for your service.

Bush Stole Election Twice?

2005-01-07T00:43:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of FoxNews :

President Certified After Objection Delay
Thursday, January 06, 2005

WASHINGTON — A joint session of Congress resumed meeting Thursday evening and quickly finalized certification of President Bush's 286 Electoral College votes to Democrat John Kerry's 251. A candidate needs 270 votes to win the presidential election.
Kerry running mate John Edwards received one Electoral vote.
The certification was delayed for several hours after Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, stopped the formal declaration of Bush's second term to protest voting irregularities.
The joint session had met earlier in the day but quickly recessed per congressional rules to go to their respective chambers to debate certification. The Senate voted 74-1 and the House 267-31 to reject an objection to the certification of Ohio's 20 Electoral College votes.
"I raise this objection neither to put the nation in a turmoil of proposed overturn election," Jones said in the House after stopping the count. "I raised this objection because I am convinced that we as a body must conduct a formal" debate and "protect the integrity of the true will of the people."
Boxer said on the floor of the Senate that she joined with Jones to "shed some light" about the issues of reported voting irregularities in Ohio as well as election reform throughout the nation.
The California Democrat said that even though the last Congress passed the Help America Vote Act, lawmakers had not done enough to examine voting problems.
Boxer said, "The centerpiece of this country is democracy and the centerpiece of democracy is ensuring the right to vote."
"Our people are dying all over the world ... to bring democracy to the far corners of the world," she said. "Let's fix it here."
Twenty-five senators and 136 representatives did not vote on Thursday's action, the first of its kind in 36 years.
The debates lasted two hours and the vote took additional time, but ultimately the results only managed to delay the inevitable. No other objections were expected and Congress was expected to wrap up certification quickly.
Boxer decided late Wednesday that she would challenge the results of Ohio's Electoral College votes for Bush. She sent a letter to Jones saying she was "moved" by Jones' concerns about reported election irregularities in the decisive swing state.
"I have concluded that objecting to the electoral votes from Ohio is the only immediate way to bring these issues to light by allowing you to have a two-hour debate to let the American people know the facts surrounding Ohio's election," Boxer said in the letter.
Read the letter by clicking here.
Earlier on Thursday, Boxer and Jones held a news conference and acknowledged they are not expecting to overturn the November election results. But they stressed the need to have a debate on voting irregularities, which they suggested would not happen if it weren't for this formal challenge. Boxer characterized the objection as "the first round in the battle for electoral justice."
Boxer also said she regrets that she didn't object to the certification four years ago when the controversial election put Bush over Al Gore.
"Yes, I think there are people who wish we didn't do it, but we're doing it for the right reasons," she said, adding that she was also going to introduce with her House colleagues legislation to standardize elections nationally.
Jones added that she couldn't let the election go without assuring democracy applies to everyone in the United States.
"I can't let it go because there are people in my congressional district, there are people in this country who said, 'Stephanie, I did not get my vote counted. My vote did not count. I was denied the opportunity to vote.'"
Vice President Dick Cheney led the effort to read off electoral votes won by both Bush and Massachusetts senator Kerry.
The "certificates of vote" from each state were called out and the number of votes designated for president and vice president were reported on four separate paper tallies.
At the end of the reading of all 50 states and the District of Columbia's votes, the four tellers responsible for recording the tallies were expected to compare results and sign off on them. Cheney then is supposed to announce the totals and order them into the record. Afterward, the House and Senate adjourned until after the president's inauguration on Jan. 20.
This is not the first objection to certification for President Bush. In 2001, more than two-dozen Democrats objected to the certification of Florida's disputed election, but because no senator objected, as is required to trigger a recess of the joint session, the objection was ignored.
Republicans from Ohio were not pleased by the Democrats' objection. Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, called the challenge an effort by "certain extreme elements of Senator Kerry's own party" to mock an election that Kerry himself conceded.
"Their intention in this whole process is merely … to undermine public confidence in the electoral system itself," Pryce said. Challenges are "no more than another exercise in their party's primary goal to obstruct, to divide and destroy."
Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, said charges made about Ohio’s election are “wild, incoherent and completely unsubstantiated. He delivered a statement on the Senate floor saying he found it "almost impossible to believe" that the Senate was debating the matter when the official results showed that Bush won his state with more 118,000 votes.
Added House Majority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri: "Every time we doubt the process, we cast doubt on that fabric of democracy that's so important ... people do need to have confidence that the process works."
Boxer and several other senators had been approached by House Democrats to launch the corresponding objection from the Senate that would force the recess of the joint session.
According to informed sources, House Democrats also approached newly-elected Illinois Sen. Barack Obama to join the objection. He declined.
In his first speech on the Senate floor, Obama said that while he is "absolutely convinced" Bush won the election he recognized the importance of debating the certification.
"We have an obligation to fix the problems" of voting in the United States, he said.
Kerry, who lost the election to Bush and is currently overseas, said in a letter sent to supporters Wednesday he would not take part in a formal protest of the Ohio Electors because, despite widespread reports of voting irregularities, his legal team had "found no evidence that would change the outcome of the election."
Kerry said he planned to introduce election-reform legislation and push for congressional hearings on the voting irregularities.
Read Kerry's letter by clicking here.
Asked about the political wisdom of deciding to join House members in contesting the results, an aide to Boxer told FOX News, "These are credible folks in the House who say there are real problems out there. They need to shine the light on this. So they made an appeal to the senator for the right to shine the light on it.
"There are folks who think this is a not a fruitful exercise, because even [if] the results are challenged, it still may not change the outcome," the aide added, "but for two hours, this might at least be worth discussing."
FOX News' Carl Cameron, Julie Asher and Jim Mills contributed to this report.

