the 3rd cent

And now we return to our regular programming, already in progress...

2006-09-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

If anyone actually reads this post on the this long forgotten silt-covered shell of a formerly glorious site, please take note.

Much like a phoenix rising from the desert in Arizona, the 3rd cent is being reborn at a new location....

the third cent

Original, isn't it. I know what you are thinking...

First, why the hell am I reading this site anyway? It's been over a year since the last post. How bored was I that I looked up this blue nightmare.

Second, I can't believe the tickers are still working.

Third, what is the point of starting a similar [if not identical] blog on another site.

My response: I don't have to explain my self to the likes of you! At least not on this old and decrepit site. Come on over to the third cent...it's only a mouse click away.

May I go to the bathroom...please

2005-09-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

As photographed and reported by REUTERS yesterday, September 14th:

U.S. President George W. Bush writes a note to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a Security Council meeting at the 2005 World Summit and 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York September 14, 2005. World leaders are exploring ways to revitalize the United Nations at a summit on Wednesday but their blueprint falls short of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's vision of freedom from want, persecution and war. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Here is an enlargement of what makes this photograph noteworthy:

In case you couldn't read the President's note, it reads:

"I think I may need a bathroom break? Is this possible [illegible]?"

How many other leaders of the free world would need two conditional declarations within the first four words about something so definitive, and still need a question mark at the end of the sentence...only to then ask again?

Taking one for the "team"...

2005-07-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

Why the hell are the White House, the RNC, Republican Congressmen and conservative pundits backing Karl Rove up...can anyone answer that?

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, go on to any...ANY...news source in the world and read about it.

The way Bush Administration is sticking up for Rove reminded me of this October 2004 photo and story from the campaign trail:

Karl Rove laid himself on the line for his boss, the president of the United States.

That is, he laid himself under the wheels of Air Force One on Monday. Reason: Unclear, but it seems to have been an inside joke between Rove and President George W. Bush.

Returning to the aircraft after Mr. Bush's foreign policy speech, the two men traded words. As Mr. Bush climbed the stairs, his top political adviser set his briefcase down in front of the tires and stretched out on the ground with his back to the wheels.

Rove stood back up moments later; a smiling Bush waved from the plane and they both got aboard.

"It was a humorous moment on the campaign trail," was all Bush campaign spokesman Scott Stanzel would say about Rove's antic.

Wow. Put all that in the context of recent news [Bush/GOP lying down in front of "Truth Train" for Rove], and "antic" takes on a whole new meaning.

Mr. President, loyalty or no loyalty, fire this guy already...

Activist Judges and the Court

2005-07-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

I realize I haven’t posted anything about the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Even though she is a conservative, I respect the hell out of her and her tenure on the Court. I’ve not always agreed with her decisions…Bush vs. Gore still pisses me off…but overall she has been a fine Jurist. Now let the mayhem begin!

Speaking of the Court, I read a great New York Times op-edtoday by Paul Gewirtz and Chad Golder in which they suggest an actual measure for what makes an "activist" judge:

We found that justices vary widely in their inclination to strike down Congressional laws. Justice Clarence Thomas, appointed by President George H. W. Bush, was the most inclined, voting to invalidate 65.63 percent of those laws; Justice Stephen Breyer [again, my favorite Justice], appointed by President Bill Clinton, was the least, voting to invalidate 28.13 percent. The tally for all the justices appears below.
Thomas - 65.63%
Kennedy - 64.06%
Scalia - 56.25%
Rehnquist - 46.88%
O'Connor - 46.77%
Souter - 42.19%
Stevens - 39.34%
Ginsburg - 39.06%
Breyer - 28.13%
One conclusion our data suggests is that those justices often considered more "liberal" - Justices Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Souter and John Paul Stevens - vote least frequently to overturn Congressional statutes, while those often labeled "conservative" vote more frequently to do so. At least by this measure (others are possible, of course), the latter group is the most activist.

President Bush has persistently praised Scalia and Thomas as archetypal judges (and has said they are his favorites). From that position, am I wrong to assume that what Bush and the conservatives are really looking for are judges that "legislate from the bench", overturning laws and overriding the will of Congress, and by extension, the American people. Am I?

The whole Republican/neo-con concept of "activist judges" is erroneous at best. I would also include nutty, intellectually lazy, and downright dishonest in the description. In reality, the neo-con fundamentalist “religious right” wants desperately to appoint "activist judges" who reshape laws according to their personal religious or conservative preferences. And on top of that, they don't want anyone else to point that out.

The next time you hear a Republican or neo-con rail about “activist judges,” shove this down their ass…excuse me…immorality orifice.

Justice Crapo??? Sen. Ried, WTF?

2005-06-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said he'd been talking to Democratic leader Harry Reid about nominees for a potential vacancy on the Supreme Court but wouldn't say whom he and Reid had discussed or characterize their chances in front of the Senate.

Well, later yesterday Reid offered four names of people he said would be good for the court: GOP Sens. Mel Martinez of Florida, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Mike Crapo of Idaho.

They "are people who serve in the Senate now who are Republicans who I think would be outstanding Supreme Court members," Reid said.

I'm not wild about Crapo...I'm sure he's a good guy, but he's got to be one of the most whiped senators around...his Republican party-line voting record is at 98%.

5%...math-inept people rejoice!

2005-06-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

Beginning Friday, Idaho's sales tax rate will drop back to 5%...the first time since 2003. What do you know, Rep. Deloris Crow [shudder] got her way...now only if her tenure as state representative would sunset like the 6% sales tax.

For people like me (idiots), 5% makes for a much easier percentage to add up...5, 10, 15, 20, etc. Yeah! When I buy $1.00 worth of junk, I will only have to add on one of these:

It's too bad that Idaho won't be able to afford educating our students. That's Idaho for you...

Arkansas of the Northwest!

SCOTUS: I am the Lord thy God...but only in certain contexts

2005-06-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled today that displays of the Ten Commandments that have been around for a while and which are historical in context are OK on government property.

Now before the neo-con/Christian Soldier/fundamentalists cheer, SCOTUS also ruled that displays of the Ten Commandments that imply our laws come from Judeo-Christian religious beliefs are NOT OK.

I can live with these ruling...I think they make sense...and I love that my favorite Justice, Stephen Breyer, was the swing vote in both cases.

Spirit of Justice...naked once more...

2005-06-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

With barely a word about it, workers at the Justice Department yesterday removed the blue drapes that have famously covered two scantily clad statues, for the past 3 1/2 years.

Spirit of Justice, with her one breast exposed and her arms raised, and the bare-chested male Majesty of Law basked in the late afternoon light of Justice's ceremonial Great Hall.

The drapes, installed in 2002 at a cost of $8,000, allowed then-Attorney General John Ashcroft to speak in the Great Hall without fear of a breast showing up behind him in television or newspaper pictures, [from the AP]

Little by little, the radial neo-conservative/fundamentalist Christian agenda of John Ashcroft is being removed...now we need to repeal the USA Patriot Act (Uniting & Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act).

3rd cent Presidential Straw Poll

2005-06-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Who do you like from the list of potential Democratic presidential candidates? Take the poll and leave me a comment.

◊ Evan Bayh
◊ Joe Biden
◊ Wesley Clark
◊ Hillary Clinton
◊ John Edwards
◊ Russ Feingold
◊ John Kerry
◊ Bill Richardson
◊ Tom Vilsack
◊ Mark Warner
◊ Other
◊ Who the hell are these people?

Because it's apparently never too early to flame each other's presidential preferences.

(For those who care, I vote, Wesley Clark/Bill Richardson/Who the hell are these people?)

Go Straw!

ASK AMERICA: 2005 National Policy Survey...WTF?

2005-06-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

Liz recently received a "survey" from the National Republican Congressional Committee titled "Ask America." The survey contained a four page cover letter from Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House. In the letter, Hastert explained the perils of being a Republican:

Keep in mind, a loss of only 14 Republican seats in the House of Representatives in the next elections will give control to the Democrats and make ultra-liberal, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House.

Even worse, the loss of out Senate Majority will put Democrats in control of the chamber and give obstructionists such as Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton the opportunity to re-shape America's future.

Oh No! Not an "ultra-liberal!" In addition to the letter, the questions on the survey are so fantastic and unbiased I have to share them with you all...not like a push-poll at all. Feel free to answer them as you go along...and try not to poke your eyes out:

ASK AMERICA SURVEY

WAR ON TERROR

1. Do you support President Bush in his efforts to wipe out terrorism worldwide even if this war goes on for many years?
YES NO NO OPINION

2. Do you think American troops should pursue terrorists and their leaders even if it means going into countries where we are not invited?
YES NO NO OPINION

HOMELAND SECURITY

3. How concerned are you that we potentially face more terrorism within the United States and that it will directly impact your family?
Very Concerned Somewhat Concerned Not Very Concerned

4. How confident are you that the newly created Department of Homeland Security will be able to keep America Safe from future terrorist attacks?
Very Confident Somewhat Confident Not Very Confident

5. Some critics say that in tracking down potential foreign terrorists, the FBI and other investigative agencies are infringing on individuals' Constitutional rights. Do you think this is reasonable if it leads to exposing more terrorists in our country?
YES NO NO OPINION

6. Should resident aliens and all non-citizens be required to carry and I.D. card issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service while they are in the U.S.?
YES NO NO OPINION

7. Do you think our government is doing enough to secure America's borders against
foreign terrorists?
YES NO NO OPINION

8. Do you believe that all foreigners within the United States whose visas have expired should be found and deported?
YES NO NO OPINION

9. What is of greatest concern to you and your family right now?
Threat of terrorism Health of nation's economy Other______

ECONOMY

10. How confident do you feel that America's economy will continue to grow stronger in the next six months?
Strongly Confident Not too Confident Somewhat Confident Not Confident at all

11. Which of the following factors is most adversely affecting our economy?
Burdensome taxes Speculative business ventures Stock market Questionable corporate governance Severe government regulations Threat of terrorism Growth of government spending Other_______

12. President Bush and the Republicans in Congress have passed historic tax cuts. Do you agree that additional tax cuts are needed to spur the economy and relieve the tax pressure on America's citizens?
YES NO NO OPINION

13. Do you agree that a top priority should be making President Bush's $1.3 trillion tax cut permanent?
YES NO NO OPINION

14. Do you support eliminating the Death Tax?
YES NO NO OPINION

15. Do you believe the nation's tax code should be completely overhauled and streamlined?
YES NO NO OPINION

16. Do you agree that Congress must provide more incentives for work and entrepreneurship to promote job creation?
YES NO NO OPINION

SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE

17. Do you agree with President Bush that it is imperative to modernize and restore fiscal soundness to Social Security?
YES NO NO OPINION

18. Do you support President Bush's proposal to allow individuals to choose to invest a certain portion of their Social Security money in order to build a stronger retirement fund?
YES NO NO OPINION

19. Do you feel it is imperative that Congress act today to ensure the financial stability of the Medicare program?
YES NO NO OPINION

20. Do you think that all costs for prescription drugs should be covered under Medicare?
YES NO NO OPINION

HEALTH CARE

21. Are you pleased with the quality of health care you currently receive?
YES NO NO OPINION

22. Do you agree that there should be reasonable limits on punitive damages on the amount of money patients and trial lawyers can collect when suing their doctors or HMO's?
YES NO NO OPINION

23. How much of a role should the federal government have in an individual's health care?
Major role Limited role No role at all No opinion

EDUCATION

24. Do you agree with President Bush's reform proposal of flexibility and local control that will reduce red tape and give states and local schools unprecedented flexibility in using federal funds to produce results?
YES NO NO OPINION

25. Should states be encouraged to develop methods to test teachers regularly to ensure they are proficient in the subject they teach?
YES NO NO OPINION

26. Should a federally-funded voucher system be established to allow inner city parents to move their children from failing public schools to better performing schools?
YES NO NO OPINION

27. What do you see as the major cause of the decline in America's education?
Complacent parents Not enough discipline Not enough money Too much bureaucracy Poor teachers Crowded classrooms No Opinion Other_______

NATIONAL DEFENSE

28. Do you back President Bush's efforts to build a "missile defense shield" to protect America from nuclear attack from rogue states such as North Korea and Iran?
YES NO NO OPINION

29. Is America doing enough to revamp, restore and strengthen our armed forces to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st Century?
YES NO NO OPINION

30. President Bush has announced the most comprehesive restructuring of U.S. military forces overseas since the end of the Korean War by redeploying troops to better face the threats of a post-Cold War world. Do you agree?
YES NO NO OPINION

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

31. In the recent election, President Bush made it clear that "the United Nation's will never dictate U.S. foreign policy." Do you agree with that statement?
YES -NO NO OPINION

32. Which of the following do you think will have the most impact on America in the next 5 years?
The situation in Iraq Unstable economic markets in key areas of the world The threat of terrorism North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons The instability in the Middle East The growing military and economic clout of China Other_______

