Friday, September 29, 2006
White House Lied About Extent of Activity with Abramoff
Remember when White House Press Secretary Scott McClelland said Ambamoff may have attended a couple of holiday parties and met with a few low-level staff?
Remember when Bush claimed he didn't know the guy, even though Abramoff had lots of pictures of them together?
Now, the House Government Reform Committee has issued the results of a lenghy investigation.
Turns out there were over 485 visits to the White House in just three years.
Turns out Abramoff wined and dined Karl Rove regularly.
Read the bipartisan report. Look at the billing records. Get the facts. And then listen to the White House spin.
Remember when Bush claimed he didn't know the guy, even though Abramoff had lots of pictures of them together?
Now, the House Government Reform Committee has issued the results of a lenghy investigation.
Turns out there were over 485 visits to the White House in just three years.
Turns out Abramoff wined and dined Karl Rove regularly.
Read the bipartisan report. Look at the billing records. Get the facts. And then listen to the White House spin.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Bad News About Sen. Allen Every Day
Sen. George Allen's campaign is going down the toilet.
We are still seeing stories about his reaction when the fact about his being Jewish came out -- how he castigated the reporter for what he called "aspirsians," as if he thought saying someone was Jewish was saying something bad about them. And we are still seeing stories about how he lied at the debate when he said his mother was raised as a Christian "as far as I know" when his mother had told him otherwise.
And we are still seeing stories about his singling out the only dark face at a campaign event and calling him "macaca," a word he claims he just made up but a word that just happens to be a derogatory term for blacks used in the part of the world where his mother grew up and lived.
And now we are seeing story after story about Allen's racism.
Check this story of harrassment of a black family: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/09/27/allen_deerhead/index_np.html
Check this story about how upset the Sons of Confederate Veterans are now that Allen is changing his mind about the Confederate Flag: http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=111740&ran=74143&tref=po
Check this story about Allen's regular use of the n-word: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/09/24/allen_football/
Virginia deserves better.
Let's elect Jim Webb.
We are still seeing stories about his reaction when the fact about his being Jewish came out -- how he castigated the reporter for what he called "aspirsians," as if he thought saying someone was Jewish was saying something bad about them. And we are still seeing stories about how he lied at the debate when he said his mother was raised as a Christian "as far as I know" when his mother had told him otherwise.
And we are still seeing stories about his singling out the only dark face at a campaign event and calling him "macaca," a word he claims he just made up but a word that just happens to be a derogatory term for blacks used in the part of the world where his mother grew up and lived.
And now we are seeing story after story about Allen's racism.
Check this story of harrassment of a black family: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/09/27/allen_deerhead/index_np.html
Check this story about how upset the Sons of Confederate Veterans are now that Allen is changing his mind about the Confederate Flag: http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=111740&ran=74143&tref=po
Check this story about Allen's regular use of the n-word: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/09/24/allen_football/
Virginia deserves better.
Let's elect Jim Webb.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Stories about Sen. Allen Being Jewish Continue
The Washington Post today had a front page piece on how Sen. Allen's mother told him last month about being Jewish, which means he lied this week in the debate with Democratic candidate Jim Webb when he said she was, "as far as I know," raised as a Christian.
Talking Points Memo posted a thoughtful piece in which a TPM reader talks about the Allen family secret and says "There is nothing in his (Sen. Allen's) behavior or speech, now or in the past, that suggests that he's not ashamed that his mother is Jewish."
I thought Allen had learned from his infamous "macacca" slur that denial, lying and twisting the truth only leads to more stories, keeping the issue in the news cycle. I thought that by "embracing" his Jewishness (if that's the word) he was seeking to put the story behind him, and trying to minimize the damage being Jewish might bring to his right-wing Christian conservative base.
Guess I was wrong. Guess Allen's Jewish roots will stay in the news.
By the way, Jim Webb is doing quite well.
Talking Points Memo posted a thoughtful piece in which a TPM reader talks about the Allen family secret and says "There is nothing in his (Sen. Allen's) behavior or speech, now or in the past, that suggests that he's not ashamed that his mother is Jewish."
