Monday, July 31, 2006
Sen. Frist Links Minimum Wage Hike to Tax Cuts
NewsMax - The only opportunity this year to increase the minimum wage and renew popular tax breaks will be linked to a reduction in the estate tax, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said Tuesday.
The Republican leader said he would schedule a Friday vote to see whether a bill combining the three items, already passed by the House, can win the support of 60 senators. Without that backing, the bill slides off the Senate's agenda.
"It's now or never," Frist said.
Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, criticized the GOP's "take it or leave it" approach.
"The only road to legislative heaven in this Republican-dominated Congress is to repeal the estate tax," he said.
It's a major political battle for both parties as they head toward an election with control of Congress at stake. Republicans hope to neutralize one of the Democrat's biggest issues, the minimum wage, while scoring a victory on one of their own, the estate tax.
The bill links a $2.10 increase in the $5.15 hourly federal minimum wage, phased in over three years, with a reduction of estate taxes. It would exempt $5 million of an individual's estate and $10 million of a couple's from taxation by 2015. Over the same time, the top estate tax rate would fall from 46 percent this year to 30 percent.
Carried along in the package are a host of popular tax breaks that expired last year. They include a research and development credit for business, along with deductions for college tuition, state sales taxes and classroom supplies purchased by teachers.
Democratic leaders said they plan to fight the bill, criticizing the GOP for helping minimum wage workers only to deliver a tax cut to the wealthiest taxpayers. They also criticized the bill for overriding state laws and forcing all states to count tips toward an employee's minimum wage.
Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said voters will understand their opposition.
"People know for nine years the Republicans have said 'no' to increases in the minimum wage," he said.
The last time Frist tested the Senate's temperament toward reducing or eliminating the estate tax, he fell three votes short and could not bring the issue up for debate.
Senate Finance Committee Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, told reporters the vote count might not have changed much. "I don't know where to get three more Democratic votes," he said. "Will we get them? I don't know. People say it's very chancy."
Some individual senators whose votes may be pivotal remained undecided.
Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor said he needed to know more about the bill's effect on Arkansas. "I don't know the answer to that just yet," he said.
NewsMax - The only opportunity this year to increase the minimum wage and renew popular tax breaks will be linked to a reduction in the estate tax, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said Tuesday.
The Republican leader said he would schedule a Friday vote to see whether a bill combining the three items, already passed by the House, can win the support of 60 senators. Without that backing, the bill slides off the Senate's agenda.
"It's now or never," Frist said.
Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, criticized the GOP's "take it or leave it" approach.
"The only road to legislative heaven in this Republican-dominated Congress is to repeal the estate tax," he said.
It's a major political battle for both parties as they head toward an election with control of Congress at stake. Republicans hope to neutralize one of the Democrat's biggest issues, the minimum wage, while scoring a victory on one of their own, the estate tax.
The bill links a $2.10 increase in the $5.15 hourly federal minimum wage, phased in over three years, with a reduction of estate taxes. It would exempt $5 million of an individual's estate and $10 million of a couple's from taxation by 2015. Over the same time, the top estate tax rate would fall from 46 percent this year to 30 percent.
Carried along in the package are a host of popular tax breaks that expired last year. They include a research and development credit for business, along with deductions for college tuition, state sales taxes and classroom supplies purchased by teachers.
Democratic leaders said they plan to fight the bill, criticizing the GOP for helping minimum wage workers only to deliver a tax cut to the wealthiest taxpayers. They also criticized the bill for overriding state laws and forcing all states to count tips toward an employee's minimum wage.
Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said voters will understand their opposition.
"People know for nine years the Republicans have said 'no' to increases in the minimum wage," he said.
The last time Frist tested the Senate's temperament toward reducing or eliminating the estate tax, he fell three votes short and could not bring the issue up for debate.
Senate Finance Committee Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, told reporters the vote count might not have changed much. "I don't know where to get three more Democratic votes," he said. "Will we get them? I don't know. People say it's very chancy."
Some individual senators whose votes may be pivotal remained undecided.
Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor said he needed to know more about the bill's effect on Arkansas. "I don't know the answer to that just yet," he said.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
It's Not 'Hillarycare,' It's 'Kerrycare' in 2012
Sen. John Kerry on Monday will propose requiring all Americans to have health insurance by 2012, "with the federal government guaranteeing they have the means to afford it."
The Massachusetts Democrat, whose name is figuring prominently in 2008 White House speculation, will repeat his 2004 presidential campaign call for expanding the federal Medicaid program to cover children.
In a speech scheduled for midday Monday at Faneuil Hall in Boston, he will advocate creating a program to cover catastrophic cases so an employer providing insurance doesn't have to pass the cost to his other workers, and offering Americans the ability to buy into the same insurance program used by federal workers, such as members of Congress.
Kerry will propose to pay for the program by repealing tax cuts enacted during the Bush administration that benefit those earning over $200,000 annually. He is not expected to immediately elaborate on how he would get his insurance mandate enacted into law.
"One of my biggest regrets is that fear talk trumped the health-care talk, and that we are less safe abroad and less healthy at home because of that," Kerry will say according to the prepared text of remarks he planned to deliver.
The senator already had delivered two other speeches at the Revolutionary War meeting house laying the ground work for a second presidential campaign.
Kerry also promoted his health-care proposal in a Boston Globe op-ed piece published Monday morning, and during an appearance on Don Imus's nationally syndicated radio program.
In the text of his prepared speech, Kerry concedes that his health-care proposal is virtually the same as one he outlined during his failed campaign for the White House in 2004. However, he said that continuity was a measure of his commitment to his health-care ideals.
"Every day since Election Day, the health-care crisis has grown steadily worse," said his prepared speech. "The president has stuck to his guns - or, more accurately, his empty holster - and done nothing beyond trotting out the conservative hobby horse of health savings accounts."
The senator will say his plan would lead to universal coverage by 2012, "but if we're not there by 2012, we will require that all Americans have health insurance, with the federal government guaranteeing they have the means to afford it."
The Republican National Committee, which typically responds to political criticism of the president, said Kerry's critique ignored the prescription drug program enacted by the Bush administration.
"It's unfortunate that John Kerry's bitterness over losing the election clouds his ability to recognize the president's prescription drug plan is providing millions of seniors with more affordable medicine," said RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt.
Whatever his criticism, Kerry faces the reality that the governor of his home state - Republican Mitt Romney, himself a potential 2008 presidential candidate - has not only talked about but enacted a sweeping health-care overhaul designed to bring universal coverage to Massachusetts.
Last week, Michael Leavitt, secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human services, called Romney's program "a model" for the nation.
Sen. John Kerry on Monday will propose requiring all Americans to have health insurance by 2012, "with the federal government guaranteeing they have the means to afford it."
The Massachusetts Democrat, whose name is figuring prominently in 2008 White House speculation, will repeat his 2004 presidential campaign call for expanding the federal Medicaid program to cover children.
In a speech scheduled for midday Monday at Faneuil Hall in Boston, he will advocate creating a program to cover catastrophic cases so an employer providing insurance doesn't have to pass the cost to his other workers, and offering Americans the ability to buy into the same insurance program used by federal workers, such as members of Congress.
Kerry will propose to pay for the program by repealing tax cuts enacted during the Bush administration that benefit those earning over $200,000 annually. He is not expected to immediately elaborate on how he would get his insurance mandate enacted into law.
"One of my biggest regrets is that fear talk trumped the health-care talk, and that we are less safe abroad and less healthy at home because of that," Kerry will say according to the prepared text of remarks he planned to deliver.
The senator already had delivered two other speeches at the Revolutionary War meeting house laying the ground work for a second presidential campaign.
Kerry also promoted his health-care proposal in a Boston Globe op-ed piece published Monday morning, and during an appearance on Don Imus's nationally syndicated radio program.
In the text of his prepared speech, Kerry concedes that his health-care proposal is virtually the same as one he outlined during his failed campaign for the White House in 2004. However, he said that continuity was a measure of his commitment to his health-care ideals.
"Every day since Election Day, the health-care crisis has grown steadily worse," said his prepared speech. "The president has stuck to his guns - or, more accurately, his empty holster - and done nothing beyond trotting out the conservative hobby horse of health savings accounts."
The senator will say his plan would lead to universal coverage by 2012, "but if we're not there by 2012, we will require that all Americans have health insurance, with the federal government guaranteeing they have the means to afford it."
The Republican National Committee, which typically responds to political criticism of the president, said Kerry's critique ignored the prescription drug program enacted by the Bush administration.
"It's unfortunate that John Kerry's bitterness over losing the election clouds his ability to recognize the president's prescription drug plan is providing millions of seniors with more affordable medicine," said RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt.
Whatever his criticism, Kerry faces the reality that the governor of his home state - Republican Mitt Romney, himself a potential 2008 presidential candidate - has not only talked about but enacted a sweeping health-care overhaul designed to bring universal coverage to Massachusetts.
Last week, Michael Leavitt, secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human services, called Romney's program "a model" for the nation.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Drinking Games with Hillary, McCain
If Hillary Clinton ends up running against John McCain for the presidency in 2008, the two might vaguely remember competing against each other once before.
That would have been in the summer of 2004 in Estonia where, according to The New York Times, the margin of victory was not votes, but shots of vodka.
The instigator of the after-dinner contest, the Times reported for its Saturday editions, was Clinton, D-N.Y. McCain, R-Ariz., readily agreed.
Aides to McCain did not return messages seeking comment Friday. Philippe Reines, Clinton's spokesman, played coy.
"What happens in Estonia stays in Estonia," he said Friday evening.
McCain and Clinton have built a close working relationship in the Senate. They both serve on the Armed Services Committee and share interests in subjects such as climate change. Both have cultivated bipartisan images, working across party lines on common interests.
The Times reported that McCain has described Clinton to his colleagues as "one of the guys."
McCain and Clinton were joined in the 2004 trip by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., John Sununu, R-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Until now, the trip was notable because McCain, while in Latvia, called Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko a dictator and said the elections Belarus' planned for later in the year were "bogus."
At the time, McCain dodged a question about his presidential ambitions.
"I had a very close friend that was a member of the United States House of Representatives and he once said, 'If you're a United States senator, unless you're under indictment or detoxification you can automatically consider yourself a candidate for president of the United States,'" McCain said.
Clinton joined them later that day in Estonia.
If Hillary Clinton ends up running against John McCain for the presidency in 2008, the two might vaguely remember competing against each other once before.
That would have been in the summer of 2004 in Estonia where, according to The New York Times, the margin of victory was not votes, but shots of vodka.
The instigator of the after-dinner contest, the Times reported for its Saturday editions, was Clinton, D-N.Y. McCain, R-Ariz., readily agreed.
Aides to McCain did not return messages seeking comment Friday. Philippe Reines, Clinton's spokesman, played coy.
"What happens in Estonia stays in Estonia," he said Friday evening.
McCain and Clinton have built a close working relationship in the Senate. They both serve on the Armed Services Committee and share interests in subjects such as climate change. Both have cultivated bipartisan images, working across party lines on common interests.
The Times reported that McCain has described Clinton to his colleagues as "one of the guys."
McCain and Clinton were joined in the 2004 trip by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., John Sununu, R-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Until now, the trip was notable because McCain, while in Latvia, called Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko a dictator and said the elections Belarus' planned for later in the year were "bogus."
At the time, McCain dodged a question about his presidential ambitions.
"I had a very close friend that was a member of the United States House of Representatives and he once said, 'If you're a United States senator, unless you're under indictment or detoxification you can automatically consider yourself a candidate for president of the United States,'" McCain said.
Clinton joined them later that day in Estonia.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Karl Rove Blasts Journalists
Presidential adviser Karl Rove said Saturday that journalists often criticize political professionals because they want to draw attention away from the "corrosive role" their own coverage plays in politics and government.
"Some decry the professional role of politics, they would like to see it disappear," Rove told graduating students at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. "Some argue political professionals are ruining American politics — trapping candidates in daily competition for the news cycle instead of long-term strategic thinking in the best interest of the country."
But Rove turned that criticism on journalists.
"It's odd to me that most of these critics are journalists and columnists," he said. "Perhaps they don't like sharing the field of play. Perhaps they want to draw attention away from the corrosive role their coverage has played focusing attention on process and not substance."
Rove told about 100 graduates trained to be political operatives that they should respect the instincts of the American voter.
"There are some in politics who hold that voters are dumb, ill informed and easily misled. that voters can be manipulated by a clever ad or a smart mind," said Rove, who is credited with President Bush's wins in the 2000 and 2004 election. "I've seen this cynicism over the years from political professionals and journalists. American people are not policy wonks, but they have great instincts and try to do the right thing."
Rove said it is "wrong to underestimate the intelligence of the American voter, but easy to overestimate their interest. Much tugs at their attention."
But he said voters are able to watch campaigns and candidates closely and "this messy and imperfect process has produced great leaders."
Presidential adviser Karl Rove said Saturday that journalists often criticize political professionals because they want to draw attention away from the "corrosive role" their own coverage plays in politics and government.
"Some decry the professional role of politics, they would like to see it disappear," Rove told graduating students at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. "Some argue political professionals are ruining American politics — trapping candidates in daily competition for the news cycle instead of long-term strategic thinking in the best interest of the country."
But Rove turned that criticism on journalists.
"It's odd to me that most of these critics are journalists and columnists," he said. "Perhaps they don't like sharing the field of play. Perhaps they want to draw attention away from the corrosive role their coverage has played focusing attention on process and not substance."
Rove told about 100 graduates trained to be political operatives that they should respect the instincts of the American voter.
"There are some in politics who hold that voters are dumb, ill informed and easily misled. that voters can be manipulated by a clever ad or a smart mind," said Rove, who is credited with President Bush's wins in the 2000 and 2004 election. "I've seen this cynicism over the years from political professionals and journalists. American people are not policy wonks, but they have great instincts and try to do the right thing."
Rove said it is "wrong to underestimate the intelligence of the American voter, but easy to overestimate their interest. Much tugs at their attention."
But he said voters are able to watch campaigns and candidates closely and "this messy and imperfect process has produced great leaders."
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
Thank you. In the time it took me to walk out here the Dodgers lost six more games.
The Dodgers have now lost 13 or their last 14 games since the All-Star break. In fact, at yesterday’s game even the players left after the fifth inning to beat the traffic.
It was so hot I was sweating like Floyd Landis taking a urine test.
Congress has sent a bill to the president that will set up a national database of convicted sex offenders on the internet. Don’t we have this already? It’s called MySpace.
Today marks the 53rd anniversary of Fidel Castro’s revolution in Cuba. Anybody know what Cuba’s main export is? Cubans.
It’s now illegal to feed the homeless in Orlando, Florida. Have you seen the fat people walking around Disneyworld? We should make illegal to feed them.
On the CNBC show, "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch”, Ann Coulter said Bill Clinton is gay. At least that's what I think she said, sometimes it’s hard to understand her with her Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
That’s what she said, Bill Clinton is gay. And today Clinton told Hillary, "That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Those women are all liars. I’m gay.”
Will Ferrel on the show tonight for his new racing movie "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” where he plays one of the most feared men behind the wheel. If you don’t count the Kennedy’s.
Letterman
It was so hot today Floyd Landis tested positive for Snapple.
It was so hot my cab driver was wearing an oscillating turban.
It was so hot at "The View” that their new cast member is Ted Williams.
It was so hot out that North Korea test launched a long range Popsicle.
It was so hot today I saw a funeral procession pull into a Dairy Queen.
It was so hot today I saw an Amish guy buying an air conditioner.
It was so hot Bill Clinton got a slurpee and then went to 7/11.
Saddam Hussein said at his trial that he wants to be shot instead of hanged. If he was in the U.S. there would be a third option – go to Florida and golf.
Leno
Thank you. In the time it took me to walk out here the Dodgers lost six more games.
The Dodgers have now lost 13 or their last 14 games since the All-Star break. In fact, at yesterday’s game even the players left after the fifth inning to beat the traffic.
It was so hot I was sweating like Floyd Landis taking a urine test.
Congress has sent a bill to the president that will set up a national database of convicted sex offenders on the internet. Don’t we have this already? It’s called MySpace.
Today marks the 53rd anniversary of Fidel Castro’s revolution in Cuba. Anybody know what Cuba’s main export is? Cubans.
It’s now illegal to feed the homeless in Orlando, Florida. Have you seen the fat people walking around Disneyworld? We should make illegal to feed them.
On the CNBC show, "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch”, Ann Coulter said Bill Clinton is gay. At least that's what I think she said, sometimes it’s hard to understand her with her Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
That’s what she said, Bill Clinton is gay. And today Clinton told Hillary, "That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Those women are all liars. I’m gay.”
Will Ferrel on the show tonight for his new racing movie "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” where he plays one of the most feared men behind the wheel. If you don’t count the Kennedy’s.
Letterman
It was so hot today Floyd Landis tested positive for Snapple.
It was so hot my cab driver was wearing an oscillating turban.
It was so hot at "The View” that their new cast member is Ted Williams.
It was so hot out that North Korea test launched a long range Popsicle.
It was so hot today I saw a funeral procession pull into a Dairy Queen.
It was so hot today I saw an Amish guy buying an air conditioner.
It was so hot Bill Clinton got a slurpee and then went to 7/11.
Saddam Hussein said at his trial that he wants to be shot instead of hanged. If he was in the U.S. there would be a third option – go to Florida and golf.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Hezbollah Invading U.S. From Mexico
"We've had Hezbollah agents that came across the border with Mexico," Jerome Corsi, co-author of "Minutemen: The Battle to Secure America's Borders", told Sean Hannity during an appearance Wednesday night on Fox News Hannity & Colmes.