Phil's Observations
Sometimes politics can get quite humorous. I'm so tired of hearing my liberal friends say that President Bush stole the election in 2000 and again in 2004, I can't explain it anymore. Get over it. Move on.

That said, I do believe that we need to fix the way federal elections are administered. Do you know McDonalds and Wal-Mart are so successful? The've got their act together because they are organized. They find what works and replicate it. Do you really go to Micky D's for great food? Do you really go to Wal-Mart to get the best quality products available? Of course not. You patronize them because they have a system. And it's the same or very similar everywhere. Ya ever notice how they look the same or similar, no matter if you're in Illinois or Texas? They've got a systematic way of doing things. The processes are the same. We need that for the federal elections. I've got an idea. Yeah, I know, it's going to cost billions. But this time, I think it's worth it (there I go again pumping up my own ego). All federal elections should be administered by electronic voting machines that provide a "receipt" to the voter and save the data on electronic storage media and electronically transmitted via a secure connection to a central server/database.

The welcome page introduces the voter on how to use the touch-screen machine, and offers them the opportunity to "test" or "try" the system and select their language. The next page is a screen that shows all voting possibilities (i.e. George W. Bush, John F. Kerry, etc.). They touch the name of the person they wish to vote for. The next screen asks them to confirm their selection. Because this system is so easy to use, I'm sure state and local elections and referrendums would also be added. Once the voting is done, a screen appears asking them to review their selection. They confirm, a paper receipt is printed, the data is stored on the device, and every x minutes the data is transmitted securely.

Let's make the voting system so simple to use, as secure as possible, and as 21st century as we can get it. I think it's work the $$$$$$$ we'd have to spend to get it done.

P.S. I really dislike states that allow you to register to vote the day of the election. Doesn't that leave so much opportunity for fraud? I also greatly detest "provisional" ballots. If you show up at the wrong place to vote, too frickin bad. Get to where you're supposed to be. Can't we have any voter personal responsibility? It's not that hard to figure out where you go to vote. I drive down the street to the National Armory. You can even call the clerk to find out where to vote at.

I'm done.

Oh, Only If It Were True!

2005-01-07T00:10:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of David Asman, FoxNews :

Use It or Lose It
Thursday, January 06, 2005
By David Asman

Most of us spend a lot of our cash on medical bills, no matter how good our insurance.
That’s why some companies have flexible spending accounts that let you put aside some of your pre-tax earnings for medical bills. But there’s a big hitch. If you don’t use every penny in your account in a year, you lose the rest of it. Say you put aside $2,000 for the account and you only use $1,000 in a year … you’re out 1,000 bucks!
Senate Finance Chairman Charles Grassley told the Wall Street Journal that he thinks the use-it-or-lose-it rule "doesn't pass the common-sense test, and it's hurt taxpayers for more than 20 years." He wants to let folks carry over the unused portion of their accounts to the next year.
Sen. Grassley asked the Treasury Department to change the use-it-or-lose-it-rule, but Treasury Secretary John Snow wrote the senator, saying he doesn’t have the authority to change it. Sen. Grassley is confused. "If they wrote it, surely they have the power to change it." So, lawmakers and administration officials say they’re helpless to make a rule change that would let you keep your own money.
Kind of makes you wonder where the buck stops these days inside the Beltway.
And that’s the Asman Observer.

