Off To a Great Start

Quote of the Day:

I didn't ask you that, I asked how he's doing.

-President Bush, to Senator-elect James Webb (Democrat-VA), after asking how Webb's son (a U.S. Marine) was doing in Iraq. Webb had responded that he just wanted him home soon.

The little prick from Crawford is a bit testy, ain't he?

Gratuitously Chloe

Down & Out

Sorry for the lack of posts over the past 10 days. I've been down and out with a nasty chest/cold/flu thing. Starting to feel something close to normal and will begin anew within a day or two.

The Case For Impeachment

I argued last week that the incoming Democratic congressional majority should hold back on any impeachment proceedings against the President. While my stance on the subject hasn't changed, John Nichols of the Washington Monthly makes a pretty solid arguement FOR the impeachment of George W. Bush (and Dick Cheney).

Select quotes:

House Democrats have an obligation to the American people to check and balance the executive branch. The best way to do that is to get serious about impeachment. Indeed, if they don’t, Democrats will suffer for disregarding not just their oaths of office, but also the will of the voters who entrusted them with the power to right the Republic. On this, the historical record is very clear: Holding the president to account is good for the country...

If Democrats hope to build a new, more vital relationship with Americans, one that runs deeper than any single issue or individual, party leaders must overcome the fear of proposing impeachment that has paralyzed them as an opposition force. America needs an opposition party not merely to reshuffle the deck chairs on the Titanic, but to turn the ship of state back towards the Constitution, the system of checks and balances, and to that most appealing of American principles: the idea that the rule of law applies to every citizen. Such a direction will win support from Democrats,...Independents, and principled Republicans.

I still don't think the American people would stomach impeachment proceedings very well, but I must say Nichols' argument is very compelling. You can read the entire essay here.

C-Student Revisionist History

Quote of the Day:

We would not give up. That's why we won.

-President Bush, yesterday, in discussing the Vietnam War.

If Mr. Bush thinks we won the Vietnam War, is it any wonder we find ourselves in the mess we're in when it comes to Iraq?

John and Rudy

Sen. John McCain (Republican-AZ) will officially open his 2008 presidential exploratory committee today, becoming the first of what I call the "top tier" candidates - of either party - to do so.

The 2006 election results haven't even been certified in many places yet but, as I mentioned two weeks ago, Sen. McCain has already sold his soul to the devil in his quest for the Republican nomination. For the man who replaced Barry Goldwater to suddenly embrace the hate-filled rhetoric that spews from the fascist wing of his party...well...the real maverick from Arizona (Mr. Goldwater) would be disappointed.

Although, at this early date I have no idea who else the Republican Party would turn to. Jeb Bush? I highly doubt the American people want to see the Bush name on a ballot anytime soon. Rudy Guliani has started his exploratory committee, but I don't see how he gets close to the GOP nomination. The former New York City mayor isn't even a second tier candidate in my opinion, but rather a third tier.

First off, the Republican primary voters will probably reject him because of his rather liberal stance on social issues (a woman's choice, equal rights for gays, gun control). But I can't imagine that the foreign policy wonks within the party would support a Guliani candidacy either. Granted, he stepped up to the plate in New York in those weeks following 9/11, but that aside his foreign policy credentials are zero. Not exactly what the United States will need come 2008.

If we've learned anything from the presidency of George W. Bush, it's not to put a foreign policy novice up for the highest office in the land...especially in this day and age.

The Baptist Pussy-Fuckers

hypocrisy (noun): The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness

Yesterday I received the following email from Brent, who is working in Dallas this week:

Sitting in Dallas as we speak.

Short vignette...We are sharing the hotel conference area with a group of Baptist church leaders. I was in the bathroom this morning and three gentleman where discussing how they needed to "find pu$$y tonight." One even said - and I quote - "I got to get a girl with her panties around her ankles bouncin' on top of me." I assumed they were here for our conference, but I was wrong...I walked out of the stall and they were all from the Baptist church conference. And yes, they all had wedding rings on.

Sit back and let the hypocrisy roll over you. Needless to say, Brent can't wait to get out of that sinful, depraved city and back to the rock-solid values of San Francisco!

Update: I took a look on "the Google" and found that these men are in Dallas for the annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Otherwise known as the Baptist Pussy-Fuckers.