Appearing with co-author and Minuteman co-founder Jim Gilchrist, Corsi agreed with Hannity that border security is important for national security because Hezbollah terrorists could be coming across the border with weapons of mass destruction.
Citing the arrest and conviction of Hezbollah agents who had already infiltrated the U.S. across the border, Corsi said: "They are in federal prison. They were convicted for sending money back from Detroit to Hezbollah agents in Lebanon. So we have definitive proof that we have Hezbollah - [the terrorist group] that Israel is fighting today - sleeper cells that we know are here."
Asked by Hannity if he thought we could be hit by Hezbollah agents here in the United States, Gilchrist said: "I would not be surprised if we took another attack. Everyone feels that way. It's just that no one knows where it's going to be."
That, he added, "is not the only domestic terrorism we're facing. We have a literal domestic terrorism that's developing in the country. The MS-13 gangs - they've infused themselves in every major community around the country."
Agreeing with Hannity's assertion that "the issue is so important because we are most vulnerable there," Gilchrist said: "The border is completely wide open. We know that Mexico is a drug cartel-controlled country where corruption reigns. Terrorists with money can buy their way into Mexico and just walk across the border. We've got thousands every year of what they call 'OTMs - other than Mexicans' and thousands of those are from the Middle East. Our government does not know why they are here. The Bush administration is not taking precautions and the national security risk [is increasing]."
"We've had Hezbollah agents that came across the border with Mexico," Jerome Corsi, co-author of "Minutemen: The Battle to Secure America's Borders", told Sean Hannity during an appearance Wednesday night on Fox News Hannity & Colmes.
Appearing with co-author and Minuteman co-founder Jim Gilchrist, Corsi agreed with Hannity that border security is important for national security because Hezbollah terrorists could be coming across the border with weapons of mass destruction.
Citing the arrest and conviction of Hezbollah agents who had already infiltrated the U.S. across the border, Corsi said: "They are in federal prison. They were convicted for sending money back from Detroit to Hezbollah agents in Lebanon. So we have definitive proof that we have Hezbollah - [the terrorist group] that Israel is fighting today - sleeper cells that we know are here."
Asked by Hannity if he thought we could be hit by Hezbollah agents here in the United States, Gilchrist said: "I would not be surprised if we took another attack. Everyone feels that way. It's just that no one knows where it's going to be."
That, he added, "is not the only domestic terrorism we're facing. We have a literal domestic terrorism that's developing in the country. The MS-13 gangs - they've infused themselves in every major community around the country."
Agreeing with Hannity's assertion that "the issue is so important because we are most vulnerable there," Gilchrist said: "The border is completely wide open. We know that Mexico is a drug cartel-controlled country where corruption reigns. Terrorists with money can buy their way into Mexico and just walk across the border. We've got thousands every year of what they call 'OTMs - other than Mexicans' and thousands of those are from the Middle East. Our government does not know why they are here. The Bush administration is not taking precautions and the national security risk [is increasing]."
Late Night Joke
Leno
Welcome to Burbank. Or as we call it "hell adjacent.”
To give you an idea how hot it was today, coming into work I saw Ken Lay.
In fact, Ted Kennedy announced today that because of global warming, he will no longer be doing any flaming Jell-o shots.
There is nothing but disasters on the news - the Mideast, power blackouts, the Dodgers.
The Dodgers lost again like ten minutes ago. That’s 13 loses out of 14 games. See what happens when you tighten the boarders and you can’t get anymore immigrants. We have to reopen the border immediately.
Happy Birthday to Mick Jagger.163 years old today! No, he turned 63 today. Mick’s secret to looking good? Always stand next to Keith Richards.
Leno
Welcome to Burbank. Or as we call it "hell adjacent.”
To give you an idea how hot it was today, coming into work I saw Ken Lay.
In fact, Ted Kennedy announced today that because of global warming, he will no longer be doing any flaming Jell-o shots.
There is nothing but disasters on the news - the Mideast, power blackouts, the Dodgers.
The Dodgers lost again like ten minutes ago. That’s 13 loses out of 14 games. See what happens when you tighten the boarders and you can’t get anymore immigrants. We have to reopen the border immediately.
Happy Birthday to Mick Jagger.163 years old today! No, he turned 63 today. Mick’s secret to looking good? Always stand next to Keith Richards.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Howard Dean: Maliki Is an 'Anti-Semite'
Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean told a group of Florida business leaders that Republican policies of deceit and finger-pointing are tearing American apart.
Dean called President Bush "the most divisive president probably in our history."
"He's always talking about those people. It's always somebody else's fault. It's the gays' fault. It's the immigrants' fault. It's the liberals' fault. It's the Democrats' fault. It's Hollywood people," Dean said. "Americans are sick of that. Even if you win elections doing that, you drag down our country."
Dean spoke to about 240 business leaders in Palm Beach County at a gathering of the Democratic Professionals Forum as part of a nationwide grassroots campaign to get voters involved in politics on a local level ahead of the November elections.
The Republican agenda "is flag-burning and same-sex marriage and God knows what else," Dean said. "We need real change in this country. We're in trouble."
Republicans welcomed Dean's appearance in Florida, attacking him for the same divisiveness he accused Republicans of creating.
"Howard Dean's divisive rhetoric has done nothing more than drive the Democrat Party further to the extreme left of the political spectrum," said Carole Jean Jordan, head of the Republican Party of Florida.
The White House referred questions to the Republican National Committee. A message left with the RNC on Wednesday was not immediately returned.
Dean also lashed out at President Bush's Iraq policy and at allowing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to address Congress on Wednesday, calling the foreign leader an "anti-Semite."
"We don't need to spend 200 and 300 and 500 billion dollars bringing democracy to Iraq to turn it over to people who believe that Israel doesn't have a right to defend itself and who refuse to condemn Hezbollah," he said.
Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean told a group of Florida business leaders that Republican policies of deceit and finger-pointing are tearing American apart.
Dean called President Bush "the most divisive president probably in our history."
"He's always talking about those people. It's always somebody else's fault. It's the gays' fault. It's the immigrants' fault. It's the liberals' fault. It's the Democrats' fault. It's Hollywood people," Dean said. "Americans are sick of that. Even if you win elections doing that, you drag down our country."
Dean spoke to about 240 business leaders in Palm Beach County at a gathering of the Democratic Professionals Forum as part of a nationwide grassroots campaign to get voters involved in politics on a local level ahead of the November elections.
The Republican agenda "is flag-burning and same-sex marriage and God knows what else," Dean said. "We need real change in this country. We're in trouble."
Republicans welcomed Dean's appearance in Florida, attacking him for the same divisiveness he accused Republicans of creating.
"Howard Dean's divisive rhetoric has done nothing more than drive the Democrat Party further to the extreme left of the political spectrum," said Carole Jean Jordan, head of the Republican Party of Florida.
The White House referred questions to the Republican National Committee. A message left with the RNC on Wednesday was not immediately returned.
Dean also lashed out at President Bush's Iraq policy and at allowing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to address Congress on Wednesday, calling the foreign leader an "anti-Semite."
"We don't need to spend 200 and 300 and 500 billion dollars bringing democracy to Iraq to turn it over to people who believe that Israel doesn't have a right to defend itself and who refuse to condemn Hezbollah," he said.
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
I guess you know that a lot of people are without power here in Los Angles. But, enough about the Dodgers.
Have you seen the weather map in "USA Today”? All the states are red. It’s like a dream-come-true for Karl Rove: 50 red states.
So, Al Gore if you’re watching, we give up! You were right. Now make it stop. Make it go away.
John Kerry said over the weekend that if he were president the current conflict in the Middle East wouldn’t be happening because he would be more involved in the Middle East. More involved? Bush has invaded the place. How much more involved can he get than that?
And the price of gas continues to go up, give you an idea how expensive gas is, Keith Olberman has been car-pooling with Bill O’Reilly all week.
Leno
I guess you know that a lot of people are without power here in Los Angles. But, enough about the Dodgers.
Have you seen the weather map in "USA Today”? All the states are red. It’s like a dream-come-true for Karl Rove: 50 red states.
So, Al Gore if you’re watching, we give up! You were right. Now make it stop. Make it go away.
John Kerry said over the weekend that if he were president the current conflict in the Middle East wouldn’t be happening because he would be more involved in the Middle East. More involved? Bush has invaded the place. How much more involved can he get than that?
And the price of gas continues to go up, give you an idea how expensive gas is, Keith Olberman has been car-pooling with Bill O’Reilly all week.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Sen. Specter Pushes Bill to Sue President Bush
A powerful Republican committee chairman who has led the fight against President Bush's signing statements said Monday he would have a bill ready by the end of the week allowing Congress to sue him in federal court.
"We will submit legislation to the United States Senate which will...authorize the Congress to undertake judicial review of those signing statements with the view to having the president's acts declared unconstitutional," Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said on the Senate floor.
Specter's announcement came the same day that an American Bar Association task force concluded that by attaching conditions to legislation, the president has sidestepped his constitutional duty to either sign a bill, veto it, or take no action.
Bush has issued at least 750 signing statements during his presidency, reserving the right to revise, interpret or disregard laws on national security and constitutional grounds.
"That non-veto hamstrings Congress because Congress cannot respond to a signing statement," said ABA president Michael Greco. The practice, he added "is harming the separation of powers."
Bush has challenged about 750 statutes passed by Congress, according to numbers compiled by Specter's committee. The ABA estimated Bush has issued signing statements on more than 800 statutes, more than all other presidents combined.
Signing statements have been used by presidents, typically for such purposes as instructing agencies how to execute new laws.
But many of Bush's signing statements serve notice that he believes parts of bills he is signing are unconstitutional or might violate national security.
Still, the White House said signing statements are not intended to allow the administration to ignore the law.
"A great many of those signing statements may have little statements about questions about constitutionality," said White House spokesman Tony Snow. "It never says, 'We're not going to enact the law.'"
Specter's announcement intensifies his challenge of the administration's use of executive power on a number of policy matters. Of particular interest to him are two signing statements challenging the provisions of the USA Patriot Act renewal, which he wrote, and legislation banning the use of torture on detainees.
Bush is not without congressional allies on the matter. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a former judge, has said that signing statements are nothing more than expressions of presidential opinion that carry no legal weight because federal courts are unlikely to consider them when deciding cases that challenge the same laws.
A powerful Republican committee chairman who has led the fight against President Bush's signing statements said Monday he would have a bill ready by the end of the week allowing Congress to sue him in federal court.
"We will submit legislation to the United States Senate which will...authorize the Congress to undertake judicial review of those signing statements with the view to having the president's acts declared unconstitutional," Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said on the Senate floor.
Specter's announcement came the same day that an American Bar Association task force concluded that by attaching conditions to legislation, the president has sidestepped his constitutional duty to either sign a bill, veto it, or take no action.
Bush has issued at least 750 signing statements during his presidency, reserving the right to revise, interpret or disregard laws on national security and constitutional grounds.
"That non-veto hamstrings Congress because Congress cannot respond to a signing statement," said ABA president Michael Greco. The practice, he added "is harming the separation of powers."
Bush has challenged about 750 statutes passed by Congress, according to numbers compiled by Specter's committee. The ABA estimated Bush has issued signing statements on more than 800 statutes, more than all other presidents combined.
Signing statements have been used by presidents, typically for such purposes as instructing agencies how to execute new laws.
But many of Bush's signing statements serve notice that he believes parts of bills he is signing are unconstitutional or might violate national security.
Still, the White House said signing statements are not intended to allow the administration to ignore the law.
"A great many of those signing statements may have little statements about questions about constitutionality," said White House spokesman Tony Snow. "It never says, 'We're not going to enact the law.'"
Specter's announcement intensifies his challenge of the administration's use of executive power on a number of policy matters. Of particular interest to him are two signing statements challenging the provisions of the USA Patriot Act renewal, which he wrote, and legislation banning the use of torture on detainees.
Bush is not without congressional allies on the matter. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a former judge, has said that signing statements are nothing more than expressions of presidential opinion that carry no legal weight because federal courts are unlikely to consider them when deciding cases that challenge the same laws.
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
Congratulations to Floyd Landis, young man from Pennsylvania, for winning the Tour de France. This is the eighth time in a row an American has gone through France and into Paris. Eighth times! Even the Germans only did it twice.
Floyd Landis, came back from being eight minutes behind. Despite that he needs hip replacement surgery. He still won. Here’s my question, can the French even ride a bicycle anymore? We sent a guy who had cancer and he won seven times. We sent a guy who needs a new hip he won this time. Why are we making this trip anymore? We should call this thing the "Tour de Indiana.” Make them come over here.
The demand for air conditioning caused a power outage in Santa Monica that crashed MySpace for 18 hours. Law enforcement officials said it was the safest teenage girls have been in twenty years.
John Kerry said today that if he were president the current conflict in the mid east wouldn’t be happening. And then his wife Teresa Heinz said, "Yes dear, I know. Now will you take the garbage out?”
Some sad news, the first lesbian couple to legally get married in the state of Massachusetts has split up. They cited "irreconcilable similarities”.
Letterman
It’s hot out. It’s so hot that over at Rupert G’s Deli the flies were landing on the cold cuts only.
Earlier today Bill Clinton was campaigning for Joe Lieberman. Clinton got everyone so worked up they could barely stay awake during the Lieberman speech.
Congratulations to the new Miss Universe. It’s Miss Puerto Rico. Is it just me or does it seem like the winner is always from earth?
Leno
Congratulations to Floyd Landis, young man from Pennsylvania, for winning the Tour de France. This is the eighth time in a row an American has gone through France and into Paris. Eighth times! Even the Germans only did it twice.
Floyd Landis, came back from being eight minutes behind. Despite that he needs hip replacement surgery. He still won. Here’s my question, can the French even ride a bicycle anymore? We sent a guy who had cancer and he won seven times. We sent a guy who needs a new hip he won this time. Why are we making this trip anymore? We should call this thing the "Tour de Indiana.” Make them come over here.
The demand for air conditioning caused a power outage in Santa Monica that crashed MySpace for 18 hours. Law enforcement officials said it was the safest teenage girls have been in twenty years.
John Kerry said today that if he were president the current conflict in the mid east wouldn’t be happening. And then his wife Teresa Heinz said, "Yes dear, I know. Now will you take the garbage out?”
Some sad news, the first lesbian couple to legally get married in the state of Massachusetts has split up. They cited "irreconcilable similarities”.
Letterman
It’s hot out. It’s so hot that over at Rupert G’s Deli the flies were landing on the cold cuts only.
Earlier today Bill Clinton was campaigning for Joe Lieberman. Clinton got everyone so worked up they could barely stay awake during the Lieberman speech.
Congratulations to the new Miss Universe. It’s Miss Puerto Rico. Is it just me or does it seem like the winner is always from earth?
Monday, July 24, 2006
Hillary Clinton's $6,000 Beauty Sessions
Sen. Hillary Clinton has put together an army of 50 staffers and more than 20 consultants as she prepares to do battle for the 2008 Democratic nomination for president.
Included in those ranks is acclaimed Washington, D.C., hairstylist Isabelle Goetz, who has collected $3,000 in recent months to clip the former first lady’s locks.
Federal fund-raising records reveal that Clinton paid $1,500 to Goetz in April and another $1,000 in May.
She passed off both sessions as "media production” expenses, according to the New York Post.
Goetz, the favored stylist of John Kerry, also got $405 from Hillary’s campaign in April to cover her travel expenses, and a $38 expenses tab in May.
Clinton paid out another $3,000 to Hollywood makeup artist Barbara Lacy for eye-lining and other makeup work before she appeared in a film seen on her re-election Web site, the Post reports.
Once again, the beauty sessions were listed as "media production” expenses.
Sen. Hillary Clinton has put together an army of 50 staffers and more than 20 consultants as she prepares to do battle for the 2008 Democratic nomination for president.
Included in those ranks is acclaimed Washington, D.C., hairstylist Isabelle Goetz, who has collected $3,000 in recent months to clip the former first lady’s locks.
Federal fund-raising records reveal that Clinton paid $1,500 to Goetz in April and another $1,000 in May.
She passed off both sessions as "media production” expenses, according to the New York Post.
Goetz, the favored stylist of John Kerry, also got $405 from Hillary’s campaign in April to cover her travel expenses, and a $38 expenses tab in May.
Clinton paid out another $3,000 to Hollywood makeup artist Barbara Lacy for eye-lining and other makeup work before she appeared in a film seen on her re-election Web site, the Post reports.
Once again, the beauty sessions were listed as "media production” expenses.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Cuba Drills for Oil 60 Miles Off U.S. Coast
With Congress deadlocked over allowing oil drilling in presently restricted areas of the Gulf of Mexico, communist Cuba is already drilling for oil 60 miles off the coast of Florida.
Republicans in Congress have tried repeatedly in the past decade to open up the outer continental shelf to exploration. There are an estimated 45 billion barrels in oil reserves and 232 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves in banned drilling areas of the Gulf, and Florida's waters hold the promise of major energy finds.
They have been strenuously opposed by Florida and environmental-minded legislators from both parties. Florida's powerful tourism and booming real estate industries fear that oil spills could hurt their business.
Meanwhile Cuba "is exploring in its half of the 90-mile-wide Straits of Florida within the internationally recognized boundary as well as in deep-water areas of the Gulf of Mexico,” the Washington Times reports.