33. Do you agree with President Bush's policy that the establishment of a free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will be a watershed event in the global democratic revolution?
YES NO NO OPINION

34. Do you support President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS relief, a five-year, $15 billion initiative to turn the tide in combating the global HIV/AIDS pandemic?
YES NO NO OPINION

IMMIGRATION

35. Do you think that America should be doing more to secure our borders and keep illegal immigration to a minimum?
YES NO NO OPINION

36. President Bush has proposed a temporary guestworker program to match willing foreign workers with willing U.S. employers when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. Are you in favor of this proposal?
YES NO NO OPINION

37. Do you believe Congress should place stricter limits on legal immigration?
YES NO NO OPINION

38. Are you concerned about the current unprecedented levels of illegal immigration?
YES NO NO OPINION

39. Do you support increased funding for border control operations?
YES NO NO OPINION

SUPREME COURT/FEDERAL COURTS

40. How do you feel the current U.S. Supreme Court is positioned?
Too liberal Too conservative Just right No opinion

41. Do you believe it is acceptable to apply "litmus tests" on key issues to potential Supreme Court nominees?
YES NO NO OPINION

42. Do you think that confirmation of federal and Supreme Court justices should simply require a majority vote of 51 U.S. Senators or should 60 votes be needed to break a Senate filibuster?
51 votes 60 votes NO OPINION

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

43. In recent years, has the federal government grown more or less intrusive in your personal and business affairs?
More intrusive Less intrusive No opinion

44. Is President Bush right in trying to rein-in the size and scope of the federal government against the wishes of the big government Democrats?
YES NO NO OPINION

45. Are you in support of President Bush's Faith Based and Community initiatives that will allow federal funding to be allocated to qualifying religious organizations to further social and community works?
YES NO NO OPINION

GENERAL ISSUES

46. Congress recently passed a "class-action reform" bill to bring an end to frivolous and costly lawsuits that are getting out of control. Do you approve of this legislation?
YES NO NO OPINION

47. Does the national news media accurately report the news without liberal bias?
YES NO NO OPINION

48. Do you support the President's plan to unify our nation around a comprehensive energy plan that protects consumers while producing more reliable and environmentally clean energy?
YES NO NO OPINION

49. Should Congress authorize additional oil exploration in Alaska to help alleviate America's over reliance on Middle East oil in the future?
YES NO NO OPINION

50. Considering the massive amounts of money spent on the 2004 elections by so called "527 independent groups" which were allowed to take millions of dollars from single individuals, do you feel that additional reforms are needed to our campaign finance laws?
YES NO NO OPINION

51. Do you believe all abortions should be banned?
YES NO NO OPINION

52. Do you think there should be a Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage?
YES NO NO OPINION

THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS

53. Generally, are you satisfied with the accomplishments of the Republicans in Congress?
YES NO NO OPINION

54. How do you rate President Bush's job performance thus far?
EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR SATISFACTORY POOR

55. Do you agree that the obstructionist Democrats should not be allowed to gain control of the U.S. Congress in the 2006 elections?
YES NO NO OPINION

56. In your opinion, how does the federal government best function?
When one party controls both the White House and Congress When one party controls the White House and another party controls Congress When control of Congress is split between both parties No opinion

57. What do you consider the most important steps the Republican Party can take in the coming months to ensure continued control of Congress? [This is apparently an extra credit essay question, as there no options offered and a couple of lines for you to fill in & give them some ideas.]

Now, if you were like me, after you stopped laughing and grinding your teeth, you felt like a shower was needed...Well America, what do you think?

Democratic Core Values according to Slingshizzle

2005-06-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

For the past several years, and especially in the past several months, people, Republicans and neo-cons alike have been railing liberals and Democrats for not knowing what they believe in. I've seen this floating around as a list of core Democratic values: Accountability, Privacy, Growth and Opportunity, American Leadership.

If I were Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, these would be my party's core values:

Accountability
Fighting corruption
Responsive government
Transparency
Electoral reform
Fiscal responsibility
Corporate accountability (tort laws, strong SEC, etc.)

Privacy
Sacrosanct doctor/patient relationship (choice, contraceptives, medical marijuana)
Family planning
No regulation of morality
Opposition to Patriot Act
A right-to-die
Consumer privacy
Religious freedom

Growth and Opportunity
Education (pre-K, primary, secondary, college, continued adult)
No "No Child Left Behind"
Worker rights
Social Security
Health Care
Gender equality (same pay for same work, etc.)
Non-regressive tax laws
Marriage equality
Workplace protection (OSHA, discrimination laws, etc.)
Fair trade laws
Small business support
Protecting our environment
Protecting our cultural heritage
Sound (renewable) energy policy

American Leadership (America is #1!)
Strong, effective, smartly deployed military
Leadership on global issues (e.g. terrorism, landmines, global warming, etc.)
Champion of human rights at home and abroad
Leadership in science and technology (e.g. stem cells, alternative energy, etc.)
Strong United Nations/internationalism/multilateralism

Even though I'm not chairman of the DNC, when Republicans and neo-cons ask me what I believe in as a Democrat, I will tell them this.

the Senate appologizes...good for them

2005-06-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

Before my actual post, some personal stuff...I am doing well and still working at Subway. Most of my time off is spent with ASUI's illustrious Vice President, so I apologize for the helter-skelter way I'm posting here...but I will continue to post (especially now that My 2 Cents is "back"...but only about good things, no Michael Jackson garbage

The U.S. Senate, through a cheap and un-accountable voice vote decided upon by Majority Leader Bill Frist, passed a resolution apologizing for failing to enact anti-lynching laws in the 20th century. Unsurprisingly, Trent Lott was not one of the co-sponsors. The reason I said the vote was cheap and un-accountable is that there was no roll-call taken of senators and their vote. Frist did not want to pin any of his bigoted colleagues with a no-vote on this issue...but their sponsorship speaks volumes.

Now, before someone "the Lone Ranger," brings up Sen. Robert "KKK" Byrd (D-WV), let me pre-emt them by pointing out that Sen. Byrd was a co-sponsor.

My question is why Idaho's own Senator Mike Crapo is not among the co-sponsors. I don't think anyone will argue that Idaho had a history of race relations that is less than stellar...well, maybe it's good enough for Lott and Crapo.

The little blue pill...

2005-06-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

My favorite two senators, Trent Lott of Mississippi and Rick Santorum of Pensylvania, have introduced another vital, topical and important piece of legislation:

S. 1113

A BILL

To provide that no Federal funds may be expended for the payment or reimbursement of a drug that is prescribed for the treatment of sexual or erectile dysfunction.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Prescription Drug Coverage Stewardship Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. NO FEDERAL FUNDS FOR DRUGS PRESCRIBED FOR THE TREATMENT OF SEXUAL OR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION.

(a) Restriction-

(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no Federal funds may be expended for the payment or reimbursement, including payment or reimbursement under the programs described in paragraph (2), of a drug that is prescribed for the treatment of sexual or erectile dysfunction, including for such a drug that is prescribed to an individual who has a conviction for sexual abuse, sexual assault, or any other sexual offense.

(2) PROGRAMS DESCRIBED- The programs described in this paragraph are the medicaid program, the medicare program, the Federal employees health benefits program, the Defense Health Program, the program of medical care furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, health related programs administered by the Indian Health Service, health related programs funded under the Public Health Service Act, and any other Federal health program.

(b) Effective Date- Subsection (a) shall apply to drugs dispensed on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

That's right...we gotta support our troops, federal employees and veterans by denying them Viagra. Man I dislike this guy:

Doc, now that you are working for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, I need you to do one thing for me and ever other American...put that guy out of a job next year...

Deep Throat

2005-06-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

So, the source Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward of the Washington Post used to report the Watergate scandal and bring down the slime that was the Nixon administration was W. Mark Felt, former FBI deputy associate director.

Here's the cool part...Felt is an Idahoan...and a Vandal. Felt was born and raised in Twin Falls and he graduated from the University of Idaho in 1935 and was president of Idaho's Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

I-D-A-H-O
IDAHO!
IDAHO!
GO!
GO!
GO!

Episode VI: Return of the Liberal

2005-05-31T21:34:00.000-07:00

Not much has happened since I blocked last...not much at all. There have been several "developments" in the last 24 hours which beg the 3rd cent to comment...or at least I beg me to comment.

First, Amnesty International released a report last week detailing prisoner abuses at the Guantanamo Bay military terrorist detention facility. You can read the report here: Guantanamo and beyond: The continuing pursuit of unchecked executive power.

Yesterday, on CNN's Larry King Live, King interviewed Vice President Cheney. This is the exchange between King and Cheney:

KING: Amnesty International condemns the United States. How do you react?

D. CHENEY: I don't take them seriously.

KING: Not at all?

D. CHENEY: No. I -- frankly, I was offended by it. I think the fact of the matter is, the United States has done more to advance the cause of freedom, has liberated more people from tyranny over the course of the 20th century and up to the present day than any other nation in the history of the world. Think about what we did in World War I, World War II, throughout the Cold War. Just in this administration, we've liberated 50 million people from the Taliban in Afghanistan and from Saddam Hussein in Iraq, two terribly oppressive regimes that slaughtered hundreds of thousands of their own people. For Amnesty International to suggest that somehow the United States is a violator of human rights, I frankly just don't take them seriously.

KING: They specifically said, though, it was Guantanamo. They compared it to a gulag.

D. CHENEY: Not true. Guantanamo's been operated, I think, in a very sane and sound fashion by the U.S. military. Remember who's down there. These are people that were picked up off the battlefield in Afghanistan and other places in the global war on terror. These are individuals who have been actively involved as the enemy, if you will, trying to kill Americans. That we need to have a place where we can keep them. In a sense, when you're at war, you keep prisoners of war until the war is over with.

We've also been able to derive significant amounts of intelligence from them that helped us understand better the organization and the adversary we face and helped us gather the kind of information that makes it possible for us to defend the United States against further attacks. And what we're doing down there has, I think, been done perfectly appropriately. I think these people have been well treated, treated humanely and decently.

Occasionally there are allegations of mistreatment. But if you trace those back, in nearly every case, it turns out to come from somebody who had been inside and been released by to their home country and now are peddling lies about how they were treated.

So let me get this straight...the Vice President of the United States was offended...not by prisoner abuse...but by Amnesty International saying there was prisoner abuse. Who the hell does he think he is?

And let me get this other thing straight...Cheney said: "For Amnesty International to suggest that somehow the United States is a violator of human rights, I frankly just don't take them seriously." Did the Vice President, who is from Wyoming, forget about the U.S.'s treatment of Native Americans...or blacks...or women...or imigrants...or the Japanese Americans during WWII?

Then today, during a press conference, President Bush had this exchange:

Q Thank you, sir. Mr. President, recently, Amnesty International said you have established "a new gulag" of prisons around the world, beyond the reach of the law and decency. I'd like your reaction to that, and also your assessment of how it came to this, that that is a view not just held by extremists and anti-Americans, but by groups that have allied themselves with the United States government in the past -- and what the strategic impact is that in many places of the world, the United States these days, under your leadership, is no longer seen as the good guy.

THE PRESIDENT: I'm aware of the Amnesty International report, and it's absurd. It's an absurd allegation. The United States is a country that is -- promotes freedom around the world. When there's accusations made about certain actions by our people, they're fully investigated in a transparent way. It's just an absurd allegation.

In terms of the detainees, we've had thousands of people detained. We've investigated every single complaint against the detainees. It seemed like to me they based some of their decisions on the word of -- and the allegations -- by people who were held in detention, people who hate America, people that had been trained in some instances to disassemble -- that means not tell the truth. And so it was an absurd report. It just is. And, you know -- yes, sir.

In my polite opinion, the Bush administration is full of S*@%. "It just is."

Check back tomorrow for the end to government-funded Viagra and Deep Throat...

The good and bad sides of religion...

2005-04-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

THE GOOD: Over 250,000 people attended the first Sunday mass of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square and Via della Conciliazione in Rome:

THE BAD: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee participated in the Justice Sunday: Stop the Filibuster Against People of Faith telecast:

dear God...

"Incredibly Outrageous"

2005-04-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

Rep. Tom Delay is completely out of control...DeLay slams Supreme Court Justice Kennedy.

I don't know what more to say...he's gotta go...

HABEMVS PAPAM: BENEDICTVM XVI

2005-04-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam:

Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Josephum
Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Ratzinger

qui sibi nomen imposuit Benedictum XVI

Who will be our next Holy Father?

2005-04-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

We will know some time soon...maybe. The Roman Catholic college of cardinals is about to sequester themselves in the Sistine chapel (seen below) to elect the next Pope.

During the "Conclave," as it is called, two votes a day will be taken. If they do not elect a pope, the ballots are burned and black smoke is given off. If a pope has been elected, white smoke will appear.

So now sit back, grab a coke, and get ready to watch a chimney...