The Gerrymander Pickle

The overall vote total in the House and Senate races this year shows the Democrats winning 56% of the national vote, the Republicans 42%, and third party candidates and independents sharing the remaining 2%. At the national level that 14-point spread is considered a huge landslide.

Yet the Democrats were only able to pick up about 30 House seats. While that is double what they needed to regain control, when you compare that number to previous "wave elections" (mid-terms that bounced a sitting president's party from power), 30 is a rather small number. For example, in 1994 Republicans received only 51% of the national vote, yet picked up 55 House seats (and 9 Senate seats).

Since 1990 many Republican governors, along with their Republican legislatures - and a little help from Tom DeLay - were able to draw the most obscene congressional districts to help keep Republican seats safe. Thus, the reason for the relatively modest Democratic gains last week.

But with Democrats back in control of a majority of the governorships, as well as the state legislatures, let's hope they can reverse the GOP gerrymandering and draw district boundries that are fair and balanced.

Just Wait 'til Your Father Gets Home!

I don't know which is more pathetic: George W. Bush having to rely on Daddy's friends yet again to bail him out from the consequences of his own incompetence, or that James Baker (his father's Secretary of State) and Robert Gates (his father's CIA Director) may now have to essentially beg Iran and Syria (Iran and Syria) to become part of the coalition to save the Bush Family name.

War Crimes

When I mentioned this yesterday I didn't think it would happen so fast, but it seems the first war crimes charges have been made against outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, as well as Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former CIA director George Tenet, for their alleged roles in the torture scandals at Abu Ghraib prison and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

At the President's orders these guys violated the Geneva Conventions and ordered torture and abuse of war prisoners.

If I were George W. Bush or Dick Cheney I'd be worried. They are liable for prosecution as well. They deserve to be...and they know it.

"Shimmers like a California Sunset"

It's hard to believe this song is already five years old. Your Song of the Day was the third single off Jamiroquai's 2001 CD "A Funk Odyssey," and it is definately one of their best..."Love Foolosophy."

The Green Hills of California

Laid back and playful...

Is Our Children Learning?

Quote of the Day:

Who’s Rumsfeld?

-Lance Cpl. James L. Davis Jr. of the U.S. Marines, when told that Donald Rumsfeld was leaving his post as Secretary of Defense.

A Nation Saved

By an overwhelming margin (56% to 43% of the national vote tally), Americans voted on Tuesday to save our nation from the recklessness and incompetence of President Bush and his out-of-control Republican congress. A system of checks and balances, missing for six long years, has been restored to government.

And so, what do the Democrats do now? Well, first off they should resist the urge to engage in the politics of search and destroy. Lord knows the temptation is there; after 12 years of Republican games it will be hard not to want to give it back. But Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid should take the high road and move forward with a positive agenda as much as possible.

To that end, I don't suggest giving the Bush administration a free pass. Not by any stretch. Hold hearings, issue subpoenas, get to the bottom of the failures in Iraq and the overall war on terror, not to mention their dismantling of the Constitution. But don't over-reach and go for impeachment.

I sincerely believe (sincerely) that if any president and vice-president deserve to be impeached and removed from office they are George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. These two men are war criminals, plain and simple. Unfortunately I don't think that is what the American people are looking for. For now, the new Democratic congress should provide rock solid checks and balances and hope beyond hope that the administration doesn't bungle things further.

I say let the international courts take care of things. They can start with outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He should be immediately arrested upon leaving his post and charged with war crimes by the international war tribunal. And on January 20, 2009 the same should be done with Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney. Their reasoning for starting the Iraq War - and their conduct of it - are criminal. And they should be charged and punished accordingly.

But the people of the United States don't seem to have the stomach for impeachment. So, the Democratic leadership should resist the urge (unless something huge comes up in which members of both parties back such a move).

So, again...positive agenda. Oversight and checks & balances. Don't over-reach. As David Gergen said on "Anderson Cooper 360" last night, let the 2006 elections serve as the "appetizer" for the "main course" of the 2008 presidential election. If they keep their heads, the Democrats could find themselves adding to their majorities and winning the White House as well.

And They're Off

Election results from Tuesday night aren't even certified, and a few House districts are to be recounted or will conduct runoff contests, but that isn't stopping the 2008 presidential race from beginning in earnest.

