Makes You Wonder, is Rumsfeld Stupid? Or just a Moron?

Rummy's latest waltz into public pronouncements in support of the administration's brain dead policy in Iraq is to play the history card. I always enjoy when people who really don't know much about history try to play that card. They usually go with the easiest one to play, Hitler. Can't figure out how to frame your argument anymore? Start shouting Nazi or Hitler from the rafters and hope people fill in the blanks you want them to.

So now those of us who disagree with Rumsfeld's/administration's Iraq war policy are Nevile Chamberlainian appeasers, laying down in front of Osama Bin Hitler. According to Rumsfeld, "some seem not to have learned history's lessons." "Can we truly afford to believe that somehow, some way, vicious extremists can be appeased?"

Yes, indeed, Rummy. When all else fails, grab the Hitler card and try and reframe the argument. Unless, of course, the history that someone hasn't learned has far more to do with attempted conquest of nations in turmoil and less with Hitler. Or far more to do with how blunders abroad help not to stop terrorism, but create environments that breed more terrorists. THAT is the history from which Rumsfeld and the administration continue to fail to learn.

When someone in the administration takes a step forward to accept responsibility for mis-reading history in their tunnel-visioned attempt to create their little neo-con fantasy nations out of cloth that will not cut that way. On THAT day, I will know that the people in power have finally learned their history lesson. Until then, I merely shake my head at their idiotic and fanciful attempts to hide their incompetence with senseless attacks.

On wars of choice

I’m just back from a few days on the western front—Ypres, to be exact, where hundreds of thousands of British and German troops perished between l9l4 and l9l8, in some of the bloodiest fighting in the bloodiest war to date. There are over 140 British cemeteries in the salient, with some 40,000 burials. Over 50,000 German soldiers lie buried in two dark, rather dank cemeteries. The rest of the casualties can be found on the walls of the cemeteries or on the ceremonial Menin Gate in the city of Ypres. Over 2/3 of the dead throughout the war are permanently missing. They have no known grave.
It’s all quiet there now on the western front, as they say, but since it is August, and we are now beginning to hear about how we have to take out Iran by force, it’s worth remembering what we all got out of the Great War. Here is a partial listing:

--industrial strength slaughter, when l9th century warfare met the machine gun and the high-intensity shell

--the first deployment of WMD, when the Germans gassed Allied troops on the Ypres salient in April l9l5

--the first mass ethnic murder—Armenians by Turks in the Ottoman Empire, l9l5.

--the mutiny of individuals against mass death in the trenches, and the mutiny of a nation, Russia, against unbearable incompetence, loss and privation

--the successful Communist revolution in Russia, enormously destructive unsuccessful Communist revolutions in Germany and Hungary

--the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, when the British authorities essentially promised the same piece of land to Jews and their Muslim neighbors

--the death of four empires, the Austrian, German, Ottoman and Russian

--the death of nine million civilians and soldiers

--the worst peace treaty in human history, the Versailles settlement, which helped bring us a second world war.

The thing is, the Great War was a war of choice. No one was really opposed to it, and some people actively sought it. What they, and everyone else, found out was that the only thing you control in war is the first shot. No one would have predicted the above in the heady days when the German Kaiser promised “Paris for lunch, St. Petersburg for dinner.” How many times, how many ways do you have to say it: you NEVER, EVER CHOOSE war, as people are proposing we do in Iran as well as Iraq. Is it really imperative to roll those dice?!

Bush Can't Believe Iraqis Aren't Grateful and the Marines are Recalling Troops

And so it goes in this bizarre little play the Administration has forced the world into. Bush continues to wonder why the Iraqi people aren't more grateful to have achieved a death toll of over 110 Iraqi citizens per DAY. Hey, after all, they've got liberty. Well sorta, they've got the idea of it out there somewhere. They just can't go outside to see it without getting killed.

How ungrateful can they be?

And how grateful will our Marines be who are being involuntarily recalled. I love that phrase. Hey, they're Marines. I'm sure to the man and woman they'll go head held high and talk about doing their duty. Bush has ok'd the recall of 2,500 Marines, since not enough are signing up to go voluntarily.

