I grew up reading comic books wanting to be a superhero. Comics taught me that those who speak the truth are heroes, all the rest are liars.

Monday, October 30, 2006

Something Stinks and It's The Fishsticks!

This is outrageous! The Pioneer Press is endorsing candidates based upon unverified research done by Republican blogger Craig Westover.

From IMP: 'The St. Paul Pioneer Press has issued a rare correction in its 2nd Congressional District endorsement. That correction has revealed some flaws in the Pioneer Press’ process that made it possible for a Republican blogger to manipulate the endorsement in favor of Congressman John Kline, also a Republican.'

I went to Westover's blog, we're night and day in political views...so the question is why he did the research? Seems to me the process was flawed from the get-go. But that's probably the only way Kline could get an endorsement.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Just Call Me 'The Amazing Madam MnSky'

Right back at you:

Rumsfeld told war critics to "back off" today citing "complicated stuff." He also said: "No one can predict the future with absolute certainty."

But as with everything else, he's wrong. I, 'the amazing mnsky' predicted this clusterfuck before the start. And I'm thinking that with the military deaths in Iraq hitting a monthly high, it's really doesn't take much of a psychic for anyone else to do the same.

Check back soon, I have other predictions regarding a Democratic landslide on November 7 or my name isn't

'the amazing madam mnsky'

PS. I know what you're thinking but don't go there, I had to change the names to protect the innocent.

GOP Stalls Out On Issues

Now that the GOP can't campaign on the issues like: war, economy, medical costs, insurance, international scene, deficit, taxes, goverment size, education costs or improvement...

Bush defends traditional marriage in face of New Jersey court ruling

Two things:
1. I've said it before, in thirty years of marriage, never once has my marriage been threaten by gay marriage rights. Nor has anyone proven how it could threaten 'traditional' marriage! But the real issues of the rising costs of fuel, food, education, and medical needs are a strain on families and marriages.

2. Bu$hCo had control of all three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judical). for the last several years. So if legislation didn't get passed during this period, it was because Dubya really didn't care. And that isn't going to change now.

Only within 60 days of the elections do the Bu$hCo righties bring this out of the closet for airing. As soon as the election is over, they quietly put it back with the moth balls. You know why? Because it really doesn't make a fig of difference to traditional marriage! And if Bu$hCo didn't have it as an issue, how in the world would they have anything to campaign on? Or enrage their fringe supporters.

Pawlenty of Fees

Under Plawlenty the cost of a higher education goes higher
"Here's some bad news for Minnesota parents emptying their piggy banks topay for college: Minnesota college costs are going up faster than thenational average....."

Just one of the added "fees, not taxes" imposed by "no new taxes"Pawlenty. By now, if you don't get this, you're not paying attention.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Another Endorsement for Coleen Rowley!

Once you talk with Coleen it a 'no brainer':

ECM EDITORIAL BOARD: Coleen Rowley right choice in 2nd District
The nation’s growing polarization and disenchantment are mirrored in the 2nd Congressional District race between Republican incumbent John Kline and Democractic challenger Coleen Rowley.

Kline offers stubborn support for a status quo that produced the deadly quagmire in Iraq and tax cuts that ballooned the federal deficit as war costs mounted.

Like many Americans, Rowley is indignant at the country’s direction under President Bush and a Republican Congress. The ex-FBI agent and 9/11 whistleblower is bright, tenacious, a flexible thinker and an able voice of dissent.

In other words, she’s right for these perilous times. The Republican-leaning 2nd District may not be ready to elect a Democrat, but we think Rowley is the most capable and deserving of Kline’s opponents since 2002.

The two-term incumbent served his country for 25 years as an active-duty Marine and is the only retired military officer on the House Armed Services Committee. He was an important champion of lawful military conduct as details unfolded of alleged murders of Iraqi civilians by American soldiers.

Kline was instrumental in passing a new law that helps protect private pension plans while giving the beleaguered airline industry more time to manage its obligations. Kline has also begun delivering funding for key road projects in his district, and local officials are grateful.

His uncritical embrace of the Bush team’s Iraqi campaign is troubling, especially for a Marine veteran. His analysis of the challenges faced in Iraq is cogent, his list of solutions short and unsatisfying. Kline is loyal, and determined, and probably correct in stating that an immediate withdrawal from Iraq would bring an even greater terrorist threat. But he has little regard for reasonable criticisms of the war effort voiced by several retired generals. Neither he nor the Bush administration has adequately explained why Iraq is, or had to be, the central front in the war on terror.

Rowley supports a phased troop withdrawal that calls for allowing the Iraqi army and security forces to assume responsibility for the country. The plan, promoted by dissident U.S. Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, would have U.S. troops retreating to the perimeter of the fighting and being hosted by other countries. The plan may have flaws, but it’s a starting point for discussion.A self-proclaimed former Republican voter, Rowley can’t be dismissed as a liberal tax-and-spender.