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack plans to formally launch his bid for the 2008 Democratic nomination today. And last week - before the midterm elections even took place - Rep. Duncan Hunter (Fascist-CA) announced his plans to seek the Republican nomination.

Ok...the second tier candidates are beginning their runs. When do we hear from each party's big guns?

Everybody's Smilin'

If all projections hold, the Democrats will control both houses of Congress for the first time in 12 years.

It truly is a sunshine day. (This one's for you, Shelly.)

Fundamentalist Slamdown

Despite the efforts of maverick-turned-Bush-Bitch John McCain, the people of the state of Arizona, in the tradition of their late beloved Senator Barry Goldwater, rejected an initiative that would have written discrimination into their state constitution.

In South Dakota, a pretty staunch pro-life state, voters rejected a law that would have banned virtually all abortions (and did so by a 12-point margin).

Voters in Missouri narrowly approved a state constitutional amendment protecting stem cell research.

And California and Oregon voters defeated measures that would have required parents to be notified before a girl under 18 could get an abortion.

On Gates

I don't really know much about Defense Secretary-designate Robert Gates other than the fact the he was CIA Director under the first President Bush.

Oh...and one other thing: I seem to remember Gates writing a book in the mid-90's in which he accused the Clintons of decorating the White House Christmas tree with X-rated ornaments. (I mean, COME ON!)

That little unconfirmed tidbit aside, the nomination of Mr. Gates, along with the appointment of James Baker to head the "Iraq Working Group," leads me to believe that Daddy's friends are getting together to bail out Little Boy George...yet again.

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)

The Associated Press and NBC News have called the Senate race in Virginia for challenger Jim Webb over Republican incumbent George Allen, thus giving control of that chamber to the Democrats.

The AP also reports that Senator Allen is leaning against asking for a recount.

Sweet, glorious day, indeed!

Rumsfeld Resigns

The fallout is in full swing at the White House. The AP and MSNBC are reporting that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will resign. Apparently former CIA chief Robert Gates will be nominated to replace him.

Add Montana

Democrat Jon Tester has defeated Republican incumbent Conrad Burns. Now we wait for results from Virginia.

Say Goodnight, Ricky

Casey (D) 2,309,459 - 59%
Santorum (R) 1,625,875 - 41%

"Free Thinking In a Dirty Glass"

Quote of the Day:

Since it was Bush who said that if the Democrats win America loses, I suppose the only remaining question is whether he'll fly to Pakistan to offer our surrender to Bin Ladin or invite Bin Ladin to come to Washington.

Maybe they could do it on the deck of the battleship Missouri - just for old time's sake.

-Billmon of the Whiskey Bar, very early this morning.

It will be interesting to see the President's reaction to this rebuke. In his life I don't think he's ever had a serious one. No amount of red-faced fist slamming is going to change this result.

Nope. For once in his life George W. Bush will have to accept a result he doesn't like.

Sweet, Glorious Day

America woke up on Tuesday and in doing so saved the Republic from their reckless and out-of-control President. Independent voters, who gave Mr. Bush the benefit of the doubt in 2004 despite simmering warning signs, have watched in horror in the two years since as his administration botched the war against terrorism and ignored the Constitution.

Yesterday they decided it needed to stop, and decisively voted for checks, balances, and oversight.

For the first time in 12 years the United States House of Representatives will have a Democratic majority. As of this morning the party has gained 28 seats, while others await recounts (so that number could easily go above 30). And come January, America will have their first female Speaker of the House in Representative Nancy Pelosi (my Congresswoman, I'm proud to say)...two heartbeats away from the presidency.

In the Senate the picture is still unclear. The Democrats picked up seats in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri. As of 6:30a PT the Democratic candidates are leading in Virginia (8,000 votes) and Montana (1,700 votes) but it looks like recounts are inevitable in both states. I am comfortable saying that both states look good and control of that chamber will likely fall to the Democrats as well.

It's been six long years, my friends. But finally, on this November morning, we can celebrate this sweet, glorious day.

Democracy

3:20pm PT: The first polls have closed in Indiana and Kentucky. Election Night 2006 has begun; and now we wait for results from each of the 50 states to come in.

This is what America is all about. And I sit here tonight hoping beyond hope that my fellow Americans have thought long and hard, and voted to protect our great nation from the incompetent, reckless executive branch.

As I settle in for the evening to take in the numbers, I leave you with Leonard Cohen's "Democracy," performed by Don Henley.

