What would you do if some miracle happened and we could walk out of here tomorrow morning and start all over again clean?

From Wikipedia; the definitive source on everything-

"The bicameral Congress arose from the desire of the Founders to create a House "of the people" that would represent public opinion, balanced by a more deliberative Senate that would represent the governments of the individual states, and would be less susceptible to variations of mass sentiment. The House is often considered to be the "lower house," with the Senate as the "upper house," although the United States Constitution does not use such language. The Constitution provides that the approval of both houses is necessary for the passage of legislation. "

I was reminded of this when reflecting on Brian Baird's antics as of late. Baird got rightfully reamed in a town hall meeting last night for his recent 180 in support of the Bush administration's surge policy in Iraq after taking part in a dog n'pony visit to that country. His constituents, oddly enough, believe that he ought to follow their lead on this issue. I know it's a crazy idea, don't you think?

Look; I get the idea of representative democracy as opposed to straight democracy (i.e. "mob rule.") There are a whole ton of issues the details of which average citizens don't have the time to inform themselves on in the course of the busy daily lives. Citizens (myself included) can't make an informed judgement on what the optimum level for tariffs on Chinese sugar beets should be. That's why we elect and pay representatives.

But on the issue of Iraq there isn't a breathing American adult who doesn't have somewhat of an idea of what's going on there and, more importantly, what ought to be done in that country. Baird's contention that his opinion is somehow more "informed" because he spent some time with Bush's political cover-boy General Petraeus who he "trusts" doesn't exactly demonstrate good judgement on the congressman's part. Petraeus is not an honorable officer. Serving this administration in this war is proof enough of that.

Today I read in the Oregonian that we are to respect Baird as a political maverick. Idiocy, nor the willingess to let oneself be used as a tool by heartless assholes, does not make you a maverick. Baird is no profile in courage and the party needs to run someone against him NOW.

He has to go.

Diaboli virtus in lumbis est. Diaboli virtus in lumbis est.

Adios Alberto!

Word is he's off to private practice to represent Michael Vick. Apparently his strategy will be that Vick wasn't "torturing the dogs to death" he was using "alternative interrogation methods."

Since we went from the awful AG John Ashcroft to the odious Alberto Gonzalez I can only assume that Hitler's resurrected corpse will be the next tapped by Bush to fill the office. A recess appointment won't be necessary as Senate Democrats will trust Bush's judgement in these matters.

A lot depends on who's in the saddle.

I'm still around.

Besides the usual craziness that surrounds pretty much everybody I know with a family (work, kids to practice, finding a way to get dinner before 8:30, rabid hamsters) I really haven't been able to bring myself to write about politics; even when I have the time.

For most of my life I've been a Democrat but also what I'd term a "wide-eyed" Democrat. I'm a Democrat that's never suffered under the delusion that my party is fully functional nor that inaction of all of it's platforms would somehow be a magical panacea that would cure all of the ills of American society.

What's kept me calling myself a Democrat and occasionally volunteering has been the simple fact that, for all it's dysfunctions, the Democratic party is the single organized body strong enough to stop the great evil that threatens our country: conservative Republicans.

When the Democratic party fails to fulfill even this role then I'm left joining many progressives who've supported Democrats and who made '06 possible asking "what the hell's the point?"

There has been so much outrageous stuff happening this last seven years and all we've had out of the leaders in the Democratic party are excuses. I'm tired of it. If FDR were to come back to life and see what's become of the modern Democratic party he'd get up out of his wheelchair and kick the living crap out of Pelosi and Reid, not to mention weenies like Ben Nelson and Washington's Brian Baird (a sucker for the Bushies if there ever was one.)

Politics is about leadership. The mealy-mouthed, hide-under-their-desk when it counts cowardice that the Democratic party has been exhibiting ain't it. We don't expect our leaders to all be Michael Jordan. We do expect that, at the very least, they'll get off the bench and get into the game.

We simply must accept the fact that Captain Kirk is no longer alive.

My buddy CB hates it when I go all geek on this blog but in this case I just can't help it. In this case I just want to post the confirmed cast to the new TOS Star Trek movie that J.J. Abrams is putting together. Still no Kirk but we have...

Spock

Scotty

Chekov

I'd make a 90210/ meets Star Trek comment but it'd date me.

Oh gee, thanks Dave, bang-up job so far. Extortion, coercion; you'll pardon me if I ask you to kiss my pucker.

Any of you in California (Overdroid) please put some effort into defeating this horrendous ballot initiative sponsored by Republicans. I know it sounds alarmist but this simple initiative would be the difference between putting a President in office that acts responsibly towards the environment, the budget and foreign affairs or a Bush-clone like Giuliani.

I have nothing against proportional representation but agree with many critics of this measure that it needs to be put in place nationally and not unilaterally as California may do here. I also think on simple the substance of fairness this measure fails. It awards electoral votes by winner of congressional districts rather than vote percentages. In reality this would put a system in place that's not much different that we have now where the minority is over-represented and the will of majority of voters is diluted.