I thought Allen had learned from his infamous "macacca" slur that denial, lying and twisting the truth only leads to more stories, keeping the issue in the news cycle. I thought that by "embracing" his Jewishness (if that's the word) he was seeking to put the story behind him, and trying to minimize the damage being Jewish might bring to his right-wing Christian conservative base.
Guess I was wrong. Guess Allen's Jewish roots will stay in the news.
By the way, Jim Webb is doing quite well.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sen. Allen Acknowledges He is Jewish; Why Was He So Upset?
Virginia Republican Senator George Allen reacted angrily when a Fox reporter asked him during a recent debate with Democratic candidate Jim Webb about the fact that his mother is Jewish.
His anger seemed a bit overblown. It seemed that he might have thought his being Jewish would not play well with his conservative Christian constituents in rural Western and Southern Virginia, whom he is counting on. He even accused the reporter of "making aspersions" about his mother, as if he felt her and his being Jewish was negative.
According to the Washington Post:
Now he says he is "embracing" his Jewish heritage.
Perhaps he is hoping to kill the coverage by admitting he is Jewish so there is no longer a controversy -- exactly what he did NOT do after his "macaca" comment, which continues to receive coverage.
Or perhaps he is assuming his right-wing Christian base will think it's just another vicious lie being spread by the liberal media.
Any way you look at it, Virginia deserves better. Jim Webb would be a much better Senator.
His anger seemed a bit overblown. It seemed that he might have thought his being Jewish would not play well with his conservative Christian constituents in rural Western and Southern Virginia, whom he is counting on. He even accused the reporter of "making aspersions" about his mother, as if he felt her and his being Jewish was negative.
According to the Washington Post:
Allen's campaign manager said the senator believed the question was hostile because it followed another one about whether Allen had learned the word "macaca" from his mother. The word, which Allen used last month to describe a Webb volunteer, is a French slur for a dark-skinned person. Allen's mother, Henrietta "Etty" Allen, is a native of Tunisia and speaks French.
Now he says he is "embracing" his Jewish heritage.
Perhaps he is hoping to kill the coverage by admitting he is Jewish so there is no longer a controversy -- exactly what he did NOT do after his "macaca" comment, which continues to receive coverage.
Or perhaps he is assuming his right-wing Christian base will think it's just another vicious lie being spread by the liberal media.
Any way you look at it, Virginia deserves better. Jim Webb would be a much better Senator.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Well, That Didn't Exactly Work Out
The Vols should have beat the Gators, but lost by one point. The loss dropped them to 15th in the country.
I am not anti-Ainge. He is much better quarterback this year than last, but he still is not up to par with what Vols fans have come to expect -- fairly or unfairly.
He's pretty good, but he ain't no Peyton Manning.
The Vols have two more tough games on the schedule -- Georgia and LSU. They CAN win those, and they certainly SHOULD win all the other games.
I am not anti-Ainge. He is much better quarterback this year than last, but he still is not up to par with what Vols fans have come to expect -- fairly or unfairly.
He's pretty good, but he ain't no Peyton Manning.
The Vols have two more tough games on the schedule -- Georgia and LSU. They CAN win those, and they certainly SHOULD win all the other games.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Tennessee Vols will beat the Gators this weekend
Saturday night at 8:00 eastern time. Tune in to CBS and watch the Tennessee Vols choke the Gators.
It will be a tough game, I am sure, but the Vol's offense has been scoring points.
Bob Ney Pleads Guilty
Republican former Congressman Bob Ney pleaded guilty to making false statements (that's called lying) and to conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with his dealings with Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
But in typical Republican fashion, Ney is ignoring what he admitted to in his plea deal and is offering an excuse -- his drinking. The booze made him do it, he expects us to believe.