The WHAT THE F**K? moment of April 14th

2005-04-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

So I was informed today by the 'good' people at the Family Research Council that as a liberal Democrat, I am "against people of faith." Nice to know...

Actually, the people who are against people of faith are the Democratic members of the U.S. Senate. Why, you ask, would the Family Research Council (FRC) claim that Democratic senators (most of whom are among the faithful) are against people of faith? It's because they are using their right to filibuster radical judicial nominations.

The FRC is holding a national telecast, Justice Sunday: Stop the Filibuster Against People of Faith, on April 24th with special guest Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Here is the flyer for that telecast:

For the full size, click here.

In case you couldn't read it, the bottom of the flier says:

The filibuster was once abused to protect racial bias, and it is now being used against people of faith.

In the statement introducing the telecast, FRC president Tony Perkins, does his part to elevate the debate on this important topic.

As the liberal, anti-Christian dogma of the left has been repudiated in almost every recent election, the courts have become the last great bastion for liberalism.[...]

For years activist courts, aided by liberal interest groups like the ACLU, have been quietly working under the veil of the judiciary, like thieves in the night, to rob us of our Christian heritage and our religious freedoms.[...]

This liberal minority does not respect the will of the people: they want judge-made law because our elected officials will not give them the social anarchy they demand.[...]

If this effort fails, the best we can hope for are likely to be mediocre judges who meet the approval of Ted Kennedy, Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton.[...]

It's times like these that I proclaim to the heavenly father, THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT!

Vacation my white ass...and other observations

2005-04-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you (a.k.a. the Lone Ranger) who thought I was on vacation, I'm pleased to announced that I got a job at

...and have not been wading in a palm-surrounded lagoon...much to my chagrin. Actually, this is one of the first times I've been online in a couple weeks. What have I missed?

• Well, the Idaho Legislature passed one of the most ridiculous pieces of legislation in all of recorded history. You know when Mr. Johnston wanted to make the ASUI Senate more professional like the Idaho Legislature? Well, on the second to last day of the 2005 session, they passed HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 29. You need to read the entire thing, then shake your head and vote against the incumbent legislators in 2006...need proof?

WHEREAS, any members of the House of Representatives or the Senate of the Legislature of the State of Idaho who choose to vote "Nay" on this concurrent resolution are "FREAKIN' IDIOTS!" and run the risk of having the "Worst Day of Their Lives!"

To use a good standby phrase: WHAT THAT F**K!

• The "Honorable" Tom Delay needs to be fired as Majority Leader of the House. How long are neo-cons going to back this neo-con up?

Serriously, this guy is a serious crook...not much unlike Nixon...

• Prince Charles wed HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall...

I can't believe I haven't been around to comment on all this...damn.

A year older and a year dumber...

2005-04-01T15:26:00.000-08:00

Today is the one-year anniversary of the 3rd cent. That's right, this sorry page of blue (of course back then it was white) was created one cold April Fools Day in 2004...and the world has never been the same since.

So, after 365 days of the 3rd cent, what am I thinking? Well...I'm thinking "Why are there so many songs about rainbows, and what's on the other side..."

One more step to the heavens

2005-03-29T19:53:00.000-08:00

The space shuttle Discovery was moved from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building (the massive building that can be seen in Apollo 11.

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, Discovery will be hoisted up in a cradle and mounted to the external fuel tank and booster rockets:

NASA plans to roll Discovery out to the launch pad next week.

This sort of thing just makes me sick...

2005-03-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

"Ghoulish" is definitely the word I would use. From the New York Times:

The parents of Terri Schiavo have authorized a conservative direct-mailing firm to sell a list of their financial supporters, making it likely that thousands of strangers moved by her plight will receive a steady stream of solicitations from anti-abortion and conservative groups.

"These compassionate pro-lifers donated toward Bob Schindler's legal battle to keep Terri's estranged husband from removing the feeding tube from Terri," says a description of the list on the Web site of the firm, Response Unlimited, which is asking $150 a month for 6,000 names and $500 a month for 4,000 e-mail addresses of people who responded last month to an e-mail plea from Ms. Schiavo's father. "These individuals are passionate about the way they value human life, adamantly oppose euthanasia and are pro-life in every sense of the word!"

Privacy experts said the sale of the list was legal and even predictable, if ghoulish.

at least one branch of government still has sanity...

2005-03-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

U.S. District Judge James Whittemore of Tampa, Florida today denied the request for a temporary restraining order to restore the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo. Whittemore wrote that Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, didn't have a "substantial likelihood of success" on the merits of their arguments.

Judge Whittemore is right. From his ruling:

Plaintiffs' [the parents] argument effectively ignores the role of the presiding judge as judicial fact-finder and decision-maker under the Florida statutory scheme. By fulfilling his statutory judicial responsibilities, the judge was not transformed into an advocate merely because his rulings are unfavorable to a litigant. Plaintiffs' contention that the statutory scheme followed by Judge Greer deprived Theresa Schiavo of an impartial trial is accordingly without merit. Defendant [the husband] is correct that no federal constitutional right is implicated when a judge merely grants relief to a litigant in accordance with the law he is sworn to uphold and follow.

Judge Whittemore concluded:

This court appreciates the gravity of the consequences of denying injunctive relief. Even under these difficult and time strained circumstances, however, and notwithstanding Congress' expressed interest in the welfare of Theresa Schiavo, this court is constrained to apply the law to 12 the issues before it.

The parents, who must now believe that Judge Whittemore has "turned into an advocate merely because his ruling was unfavorable to a litigant", themselves, appealed to a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia.

I may have little faith in the legislative and executive branches of our federal government but my faith in the judicial branch is growing [by a little bit, but it's growing].

Spring Fever is no excuse...

2005-03-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday may have been the first day of spring, but that's no excuse for the federal government's actions the last 24 hours. In case you've been pinned under a boulder or in a submarine that's been running silent, you know that Congress and President Bush decided to thumb their noses at the constitution and state rights.

...dear God, I sound like a Republican...a traditional Republican...not one of those neo-con fools like Delay, Bush, Hastert, Frist, Santorum, and Karl Rove, who actually thumbs his nose for a living...

The matter in which I'm speaking is the matter of Terri Schiavo, a woman who has been in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years, and it is a matter I cared little about until yesterday, when the neo-cons pulled a fast one.

For over 200 years, states and the next of kin (in this case, the husband) have had authority over medical care and end of life situations. This history of state jurisprudence stemmed from the 10th amendment to the Constitution, which states:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The neo-cons in the federal government, listening to the parents of Terri Schiavo (who have lost their case to keep their daughter alive again and again in Florida state courts) decided to pass a blatantly un-constitutional law: S.686 A bill to provide for the relief of the parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo.

The Senate passed this bill yesterday afternoon by a voice vote and the House passed it at 12:41 am this morning by a vote of 203-58 with 174 not voting.

Interestingly enough, Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter of the Idaho first voted Aye in keeping with his "state rights" belief.

President Bush signed the law shortly after 1 am this morning.

I have no doubt that the Supreme Court will eventually strike down this awful law...but in the mean time, it is doing irreparable damage to the separation of federal and state and private authority. The neo-cons claim this is an extraordinary instance...excuse me if I don't take them at their word. What is to stop them from passing more unconstitutional laws every time a state legal system disagrees with their warped sense of morality.

The neo-con's actions on this issue have made me so mad I could spit...seriously...like a dilophosaurus.

Two years...1520 American deaths

2005-03-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

Today is the two year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. So what has happened in the past two years?

1520: Americans killed

1696: total coalition killed

5473: American wounded in combat

15,000-20,000: total American wounded

17,000-19,000: Iraqi killed

100,000+: Iraqi wounded

$150,000,000,000: spent

Spain, Thailand, Hungary, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Portugal, New Zealand, Philippines, Norway: Nations who have left "Coalition of the Willing"

Netherlands, Ukraine, Poland: Nations leaving "Coalition of the Willing"

And there is little or no mention of the anniversary on Drudge or the Fox News Channel website...how patriotic.

The Good Work of Public Works

2005-03-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

The Idaho State Senate passed Governor Kempthorne's ambitious $1.6 billion highway program in its entirety today by a vote of 30-4. Republican Senators Brent Hill, Stan Williams, Monty Pierce and Skip Brandt the four dissenting votes. It now goes to the House.

I like public works projects for the most part, and I fully support Kempthorne's "Connecting Idaho" program. If you remember, a group of civil engineers gave the national infrastructure a D rating a few weeks ago. Idaho's roads and highways are in need of serious safety and efficiency improvements, and the use of GARVEE bonds is a good, sound way to do it.

You can learn more about the proposed road plan here: Connecting Idaho.

Dem O'Crat's Unbiased "News"

2005-03-15T21:26:00.000-08:00

For those of you who diligently read the 3rd cent, let me first say GET A LIFE! Secondly, please take the time (since you seem to have it) to check out Dem O'Crat's Unbiased "News".

Dem O'Crat joined the 3rd cent staff back in February...

The Honorable Justice Scalia

2005-03-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

Justice Antonin Scalia reminded me today why he frightens me. While speaking at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, he explained his view that the Constitution must me viewed and interpreted as it was when it was written.

You can see the speak on C-SPAN.org: Justice Antonin Scalia Speech on Constitutional Interpretation

Here are some highlights:

"The Constitution is not a living organism, for Pete’s sake, it is legal document, and like all legal documents, it says some things and doesn’t say others."

"What was ‘cruel and unusual’ and unconstitutional in 1791 remains that today. Executing someone under 18 was not unconstitutional in 1791, so it is not unconstitutional today. Now, it may be very stupid, it may be a very bad idea, just as notching ears, which was a punishment in 1791, is a very bad idea. But the people can...eliminate those stupidities if and when they want. All you need is a legislature and the ballot box."

God help us if he becomes Chief Hatemonger...I mean Chief Justice...

Worst Fortune Ever

2005-03-12T21:26:00.000-08:00

I just got home from Moscow's premiere Asian restaurant, Super China Buffet, and I feel it necessary to share my fortune cookie fortune:

You are smart,
for you do things smartly.

I don't know what more to add...except to say that when I told Liz my fortune, she said "No, what is it really?"

ouch...

2005-03-12T20:05:00.000-08:00

England's Prince William fell from his horse today while playing against his brother Prince Harry during a tsunami charity polo match in western England.

William was unhurt by his graceful dismount and quickly remounted to carry on the game, which his team then lost 12-7.

Jolly Good Show!

A victory for O2 lovers..

2005-03-10T15:26:00.000-08:00

President Bush's inappropriately (probably sarcastically) named "Clear skies" initiative was killed in committee yesterday. Hurray! If the President had his way, this would be the clear skies we would wake up to every morning:

From the Washington Post:

President Bush's bid to rewrite federal air pollution laws ground to a halt in Congress yesterday when Republicans were unable to overcome objections in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that the bill would weaken the central pillars of the nation's environmental protection framework.

The setback is a body blow to the White House's prized plan and a victory for environmentalists who have long said that the "Clear Skies" bill is a euphemism for rolling back safeguards at the behest of industry.

Senator Lincoln Chaffee (R-RI) joined Democrats and Independent Senator Jim Jeffords to deadlock the committee 7-7. The bill could come up again, but the two sides appear to be too far apart to bridge their differences.

A central disagreement was whether the bill -- originally aimed at reducing the emissions of acid-rain-causing sulfur dioxide, smog-forming nitrogen oxides, and toxic mercury from coal-fired power plants and other industries -- should also address carbon dioxide emissions linked to global warming. That issue cost the Republican majority Chafee's crucial vote, said Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio).

"Chafee thinks this is the biggest problem facing the world, and the chairman [Inhofe] has a sign in his office saying this is a hoax," Voinovich said as he threw up his hands.

You can check out my position on the "Clear Skies" Initiative in my December post take a deep breath... (it's a good read)

The Content of their Character

2005-03-10T15:09:00.000-08:00

As you may recall, I had a couple of posts last month; God Damn F***ing Seniors and God Damn F***ing Seniors: Part II, about the neo-con organization USA Next and their smear campaign against the AARP. As you may remember, USA Next ran this ad on the American Spectator website:

Well, there has been a development...from a press release yesterday:

A $25 million lawsuit was filed today against right-wing front group USA Next and political consulting firm Mark Montini International for stealing an Oregon couple's wedding photo and using it without permission in a high-profile gay-bashing ad designed to drum up support for social security privatization.

Following an admission of photo theft by the creator, advertiser and publisher of the ad, the couple whose image was stolen - Rick Raymen and Steve Hansen of Portland, Oregon - today filed a four-count lawsuit in federal court in Washington, DC. The suit alleges that the use of the couple's image without permission constituted an invasion of privacy, was libelous, violated their right of publicity and constituted an intentional infliction of emotional distress [...]

"Our privacy and personal integrity were violated when our wedding photo was stolen and used to portray us as treasonous, unpatriotic, and a threat to American troops," Rick Raymen said. "We have been harassed and humiliated by this hateful ad campaign and by the bigotry and anger it has generated against us nationwide."