Two Canadian companies are presently pumping more than 19,000 barrels of crude oil each day from fields in the straits about 90 miles from Key West, and a Spanish company has announced an oil strike in deep-water areas of the same region, according to the National Ocean Industries Association.
Cuba's state oil company, Cubapetroleo, has signed a deal with China's Sinopec to explore for oil, and it is using Chinese-made drilling equipment in the search.
Sterling Burnett, a fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, a conservative think tank, said America’s quarter-century limits on offshore drilling are putting the U.S. at a strategic disadvantage as oil and gas prices reach record highs.
"Canada and even economically backward Cuba are moving forward with plans to drill in offshore areas that abut U.S. coastal waters," he told the Times.
"Since pools of oil do not respect international boundaries, it is almost certainly true that Canada and Cuba will be accessing oil that could otherwise be developed by and for the benefit of Americans."
The House last month passed a bill that would allow coastal states to decide whether to open the first 100 miles of their waters for oil exploration. The states permitting exploration would receive half of the hundreds of billions of dollars in royalties and fees from drilling that would otherwise go to the federal government.
A Senate bill would permit drilling in a key area in the eastern Gulf but allow Florida to retain a 125-mile no-drilling buffer zone.
With Congress deadlocked over allowing oil drilling in presently restricted areas of the Gulf of Mexico, communist Cuba is already drilling for oil 60 miles off the coast of Florida.
Republicans in Congress have tried repeatedly in the past decade to open up the outer continental shelf to exploration. There are an estimated 45 billion barrels in oil reserves and 232 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves in banned drilling areas of the Gulf, and Florida's waters hold the promise of major energy finds.
They have been strenuously opposed by Florida and environmental-minded legislators from both parties. Florida's powerful tourism and booming real estate industries fear that oil spills could hurt their business.
Meanwhile Cuba "is exploring in its half of the 90-mile-wide Straits of Florida within the internationally recognized boundary as well as in deep-water areas of the Gulf of Mexico,” the Washington Times reports.
Two Canadian companies are presently pumping more than 19,000 barrels of crude oil each day from fields in the straits about 90 miles from Key West, and a Spanish company has announced an oil strike in deep-water areas of the same region, according to the National Ocean Industries Association.
Cuba's state oil company, Cubapetroleo, has signed a deal with China's Sinopec to explore for oil, and it is using Chinese-made drilling equipment in the search.
Sterling Burnett, a fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, a conservative think tank, said America’s quarter-century limits on offshore drilling are putting the U.S. at a strategic disadvantage as oil and gas prices reach record highs.
"Canada and even economically backward Cuba are moving forward with plans to drill in offshore areas that abut U.S. coastal waters," he told the Times.
"Since pools of oil do not respect international boundaries, it is almost certainly true that Canada and Cuba will be accessing oil that could otherwise be developed by and for the benefit of Americans."
The House last month passed a bill that would allow coastal states to decide whether to open the first 100 miles of their waters for oil exploration. The states permitting exploration would receive half of the hundreds of billions of dollars in royalties and fees from drilling that would otherwise go to the federal government.
A Senate bill would permit drilling in a key area in the eastern Gulf but allow Florida to retain a 125-mile no-drilling buffer zone.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Sen. Chris Dodd: Americans 'Nauseated' By Bush
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd believes Florida is a must-win state to become president, and he made a good impression Saturday talking to party activists in his first major appearance since announcing he'll explore a 2008 White House run.
He warmed up a luncheon crowd by talking about his friendship with popular Florida Democrats like former Sen. Bob Graham and the late Gov. Lawton Chiles, mentioning the state's 2000 presidential recount and his efforts to fix voting problems and encouraging the crowd to take back the governor's seat this year.
"Everybody's talking about 2008," he said. "If you do not get 2006 right, there will not be a 2008."
He then roused the crowd with a speech that criticized the war in Iraq, called for a minimum wage increase, stressed the need for alternative fuels, declared education as the nation's most important issue, promised to protect Social Security and pointed out problems in the health care system.
Dodd also said people are "nauseated" by the country's polarization under President Bush.
"He talked about being a uniter, and not a divider. He did just the opposite. He's divided the country and we're paying the price for it," Dodd said.
He encouraged Democrats, though, to not just complain, but to give people a positive message about issues that are important to them. He said people worry about having jobs, health care and Social Security available.
"That's what the average person does in this country and they want to know whether or not you and I are listening," he said. "I hear it everywhere I go: 'Please listen to me. I want you to listen to me. I want you to know what it's like to suffer the things I'm suffering today because of lack of leadership in this country.'"
Dodd was well received by the crowd of 175, part of a group attending a two-day event that raised $300,000 for the Florida Democratic Party. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson spoke Saturday night and retired Gen. Wesley Clark was scheduled to speak Sunday morning. Both also are considering presidential runs.
But was Dodd impressive enough to be considered for president?
"Oh God, yes!" said Casey O'Harra, 65, who chairs the Lake County Democrats. "I would definitely be able to support him as president."
Jacqulyn Mack, 36, of Sarasota said she likes New York Sen. Hillary Clinton but questions whether she can win the presidency. She would love to see a run by former Vice President Al Gore, who lost the presidency in 2000 after Florida's five-week recount gave Bush a 537-vote win, but she can see herself supporting Dodd because he is electable.
"I've got my options wide open," she said. "I want somebody that's going to win. Sen. Dodd's history and his experience and his background give him a great deal of appeal to people across the political spectrum."
Other Democrats looking at 2008 include Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the party's presidential nominee in 2004; John Edwards, Kerry's running mate; former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner; Delaware Sen. Joe Biden; Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold; Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh; Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack; and former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle.
Not everyone at the lunch, though, knew Dodd's name was on the list of potential candidates.
"I thought of Clinton and Kerry and Edwards and Biden and Feingold. I haven't thought about Dodd that much," said Pat Hogan, the Highlands County Democratic chair. "I probably will. It was a great speech."
Richardson largely focused on international problems and improving the United States' standing with the rest of the world.
"Iran thumbs its nose at the U.S. and threatens to develop nuclear weapons, the Middle East is on fire, North Korea shoots missiles and threatens to defy the U.N., the Congress fails to create a sensible and realistic immigration policy, sectarian violence threatens to destroy Iraq and undermine the new government," said Richardson, who is a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The United States needs to win back the respect of the world through diplomacy and dialogue, including direct talks with North Korea and Iran, he said.
"Military power and diplomacy are not alternatives to one another, but rather are complementary sources of strength. What this administration has failed to understand is that while diplomacy without power is weak, power without diplomacy is blind," Richardson said.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd believes Florida is a must-win state to become president, and he made a good impression Saturday talking to party activists in his first major appearance since announcing he'll explore a 2008 White House run.
He warmed up a luncheon crowd by talking about his friendship with popular Florida Democrats like former Sen. Bob Graham and the late Gov. Lawton Chiles, mentioning the state's 2000 presidential recount and his efforts to fix voting problems and encouraging the crowd to take back the governor's seat this year.
"Everybody's talking about 2008," he said. "If you do not get 2006 right, there will not be a 2008."
He then roused the crowd with a speech that criticized the war in Iraq, called for a minimum wage increase, stressed the need for alternative fuels, declared education as the nation's most important issue, promised to protect Social Security and pointed out problems in the health care system.
Dodd also said people are "nauseated" by the country's polarization under President Bush.
"He talked about being a uniter, and not a divider. He did just the opposite. He's divided the country and we're paying the price for it," Dodd said.
He encouraged Democrats, though, to not just complain, but to give people a positive message about issues that are important to them. He said people worry about having jobs, health care and Social Security available.
"That's what the average person does in this country and they want to know whether or not you and I are listening," he said. "I hear it everywhere I go: 'Please listen to me. I want you to listen to me. I want you to know what it's like to suffer the things I'm suffering today because of lack of leadership in this country.'"
Dodd was well received by the crowd of 175, part of a group attending a two-day event that raised $300,000 for the Florida Democratic Party. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson spoke Saturday night and retired Gen. Wesley Clark was scheduled to speak Sunday morning. Both also are considering presidential runs.
But was Dodd impressive enough to be considered for president?
"Oh God, yes!" said Casey O'Harra, 65, who chairs the Lake County Democrats. "I would definitely be able to support him as president."
Jacqulyn Mack, 36, of Sarasota said she likes New York Sen. Hillary Clinton but questions whether she can win the presidency. She would love to see a run by former Vice President Al Gore, who lost the presidency in 2000 after Florida's five-week recount gave Bush a 537-vote win, but she can see herself supporting Dodd because he is electable.
"I've got my options wide open," she said. "I want somebody that's going to win. Sen. Dodd's history and his experience and his background give him a great deal of appeal to people across the political spectrum."
Other Democrats looking at 2008 include Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the party's presidential nominee in 2004; John Edwards, Kerry's running mate; former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner; Delaware Sen. Joe Biden; Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold; Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh; Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack; and former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle.
Not everyone at the lunch, though, knew Dodd's name was on the list of potential candidates.
"I thought of Clinton and Kerry and Edwards and Biden and Feingold. I haven't thought about Dodd that much," said Pat Hogan, the Highlands County Democratic chair. "I probably will. It was a great speech."
Richardson largely focused on international problems and improving the United States' standing with the rest of the world.
"Iran thumbs its nose at the U.S. and threatens to develop nuclear weapons, the Middle East is on fire, North Korea shoots missiles and threatens to defy the U.N., the Congress fails to create a sensible and realistic immigration policy, sectarian violence threatens to destroy Iraq and undermine the new government," said Richardson, who is a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The United States needs to win back the respect of the world through diplomacy and dialogue, including direct talks with North Korea and Iran, he said.
"Military power and diplomacy are not alternatives to one another, but rather are complementary sources of strength. What this administration has failed to understand is that while diplomacy without power is weak, power without diplomacy is blind," Richardson said.
Late Nite Jokes
Conan
Due to the fires out west officials are telling people to stay away from large dry areas of overgrown brush. Donald Trump’s hair could go up at any moment.
In England this week they recorded their highest temperature in history. Good thing they can all cool off with a refreshing meat pie.
President Bush met with the prime minister of India. There was an awkward moment when Bush said, "Now that you’re here could you see why my computer is acting up?”
Producers of "The View” have removed every picture of Star Jones that remains from the offices. They also removed the Velveeta fountain from her old dressing room.
Conan
Due to the fires out west officials are telling people to stay away from large dry areas of overgrown brush. Donald Trump’s hair could go up at any moment.
In England this week they recorded their highest temperature in history. Good thing they can all cool off with a refreshing meat pie.
President Bush met with the prime minister of India. There was an awkward moment when Bush said, "Now that you’re here could you see why my computer is acting up?”
Producers of "The View” have removed every picture of Star Jones that remains from the offices. They also removed the Velveeta fountain from her old dressing room.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Sen. Voinovich Backs John Bolton
Republican Sen. George Voinovich, who opposed the nomination of John Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, has now switched gears and says he’ll vote to confirm his renomination.
"For the good of our country, the United Nations and the free world, we must end any ambiguity about whether John Bolton speaks for the United States so that he can work to support our interests at the United Nations during this critical time,” Voinovich writes in the Washington Post.
During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s confirmation hearings, the Ohio senator had said: "I don’t feel comfortable voting today on Mr. John Bolton.”
As a result of his stance, the nomination was stalled. Voinovich later sided with Democrats on a key vote regarding Bolton, and he urged President Bush to select another nominee.
"At the time, I opposed Bolton's nomination because I truly believed he was not the right person to represent America in the United Nations,” Voinovich writes in the Post.
"When Bolton was given a recess appointment to the U.N. post by President Bush in August 2005, I voiced my opposition but told him that I would work tirelessly to help him reform the United Nations…
"My original concerns about Bolton involved his interpersonal skills. Also of concern was his reputation for straying off message and a tendency to ‘go it alone’ instead of working to build consensus with his colleagues.”
Now that Voinovich has had an opportunity to observe Bolton in action, however, he has changed his view.
"In recent weeks I have watched him react to the challenges involving North Korea, Iran and now the Middle East, speaking on behalf of the United States,” the senator writes.
"I believe Bolton has been tempered and focused on speaking for the administration. He has referred regularly to ‘my instructions’ from Washington, while also displaying his own clear and strong grasp of the issues and the way forward within the Security Council.”
Voinovich said that likely Democratic moves to play politics and oppose Bolton’s renomination would send the wrong message – and that Bolton opponents can no longer count him as an ally.
"Ambassador Bolton's appointment expires this fall when the Senate officially recesses. Should the president choose to renominate him, I cannot imagine a worse message to send to the terrorists - and to other nations deciding whether to engage in this effort - than to drag out a possible renomination process or even replace the person our president has entrusted to lead our nation at the United Nations,” Voinovich concludes.
"Should the president send his renomination to the Senate, I will vote to confirm him, and I call on my Democratic colleagues to keep in mind the current situation in the Middle East and the rest of the world should the Senate have an opportunity to vote. I do not believe the United States, at this dangerous time, can afford to have a U.N. ambassador who does not have Congress' full support.”
Republican Sen. George Voinovich, who opposed the nomination of John Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, has now switched gears and says he’ll vote to confirm his renomination.
"For the good of our country, the United Nations and the free world, we must end any ambiguity about whether John Bolton speaks for the United States so that he can work to support our interests at the United Nations during this critical time,” Voinovich writes in the Washington Post.
During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s confirmation hearings, the Ohio senator had said: "I don’t feel comfortable voting today on Mr. John Bolton.”
As a result of his stance, the nomination was stalled. Voinovich later sided with Democrats on a key vote regarding Bolton, and he urged President Bush to select another nominee.
"At the time, I opposed Bolton's nomination because I truly believed he was not the right person to represent America in the United Nations,” Voinovich writes in the Post.
"When Bolton was given a recess appointment to the U.N. post by President Bush in August 2005, I voiced my opposition but told him that I would work tirelessly to help him reform the United Nations…
"My original concerns about Bolton involved his interpersonal skills. Also of concern was his reputation for straying off message and a tendency to ‘go it alone’ instead of working to build consensus with his colleagues.”
Now that Voinovich has had an opportunity to observe Bolton in action, however, he has changed his view.
"In recent weeks I have watched him react to the challenges involving North Korea, Iran and now the Middle East, speaking on behalf of the United States,” the senator writes.
"I believe Bolton has been tempered and focused on speaking for the administration. He has referred regularly to ‘my instructions’ from Washington, while also displaying his own clear and strong grasp of the issues and the way forward within the Security Council.”
Voinovich said that likely Democratic moves to play politics and oppose Bolton’s renomination would send the wrong message – and that Bolton opponents can no longer count him as an ally.
"Ambassador Bolton's appointment expires this fall when the Senate officially recesses. Should the president choose to renominate him, I cannot imagine a worse message to send to the terrorists - and to other nations deciding whether to engage in this effort - than to drag out a possible renomination process or even replace the person our president has entrusted to lead our nation at the United Nations,” Voinovich concludes.
"Should the president send his renomination to the Senate, I will vote to confirm him, and I call on my Democratic colleagues to keep in mind the current situation in the Middle East and the rest of the world should the Senate have an opportunity to vote. I do not believe the United States, at this dangerous time, can afford to have a U.N. ambassador who does not have Congress' full support.”
Late Nite Jokes
Letterman's Top Ten
Top Ten Signs You're Watching A Bad Beauty Pageant
1. Competitions highlighted by shootout between Miss Israel and Miss Lebanon.
2. Contestants must have slept with Christie Brinkley's husband.
3. Winner's platform: Spreading the message of Scientology.
4. It's hosted by the decomposed remains of Bert Parks.
5. Described as an "inner beauty" pageant.
6. Contestants are judged in three categories: evening gown, interview, and competitive meatball-eating.
7. Instead of sash, Miss Iran is wearing an ammo vest.
8. Miss France gets ejected for violently head-butting Miss Italy.
9. Entrants must be over 70.
10.It's broadcast on the Animal Planet network.
Conan
Dan Baldwin was in a car crash last night. As you might expect the pizza was not delivered.
Letterman's Top Ten
Top Ten Signs You're Watching A Bad Beauty Pageant
1. Competitions highlighted by shootout between Miss Israel and Miss Lebanon.
2. Contestants must have slept with Christie Brinkley's husband.
3. Winner's platform: Spreading the message of Scientology.
4. It's hosted by the decomposed remains of Bert Parks.
5. Described as an "inner beauty" pageant.
6. Contestants are judged in three categories: evening gown, interview, and competitive meatball-eating.
7. Instead of sash, Miss Iran is wearing an ammo vest.
8. Miss France gets ejected for violently head-butting Miss Italy.
9. Entrants must be over 70.
10.It's broadcast on the Animal Planet network.
Conan
Dan Baldwin was in a car crash last night. As you might expect the pizza was not delivered.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Bush Vetoes Embryonic Stem Cell Bill
President Bush cast the first veto of his 5½-year presidency Wednesday, saying legislation easing limits on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research "crosses a moral boundary" and is wrong.
"This bill would support the taking of innocent human life of the hope of finding medical benefits for others," Bush said at a White House event where he was surrounded by 18 families who "adopted" frozen embryos not used by other couples, and then used those leftover embryos to have children.
"Each of these children was still adopted while still an embryo and has been blessed with a chance to grow, to grow up in a loving family. These boys and girls are not spare parts," he said.