So let's have a round of cheers for Bush, since he can't find enough people to give him the gratitude he believes he so deeply deserves.

If You're Not a Terrorist . . . Then Stop Asking Questions!

That's the title of Micah Wright's new book of re-imagined war posters. Wright takes his inspiration from the great propoganda posters of WWII. His website, the Propaganda Remix, is a steady presence on this board's recommended visit list. "If You're Not a Terrorist..." is available in hardback and softback. His posters can be purchased on mugs, shirts & stickers here. Even if you don't want to buy, take a look at the posters, they are very creative. Posters about the war here anti-Bush posters here, and finally freedom of thought posters here. Wright's posters are a must-view.

Is Jim Ryun the Face of Kansas?

Not the Kansas I know and love, the state I spent many happy days visiting family when I was growing up. Jim Ryun is a far right science hating conservative. The kind who conspired to make that great state a laughing stock. But the people are fighting back, and I know they'll show Ryun the door in November. Why? Just take a look.

• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
• Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
• Voted YES on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
• Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted NO on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
• Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)

Nancy Boyda is running against Ryun and is asking people to join "with me and hundreds of Kansas citizens who are working to take back control of our government." Good luck Nancy! And don't let Ryun run away from his record - voting with Bush 89% of the time, and with the GOP party line 98% of the time.

Tom Latham, a New Hope of Taking Out This Iowa Trash

Latham has a $600,000 war chest and his incumbancy on his side. On the side of the good guys, there is the hope that his constituents take a look at his voting record. And here it is:

• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
• Voted YES on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
• Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
  
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
  

Mmost intriguing, Latham voted YES on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests. (Sep 1998) -- I'll take him up on that one. If we can add subjecting them also to IQ tests and starting with the executive and legislative branches. He also supports term limits on Congress (Sept. 1994) (I'm with ya there Tom, start packing), and thinks that government is too big, intrusive and too easy with money (Sept. 1994). Although apparently that doesn't include the billions of dollars of ours that he's been tossing every which way since getting into office.

Selden Spencer has signed on to do his part to unseat Latham. So now it's time to do your part and help him out.

Should Indiana Keep Chris Chocola in the House?

Or is it time for Chris to join the unemployment line where so many people have been sent by Chris' buddies in big business? The race showed an interesting side lately when after complaining that his opponent hadn't paid certain taxes, turns out that Chocola's company hadn't paid some taxes either. Gotta be careful before throwing those bricks. And let's face it, if you're a long-time Republican House incumbent, I'm betting there's going to be more than a few glass houses Chocola doesn't want folks to find out about. Let's go to the voting record.

• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Rated 92% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
  
• Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
• Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)

and of course - Voted YES on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006). Chocola is facing a challenge to his seat in the 2nd district by Joe Donnelly. Let's let Chocola and his strong support of Bush & the GOP agenda take a long-awaited break. Go have some fun in the sun with your recently retired buddies, Ney & DeLay.

Florida in 2008 - Let's Make Those Ballots Count This Time - Show Young & Shaw the Door

Clay Shaw has been an incumbent for 26 years now. That's pretty well entrenched. Twenty-six years of Republican nonsense from this gentleman is enough. Shaw has been a loyal follower of the Bush/Rove agenda, which is more than enough reason to show him the door. But hey, let's let Shaw's voting record speak for itself.

• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
• Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother's life. (Oct 2003)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
• Rated 30% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
• Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
• Require 90 day delay for compliance before ADA lawsuits. (May 2002)
• Limit interstate class-action lawsuits to federal courts . (May 2002)
• Rated 20% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001)
• Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
• Voted YES on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997)
• Voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
• Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001)
• Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001)
• Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001)
• Rated 9% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Rated 84% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)

In 1994, he agreed that term limits on Congress was a good idea. So do I.