"Our lawsuit is intended to make USA Next and Mark Montini pay for the harm they have caused and to send a message to them that they cannot recklessly play with peoples' reputations and make them targets of hate, as they have done with us," Raymen said. "When we get our judgment, we intend to donate to those who fight the kind of hate and homophobia that USA Next and Montini have demonstrated."

Compassionate Conservatives (i.e. ruthless hate-mongers) Strike Again!

For more information about the lawsuit, check out this site: Lawsuit of Rick Raymen and Steve Hansen versus USA Next and Mark Montini International. Good luck to Mr. Raymen and Mr. Hansen...(and I hope the Oregon Supreme Court recognizes their wedding license).

Oil for What?

2005-03-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

So President Bush finaly admitted today that fuel prices are a problem that is only going to get worse. But, unsuprisingly, he also said the best way to combat rising prices is to drill in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

I've got a better idea...mandate increased fuel-efficency requirements and release fuel from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves.

The flu...and lemons

2005-03-04T14:47:00.000-08:00

Well, after seven days in quarantine with the flu, I'm back! (barely audible "yeah" heard from somewhere...) Boy, did I miss a lot when this bugger was doing back-strokes through my body:

Just as today is my first day back in the real world, it is also Martha Stewarts first day out of prison in five months. What did she miss most? Why it was:

(hand to God...)

What did I miss most? Why it was:

Looking at it through a window sucks...

Anyway, here's what I've been thinking this past week:

Supreme Court ruling youth executions unconstitutional: Very Good

Steve Fosset flying around the world solo without re-fuelling in 67 hours and consuming only diet milk shakes: Cool...a little constipating

The Bush plan for Social Security: Stupid and a long shot

Martha Stewart getting out of prison: Who gives a rat's ass?

BTK serial-killer arrest: Remember...innocent until proven guilty

Crude oil at $80 a barrel by 2006: Where can I trade in my pickup for a Prius?

Bush in Europe: How can Bush still think Putin is a man of character?

1500 U.S. military deaths in Iraq: A gruesome and unfortunate milestone, even more unfortunate is that it won't be the last

Michael Jackson trial: Make it stop..."Help Me Jevus" -- Homer Simpson

And that's all I have to say about that...

Star Wars...minus Canada

2005-02-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

Canada today announced that it would "opt out" of the U.S. National Missile Defense (NMD) program. In the announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said Canada would not support the "weaponization of space" and hinted that U.S. NMD may lead to an arms race (which it will).

Flag of Cowardice or Intelligence?

I've already covered NMD several times on the 3rd cent...please read Star Wars: Attack of the Rouge Nations and National Missile ~~Defense~~ Deficiency.

My favorite part about Canada's decision was the response by the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci:

"I'm perplexed over Canada's apparent decision to allow Washington to make the decision if a missile was headed toward its territory. Why would you want to give up sovereignty? We don't get it. We think Canada would want to be in the room deciding what to do about an incoming missile that might be heading toward Canada."

So let me get this straight: the United States is worried about some rogue nation or communist state nuking...ahem...Canada? I've lived too long (and I'm only 23).

His Holiness

2005-02-24T14:13:00.000-08:00

Every Methodist here at the 3rd cent wishes Pope John Paul II a quick and full recovery from his illness and tracheotomy. the 3rd cent does not share the morbid death wishes of a certain individual wishing to see the Holy Father die so he can witness the procedure of installing a new pontiff...

WA - SJM 8009

2005-02-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

Here's something interesting for all the Washingtonians out there...a Joint Memorial before the Washington State Senate (which received a committee hearing yesterday) will, if passed, ask President Bush and the U.S. Congress to split Washington into two separate states:

SJM 8009 is an interesting read, even though it will never go anywhere...check it out.

Mansfield

2005-02-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

I have not had enough time to fully write my post on Dennis Mansfield (I get so mad I have to stop for a little while and collect myself...).

In the mean time, please read this piece of "truth." It comes from the Keep the Commandments Coalition of Boise which Mansfield has led and actually been arrested for.

He is the big guy on the left...

It is titled "The Truth About Gay Marriage and Civil Unions" in Idaho.

God Damn F***ing Seniors: Part II

2005-02-22T18:37:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like the 3rd cent was not the only liberal blog to pick up on the USA Next/AARP ad silliness. In fact, so many blogs picked up on it, the issue and the ad were featured in CNN's Inside Politics.

CNN tried to find the ad on the American Spectator site, but it had been removed. This intrigued CNN, so they contacted USA Next, the creators of the ad. CNN we got a statement from Charlie Jarvis, the CEO of USA Next, and he said the ad was a "test".

Apparently, he wanted to see how liberals would react, whether they would "engage in the debate on the very important issue on Social Security or whether they would just run screaming". Jarvis went on to say: "Sadly the left are proved and chose anger and explosiveness about a simple image rather than dealing with the details of a critical issue."

HA! USA Next was trying to initiate a debate on the issue of Social Security by running the ad they ran (you can see it below)? I guess I don't have enough common sense to understand that logic...

Debacle of a Blog

2005-02-22T16:07:00.000-08:00

FYI: Our friend Ike has resurected the Daily Debacle, "America's #1 source for really lame news," from the depts of oblivion...and in funny fashion. Check it out here.

God Damn F***ing Seniors

2005-02-21T17:38:00.000-08:00

Apparently, because the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) is rightfully concerned about President Bush's "fix" to Social Security, the neo-con goons are striking back. I saw this ad on the Drudge Report and the American Spectator:

Yes my friends, the members of the Greatest Generation hate our troops and love gays getting married. Is this the neo-con version of elevating the debate on Social Security and how they plan to rebut the AARP in their efforts?

Self-parody at its finest.

Funny thing is, you click on the ad and it just goes to the USA Next homepage. No effort to even argue the case that the AARP is anti-troops and pro-gay marriages. I guess that wouldn't be common-sensed enough...

Touching the Face of God

2005-02-20T21:26:00.000-08:00

NASA has announced that the Space Shuttle Discovery will mark the return to manned American space launches on or shortly after May 15. The Space Shuttle Atlantis will follow with a July 12 launch.

I've always been a sucker for space flight (big surprise to those who know me). I could look at images from Hubble 24/7. I can't wait for the shuttle to fly again...God Speed Discovery.

Semper Optima

2005-02-19T16:10:00.000-08:00

The United States Navy commissioned the USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) Seawolf-class nuclear submarine today. The Jimmy Carter is the third and final sub of the Seawolf class and is the most heavily armed, technically advanced, capable and quiet submarine in the U.S. fleet.

Now some of the more "common-sensed" of you may think that as a liberal, I would dislike new $3.2 billion submarine. Quite the contrary.

The Jimmy Carter can deliver special forces teams to combat theaters undetected and tap undersea cables to eavesdrop on the communications passing through them; all this to provide incredible intelligence opportunities otherwise impossible.

And if push comes to shove, it can single handedly destroy a small country that happens to develop a nuclear weapon. Good Hunting USS Jimmy Carter.

Clash of the Bean-Picking Titans

2005-02-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday's Lou Dobbs Tonight on CNN, Dobbs clashed with Idaho Senator Larry Craig over a bill Craig is supporting regarding illegal/migrant agricultural workers.

Dobbs is a native of Rupert, Idaho and their discussion occasionally digressed to an argument over who did the most back-breaking farm labor as a kid, and who knew Jack Simplot more...it's pretty damn funny.

You can read the transcript here. (unlike the FOX News Channel, CNN provides complete transcripts for every one of their programs...part of their "unfair and unbalanced" approach to reporting I guess)

Clash of the Titans
vs.
Who is the more common man?

Good News / Bad News

2005-02-17T20:51:00.000-08:00

The Good News: Radical Neo-Conservative Dennis Mansfield will not run for the 1st Idaho Congressional seat in 2006.

The Bad News: Radical Neo-Conservative Dennis Mansfield may run for another elected position such as Idaho Lt. Governor in 2006.

I'll elaborate more Mansfield tomorrow...peace.

National Missile Defense Deficiency

2005-02-14T20:35:00.000-08:00

So, it turns out a test of the U.S. missile defense system (NMD) failed today because a interceptor missile did not launch from its island base in the Marshall Islands. The NMD interceptors failed a similar test last month with the same problem.

So, what does this mean to you and me? Well, first of all, the American taxpayers are out $85 million give or take. Secondly, it gives serious doubts to the viability of the NMD system working in a crisis (a crisis which is "more likely" now that the North Koreans say they have a nuke). Finally, and most importantly to your humble Slingshizzle, I was right when I post Star Wars: Attack of the Rogue Nations last April. Give it a look-see.

But then there's the Pentagon, always optimistic. This problem with the program (the interceptor not launching from its silo) would be a relief for program officials because it would mean no new problems had been discovered with the missile. Thank God...

V-DAY

2005-02-14T09:50:00.000-08:00

Happy V-Day to all the 3rd cent readers out there.

If you are in the Moscow Metropolitan area, head down to the Idaho Commons today and buy a clay vagina (mine is a red flower) or a V-Day rose for that special someone to support the Vagina Monologues.

While you are there, you can get a hold of a ticket to the Monologues, they are March 3-5 at 7:00pm in the UI Hartung Theater. Tickets cost $7 for students and $9 for the public.

Let's drink to Idaho Statute 18-8004

2005-02-13T21:18:00.000-08:00

Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter's campaign director for his 2006 Idaho gubernatorial campaign, Jason Lehosit, resigned Friday after he was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (as defined in Idaho Statute 18-8004) Wednesday. His blood-alcohol content was recorded at .20, over twice the legal limit of .08.

Because Lehosit has had two prior convictions for DUI, he was charged with a felony.

Coincidentally enough, Otter himself was convicted of DUI charges in 1993 while he was Lt. Governor (and was re-elected by the people of Idaho two more times as Lt. Governor and three times as Congressman).

Otter released this hilarious statement about the incident:

"It's true for me and everybody that works for me, there are consequences for your actions. I believe in personal responsibility, not just in public policy, but in private life as well."

I want everyone to guess what the consequence for Otter's DUI conviction was…think large and crazy…it will be wrong.

I'm back, and with unbiased help...

2005-02-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

That's for the outpouring of support from my two faithful readers. I apologize for the great lapse in my blogging, I've been occupied with other far less interesting things lately, but I now plan to blog at least 3 times a week, so stay tuned!

And now, for my unbiased help: I'm taking a lead from the White House press room and getting an objective reporter to cover certain events in the life of our democracy. Let me introduce:
Dem O'Crat,
3rd Cent Correspondent

He smells a little, and you don't want to see him in the morning (believe me), but he's a lot better than Jeff Gannon, former White House "reporter" for Talon News/GOPUSA.com. Let me explain. Whereas Jeff Gannon asked the President on Jan 26th:

Senate Democratic leaders have painted a very bleak picture of the U.S. economy. Harry Reid was talking about soup lines, and Hillary Clinton was talking about the economy being on the verge of collapse. Yet, in the same breath, they say that Social Security is rock-solid and there's no crisis there. How are you going to work -- you said you're going to reach out to these people -- how are you going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?

Dem O'Crat asked me this morning:

Why are particular individuals so inconceivably ridiculous?

He needs to lay off the thesaurus, but he's on the right track...

Just plain ornery...

2005-01-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

It looks like the ban on smoking in public buildings in Idaho will survive another year. Many legislators were uncomfortable with the thought of repeating the craziness of last years debate on the issue. That, of course, does not mean that the craziness has been reduced this year. Rep. Peter Nielsen (R-Mountain Home) said yesterday:

"I'm still concerned that we've got 18 to 19 percent of the people chased outside. If I was one of them [smokers], I'd think the rest of you people were plain ornery."

It wouldn't be a legislative session without the memorable and silly quotes....or am I just being ornery?

Hell (and what to do about it...)

2005-01-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

Well, unlike my friend Sonik, I am going to hell:

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished Slingshizzle to the Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis!
Here is how Slingshizzle matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Very High
Level 2 (Lustful)	High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very High
Level 7 (Violent)	Moderate
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Low

Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test

I couldn't just go to Limbo...oh no no no...

Idiocy...plain and simple

2005-01-18T14:45:00.000-08:00

The student governments of Idaho State University and Lewis Clark State College have filed a lawsuit against the Idaho State Board of Education (SBOE) challenging the legality of student fees vs. tuition. On the matter, ISU student body president Terry Fredrickson, said

"The State Board of Education has been playing this shell game for quite a while. After 15 straight years of unchecked student fee increases, we're left with no other recourse."

First, I agree with President Fredrickson that a shell game has been occurring for 20 years regarding student fees. For those of you who don't know to what shell game he is referring, here is a brief overview:

the Idaho Constitution prohibits charging residents for college tuition. But in 1986, lawmakers defined tuition as the cost of student instruction and let colleges and universities charge "matriculation fees" to pay institutional expenses.