Her call for repeal of Bush tax cuts to the top 1 to 2 percent of income earners comes at a time when economic forces are conspiring to fatten corporate profits and further enrich the wealthy while leaving the middle class in its place. Rowley says revenue from repealing the tax cuts should be applied only to reduction of the $300 billion national deficit, not new spending.

Some ideas she espouses face a high burden of worthiness. The country may not be ready for federally mandated universal health coverage or discussion of a reinstated military draft, which Rowley says can’t be dismissed.

But Rowley has shown prescience before. As an FBI agent, she wrote in a 2003 letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller that the internal security posture of the United States “has been weakened by the diversion of attention from al-Quaeda to our government’s plan to invade Iraq, a step that will, in all likelihood, bring an exponential increase in the terrorist threat to the U.S., both at home and abroad.”

The recent National Intelligence Estimate confirms Rowley’s pre-war assessment, as terrorism worldwide increased more than three times from 2003 to 2005.

Of course, Rowley is best known for her post-Sept. 11 documentation of how FBI headquarters personnel in Washington, D.C., mishandled information provided by the Minnesota field office on now-convicted terrorist plotter Zacarias Moussaoui. Timid, she is not.

A nation thirsting for change will be better served with Coleen Rowley in Congress than with John Kline

Thursday's Child Has Far To Go

This one goes out to the boys at Minnesota's right lean (but not right!) blog:Powerline…and their misguided netroots… 'Remember grasshoppers, just because you claim it so, doesn't make it so'...as time and more time again has proven. The amazing thing is reality and truth doesn't seem to change them, but then again, maybe it's not too surprising.

What's that smell?...ah the faint odor of expendability!

I knew when Minnesota's weasel, smilin' Norm Coleman, sent me a lukewarm reply regarding tossing Rumsfeld overboard, it would just be a matter of time for the 'piling on' to finish him off. Imagine this: two retired senior Army generals who served in Iraq and previously voted Republican are now openly endorsing a Democratic takeover of Congress.

"Democratic control of Congress could be the best way to wrest control from the Bush administration and steer the United States away from a gravely flawed strategy in Iraq."
All along the government should have let the generals run the war. It’s what they’re trained for instead of Rumsfeld and the rest of the Bu$hCo Armchair Chickenhawks. Rumsfeld is just the start...the first falling republican domino is a long line of dominos.

Dead Eye Dick the Torturer vells:
In a radio interview Tuesday, Vice President Cheney confirmed that detainees were subjected to water-boarding: "Q Would you agree a dunk in water is a no-brainer if it can save lives?

It’s a no-brainer for me but for a while there, I was criticized as being the Vice President 'for torture.' We don't torture. That's not what we're involved in. We live up to our obligations in international treaties that we're party to and so forth. But the fact is, you can have a fairly robust interrogation program without torture, and we need to be able to do that."

Maybe Dick should study up more on why torture is usually not effective and why someone like him may support it. (say isn't his time about up?)

The Deadly Quagmire(s) Update:

96 in this month so far..

No longer staying the course, Bu$hCo now is now spinning the course. How about this, just get off the whole g*ddamit course? Could you do that?

And then start on Afghanistan where we appear to be failing to win the hearts and minds unless killing them can count as a win.

If you made it this far, go see David Bowie's Thursday's Child, 'While seeing your past and letting it go...Only for you I don't I regret that I was Thursday's Child'.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Stay the Course? Come on...

Don't let the Republicans Change their Failed Rhetoric.




Vote Democrat!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Fear This

There's a new RNC ad that warns of more cataclysmic terror attacks against the U.S. homeland, naturally only if Democrats should get elected. The ad portrays Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahiri making threats against America dating back to February 1998 including bin Laden's Dec. 26, 2001 vow that "what is yet to come will be even greater". "These are the stakes," the ad concludes. "Vote November 7."

The ad uses the usual fear tactics, smearing Democrats as unable to secure America. Throughout the piece phrases like "kill the Americans," "inside America," "suitcase bombs" and other dire messages float around a photograph of bin Laden. The background is a ticking bomb. Finally the ad concludes with the words, "These are the stakes."

Keith Olbermann responds to this new but same o- same o Republican fear ad:

The dictionary definition of the word ‘terrorize' is simple and not open to misinterpretation: "To fill or overpower with terror; terrify; coerce by
intimidation or fear."

Note please that the words ‘violence' and ‘death' are missing from that definition. For the key to terrorism is not the act-but the fear of the act. That is why bin Laden and his deputies and his imitators are forever putting together videotape statements and releasing virtual infomercials with dire threats and heart-stopping warnings. But why is the Republican Party imitating them? Bin Laden puts out what amounts to a commercial of fear; the republicans put out what is unmistakable as a commercial of fear.The Republicans are paying to have the messages of bin Laden and the others broadcast into your home! Only the Republicans have a bigger bankroll.

Watch the whole thing...really!

"The truth is that, under the incompetent GOP leadership, led by President Bush who moved our special forces out of Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden is still on the loose and the Taliban is resurging in Afghanistan," said Democratic National Committee spokesperson Karen Finney.