Let's move on over to Bill Young's seat. Bill's been in Congress even longer, for 36 years. Yes, 36 years. Young told a local paper that he didn't worry about polls showing people are unhappy with Congress because "most people really believe in their own representative." Well folks, your rep Bill Young, longtime supporter of Bush also "declined to say if going to war in Iraq was a good idea or not. Nice move of distancing Bill, but don't forget, this VERY long-time Republican member of Congress chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. I think that Bill actually DOES worry abokut polls, since his rush to war and support of war now seem to be coming back to bite him. Young's voting record? Here goes:

• Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
• Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
• Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Rated 90% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
• Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
• Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)

And who's on board to help kick Young and Shaw out of the House? Well Samm Simpson is taking on Young. According to her website, she is running because "I’m fed up with an Administration that places corporate interests above the needs of the people. I’m fed up with a President that places himself above the law. I’m fed up with a Congress that refuses to allow investigations and refuses to demand accountability." I couldn't have said it better myself. Best of luck to you Samm!

Shaw faces Ron Klein in the race for Flordai's 22nd. Now it's time to hold Shaw accountable for his votes (88% of the time with Bush/ 93% of the time down the GOP party line). As for his friends in the House, well he was friendly enough with Tom DeLay to receive over $30,000 from Delay's PAC to his. Young and Shaw -- seek work elsewhere, turn the House back to the people.

Nancy Johnson, Say Goodbye to Your Connecticut Seat

Connecticut residents are on a roll. And while Joe Lieberman is to self-centered to care about anything but himself, the voters obviously think of the bigger picture. And in that bigger picture, here's a sample of the voting record of Nancy Johnson, a woman worth sending into retirement. She's not as vile as some Republicans, (note her vote not to ban gay adoptions here in DC) but she's in there voting with them on so much else. Lets get a Democrat in there who will vote for the people all the time, not just once in a rare while.

• Voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 16)
• Voted NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 26)
• Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
• Voted NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
• Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit burning the US flag. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
• No US troops under UN command; more defense spending. (Sep 1994)
• Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)

Democrat Chris Murphy is the guy who is working to dump Johnson to the side. Help him out.

Arizona's Hayworth, a Republican Well Worth Voting Out of Office

You probably remember Hayworth best from his connections to Jack Abramoff, although I'm betting that doesn't show up in Hayworth's ads. Hayworth was a congressman well worth buying. He's on Ways & Means. No doubt stricken with a case of remorse once people made that public, Hayworth returned a small part of his Abramoff money. Who does Hayworth seem to be running from even harder than Abramoff? None other than 30s% approval rating Bush, who has been politely asked not to show up in Hayworth's district. But FOX commentator Sean Hannity decided to throw his "fair & balanced" support behind Hayworth and help raise funds for the race.

So what are Hayworth's votes?

• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• No federal funding of abortion, but no litmus test. (Dec 2000)
• Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
• Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
• Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on maintaining right of habeus corpus in Death Penalty Appeals. (Mar 1996)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Rated 91% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Foreign aid often more harmful than helpful . (Dec 2000)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
• Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
• Abolish federal Medicare entitlement; leave it to states. (Dec 2000)
• Voted YES on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)

Hayworth stands head and shoulders above many of his fellow Republicans who should be booted to the curb in November. Give him a helpful push by supporting Harry Mitchell for Arizona's 5th.

Will Alabama Say Goodbye to Mike Rogers?

Rogers (not to be confused with Michigan's congressman of the same name) is a Republican on the US House of Reps' Armed Services, Agriculture and Homeland Security Committees. It would be nice if Alabamans could do themselves and the rest of us a favor by not letting him do any more harm, especially on two committees that have to do with defense & security and one that too often has to do with poorly dispensed funds. And what is the neighborhood of Mr. Rogers' voting record? It's as poor as can be.

• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Rated 100% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
• Voted YES on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
• Voted YES on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)

Isn't it time for this good buddy of the oil interests to move along and make room for someone who has the people's interests in mind? Help Rogers find a different job by supporting Greg Pierce in the race for Alabama's 3rd district.

A Couple of Californians Who Can Retire

Elton Gallegly and David Dreier -- a pair of Republicans who I hope Californians will be showing the door in November. Gallegly teased his constituents by pretending to consider retirement before deciding that apparently the US House of Reps can't live without him and 20 years in the House isn't enough. Or was it the White House who asked him to stay in the race? Good thing he's got that $5,000 raised with good buddy Tom Delay's help in case he needs it. Gallegly just recently voted to resume oil and gas drilling off the US coast, regardless of ecological dangers. After all, it's so much easier to keep driving those Hummers than trade down. It's going to be hard for Gallegly to run from Bush, who asked him to stay in the race, so it'll be one to watch. Gallegly's voting record?

• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
• Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
• Rated 13% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Voted NO on maintaining right of habeus corpus in Death Penalty Appeals. (Mar 1996)
• Voted YES on making federal death penalty appeals harder. (Feb 1995)
• Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
• Supports a Constitutional Amendment for school prayer. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Rated 83% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
• Voted NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)
• Voted YES on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)
• Voted YES on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)

Dreier should be a poster boy for ethical blundering in Congress, if not outright corruption. Dreier chairs the US House Rules Committee. It's one of the most powerful, deciding how bills come to the floor, helping to determine their chances of passage, or being held back. As far as I'm concerned, Dreier's private life is his business, all I care about is is voting record. And it's pretty poor.

• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted YES on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Rated 27% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001)
• Voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
• Supports requiring schools to allow prayer. (Jan 2001)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Rated 0% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 66% by the Christian Coalition: mixed voting record on families. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
• Voted NO on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions. (Feb 2002)
• Voted NO on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
• Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
• Voted YES on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
• Voted YES on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
• Voted NO on providing $70 million for Section 8 Housing vouchers. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on promoting work and marriage among TANF recipients. (Feb 2003)
• Voted YES on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks. (Jul 2001)
• Voted YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)

Do your part today. Toss out Gallegly by supporting his opponent, Jill Martinez in California's 24th. Find out more about David Dreier's opponent, Cynthia Matthews, and check to see how you can help her kick Dreier to the curb.

Taking Out the Trash

Or, in this case, incumbent Republicans. Got one in your area who should really find another line of work? Then do your best to cheer on his/her Democratic opponent.

Some Republicans that could be out of work in November with your help:

Mike Rogers -- Alabama
JD Hayworth -- Arizona
Elton Gallegly -- California
David Dreier -- California
Nancy Johnson -- Connecticut
CW Bill Young -- Florida
Clay Shaw -- Florida
Chris Chocola -- Indiana
Tom Latham -- Iowa
Jim Ryun -- Kansas
Joseph Knollenberg -- Michigan
Thaddeus McCotter -- Michigan
Gil Gutknecht-- Minnesota
Dennis Rehberg -- Montana
Jon Porter -- Nevada
Jeb Bradley -- New Hampshire
Frank LoBiondo -- New Jersey
Jim Saxton -- New Jersey
Heather Wilson -- New Mexico
John McHugh -- New York
Jim Walsh -- New York
Robin Hayes -- North Carolina
Charles Taylor -- North Carolina
Steve Chabot -- Ohio
Deborah Pryce -- Ohio
Pat Tiberi -- Ohio
Tim Murphy -- Pennsylvania
Charles Dent -- Pennsylvania
Phil English -- Pennsylvania
Melissa Hart -- Pennsylvania
Curt Weldon -- Pennsylvania
Shelley Moore-Capito -- West Virginia
Thelma Drake -- Virginia
David Reichert -- Washington
Paul Ryan -- Wisconsin

Best Part of Bob Ney's Decision Not to Run

As you probably know, Bob Ney, hip deep in the mess surrounding his financial friendship with Jack Abramoff, has said he's not going to run for reelection this year. But has everyone heard his reason?

Well, as Ney said, "Ultimately this decision came down to my family. I must think of them first." He then said that he could "no longer put them through this ordeal." Well, at least part of that seems to be true. He was thinking of his family. Ney was advised by political buddies that if he walked out of the House on his own two feet (instead of waiting to be tossed out when the Abramoff revelations hit), he'd stand a better chance of making more money as a Washington insider lobbyist.

I don't know about putting anyone through the "ordeal" of bringing in more money for the family. Maybe the ordeal was fewer golf trips to Scotland?

How Well Do You Know the President?

You should check out The New Yorker's "Bush Quiz: The Twentieth Hundred Days" by Paul Slansky.

I'll share the first one with you. Check out Slansky's column to try and guess the rest.