The veto came a day after the Senate defied Bush and approved the legislation, 63-37, four votes short of the two-thirds margin needed to override. White House officials and Republican congressional leaders claimed it was unlikely that Congress could override the veto.
Bush's support was the strongest in the House, which was expected to take up the veto as early as later Wednesday.
Bush has supported federally funded research on only those stem cell lines created before Aug. 9, 2001, the date of his speech to the nation on the subject.
The president vetoed the measure shortly after it came to his desk. His position was politically popular among conservative Republicans, and it was sure to be an issue in the midterm congressional elections.
Announcing the veto, Bush was surrounded in the East Room by so-called "snowflake" families, those with children born through embryo donation.
"They remind us of what is lost when embryos are destroyed in the name of research. The remind us that we all begin our lives as a small collection of cells. And they remind us that in our zeal for new treatments and cures, America must never abandon our fundamental morals," Bush said.
He said the bill would have crossed a line and "once crossed, we would find it impossible to turn back."
At the same time, Bush announced he had signed another bill, passed unanimously in the House and Senate, that would pre-emptively ban "fetal farming," the prospect of raising and aborting fetuses for scientific research.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., was quick to criticize the president's veto.
"I am pro-life, but I disagree with the president's decision to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act," said Frist. "Given the potential of this research and the limitations of the existing lines eligible for federally funded research, I think additional lines should be made available."
Said Bush: "As science brings us every closer to unlocking the secrets of human biology, it also offers temptations to manipulate human life and violate human dignity. Our conscience in history as a nation demand that we resist this temptation.
"America was founded on the principle that we are all created equal and endowed by our creator with the right to life," he added. "We can advance the cause of science while upholding this founding promise. We can harness the promise of technology without becoming slaves to technology. And we can ensure that science serves the cause of humanity, instead of the other way around."
President Bush cast the first veto of his 5½-year presidency Wednesday, saying legislation easing limits on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research "crosses a moral boundary" and is wrong.
"This bill would support the taking of innocent human life of the hope of finding medical benefits for others," Bush said at a White House event where he was surrounded by 18 families who "adopted" frozen embryos not used by other couples, and then used those leftover embryos to have children.
"Each of these children was still adopted while still an embryo and has been blessed with a chance to grow, to grow up in a loving family. These boys and girls are not spare parts," he said.
The veto came a day after the Senate defied Bush and approved the legislation, 63-37, four votes short of the two-thirds margin needed to override. White House officials and Republican congressional leaders claimed it was unlikely that Congress could override the veto.
Bush's support was the strongest in the House, which was expected to take up the veto as early as later Wednesday.
Bush has supported federally funded research on only those stem cell lines created before Aug. 9, 2001, the date of his speech to the nation on the subject.
The president vetoed the measure shortly after it came to his desk. His position was politically popular among conservative Republicans, and it was sure to be an issue in the midterm congressional elections.
Announcing the veto, Bush was surrounded in the East Room by so-called "snowflake" families, those with children born through embryo donation.
"They remind us of what is lost when embryos are destroyed in the name of research. The remind us that we all begin our lives as a small collection of cells. And they remind us that in our zeal for new treatments and cures, America must never abandon our fundamental morals," Bush said.
He said the bill would have crossed a line and "once crossed, we would find it impossible to turn back."
At the same time, Bush announced he had signed another bill, passed unanimously in the House and Senate, that would pre-emptively ban "fetal farming," the prospect of raising and aborting fetuses for scientific research.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., was quick to criticize the president's veto.
"I am pro-life, but I disagree with the president's decision to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act," said Frist. "Given the potential of this research and the limitations of the existing lines eligible for federally funded research, I think additional lines should be made available."
Said Bush: "As science brings us every closer to unlocking the secrets of human biology, it also offers temptations to manipulate human life and violate human dignity. Our conscience in history as a nation demand that we resist this temptation.
"America was founded on the principle that we are all created equal and endowed by our creator with the right to life," he added. "We can advance the cause of science while upholding this founding promise. We can harness the promise of technology without becoming slaves to technology. And we can ensure that science serves the cause of humanity, instead of the other way around."
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
It was so hot up in Oregon, Bigfoot was seen getting a bikini wax.
It was so hot the grand slam breakfast I got today at Denny’s was still warm when it arrived.
Earlier today President Bush vetoed funding for stem cell research. But I don't know if he gets it. Bush said stem cells may be dangerous especially if people talk on them while driving.
A lot of people were complaining today about how long it’s taking to evacuate Americans from Lebanon. Lebanon? Hey, we couldn’t even evacuate Americans from New Orleans.
People still talking about President Bush’s use of a four letter word at the G8 Summit. Is that really a big deal? Now if Bush was to use a four syllable word…I think that would be…
This week in a speech Vice President Dick Cheney said that either we are serious about this war or we’re not. Of course people weren’t sure if he meant the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, or the war against people who disagree with him.
Business analysts say that McDonald's is doing really well lately because Americans have to spend more money on gas so they're going to McDonald’s rather than more expensive restaurants. So basically, as Americans have to spend more for oil they're looking to pay less for grease.
Letterman
President Bush is back from the G8 Summit. He said he got a lot of ---- done.
Basically the leaders at the G8 decided to make a desperate plea to Superman.
President Bush had a number of gaffes at the summit. At one point he was seen giving a neck rub to the German Chancellor. You know what this means – he’s drinking again.
Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock are getting married. They are going to be living in Malibu in a $10 million trailer.
They are getting married on a yacht. Pamela not only will be a bride but also a flotation device.
Leno
It was so hot up in Oregon, Bigfoot was seen getting a bikini wax.
It was so hot the grand slam breakfast I got today at Denny’s was still warm when it arrived.
Earlier today President Bush vetoed funding for stem cell research. But I don't know if he gets it. Bush said stem cells may be dangerous especially if people talk on them while driving.
A lot of people were complaining today about how long it’s taking to evacuate Americans from Lebanon. Lebanon? Hey, we couldn’t even evacuate Americans from New Orleans.
People still talking about President Bush’s use of a four letter word at the G8 Summit. Is that really a big deal? Now if Bush was to use a four syllable word…I think that would be…
This week in a speech Vice President Dick Cheney said that either we are serious about this war or we’re not. Of course people weren’t sure if he meant the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, or the war against people who disagree with him.
Business analysts say that McDonald's is doing really well lately because Americans have to spend more money on gas so they're going to McDonald’s rather than more expensive restaurants. So basically, as Americans have to spend more for oil they're looking to pay less for grease.
Letterman
President Bush is back from the G8 Summit. He said he got a lot of ---- done.
Basically the leaders at the G8 decided to make a desperate plea to Superman.
President Bush had a number of gaffes at the summit. At one point he was seen giving a neck rub to the German Chancellor. You know what this means – he’s drinking again.
Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock are getting married. They are going to be living in Malibu in a $10 million trailer.
They are getting married on a yacht. Pamela not only will be a bride but also a flotation device.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Bush Blocked NSA Probe
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Tuesday that President Bush personally blocked Justice Department lawyers from pursuing an internal probe of the warrantless eavesdropping program that monitors Americans' international calls and e-mails when terrorism is suspected.
The department's Office of Professional Responsibility announced earlier this year it could not pursue an investigation into the role of Justice lawyers in crafting the program, under which the National Security Agency intercepts some telephone calls and e-mail without court approval.
At the time, the office said it could not obtain security clearance to examine the classified program.
Under sharp questioning from Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter, Gonzales said that Bush would not grant the access needed to allow the probe to move forward.
"It was highly classified, very important and many other lawyers had access. Why not OPR?" asked Specter, R-Pa.
"The president of the United States makes the decision," Gonzales told the committee hearing, during which he was strongly criticized on a range of national security issues by Specter and Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, the panel's senior Democrat.
Last week, under a deal with Specter, Bush agreed conditionally to a court review of his antiterror eavesdropping operations.
When the program was disclosed in December, it outraged Democrats and civil libertarians who said Bush overstepped his authority.
Bush's 2001 directive authorized the National Security Agency to monitor - without court warrants - the international communications of people on U.S. soil when terrorism is suspected. The administration initially resisted efforts to write a new law, contending that no legal changes were needed. But after months of pressure, officials have grown more open to legislation.
Under the deal with Specter, the president agreed to support a bill that could submit the program to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for a constitutional review.
Last week, Gonzales said the bill gives Bush the option of submitting the NSA program to the intelligence court, rather than requiring the review.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Tuesday that President Bush personally blocked Justice Department lawyers from pursuing an internal probe of the warrantless eavesdropping program that monitors Americans' international calls and e-mails when terrorism is suspected.
The department's Office of Professional Responsibility announced earlier this year it could not pursue an investigation into the role of Justice lawyers in crafting the program, under which the National Security Agency intercepts some telephone calls and e-mail without court approval.
At the time, the office said it could not obtain security clearance to examine the classified program.
Under sharp questioning from Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter, Gonzales said that Bush would not grant the access needed to allow the probe to move forward.
"It was highly classified, very important and many other lawyers had access. Why not OPR?" asked Specter, R-Pa.
"The president of the United States makes the decision," Gonzales told the committee hearing, during which he was strongly criticized on a range of national security issues by Specter and Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, the panel's senior Democrat.
Last week, under a deal with Specter, Bush agreed conditionally to a court review of his antiterror eavesdropping operations.
When the program was disclosed in December, it outraged Democrats and civil libertarians who said Bush overstepped his authority.
Bush's 2001 directive authorized the National Security Agency to monitor - without court warrants - the international communications of people on U.S. soil when terrorism is suspected. The administration initially resisted efforts to write a new law, contending that no legal changes were needed. But after months of pressure, officials have grown more open to legislation.
Under the deal with Specter, the president agreed to support a bill that could submit the program to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for a constitutional review.
Last week, Gonzales said the bill gives Bush the option of submitting the NSA program to the intelligence court, rather than requiring the review.
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
Record heat continues all across the country. It was so hot today. I was at Circuit City and I saw an Amish guy buying an electric fan.
It was so hot in Pittsburgh guys were pretending to play for the Pirates just to have beer thrown on them.
It was so hot, the "Pirates of the Caribbean” kidnapped Hillary Clinton just for the cold booty.
President Bush says he’s personally working on a solution to global warming: he says thanks to Republicans, soon every American will receive a voucher for a free popsicle.
A lot of military experts are wondering how the U.S can stop Israel from getting bombed. Israel? We can’t even stop Pete Coors from getting bombed.
Did you hear about this story? The Coors brewing company CEO Pete Coors had his license revoked after being arrested for drunk driving last may. At least he uses the product!
White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said when president bush was told that he was recorded saying a four letter word, he rolled his eyes and laughed it off. Which is ironic. Bush is now reacting to himself the way everyone else does.
How creepy is this? A Dutch court has given approval for a new political party whose main goal is to lower the age of sexual consent from 16 to 12. Today Michael Jackson was seen shopping for wooden shoes.
Leno
Record heat continues all across the country. It was so hot today. I was at Circuit City and I saw an Amish guy buying an electric fan.
It was so hot in Pittsburgh guys were pretending to play for the Pirates just to have beer thrown on them.
It was so hot, the "Pirates of the Caribbean” kidnapped Hillary Clinton just for the cold booty.
President Bush says he’s personally working on a solution to global warming: he says thanks to Republicans, soon every American will receive a voucher for a free popsicle.
A lot of military experts are wondering how the U.S can stop Israel from getting bombed. Israel? We can’t even stop Pete Coors from getting bombed.
Did you hear about this story? The Coors brewing company CEO Pete Coors had his license revoked after being arrested for drunk driving last may. At least he uses the product!
White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said when president bush was told that he was recorded saying a four letter word, he rolled his eyes and laughed it off. Which is ironic. Bush is now reacting to himself the way everyone else does.
How creepy is this? A Dutch court has given approval for a new political party whose main goal is to lower the age of sexual consent from 16 to 12. Today Michael Jackson was seen shopping for wooden shoes.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Bush to Speak to NAACP for First Time
The White House announced Tuesday that President Bush plans to speak to the NAACP for the first time since taking office, after rejecting the civil rights group's invitations for five straight years.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said Bush decided to speak to the group Thursday because of "a moment of opportunity" for the president to tout his civil rights record and mend fences.
"He has an important role to play, not only in making the case for civil rights, but maybe more importantly, the case for unity," Snow said. "Because as long as we have a nation that's in any way divided along racial lines or where politics become a source of division rather one of civil debate and trying to perfect the democracy, that's a problem."
Bush's decision comes in a critical midterm election year, when Republicans fear losing control of Congress and Bush has been working to get more votes for the GOP. Bush received just 11 percent of the black vote in the 2004 election.
NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon said he was glad Bush is going to speak to the group, especially with renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act still before the Senate. "This is a great opportunity for the president to express his commitment for voting rights reauthorization," he said.
Every president for the past several decades has spoken to the group. Until now, Bush had been the exception.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People convention draws thousands each year, and Bush has been invited to speak every year since he became president. Each year he declines, citing a busy schedule, but there is also a history of bad blood between Bush and the group.
During the 2000 presidential campaign, the NAACP's National Voter Fund ran a television ad against Bush. The ad featured the daughter of James Byrd, a black man dragged to death by three white men in a pickup truck, blaming Bush for refusing her pleas for a hate-crime law when he was Texas governor.
Then, just before the 2004 election, the Internal Revenue Service began looking into the NAACP's tax-exempt status after a speech by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond that was largely critical of Bush's policies. Political campaigning is prohibited under the NAACP's tax-exempt status, but the Baltimore-based group called the audit a political smear campaign.
Bond spoke to the convention Sunday, blasting the war in Iraq and attacks on voting rights even as he urged Bush to attend this year with the convention being held about a mile from the White House.
"This year the convention has come to the president and we hope and pray he is coming to us," Bond said.
"Yes, they have political disagreements," Snow said, but he added that Bush has a good relationship with Gordon, who has worked on restoring ties with the White House. "It marks an opportunity to have a conversation."
Gordon agreed. "The communications channels between the NAACP and the administration - I feel they're wide open," he said. "There ought to be a constructive dialogue between the president and the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. This is a good symbol."
The White House announced Tuesday that President Bush plans to speak to the NAACP for the first time since taking office, after rejecting the civil rights group's invitations for five straight years.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said Bush decided to speak to the group Thursday because of "a moment of opportunity" for the president to tout his civil rights record and mend fences.
"He has an important role to play, not only in making the case for civil rights, but maybe more importantly, the case for unity," Snow said. "Because as long as we have a nation that's in any way divided along racial lines or where politics become a source of division rather one of civil debate and trying to perfect the democracy, that's a problem."
Bush's decision comes in a critical midterm election year, when Republicans fear losing control of Congress and Bush has been working to get more votes for the GOP. Bush received just 11 percent of the black vote in the 2004 election.
NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon said he was glad Bush is going to speak to the group, especially with renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act still before the Senate. "This is a great opportunity for the president to express his commitment for voting rights reauthorization," he said.
Every president for the past several decades has spoken to the group. Until now, Bush had been the exception.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People convention draws thousands each year, and Bush has been invited to speak every year since he became president. Each year he declines, citing a busy schedule, but there is also a history of bad blood between Bush and the group.
During the 2000 presidential campaign, the NAACP's National Voter Fund ran a television ad against Bush. The ad featured the daughter of James Byrd, a black man dragged to death by three white men in a pickup truck, blaming Bush for refusing her pleas for a hate-crime law when he was Texas governor.
Then, just before the 2004 election, the Internal Revenue Service began looking into the NAACP's tax-exempt status after a speech by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond that was largely critical of Bush's policies. Political campaigning is prohibited under the NAACP's tax-exempt status, but the Baltimore-based group called the audit a political smear campaign.
Bond spoke to the convention Sunday, blasting the war in Iraq and attacks on voting rights even as he urged Bush to attend this year with the convention being held about a mile from the White House.
"This year the convention has come to the president and we hope and pray he is coming to us," Bond said.
"Yes, they have political disagreements," Snow said, but he added that Bush has a good relationship with Gordon, who has worked on restoring ties with the White House. "It marks an opportunity to have a conversation."
Gordon agreed. "The communications channels between the NAACP and the administration - I feel they're wide open," he said. "There ought to be a constructive dialogue between the president and the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. This is a good symbol."
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
It was so hot today Brad and Angelina adopted Ben & Jerry.
It was so hot in Encino that Michael Jackson actually stopped at a young boy’s lemonade stand and just bought some lemonade.
You know the worst thing about the heat wave across the country. Al Gore walking around saying, "I told you so. I told you so.”
If Al Gore’s movie is correct the polar ice caps are shrinking, the ozone layer is shrinking, and the glaciers are shrinking. The only thing not shrinking? Al Gore.
Do you folks know this story? President Bush was recorded using a four letter word at the G8 summit in Russia. At first everyone just thought he mispronounced the word "Shiite.” But that wasn’t it.
Kind of ironic - Bush is listening in on everyone else's phone calls and now he's the one who gets caught saying something he shouldn't. Little payback there.
Valerie Plame, the CIA agent whose name was leaked to the press is now suing Vice President Dick Cheney for violating her constitutional rights. She’s suing Dick Cheney, is that smart? Even the guy Dick Cheney shot in the face isn’t suing him. And he’s a lawyer.
In Colorado, the president of Coors beer, Pete Coors who lost a race for the U.S. Senate awhile back, has admitted that he was arrested for drunk driving back in May. I can't believe he didn't win the senate race - he got busted for drunk driving and tried to cover it up - he's obviously qualified to be senator.