Another Reason to Vote Democratic

Need another reason to vote Democratic?

Think of how frightening it will be if you wake up tomorrow morning to find that the Republican Party has maintained its hold on the House and Senate; and then think of the new excesses the Congress and the President could concoct with such unchecked power.

Our nation would spiral deeper into the abyss.

Imagine waking up tomorrow morning to this:
(Press the play button)

Vote Democratic

Now that the campaigns are essentially over and the election is in the hands of the voters, I use the morning of Election Day to urge all of you to make sure and take the time to cast your ballot today. I would also normally say that it doesn't matter who you vote for so long as you perform your duty as an American and vote.

But not today. Not this year.

As I said last night, the most important thing you can do today - whether you be liberal, moderate, or conservative; Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian - is to cast your ballot against the incompetent and reckless one-party rule in Wasington, DC.

Be patriotic.
Protect our Constitution.
Save our republic.

VOTE DEMOCRATIC.

Deep Breath...Here We Go.

I am uncomfortable making predictions of House and Senate races this year. As expected the Karl Rove machine has felt the need to break election laws and have spent the last 2 or 3 days "robo-calling" voters with harrassing calls that they hope will depress Democratic turn out.

It may work in some areas, it may not in others. But I think Republican turn out may be depressed a bit this year as well. The administration's incompetence in Iraq and on matters of federal spending, followed in short order by the Mark Foley and Ted Haggard scandals, may leave hardcore Bush Republicans at home or holding their noses and voting Democratic.

Then again, I don't put anything past these people.

On the House side, I'll predict a 20 to 25 seat gain for Democrats in the House...more than they need to regain control of that chamber.

The Senate is going to be where all the suspense is tonight. The Democrats will easily take Republican-held seats in Pennsylvania and Ohio. But they would need to pick up four more for control on that side of the Capitol.

After being tied all year Missouri seems to be trending the Democrats way over the last two or three days as undecideds figure out how they'll vote. Then again, the state has a strong rural/evangelical voter base that may swing this back to the Republican incumbent.

In Montana, incumbent Republican Sen. Conrad Burns has been fighting for his political life all year. But a visit by President Bush on his behalf last week seems to have stoked the Republican base and the race has tightened. I still think Democrat Jon Tester can pull out a win, but it will be mighty close.

Although polls in Virginia show the race between Republican Sen. George Allen and Democratic challenger (and former Navy Secretary) Jim Webb to be close, I think Webb has the edge here. Like Missouri and Montana it will be a nail biter, but I think Webb will pull it out. Allen's self-inflicted wounds seem to have done him in.

Rhode Island is one of the most Democratic states in the nation. But Republican incumbent Lincoln Chafee has been the most liberal Republican in the Senate, voting against President Bush in 2004, and against Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court. Will it be enough to keep the Ocean State on his side? He's only a point or so behind right now. This one I can't call.

And then there's Maryland. This seat is currently held by a Democrat (Sarbanes, who is retiring). The contest has been leaning Democratic all year but has tightened a bit in the last few weeks. The Democrat has a 4 point lead right now but the final result could be less than that. If the Republican prevails here, then the Democrats won't win control of the Senate. It's that simple.

And so, the Democrats will win anywhere from 3 to 6 seats tonight. It will all depend on which party has the best turn out operation in each respective state.

Deep breath, here we go.

In the Land of Lincoln

Quote of the Day:

I was able to meet him, shake his hand, and briefly talk to him....here I was face to face with a man who could one day be our president. Right then and there he gave me the "audacity of hope."

-My sister Noel, on her one-on-one exchange with Senator Barack Obama (Democrat-IL) while attending a campaign rally for Rep. Melissa Bean (Democrat-IL). As my sister Shelly asked, I wonder if Noel will ever wash the hand Obama shook again!

You can read Noel's account of her brush with political fame here.

An aside...It seems Andrew Sullivan is smitten with the Democrat from Illinois as well:

I'm a believer. In the same God as the fundamentalists. In the same Jesus. But in a slightly different way. I'm glad Obama is open to that approach, because it is, in my view, as essential for Christians to reclaim their faith from extremism, as it is for moderate Muslims to reclaim theirs'. A great deal is at stake in that bettle within religions right now. And Obama seems to understand that. Which is vital in a potential president in this decade.