1. Complete George W. Bush’s quote: “I believe that my job is _____.”

(a) to protect life. And sometimes people have to die in order to protect life, see? And that saddens me.

(b) hard. It’s a heckuva hard job. It’s difficult. But I’m doin’ it, see, and I’m gonna keep on doin’ it, because that’s the job of a President.

(c) to go out and explain to people what’s on my mind. That’s why I’m having this press conference, see? I’m telling you what’s on my mind. And what’s on my mind is winning the war on terror.

(d) to construe the laws I sign in a Presidential way. Because that’s part of being a leader, see, is construing with your gut.

I dont' know about you, but taking a stroll through Bush's world is one nightmare of a walk through zombie world in my book. And oh yeah, the answer to the first question is (c).

Lieberman and the Republicans

If I lived in Connecticut, I would have voted Lieberman out. That said, I do believe that he did vote more often with Democrats than with Republicans. And I believe that he considered himself a good Democrat.

That's why I can't get understand what he is doing now in any terms other than pure selfishness. If he believes in the party he was a part of for so long, then he should support it, not undermine it. So who is supporting Lieberman's independent bid? Old friends who are looking at this as a personal issue for Lieberman, instead of a political issue for the state and nation. And oh yeah, Republicans.

Don't they have their own candidate to support in November? A major fundraising Republican out of California, Bruce Bialosky, announced he's going to raise $10K for the Connecticut Independent. After the election, Bialoky emailed a couple of thousand of his close personal political fundraising friends encouraging financial support for Lieberman's new campaign. How did this stout Republican fundraiser phrase the issue? He deemed it "not an issue of partisanship. This is a great American. There are certain times when we have to cross party lines. Sen. Lieberman has clarity on the most important issue of our time. His opponent doesn’t have a clue.”

So much for Republicans who are touting that it is the left wing of the Democratic party who were making Lieberman's support of Bush's war a one-issue campaign test.

Plan B's 21%

A web-based survey done in May of this year of 300 women showed that only 21% of them had ever heard of Plan B. And only 8% understand how Plan B works. The survey, found here, states that only a third of the women who HAD heard of Plan B understand that it's not useful if a woman is already pregnant. And one third of the women who had heard about Plan B thought it wa sused like RU-486.

So why is the administration so freaked out about not letting women access Plan B? Thanks to their great non-work on sharing information about it, most women don't even know what it is.

And for all the pro-lifer pharmacists who refuse to dispense Plan B? Will you be adopting those kids now?

What Will Become of Ricky Clousing?

Clousing, an army interpreter who went AWOL over a year ago has turned himself in. He left a note on his door before departing, it was Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote: "Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right."

Clousing had more to say before he was taken into custody at Fort Lewis. Here are some snipits from the Seattle Times article:

During less than six months in Iraq, Clousing said he witnessed the "baseless incarceration" and the "daily physical, psychological and emotional harassment" of Iraqi citizens.

He said he also witnessed the killing of an innocent Iraqi man by an American soldier in Mosul, but said when he tried to talk to unit leaders he was treated as an inexperienced soldier who "needed to shut up."

"I saw firsthand the abuse of power that goes without accountability," said Clousing, who has refused to participate in a "war of aggression" that has "no legal basis to be fought."

Clousing joined the Army in July 2002 and was trained as an interrogator with the 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg. He deployed to Baghdad in December 2004.

"We Americans have found ourselves in a pivotal era where we have traded humanity for patriotism," Clousing said Friday. "We have traded our civil liberties for a sense of security.

Good luck to Clousing and his family.

Where Would YOU Put Security Funds?

Very very quietly, in the dark of night, as it were, the Bush administration has been trying to divert $6 million marked for explosives detection technology. Not sure where they wanted to put it, maybe to protect that petting zoo in Indiana that's on Homeland Security's potential targets list.

