A Corrupt Republican!?!?!?!
Well I was hoping that the news would pick up and it look like it did. You should check
this out. It kind of makes one wonder again about
Halliburton being awarded contracts in Iraq. Here's what Cunningham said after entering his plea.
"The truth is I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office," he told reporters, his voice strained with emotion. "I know I will forfeit my reputation, my worldly possessions -- most importantly the trust of my friends and family." Obviously none of that was such a big deal to him, or he would have thought about it before taking the bribes. It seems to me that in order to be a Republican, you don't need a conscience until after you commit a crime. Well that is unless you are Tom DeLay, then apparently you don't need one at all because you take pleasure in crushing people. For a party whose members tout "Traditional Values", doesn't that include honesty?
This pretty much sums everything up./
"The citizens who elected Cunningham assumed that he would do his best for them," said U.S. Attorney Carol Lam. "Instead, he did the worst thing an elected official can do -- he enriched himself through his position and violated the trust of those who put him there."Cunningham's seat is now open, and a special election will take place shortly, but I hardly expect the Democrats to win the seat for one simple reason. Cunningham's district is a traditionally Republican district, but I can hope can't I?
Thanksgiving Slowdown
Sorry there hasn't been an update in the past ten days. There really hasn't been much that I have read that I have felt like bitching about. I could have said something about the protestors getting arrested in Texas, but honestly they weren't arrested because they were protesting. They were arrested because they camped in a ditch along the road which is now illegal in the state of Texas.
Hope everyone(the whole one or two people) who read this here blog had a safe and nice Thanksgiving.
I sure hope the news picks up soon. ;-)
Sticking it to the Little People
What the hell is up with Republicans? I guess they think that if you ignore the poor, they will just disappear. I guess they don't consider giving every kid a chance at college is worth it. It must not be in the 'No Child Left Behind Act.' I mean what is another 4 years of school. Our country really doesn't need poorer students reaching their full potential when you have the ones whose mommies and daddies can pay for it outright.
Republicans DO NOT stand for the common person. They are nothing but a bunch of elitists. Why else would this happen.
The bill, passed 217-215 after a 25-minute-long roll call, makes modest but politically painful cuts across an array of programs for the poor, students and farmers.This refers to a spending cut bill that just passed last night in the house. Here's what the president said about the bill.
President Bush, at a summit in Busan, South Korea, called the budget plan "a significant savings package that will restrain spending and keep us on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009." He urged House and Senate negotiators to reach prompt agreement.The funny thing is that there is this concerning a new tax bill.
The bill drew unanimous opposition from Democrats, who objected to both cuts in programs for the poor and the fact that the deficit-reduction bill would increase the deficit when combined with a tax bill slated for a vote later that would extend tax cuts on capital gains and dividend income due to expire at the end of 2008.Was there really a point to these cuts other than sticking it to those who the Republicans ignore? Let's see, here's a hint if you want to cut the defecit. Get out of Iraq! Stop sending money to other countries until we can get to a point where we don't have to borrow money to take care of relief efforts in our own country.
If you want to read the article I am referring to, it can be found
here.
Senate Republicans Doing Something?
Not really. I woke up yesterday morning and started watching the Today show like I normally do. There was an interview with Frist, and they were talking about this big plan the republicans were pushing concerning the war in Iraq. Then this morning I get a chance to read this
article. Here's a little snippet concerning the plan itself.
The measure was drafted largely by Democrats, but GOP leaders removed language that would have called for a flexible timetable for a possible American pullout from Iraq.Basically, Republicans butchered the whole measure. I don't exactly understand why. From what I am reading it was a non binding measure. Oh! Wait! I know why! GOP leaders in the senate seem to be wanting to distance themselves from an unpopular war and an unpopular president without actually doing it, and if the measure doesn't sit well with people, they can then blame it on the Democrats who were the original authors. I guess for Republicans it's a win win situation.
Still though, Senate Democrats are calling this measure getting adopted a victory. Here's what Senator Harry Reid said about it.