"Under the GOP watch, our troops are pinned down in the middle of a civil war in Iraq, North Korea is testing nuclear weapons, and our troops still lack adequate body armour."

All it does is create fear in the hope of securing their own backsides and holding on to everything it can in the coming mid-term election. But the good news is Democrats have nothing to fear. We will win back our country.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Even Kids Know The Score with John Kline!

John Kline-Schoolyard Bully

Out of the mouth of babes...John Kline is afraid you'll look at his voting record because it reads like he's a ghost writer of the Bush regime. With zero ratings on anything that helps children: education, social programs, enviroment and healthcare, this is a choice even a kid can make.

Coleen Rowley In A Blue America

Over the last week John Amato and Howie Klein asked Coleen Rowley what music she liked most...Blue America’s Music: Coleen Rowley loves Cat Stevens


"Coleen Rowley is one of the most dedicated and serious candidates I've talked to all year. Go take a look at the archive of the live blog session we did with her at Firedoglake in July. Since then 544 Blue America contributors have managed to raise over $13,000 for her. And Coleen and her dedicated staff have worked as hard as any campaign anywhere in the country.You can donate to her campaign here Unfortunately she's up against a complete corporate shill who doesn't even bother to read legislation; he just votes the straight corporate line of the neocons."

(Read the rest of this story…at Crooks and Liars)

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Polls and Endorsement for Minnesota's Coleen Rowley!

The news just gets better and better for Coleen Rowley. I mentioned before that she's a long shot but it appears that the trending is going her way! We've a few weeks left to put this great candidate into office. We can do it!

Her poll numbers have shown a significant surge indicating this race is anything but decided!
"This marks a 7-point gain for Rowley and a 5-point drop for Kline since the previous SurveyUSA poll, released on September 27. The Rowley campaign has closed the gap by 12 points in 19 days."

And today Coleen Rowley received the Star Tribune endorsement over Rep. John Kline(MN R).
"While Rowley is short on political experience, she has proved herself a quick study and avid learner. Washington needs a change in course, and the Second District is a good place to start."

Mary Kiffmeyer and Katherine Harris


There has been a great deal of talk about how partisan May Kiffmeyer has been in her roll as Secretary of State, and just for a reminder of this I found this very interesting invitation for a fundraiser for Mary back in 2001. She invited her buddy Katherine Harris, the infamous Bush crony who handed him his controversial win in the 2000 election, which I have to point out sent us down the destructive road we are currently in with the bungled war and corrupt congress and administration. Some could argue if it were not for these highly partisan Secretary of States our county would be much much better off now.

We need to send a message to the country that we do not want these types of overly partisan people in charge of our state elections. It is time for a change and time to send Mary packing.

Mark Ritchie will bring respect and integrity back to the Secretary of State's office, and take it away from people like Katherine Harris and Mary Kiffmeyer.

Fun spin-off ads "I'm a Democrat"

I'm a Democrat (better)


I'm a Democrat II (Country)


I'm a Democrat III (Medicine)

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Mark Ritchie Earns Star Tribune Endorsement

Mark Ritchie has been endorsed by the Star Tribune. I can't say I am surprised, his opponent is a complete partisan hack.

From the endorsement:
After eight years of distractions, diversions and general retreat from the scrupulous professionalism of Joan Growe, the secretary of state's office needs Mark Ritchie and his steady emphasis on ensuring that all Minnesotans can vote with ease -- and with confidence in the system's fairness and security.
Ritchie Wbm

Mark still needs your help, join the wining team and volunteer or help any way you can!
John Kline's Surprising Policy

From DJK...they have a couple of videos on Kline! Pass it around...get a laugh.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Blog interview of Keith Ellison

Brought to you by Minnesota Stories, a very nice interview with Keith Ellison

Saving your own job

That is the only reason I see for Sabo's employees leaving the democratic party to join the new mud-slinger Tammy Lee. These poor sods who thought they could crown the next CD5 Congressman with their fellow coworker, and thus keep their jobs in Washington, are now trying to use the worn-out GOP talking points once again to try and tarnish Keith Ellison.

Again I refer you, gentle reader, to American Hot Sausage for an inspired read. All the links are there, and all the good yummy words too.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

The Fear Factor

The US terror alert has now become a political football for use by Bu$hCo. It's not a 'credible source' but managed to make the headlines as breaking news:

"A Web site is claiming that seven NFL football stadiums will be hit with radiological dirty bombs this weekend, but the government on Wednesday expressed doubts about the threat."

Even the Dept. of Homeland Security doesn't see it as a credible threat. The alert was sent "out of an abundance of caution." Which begs the question, then why issue a warning at all? Could this be part of Rove's promised October surprise?

Let's think about it, first, why let terrorist know you're on to them by issuing an alert with details. Don't you think they read the papers and watch TV? Do you think if it was real, they might go to plan B since plan A is now in the newspapers?

Secondly, if there is no threat as the FBI and Homeland Security both maintain, then why the warning? "Counter terrorism investigators said the threat is not credible, and they're urging fans to enjoy the games."