Phil's Observations
Oh, I love the FSA. Instead of giving the government your tax money, save it and use it to help cover medical costs. I love it! I keep out enough each year to cover all of my co-pays, some OTC meds, and special things like glasses or contacts or dental work. It's the best thing since sliced bread. Problem is, though, is that you have to carefully estimate your eligible expenses, then reduce that amount a 'lil so you don't have any left over, 'cuz ya lose it if ya don't use it. I want the rule to change. Let us keep it and have it taxed if we don't use it. What a magical idea!

Only if it were true that it would change. Only if it were true that someone, somewhere inside the Beltway would actually take personal responsibility to get the rule changed.

P.S. I've don't pretty good with my FSA's over the last couple of years. So far, I've only lost about $40. That was only because I didn't realize my first year participating that I could use it on OTC meds.

It must be winter ...

2005-01-05T15:10:00.000-06:00

Alright. 6 inches of snow on the ground now. Forecast is 4-6 more overnight and tapering off to 1-2 more inches tomorrow morning. I guess that means winter is here, eh?

It's about time ...

2005-01-04T22:41:00.000-06:00

From the AP courtesy FoxNEws :

Official Reveals Details of Bush SS Plan
Tuesday, January 04, 2005

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is focusing on a Social Security proposal that would allow younger workers to invest nearly two-thirds of their payroll taxes in private accounts, with contributions limited to about $1,000 to $1,300 a year, an administration official said Tuesday.
A proposal is expected to be unveiled in late February. But the White House cautioned that President Bush has not decided on a specific plan.
The administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the size of the private accounts could be similar to a proposal by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and a plan from Bush's 2001 Social Security commission.
Both plans let workers divert 4 percentage points of their 6.2 percentage points in payroll taxes into accounts. The federal 12.4 percent payroll tax is split between workers and employers. Workers' remaining 2.2 percentage points in taxes continue going into the system.
Graham's plan calls for annual contributions to be capped at $1,300, while the commission proposed a lower limit of $1,000.
Bush "has not endorsed any specific proposal," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "We are looking at a number of ideas for strengthening Social Security and will continue working closely with congressional leaders to move forward in a bipartisan way to get it done this year."
To sell the idea of a Social Security overhaul — and private investment accounts — the administration plans to duplicate its successful campaign for tax cuts. At an event planned for Monday, Bush will meet with White House-approved people of varying ages to illustrate how changes to Social Security would affect different generations.
The strategy is similar to Bush's efforts to gain support for his tax cut packages by featuring "tax families" and their financial situations.
"That's the model," said Michael Tanner, director of the Cato Institute's Project on Social Security Choice. The libertarian think tank has been a longtime proponent of investment accounts, and is pressing for larger accounts by letting workers invest all of their payroll taxes.
"This is the way the president tends to campaign on these issues," Tanner said, noting similar strategies for Bush's Medicare and education plans. "He hasn't lost one he wanted to win yet."
Cabinet officials are stepping up their roles in the effort. Treasury Secretary John Snow, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and others can be expected to visit communities across the country to bolster the administration's desire for change.
Selling the overhaul "is more of a challenge than they expected," said David John, Social Security senior analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation. The administration needs to spend time making the case for urgent reform, countering Democrats' claims that the severity of the future shortfall is being exaggerated, he said.
Social Security is projected to start paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes in 2018, though it can cover full benefits until 2042. Then, about 73 percent of promised benefits can be paid.
The administration so far has refused to discuss the difficult financial trade-offs required to remake the system.
For example, any proposal offered will cut traditional benefits for younger workers to help fund the future shortfall. Also, the administration must identify $800 billion to $2 trillion over 10 years to continue funding retirees benefits once the payroll taxes are diverted into accounts.
Under the main plan offered by Bush's commission, promised benefits would be cut almost in half for some younger workers, with reductions ranging from 0.9 percent to 45.9 percent. Investments in the personal accounts are counted on to make up the loss in income.
Cuts would occur by changing the formula used to calculate benefits. Growth in benefits would be slowed dramatically by tying them to inflation rates instead of wages. The rate of inflation grows more slowly than wages over a person's lifetime.
For example, a person retiring at age 65 in 2012 with an annual income of $35,277 is promised $1,194 in monthly benefits, in 2001 dollars. If the formula is changed, the monthly benefit would be reduced by 0.9 percent to about $1,183 per month.
The younger the worker, the more dramatic the cuts. For a person retiring at age 75 in 2075, the monthly promised benefit of $2,032 would be cut by 45.9 percent to $1,099 a month. Investments in the personal account would be expected to make up the difference.
"Drastic benefit cuts and the false promise of private accounts are recipes for disaster," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "Republicans keep saying that Social Security won't be there for today's workers — and if they get their way, they'll be right. The Republican proposals put forth so far do not make Social Security stronger. They make it weaker."