Not since the Civil War has our nation been so politically divided (just look at the 2004 Electoral College map). Who knows? Like 1860 maybe it will take another fresh face from Illinois to bring us all back together.

On Tuesday

It's been six very long years.

Since having the presidency handed to him by the Supreme Court in December of 2000, President George W. Bush has taken the United States of America down a dark, dangerous road. And if voters keep his Republican Party in power on Tuesday, then America as we know it is done.

It's precariously close right now: State-sanctioned torture, habeas corpus thrown out the window, attempts to soil the Constitution with hate-filled graffiti, a national debt that will break the backs of America's children, and let's not forget the President who believes he has the right to disobey laws he himself signed.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Republican-led Congress has refused to check the President at every turn, functioning instead as enablers of the incompetence, fanaticism, and recklessness that have defined the Bush presidency.

The result of this one-party rule has resulted in an obscene abuse of power the likes of which the United States has never seen, and the only way to put the brakes on this out of control fascist train is to head to your polling place tomorrow and help put the opposition party in control of both houses of Congress.

President Bush may have only two years left in office, but if the last two years are any indication then we know the damage he could inflict on the Constitution could be irreversible; and by 2008 it will be too late to turn things around should Republican majorities in the House and Senate be maintained in 2006.

So, on Tuesday vote to hold Mr. Bush accountable for his mistakes and misdeeds.

On Tuesday let Mr. Bush know that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld CANNOT remain in his post through January 2009.

On Tuesday vote against the corrupt, incompetent, and reckless leadership these goons insist on shoving down our throats.

On Tuesday vote against this imperialistic government.

On Tuesday vote to protect the Constitution of the United States of America.

On Tuesday be patriotic...VOTE DEMOCRATIC.

For Governor of California

Full disclosure: I voted for Steve Westly in the California Democratic Primary this past June. Following Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's radical special election debacle last year I thought Mr. Westly's centrist approach to government would provide the best opportunity to unseat the over-reaching Republican incumbent. As such I was quite disappointed when Phil Angelides beat Westly for the Democratic nomination. Angelides didn't stand a chance against Arnold. Even in June he was perceived as hapless and weak against the "governator," and that perception has only increased in the months since.

In contrast, Gov. Schwarzenegger has re-grouped, found his groove, and spent 2006 working with Assembly Democrats on such long-term goals as upgrading our transportation systems & schools, helping stop global warming, and quadrupling the amount of money available to begin research on stem cells (despite a veto by his party's president of similar federal legislation). Other issues were tackled as well: the state minimum wage was raised, foster care reformed, and drug discounts for the uninsured secured. The overall result was one of the most productive legislative sessions in a long time.

In this mid-term election year the Republican president and his rubber-stamp Congress would do well to learn some hard lessons from the Republican governor of the largest state in the land. Bipartisanship isn't just a talking point for Mr. Schwarzenegger, it's how you get things done.

But what bothers me about Schwarzenegger is that he had to re-learn the lesson of bipartisanship after suffering an embarrasing loss at the polls last year. When the Democratic legislature wouldn't pass the bills the Governor wanted he went over their heads and called a special election in which $300 million was spent to take the issues to the voters. The voters were in no mood and soundly rejected every one of the ballot questions.

After the unnecessary 2003 recall of Gov. Gray Davis, the 2005 special election was another example of Republicans whining and moaning about elections and legislation not going their way and taking extraordinary measures to get what they want. Schwarzenegger's call for a special election (not to mention the manner in which he was able to become governor in the first place) left a bad taste in my mouth that hasn't completely gone away. Now he is cruising to what is expected to be a landslide victory on Tuesday and I am afraid that such a result will cause the Governor to slide back into "partisan mode" and over-reach again.

Or he won't. There is no way to tell. And therein lays my quandary.

Phil Angelides clearly lacks the leadership skills to build the coalitions needed to counter the egos and partisanship that stand in the way of progress in Sacramento. He has not articulated a compelling case for his election and as such I long ago decided that I could not cast my vote for him.

On the other side, Schwarzenegger, while proving he can build a climate of cooperation to get things done, has also demonstrated that when he is overconfident he can become too partisan and over-reach.

This is a tough call. Do I give Arnold the benefit of the doubt, cast a Republican vote in his favor, and hope he continues the bipartisan cooperation of the past year? My mind may change between now and Tuesday, but as of this writing I come down ever so slightly on the side of "no."