Like all the numerous previous warnings that came before elections, this terror pigskin stinks of the Rovian fear tactics that has served the Bu$h administration in the past. I'm just on pins and needles to see the terror scale reach red by Novemeber 7. Which reminds me of an old joke that seems fitting to this whole affair:

Vikings football practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field. The coach immediately suspended practice and called the police and federal investigators.

After a complete analysis, FBI forensic experts determined that the white substance unknown to players was the GOAL LINE. Practice resumed after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Why Vote For A Fool!

Bachmann Says She is 'A Fool For Christ'

G*d told me not to vote for fools. She also told me to tell you...so here it goes: Quit voting for fools. There that wasn't so bad..and in fact it's easy because there is a much better alternative with better values and she won't use religion to try and force her political agenda on you...if you know what I mean.

An Un-American Wrong

Bu$h signed into law yesterday the Military Commissions Act of 2006 . With it’s passage has gone my belief in the American system of justice.

Today, the new Bu$h system will allow the executive branch of the government the power to detain people forever by declaring them an "unlawful enemy combatant," with no recourse to contest the validity of that detention in any tribunal. It was never the intent of the U.S. constitution to grant such a level of power to one branch without recourse or oversight. But in this bill, the President now possesses a defining authoritarian power - to detain and imprison people for life based solely on his say-so, while denying the detainee any opportunity to prove his innocence.

I read that the youngest detainee in Guantanamo was just fourteen years old when taken in custody. Today he’s eighteen and still in custody. No charges, no trail, no presentable evidence, no recource. Hopefully, your child won't suffer the same fate but with this new legislation, it's possible. It's just flat out un-American and wrong.

Pawlenty's 'No New Tax' Myth

Pawlenty's campaign says Democrats will do anything to defeat the governor including 'outrageous and false statements you have seen recently in television ads.' But here's the deal, we don't have to because Pawlenty's been such a failure. Tim's lack of leadership and the current state of Minnesota speaks for itself. The LRV has a study that puts to bed Pawlenty's claim to 'no new taxes':
New League of Rural Voters study finds double-digit property tax increases a direct result of State cuts to schools and local government Greater Minnesota residents have experienced double-digit property tax increases during the last four years as a direct result of cuts in state aid to schools and local government, according to a study released by the League of Rural Voters (LRV).
The report shows that the state has made significant cuts in aid to schools and local governments in Greater Minnesota since 2003, forcing local government to increase property taxes. These local tax increases have not kept pace with the lost state revenues to schools and local government, often resulting in budget shortfalls. Then to balance the budget, necessary funding to schools and local government gets cut.

His actions have caused everything else -- property taxes, state fees, school fees, and college tuition - to go up while services decline.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

The Long Shot In CD2

This is the first thing I read this morning... and I can't keep from smiling...

It's called trending and folks, it could happen...a lot of people are working to make it happen. I have no illusions that it's a long shot but we've been given some help from John Kline's negative ads, his twisting of the facts, his bullying behavior, war support, pro-corporation voting record and mean spirit.

Given the choice between Kline and an honest discussion on issues, well 12 points in one week says it all...

Coleen Rowley is a progressive's dream candidate, truthful, open, thoughtful and intelligent. Please open your pocketbooks, we have less than 4 weeks to go to stage this upset. It can happen. I've seen how the voters in CD2 respond once they know who she is or meet her. There's a growing grassroots support that cuts across partisan lines. She can do it, and you can help her.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Guns and Dogs

Finally someone has put to words what I have been feeling for a while about Mike Hatch:

Wake up Minnesota. No amount of marketing can paper over the sunny failure that is national republicanism implanted in the form of Tim Pawlenty, Mark Kennedy, and Michele Bachman. Far from representing anything traditional about Minnesota, these GOP clones speak from a script written by Washington powerwhores, not by average folks from 'round these parts.

Which brings me to Mike Hatch. Some of you yellow bellied liberals are shaky about him. It's a dangerous illness. Purity testing is a great way to get our asses kicked - again - by the certainty of GOPers who support their candidates with the far away look of Jonestown cultists.

When we say that we are so far off path that a gentle healer would be inappropriate as a cure, we mean to say that Hatch is an aggressive ass-kicker with a record of fearlessly going after powerful lobbies, in the interest of the "little people." Republicans don't dare brush him off as another weak liberal who is soft in any way, shape, or form. They call him "mean" and "angry." If that isn't a reversal of fortune, what is? Republicans actually crying uncle on a Democrat being too "mean" for them?

Isn't it time we had a Democrat who kicks ass and takes names? Isn't time we had a governor we could trust to fight the good fight with the mercenary strength of a convicted man?



AHS, you guys ROCK! Read the rest here!

Morally Bankrupt Or Fruit Loop?

The g*dless, morally bankrupt GOP... or sugar coated fruit loop? You decide:

According to the Sunday Los Angeles Times, Bush administration's premiere advocate was fired because convicted criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff was representing one of the countries that most profits from sexual slavery and human trafficking, the Northern Mariana Islands.