Scientists say now that they are very close to developing chocolate that won’t melt. It’s a chocolate you can eat in hot climates. Apparently we’re holding off on that cure for cancer. Let’s get this chocolate breakthrough first.
Leno
It was so hot today Brad and Angelina adopted Ben & Jerry.
It was so hot in Encino that Michael Jackson actually stopped at a young boy’s lemonade stand and just bought some lemonade.
You know the worst thing about the heat wave across the country. Al Gore walking around saying, "I told you so. I told you so.”
If Al Gore’s movie is correct the polar ice caps are shrinking, the ozone layer is shrinking, and the glaciers are shrinking. The only thing not shrinking? Al Gore.
Do you folks know this story? President Bush was recorded using a four letter word at the G8 summit in Russia. At first everyone just thought he mispronounced the word "Shiite.” But that wasn’t it.
Kind of ironic - Bush is listening in on everyone else's phone calls and now he's the one who gets caught saying something he shouldn't. Little payback there.
Valerie Plame, the CIA agent whose name was leaked to the press is now suing Vice President Dick Cheney for violating her constitutional rights. She’s suing Dick Cheney, is that smart? Even the guy Dick Cheney shot in the face isn’t suing him. And he’s a lawyer.
In Colorado, the president of Coors beer, Pete Coors who lost a race for the U.S. Senate awhile back, has admitted that he was arrested for drunk driving back in May. I can't believe he didn't win the senate race - he got busted for drunk driving and tried to cover it up - he's obviously qualified to be senator.
Scientists say now that they are very close to developing chocolate that won’t melt. It’s a chocolate you can eat in hot climates. Apparently we’re holding off on that cure for cancer. Let’s get this chocolate breakthrough first.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Streisand, Soros Back Lieberman Foe
Some famous people are trying to help Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont defeat three-term U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in next month's primary.
Entertainer Barbra Streisand, actor Paul Newman, billionaire financier George Soros, television producer Norman Lear and singer Jackson Browne all contributed to Lamont's campaign, according to campaign finance data filed Saturday with the Federal Election Commission.
Streisand, Soros and Lear, producer of "All in the Family" and "Maude," each contributed $1,000. Newman, who lives in Westport, Conn., gave $2,100, while Browne, known for hits such as "Running on Empty" and "Lawyers in Love" contributed $500.
Lamont's campaign released a breakdown of contributions Monday; Lieberman's campaign has released totals but not yet provided details about who gave what.
Lamont has gained national attention by challenging Lieberman, who has come under fire from some Democrats for his support of the war in Iraq and a perceived closeness with congressional Republicans and President Bush. Recent public opinion polls have shown Lieberman in the lead, but Lamont has made headway.
In the past two months, Lamont has raised and spent $1.9 million -- largely thanks to the $1.1 million he contributed to himself. Lieberman raised $1.3 million in the same two months.
Some other familiar names on Lamont's list for the past quarter include syndicated sex advice columnist Dan Savage, who contributed $2,000, and actress Alexandra Paul, who played Lt. Stephanie Holden on the TV show "Baywatch." She gave $250.
Movie director and producer Richard Donner contributed $2,000. Donner directed the 1978 movie "Superman" and directed and produced all three "Lethal Weapon" movies.
Some famous people are trying to help Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont defeat three-term U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in next month's primary.
Entertainer Barbra Streisand, actor Paul Newman, billionaire financier George Soros, television producer Norman Lear and singer Jackson Browne all contributed to Lamont's campaign, according to campaign finance data filed Saturday with the Federal Election Commission.
Streisand, Soros and Lear, producer of "All in the Family" and "Maude," each contributed $1,000. Newman, who lives in Westport, Conn., gave $2,100, while Browne, known for hits such as "Running on Empty" and "Lawyers in Love" contributed $500.
Lamont's campaign released a breakdown of contributions Monday; Lieberman's campaign has released totals but not yet provided details about who gave what.
Lamont has gained national attention by challenging Lieberman, who has come under fire from some Democrats for his support of the war in Iraq and a perceived closeness with congressional Republicans and President Bush. Recent public opinion polls have shown Lieberman in the lead, but Lamont has made headway.
In the past two months, Lamont has raised and spent $1.9 million -- largely thanks to the $1.1 million he contributed to himself. Lieberman raised $1.3 million in the same two months.
Some other familiar names on Lamont's list for the past quarter include syndicated sex advice columnist Dan Savage, who contributed $2,000, and actress Alexandra Paul, who played Lt. Stephanie Holden on the TV show "Baywatch." She gave $250.
Movie director and producer Richard Donner contributed $2,000. Donner directed the 1978 movie "Superman" and directed and produced all three "Lethal Weapon" movies.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Middle Class Leaving Democrats in Droves
Sen. Evan Bayh, weighing a run for president in 2008, challenged the Democratic Party to establish an agenda aimed at middle-class voters, a critical constituency that he said the party has let slip away.
"We may consider ourselves the party of the middle class, but too many middle-class Americans no longer consider us their party," the Indiana Democrat said Monday. "They have left the Democratic Party in droves - costing us the last two presidential elections and the last six congressional elections. If we don't learn some lessons, we'll lose in 2006 and 2008 as well, and we must not let that happen."
In his speech, Bayh said the party has focused most of its attention on the needs of lower-income Americans, but it also must address issues that matter to people on the next rung up the economic ladder.
"Without an agenda that speaks directly to the middle class and all who aspire to it, we will no longer be the party of Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy and Clinton. And we will not be a majority party," Bayh said, invoking the names of former Democratic presidents.
Moreover, Bayh said: "The country's not going to fulfill it's potential."
The two-term senator and former Indiana governor delivered what his advisers called a "major address" in Washington and then in Iowa, the first caucus state in the presidential primary process.
Bayh has been a frequent visitor to Iowa as he decides whether to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in what already is considered a crowded field. A recent state poll showed him trailing far behind other potential Democratic contenders.
Bayh dismissed the results, saying polls change over time, and acknowledged that he's considering running for president. He said that should he decide to run, creating opportunities for the middle class will be a focus of his campaign.
"I'm going to make it the centerpiece, not the afterthought," Bayh said as he laid out proposals for making college more affordable, curtailing rising health care costs, strengthening retirement accounts and conserving energy - a full 18 months before the Iowa caucuses.
Sen. Evan Bayh, weighing a run for president in 2008, challenged the Democratic Party to establish an agenda aimed at middle-class voters, a critical constituency that he said the party has let slip away.
"We may consider ourselves the party of the middle class, but too many middle-class Americans no longer consider us their party," the Indiana Democrat said Monday. "They have left the Democratic Party in droves - costing us the last two presidential elections and the last six congressional elections. If we don't learn some lessons, we'll lose in 2006 and 2008 as well, and we must not let that happen."
In his speech, Bayh said the party has focused most of its attention on the needs of lower-income Americans, but it also must address issues that matter to people on the next rung up the economic ladder.
"Without an agenda that speaks directly to the middle class and all who aspire to it, we will no longer be the party of Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy and Clinton. And we will not be a majority party," Bayh said, invoking the names of former Democratic presidents.
Moreover, Bayh said: "The country's not going to fulfill it's potential."
The two-term senator and former Indiana governor delivered what his advisers called a "major address" in Washington and then in Iowa, the first caucus state in the presidential primary process.
Bayh has been a frequent visitor to Iowa as he decides whether to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in what already is considered a crowded field. A recent state poll showed him trailing far behind other potential Democratic contenders.
Bayh dismissed the results, saying polls change over time, and acknowledged that he's considering running for president. He said that should he decide to run, creating opportunities for the middle class will be a focus of his campaign.
"I'm going to make it the centerpiece, not the afterthought," Bayh said as he laid out proposals for making college more affordable, curtailing rising health care costs, strengthening retirement accounts and conserving energy - a full 18 months before the Iowa caucuses.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Hillary: Don't Inflame Conservatives
Warning Arkansas Democrats to avoid doing things that inflame the state's conservative base, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton advised they seek "consensus on mainstream subjects."
"We do things that are controversial. We do things that try to inflame their base,” Clinton, D-N.Y., told the Arkansas Federation of Democratic Women, according to the New York Times. "We are wasting time.”
Concentrating on contentious issues only brings out the conservative base, she warned, without specifying such hot-button issues as gay marriage that inflame conservatives and drive them to the polls to vote for Republicans.
Turning to the present world situation, Clinton later told a gathering of mostly Democrats: "We just have to turn on the news, don’t we, to see what it’s like going on around the world -- so many conflicts. We need to get back to building partnerships and alliances, to making friends so we can influence decisions that other people make and have people working with us to stem the tide of terrorism and the threats that we confront.”
She added: "If we have to use military power, yes, we have to use it. But use it as a last resort, not as a first resort. Use it after all else has failed.”
The Times recalled that Arkansas supported Clinton's husband when he ran for president in 1992 and 1996, but then went for George W. Bush in 2000. Just 46 percent of Arkansas voted for then-Vice President Al Gore in that election, and four years later the percentage of votes for the Democratic candidate fell, with 44 percent backing Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. Although the state’s two senators are Democrats, Arkansas has been increasingly seen as a Republican stronghold at the presidential level.
Warning Arkansas Democrats to avoid doing things that inflame the state's conservative base, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton advised they seek "consensus on mainstream subjects."
"We do things that are controversial. We do things that try to inflame their base,” Clinton, D-N.Y., told the Arkansas Federation of Democratic Women, according to the New York Times. "We are wasting time.”
Concentrating on contentious issues only brings out the conservative base, she warned, without specifying such hot-button issues as gay marriage that inflame conservatives and drive them to the polls to vote for Republicans.
Turning to the present world situation, Clinton later told a gathering of mostly Democrats: "We just have to turn on the news, don’t we, to see what it’s like going on around the world -- so many conflicts. We need to get back to building partnerships and alliances, to making friends so we can influence decisions that other people make and have people working with us to stem the tide of terrorism and the threats that we confront.”
She added: "If we have to use military power, yes, we have to use it. But use it as a last resort, not as a first resort. Use it after all else has failed.”
The Times recalled that Arkansas supported Clinton's husband when he ran for president in 1992 and 1996, but then went for George W. Bush in 2000. Just 46 percent of Arkansas voted for then-Vice President Al Gore in that election, and four years later the percentage of votes for the Democratic candidate fell, with 44 percent backing Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. Although the state’s two senators are Democrats, Arkansas has been increasingly seen as a Republican stronghold at the presidential level.
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
It was so hot today, Ann Coulter was insulting Eskimo widows.
104 degrees today. Even Hillary Clinton looked hot today.
President Bush getting on the Al Gore bandwagon. He told "People” magazine he’s working on a solution for global warming. I don’t think he really understands it. What he says was, when it comes to global warming he has been burning the midnight oil.
Oil has hit a new all time high. It’s over $76 a barrel. They say it could go much higher in the event of trouble in the Middle East. Thank God we haven’t had any of that.
Speaking of that, a Fox News crew has been shot at on live television after they revealed detailed information about Israeli troop movements. Now we are not hundred percent sure who did the shooting but it stopped as soon as they found out Geraldo was not there.
Beirut, Lebanon is L.A’s sister city. Did you know that? That’s true! Well sure, it’s the hot desert with foreign speaking people and nonstop gunfire. It’s the perfect match.
I don’t know if this is a coincidence or not but, Ken Lay died last week. And today hell filed for bankruptcy.
Letterman
President Bush has a new plan to fight global warming. We’re going to invade the sun.
Michael Jackson is going to move to Ireland. He’s already found a cottage in a small village known as Glenn Creepy.
He’s already being sued by a leprechaun.
Conan
Today the Vatican condemned Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah. Which was a good thing because all yesterday Jews and Muslims worldwide were asking what do the Catholics think?
Russia is going to start taking care of nuclear waste from other countries. Their goal is to be the New Jersey of Europe.
Leno
It was so hot today, Ann Coulter was insulting Eskimo widows.
104 degrees today. Even Hillary Clinton looked hot today.
President Bush getting on the Al Gore bandwagon. He told "People” magazine he’s working on a solution for global warming. I don’t think he really understands it. What he says was, when it comes to global warming he has been burning the midnight oil.
Oil has hit a new all time high. It’s over $76 a barrel. They say it could go much higher in the event of trouble in the Middle East. Thank God we haven’t had any of that.
Speaking of that, a Fox News crew has been shot at on live television after they revealed detailed information about Israeli troop movements. Now we are not hundred percent sure who did the shooting but it stopped as soon as they found out Geraldo was not there.
Beirut, Lebanon is L.A’s sister city. Did you know that? That’s true! Well sure, it’s the hot desert with foreign speaking people and nonstop gunfire. It’s the perfect match.
I don’t know if this is a coincidence or not but, Ken Lay died last week. And today hell filed for bankruptcy.
Letterman
President Bush has a new plan to fight global warming. We’re going to invade the sun.
Michael Jackson is going to move to Ireland. He’s already found a cottage in a small village known as Glenn Creepy.
He’s already being sued by a leprechaun.
Conan
Today the Vatican condemned Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah. Which was a good thing because all yesterday Jews and Muslims worldwide were asking what do the Catholics think?
Russia is going to start taking care of nuclear waste from other countries. Their goal is to be the New Jersey of Europe.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Valerie Plame Sues Cheney, Rove, Libby Over Leak
The CIA officer whose identity was leaked to reporters sued Vice President Dick Cheney, his former top aide, and presidential adviser Karl Rove on Thursday, accusing them and other White House officials of conspiring to destroy her career.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. district court, Valerie Plame and her husband, Joseph Wilson, a former U.S. ambassador, accused Cheney, Rove, and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby of revealing Plame's CIA identity in seeking revenge against Wilson for criticizing the Bush administration's motives in Iraq.
Several news organizations wrote about Plame after syndicated columnist Robert Novak named her in a column on July 14, 2003. Novak's column appeared eight days after Wilson alleged in an opinion piece in The New York Times that the administration had twisted prewar intelligence on Iraq to justify going to war.
The CIA had sent Wilson to Niger in early 2002 to determine whether there was any truth to reports that Saddam Hussein's government had tried to buy yellowcake uranium from Niger to make a nuclear weapon. Wilson discounted the reports, but the allegation nevertheless wound up in President Bush's 2003 State of the Union address.
The CIA officer whose identity was leaked to reporters sued Vice President Dick Cheney, his former top aide, and presidential adviser Karl Rove on Thursday, accusing them and other White House officials of conspiring to destroy her career.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. district court, Valerie Plame and her husband, Joseph Wilson, a former U.S. ambassador, accused Cheney, Rove, and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby of revealing Plame's CIA identity in seeking revenge against Wilson for criticizing the Bush administration's motives in Iraq.
Several news organizations wrote about Plame after syndicated columnist Robert Novak named her in a column on July 14, 2003. Novak's column appeared eight days after Wilson alleged in an opinion piece in The New York Times that the administration had twisted prewar intelligence on Iraq to justify going to war.
The CIA had sent Wilson to Niger in early 2002 to determine whether there was any truth to reports that Saddam Hussein's government had tried to buy yellowcake uranium from Niger to make a nuclear weapon. Wilson discounted the reports, but the allegation nevertheless wound up in President Bush's 2003 State of the Union address.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Zogby: Iranians Say Israel Shouldn't Exist
While Iran's nuclear program grabs headlines around the world, a new Reader's Digest-Zogby International survey reports that Iranians (41 percent) said reforming their national economy so it operates more efficiently is more important than nuclear capability.
A smaller number, 27 percent, said the country's top priority should be to develop an arsenal of nuclear weapons, and 23 percent said the top goal for their government should be to expand the freedoms of its citizens.
These and other opinions were documented in a wide-ranging survey of Iranian citizens that revealed a sharp diversity of views consistent with a nation that is undergoing profound changes.
The survey, which focused on a variety of subjects, including nuclear and regional politics, America, Israel, and other nations, and cultural issues, included 810 Iranian adults and carries a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.
The results are included in exclusive reports on Iran published in the August issue of Reader's Digest magazine. "The Zogby poll presents a fascinating glimpse into public opinion in this vitally important part of the world," said Conrad Kiechel, editorial director, Reader's Digest International Editions. "The evening headlines typically frame the views of world leaders, but this survey provides an illuminating picture of what citizens are saying — and believing."
The poll revealed a country divided on many issues, although united on the role that Iran should play in the region.
Iranians said they believe their country should lead the region "diplomatically and militarily" — 56 percent supported this view, and only 12 percent said their country should not be the dominant regional power. Nearly equal percentages of respondents want Iran to become more secular and liberal (31 percent) as want the country to become more religious and conservative (36 percent).
On one question, Iranians showed almost total agreement, regardless of age or gender. When asked if the state of Israel is illegitimate and should not exist, 67 percent agreed and only 9 percent disagreed.
Despite tensions between the United States and Iran, most Iranians — nearly two thirds — said they don't believe that the two countries will go to war in the next decade.
Iranian men were more interested than women in making the economy work better. Among men, 47 percent said the economy should be a top government priority, while just 33 percent of women agreed. The older the respondent, the less important they considered development of a nuclear arsenal.
A majority said they would be willing to suffer through a bad economy if that were the price the country had to pay to develop its nuclear program. Also, 25 percent said they would blame the United States if the United Nations imposed nuclear-related sanctions, although nearly 40 percent said they were not sure whom to blame. Only one in six would blame Iran's own government.
If their country were to develop nuclear weapons, 25 percent said it would make the Middle East a safer place, but 35 percent disagreed with that statement.