Phil's Observations:

It's about frickin time we've got a leader who is willing to tackle the big problems. This is a very important issue to all Americans. I strongly support the ability of citizens to be in control of their future. Allowing people to adminster and manage their personal retirement accounts is the next best step to fixining the social security problem. And for those of you who believe SS is not a big problem yet, I ask you to think proactively rather than reactively. Let's fox the problem before it becomes a crisis. Problems are so much simpler to fix before they evolve into a crisis. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. More to come ...

Quick Thank You

2005-01-04T17:37:00.000-06:00

Hi.

I just want to offer a quick "Thanks" for those that visit this site. It's only been up for a few days, and there have already been over 170 first-time visitors, and 77 visitors that have come back for more. I hope that I am able to keep you entertained - or at least thinking. I'm surprised this far, however, I have been able to go without any liberal comments. Maybe I'm not so conservative after all.

Remember, somebody's got to pump up my ego, so if it ain't you, then it's gotta be me.

Diversity & the USA

2005-01-03T23:19:00.000-06:00

So many times, I hear about how our country doesn't celebrate our diversity. Here are a couple of success stories. Yes, they're Democrats, but ya know what? Barriers must be broken to achieve sucess.

Shirley Chisolm passes away

Robert Matsui passes away

I hate freezing rain ...

2005-01-03T22:21:00.000-06:00

This morning when I went out to the car to head to work, it was covered in ice. The driveway was covered in ice. I skated over to the car, broke up the ice on the door, got the thning strarted and scraped the ice away. I had about a 1/2 inch of ice on the car. The roads weren't all the bad, but still slick in some spots. Driving down the interstate, the ice kept building up in the windshield, which forced me to stop a couple of times to clean it and clean the wipers. Yuck.

I'm tired of hearing about the estimated cost of the 55th Presidential Inaguration of George W. Bush. The inaguration is important. It celebrates democracy. We must show to the world that we celebrate freedom. Yeah, the costs are going up. What can you name in which the price has gone down? Clinton's 1992 inaguration cost $33 million, and his 1997 inaguration cost $30 million. Besides, almost the entire bill is footed by private donations. You know what? The same companies that donate to the presidential inaguration are the same ones donating to the tsunami relief effort. Get over it!

I'm also tired of hearing about President Bush not responding "fast enough". I'm tired of hearing that President Bush took 7 minutes on the morning of 9/11 to remove himself from the classroom to "deal" with the issue of the attacks. I'm tired of hearing about how it took President Bush 3 days to speak publicly about the tsunami tragedy. You know what? I want a leader who thoroughly thinks through issues and how to tackle them. Do you honestly think for 7 minutes or 3 days that he just "hid" from the issue? Do you honestly think that President Bush thought these two issues were not important? Come on. Gimme a break! The President has pressures beyond any of our grasps. I want someone to think things out and then attack the issue head on. Picture this ... you're in a job interview, all the experts advise you to take a moment, think about the question, and then answer it. Well, these two issues were huge issues that takes some time to think through. The last thing I want is a President simply coming out right away for the spotlight to say "I feel your pain". I want someone to come out and say what's going to be done after the problem has been analyized. Get over it.

Oh, by the way, I heard on the radio today that private donations via the internet in the USA has exceeded $350 million. Hmmmm, let's see. $350 from the US government, $350 from the citizens of the US ... Is the US still stingy?

House Reverses Ethics Rules

2005-01-03T22:16:00.000-06:00

AP Reports via FoxNews ...

GOP Reverses on Ethics Rules

Monday, January 03, 2005

WASHINGTON — House Republicans suddenly reversed course Monday, deciding to retain a tough standard for lawmaker discipline and reinstate a rule that would force Majority Leader Tom DeLay to step aside if indicted by a Texas grand jury.

However, the closed-door GOP meeting made one ethics change that could make it easier for one party to block a House ethics committee investigation of a congressman.

The provision would require a majority vote of the evenly divided committee to proceed with an investigation. The GOP voted to scrap the current system, which allowed an investigation to begin automatically if the two top committee leaders took no action on a complaint after 45 days.