Abramoff wanted this Bush administration official fired because the official's anti-human-trafficking agenda - now George Bush's agenda - posed a direct threat to Abramoff's pro-sex-slave client.But Jack Abramoff doesn't have the power to fire a Bush administration official - all he can do is ask. Someone inside the Bush administration had to do Abramoff's dirty work and fire the official on behalf of Abramoff and his client.

According to the Los Angeles Times, that someone was former senior Bush White House official, and now head of the Republican party, Ken Mehlman.

Are there any GOP members left that aren’t liars, criminals, profiteers, or sexual predators? And why don’t the boys at Powerline tell the real story instead of sugar-coating Mehlman as a fruit loop? Even they can't believe the lies all the time, can they? Lloydletta’s Nooz has more, including Mehlman’s whiny denial. Personally, the whole story made me sick.

Betting On A Failing Crop

Ah, the smell of freshly harvested greed...and it's a bumper crop!

According to a Washington Post investigation, last year, crop insurance companies made $927 million in profit, they received an additional $829 million from the government in administrative fees to help run the program, and taxpayers contributed an additional $2.3 billion to subsidize premium payments for farmers - all to pay farmers $752 million for losses from bad weather. Full Story

Just Because They Say It, Doesn't Make It So...Does It?

Nail biting with less than four weeks to go, I'm asking: What Do They Know That We Don't?

Bush has publicly and privately banished any talk of losing the GOP majorities, saying, "We'll have a Republican speaker and a Republican leader of the Senate." The question is whether this is a case of justified confidence -- based on Bush's and Rove's electoral record and knowledge of the money, technology and other assets at their command -- or of self-delusion. I suspect the latter. But, what if they know something we don’t? It isn’t by chance that new voting technology is owned and operated by rethugs.

Still, it does sound familiar? It’s eerily like Bush's talk about progress in Iraq. That delusion is killing people. Maybe (as usual) Bush is too focused on the imagine in the bathroom mirror to notice that so far this month 53 soldiers have been killed in Iraq, over 100 non-combatants.

Mark Ritchie's 1st Ad

Joan Grow makes an appearance for Mark Ritchie. Mark will bring a very positive force to the Secretary of State's office.



Please help him out and remember to vote Mark Ritchie for Secretary of State!!

UPDATE:
Paul at Eyeteeth gives a very good commentary on this ad, so does MNCR, check'm out!

Otto's 2nd Ad

Second ad for the Auditor's race

Vote Rebecca Otto and help this ad get air time!

Turning Blue Light Specials Into Red

DFLers has a posting about WalMart’s recent announcement that it would distribute cautionary information to its employees about candidates the company believes might hurt its business.

Near as I can tell, wouldn’t that be any candidate who believed in a living wage, employee rights, being a responsible employer and community leader and provided medical insurance? Oh yeah, right, that would be all Democrats.

Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, nails them when she says she was "surprising" that Wal-Mart would try to sway voters toward
"politicians who support their pro-China, corporate welfare, poverty wage strategy to maximize profits."

Sunday, October 15, 2006

It wouldn't be funny if...

This is our president. For a good laugh, Bush on Meet the Press, or well, at least Bush on Meet the Press on the Daily Show.



No wonder people are fed up with this guy

Friday, October 13, 2006

Wanting To Vote In MN

The pic was taken at Bridge Square in Northfield. It is of some College Democrats protesting Mary Kiffmeyer whocame to town for a political lunch. Their protest was to rally for voter's rights in Minnesota, including those of out-of-state college students, who Mary is trying to cut out of the voting process.

Wouldn't it be nice if voters knew their Secretary of State was working FOR them instead of Against? Vote Mark Ritchie!

A Deadly Course

Iraq: A team of American and Iraqi epidemiologists estimates that 655,000 more people have died in Iraq since coalition forces arrived in March 2003 than would have died if the invasion had not occurred.

Fifty a day.

And if we're 'staying the course', what will you're future hold?

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Majority Watch

For those poll watchers out there, here is the best map for watching the US House I have seen yet:

Majority Watch

one of the other regular standbys for both the House and the Senate is Electoral-Vote

enjoy!

A Six Pack of Shame

In six short years…
The GOP have become what they are swore to destroy.

On explosive note: North Korea now has nukes…
Here’s a timeline of actvities-
Is there anything Bu$h hasn’t screwed up?
Or is the 'party of accountability' blaming Clinton for this too?

The Bill of 'Right'

The Mann, via Crooks & Liars...
Countdown has learned that habeas corpus actually predates the "Constitution," meaning it's not just pre-September 11th thinking, it's also pre-July 4th thinking.In those days, no one imagined that enemy combatants might one day attack Americans on native soil.

In fact, Countdown has obtained a partially redacted copy of a colonial "declaration" indicating that back then, "depriving us of Trial by Jury" was actually considered sufficient cause to start a War of Independence, based on the then-fashionable idea that "liberty" was an unalienable right.