However, if you look at the balance sheet, the state does not provide enough funding to cover all the expenses necessary so more state money is taken out of institutional expenses and spent on instruction. Although resident students are not technically paying for their instruction, they do through other avenues (like institutional expenses).

Secondly however, President Fredrickson is an idiot when he says "we're left with no other recourse." Their lawsuit is only asking for an injunction to stop the SBOE from setting matriculation fees. If that is accomplished, university presidents (with or without the involvement of students) will most likely set their own fees. On top of that, it will only increase the likelihood that the legislature, or the SBOE, will allow for tuition at ISU and LCSC, which neither student government wants. Brilliant.

And now, for the Slingshizzle "What their lawsuit should have done if they weren’t idiots" alternative:

The lawsuit should have asked for damages from the State Board of Education and the State of Idaho in the amount of $100 million in compensation of back student fee costs.

If awarded that money, The plaintiffs should have placed the money in a scholarship account for future resident students to off-set the rising cost of student fees.

But hey, that's just me...

Candidate Dirk...not

2005-01-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

A quick breaking news update tonight:

Governor Dirk Kempthorne will not run for re-election in 2006. Quite humorously, that announcement received the longest and loudest applause of the State of the State address.

More on the State of the State address tomorrow...

1st of the 58th

2005-01-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

Well, the First Regular Session of the 58th Idaho Legislature begins today. To that I say...*yawn*.

If you want to keep track of what our "citizen legislators" are up to, you can visit the official legislature website which is included in my links on the right side of this page (->) or through the Idaho Statesman's Legislative page also on the right side of this page (->) or through the IPTV Idaho Reports page also on the right side of this page (->).

In addition, tonight at 6:00pm local time, Governor Dirk Kempthorne will deliver his State of the State address. I will be back tomorrow to remark on his words, and to gear up for the craziness that is Idaho legislative politics.

I hope they can top the previous years’ great legislative topics:

● Trying to constitutionally banning the already illegal act of gay marriage

● Placing a 10 Commandments monument in the capitol building using state money (according to State Senator Gary Sweet R-Meridian, it’s not a religious issue, but the responsibility of elected representatives to uphold the laws of Almighty God)

● Cutting funding for higher education while passing tax cuts for the wealthy then passing a regressive sales tax increase that effects the poorest among us the most…then wanting to stay in office just to sunset the sales tax increase (hurting higher education even more)

● Explaining that is was “Communist” to make kindergarten compulsory for Idaho children

● Demonstrating your commitment to “No Un-funded Mandates” by passing an un-funded faculty/staff salary increase on to Idaho colleges and universities

● Asking “Why should we spend more tax dollars for higher education?” “Students will make up the difference as always”

(in case you were wondering, these examples came from the very first the 3rd cent post back on April 1st.)

New Year

2005-01-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone. It's been a while since my last post and today is a fitting day for my first post of 2005.

The 109th Congress was gaveled into session this morning. The entire House was sworn into office at the same time live on C-SPAN as I watched:

After congratulating each other and mentioning how both Republicans and Democrats share the same values and commitment to the United States, the house fell into partisan debate over changes to House ethics rules and procedural rules. Let the fun begin!

One Nation, Under God, with congress guarded by this dude:

(doesn't the sunglasses and short-sleeve shirt in January make him look cool?)

Now that Congress is back in session and the Idaho Legislature kicks off in a few days, and with Inaguration Day only 16 days away, I'm sure I will have plenty of fodder to keep the pixels of the 3rd cent busy all 2005 long...

Candidate Butch

2004-12-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

Republican gubernatorial candidate Butch Otter appeared yesterday, his first day as a candidate for the state's highest office, with someone the Idaho Statesman described as "one of Idaho's most famous celebrities:"

That's right, it's everyone's favorite industry mascot, Spuddy Buddy!

Let the silliness that is Idaho neo-con politics begin!

Governor Butch

2004-12-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

Republican Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter of the Idaho First Congressional District filed the necessary paperwork announcing his intention to run for Idaho Governor in 2006.

and so it begins...

So who will be the other Republican candidates I can vote against? Both Governor Kempthorne and Lt. Governor Risch said "ask me next year."

For those of you who don't know Butch, he was Lt. Gov. for 14 years and has been a congressman since 2000. Here is a Idaho Statesman file photo of him in 1977:

He's lost a little hair but I think he still owns...and wears...that coat. Women of the Idaho capital building, watch out!

Recall

2004-12-15T16:24:00.000-08:00

So, I keep getting surprised by the stupidity and pettiness of some Americans. At this point in my life (especially since we re-elected the President) I would expect to have a thick skin when it comes to the dumbness of my fellow Yanks...unfortunate for me and my blood pressure, that's not true.

This latest demonstration of American silliness comes from Estes Park, Colorado. The people of Estes Park are planning on recalling one of their city council members for not standing and saying the Pledge of Allegiance at city council meetings. Yes, a recall.

Now for a little side note: as a Boisean, I know a lot about recalls. We tried to recall our former mayor, Brent Coles, for several (many) instances to fraud, deception and misuse of public funds in 2002-2003. I did my part in collecting signatures on the recall petitions. Mayor Coles resigned before he could be recalled.

Now, a recall is a serious matter and should only be used for serious matters, such as the Boise mayoral scandal. You don't recall an official who has done nothing wrong and broken no laws:

That's the official in question, David Habecker, a 12-year councilman for the people of Estes Park. What a heinous office he has committed...not. Now, I could understand the need for a recall if he had a crack pipe in his hand or a 14-year-old boy under the table...but no.

You see, "I have not been standing for the Pledge of Allegiance due to a conflict I have with the wording of the pledge, specifically the words 'under God,'" Habecker said. He believes it's a violation of church and state to include the words in the pledge and for that reason, and that reason alone, he won't stand. He is exercising his first amendment right to free expression, and he's going to be recalled.

I didn't understand the magnitude of the stupidity until I took the online poll provided by the local television station. It asked:

Should a town trustee be recalled because he refuses to stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance during Town Board meetings?

80%...that's not a typo...80% answered yes, he should be recalled because he refuses to stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance which he has the right to do.

Only one statement sums up my mindset right now: Serenity Now!

Modern Medicine

2004-12-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

I read a very interesting article on CNN.com today. Apparently, letting kids play a Game Boy in the operating room before having surgery helps relax them better than tranquilizers or holding their parent's hand. That's right, the game system many people loath or roll their eyes at has medicinal value:

You can read the article here:Video games calm kids before surgery.

In a study of 78 kids in three groups, the group with only their parents in the room had a 17.5 point increase in anxiety on a 100-point scale; the group with their parents and a tranquillizer showed a 7.5 point jump in anxiety; and the group with their parents and given a Game Boy to play showed no increase in anxiety.

Great State of Idaho

2004-12-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

Well, Idaho made national news last week on MSNBC.com. In an article discussing sex laws across the country, Idaho was mentioned among states with old-fashioned sexual modesty laws:

In Idaho, fornication can get you a $300 fine and six months in jail. But that’s a piece of cake compared to the penalty for adultery -- up to a $1,000 fine and three years in the state pen.

Luckily for us Idahoans, the article boils our state down to it's base form:

Idaho, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas are all conservative “red states.”

Onward Christian Soldiers!

Proud to be a criminal,
Slingshizzle

Le Bois...the twilight zone...

2004-12-06T16:53:00.000-08:00

Just more evidence that people in Idaho's beautiful capital city of Boise are out of their minds.

The trial started today for 11 people who were arrested for trying to block the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from a Boise city park in March:

You may have heard about it.

Well, they were cited with resisting and obstructing police which can carry a $300 fine and six months in jail.

They claim that they were practicing their right to free speech and the city's procedure for removal was unlawful. Unfortunately for them and radical neo-con ideologues everywhere, they committed an act of civil disobedience against a perfectly legal act.

Now I like a good act of civil disobedience as much as the next guy, but it is still illegal. And I don't really consider their cause worthy of civil disobedience...it's no Kent State in 1972.

Proud..ahem...to be a Boisean.

take a deep breath...

2004-12-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

As promised (defiantly instead of definitely), here is the Slingshizzle position on President Bush’s "Clean Skies Initiatives." Sorry about the wait:

America needs a President who will revive the Clean Air Act and work hard to eliminate the air pollutants in we breathe every day. America needs a President who will unite with world efforts to curb global warming. America needs a President who will ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Finally, America needs a President that will spur research and development into clean-burning renewable fuels. Unfortunately for us, we won’t have a President like this until 2009.

The Clean Air Act (enacted under President Bush in 1990 and strengthened under President Clinton in 1997) has steadily improved our air quality since 1970, but was considerably undermined by special interests acting through the current administration in the form of the “Clean Skies Initiative.”

While several corporations fill their pocketbooks, average Americans face increased health problems and additional expenses for health care that most can ill afford. Nearly half of all Americans are forced to breathe unhealthy air. This should not be tolerated under any circumstances, yet it’s businesses as usual for President Bush’s administration.

The human cost of air pollutants is estimated at as many as 100,000 premature deaths and about $50 billion annually in the United States. (Center for Disease Control) Because we breathe in 3,400 gallons of air every day, chemicals we cannot see, smell, or taste can do irreparable harm over long periods.

The personal cost of air pollution, estimated to average around $200 every year, applies to everyone, everywhere, but is even higher for some regions. For example, a 22-square-mile area north of Fort Wayne has been identified as the most mercury-contaminated spot in the country. In addition, some racial groups are hit harder than others. For instance, 71% of African Americans lived in counties that violated federal air pollution standards in 2002, compared to 58% of the white population. (Center for Disease Control)

It is now crucial that the lethal impacts of air pollution be realized and acted upon. Soot from the oldest and dirtiest power plants kills 30,100 Americans each year; comparatively, drunk driving kills 16,935 and homicides kill 17,893. (Center for Disease Control) These same power plants emit pollution that triggers 603,000 asthma attacks annually, most of which occur in children. The technology to clean up these plants has literally existed for decades. If these old power plants were made to be as clean as newer power plants, we'd save three times as many lives as are saved by seatbelts. (Center for Disease Control)

The Bush Clear Skies Initiative is a step backwards for the quality of the environment. Even the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has admitted that the Clear Skies Initiative will create more pollution from the electric power industry than if the EPA had enforced existing programs. As written, the Clear Skies Initiative will allow 36% more nitrogen oxides, 50% more sulfur dioxide, and as much as 500% more mercury to be released into our air. This will mean millions more asthma attacks, heavier acid rainfalls, and more toxic bodies of water where the fish cannot be eaten. (EPA)

So obviously, the Bush administration has seriously lowered the air quality standards in the United States and the time has come to restore them. So what can we do? As a nation, we must:

▪Reinvigorate the Clean Air Act and reverse the efforts of the Bush administration to impede it.

▪Offer incentives for renewable forms of energy. This will help clean our air and reduce our dependence on polluting forms of energy and on foreign oil and gas.

▪Offer incentives for more efficient devices and systems that use or generate power. Automobiles can be more efficient and safer without being less comfortable. Many of our power plants can be more efficient and produce fewer pollutants. Mega-farms can produce much less toxic gas.

▪Support the Kyoto Treaty and Protocol and join international efforts to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases and curb global warming.

▪Work cooperatively with other nations. Air is a universal resource; our efforts to improve air quality mustn't end at the U.S. borders.

For more information about renewable energy resources and my take on the issue, please check out my post "I love the smell of smog in the morning...if only it didn't sting when I inhale..."

Choosing the Best Path

2004-12-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

I've read the sex-ed report released by Rep. Henry Waxman of California (the ranking member on the House Government Reform Committee) several times and I can't really add to what it says.

I encourage everyone to read it here:

THE CONTENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED ABSTINENCE-ONLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

and make up their own minds from it.

Roll Tide

2004-12-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

I apologize but I'm not going to get around to indicting President Bush's Clean Skies Initiative today. This weekend defiantly. That said, I give you a topical quote from the motion picture Crimson Tide:

My last breath of polluted air for the next sixty-five
days--gonna miss it--I don't trust air I can't see.
Captain Frank Ramsey, USN

Pollution in the 21st Century

2004-12-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

So it was reported today that Mt. Saint Helens is Washington state's largest polluter, and if it was a factory, it couldn't get a permit. Apparently, at least according to Washington state officials, you can fine a company to reduce toxic emissions, but not a volcano. "You can't put a cork in it," said Greg Nothstein of the Washington Energy Policy Office. I kid you not.

Mt. Saint Helens is producing about 50 to 250 tons of sulfur dioxide and 500 to 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide each day. To put that in perspective, all of Washington's industries combined produce about 120 tons a day of sulfur dioxide.

Before the volcano began erupting a few months ago, the state's #1 polluter was a coal-fired power plant near Centralia owned by the Canadian firm TransAlta. My condolences go out to the fine employees and shareholders of TransAlta for loosing that prestigious distinction.

