In my many political discussions, I often point out my support for people and issues on both sides of the proverbial aisle. Rarely does anyone challenge me on that, and I often wondered why. Recently, someone who was debating me about another issue being hotly contested in our nation's capitol began on the old tired "what about bill?" "bill did this too!" diatribe that anyone left of Dick Cheney is sick and tired of hearing. Per usual, I reminded my friend that unlike him, I am not here to de...
Last week, I listened in as President Bush rushed out to inform the press and public that his Dubai deal was just dandy and we should once again trust him. Later we learned that Bush had just become aware of the Deal himself and was as uninformed on the details as you or I. We were told that there was no security threat and we should just go about our business. This got me thinking. "What ever happened to " they just have to be right once. We have to be right all the ti me.?"" How ...
In my research, I stumbled across the following column...Quite revealing...I wonder if this will come out at the 9/11 hearings today...According to Novak, a highly respected conservative columnist who is so inside with the administration that he was able to get at least 1 White House official to give him classified information concerning CIA operative Valarie Plame (Joe Wilson's wife). In this article , dated Sept. 27, 2001, Novak contends that in arresting 1993 WTC bomber Ramzi Yousef in 199...
This week, Moveon.org, a "527" organization in the political arena, launched it's new ads. They feature the testimony of former counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke in front of the 9/11 commission. I have been a supporter of the organization's right to organize and express their opinions on issues. I believe they have done great things to get people more involved in what is going on in their goverment. And I believe they are poised to be a good political force in the future. This ad, howe...
This is just a brief rundown on each Presidential candidate. To be fair, I am listing 1 thing I like about each candidate, 1 thing I don't like, and some "deficiency" in their candidacy. Rudy Giuliani The Good - A very decisive leader. Willing to step away from the GOP platform on certain issues. The Bad - Known as a "dictator." The Ugly - it's tough to take a guy at his word about "always living up to their commitments / promises" when he has 2 ex wives. Funny how the...
There has been a lot of talk about "amnesty" in regards to the President's immigration proposal. Unfortunately, most of it is misdirected. The 12 million immigrants aren't really getting anything close to the definition of amnesty. Amnesty is about getting off "scott-free" for an alleged "greater good." These 12 million or so illegal immigrants will be required to pay fines, go back and forth to their "native country" and do a host of other things just to be eligible for any kind of citiz...
When most people, even those who follow politics, think of the name "Dowd," they usually think of left wing uber-feminist Maureen Dowd. If someone was to read an article titled “Kerry Was Right,” and knew that someone named "Dowd" wrote it, the most likely assumption would be that it was written by the forementioned Maureen Dowd. But in this case, like too many others, most people would be wrong. The op-ed was written, but never submitted by a man that can only be described as a "true be...
In Sacramento, each workday, a small group of protestors gather at the office of representative Doris Matsui. But this isn't the kind of protest we got used to in the 60's atteh height of the Vietnam War. During Vietnam, protests sometimes became violent, like in Chicago or at Columbia University. Sometimes the military was brought in to squelch the dissent, like at Kent State. Almost certainly, the protestors were "tree huggin hippies" in their teens and 20's seemingly in a competition ...
Last fall, The whole country got all riled up about Mark Foley. I got all riled up about Mark Foley. And make no mistake about it. Foley's behavior was wrong. But after this election, I have heard nothing about anyone doing anything to protect underage children, and that's sad. It follows a long tradition of Americans reacting to headlines and not following up afterwards. Just look at post Katrina New Orleans if you need more evidence of that. When Foley resigned from the House, the whole...
Yesterday, National Security Advisor and Bush loyalist Condeleza Rice was grilled by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. For hours, Ms. Rice had to endure an assault of tough questions not only from the other side of the aisle, but from her own party, whom, at least somewhat, has turned against this administration's reckless Iraq poicies. Lead by conservative lawmaker, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, a chorus of criticizm and affirmations that they were not interested in pursuing the adminis...
Today, George Bush, offered his focus-group vetted speech to the American people. It was, as predicted, just more rhetoric. Bush stated that they were setting up "benchmarks" for the Iraq goverment to achieve. he emphasized a big differnce between his "benchmarks" and his misrepresentation of the democratic position, which he calls a "fixed timetable." Of course the president is lying. Again. The democrats have offered plans that involve "benchmarks" a year ago. Of course they were ...
Just as the weather is getting warmer this spring, the immigration battle has been heating up...again. I've put some thought into this issue, had some good, and not so good conversations on the topic, and have come away with some ideas. 1st off, it's just plain ridiculous to suggest the deportation on 10's of millions of people. It's not going to happen, it's logistically impossible, and we simply don't have the resources on any level, from law enforcement to actually processing and...
A few weeks ago, the nation was debating whether or not the USA should allow the sale of terminals in 6 major US ports to the goverment of the United Arab Emerates. The backlash of this "under the table" deal (the pres. was unaware of it until just before defending it to the press) was swift and severe. The issue found common ground between those on the left and those on the right. Everyone except those who blindly follow the administration despite anything. Eventually, the deal was kille...
About a month ago, longtime consumer activist and advocate Ralph Nader threw his hat into the political arena. He announced that he once again would seek the Presidency of the United States. This of course sent shockwaves thru Democratic camps and I think I heard a few champagne corks go off over at GOP headquarters. Nader's entry into the 2004 Presidential race was a small surprise to many who felt that he essentially cost Al Gore the 2000 election. I admit I was a little taken aback myself....
The race seems to be on for the Vice Presidential candidate. Unlike past elections, where most candidates for President have announced their choice for the #2 on the ticket at the conventions, this year's compressed schedule has left the time necessary to make a prudent choice in advance. And it could work to their advantage. Past races have made the issue of the relevance of the V.P. a debatable one.. But even if 2 people can't agree that the choice will definitely have an impact on the ...