Today, thanks to modern, post-9/11 thinking, those rights are now fully alienable.The reality is, without habeas corpus, a lot of other rights lose their meaning.

But if you look at the actual Bill of Rights — the first ten amendments to that pesky Constitution — you'll see just how many remain.

Well, ok, Number One's gone.If you're detained without trial, you lose your freedom of religion, speech, the press and assembly. And you can't petition the government for anything.

Number Two? While you're in prison, your right to keep and bear arms just may be infringed upon.Even if you're in the NRA.

Three?No forced sleepovers by soldiers at your house. OK. Three is unchanged.

Four?You're definitely not secure against searches and seizures, with or without probable cause - and this isn't even limited to the guards.

Five… Grand juries and due process are obviously out.

Six. So are trials, let alone the right to counsel. Speedy trials? You want it when?

Seven. Hmmmm. I thought we covered "trials" and "juries" earlier.Eight — So bail's kind of a moot point…

Nine: "Other" rights retained by the people. Well, if you can name them during your water-boarding, we'll consider them.

And Ten — powers not delegated to the United States federal government seem to have ended up there, anyway.

So as you can see, even without habeas corpus, at least one tenth of the Bill of Rights, I guess that's the Bill of "Right" now… remains virtually intact .And we can rest easy knowing we will never, ever have to quarter soldiers in our homes… as long as the Third Amendment still stands strong. The President can take care of that with a Signing Statement.

Damn.I want my Constitution back.
Without it, the land is just real estate, and we're subjects, not citizens.

Selling Christians Down the Political Drain

Because G*d isn't for sell, Americans need to rise above and put a stop to what's happen with political favoritism and personal belief. It doesn't matter what side you're on, what g*d you beleive in,

It's wrong, even if Bu$h was a believer...and as this video shows...he's not.

Video - WMV Video - QT

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Otto's Ad

Why? Because I like this ad

Help Rebecca Otto get her message out for her race for State Auditor

Handwriting On The Wall

"We should have thrown the bastards out years ago. Let's do it now! Give Peace A Vote! "-Willie Nelson

...from the looks of it, a lot of people are singing the same tune-

CNN 39% Approval, 56% Disapproval
USA Today/Gallup 37% Approval, 59% Disapproval
ABC/Washington Post 39% Approval, 60% Disapprova
lCBS/New York Times 34% Approval, 60% Disapprova
lNewsweek 33% Approval, 59% Disapproval
Time 36% Approval, 57% Disapproval
AP-Ipsos 38% Approval, 59% Disapproval
Pew 37% Approval, 53% Disapproval
NBC/Wall Street Journal 39% Approval, 56% Disapproval

and incase you were wondering:
Truth Surfer 0% Approval, 100% Disapproval

Hat tip to Holden.

Want a New Course?


This applies to MN Republicans too, they are all in lock step with "Stay the (failed) Course"

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Howard Dean Is Asking For Your Help

When HD asks, I'm there. It's the least I can do to see the backside of the rethugs, liars, cheats, pedophiles, war profiteers, greedy bastards (did I leave anything out?) Had enough? Join us:

"Four weeks from today, what will you be doing?

On November 7th, America will vote. All the polls say that people have had enough. We're poised to win historic victories up and down the ballot -- but only if we follow through and make it happen.

So we're doing something we've never done before.

We're asking every Democrat who can do so to take the day off from work on Election Day to be part of our 50-State Turnout operation.

If you commit to taking the day off on Tuesday, November 7th, our staff will commit to making sure you have the resources and contacts you need to spend a full day immersed in our democracy.

We're asking now so that you have plenty of time to make arrangements. Whether you're new to politics or a seasoned volunteer, if you can afford to spend all or part of Election Day working to elect Democrats, tell us here:
http://www.democrats.org/electionday"

Boohoo Colin Powell

File this one under Liar and Loser

Colin Powell is now claiming he was fired
And maybe he was but it wasn't for the correct reasons... like lying to Americans, manipulation and doctoring of data, and presenting false reports that lead us into a war.

Whatever he says now may or may not be the truth; He should have spoke out then before he betrayed us.

Don't you think they’ll all be trying to distance themselves from this administration if for no other reason than to stay out of jail.

Don't forget...
he could have served America... but decided to serve Bu$hCo.

No Bush Left Behind

You probably first heard about Neil's company when every penny of Barbara Bush's Katrina donation made its way to Neil Bush's company. But this is a new enterprise for Neil, using the NCLB program to charge schools $3,800 for purple projectors:
Neil Bush, is raking in millions off of ‘No Child Left Behind’ selling thousands of educational "Curriculums on Wheels", or (Cash) COWs, to schools around the country. After five years of development and backing by investors like Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and onetime junk-bond king Michael R. Milken, Neil Bush aims to roll his high-tech teacher's helpers into classrooms nationwide.

Whatadeal, $3,800 for a projector!

Wake Up And Smell the Victory!