And so, as of today I will cast a protest write-in vote for Steve Westly on Tuesday.

Freedom

Brilliant (courtesy of mgarthoff on YouTube, via Josh Marshall):

Good Times

What are you reading this blog for? Get out and enjoy your Saturday. And as you get ready, forget about the malaise and repression six years of the Bush administration have brought us, and think to Tuesday, when - hopefully - we can say once again, "These are the good times."

Your Song of the Day is from Chic:

Friedman Nails It

This is what it's all about, folks:

Bush and Cheney Think You're Stupid
By Thomas L. Friedman
New York Times

George Bush, Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld think you're stupid. Yes, they do.

They think they can take a mangled quip about President Bush and Iraq by John Kerry -- a man who is not even running for office but who, unlike Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney, never ran away from combat service -- and get you to vote against all Democrats in this election.

Every time you hear Mr. Bush or Mr. Cheney lash out against Mr. Kerry, I hope you will say to yourself, "They must think I'm stupid." Because they surely do.

They think that they can get you to overlook all of the Bush team's real and deadly insults to the U.S. military over the past six years by hyping and exaggerating Mr. Kerry's mangled gibe at the president.

What could possibly be more injurious and insulting to the U.S. military than to send it into combat in Iraq without enough men -- to launch an invasion of a foreign country not by the Powell Doctrine of overwhelming force, but by the Rumsfeld Doctrine of just enough troops to lose? What could be a bigger insult than that?

What could possibly be more injurious and insulting to our men and women in uniform than sending them off to war without the proper equipment, so that some soldiers in the field were left to buy their own body armor and to retrofit their own jeeps with scrap metal so that roadside bombs in Iraq would only maim them for life and not kill them? And what could be more injurious and insulting than Don Rumsfeld's response to criticism that he sent our troops off in haste and unprepared: Hey, you go to war with the army you've got -- get over it.

What could possibly be more injurious and insulting to our men and women in uniform than to send them off to war in Iraq without any coherent postwar plan for political reconstruction there, so that the U.S. military has had to assume not only security responsibilities for all of Iraq but the political rebuilding as well? The Bush team has created a veritable library of military histories -- from "Cobra II" to "Fiasco" to "State of Denial" -- all of which contain the same damning conclusion offered by the very soldiers and officers who fought this war: This administration never had a plan for the morning after, and we've been making it up -- and paying the price -- ever since.

And what could possibly be more injurious and insulting to our men and women in Iraq than to send them off to war and then go out and finance the very people they're fighting against with our gluttonous consumption of oil? Sure, George Bush told us we're addicted to oil, but he has not done one single significant thing -- demanded higher mileage standards from Detroit, imposed a gasoline tax or even used the bully pulpit of the White House to drive conservation -- to end that addiction. So we continue to finance the U.S. military with our tax dollars, while we finance Iran, Syria, Wahhabi mosques and Al Qaeda madrassas with our energy purchases.

Everyone says that Karl Rove is a genius. Yeah, right. So are cigarette companies. They get you to buy cigarettes even though we know they cause cancer. That is the kind of genius Karl Rove is. He is not a man who has designed a strategy to reunite our country around an agenda of renewal for the 21st century -- to bring out the best in us. His "genius" is taking some irrelevant aside by John Kerry and twisting it to bring out the worst in us, so you will ignore the mess that the Bush team has visited on this country.

And Karl Rove has succeeded at that in the past because he was sure that he could sell just enough Bush cigarettes, even though people knew they caused cancer. Please, please, for our country's health, prove him wrong this time.

Let Karl know that you're not stupid. Let him know that you know that the most patriotic thing to do in this election is to vote against an administration that has -- through sheer incompetence -- brought us to a point in Iraq that was not inevitable but is now unwinnable.

Let Karl know that you think this is a critical election, because you know as a citizen that if the Bush team can behave with the level of deadly incompetence it has exhibited in Iraq -- and then get away with it by holding on to the House and the Senate -- it means our country has become a banana republic. It means our democracy is in tatters because it is so gerrymandered, so polluted by money, and so divided by professional political hacks that we can no longer hold the ruling party to account.

It means we're as stupid as Karl thinks we are.

I, for one, don't think we're that stupid. Next Tuesday we'll see.