But because its stated purpose was "to clarify and recommend changes" to U.S. policy in Iraq, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid called its adoption a vote of "no confidence" in the administration and said "staying the course will not do."
"The administration's strategy is aimless, and sadly, it's rudderless," said Reid, a Nevada Democrat. "[The vote is] a victory for our troops and the American people."I agree that even though the stronger language wanting a "flexible timetable" for withdrawl is not in there it is a vote of no confidence. It's basically saying that the presidents policies suck and now he is getting a bit of oversite. It's that whole checks and balances thing you know.
Here's what President Bush said at a news conference in Japan.
"I, first of all, appreciate the fact that the Senate, in a bipartisan fashion, rejected an amendment that would have taken our troops out of Iraq before the mission is complete," Bush said. "To me, that was a positive step by the United States Senate."Was it really bipartisan rejection or was it really just the majority, aka Republicans, saying screw you to the Democrats? That's what it seems like to me since the original measure wasn't defeated in a landslide. I think the president needs some clarification on what bipartisan means.
All this coupled with Bush wanting to veto anything with McCain's no torture language in it just gives me one last thing to say. Long live the Bush dictatorship!
The Time for Giving
Ok, for those who know me, you know that I am a big gamer. That's why I take this charity to heart. This charity provides games and what not directly to Children's Hospitals across the US and Canada. You have the option of picking a specific hospital and being taken to their Amazon wishlist and purchasing an item on their wishlist which will be sent directly to them or donating money.
Here's the link for all those interested.
Child's PlayGo! Donate! Make a difference in a kids life!
I will be making the link more permanent on this here blog.
Does Pat Robertson Like the Taste of Shoe Leather?
Or you can call this article, "Why I don't go to church."
Let's see, could it be things like this that make me uncomfortable with any of the Christian religions? If you want to read the full
article, it can be found by following the link.
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city," Robertson said on his daily television show broadcast from Virginia, "The 700 Club."
"And don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because he might not be there," he said.Isn't got supposed to be merciful and loving? At least that's what I thought, but you have people like Fred Phelps and Pat Robertson saying that this isn't the case.
Pat Robertson made this statement in regards to eight school board members from Dover, Pennsylvania who were up for re-election lost their bids after trying to push "intelligent design" into the biology curriculum. I say good that they lost. In my mind, "intelligent design" amounts to nothing more than a school endorsing god, and in case anyone missed it, there is a separation of church and state.
Here's another tidbit that doesn't set well with me. The article this is from can be found
here.
The Pro-Life Action League and American Family Association launched the boycott Nov. 1 against American Girl, makers of eight diverse, 18-inch dolls based on nine-year-old fictional heroines who lived during different times in AmericaÂs past.
The boycott was in response to the toy companyÂs ÂI Can campaign, which was announced in August and began Sept. 19. American Girls donated $.70 of each $1 bracelet sold to the non-profit group Girls Incorporated.
ÂParents need to know that this effort to promote self-esteem among girls is not as innocent as it seems, said Ann Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League executive director. ÂWhile Girls Inc. has some good programs, they also support abortion, oppose abstinence-only education for girls, and condone lesbianism.ÂHow exactly is supporting a program that helps a young girl build her self esteem promoting lesbianism? Could it be that these narrowminded people are only seeing what they want to seeing and totally ignoring the fact that the money that these doll makers are donating are going to specific programs? Or is it possible that this is only a ploy to increase the profits for a certain Christian toymaker? The only reason why I even suggest that is because of this little piece from the article.
The boycott is expected to continue into the holiday season. In lieu of buying the patriotic-themed American Girl dolls, Pro-Life Action League is asking parents to purchase Christian-themed dolls, such as those offered by A Life of Faith and Blessings Expressions of Faith.How can a god whose teachings are love have such hateful followers? Plain and simple, it's the hypocrisy that keeps me from church. I have my own beliefs as far as god and spirituality, and I don't need a church to believe.