But in the meantime, how hard has the Bush administration / Homeland Security been working to keep us safe from plots like this recent one? Not very hard at all, it seems. Homeland Security has failed to spend $200 million in R&D money, they've baled at testing new liquid explosives detonators. According to a recent AP story:

"Homeland Security's research arm, called the Sciences & Technology Directorate, is a "rudderless ship without a clear way to get back on course," Republican and Democratic senators on the Appropriations Committee declared recently. "The committee is extremely disappointed with the manner in which S&T is being managed within the Department of Homeland Security," the panel wrote June 29 in a bipartisan report accompanying the agency's 2007 budget.

Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minn., who joined Republicans to block the administration's recent diversion of explosives detection money, said research and development is crucial to thwarting future attacks and there is bipartisan agreement that Homeland Security has fallen short. "They clearly have been given lots of resources that they haven't been using," Sabo said.

Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, a senior Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, said he urged the administration three years ago to buy electron scanners, like the ones used at London's airport to detect plastics that might be hidden beneath passenger clothes.

"It's been an ongoing frustration about their resistance to purchase off-the-shelf, state-of-the-art equipment that can meet these threats," he said.

Christmas Comes Early for Bush & Co?

What do you do when you're a Prez or V-Prez of a party taking lots of hits in the gut just months before an election? Well if you've just been informed about a plot to bomb US airplanes, the first thing you do is call the press and tell them . . . to warn folks not to fly? (nah) you call reporters and remind them that the Democrats are soft on terrorism. What did Cheney tell reporters when he'd learned about the plot and we hadn't yet?

He suggested that Democrats believe "that somehow we can retreat behind our oceans and not be actively engaged in this conflict and be safe here at home, which clearly we know we won't, we can't, be."

And other Republicans in power? Well, speaking anonymously, a couple could barely contain themselves. A Republican congressional aide told a reporter that "I'd rather be talking about this than all of the other things that Congress hasn't done well." And a White House official crowed that "Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big."

Not that anyone in the administration would use a terror plot to score political points.

And not that anyone in the administration would stop to point out that their blunders in Iraq have done more than just about anything else to help energize people to take up arms against the US, UK, etc., than anything else. Instead of focusing on Afghanistan and driving the Taliban / Al Queda into oblivion, the administration went hunting in Iraq and stirred up a hornet's nest.

Bush & Cheney, your chickens are coming home to roost, and unfortunately, their continuing to threaten the lives of innocent people.

Note to Joseph Lieberman

selflessness
adj.
Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself; unselfish: “Volunteers need both selfish and selfless motives to sustain their interest” (Natalie de Combray).

selfishness
adj.
Concerned chiefly or only with oneself: “Selfish men were... trying to make capital for themselves out of the sacred cause of human rights” (Maria Weston Chapman). Arising from, characterized by, or showing selfishness: a selfish whim.

Just in case you were wondering Senator. Sometimes language can be confusing.

Being All They Can Be, Part II

Just another boy's day out? Testimony on the March 12 rape/murder that Spc. James Barker, Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, Pfc. Jesse V. Spielman, Pfc. Bryan L. Howard, and of course former Pfc. Steven D. Green are charged with.

Criminal investigator Benjamin Bierce testified at a hearing of his interview with Barker about what occurred. This comes from the AP article published here on CNN. Be forewarned, it is NOT easy reading.

According to Barker's sworn statement cited by Bierce, Green not only raped the female, but also shot her and her family members after telling his comrades repeatedly that he wanted to kill some Iraqis.

Bierce testified that on the day of the attack, Barker, Cortez, Spielman and Green had been playing cards and drinking Iraqi whiskey mixed with an energy drink. Afterward, they practiced hitting golf balls, Bierce quoted Barker as saying in his statement.

Bierce said Barker's statement made it clear that Green was very persistent about killing some Iraqis and kept bringing up the idea. At some point they decided to go to the house of the alleged victim, whom they had seen passing by their checkpoint earlier.

According to Bierce, Barker told him that when they arrived at the house, the father and the female were outside the house. Spielman grabbed her while Green seized her father and took them into the house with, Bierce said, quoting Barker. Cortez and Barker also went in.

Green took the father, mother and the younger sister into the bedroom and closed the door, while the alleged victim remained in the living room with the others.

Barker wrote that Cortez pushed the female to the floor, lifted her dress and tore off her underwear while she struggled, Bierce said. Cortez apparently raped her or appeared to rape her, according to Barker's statement, Bierce said.