When it came to their view of the United States, there was a split between the generations. Older Iranians were much more likely to admire the American people and society than younger Iranians. John Zogby, president and CEO of Zogby International, hypothesized that this generational split may be due in part to the lack of exposure to Americans over the past two decades.
Younger and older Iranians would favor a more conservative, religious society, while those aged 30-49 said they would favor a more liberal, secular culture. What is striking is that just 15 percent said Iranian culture should stay just the way it is right now. Women were more likely than men to say they wanted a more liberal, secular society.
Among those Iranians with Internet access, 41 percent said they wanted a more religious culture, compared to 33 percent who said they wanted a more secular society.
"The poll illustrates the impact of 25 years of separation," said Zogby researchers. "The attitudes of younger Iranians toward the government, people, and policies of the United States have been shaped by years of isolation, largely conservative religious leadership, and anti-U.S. rhetoric. This group is consistently more negative in its attitudes towards Americans and the American government than are older Iranians.
However, new technology, including satellite television and the Internet, could be used as tools that connect young Iranians with other nations in the region, and the West, the poll states.
Those technologies - Internet access and satellite TV ownership —appeared to influence attitudes among Iranians, as did gender. Iranians with access to the Internet or satellite TV were significantly more likely than their "unconnected" compatriots to identify the United States as the country they admire the most.
They were also significantly less likely to pick the U.S. government as the one they admire the least: one in three Iranians without Internet access (34 percent) chose the United States as least admired, compared with fewer than one in five Iranians with Internet access (18 percent), the poll shows.
The American government also appeared to attract more admiration from Iranians who favor a more secular or liberal direction for Iran.
While Iran's nuclear program grabs headlines around the world, a new Reader's Digest-Zogby International survey reports that Iranians (41 percent) said reforming their national economy so it operates more efficiently is more important than nuclear capability.
A smaller number, 27 percent, said the country's top priority should be to develop an arsenal of nuclear weapons, and 23 percent said the top goal for their government should be to expand the freedoms of its citizens.
These and other opinions were documented in a wide-ranging survey of Iranian citizens that revealed a sharp diversity of views consistent with a nation that is undergoing profound changes.
The survey, which focused on a variety of subjects, including nuclear and regional politics, America, Israel, and other nations, and cultural issues, included 810 Iranian adults and carries a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.
The results are included in exclusive reports on Iran published in the August issue of Reader's Digest magazine. "The Zogby poll presents a fascinating glimpse into public opinion in this vitally important part of the world," said Conrad Kiechel, editorial director, Reader's Digest International Editions. "The evening headlines typically frame the views of world leaders, but this survey provides an illuminating picture of what citizens are saying — and believing."
The poll revealed a country divided on many issues, although united on the role that Iran should play in the region.
Iranians said they believe their country should lead the region "diplomatically and militarily" — 56 percent supported this view, and only 12 percent said their country should not be the dominant regional power. Nearly equal percentages of respondents want Iran to become more secular and liberal (31 percent) as want the country to become more religious and conservative (36 percent).
On one question, Iranians showed almost total agreement, regardless of age or gender. When asked if the state of Israel is illegitimate and should not exist, 67 percent agreed and only 9 percent disagreed.
Despite tensions between the United States and Iran, most Iranians — nearly two thirds — said they don't believe that the two countries will go to war in the next decade.
Iranian men were more interested than women in making the economy work better. Among men, 47 percent said the economy should be a top government priority, while just 33 percent of women agreed. The older the respondent, the less important they considered development of a nuclear arsenal.
A majority said they would be willing to suffer through a bad economy if that were the price the country had to pay to develop its nuclear program. Also, 25 percent said they would blame the United States if the United Nations imposed nuclear-related sanctions, although nearly 40 percent said they were not sure whom to blame. Only one in six would blame Iran's own government.
If their country were to develop nuclear weapons, 25 percent said it would make the Middle East a safer place, but 35 percent disagreed with that statement.
When it came to their view of the United States, there was a split between the generations. Older Iranians were much more likely to admire the American people and society than younger Iranians. John Zogby, president and CEO of Zogby International, hypothesized that this generational split may be due in part to the lack of exposure to Americans over the past two decades.
Younger and older Iranians would favor a more conservative, religious society, while those aged 30-49 said they would favor a more liberal, secular culture. What is striking is that just 15 percent said Iranian culture should stay just the way it is right now. Women were more likely than men to say they wanted a more liberal, secular society.
Among those Iranians with Internet access, 41 percent said they wanted a more religious culture, compared to 33 percent who said they wanted a more secular society.
"The poll illustrates the impact of 25 years of separation," said Zogby researchers. "The attitudes of younger Iranians toward the government, people, and policies of the United States have been shaped by years of isolation, largely conservative religious leadership, and anti-U.S. rhetoric. This group is consistently more negative in its attitudes towards Americans and the American government than are older Iranians.
However, new technology, including satellite television and the Internet, could be used as tools that connect young Iranians with other nations in the region, and the West, the poll states.
Those technologies - Internet access and satellite TV ownership —appeared to influence attitudes among Iranians, as did gender. Iranians with access to the Internet or satellite TV were significantly more likely than their "unconnected" compatriots to identify the United States as the country they admire the most.
They were also significantly less likely to pick the U.S. government as the one they admire the least: one in three Iranians without Internet access (34 percent) chose the United States as least admired, compared with fewer than one in five Iranians with Internet access (18 percent), the poll shows.
The American government also appeared to attract more admiration from Iranians who favor a more secular or liberal direction for Iran.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
9/11 Conspiracy Prof. Allowed to Teach
NewsMax - A part-time University of Wisconsin instructor who believes U.S. government officials orchestrated the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks will be allowed to teach a course on Islam, the school announced Monday.
UW-Madison Provost Patrick Farrell said Kevin Barrett can present his view as one of many perspectives on the event when he teaches the introductory course as scheduled this fall.
Some state politicians had called for the university to fire Barrett after he spoke about his theories on a radio talk show last month.
Farrell rejected those calls, saying "We cannot allow political pressure from critics of unpopular ideas to inhibit the free exchange of ideas."
"There is no question that Mr. Barrett holds personal opinions that many people find unconventional," Farrell said in a statement. "These views are expected to take a small, but significant, role in the class. To the extent that his views are discussed, Mr. Barrett has assured me that students will be free - and encouraged - to challenge his viewpoint."
Farrell launched a review after Barrett spoke on the talk show about his views that the terrorist attacks were the result of a government conspiracy designed to spark war in the Middle East. Barrett is active in a group of scholars who believe, among other things, the twin towers were blown up by U.S. government operatives.
His remarks prompted calls from state Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Green for his immediate dismissal. Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, joined the critics in questioning whether Barrett was competent to teach.
NewsMax - A part-time University of Wisconsin instructor who believes U.S. government officials orchestrated the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks will be allowed to teach a course on Islam, the school announced Monday.
UW-Madison Provost Patrick Farrell said Kevin Barrett can present his view as one of many perspectives on the event when he teaches the introductory course as scheduled this fall.
Some state politicians had called for the university to fire Barrett after he spoke about his theories on a radio talk show last month.
Farrell rejected those calls, saying "We cannot allow political pressure from critics of unpopular ideas to inhibit the free exchange of ideas."
"There is no question that Mr. Barrett holds personal opinions that many people find unconventional," Farrell said in a statement. "These views are expected to take a small, but significant, role in the class. To the extent that his views are discussed, Mr. Barrett has assured me that students will be free - and encouraged - to challenge his viewpoint."
Farrell launched a review after Barrett spoke on the talk show about his views that the terrorist attacks were the result of a government conspiracy designed to spark war in the Middle East. Barrett is active in a group of scholars who believe, among other things, the twin towers were blown up by U.S. government operatives.
His remarks prompted calls from state Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Green for his immediate dismissal. Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, joined the critics in questioning whether Barrett was competent to teach.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
White House Blasts Clinton N.Korea Policy
The White House belittled former President Clinton's policy of direct engagement with North Korea on Monday, saying efforts to shower North Korean leader Kim Jong Il "with flowers and chocolates" failed.
White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters that Bill Richardson, who served as United Nations ambassador and Energy Secretary under Clinton, "went with flowers and chocolates, and he went with light-water nuclear reactors ... and a basketball signed by Michael Jordan and many other inducements for the 'dear leader' to try to agree not to develop nuclear weapons, and it failed."
Snow added, "We've learned from that mistake."
Jay Carson, a spokesman for the Clinton Foundation in New York City, responded, "This is a serious issue for global security, and it's unfortunate that the Bush administration's TV spinmaster is manufacturing excuses for North Korea's transgressions instead of looking at the last six years of inaction and the abandonment of diplomacy."
Members of President Bush's Republican administration, which succeeded Clinton's, have repeatedly rejected the suggestion that formal discussions might be undertaken with Pyongyang outside of six-nation talks meant to rid the North of its nuclear weapons program. Bush officials insist on speaking with the North at a negotiating forum that includes the Koreas, the United States, Japan, China and Russia. Those talks have been stalled since November.
Snow did say the Clinton tactic of trying to "talk reason to the government of Pyongyang" was "at least a good faith effort on the part of some very smart people."
The White House belittled former President Clinton's policy of direct engagement with North Korea on Monday, saying efforts to shower North Korean leader Kim Jong Il "with flowers and chocolates" failed.
White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters that Bill Richardson, who served as United Nations ambassador and Energy Secretary under Clinton, "went with flowers and chocolates, and he went with light-water nuclear reactors ... and a basketball signed by Michael Jordan and many other inducements for the 'dear leader' to try to agree not to develop nuclear weapons, and it failed."
Snow added, "We've learned from that mistake."
Jay Carson, a spokesman for the Clinton Foundation in New York City, responded, "This is a serious issue for global security, and it's unfortunate that the Bush administration's TV spinmaster is manufacturing excuses for North Korea's transgressions instead of looking at the last six years of inaction and the abandonment of diplomacy."
Members of President Bush's Republican administration, which succeeded Clinton's, have repeatedly rejected the suggestion that formal discussions might be undertaken with Pyongyang outside of six-nation talks meant to rid the North of its nuclear weapons program. Bush officials insist on speaking with the North at a negotiating forum that includes the Koreas, the United States, Japan, China and Russia. Those talks have been stalled since November.
Snow did say the Clinton tactic of trying to "talk reason to the government of Pyongyang" was "at least a good faith effort on the part of some very smart people."
Monday, July 10, 2006
Tom DeLay May Not Retire After All
Former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay suggested Friday that he may not be ready for retirement just yet, a day after a federal judge ruled that his name must remain on the November ballot even though he resigned from Congress.
DeLay, who came home to Sugar Land for a previously scheduled event, also criticized U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks' ruling that the former House majority leader's name had to remain on the ballot.
"For this guy to say he can't tell where I'm going to be on Election Day, and that I am forced to be on the ballot, well, they may get exactly what they want," DeLay told supporters to raucous applause. Sparks is a Democrat appointed by Republican former President George Bush.
Later, reporters asked Delay if he now planned to run. He didn't say no.
"We have to wait and see what the 5th Circuit does on appeal," he said.
The Texas Republican Party appealed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans immediately after Sparks' ruling Thursday in Austin. Attorney Jim Bopp said he hoped to have a decision from the higher court this month, allowing the GOP to nominate a new candidate.
DeLay, who is awaiting trial on Texas charges of money laundering and conspiracy in a campaign finance case, won the Republican primary in March but resigned from Congress on June 9 and said he has moved to Virginia.
He still owns - and his wife, Christine, still lives in - his Sugar Land house, where DeLay also spends time, the Democrats pointed out.
Democrats want to keep his name and his legal troubles on the minds of voters as Democrat Nick Lampson tries to capture DeLay's 22nd congressional district seat in suburban Houston. The party sued to keep the GOP from removing DeLay's name from the ballot.
Republicans want to name a replacement nominee, and several prominent Houston area politicians are vying for the spot.
The U.S. Constitution states a member of Congress on Election Day must be an inhabitant of the state where his district is located. Sparks said he was not convinced that DeLay would not return to Texas.
Former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay suggested Friday that he may not be ready for retirement just yet, a day after a federal judge ruled that his name must remain on the November ballot even though he resigned from Congress.
DeLay, who came home to Sugar Land for a previously scheduled event, also criticized U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks' ruling that the former House majority leader's name had to remain on the ballot.
"For this guy to say he can't tell where I'm going to be on Election Day, and that I am forced to be on the ballot, well, they may get exactly what they want," DeLay told supporters to raucous applause. Sparks is a Democrat appointed by Republican former President George Bush.
Later, reporters asked Delay if he now planned to run. He didn't say no.
"We have to wait and see what the 5th Circuit does on appeal," he said.
The Texas Republican Party appealed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans immediately after Sparks' ruling Thursday in Austin. Attorney Jim Bopp said he hoped to have a decision from the higher court this month, allowing the GOP to nominate a new candidate.
DeLay, who is awaiting trial on Texas charges of money laundering and conspiracy in a campaign finance case, won the Republican primary in March but resigned from Congress on June 9 and said he has moved to Virginia.
He still owns - and his wife, Christine, still lives in - his Sugar Land house, where DeLay also spends time, the Democrats pointed out.
Democrats want to keep his name and his legal troubles on the minds of voters as Democrat Nick Lampson tries to capture DeLay's 22nd congressional district seat in suburban Houston. The party sued to keep the GOP from removing DeLay's name from the ballot.
Republicans want to name a replacement nominee, and several prominent Houston area politicians are vying for the spot.
The U.S. Constitution states a member of Congress on Election Day must be an inhabitant of the state where his district is located. Sparks said he was not convinced that DeLay would not return to Texas.
Sunday, July 9, 2006
No U.N. Deal on Illegal Gun Trade
A two-week U.N. conference reviewing efforts to fight the illegal weapons trade ended in failure Friday, with nations too divided on too many contentious issues to agree on the best way to combat a scourge that fuels conflict worldwide.
After days of negotiations, delegates gave up their bid to agree on an "outcome document" meant to reflect their consensus on the most serious threats and the best way to fight the illegal trade in small arms, worth about $1 billion a year.
"It's a squandered opportunity," said Anthea Lawson, spokeswoman with the International Action Network on Small Arms. "It's preposterous especially when there was so much will from so many countries to do something."
The conference was reviewing progress made toward achieving a 2001 program of action to curb the illicit sale of pistols, assault rifles, machine guns and other light weapons.
The global trade in small arms is worth about $4 billion a year, of which a fourth is considered illegal, according to the annual Small Arms Survey, an authoritative report on such weapons. The arms cause 60 percent to 90 percent of all deaths in conflicts every year.
The event was largely done in by the need for all nations to agree on every element of the final document, rather than to approve proposals by an up-or-down vote.
The collapse reflected just how contentious the discussion of the small arms trade has become. Many nations refuse to disclose the extent of their small-arms trade, and are unwilling to discuss restrictions on ammunition and national gun ownership, selling weapons to non-state actors and tracing weapons back to their original seller.
Cuba, India, Iran, and Pakistan were among the nations that spoke out against an NGO proposal for governments to agree to a set of global principles on the arms trade. At its heart is a promise to make sure they don't sell weapons to buyers who could then pass them on illegally.
And there was widespread support for a call to hold a similar conference five years from now. The United States, however, opposed.
"You had a few governments that were holding out and not compromising, said Nicholas Marsh, with the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo, and an adviser to the Norwegian delegation.
Despite the failure, delegates planned to raise many of the same issues in the U.N. disarmament committee - where consensus is not needed for agreement - to begin preparing a treaty that would make law out of many of the global principles supported by non-governmental groups.
Some delegates said the meeting was doomed from the start. It took six days to get through speeches by nations, then the conference suspended work for the July 4 holiday. Negotiations on the final text only began Wednesday.
"Whether we would have been able to agree on the document - I don't think so," said Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka's U.N. ambassador and president of the conference. "I think at this point it was that views among parties with regard to how to follow up did not converge."
A two-week U.N. conference reviewing efforts to fight the illegal weapons trade ended in failure Friday, with nations too divided on too many contentious issues to agree on the best way to combat a scourge that fuels conflict worldwide.
After days of negotiations, delegates gave up their bid to agree on an "outcome document" meant to reflect their consensus on the most serious threats and the best way to fight the illegal trade in small arms, worth about $1 billion a year.
"It's a squandered opportunity," said Anthea Lawson, spokeswoman with the International Action Network on Small Arms. "It's preposterous especially when there was so much will from so many countries to do something."
The conference was reviewing progress made toward achieving a 2001 program of action to curb the illicit sale of pistols, assault rifles, machine guns and other light weapons.
The global trade in small arms is worth about $4 billion a year, of which a fourth is considered illegal, according to the annual Small Arms Survey, an authoritative report on such weapons. The arms cause 60 percent to 90 percent of all deaths in conflicts every year.
The event was largely done in by the need for all nations to agree on every element of the final document, rather than to approve proposals by an up-or-down vote.
The collapse reflected just how contentious the discussion of the small arms trade has become. Many nations refuse to disclose the extent of their small-arms trade, and are unwilling to discuss restrictions on ammunition and national gun ownership, selling weapons to non-state actors and tracing weapons back to their original seller.
Cuba, India, Iran, and Pakistan were among the nations that spoke out against an NGO proposal for governments to agree to a set of global principles on the arms trade. At its heart is a promise to make sure they don't sell weapons to buyers who could then pass them on illegally.