Virginia Elections Redux - VOTE Today
So today's the day. The Virginia Elections are here, and let me tell you I am not really impressed by any of the candidates for governor. On one hand, you have Jerry Kilgore, Republican. On the other, you have Tim Kaine, Republican Light.
My main concern in this election is education, and though both say they support education, I must say that I am leaning toward Tim Kaine. I know that they both support education, but something seems to worry me about Kilgore. He has stated that he opposes any new taxes. My problem with that is where does the money come from if there comes a time when the state needs it for other things? I would gladly pay higher taxes as long as things such as education don't loose money.
If you take a look at the
comparison on Kilgore's page, you will notice education missing from the comparison. Now take a look at the
issues on Tim Kaine's page. It would seem that Mr. Kilgore has been spreading a bit of misinformation. Basically he is a LIAR. Time Kaine I believe is a Catholic, and his religion is difficult to reconcile with the idea of abortion. Apparently in his comparison Kilgore missed that.
Let me make one thing clear. I am by no means a party voter. I have never voted a straight ticket in my life. However, Kilgore's smear campaign has made me think about doing that. While not being anywhere near the lows of the New Jersey governor race, Virginia I believe has been right up there. Tim Kaine really didn't do anything to sway me to his side. This year I have to say that Kilgore put me off so much by the tactics of his campaign that he earned another vote for Tim Kaine.
Bush and Torture
Ok, I guess that not all republicans are the spawn of Satan. Senator Chuck Hagel spoke up today in regards to the White Houses opposition to a congressional ban on torture and other inhumane treatment of prisoners in U.S. custody. You can read the article on
CNN.What does this say about the current administration? I'll tell you what it says to me. That says that the U.S. has been violating the Geneva Conventions. Like we all didn't expect that though. I mean the president is a liar after all. That's all his war in Iraq has been built on.
Here is what that article basically boils down to.
The ban was approved by a 90-9 vote last month in the Senate and added to a defense spending bill. The White House has threatened a veto, but the fate of the proposal depends on House-Senate negotiations that will reconcile different versions of the spending measure. The House's does not include the ban.What's amazing is that this was an amendment added to the bill by a republican senator who himself was tortured in Vietnam.
I am so glad that President Bush is for family values. I mean really what would I do if I didn't know that we were torturing people. For a supposed Christian, I wonder what makes Bush thinks that this is alright.
What do the Republicans want to do away with today?
I didn't really hear anything about the cuts that the republicans are pushing through till today. The news seems to have been cetered so much around the "black sites" that it looks like no one is going to know about these spending cuts until the cuts actually effect them.
Here are just a few of the cuts that are being pushed through.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans voted to cut student loan subsidies, child support enforcement and aid to firms hurt by unfair trade practices as various committees scrambled to piece together $50 billion in budget cuts.
More politically difficult votes -- to cut Medicaid, food stamps and farm subsidies -- were on tap Thursday as more panels weigh in on the bill.Here's a little bit more on the student loan subsidies.
It also imposes new fees on students who default on loans or consolidate them and higher fees on parents who borrow on behalf of their college-age children. California Rep. George Miller, the senior Democrat on the panel, called the package a "raid on student aid."This one is really irritating. Let's make it more difficult for our young people to go to further their education. That way we fall farther and farther behind other countries. It's either that or Republicans really want higher education to be something that is rather elitist.
Here's a clue to cutting spending to all you Republicans out there. Somehow force the President to fully withdrawl from Iraq. You are concerned about the spending for hurricane relief? Well why are we over there when we can't even take care of our own.
THE US IS NOT THE WORLD POLICE FORCE!
If you want to read more about this, the article that the quotes are from can be found over on
CNN.
Secret prisons? Say it isn't so!
I know everyone has probably heard this already, but for those who are living under a rock, check out this
article on CNN.
Who would have thunk that the United States, a country who touts it's freedoms like an elementary school child touts a good grade, would have secret prisons set up in foreign countries. It would seem to me that these secret prisons would facilitate the government using torture to obtain information. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement from a former U.S. Representative.