The despicable amount of pollution originating from Mt. Saint Helens and the criminally negligent action of Mother Nature in allowing this pollution to be released gives me a great opportunity to discuss the Bush administration "environmental record." Check back tomorrow for the Slingshizzle take on the "Clean Skies" Initiative.

Sex can Wait...Masturbate

2004-12-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

Rep. Henry Waxman of California released a report today saying "11 of the 13 most widely used programs underestimate the effectiveness of condoms in preventing pregnancy and the spread of disease, exaggerate the prevalence of emotional and physical distress following abortion, blur science and religion or get fundamental scientific facts wrong."

Since President Bush took office in 2001, abstinence only education funding has more than doubled to $170 million this year alone.

I will be addressing this issue in greater detail tomorrow. In the meantime, I suggest you read my post Rock the Casbah from April 2nd. I take this issue very seriously (it was the topic of my second post on this blog) and the ideology-based leadership of this issue has to stop.

six down...

2004-11-15T16:15:00.000-08:00
I can't believe it's been 5 days since my last post. To my diligent readers (you two know who you are) I apologize. But I'm back baby!

So, since the last time I posted, 6 cabinet secretaries have resigned, four of which announced their resignations today. They are:

Don Evans
Secretary of Commerce

Evans has been a "ok" Secretary of Commerce being the self-described "voice of business in government", except he is in the pocket of big oil. And since when has business needed a voice in government?

John Ashcroft
Attorney General

What can I really say about General Ashcroft that I haven't already said? Everyone be on the lookout for a Justice Ashcroft in the future...God save us from this Christian Soldier.

Colin Powell
Secretary of State

The one guy on the cabinet I really like...I feel bad for him having to tow the company line these past four years. I'd vote for him.

Rod Paige
Secretary of Education

No Child Left Behind...and he hired Tom Luna...enough said.

Spencer Abraham
Secretary of Energy

He's been the administration's bat boy for Yucca Mountain...and their refusal to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help the out of control price of oil and gas. Gotta love his smile though.

Ann Veneman
Secretary of Agriculture

Her bio has a gem of a policy statement, and I sums her up pretty well: "President Bush has often said that the spirit of the American farmer is emblematic of the spirit of America, signifying the values of hard work, faith and entrepreneurship. Secretary Veneman believes strongly in these principles." Can we say Presidential lackey?

I'm going to go out on one hell of a limb and say President Bush is not going to flood his cabinet with free thinkers and new ideas.

Case in point, White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales has been nominated to be Attorney General. You may have heard about Gonzales the last few years. He wrote a very amusing and devastating memo to President Bush supporting the classification of Prisoners of War as "Enemy Combatants" and denying them Geneva Convention protection. Well done.

Also, their are rumors that National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will be the next Secretary of State. They are rumors, but if Drudge will report it, it must be true.

--Developing—

Thank You

2004-11-11T10:55:00.000-08:00
Although there is great fodder for a partisan post today (Arafat, Gonzales , Fallujah, or HALO 2's $125 million first day), I will restrain myself to say something much more important: Thank You Veterans
and Happy Veterans DaySpecifically, I would like to thank:
my dad...1st Lt. Mike Eslinger, 2nd Armored Division, Vietnam

my grandfathers...Malcom Eslinger, U.S. Army Air Corp, WWII and Major "Tex" Autry, U.S. Army Engineers, WWII

my grandmother...Gladys Autry, civilian w/U.S. Army Air Corps

my uncles...Gerry Autry (Vietnam), Malcom Eslinger (Vietnam)

HALO 2

2004-11-08T14:05:00.000-08:00
I apologize to anyone who wanted my 3 cents about burying Yassir Arafat alive, a future "Chief" Justice Clarence Thomas or Operation Phantom Fury...but HALO 2 comes out tonight and I have to get my mojo flowing. I'll catch you all tomorrow. Peace out.

It's only money...

2004-11-05T11:25:00.000-08:00
The dollar has hit a record low against the Euro today. $50.00 American is only worth €38.68 (that's Euros). In other words, do not plan on any travel to Europe in the near future.
Here's one bad thing for the French-hating neo-cons out there: It will now cost you more money to buy French wine then pour it in the gutter as protest:
Have a good weekend and GO VANDALS!

+1 Day (a Mandate)

2004-11-03T15:40:00.000-08:00
I congratulate President Bush for his victory. It's nice to see the Republican members (My 2 Cents, theANTILiberalBlog) of the "UI Blognet" are gracious with their win.
I would also like to congratulate Hamid Karzai, who was declare the winner of Afghanistan's first-ever presidential election today. It took until now for probe into vote fraud to find no grounds to invalidate his win in the October 9th election.
As I congratulate President Bush and other Republicans for their strong night, I remind them that I am not abandoning my beliefs. I still know that the Democratic principals of equality, diversity, safety, fiscal soundness, quality education, quality healthcare, excellent employment and good international relations will overcome the Republican principals of fear, hatred, warmongering, unilateralism, deficit spending, and unaccountability. I, as a member of the minority, will be ever vigilant in keeping you accountable, fair and just.

Oh, and contrary to what the Lone Ranger said on As many cents as needed, it does not suck to be a Democrat. In fact, it rocks.

Now on a more personal note, I also congratulate my peer over at My 2 Cents on his upcoming enlistment in the United States Navy. How do I know Mr. Johnston will be "Accelerating His Life" by joining the Navy?

Well, he said so in September while he was guest-hosting the Lori Roth Show on national radio (the supposed highest form of national discourse). You can listen here...go to 16 minutes and 50 seconds on the track for his pledge:
Lori Roth Show: September 6, 2004 (Hour 2)
Here is the transcript of what the UI Truth Detector told his national radio audience:
If George Bush is re-elected I will probably join the – join the Navy. Just for the sheer fact that that I want to serve my country…but that I wouldn’t feel comfortable…and if that makes me a coward then then so be it but…I wouldn’t feel comfortable serving under John Kerry. And maybe – And you know that’s the honest truth. That’s the honest truth. I would defend this country in Iraq if I knew George Bush was going to be president again, and you can hold me to that.
Well, just as I'm holding President Bush to govern with moderation and cooperation, I'm holding the nationally syndicated talk-show host over at My 2 Cents to his comments.

And to help the Lone Ranger along, I suggest he visit the Navy homepage to get some more information.

See the world...then vote Democratic in 2008.

0 Days (Kiss Me, I Voted)

2004-11-02T14:42:00.000-08:00
It's yet another rainy, cold day in Moscow...but there is a silver lining. IT'S ELECTION DAY! Hopefully you have voted, or are going to vote. And because nothing more can be done to influence voting, enjoy this image of a cute dog that has nothing to do with anything:

1 day (vote...or the terrorists win)

2004-11-01T14:24:00.000-08:00
So, it's quite cold and even more cold today (and the damn sun sets at 4:31 pm...thanks to standard time) and the nation will elect the 44th President tomorrow.

Unlike my "Editor & Publisher" counterpart Lone Ranger over at My 2 Cents, I will not waste time writing a fairly obvious and completely immature "endorsement."

I am just endorsing only one position today:VOTE

5 days (the Palestinian gangsta vote)

2004-10-28T16:24:00.000-07:00
So it's a COLD...and I mean COLD...autumn day here in northern Idaho and there is just a handful of days left until Tuesday.

The big news of the day is the health of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Apparently, he is suffering from a blood platelet deficiency and is being moved to Paris for additional tests to determine its cause. This trip to France will be the first time he has left his headquarters compound since December, 2001.

To try to ease fears or concerns, the Palestinian Authority released this photo and a video of Arafat smiling with his doctors and bodyguards complete with him wearing a gangsta-wannabe hat:
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta...

6 days (Red Moon Arisin')

2004-10-27T15:16:00.000-07:00
So it's another beautiful autumn day here in northern Idaho and there is just six days left until November 2nd.

In honor of the upcoming election of John Kerry, and the Red Sox's upcoming World Series victory, the Gods have seen it fit to have a total lunar eclipse tonight:
Go Sox and Go Kerry!

7 days (What would the Founding Fathers do?)

2004-10-26T16:56:00.000-07:00
So it's another beautiful autumn day here in northern Idaho and there is just one week left before the general election. In preparation for the election of the 44th president, I thought it might be fun to recall how the whole "electing" thing goes down.

So where do we look for this information? Well there is no where better than the "owners manual"... the Constitution of the United States of America:
And now we will read from Article II, Section 1:
The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected, as follows:

Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.

The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President; and if no person have a majority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each state having one vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States.

In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Ok, that's a mouthful...but it's not the end. You next have to take into consideration the Eleventh Amendment (ratified in 1804):
The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;--The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--the person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
Whew...but that's not the end. We must next look at the Twentyith Amendment (ratified in 1933):
Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

Section 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

Section 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission.
Ok...and now the Twenty-Third Amendment:
Section 1. The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a state, but in no event more than the least populous state; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the states, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Ok, that about does it...let's take the next week and try to understand all this...it will take at least that long.

8 days (of wholehearted support)

2004-10-25T17:03:00.000-07:00
So I wholeheartedly support John Kerry for president...and so does President William Jefferson Clinton (excuse the pun). So it's a beautiful autumn day here in Hog Heaven, Idaho and one day longer than one week before the 44th President of the United States is elected.

It was great to see President Clinton on the mend and back on the stump today. Neo-cons in congress couldn't take him down, and neither could clogged heart arteries:
As the signs in the photo say: 8 days to A FRESH START.

11 days (and there is "progress" in China)

2004-10-22T16:15:00.000-07:00
It is REALLY wet and REALLY cold today and eleven days until the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. And while is is cold and wet here in Moscow, it is hot, hot, hot in Shanghai:
The Hooters restaurant chain has opened its first establishment in the People's Republic of China.

Besides adding to the booming commercial hub of Shanghai, Hooters arrival underscores how growth is challenging China's traditional conservative views on sexuality.
For decades after the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, traditional male-dominated culture and communist prudishness combined to make showing skin or publicly displaying affection verboten.

These days, however, Shanghai boasts hundreds of hostess bars, massage parlors, sex shops and telephone chat lines. Couples kiss and hug openly, while public opinion surveys show broad acceptance of premarital sex among young people. from MSNBC.com
Don't think that Hooters is the first western food interest in communist China...Kentucky Fried Chicken already operates 1,000 stores in the country, McDonald's 567, and the TGI Friday's chain five.

I guess progress of any size is good...as long as it's a "c" cup or larger.

12 days (Fall is officialy here)

2004-10-21T14:48:00.000-07:00
So it's cold, rainy, windy again and one day less two weeks until we get to see the beauty of "democracy" in action. Because of the weather (and the continually shorter days) I think we can say Fall is here.

And if the weather wasn't enough, Fidel Castro (A.K.A. friendly dictator of Cuba) gave us another fall:
Castro fractured a knee and an arm in the fall off a stage at a graduation ceremony.

When Richard Boucher, U.S. State Department spokesman was asked if the United States wished Castro a speedy recovery, he answered:
"NO. We, obviously, have expressed our views about what's broken in Cuba."
I don't know about you, but I love the cordiality of diplomatic nuance.

In retrospect of his 45 years of peaceful rule over his beautiful socialist paradise, let me share with you a moment of a Simpson’s episode “The Trouble With Trillions”:
Castro: Comrades, our nation is completely bankrupt! We have no choice but to abandon communism!

All: [sighs]

Castro: I know, I know, I know... but we all knew from day one this mumbo jumbo wouldn't fly! I'll call Washington and tell them they won.

Man: But presidente, America tried to kill you!

Castro: Ah, they're not so bad. They even named a street after me in San Francisco!

Man 2: [whispers in Castro's ear]

Castro: It's full of what?!

14 days (Vote, JC is telling you to)

2004-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:00
Not Jesus Christ, but Jim Caviezel. So it's slightly warmer, a lot windier and two weeks until the general election.

While we continue to wait for the first Tuesday in November, a group of evangelical Christians have decided that Rock the Vote is a bit too secular for its own good. They have founded Redeem the Vote.

My favorite part about Redeem the Vote.com is not the video with "JC" himself, or even the "official RTV song by Jonah 33. My favorite part is their "SNAPSHOT: CHURCH AND STATE." It says:
72% of Americans say the president should have strong religious beliefs

65% say churches should not endorse candidates

51% say churches should express views on political matters

41% say there is too little expression of faith and prayer by political leaders
Right on...

15 days (America, Fuck Yeah!)

2004-10-18T15:31:00.000-07:00
So it's cold, rainy, windy and one day over two weeks until the people of Idaho elect Pete Cenarrusa, Debbie Fild, Sandra Patano and John Sandy to vote in the electoral college for President Bush.

While we wait for the first Tuesday in November, let us enjoy some hard core sex courtesy of the new blockbuster film, Team America: World Police.

See ya tommorrow.