Are you paying attention Congressman Kline?
"Fifty-five percent of Americans say that most of the Democrats in Congress deserve re-election; just 39 percent, however, say the same of most Republican representatives."

"Overall, Americans have a very low opinion of Congress. Nearly seven in 10 think most members of Congress do not try to follow the same rules of behavior as most Americans, and a similar number believe most members consider themselves above the law."

Better still:
"….the biggest Democratic lead this close to Election Day in more than 20 years… Just 32 percent of Americans, moreover, approve of the way Congress is doing its job — the lowest approval rating in a decade…a new high of 53 percent — disapprove of how Bush has handled the broader U.S. campaign against terrorism"

Can’t get much uglier
"Seventy-nine percent of those polled — including 61 percent of Republicans — say GOP leaders were more concerned with politics than the well-being of the teenage pages."

By more than two to one, Americans see Republicans as more corrupt.

The War
"The public’s view of Iraq is as dark as it has been since the war began in 2003: two-thirds said the war was going somewhat or very badly, while only 3 percent said it was going very well. Two-thirds said they disapprove of how Mr. Bush is handling Iraq."

The End is near!
"Most astonishing, however, is that while 58% of Democrats consider themselves likely to vote, just 44% of Republicans see themselves heading to the polls this November."

Monday, October 09, 2006

Vietnam Redux?

Take a walk sometime this fall through the VA hospital here in St. Paul. It’s full of young people who are now amputees or sightless or head injury cases. It’s not pretty and the numbers are growing...

The number of wounded troops in Iraq is growing significantly.More than 20,000 U.S. troops have been wounded in combat in the Iraq war, and about half have returned to duty.

The ratio of wounded to killed among U.S. forces in Iraq is about 8 to 1, compared with 3 to 1 in Vietnam.

The surge in wounded comes as U.S. commanders issue increasingly dire warnings about the threat of civil war in Iraq, all but ruling out cuts in the current contingent of more than 140,000 U.S. troops before the spring of 2007.

Vietnam redux? or does it go back further...
"Beyond the Euphrates began for us the land of mirage and danger, the sands where one helplessly sank, and the roads which ended in nothing. The slightest reversal would have resulted in a jolt to our prestige giving rise to all kinds of catastrophe; the problem was not only to conquer but to conquer again and again, perpetually; our forces would be drained off in the attempt." Emperor Hadrian AD 117-138

Friday, October 06, 2006

Hastert is Kline's Hero!

From Kline:

"I stand behind Hastert 100%"

Was that before or after three more pages came foward to announce they were harassed?

"John Kline said he is 100% with Dennis Hastert and believes that the GOP Leader didn’t know about Mark Foley’s sexual harassment of underage pages. In the past Kline has said that Hastert is a hero of his: John Kline credits Hastert with healing and unifying the House of Representatives after leadership turbulence. (yeah even at the risk of putting children at the mercy of a pedophile.) Hastert has come to MN to raise money for Kline!"
hattip to DJK:

Go Talk With Your Neighbors

Some guy named Al sezs:
Forty-three days from now, we can wake up with a Democratic majority in the Senate and put an end to George Bush's extreme, right-wing regime. Or we can wake up and wonder why we didn't do enough, why we allowed ourselves to be Swift-boated by hateful Republican attack ads. The choice is ours.

He's right on the spot. Now get up from in front of the computer monitor and go talk with your neighbors. Tell them what's in your politico heart and soul. Believe me when I say, it will reasonate with them. Then ask them to tell their friends and family...and get them registered to vote.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Statewide Races: Volunteer for Mark Ritchie!

Well, it is that time! Time to help bring the change we all need. Time to reach out to voters and make the difference. Here is one volunteer effort I just got in my in-box that I would like to help out:

As a supporter of Mark Ritchie I am hoping you can help us reach 11,000 voters before the election!
We are calling 11,000 swing voters twice before the election and I need 10 phoners per shift.

The phonebank shifts are:
Sundays 1-4, 5-8, Monday thru Thurs 6-9.

Our Ritchie Headquarters is at 2829 University Ave SE Mpls, Its a 9 story white bldg with windows that look like TV Screens. It is between the UofMN and KSTP TV.

Any and all time you can give would greatly be appreciated.
I am trying to get volunteers to commit to 1 day a week for the 5 weeks left, or more if you can.

Every phone call we make gets Mark's name out there, and we need to help get his name recognition up!

Please email this to your friends, family or co-workers, anyone who would be able to help us make the calls.

MaryB 612-414-6899

Mark Ritchie, candidate for Secretary of State, will put MN back on the track as towards safe as secure elections.

Please do what you can to help get Mark Ritchie win!

They have nothing to offer you BUT fear itself

If you only read one blog post this election cycle, read this one by Mr Sponge
Coleen Rowley TV Ad#1

Murtha couldn't be more right about needing Coleen Rowley in the House. Even today Rep. Kline stands 100% with Hastert instead of with the victims and their families.
Pre-Parden for Torture?