If true, the arrangement suggests U.S. agents are engaged in activities "that under U.S. law and in U.S. territory and by U.S. personnel would be clearly illegal," said former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, who was once a federal prosecutor.This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was watching the Today show like I normally do. They were discussing the prisons, and it turns out that there was no Congressional oversite. The CIA was getting all this money, but they were not telling anyone where it was going. What is a person to think? I know that the first thing that comes to my mind is that torture was occuring.
It really is no wonder that the Muslim world thinks so little of the United States. We do things like this that show that we aren't such a moral giant as we like to believe.
Fred Phelps
I truly hope that you see this you hate mongering piece of filth. I am impressed by your selective use of Bible passages on your webpage. You really should take a look at a couple of these that I am about to list though. After all, you wouldn't want to burn in hell with all the fags would you?
Luke 6:31-37 - 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:Let's see. Signs that your group has carried at protests have said, "God hates fags." How about the general one saying, "God hates you." It would seem quite apparent that God speaking through his son Jesus Christ doesn't hate me or anyone. He is after all preaching to his followers to love everyone including your enemy.
Luke 6:22-23 - 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. Thanks to you and yours Mr. Phelps. I am a blessed person along with all those that your signs refer to.
Matthew 7:1-2 - 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.This statement from
the bible seems to me to be saying that you shouldn't be judging others unless you wish to be judged yourselves. Mr. Phelps, your judgement means nothing. You are not the almighty. It is not your place to judge the sins of others.
John 8:7 - So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.Only one person who has walked this planet was without sin. The Lord Jesus Christ was born without sin. Now unless you are saying that you are the second coming, it is again not your place to judge.
Mr. Phelps, I do not hate you. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. As a matter of fact, I think everyone should have one, but once that opinion starts causing distress on those that you blindly try to force it upon, that is when I start having a problem. You and your group have done nothing but cause emotional distress to those who you have protested. You should remember all the above passages. It might do you some good.
My Interpretation
The following is my interpretation of all the complaining that Republican members of the Senate are doing concerning the Democrats calling a closed session yesterday.
Man I am pissed that they are calling us on holding up this investigation. You would think that they know we don't want everyone to see that the President lied to the public in regards to his reasons for going to war.There is no need to be upset when someone calls you on something that you said you were going to do but didn't. Plain and simple, Bush's party is trying to cover for him.
Power Mongering dilettante or Falsely Accused Republican?
Wait! Doesn't Republican and Power Mongering dilettante mean the same thing? At least that's what I think of when I think of Tom DeLay. I guess I shouldn't group all Republicans in with him considering that just like the Democrats, there are a whole range of republicans from Moderate to Conservative.
I am amazed that amazed at the audacity that DeLay and his attorneys have pushing to get the presiding judge taken off DeLay's criminal case. Is he saying that a judge who donated to Republican organizations would be able to impartially hear the case? If that is the case, then what makes a judge who donated to Democratic groups not impartial? Being a judge is supposed to be a non political position. Judges are to impartially apply the rule of law. If you want to read more about this part of the DeLay case, you can check out this article
here.It would appear that even though DeLay had to step down as majority leader, he is still unwilling to give up leadership.
Although he was forced to relinquish his leadership post Sept. 28, after the first of two indictments for alleged involvement in money laundering related to the 2002 Texas election, DeLay continues to use an office in the leadership suite, occasionally presides over private meetings with committee chairmen and lobbies members during key floor votes.
Also, the Texas Republican's staff continues to maintain the House schedule and dash off memos to lawmakers, ostensibly as employees of a majority leader's office without a full-fledged majority leader. And on his trips to the sheriff's office for an Oct. 20 booking in Houston and a court appearance in Austin on Oct. 21, DeLay was accompanied by three bodyguards from the Capitol Hill police force, just as he was when he was majority leader.Could it be possible that DeLay is addicted to power? Does he need a 12 step program in order to truly give up leadership? Does that botox induced smile hide something even more sinister than one of the most ethically challenged politicians to grace our nation? Here is the
article from MSN.