And there was widespread support for a call to hold a similar conference five years from now. The United States, however, opposed.
"You had a few governments that were holding out and not compromising, said Nicholas Marsh, with the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo, and an adviser to the Norwegian delegation.
Despite the failure, delegates planned to raise many of the same issues in the U.N. disarmament committee - where consensus is not needed for agreement - to begin preparing a treaty that would make law out of many of the global principles supported by non-governmental groups.
Some delegates said the meeting was doomed from the start. It took six days to get through speeches by nations, then the conference suspended work for the July 4 holiday. Negotiations on the final text only began Wednesday.
"Whether we would have been able to agree on the document - I don't think so," said Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka's U.N. ambassador and president of the conference. "I think at this point it was that views among parties with regard to how to follow up did not converge."
Saturday, July 8, 2006
Bush: GOP Will Hold House and Senate
President Bush, trying to boost his standing with Americans, confidently predicted Friday that Republicans will retain control of Congress in November elections despite his political troubles.
"We will hold the House and the Senate," Bush said in the first formal, solo news conference he has held outside of Washington. "I'm looking forward to these elections. I think you'll be surprised."
At Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, Bush tried out a new strategy by taking questions from Chicago media as well as regulars in the White House press corps.
The idea was to get a greater mix of questions and have Bush show concern about everyday issues. If there were any doubts about the locale, the White House dispelled them by putting Bush in front of a mural of the city skyline topped by the single word: CHICAGO.
Bush adamantly defended his decision to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and said political considerations would not lead to an early withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq.
"We will lose if we leave too early," said Bush, denouncing those Democrats who want a formal timetable for redeployment.
Later, Bush helped raise $1.2 million for Illinois state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka's campaign for governor.
Outside the Drake Hotel where the event was held, dozens of protesters held up signs with slogans such as "Liar, Liar, Iraq on Fire" and burned a few American flags.
On the economic front, Bush had some of the wind taken out of his sails by monthly employment numbers. Job growth was a tepid 121,000 in June, more than 50,000 short of the forecast.
White House officials said Bush's Chicago stop, which included a dinner with Daley and local leaders Thursday night, was the first in a series of trips he would make in coming months.
White House officials denied a political motive in the new strategy but said Bush wanted a chance to take his case to ordinary Americans.
"These trips are good for the president, getting out of the (Washington) Beltway, talking to people about their lives, hearing their stories, being able to share ideas with local leaders. That's something that he likes to do," said White House spokesman Tony Snow.
With his image in disrepair, Bush retooled his White House staff earlier this year and his communications team is trying to expose the president to more reporters' questions.
President Bush, trying to boost his standing with Americans, confidently predicted Friday that Republicans will retain control of Congress in November elections despite his political troubles.
"We will hold the House and the Senate," Bush said in the first formal, solo news conference he has held outside of Washington. "I'm looking forward to these elections. I think you'll be surprised."
At Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, Bush tried out a new strategy by taking questions from Chicago media as well as regulars in the White House press corps.
The idea was to get a greater mix of questions and have Bush show concern about everyday issues. If there were any doubts about the locale, the White House dispelled them by putting Bush in front of a mural of the city skyline topped by the single word: CHICAGO.
Bush adamantly defended his decision to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and said political considerations would not lead to an early withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq.
"We will lose if we leave too early," said Bush, denouncing those Democrats who want a formal timetable for redeployment.
Later, Bush helped raise $1.2 million for Illinois state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka's campaign for governor.
Outside the Drake Hotel where the event was held, dozens of protesters held up signs with slogans such as "Liar, Liar, Iraq on Fire" and burned a few American flags.
On the economic front, Bush had some of the wind taken out of his sails by monthly employment numbers. Job growth was a tepid 121,000 in June, more than 50,000 short of the forecast.
White House officials said Bush's Chicago stop, which included a dinner with Daley and local leaders Thursday night, was the first in a series of trips he would make in coming months.
White House officials denied a political motive in the new strategy but said Bush wanted a chance to take his case to ordinary Americans.
"These trips are good for the president, getting out of the (Washington) Beltway, talking to people about their lives, hearing their stories, being able to share ideas with local leaders. That's something that he likes to do," said White House spokesman Tony Snow.
With his image in disrepair, Bush retooled his White House staff earlier this year and his communications team is trying to expose the president to more reporters' questions.
Late Nite Jokes
Letterman
It’s prom time. I have vivid memories of my prom. The corsage, the strapless gown – I looked great!
I had a traumatic prom. My date was an undercover vice cop.
The Tony nominations are out. Right across the street here, the theater next door, Oprah’s show "The Color Purple” has eleven nominations. I was thrilled when I saw this because it’s about time that something went Oprah’s way.
Another musical got a nomination for 12 Tony’s starring the vice president. It’s called "Cheney Get Your Gun”.
Letterman
It’s prom time. I have vivid memories of my prom. The corsage, the strapless gown – I looked great!
I had a traumatic prom. My date was an undercover vice cop.
The Tony nominations are out. Right across the street here, the theater next door, Oprah’s show "The Color Purple” has eleven nominations. I was thrilled when I saw this because it’s about time that something went Oprah’s way.
Another musical got a nomination for 12 Tony’s starring the vice president. It’s called "Cheney Get Your Gun”.
Friday, July 7, 2006
Sen. Joe Biden Chided for 'Racist' Remark
Garrulous Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., has once again planted his foot firmly in his mouth, and is scrambling to spin his videotaped racial slur that denigrates his state's growing population of people who hail from India.
But you'd never know it if your relied on the New York Times, Washington Post, or the rest of the mainstream media. Too busy betraying America's secrets to our enemies, none of them printed a word about Biden's gaffe.
Biden's comments were captured by C-Span cameras during a June event in New Hampshire where the likely 2008 presidential candidate was once again making the rounds with voters in this important primary state.
During a conversation with an Indian-American political activist, Biden said: "In Delaware, the largest growth of population is Indian-Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking."
Biden's reference to the stereotype that the nation's convenience stores are staffed entirely by immigrants from India has angered many members of the Indian-American community.
Slamming Biden for making "ridiculous comments" about the community, the president of the Indian American Republican Council (IARC) in Washington D.C. said in a statement: "Joe Biden has a history of making insensitive and inappropriate remarks . . ."
Dr. Raghavendra Vijayanagar, popularly known in the Indian-American community as "Dr. Vijay," said this isn't the first time a Senate Democrat has insulted Indian-Americans.
"In 2004, Sen. John Kerry referred to Sikhs as terrorists and Sen. Hillary Clinton jokingly referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a gas station owner," Dr. Vijay said. "A clear double-standard in the mainstream media will likely ensure Sen. Biden gets a pass over these comments that would get a Republican in deep trouble if he ever made a similar statement.”
Only Gannett News Service - owners of USA TODAY and Biden's home-state newspaper, the Delmarva Daily Times - reported on the Senator's thoughtless comment. USA TODAY did not carry the story.
Despite the near-total blackout in the mainstream media, the entire incident was captured on a C-Span video clip, which is now spreading rapidly via the Internet.
Biden spokeswoman Margaret Aiken attempted to clarify the senator's remarks: "The point Senator Biden was making is that there has been a vibrant Indian-American community in Delaware for decades. It has primarily been made up of engineers, scientists and physicians, but more recently, middle-class families are moving into Delaware and purchasing family-run small businesses."
The Delmarva paper noted that this is not Biden's first faux pas in New Hampshire, which holds the nation's first presidential primary. During his first presidential bid in 1987, Biden told one New Hampshire voter who questioned his law school grades that: "I think I probably have a much higher IQ than you do."
Garrulous Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., has once again planted his foot firmly in his mouth, and is scrambling to spin his videotaped racial slur that denigrates his state's growing population of people who hail from India.
But you'd never know it if your relied on the New York Times, Washington Post, or the rest of the mainstream media. Too busy betraying America's secrets to our enemies, none of them printed a word about Biden's gaffe.
Biden's comments were captured by C-Span cameras during a June event in New Hampshire where the likely 2008 presidential candidate was once again making the rounds with voters in this important primary state.
During a conversation with an Indian-American political activist, Biden said: "In Delaware, the largest growth of population is Indian-Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking."
Biden's reference to the stereotype that the nation's convenience stores are staffed entirely by immigrants from India has angered many members of the Indian-American community.
Slamming Biden for making "ridiculous comments" about the community, the president of the Indian American Republican Council (IARC) in Washington D.C. said in a statement: "Joe Biden has a history of making insensitive and inappropriate remarks . . ."
Dr. Raghavendra Vijayanagar, popularly known in the Indian-American community as "Dr. Vijay," said this isn't the first time a Senate Democrat has insulted Indian-Americans.
"In 2004, Sen. John Kerry referred to Sikhs as terrorists and Sen. Hillary Clinton jokingly referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a gas station owner," Dr. Vijay said. "A clear double-standard in the mainstream media will likely ensure Sen. Biden gets a pass over these comments that would get a Republican in deep trouble if he ever made a similar statement.”
Only Gannett News Service - owners of USA TODAY and Biden's home-state newspaper, the Delmarva Daily Times - reported on the Senator's thoughtless comment. USA TODAY did not carry the story.
Despite the near-total blackout in the mainstream media, the entire incident was captured on a C-Span video clip, which is now spreading rapidly via the Internet.
Biden spokeswoman Margaret Aiken attempted to clarify the senator's remarks: "The point Senator Biden was making is that there has been a vibrant Indian-American community in Delaware for decades. It has primarily been made up of engineers, scientists and physicians, but more recently, middle-class families are moving into Delaware and purchasing family-run small businesses."
The Delmarva paper noted that this is not Biden's first faux pas in New Hampshire, which holds the nation's first presidential primary. During his first presidential bid in 1987, Biden told one New Hampshire voter who questioned his law school grades that: "I think I probably have a much higher IQ than you do."
Thursday, July 6, 2006
Bush Changing on Immigration
The impasse between President Bush and House Republicans regarding illegal immigration may be on the way to a settlement that would give both parties what they want and perhaps get the explosive issue off the table before the November congressional elections.
While Karl Rove, the White House chief political strategist, and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow insist that President Bush remains determined to get a comprehensive immigration reform bill through Congress, there are multiple signs now that the White House may give in to House demands to deal first with the problem of U.S. border security.
According to Wednesday's New York Times, Republicans both inside the White House and outside say the president is open to the idea of an enforcement-first approach, which would leave his guest worker proposal pending, but which would be triggered after the immediate border problem is solved.
"He thinks that this notion that you can have triggers is something we should take a close look at, and we are," Candi Wolff, the White House director of legislative affairs, told the Times. Wolff, the Times reported, was referring to the idea that guest worker and citizenship programs would be triggered when specific border security goals had been met, a process that could take two years.
"The willingness to consider a phased-in situation, that's a pretty big concession from where they were at," Representative Tom Cole, R-Okla., a close associate of Bush. "It's a suggestion they are willing to negotiate."
Added to these signals that the president is modifying his compressive reform-bill-only approach last week, the White House invited a leading conservative proponent of the enforcement-first bill, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., to the Oval Office to discuss his ideas with president and Vice President Dick Cheney. According to Wolff, the president found the Pence plan "pretty intriguing."
In an interview Tuesday with the Times, Pence said the president used precisely those words in their talk, adding that that the meeting was scheduled to last 10 or 20 minutes but went on for 40, and that the president "was quite adamant throughout the meeting to make the point that he hoped I would be encouraged."
Like the majority of his House GOP colleagues, Pence views Bush immigration plan as veiled amnesty.
Under his plan, the Times explained, illegal immigrants - even those in the United States for decades - would be required to leave the country briefly before returning, with proper documentation, to participate in a guest worker system. Private employment agencies would set up shop overseas to process applications. After six years in a guest worker program, an immigrant would be allowed to apply for citizenship.
"I believe it's amnesty if you can get right with the law by paying a fine, but never have to go home," Mr. Pence said, referring to the Senate Bill's provisions that allow illegal immigrants to pay a fine but remain in the U.S. on a path to citizenship.
But one Republican close to the White House told the Times the president would ultimately abandon the idea of a path to citizenship.
Despite the signals, Cole is doubtful that the standoff will be eliminated before November.
"Our people would like to have some sort of solution," Cole told the Times, "but my instinct tells me this is much more likely to be a post-November, or a 2007 kind of deal than it is to happen between now and then."
That could keep the pot boiling and spilling over on Election Day, making immigration the key issue and hurting anyone viewed as soft on the issue of border security.
The impasse between President Bush and House Republicans regarding illegal immigration may be on the way to a settlement that would give both parties what they want and perhaps get the explosive issue off the table before the November congressional elections.
While Karl Rove, the White House chief political strategist, and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow insist that President Bush remains determined to get a comprehensive immigration reform bill through Congress, there are multiple signs now that the White House may give in to House demands to deal first with the problem of U.S. border security.
According to Wednesday's New York Times, Republicans both inside the White House and outside say the president is open to the idea of an enforcement-first approach, which would leave his guest worker proposal pending, but which would be triggered after the immediate border problem is solved.
"He thinks that this notion that you can have triggers is something we should take a close look at, and we are," Candi Wolff, the White House director of legislative affairs, told the Times. Wolff, the Times reported, was referring to the idea that guest worker and citizenship programs would be triggered when specific border security goals had been met, a process that could take two years.
"The willingness to consider a phased-in situation, that's a pretty big concession from where they were at," Representative Tom Cole, R-Okla., a close associate of Bush. "It's a suggestion they are willing to negotiate."
Added to these signals that the president is modifying his compressive reform-bill-only approach last week, the White House invited a leading conservative proponent of the enforcement-first bill, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., to the Oval Office to discuss his ideas with president and Vice President Dick Cheney. According to Wolff, the president found the Pence plan "pretty intriguing."
In an interview Tuesday with the Times, Pence said the president used precisely those words in their talk, adding that that the meeting was scheduled to last 10 or 20 minutes but went on for 40, and that the president "was quite adamant throughout the meeting to make the point that he hoped I would be encouraged."
Like the majority of his House GOP colleagues, Pence views Bush immigration plan as veiled amnesty.
Under his plan, the Times explained, illegal immigrants - even those in the United States for decades - would be required to leave the country briefly before returning, with proper documentation, to participate in a guest worker system. Private employment agencies would set up shop overseas to process applications. After six years in a guest worker program, an immigrant would be allowed to apply for citizenship.
"I believe it's amnesty if you can get right with the law by paying a fine, but never have to go home," Mr. Pence said, referring to the Senate Bill's provisions that allow illegal immigrants to pay a fine but remain in the U.S. on a path to citizenship.
But one Republican close to the White House told the Times the president would ultimately abandon the idea of a path to citizenship.
Despite the signals, Cole is doubtful that the standoff will be eliminated before November.
"Our people would like to have some sort of solution," Cole told the Times, "but my instinct tells me this is much more likely to be a post-November, or a 2007 kind of deal than it is to happen between now and then."
That could keep the pot boiling and spilling over on Election Day, making immigration the key issue and hurting anyone viewed as soft on the issue of border security.
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Hillary Ready to Sell Out Lieberman
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a longtime supporter of Sen. Joseph Lieberman, said Tuesday she will not back the Connecticut Democrat's bid for re-election if he loses their party's primary.
"I've known Joe Lieberman for more than thirty years. I have been pleased to support him in his campaign for re-election, and hope that he is our party's nominee," the former first lady said in a statement issued by aides.
"But I want to be clear that I will support the nominee chosen by Connecticut Democrats in their primary," the New York Democrat added. "I believe in the Democratic Party, and I believe we must honor the decisions made by Democratic primary voters."
There was no immediate comment from Lieberman.
Facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic primary challenge from millionaire businessman Ned Lamont and sagging poll numbers because of his support of the Iraq war, Lieberman said Monday he'll collect signatures to assure an independent ballot spot for the November election if he loses the Aug. 8 primary.
The move has complicated life for Lieberman's fellow Senate Democrats, including Clinton, who has been under attack from some Democrats for her own vote to authorize the Iraq war and her continuing refusal to back a specific timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops despite her criticism of President Bush's handling of the conflict.
"The challenges before us in 2006 call for a strong, united party, in which we all support and work for the candidates who are selected in the Democratic process," Clinton said in her statement of Tuesday.
Democrats hoping to win back the Senate have been looking to win seats in states such as Pennsylvania, Montana, Missouri, Virginia and Tennessee, and Lieberman's decision to begin collecting the 7,500 signatures needed to assure a separate spot on the November ballot could complicate things.
Both Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said they are backing Lieberman in the primary.
"We aren't going to speculate about what happens next because that would undermine our candidate," said DSCC spokesman Phil Singer.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a longtime supporter of Sen. Joseph Lieberman, said Tuesday she will not back the Connecticut Democrat's bid for re-election if he loses their party's primary.
"I've known Joe Lieberman for more than thirty years. I have been pleased to support him in his campaign for re-election, and hope that he is our party's nominee," the former first lady said in a statement issued by aides.
"But I want to be clear that I will support the nominee chosen by Connecticut Democrats in their primary," the New York Democrat added. "I believe in the Democratic Party, and I believe we must honor the decisions made by Democratic primary voters."
There was no immediate comment from Lieberman.
Facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic primary challenge from millionaire businessman Ned Lamont and sagging poll numbers because of his support of the Iraq war, Lieberman said Monday he'll collect signatures to assure an independent ballot spot for the November election if he loses the Aug. 8 primary.