The proposals go before the full House on Tuesday. The rules changes include a decision to give new authority to the committee that oversees homeland security issues, a step that the Sept. 11 Commission had strongly advocated.

The surprise dual decisions on the indictment rule and the discipline standards were engineered by Speaker Dennis Hastert and by DeLay — who asked GOP colleagues to undo the extreme act of loyalty they handed him in November. Then, Republicans changed a party rule so DeLay could retain his leadership post if indicted by the grand jury in Austin that charged three of the Texas Republican's associates.

When Republicans began their closed-door meeting Monday night, leaders were considering a rules change that would have made it tougher to rebuke a House member for misconduct. The proposal would have required a more specific finding of ethical violations.

Republicans gave no indication before the meeting that the indictment rule would be changed. Even more surprising was DeLay's decision to make the proposal himself.

Jonathan Grella, a DeLay spokesman, said DeLay still believed it was legitimate to allow a leader to retain his post while under indictment. But Grella said that by reinstating the rule that he step aside, DeLay was "denying the Democrats their lone issue. Anything that could undermine our agenda needs to be nipped in the bud."

Grella said Republicans did not know that DeLay would make the proposal. "He was doing some thinking and this was the conclusion he came to," the spokesman said.

Hastert made the proposal to retain the current standards of conduct.

Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., said, "It's a mark of a leader to take a bullet for the team and not for the team to take a bullet for the leader. I'm very glad we decided to stick with the rules."

Hastert spokesman John Feehery said that a change in standards of conduct "would have been the right thing to do but it was becoming a distraction."

Brendan Daly, spokesman for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, said Republicans pulled back on the discipline rule because "the issue simply became too hot for them to handle."

Democrats on Monday toughened their own indictment rule. Previously, only committee chairmen were required to step aside if indicted. Now, the same rule applies to House Democratic leaders.

Rep. J. D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., agreed there was pressure on Republicans not to change conduct rules. "Constituents reacted and the House and, more importantly, the House leadership, responded accordingly," Hayworth said.

The House will debate all new rules proposals Tuesday, the first day of the 109th Congress.

Another Republican proposal would allow relatives to accompany a House member on a trip financed by a special interest group or nonprofit organization. Current rules specify a spouse or child may go along.

The code of conduct that was retained by the Republicans requires lawmakers and employees to conduct themselves "at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House." Some Republicans believed the standard is too general and wanted discipline to depend on a more specific finding of wrongdoing.

House Democrats and Republicans had an informal ethics truce after an investigation of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich's activities with tax-exempt organizations — a probe that ended seven years ago with a financial penalty against Gingrich.

That truce ended last year when a freshman Democrat, Chris Bell of Texas, filed a complaint that led to a rebuke of DeLay. The House ethics committee cited the general rule several times in criticizing the majority leader.

However, the panel did not find that DeLay violated any other standard of conduct, even though it concluded that DeLay created the appearance that an energy company's political donors were given special access to him. DeLay also was admonished for his office's contact with federal aviation officials, seeking their intervention in a Texas political dispute.

Later, the ethics panel — formally the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct — also admonished Bell for filing a complaint that presented an exaggerated description of DeLay's conduct.

The outgoing chairman of the ethics committee, Republican Joel Hefley of Colorado, issued a statement before the meeting opposing any change in conduct rules that was not bipartisan.

Congressional watchdog groups joined House Democrats in opposition to a change, saying any such move would be for one purpose: to protect DeLay.

"All of this is designed to make one man truly above the law," said Melanie Sloan of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, said, "Tom DeLay is a poster boy for ethics problems in the House."

------
Phil's Observations

It's about frickin' time!! What the hell were they thinking? NO WAY, NO HOW should a congressional leader retain his post while under indictment!

Blogs

2005-01-02T13:05:00.000-06:00

So over the last couple of days I've been checkin' out some other blogs. You know, just for curiosity's sake. What a thrill ride that was. LOL. Some were entertaining. Some where irritating. Some I simply didn't get. Some shared a lot of personal info. Some I could relate to; others I could not. So, for no reason other than "why the hell not", I'm going to post a link to some of those I like. Check them out, you may like them too. If I've linked to yours, and you don't like it, tell me and I'll remove it.

Oh, by the way, if I happen to offend you from one of my posts, please accept my apologies. It is not my intention to offend you. It is my intention to give you something to think about. If that offends you, then you're just gonna live with it.

Happy New Year!

2005-01-01T20:02:00.000-06:00

Happy new year!! I wish you only the best for the upcoming year. Remember, you are in control of your future!!