Be patriotic. Save our country. Vote Democratic.

Under the Surface

Looking at the election in terms of the long haul:

Fish could become all but extinct by 2048. The somber details are here.

Be patriotic. Save the planet. Vote Democratic.

Army Navy AirForce Marines: "Rumsfeld Must Go"

Quote of the Day:

Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt.

...Mr. President, to face the hard bruising truth: Donald Rumsfeld must go.

-A joint editorial that runs this weekend in the Army Times, the Air Force Times, the Marine Corps Times, and the Navy Times.

Be patriotic. Save our country. Vote Democratic.

Republican Rejection

I'm still not ready to predict a Democratic tidal wave on Tuesday, but the numbers in this poll can't be cause for celebration at Republican Party headquarters.

Republican House candidates lead in only three demographic categories: Republicans. Conservatives. Evangelicals. And only by a point (one point) with the evangelicals. (I can't imagine that the Haggard scandal will improve those numbers.)

When the walls come tumblin' down...

Is it a sign of things to come on Tuesday? Is the Fascist-Evangelical wing of the Republican Party destructing like the Death Star at the end of "Star Wars?"

First Rep. Mark Foley (Republican-FL), their leader on the issue of child predators, is caught...well...being a child predator.

Now Ted Haggard, the Christian right's mouth piece on anti-gay marriage legislation, has been busted buying crystal meth from a gay hooker with whom he has been having an affair for the last three years.

The icing on the cake? Current polling shows Proposition 107, the anti-gay and anti-domestic partner amendment on the Arizona ballot, could go down to defeat, despite the efforts of Sen. John McCain.

The religious right's lies about who gay people really are must come to an end. Dick Cheney's daughter? Karl Rove's stepfather? Haggard? Not to mention the millions of kids out there who are taught to hate themselves by these bigots.

Perhaps now the walls of hate can tumble down and my gay brothers and sisters can truly become part of the American family.

John, Lucifer; Lucifer, John

Sen. John McCain (Republican-AZ), in his quest for his party's presidential nomination in 2008, has sold his soul to the devil. He's put his face front and center on TV ads backing Proposition 107, the Arizona ballot initiative that would not only amend the state constitution to bar same-sex marriage of all kinds permanently, but also prohibit cities, towns, and universities from providing benefits to unmarried domestic partners.

Never mind that McCain has previously said he was ok with domestic partnerships. He's running for president now and apparently feels he has to cow-tow to the Republican Party's fascist wing.

I tell you, this past month has really opened my eyes to the (now former) "maverick" Senator from Arizona. First he capitulated to the White House on the issue of torture (never mind that he himself was a prisoner of war for five years), he's been silent on the incompetence of the Bush administration in Iraq, yet he stepped right up to the microphone to criticize his fellow Senator (and fellow Vietnam veteran) John Kerry over a bad botched joke. And now he's plastering his mug on the TV in effort to write discrimination into his state's constitution.

The sounds you hear are Barry Goldwater; 2,825 fallen soldiers; and United 93 angel Mark Bingham rolling over in their graves.

"Don't It Make My Red State Blue"

A hilarious, if premature, take on an old Crystal Gale tune...

For State Offices

Endorsements, without comment, for various statewide offices:

Lieut. Governor: John Garamendi (D)
State Attorney General: Jerry Brown (D)
Secretary of State: Debra Bowen (D)
State Treasurer: Bill Lockyer (D)
State Comptroller: John Chiang (D)
Insurance Commissioner: Steve Poizner (R)*

*A quick comment on my backing of Poizner. I am backing the Republican candidate in this race because the Democratic candidate, Cruz Bustamante (California's current Lieut. Governor), started his campaign for this office by accepting $120,000 from insurance companies. Although he has since given the money back, I am uncomfortable giving my vote to a guy who is so cozy with the insurance special interests - the very people he would be relegating. I'll hold my nose, but Poizner gets my vote.

For U.S. and State Houses

Representative Nancy Pelosi should be re-elected to the United States House of Representatives. As House Minority Leader she has proven to both her constituents in California's 8th congressional district as well as to the nation that she is up to that leadership role - and that she would be a formidable House Speaker should the Democrats gain control of the chamber next week.

As well, State Assemblyman Mark Leno should return to the state legislature for another term. Leno's up-front leadership on the issues of marriage equality and solar power (among many others) prove he is the perfect choice to represent his San Francisco district in Sacramento.