The move has complicated life for Lieberman's fellow Senate Democrats, including Clinton, who has been under attack from some Democrats for her own vote to authorize the Iraq war and her continuing refusal to back a specific timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops despite her criticism of President Bush's handling of the conflict.
"The challenges before us in 2006 call for a strong, united party, in which we all support and work for the candidates who are selected in the Democratic process," Clinton said in her statement of Tuesday.
Democrats hoping to win back the Senate have been looking to win seats in states such as Pennsylvania, Montana, Missouri, Virginia and Tennessee, and Lieberman's decision to begin collecting the 7,500 signatures needed to assure a separate spot on the November ballot could complicate things.
Both Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said they are backing Lieberman in the primary.
"We aren't going to speculate about what happens next because that would undermine our candidate," said DSCC spokesman Phil Singer.
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Muslims Must Confront Militancy
Britain cannot defeat terrorism unless moderate Muslims do more to confront militancy in their own communities, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday.
Blair said the vast majority of Muslims abhorred terrorism and wanted to defeat it, but said they had to do more to counter what he described as the extremists' misplaced anger and grievances.
Moderates, he said, must "stand up against the ideas of these people, not just their methods."
"If you want to defeat this extremism, you've got to defeat its ideas and you've got to defeat in part a completely false sense of grievance against the West," said Blair, testifying before a House of Commons committee. "The government has its role to play in this, but honestly, the government itself is not going to defeat this."
Shortly after the July 7, 2005, attacks on London, Blair pledged that officials would work with Britain's 1.5 million Muslims to fight the militant ideologies that are seducing a minority of young people like the four who carried out the attacks.
Nearly a year later, he said the efforts needed to be intensified.
"The roots of this extremism lie in attitudes and ideas as much as organization, and I don't think there is an answer to this terrorism that is simply about police work or security," he said.
A series of police missteps have fueled resentment among many Muslims in recent months, making many feel that they have been unfairly targeted.
On June 2, more than 200 police raided an east London home where they believed a chemical bomb was being manufactured and shot a suspect in the shoulder. He and his brother were arrested but later released without being charged.
Blair said police were right to raid the home based on the intelligence they had. But he said police must do more to reach out to Muslims.
Mohammed Shafiq of the Ramadhan Foundation, an Islamic youth group engaged in fighting drug problems in northwest England, was highly critical of Blair's comments, saying he had failed to speak to vast sections of the Muslim community.
"He's made no effort to engage with people outside his usual comfort zone of Labour Party members and the usual suspects from national organizations," he said. "It makes us believe the government is not serious about engaging with communities on the ground, where terrorism can be fought and eradicated."
Blair also defended his government's efforts to win assurances from nations with poor human rights records that they will not mistreat terrorism suspects and extremist preachers deported by Britain. Britain has been working for months to secure deportation agreements with several Middle Eastern and North African countries to return such suspects to their homelands.
He said Britain should not send suspects to any country where it knows they will be tortured, but does not have to ensure absolutely that they will not be mistreated.
"The idea that if I can't prove absolutely that they are going to come to no harm, I have to keep them here - why?" he said, adding that terror suspects have themselves taken a risk by breaking the rules of British society.
Britain cannot defeat terrorism unless moderate Muslims do more to confront militancy in their own communities, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday.
Blair said the vast majority of Muslims abhorred terrorism and wanted to defeat it, but said they had to do more to counter what he described as the extremists' misplaced anger and grievances.
Moderates, he said, must "stand up against the ideas of these people, not just their methods."
"If you want to defeat this extremism, you've got to defeat its ideas and you've got to defeat in part a completely false sense of grievance against the West," said Blair, testifying before a House of Commons committee. "The government has its role to play in this, but honestly, the government itself is not going to defeat this."
Shortly after the July 7, 2005, attacks on London, Blair pledged that officials would work with Britain's 1.5 million Muslims to fight the militant ideologies that are seducing a minority of young people like the four who carried out the attacks.
Nearly a year later, he said the efforts needed to be intensified.
"The roots of this extremism lie in attitudes and ideas as much as organization, and I don't think there is an answer to this terrorism that is simply about police work or security," he said.
A series of police missteps have fueled resentment among many Muslims in recent months, making many feel that they have been unfairly targeted.
On June 2, more than 200 police raided an east London home where they believed a chemical bomb was being manufactured and shot a suspect in the shoulder. He and his brother were arrested but later released without being charged.
Blair said police were right to raid the home based on the intelligence they had. But he said police must do more to reach out to Muslims.
Mohammed Shafiq of the Ramadhan Foundation, an Islamic youth group engaged in fighting drug problems in northwest England, was highly critical of Blair's comments, saying he had failed to speak to vast sections of the Muslim community.
"He's made no effort to engage with people outside his usual comfort zone of Labour Party members and the usual suspects from national organizations," he said. "It makes us believe the government is not serious about engaging with communities on the ground, where terrorism can be fought and eradicated."
Blair also defended his government's efforts to win assurances from nations with poor human rights records that they will not mistreat terrorism suspects and extremist preachers deported by Britain. Britain has been working for months to secure deportation agreements with several Middle Eastern and North African countries to return such suspects to their homelands.
He said Britain should not send suspects to any country where it knows they will be tortured, but does not have to ensure absolutely that they will not be mistreated.
"The idea that if I can't prove absolutely that they are going to come to no harm, I have to keep them here - why?" he said, adding that terror suspects have themselves taken a risk by breaking the rules of British society.
Monday, July 3, 2006
No Time to 'Walk Away' in Iraq
Returning from a weekend visit to Iraq, Rep. Jim Ryun said Monday that he was "heartened" by the commitment of members of the U.S. military fighting there.
Ryun spoke with The Associated Press by telephone en route back to the United States. The Kansas Republican was part of a delegation of elected officials who made the weekend trip. It was his first visit to Iraq.
Ryun said his impression of the war was consistent with those views shared by U.S. military members he has spoken with who have returned from Iraq since the war began in 2003.
"I was very encouraged," Ryun said. "It is really remarkable what our young men and women are doing there for us."
Ryun, who is seeking his sixth term in Congress in the November election, said he saw that the U.S. military is playing more of a support role to Iraqi forces in fighting the insurgency. While in Iraq, he said, the delegation was informed that some Iraqi soldiers had been killed by insurgents.
"It is evidence that they are taking more of a lead role," he said.
Ryun was part of a bipartisan delegation that included GOP leadership and members of the House Armed Services Committee. The delegation visited Jordan and Iraq over two days.
House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the issue of the United States leaving Iraq too early was raised by the Iraqi leaders. The delegation repeatedly told the Iraqis that the United States was staying put, Boehner said during a conference call with reporters Monday.
"This is not time to walk away from them," Boehner said from Spain.
Recently, the Senate defeated two measures that would have set a timeline for removing U.S. troops from Iraq, currently numbering about 127,000. Ryun said it would be wrong to set deadlines for troop withdrawals, creating a situation for the insurgents to wait for the United States to leave before thrusting Iraq into further chaos.
"The debate we had I think is important because it brings to light the differences that are out there," Ryun said.
However, Ryan's Democratic opponent, Nancy Boyda, said the American people deserve to know what the plans are for Iraq and how much more it will cost the United States in lives and dollars.
"The American people want to back their commander in chief, but they need more than slogans, like stay the course," said Boyda, who lost to Ryun in 2004. "It's up to them to provide the leadership. After taking Baghdad there was no plan to deal with the insurgency other than stay the course."
Ryun said progress is being made in setting up the Iraqi government, including it's military forces, as well as providing basic infrastructure to civilians, such as water, electricity and education.
Those continued gains, as well as more Iraqi security forces taking the lead, will produce further troop reductions, Ryun said. He noted that a brigade from Fort Riley had its deployment canceled in January after conditions improved.
Ryun said that during his visit, Iraqi leaders said they were frustrated by negative media reports in the United States, which they say focus more on the conflict and less on the progress being made. Part of the problem, Ryun said, is that it has been just three years since Saddam Hussein was removed from power.
"The world's spotlight is on them," Ryun said. "America is patient but wants to see the results."
Boyda said the Bush administration and its followers should stop blaming the public and the media when it was the administration that failed to properly plan for the Iraq war. She also said Congress and the Bush administration must do more to address pressing domestic issues, such as fuel prices, health care and immigration.
"I don't think you can call someone unpatriotic because they're asking for a plan. Stay the course sounds good, but it's not a plan," Boyda said. "The American people want some assurance that the cost in lives and the money is going to result in victory."
Returning from a weekend visit to Iraq, Rep. Jim Ryun said Monday that he was "heartened" by the commitment of members of the U.S. military fighting there.
Ryun spoke with The Associated Press by telephone en route back to the United States. The Kansas Republican was part of a delegation of elected officials who made the weekend trip. It was his first visit to Iraq.
Ryun said his impression of the war was consistent with those views shared by U.S. military members he has spoken with who have returned from Iraq since the war began in 2003.
"I was very encouraged," Ryun said. "It is really remarkable what our young men and women are doing there for us."
Ryun, who is seeking his sixth term in Congress in the November election, said he saw that the U.S. military is playing more of a support role to Iraqi forces in fighting the insurgency. While in Iraq, he said, the delegation was informed that some Iraqi soldiers had been killed by insurgents.
"It is evidence that they are taking more of a lead role," he said.
Ryun was part of a bipartisan delegation that included GOP leadership and members of the House Armed Services Committee. The delegation visited Jordan and Iraq over two days.
House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the issue of the United States leaving Iraq too early was raised by the Iraqi leaders. The delegation repeatedly told the Iraqis that the United States was staying put, Boehner said during a conference call with reporters Monday.
"This is not time to walk away from them," Boehner said from Spain.
Recently, the Senate defeated two measures that would have set a timeline for removing U.S. troops from Iraq, currently numbering about 127,000. Ryun said it would be wrong to set deadlines for troop withdrawals, creating a situation for the insurgents to wait for the United States to leave before thrusting Iraq into further chaos.
"The debate we had I think is important because it brings to light the differences that are out there," Ryun said.
However, Ryan's Democratic opponent, Nancy Boyda, said the American people deserve to know what the plans are for Iraq and how much more it will cost the United States in lives and dollars.
"The American people want to back their commander in chief, but they need more than slogans, like stay the course," said Boyda, who lost to Ryun in 2004. "It's up to them to provide the leadership. After taking Baghdad there was no plan to deal with the insurgency other than stay the course."
Ryun said progress is being made in setting up the Iraqi government, including it's military forces, as well as providing basic infrastructure to civilians, such as water, electricity and education.
Those continued gains, as well as more Iraqi security forces taking the lead, will produce further troop reductions, Ryun said. He noted that a brigade from Fort Riley had its deployment canceled in January after conditions improved.
Ryun said that during his visit, Iraqi leaders said they were frustrated by negative media reports in the United States, which they say focus more on the conflict and less on the progress being made. Part of the problem, Ryun said, is that it has been just three years since Saddam Hussein was removed from power.
"The world's spotlight is on them," Ryun said. "America is patient but wants to see the results."
Boyda said the Bush administration and its followers should stop blaming the public and the media when it was the administration that failed to properly plan for the Iraq war. She also said Congress and the Bush administration must do more to address pressing domestic issues, such as fuel prices, health care and immigration.
"I don't think you can call someone unpatriotic because they're asking for a plan. Stay the course sounds good, but it's not a plan," Boyda said. "The American people want some assurance that the cost in lives and the money is going to result in victory."
Sunday, July 2, 2006
High Court Ruling Troubles GOP Senators
Two Republican senators said Sunday that Congress must rein in the Supreme Court ruling that international law applies to the Bush administration's conduct in the war on terror.
Thursday's Supreme Court decision embracing Article 3 of the Geneva Accords in the military commission case of Osama bin Laden's former driver strikes at the heart of the White House's legal position in the war on al-Qaida.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the second-ranking GOP leader in the Senate, said the 5-3 court decision "means that American servicemen potentially could be accused of war crimes.
"I think Congress is going to want to deal with that," McConnell said on NBC's "Meet the Press." He called the ruling "very disturbing."
The Geneva Convention's Article 3 is "far beyond our domestic law when it comes to terrorism, and Congress can rein it in, and I think we should," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., assigned as a Reserve Judge to the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Graham spoke on "Fox News Sunday."
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., also expressed concern about the decision, saying it "is somewhat of a departure, in my view, of people who are stateless terrorists."
Article 3 mandates standards of treatment in cases of armed conflicts not of an international character in the territory of a contracting party, which Afghanistan is.
Article 3 prohibits outrages upon personal dignity, "in particular humiliating and degrading treatment," and bars violence, including murder, mutilation and torture.
McConnell wants Congress to deal with the Geneva Accords issue at the same time it addresses another aspect of the court's ruling overturning President Bush's military commissions created to try a limited number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay.
"I don't think we're going to pass something that's going to have our military servicemen subject to some kind of international rules," said McConnell.
Addressing the commission issue, McCain and Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said Congress might pose broader changes than the White House wants in trials of detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
As a starting point for debate, McCain said Congress should embrace the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the bedrock of military law protecting the rights of accused soldiers. The Bush administration has sidestepped the code for nearly five years in dealing with Guantanamo Bay prisoners it has classified as enemy combatants.
Specter said that "we have to reconcile" what the Bush administration thinks it can do and what the Supreme Court decision says.
Specter spoke on CBS's "Face the Nation" and McCain appeared on ABC's "This Week."
Many Republicans in Congress say detainees in the war on terror should not have the same legal protections as those in the military and that Congress should give its imprimatur with little or no change to the Pentagon's military commissions.
McCain agreed that justice afforded to enemy combatants "shouldn't be exactly the same as applied to a member of the military." He added, however, that the Uniform Code of Military Justice is "a good framework.
"Using the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, we can make sure that bad guys — and there are bad guys — are not released and those who deserve to be released will be," said McCain, a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict.
McCain and Specter added their voices to that of Senate Armed Services Committee chairman John Warner, R-Va., who says he is uncertain Congress should pass legislation to create new military tribunals.
"Everybody says, 'Pass legislation, pass legislation,' but we've got to make certain it's needed, and then do it with careful analysis, to get it right," Warner told The New York Times on Friday.
The Supreme Court said Bush's military commissions violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the four Geneva Conventions signed in 1949. Under military commission rules, the court noted, such panels may block an accused and his civilian lawyer from ever learning of evidence the prosecution presents that is classified. In addition, commissions can permit the admission of any evidence it deems to have probative value to a reasonable person.
Two Republican senators said Sunday that Congress must rein in the Supreme Court ruling that international law applies to the Bush administration's conduct in the war on terror.
Thursday's Supreme Court decision embracing Article 3 of the Geneva Accords in the military commission case of Osama bin Laden's former driver strikes at the heart of the White House's legal position in the war on al-Qaida.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the second-ranking GOP leader in the Senate, said the 5-3 court decision "means that American servicemen potentially could be accused of war crimes.
"I think Congress is going to want to deal with that," McConnell said on NBC's "Meet the Press." He called the ruling "very disturbing."
The Geneva Convention's Article 3 is "far beyond our domestic law when it comes to terrorism, and Congress can rein it in, and I think we should," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., assigned as a Reserve Judge to the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Graham spoke on "Fox News Sunday."
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., also expressed concern about the decision, saying it "is somewhat of a departure, in my view, of people who are stateless terrorists."
Article 3 mandates standards of treatment in cases of armed conflicts not of an international character in the territory of a contracting party, which Afghanistan is.
Article 3 prohibits outrages upon personal dignity, "in particular humiliating and degrading treatment," and bars violence, including murder, mutilation and torture.
McConnell wants Congress to deal with the Geneva Accords issue at the same time it addresses another aspect of the court's ruling overturning President Bush's military commissions created to try a limited number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay.
"I don't think we're going to pass something that's going to have our military servicemen subject to some kind of international rules," said McConnell.
Addressing the commission issue, McCain and Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said Congress might pose broader changes than the White House wants in trials of detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
As a starting point for debate, McCain said Congress should embrace the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the bedrock of military law protecting the rights of accused soldiers. The Bush administration has sidestepped the code for nearly five years in dealing with Guantanamo Bay prisoners it has classified as enemy combatants.
Specter said that "we have to reconcile" what the Bush administration thinks it can do and what the Supreme Court decision says.
Specter spoke on CBS's "Face the Nation" and McCain appeared on ABC's "This Week."
Many Republicans in Congress say detainees in the war on terror should not have the same legal protections as those in the military and that Congress should give its imprimatur with little or no change to the Pentagon's military commissions.
McCain agreed that justice afforded to enemy combatants "shouldn't be exactly the same as applied to a member of the military." He added, however, that the Uniform Code of Military Justice is "a good framework.
"Using the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, we can make sure that bad guys — and there are bad guys — are not released and those who deserve to be released will be," said McCain, a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict.
McCain and Specter added their voices to that of Senate Armed Services Committee chairman John Warner, R-Va., who says he is uncertain Congress should pass legislation to create new military tribunals.
"Everybody says, 'Pass legislation, pass legislation,' but we've got to make certain it's needed, and then do it with careful analysis, to get it right," Warner told The New York Times on Friday.
The Supreme Court said Bush's military commissions violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the four Geneva Conventions signed in 1949. Under military commission rules, the court noted, such panels may block an accused and his civilian lawyer from ever learning of evidence the prosecution presents that is classified. In addition, commissions can permit the admission of any evidence it deems to have probative value to a reasonable person.