$9,532 of SIN

2004-10-13T09:30:00.000-07:00
After a week-long hiatus, I'm back baby!
In case you were wondering, the hiatus was due to a labor dispute…f***ing management wouldn’t let us use their bathroom. My legal council advised me to kick management in the shins, but that just pissed them off. After that, my legal council charged me $200,000 for his “services” and told me to “eat s**t and get back to work.” I just have one thing to say…Workers of the World Unite!
Anyway, get a hold of this...

Apparently, this is what it takes for Idaho to get into the national news spotlight:
During these tough budget times, schools don’t often pass up a check for $10,000. But that’s just what one Idaho charter school has done — to set a moral example for students.

The North Star Public Charter School [in Eagle] turned down the money because it came from the Idaho State Lottery and school officials decided that taking gambling money would conflict with the school’s mission of developing virtuous citizens. (from MSNBC.com and the Associated Press)
The co-founder and chairman of the charter school's board, Gale Pooley, said: "We couldn’t in good conscience take the money. It’s the less fortunate and the poor in the communities who are buying these tickets, and children are the ones who will pay for it."

In response, Chuck Strutt, executive director of the Multistate Lottery Association, did his best to elevate the national discourse: "It’s hard to argue with those holier-than-thou types, but that’s just not true. Imagine yourself starting a business — who would you target, people with money or the poor? Lotteries bring in $40 billion a year in this country, and poor people don’t have $40 billion."

Regardless of the rhetoric, there appears to be no precedent for the North Star Public Charter School's action...no public school has ever turned down free money...ever:
Allison Westfall, Idaho Department of Education spokeswoman, said North Star is the first Idaho school to turn down lottery funding;

Tom Dunn, spokesman for the New York State Department of Education, said he has never heard of a school turning down its share of the more than $21 billion in funding provided by New York’s state lottery;

California’s state lottery has provided more than $14 billion in school funding and California State Department of Education spokeswoman Deborah Kennedy said no public school there has turned down the money.
Behold Idaho, Mississippi of the Northwest…
UPDATE (10:15 am): I have located the school's web site here: North Star Charter School. You can read about the schools hatred of hoodies, denim jeans and logos larger than three inches in it's dress code. You can also learn the school's belief that "The greatest threat to a free and open society is the lack of virtuous citizen leaders." It's strange, I always thought censorship and regressive programs were the greatest threat to a free and open society. (and yes, to you purists out there, I guess King George "imposing Taxes on us without our Consent" is a great threat to a free and open society too)

Warmonger in Chief

2004-10-06T15:10:00.000-07:00
Charles Duelfer, head of the Iraq Survey Group (the American weapons inspectors in Iraq) presented his final report on Iraqi WMD programs and WMD's themselves. His conclusion:
Saddam was a bad guy, and Iraq was a threat, but Saddam did not have chemical and biological stockpiles when the war began and his nuclear capabilities were deteriorating, not advancing.

Furthermore, there is no evidence suggesting that Iraq produced any weapons of mass destruction after 1991 or that Saddam Hussein’s weapons capability grew during a dozen years of U.N. sanctions before the U.S. invasion last year.
You can read the key findings of the 1000+ page report here.

So what can we infer from this? Well, I infer that President Bush and his administration lied to me, lied to you and lied to the world to rush us to a meaningless war which has cost 1064 American lives, tens of billions of dollars and American security around the world.

Lying is a strong accusation, but I think it fits. Here are just a few examples: President Bush, in a speech on October 7, 2002, said:
“It [Iraq] possesses and produces chemical and biological weapons. It is seeking nuclear weapons.” and

“We’ve also discovered through intelligence that Iraq has a growing fleet of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles that could be used to disperse chemical or biological weapons across broad areas.” and

“Iraq possesses ballistic missiles with a likely range of hundreds of miles — far enough to strike Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey and other nations — in a region where more than 135,000 American civilians and service members live and work.”

All of those statements are lies.
Vice President Cheney (the true Warmonger in Chief) said in a speech on August 26, 2002:
“Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies and against us.”

Cheney didn’t say “there is little doubt,” he said “there is no doubt.” If he wasn't sure, why didn't he said that? You know why? He was lying.
Remember on November 2nd:
Blind Faith in Bad Leadership is not Patriotism.

Gesundheit once again

2004-10-05T16:35:00.000-07:00
For the second time in as many days, Mount St. Helens in Washington let out some more steam. Remarkably, the "eruption" or "steam emission" happened at roughly the same time as yesterday's 9 am eruption:

Global Test

2004-10-05T16:06:00.000-07:00
I've lost my patience with My 2 Cents and the 10th Cents and their regurgitation of the RNC "global test" issue. You know what I'm going to combat their spoon-fed crap with? THE TRUTH (I know it's a novel concept for pro-war neo-cons):
Jim Lehrer asked Senator Kerry, "What is your position on the whole concept of pre-emptive war?"

Kerry responded, "The president always has the right, and always has had the right, for pre-emptive strike. That was a great doctrine throughout the Cold War. And it was always one of the things we argued about with respect to arms control.

No president, though all of American history, has ever ceded, and nor would I, the right to pre-empt in any way necessary to protect the United States of America.

But if and when you do it, Jim, you have to do it in a way that passes the test, that passes the global test where your countrymen, your people understand fully why you're doing what you're doing and you can prove to the world that you did it for legitimate reasons.

Here we have our own secretary of state who has had to apologize to the world for the presentation he made to the United Nations.

I mean, we can remember when President Kennedy in the Cuban missile crisis sent his secretary of state to Paris to meet with DeGaulle.

And in the middle of the discussion, to tell them about the missiles in Cuba, he said, "Here, let me show you the photos."

And DeGaulle waved them off and said, "No, no, no, no. The word of the president of the United States is good enough for me."

How many leaders in the world today would respond to us, as a result of what we've done, in that way?

So what is at test here is the credibility of the United States of America and how we lead the world. And Iran and Iraq are now more dangerous -- Iran and North Korea are now more dangerous.

Now, whether pre-emption is ultimately what has to happen, I don't know yet.

But I'll tell you this: As president, I'll never take my eye off that ball.

I've been fighting for proliferation the entire time -- anti-proliferation the entire time I've been in the Congress. And we've watched this president actually turn away from some of the treaties that were on the table.

You don't help yourself with other nations when you turn away from the global warming treaty, for instance, or when you refuse to deal at length with the United Nations.

You have to earn that respect. And I think we have a lot of earning back to do."
(bold italics my own)
There is nothing wrong and everything right with that position, and I thank Senator Kerry for sharing it with us.

It's now time for the neo-cons to continue Spinning Away!

Gesundheit

2004-10-01T15:25:00.000-07:00
For the first time in 18 years, Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupted today, sending a plume of ash and steam thousands of feet into the sky. The eruption was short lived and probably won't be the last:
Jeff Wynn, a scientist with the United States Geological Survey called the eruption a "throat-clearing."

"It's dead — bone-still right now," he said. "There's nothing happening at this stage, so this may have been a single event. But the history of the volcano suggests it could be an opening salvo and we'll see more events like this."

You can read about it here.

Spinning a "Draw"

2004-10-01T15:10:00.000-07:00
So, my peer over at My 2 Cents believes, in his "professional opinion", that last night's Presidential Debate was a "near-tie." He is more than able to have any opinions he want, but I think his opinion is about as accurate as the Rasmussen Report and PBS tracking polls he told us about last night.

I actually think Kerry clearly won the debate. Coincidently, that's what every major national (and not made-up) poll has shown. Kerry was clearer, more concise, more informed and most importantly, MORE PRESIDENTIAL.

I know the Lone Ranger is going to share with us all the Kerry debate flip-flops he can pull off of Drudge, GeorgeWBush.com or RNC.org. Before he does, I have to share with you a true gem I found on GeorgeWBush.com today. On their page: "John Kerry's Inaccurate Statements During Last Night's Debate," number Eight was beautiful, I must say. It starts saying:
Kerry Claimed U.S. Soldiers Are "90 Percent Of The Casualties In Iraq"...
First of all, Kerry actually said: "And we pushed our allies aside. And so, today, we are 90 percent of the casualties and 90 percent of the cost: $200 billion -- $200 billion that could have been used for health care, for schools, for construction, for prescription drugs for seniors, and it's in Iraq." Here's the rest of the Bush campaign's number eight Kerry inaccuracy:
But The Wall Street Journal Puts U.S. Casualties Closer To 50% When You Include Iraqis Helping To Secure Their Own Country.
That's an interesting way of looking at the situation. I guess the Iraqis are part of the coalition of the willing, right up there with the United Kingdom, Australia and ourselves...

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot Poland...

Now let's all watch the neo-cons attempt to spin their way into a win. In fact, only one expression can fully explain my take on the neo-con spin:

Kyoto a Go Go

2004-09-30T11:09:00.000-07:00
Russia's cabinet approved the Kyoto Protocol on global warming today, making way for the Russian parliament to ratify it later this year. It is widely expected to be ratified.

122 nations have already ratified the Protocol or acceded to it according to the United Nations. The Protocol requires that it must be ratified by no fewer than 55 countries that accounted for at least 55% of global emissions in 1990. Kyoto has surpassed the requirement of signatories but has so far only received pledges from nations representing 44 percent of total emissions and Russia’s participation would tip the scale.

As you may know, President Bush, pulled the United States out of the Kyoto Protocol as one of his first acts as president in 2001. Instead, President Bush (in less than four years) weakened our own air pollution standards, wanted to allow more mercury in our water, allowed mining companies to push their mining tailings into streams and creeks, pushed for the increased mining of coal, opposed increased fuel efficiency standards and stopped forcing pollution companies to pay for Superfund sites their cause.

I agree with the President that it's unfortunate that China and other developing nations are excluded from the CO₂ and other carbon emission reductions measures in the Kyoto Protocol, but that is not reason to reject the Protocol.

The United States, as the world's largest polluter, must take the lead and show some responsibility and lead the Protocol. It's not the end, nor should it be. It is, however, a big step in the right direction.

I for one do not want to live in a world dominated by this image:
And I know I'm not alone...

High Noon in Coral Gables

2004-09-29T15:30:00.000-07:00
A little less than 27 hours remains until the first Presidential Debate from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. The debate is moderated by the man himself, Jim Lehrer of The NewsHour on PBS. I'm confident the next president of the United States will be elected because of his performance on this stage for 90 minutes tomorrow evening:
In other words, it's important for everyone to watch. Come on, it's Bush, Kerry and Lehrer for an hour and a half, it doesn't get any better than that on a Thursday evening. I for one will be watching at Doc's shindig.

After tomorrow, the next debate will be the Vice Presidential Debate held at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on October 5th. I’ll have an AED (Automated External Defibulator) ready in Vice President Cheney’s honor, and a bottle of Clairol’s 3-in-1 Conditioning Hairspray read to spray in Senator Edwards’ honor.

Slingshizzle has Voted

2004-09-28T16:44:00.000-07:00
I am proud to announce that I voted today via absentee ballot in the November 2nd general election in the State of Idaho, First Congressional District, 15th Legislative District, Ada County.
On an interesting side note (for you poli sci folks anyway): the most contested race was for seat Four on the Ada County Highway District Commission. There are 9 people running for one seat...on the highway commission...the commission everyone in Boise hates with the passion of a trillion burning suns (just because the traffic sucks).

In fact, the only thing in Boise people hate more than the ACHD is public works projects.
In the last two years, the people of Boise, in their infinite wisdom, have killed proposals to build a new police station; to expand and improve the greenbelt along the Boise River; to create a state-of-the-art mass transit system; and finally to build a new convention center.

The new convention center is the best one of the lot. It would have been funded by, not a tax on Boise residents, but a fee imposed on hotel guests downtown. The fee would have been about $1 a night a room and would not have cost Boise a thing. The hotel lobby fought it tooth and nail, and the voters subsequently rejected it.
I guess that's Idaho politics for you:
why run against an unopposed U.S. Senator (Mike Crapo) when you can run for the Ada County Highway District.
And this too is Idaho politics for you (at least for the City of Trees):
why support public works projects which don't cost the city or taxpayer anything but will greatly increase the viability of our fair city when you can be dooped by libertarian and business lobbying groups?
I am also proud to say I didn't have any hanging chads on my ballot. Ada County, for reasons passing understanding, uses the same punch-card ballots that Florida used in the 2000 election debacle.

So, after I completed voting, I didn't have any hanging chads...just a few dimpled chads and one pregnant chad (but the pregnancy was an accident, I swear).

If you haven't yet, Vote on November 2nd!

News v. Spin

2004-09-22T13:57:00.000-07:00
My colleague Mr. Lone Ranger over at My 2 Cents has repeatedly used the Drudge Report as a new source for his posts. Well, today, Drudge gave us one great example of how fair/balanced/believable he is.