I long for the day when Republicans will move away from shenanigans as their foremost political tactic. From the Rovian games played at the Federal level with U.S. Attorneys to this ballot initiative I would like to see the Republican party re-engage with the electorate and try winning elections by just having better and more appealing policy positions.

I know that's a pipe dream.

No, you ain't gonna hate me. I ain't gonna let you hate me.

In memory of the King of Rock and Roll





I'm fairly certain I'm going to "go" the same way.

(See what I did there? :-) )

You expect me to talk when all I could preserve is my own measly, worthless life? TOO BLOODY RIGHT, I'LL TALK! I'll talk, I'll talk.

Here's a wacky suggestion for Jeff Kosseff from the Oregonian- when your doing a story about what Oregon voters are telling them about Iraq as they tour the state on their August recess you just might want to actually go to some of these events rather than ask the politicians what they're hearing.

"Iraq is playing a prominent role in meetings that Oregon's representatives and senators have in Oregon during this month's congressional recess. Though recesses traditionally have been a time for members of Congress to connect with constituents on a wide variety of issues, this month's recess has a uniquely strong focus on the future of the Iraq war.

Next month, Gen. David Petraeus will deliver a report on progress in Iraq. Democrats and some Republicans say the report could create a turning point in congressional support of the war, possibly causing enough Republicans to break with the Bush administration to support a withdrawal of troops.

"This is one of the most crucial periods in this whole debate," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.As he normally does during recesses, Wyden is holding three town hall meetings this week. But unlike his usual practice of addressing all current issues, Wyden is focusing the meetings on Iraq.

"It seemed very important to give Oregonians a chance to weigh in going into the debate," Wyden said. "I know a lot of folks want to talk about immigration and health care and the like, but this is going to be an opportunity to make sure Oregonians' voices are heard."

Sen. Gordon Smith said Iraq was among the top issues in his conversations with people at county fairs last week. "There's a heightened expectation," said Smith, who voted to authorize the war in 2002, but in December publicly criticized Bush's Iraq policy. Since then, Smith has advocated redeploying troops. "Wisely or not, General Petraeus and the president have created an expectation that there will be an evaluation and a way forward that shows us a way home sooner than later. "

There's a bit in there from Republican Greg Walden where he says voters wan't the troops home but want the exit strategy to be "done properly." Sure. That would be a damnsight better than how you and your President but those boys over there to begin with.

Kroger, your Delta Tau Chi name is Pinto.

Karl Rove sighted the ubiquitous "leaving to spend time with my family" excuse for why he's resigning which is obviously not the truth. Others are speculating that it might have something to do with his legal troubles. That would seem the best possible explanation unless you happen to be the Dean of Faber College and have a former graduate/ mole on the inside at the White House and know otherwise. I am that Dean and have that mole.

My mole, let's call him "Neidermeyer" for now, is a sneak little shit that was able to obtain for this blog a copy of Rove's resignation letter. Below it is included in it's entirety.


Dear Big Kahuna,

It is with regret that I must inform you that I will be resigning the office of Deputy Director of Political Strategy effective August 31.

There are a number of factors in this decision. My duties serving in this office continue to stand in the way of my dream of joining the touring company of "Mama Mia." I would like to finish work on my cookbook tentatively titled "The Cannibal's Kitchen" and I'm not afraid to admit it after all these years but I'm in love with your wife. A Librarian that runs over and kills a former boyfriend is a secret fetish of mine. Every time I look at Laura: grroowwwlll.

I've enjoyed our many years together- whether we were laughing at the pleas of clemency from convicted murderers on death row back in Texas, hiding under the chairs together on 9/11 or helping you start a war for no good reason we always had fun. I will always cherish my time with you in the 2000 election when we watched Gore continually talk like he could actually win it and a fair count would prevail. As if.

I will forever be your Chunky Monkey, Bald Bomber and Turd Blossom.

Yours Truly,

Karl Rove

The minute you start they put you on the all-American sucker list. You start out to build a home and wind up in the poorhouse.

Please think about what Duncan is pointing out here and tell me it doesn't piss you off as much as it does me.

In the current mortage crisis there are predatory lenders and there are victims of predatory lenders. The government is riding to the rescue of the former and (so far) giving a finger to the latter.

Then get the same cat to search us.

Josh does a take down of the wankosphere's recent conclusions about Scott Beauchamp. In summary:

Maybe Beauchamp was always a teller of tales. He wouldn't be the first nor even the first to have wormed his way into the pages of The New Republic. But it's hard not to have some suspicion that the Army has put itself in charge of investigating charges which, if true, would be deeply embarrassing to the Army; that it has provided itself a full exoneration through an investigation, the details of which it will not divulge; and it has chosen to use as its exclusive conduit for disseminating information about the case, The Weekly Standard, a publication which can at best be described as a charged partisan in the public controversy about the case.

This hardly inspires much confidence.