Barker then tried to rape the female, Bierce said. Suddenly, the group heard gunshots. Green came out of the bedroom holding an AK-47 rifle and declared: '"They're all dead. I just killed them,"' Bierce said, quoting Barker's statement.

Green put the gun down, then raped her while Cortez held her down; Barker claims Green picked up the AK-47 and shot her once, paused, then shot her several more times, Bierce said.

Barker confirms he got a kerosene lamp and poured the fuel on her, Bierce said. The body was set on fire, but Barker does not say who did it. Barker's statement also does not say if Howard or Spielman participated in the alleged rape.

Barker's statement says he grilled chicken wings once they got back to their checkpoint, Bierce testified. A few hours later, Barker wrote, Iraqi army soldiers came to report they had found a family murdered.

Dying to Separate?

I was going to stay away from middle east wars for a little while, but then I read a review for Peter Galbraith's new book, "The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End."

The review notes that Galbraith argues that because we've been unable to create a stable government in Iraq, their Civil War (yes Virginia, Iraq is in Civil War) will continue to rage as we try to cling to the administration's self-deluded stance that the Iraqi government will be able to create/maintain a stable nation.

Galbraith points out that rather than clinging to that delusion, we need to look at the reality of what Iraq was before Hussein, and how it held together under him. David Ignatius, in reviewing the book, argues that point of the gun was only a part of it. That Galbraith's argument "misses the yearning for modernism and secular society that animated the educated middle class in the old Iraq." Ignatius argues that "despite its troubling prescription, Galbraith's book is important because, as much as any American, he has lived the Iraq tragedy up close and personal."

What Bush & Co. should consider now is helping Iraq form three separate nations, based on more natural constituencies. Kurdistan in the north, an Iranian-dominated Shiaistan in the south, a Sunnistan in the northwest.

Supporting or opposing Galbraith's theories, the book certainly sounds like it sets forth some interesting questions. Here's a link to Ignatius' review.

I am Not Now, Nor Have I Ever Been . . . a Republican?

Ah August 2006, apparently it's time for the Running from the Elephants. From sea to shining sea Congressional Republicans are ducking not only their not so beloved leader, King Bush, but also the very party at which teat they have suckled oh lo these many years.

The very chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Thomas Reynolds of New York, neglects to even say which party he represents in his television ads.

Those that do mention Bush either attack him for his foreign or immigration policies.

Way to show the love there, guys. Remember, he IS the leader of your party.

So who are these other Congressional Republicans who are busy hiding not only from their Commander in Chief, but also from being labeled as . . . Republicans?

New Mexico Republican Heather Wilson is calling herself an independent thinker and fighter for the state.

Florida Republican Clay Shaw Jr. is campaiging as an indepenendent thinker on the environment.

Minnesota Republican Mark Kennedy's campaign features an ad stating that "[Kennedy] doesn't do what the party says to."

Missouri Republican James Talent claims in his campaign that "most people don't care if you're red or blue, Republican or Democrat"

These four are just some of the Republican candidates who warmly embraced or ran under King Bush's coattails in prior elections. Now you could say that they've finally found their backbones and decided to stand for what they believe, not what they think the party wants them to believe.

But who are we kidding. Republicans are staring at a party leader who has a tight grip on his 60% unpopularity level and doesn't seem about to let it go. That's the kind of thing that can swamp a lowly representative campaign.

So watch the piggies, oh, I'm sorry, I mean the elephants, run from their grand old party and their party's leader. Watch them try to hide behind terms like "independent." Watch them try and play the shell game with their constituents.

And here's hoping that come election day, those constitutents can find the Republicans hiding in disguise and flush them down the tubes.

Doolittle, Hayworth and Burns, oh my!

In part two of our look at "where are Jack Abramoff's buddies now" we bring you Republican representatives Doolittle from California, J.D. Hayworth of Arizona, and Republican Senator Conrad Burns of Montana.