But in typical Republican fashion, Ney is ignoring what he admitted to in his plea deal and is offering an excuse -- his drinking. The booze made him do it, he expects us to believe.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Today's 9/11 Rememberances Way Too Partisan
Yes, I am a partisan Democrat,
But having said that, I think today's various events and the coverage on cable TV news shows have been way too partisan.
It seems the Bush folks excluded Democrats from the two wreath-laying ceremonies at Ground Zero. The two New York Senators -- Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton -- were not invited!
And all the cable TV news shows are booking a Democrat to argue with a Republican about 9/11. We expect such partisanship from Fox News, but every other show is jumping on that bandwagon now as well.
9/11 was not a Democratic or Republican event. The response by the Republican Administration and the Republican Congress is a legitimate topic of discussion, but today it seems everybody is trying to blame the other for letting it happen in the first place.
Today is a sad day, made sadder by the lack of legitimate media coverage of the day's events.
But having said that, I think today's various events and the coverage on cable TV news shows have been way too partisan.
It seems the Bush folks excluded Democrats from the two wreath-laying ceremonies at Ground Zero. The two New York Senators -- Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton -- were not invited!
And all the cable TV news shows are booking a Democrat to argue with a Republican about 9/11. We expect such partisanship from Fox News, but every other show is jumping on that bandwagon now as well.
9/11 was not a Democratic or Republican event. The response by the Republican Administration and the Republican Congress is a legitimate topic of discussion, but today it seems everybody is trying to blame the other for letting it happen in the first place.
Today is a sad day, made sadder by the lack of legitimate media coverage of the day's events.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Tom DeLay Still Trying to Rig Elections
Although he has been forced out of Congress because of his many ethical lapses and his indictment for money laundering, Tom DeLay is still up to his old tricks.
This time he's trying to rig the voting on a TV show -- ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
DeLay sent a letter to his loyal conservative minions asking them to vote for country music star Sara Evans because she "represents good American values."
One of Evans' opponents on the show is Jerry Springer, and DeLay wants his folks to vote for Evans to send a message to Hollywood.
Unbelievable.
I like Sara Evans' music. It is unfortunate that if she ends up winning the show's contest, her victory will be tainted by Tom DeLay's tactics.
This time he's trying to rig the voting on a TV show -- ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
DeLay sent a letter to his loyal conservative minions asking them to vote for country music star Sara Evans because she "represents good American values."
One of Evans' opponents on the show is Jerry Springer, and DeLay wants his folks to vote for Evans to send a message to Hollywood.
Unbelievable.
I like Sara Evans' music. It is unfortunate that if she ends up winning the show's contest, her victory will be tainted by Tom DeLay's tactics.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Bush Critics First Nazi Appeasers, Now Slavery Supporters
Republicans -- especially the Bush folks -- are desperate. All the polls show the Democrats regaining control of the House in November.
Scare tactics have worked in the past, so they are trying them again.
Bush is being led around the country for a series of speeches calling the terrorists "facists," trying to get friendly retired military audiences energized to vote Republican.
Rumsfeld is comparing critics of the way he, Bush and Cheney have handled their war in Iraq with Nazi appeasers.
Cheney is still trying to re-write history, still claiming there is a link between Iraq and the 9/11 hijackers.
And now Condolleezza Rice is comparing the critics to slavery supporters, saying she's sure there were people who didn't want to fight the civil war to its final conclusion and would have been happy to let the South continue with slaves.
Will these tactics work?
America deserves better than the Administration we have.
Scare tactics have worked in the past, so they are trying them again.
Bush is being led around the country for a series of speeches calling the terrorists "facists," trying to get friendly retired military audiences energized to vote Republican.
Rumsfeld is comparing critics of the way he, Bush and Cheney have handled their war in Iraq with Nazi appeasers.
Cheney is still trying to re-write history, still claiming there is a link between Iraq and the 9/11 hijackers.
And now Condolleezza Rice is comparing the critics to slavery supporters, saying she's sure there were people who didn't want to fight the civil war to its final conclusion and would have been happy to let the South continue with slaves.
Will these tactics work?
America deserves better than the Administration we have.