"What ARE we Becoming?"
Pawlenty was against cutting LGA before he was for it

Wow, and he was against raising property taxed before he was for it too.
Olbermann's special commentary on Clinton vs Fox

Geez, give this guy a bigger soapbox to 'save our country'.
Oh and Mr. Bu$h, is your sleep disturbed? It should be as we're coming closer to the truth that you and thugs you surrounded yourself with tried to drown out these last few years. Our numbers are increasing and we're not taking it anymore.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

The Long Screeching Beep

A Short story:

This is the story about Kline the torturer and those that oppose him.

This is the story Part 1, Can’t see the forest for the trees

This is the story Part 2, Blogging for the dark side

This is the story Part 3, Blogging reality

Kline is a long screeching beep.

The End.

On My Outrage

In a recent thread on Polinaut, Bob Collins asks some good questions about "Outrage" so here are some of my thoughts.

First, a personal note. I never wanted to side with one of the "two parties" I have no fondness for the two party system. For those who read what I write (and I don't expect anyone would) know this. I have in recent years become active in the DFL (they are now my chosen "team"), but it is not because I am not critical of Democrats, nor the two party system, but rather because of the far right wing extremism that has taken control over our state and federal government. "Bipartisanship" has been dead ever since there has been one party rule, and ever since Bush abused the trust and good will the world shared with us after 9/11. They (the GOP) use war language all the time to describe the political divide, they want to eliminate (and you can take that word metaphorically or otherwise how you see fit) those who disagree with them. That is why I have chosen to act within one of the two parties, and wishing for some sort of step back in time to a civil era just is not possible with those in power currently. If there was a viable third party, things would be better, but there are only two parties who exist outside of the election cycle here in MN, and a party is only a party if it has a base of support. No one is fooled that the IP is currently nothing but an election year scam, they need to do much more work outside of running token candidates to have legitimate impact, and I wish they would. They have not yet earned anyone's vote, "Team MN" is just another election year gimmick.

The use of the term "political hay" is a very cynical approach to all this business with Foley and Torture. Sure there are folks out there that see all this in those terms, but that does not get to the real endemic problem of corruption and ideological divides. People feel very real outrage over our current leaders, and this business of politics is the most serious of businesses.

I am full of outrage FULL of it. The tragedy in Penn adds to it, but it is again a symptom of the greater problem of violence (specifically gun violence and violence on children) in our society. The REAL outrage should be in directed at those who think that this current set of republicans, who cover up violence on children, and condone torture, are from the same mold as previous generations and thus treat them with some legitimacy. The extreme has taken control of their party and they are desecrating our way of life and our constitution. There is no way to look at the this with any sort of balance, things have been WAY out of balance for a long time now, and those in control have abused their power at every step with no one really calling them out. We are at the edge a very deep chasm, and unless these forces are stopped feeling outrage won't do us much good when we can be rounded up on the streets for expressing it. You may find that statement paranoid, but that is the direction we are headed in, denying that potential is naive.

It is just as real that this country just voted to condone torture (and have tortured people, or why do you think that clause was in that bill the pre-pardoned those who participated in this stuff just in case the law did not get through the courts?) as it is real that there are sick people who lose it and go shoot up a school. All this "actually did happen." Is happening, and will continue to happen unless we turnout those cowards who think the only way to beat an enemy is to become just like them.

Those Republicans who wish to regain control of their party, and return it to a respectable player, need to realize that the only thing that will allow some sort of reconstruction, is for their party lose the power which has corrupted them so heavily. The moderates, those like my father who were driven out of that party, need to wake up are realize that the current players of their "team" need to have their contracts torn up.

We all should continue to feel Outrage, but also a great deal of Shame for allowing our country to become what it currently is.

Monday, October 02, 2006

The Foley of Politics

The GOP gave a big thumbs up and Cheshire Cat smile to torture, indefinite detention and admission of coerced statements, then add in ethical violations, scandals, corruption and a coverup…

The Republicans warrant a 'parental advisory sticker' on anything having to do with them!

P is for passing the buck…for years!
E is for elephant, the icon of corruption.
D is for dick, apparently they like to measure it.
O is for 'often', yeah enuff said
P is for pages, underaged youth
H is for the House, where they reside
I is for Insiders, all of ‘em rethugs
L is for Liars, all of ‘em, again
E is for Enough, vote them out!

No Need to Check It Twice to See Who's Naughty

“get a ruler and measure it for me” is more than a naughty email especially when it's a mature (over fifty) congressman and an underage male page(s) and been going on at least five years!

The White House statement:
Yes, look, I hate to tell you, but it’s not always pretty up there on Capitol Hill. And there have been other scandals, as you know, that have been more than simply naughty e-mails.
It's called a felony. And knowing about the behavior and covering it up is another felony. And Congressmen should know that as they are the one who passed the child protection laws. Looks like orange jumpsuits for the 'party of morals and ethics'.

Here in Minnesota, Mark Kennedy received money in 2002 from Foley (or his PAC). Hmm, just how close are they?