Last Tuesday, one of Fox Cable News' "fair and balanced" talking heads stepped up to speak at a fundraiser for Hayworth. Sean Hannity showed his support for Hayworth, who is pushing his toss 'em all out approach to illegal immigration. No word on whether or not JD's good buddy Abramoff and his $69,620 donations were acknowledged. While Hayworth and Hannity are apparently joined at the hip (not that there's anything wrong with that), JD has asked that Bush and his 31% approval rating not show up in Arizona to help out. JD's not all bad. Sure he took Abramoff money and gallantly offered to give back about $2,000 when pressed and pressed and pressed. But the rest of the money? Not to worry, he shared much of it with the downtrodden. If by downtrodden you mean Mrs. JD Hayworth.

And what of Senator Conrad Burns of Montana and his $55,590 from Abramoff & associates? Well he managed to step from the frying pan into the fire when he dissed some Virginia firefighters who had been helping out their Montana counterparts. Among other non-Virginia state emergencies the "Augusta Hot Shots" have helped out with were 9/11 operations in NYC. So how did Burns thank these folks who flew all the way out to Montana to help fight that state's fires for their $6-$8/hour pay? According to one of the Virginian crew, Burns said, "See that guy over there? He hasn't done a [expletive deleted] thing. They sit around. I saw it up on the Wedge fire and in northwestern Montana some years ago. It's wasteful. You probably paid that guy $10,000 to sit around. It's gotta change." After Montana's firefighters and a few thousand other folks pointed out that he was being a moron, Burns issued an apology. In a 7/25 poll, Burns' disapproval rating was at 57% in Montana, and his challenger is holding onto a 50-43% lead.

And last, but definately not least, is Republican representative John Doolittle of California, whose Abramoff winnings hit $45,000. In return for his financial help, what did Abramoff win from Doolittle? Just a fat lobbying contract with the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands in 1999. And Mrs. Doolittle? Well her firm was hired by Abramoff to do ... well probably something worthwhile. Doolittle's fundraising skills are still strong. He's raised over $1.2 million for his campaign against retired Air Force helicopter pilot Charles Brown. And Mrs. Doolittle? Not to worry, her husband's taking good financial care of her, sending about $7,000 her way in fundraising commissions. At the moment, Doolittle is dodging Brown's invitations for a series of debates. Unfortunately, the race isn't yet shapping up to be the dump the crook race it could be. Stay tuned.

Take a Break From War News -- And Check Out Crooked Congressmen

November is getting closer every day. And in the miserable heat of a DC summer, let's take a short break from war and check out our old friend Jack Abramoff and his buddies. How ARE the races going for those who warmly embraced Jack in the good old days of free flowing funds? Well, they've all certainly done their best to run in the other direction from Jack, who they all barely remember at this point, but may have met once by accident, it was dark, it's hard to remember.

Well the most blatent Abramoff buddy, Republican Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio managed to win his primary, but is now up against a well-funded Democrat whose money did not come from Abramoff. Ney has assured his supporters that he'll continue to run, even if he's indicted. Good show Bobby! Never let a little thing like bribbery stop you from trying to collect those congressional paychecks for another 2 years.

And the gentleman from Texas, the dishonorable Tom Delay, who fell the farthest, the fastest (although to be fair, must of it came from Delay's own personal crookedness and issues before his Abramoff friendship became an issue. Well Delay's still on the ballot, and Republicans are trying to get a write-in campaign going for another Republican rather than just give up the seat to the Democrat.

Up next on our break from the war - check out the crooks look, we'll check out our friend Doolittle from California, J.D. Hayworth of Arizona, and Conrad Burns of Montana.

Hilary Gets it . . . But is it too late?

Senator Clinton took aim at Rumsfeld during hearings yesterday. She said, "I think the president should choose to accept Secretary Rumsfeld's resignation. The secretary has lost credibility with the Congress and with the people. It's time for him to step down and be replaced by someone who can develop an effective strategy and communicate it effectively to the American people and to the world."

That's a chant LaPopessa has been repeating on this blog for quite a while now. And it's always nice to hear one more voice join the dump Rummy chorus, Clinton's condemnation of the secretary has come far too late for this Democrat.

If she is using this as an in with anti-war voices, she may find that the bridge she burned with her support of the war isn't that easily rebuilt by blasting Rumsfeld.