The headline of the Drudge Report this afternoon was:
Kerry: Draft Likely to Return Under Bush
Wow, that's a big deal...it's almost like Cheney saying (then later not saying) "It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today, on Nov. 2, we make the right choice, because if we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we'll get hit again and we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States."

So, I clicked on the Kerry: Draft Likely to Return Under Bush headline and it took me to this Yahoo! News Story: Kerry Says Draft May Return Under Bush.

Wow, already the story has gone from "Draft Likely to Return Under Bush" to "Draft May Return Under Bush." And that's just the headline. When you actually read the quote, Senator Kerry said:
"If George Bush were to be re-elected, given the way he has gone about this war and given his avoidance of responsibility in North Korea and Iran and other places, is it possible [the draft]? I can't tell you."
So, from the Drudge Report to reality, the story has gone from Kerry saying the draft is likely under a second Bush term to "I can't tell you."

Now Matt Drudge and the Lone Ranger can say whatever the hell they want. It’s their right as American citizens. But don’t try passing Drudge off as news. I’ve already covered this issue once in my August post "BREAKING NEWS" and Liars but it bears repeating over and over again (as long as neo-cons believe the sh** Drudge spoon-feeds them each day).

Only one saying fully captures Matt Drudge Balanced News^TM:
Spins Way!

Rights

2004-09-21T17:35:00.000-07:00
Idaho's Supreme Court today became "one of the first in the nation to acknowledge that sexual orientation, by itself, can't be a factor in modifying [child] custody agreements." I say one thing, THANK GOD.

If you follow the news in southern Idaho, you have probably heard about the child custody case of Theron McGriff v. Shawn Weingartner. The couple had shared custody of their daughters after their 1997 divorce, but Weingartner sought a change after finding out her former husband was gay and living with his partner. (from the Idaho Statesman)

I addressed this issue on the 3rd cent in May, when the case was before a state magistrate. You can read my post here: At issue in Idaho: should a parent's sexual orientation be a factor in determining child custody rights?

You can read the complete opinion and dissenting opinion here.

Come Fly the Iraqi Skies

2004-09-17T15:06:00.000-07:00
Some good news has come out of Iraq today. CNN.com is reporting that after 14 years, Iraqi Airways is resuming scheduled flights tomorrow.
Although Iraqi Airways only has one working plane out of their 20 year old 16-plane fleet, we can expect flights from Baghdad to Syria and Jordan twice a week and flights to Dubai beginning shortly.

There are some catches though. A ticket to Damascus would cost $600, and $750 to Amman. A road trip to those cities costs about $40. Still, with all that nice rich oil we are pumping (for the Iraqis, of course), people in Iraq probably have tons of money to throw into air flights to Damascus. Democracy in Action!

Now that Iraqi Airways is flying again, American Brand IRAQI FREEDOM^TM can finally be displayed in a single item:
Now that's a bag I can barf in with pride! $200 billion well spent!

Liberal Kool-AidTM

2004-09-16T16:05:00.000-07:00
Because, evidently, I cannot under any circumstances be correct in my opinion that assault weapons are probably bad for our communities and should be regulated and controlled, I've decided to share some of the so-called "Kool-aid" I drank to believe what I believe.

Perusing the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action website, I discovered something that I thought and had hoped had gone the way of Joe McCarthy. Now before I go on, I know some of you neo-cons out there support Senator Joe's actions in fighting te "Red Menace" back in the 50's. I mean, everyone's favorite moderate, Ann Coulter, likes McCarthy so much that she has this photo on her official web site:

(I understand this photo doesn't have anything to do with anything, but I just love Ann Coulter.)
Anyway, back to Senator McCarthy. The NRA seems to have taken a hint from his actions and established a list...a Black List. That's right, just when you thought it was 2004 and the words "equality for all" were true, the nation's leading Second Amendment defenders come up with a black list. You can see the entire black list on the NRA's web site here.

This black list includes actors, singers, authors, poets, religious organizations (including my United Methodists), businesses, news organizations, medical organizations, police organizations, unions, and the most feared organization on the face of the planet, the YMCA. And like all blacklists, the purpose is all too clear: to intimidate and silence anyone who disagrees with the NRA's extremist agenda. Well done NRA!

If you feel left out of the NRA's blacklist (as I did) you can sign up at nrablacklist.com.

On another topic, one of the U.S. Senators from my great state of Idaho is Larry Craig. Besides being a Senator and a driver of Volkswagen bugs, Larry is a member of the NRA's executive board. If you are an Idahoan who thinks this might be a bad thing, or a conflict of interest, I encourage you to visit this site: "End Larry Craig's singing career."

To those who think I’ve had to much Kool-Aid, I say, “OH YEAH!”

Firepower: Part II

2004-09-14T16:24:00.000-07:00
Wow, the 3rd cent has gone national...I would like to express my gratitude to all those who posted comments on my last post. I am pleased to see some discourse on this issue, even though I find your arguments intolerant, narrow-minded and chillingly bigoted.

I was not expecting any sort of response to my post and therefore did not include any reasoning for my position on firearms and my support for the Assault Weapons Ban. Well, here it is:
Let me first say, I understand that the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was a flawed piece of legislation. It was written with far too many loopholes and exemptions.

That’s why I support not just the renewal of the AWB, but the significant strengthening of it. Two bills are in congress right now to do that very thing. They are H.R. 2038 and S.1431. Unfortunately, now that the ban has expired, that Sen. Bill Frist and Rep. Tom Delay have spoken, and President Bush has hidden from the issue like a coward, it is very unlikely anything will come of it.

Now, before everyone has a complete conniption, I am not anti-gun. My step-father is an avid hunter. I enjoy target shooting with pistols and clay pigeon shooting with shotguns as much as anyone. About the most fun I’ve ever had was shooting his 50-caliber muzzleloader rifle.

I fully believe that he and all other law-abiding Americans have the right to own guns for hunting, sport shooting and personal defense (although I do not believe owning a handgun does anything constructive for your personal defense).

That being said, I am 100% anti-assault weapon. There is a good reason they are called "assault weapons." Here are the reasons why I am anti-assault weapon:
According to FBI data analyzed by the Violence Policy Center in their study "Officer Down" (which was endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police), one out of five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2001 was killed with an assault weapon. When it comes down to it on this issue, I’m going to throw my support behind police.

To Mr. Nelson at www.LifeLibertyEtc.com, you have your logic backwards. Yes, the Assault Weapons Ban did outlaw certain features on these weapons. I’ve heard other opponents of the ban say similar things recently: that the ban only outlawed certain weapons because of their "cosmetic features" and not because they are inherently more dangerous than other weapons.

Just for everyone’s information, the cosmetic features outlawed in the ban are military features such as silencers, flash suppressors, pistol grips, folding stocks and bayonets, all of which are designed to specifically increase the concealability and lethality of these weapons.

Back to my point, your logic is backwards because many of the weapons had those "cosmetic features" before the ban. After the ban was enacted, people just took off the bayonets, flash suppressors and silencers, making the same guns legal again. This is why I support H.R. 2038 and S. 1431.

I understand that the assault weapons which were banned were all semi-automatic, and could only fire one round at a time. However, the ban also outlawed high capacity magazines, which is where the great lethality comes from. Someone can pull a trigger quite rapidly and discharge a large amount of ammunition in a short amount of time if they have a semi-auto assault weapon and 50-round magazine.

While most rifles, especially those for sport shooting and hunting, are designed to be fired from the shoulder and depend upon the accuracy of a precisely aimed projectile, these formerly banned semi-automatic assault weapons are designed to maximize lethal effects through a rapid rate of fire.

Assault weapons are designed to be spray-fired (by pressing the trigger repeatedly) from the hip, and because of their design, a shooter can maintain control of the weapon even while firing many rounds in rapid succession. I know I’ve seen criminals and terrorists do it.
Banning these weapons does not infringe on anyone’s constitutional rights. If constitutional rights were infringed, the law would have been overturned, or a least challenged, in its 10 years of existence. It was not.

Outlawing "violent rap-music lyrics and violent pop-culture movies that glorify gun violence" as proposed by Alpine18, will not do anything to curb gun violence. We have always had violent movies and music. Other nations listen to the same music and watch the same movies and they don’t have the same amount of violence as the United States.

Something else is to blame. I’m not positive what is, but I am certain that rap music and pop-culture movies are not.

Assault weapons serve no legitimate sporting, hunting or personal defense purposes and have no place in our communities. Individuals, even law abiding individuals, do not have the right to own these sorts of weapons. Hunting rifles and shotguns are fine. Uzis, AK-47s and Street Sweepers are not.
I know many of you disagree with my position. That’s fine, it’s one of the reasons America is a great nation; our ability to think for ourselves. Even right-wing, pro-gun libertarians like you have the right to think and say and express yourself however you want. I’m just glad I live in a different state (although Idaho has more than it’s fair share of right-wing, pro-gun libertarians.)

Liberally Yours,

Slingshizzle
(a.k.a. a “blissfully” and “grossly misinformed dumb ass” who is also a “poor misguided youth” and a “sheeple” “dumbfuck”)

Firepower

2004-09-13T17:46:00.000-07:00
I’ve been quite busy today deciding which 100-round clip I should buy with my TEC-9 purchase tomorrow...I’m just exercising my supposed right as described in:
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Now, everyone should mosey on over to the National Rifle Association and thank them for allowing deadly military-style assault weapons and large ammunition clips back on the street. Although the NRA claims today is “the end of a sad era,” I fear and expect a new and even sadder era beginning.

The NRA claims the assault weapons which will be legal at midnight tonight will be used for "target shooting, shooting competitions, hunting, collecting, and most importantly self-defense."

Let me just explain one last thing to everyone...no one uses or needs a 1700 rounds per minute UZI submachine gun for self-defense!

Finally, an America I can feel comfortable and safe in...

"Massive Suppression of Speech"

2004-09-10T15:12:00.000-07:00
Today, U.S. District Judge Jan E. DuBois declared a Pennsylvania law requiring Internet service providers to block Web sites containing child pornography unconstitutional because it "the act cannot be implemented without excessive blocking of innocent speech in violation of the First Amendment."

You can read the text of the decision here.

The case was brought by the Center for Democracy and Technology and the American Civil Liberties Union against Pennsylvania Attorney General Gerald Pappert.

The ACLU and ADT argued that the technology used to block those Web sites was clumsy and that over two years ISPs trying to obey blocking orders were forced to cut access to at least 1.5 million legal web sites that had nothing to do with child pornography or even legal pornography, but shared internet addresses with the offending sites. When a service provider blocked the address for a child-porn site, it wiped out the entire cluster. (from MSNBC.com)

Judge DuBois wrote:
"There is little evidence that the Act has reduced the production of child pornography or the child sexual abuse associated with its creation. On the other hand, there is an abundance of evidence that implementation of the Act has resulted in massive suppression of speech protected by the First Amendment."
I agree entirely with the ACUL's position on this issue entirely, and am glad Judge Dubois made the right call. Now, before my counterparts at My 2 Cents and the 10th Cent speak out saying "SLINGSHIZZLE AND THE ACUL SUPPORT KIDDIE PORN!", let me make it perfectly clear that I do not support child pornography or challenge a state's right to reasonably stop the spread and production of child porn.

However, you cannot restrict legal speech to stop illegal speech. I agree with Judge Dubois when he wrote:
"The elimination of child pornography is an important goal and those responsible for the creation or distribution of child pornography should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
But again, you do nothing but hurt society and our freedoms as Americans when you restrict free speech in that pursuit.

Mark one up for freedom, just not conservative brand Freedom^TM.

4 Days and Counting

2004-09-09T16:56:00.000-07:00
As you may or may not know, the Assault Weapons Ban section of the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act of 1993 expires THIS MONDAY, September 13th at 12 midnight.

President Bush has said he would sign the bill reauthorizing the ban (H.R.3831) if it was given to him by congress. However, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said:
I think the will of the American people is consistent with letting it expire, so it will expire.
and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said:
If the president asked me, it'd still be no ... because we don't have the votes to pass an assault weapons ban and it will expire Monday and that's that.
What does these comments and the lifting of this ban mean to you and me? It means that Tuesday morning, just about anyone can go out and buy a:
Norinco 86:

Mitchell JM:

All models of Poly Technologies Avtomat Kalashnikovs, including the AK-47:

Action Arms Israeli Military Industries UZI:

Action Arms Israeli Military Industries Galil:

Beretta Ar70 (SC-70):

Colt AR-15:

Fabrique National FN/FAL:

Fabrique National FN/LAR:

Fabrique National FNC:

SWD M-10:

SWD M-11:

SWD M-11/9:

SWD M-12:

Steyr AUG:

INTRATEC TEC-9:

INTRATEC TEC-DC9:

INTRATEC TEC-22:

and all revolving cylinder shotguns such as (or similar to) the Street Sweeper:

or Striker 12:
What kind of world do we live in, and what kind of representation do we have in congress when we would allow these sorts of weapons back on the street?

God Help Us...