A New Direction

Why vote Democratic on Tuesday? Take a look...

Off a Cliff

Quote of the Day:

The President, in other words, has just proved that he is utterly unhinged from reality, in a state of denial truly dangerous for the world. He needs an intervention. Think of this election as an intervention against a government in complete denial and capable of driving the West off a cliff. You can't merely abstain now. Bush just raised the stakes. And he must be stopped.

-Andrew Sullivan on Bush's comment yesterday that he intends to keep Donald Rumsfeld on as Defense Secretary through the end of his presidency.

Be patriotic. Protect the Constitution. Vote Democratic.

Arrogant, Ignorant, and Blind

Quote of the Day #2:

Both men are doing fantastic jobs. I'm pleased with the progress we're making.

-President Bush, after telling reporters today that he wants Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice-President Cheney to remain in his administration through the end of his presidency.

He's arrogant, ignorant, and blind.

Be a patriot. Protect the Constitution. Vote Democratic on November 7th.

Another Republican Leaves the Fold

Quote of the Day:

I am not really having any fun attacking my old friends — but I don’t know how else to respond when people call decent men like Jim Webb a pervert for no other reason than to win an election. I don’t know how to deal with people who think savaging a man with Parkinson’s for electoral gain is appropriate election-year discourse. I don’t know how to react to people who think that calling anyone who disagrees with them on Iraq a “terrorist-enabler” than to swing back. I don’t know how to react to people who think that media reports of party hacks in the administration overruling scientists on issues like global warming, endangered species, intelligent design, prescription drugs, etc., are signs of ... liberal media bias.

-John Cole, now a former Republican, summing up the party in its current incarnation.

It really isn't the party of Dwight Eisenhower, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan anymore is it? And it certainly ain't the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln. Each of those gentlemen are probably rolling over in their graves at the Fascist turn their beloved party has taken.

7 Shot at San Francisco Celebration

It's shocking.

Violence marred the annual Halloween celebration in San Francisco's Castro district Tuesday when seven people were shot in the 2200 block of Market Street just as the event was drawing to an end, police said. Police heard the shots and ran toward 2255 Market to find two women and five men on the ground, two with life-threatening injuries. One suffered a gunshot to the head. The victims were transported to San Francisco General Hospital.

The city has tried so hard to keep things calm, cool, and collected after stabbings a few years back. But after last night's gathering in the Castro, 7 are shot, 2 hanging on to life.

We have very good friends who live just yards from where the shooting took place. So, since it seems 90% of those who attend this annual gathering are from outside the neighborhood and city, it is my sincere belief that the event be cancelled. Forever. Period.

Update: KQED radio is reporting the number of injured is 10.

The Kerry Flap

He was joking, ok? Not about the troops, but about the President, the administration, and their failed policy in Iraq. But in typical John Kerry fashion the joke fell flat. In fact, it sounded insulting. And in today's knock-em-down media market, a bad joke is all the Republican machine needs to start days worth of TV and radio sound bites.

To his credit, Kerry immediately went on the offensive when things started to heat up:

I'm sick and tired of a bunch of despicable Republicans who will not debate real policy, who won't take responsibility for their own mistakes, standing up and trying to make other people the butt of those mistakes. It disgusts me that a bunch of these Republican hacks who've never worn the uniform of our country are willing to lie about those who did.

Well, that's Kerry in a nutshell for you. Finally fighting the 2004 presidential election...two years late.

His lost quest for the White House aside, let's compare Kerry's honorable service in Vietnam to the service of the incompetents who are mismanaging the Iraq War and their fascist supporters:

President George W. Bush - Daddy fixed it so li'l George could fly toy planes over Texas rather than head overseas.

Vice-President Dick Cheney - Several deferments.

Strategist Karl Rove - Dodged the draft and did not serve.

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice - Did not serve.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist - Did not serve.

Republican Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert - Did not serve.

Former Republican House Majority Leader Tom Delay - Did not serve.

Rush Limbaugh - Did not serve

Sean Hannity - Did not serve

Bill O'Reilly - Did not serve

The Republicans shouldn't get giddy about this. Kerry's name isn't on a ballot this year. And while the administration's name isn't either, it's their war that is going so terribly wrong. And that is what will be on voters mind next week.