Povertybarn

4000

This number did not pass me without notice. It infuriates me to my very core. The cavalier attitude coming from the White House makes me even more angry, so angry that I cannot see straight. Thanks to those brave men and women who have given up their lives for this pointless show of testosterone.

Happy Wariversary

It has not gone unnoticed by some that I had yet to post about the Iraq war today. I wanted to think about what I wanted to write, I am still so angry about this war that my words seem stuck, but this is just a sliver of how I feel.

Shock -- we went there and are still there, our young are dying
Awe -- that the crooks in charge lied to us about why, that some Americans still think this okay

A Thought on HRC

A few people have emailed me to say that they are surprised that I am supporting Hillary Clinton for President because she represents the establishment.

Well, here is just one reason and response (others are forthcoming):

The people with the penises have been in charge for a really long time now and I just look at where we are in the World. America is not the shining city on the hill as it once was considered. So, I think that we need try my gender for a change.

Ask yourself, how would 911 been handled? Would we even be in Iraq? How would Katrina been handled?

Democrats Aren't Electable

It is official, we're screwed again. Hello, EU Citizenship!

McCain can beat Obama and Hillary according to the new poll that was released today. This is what I have been saying in discussions that I have been having over the last few weeks. A lot of people, misguided as they may be, really like John McCain.

McCain is statistically tied with Sen. Barack Obama, 44 percent to 42 percent, and ahead of Sen. Hillary Clinton by 6 points, 46 percent to 40 percent.  The poll's margin of error was plus-or-minus 3 percentage points.

The poll also showed McCain with a 61 percent approval rating, a number higher than both Clinton's and Obama's in past polls.

Never mind that fact that he is not pro-choice, was involved in an anti-gay amendment in Arizona and wants to be in Iraq for 100 years. Do you remember his bomb Iraq story from this summer?

Election Fatigue

This is the way to describe me. I am not in love with any candidate at this time. I took the Candidate Match Game quiz over at USAToday and found that -- drumroll please -- my candidate match.

1. Dennis Kucinich
2. Joe Biden
3. Christopher Dodd

I may blog less about politics for a bit as I find this whole election cycle sad, annoying and irritating.

Proud Presidential Moment #756

                  

                                             

       

And The Winners Are . . .

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its third annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress entitled Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch). This encyclopedic report on corruption in the 110th Congress documents the egregious, unethical and possibly illegal activities of the most tainted members of Congress. CREW has compiled the members’ transgressions and analyzed them in light of federal laws and congressional rules.

Sixteen members have been replaced from last year’s list of 25.

Check out Beyond Delay which offers short summaries of each member’s transgressions as well as the full-length profiles and all accompanying exhibits.

Members of the Senate:
Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-NM)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK)

Members of House:
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-CA)
Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA)
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)
Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-LA)
Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
Rep. Gary G. Miller (R-CA)
Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV)
Rep. Timothy F. Murphy (R-PA)
Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA)
Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM)
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ)
Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY)
Rep. David Scott (D-GA)
Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL)
Rep. Heather A. Wilson (R-NM)

Dishonorable Mention:
Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID)
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

Several members in the study are already under federal investigation including: Reps. Calvert, Doolittle, Feeney, Jefferson, Lewis, Miller, Mollohan, Murphy, Renzi and Young, as well as Senator Stevens.

Fun With Math

Over at the White House and the Pentagon, they are very proud of their progress and touting the numbers to slap themselves on the back. Although, they should just slap themselves. Let's have some fun with math, shall we?

3 out of 18

What does that equal?

1/6 or 17%

Hmm, I think that I will tell my boss and my co-workers that I am only going to to do 1/6th of my job duties effective today. I will also tell them that I will only pay attention to 17% of what is said in meetings and only be billing 17% of my time at work instead of the 85% that I am actually expected to bill.

Do you think that will be a problem?
Yes, then why aren't we more outraged by the third rate job that is being put forth in front of us?

Moment of Silence

I interrupt this blog, to do something more important than point a finger and yell.

My pause is to remember and honor the two friends who were killed in the WTC.

You may both be gone, but you are not forgotten.

Iraq Fatigue Hits Airwaves

Bloomberg's Exit Strategy

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced that he is out of the Republican Party. He has re-registered as unafiliated with any political party. The speculation can now begin about his future ambitions. Presidential? Governor?

Bloomberg is disillusioned with the Republicans. Aren't we all?

Cindy Sheehan is Out

In an open letter Cindy Sheehan explains why she is leaving the Democratic Party and the peace movement.  She gives it to Nancy Pelosi.  She also calls for others who want to declare their independence from the Democratic Party to meet her in Philadelphia on July 4 of this year.

Happy Memorial Day

Today is more than a day off.

Thank you to all veterans past and present.
Thank you to their families and loved ones for making such sacrafcies for the rest of us.
Thank you for doing a job that allows me to vehemently and loudly disagree with our leadership.
Thank you for signing on to doing a job that I would never do.

I am sorry that our leadership has failed you.
I am sorry that so many of our current soldiers are dying at alarming rates.
I am sorry that all of this money is being spent on educating you and others, so we don't have pointless wars.

Cost of the War in Iraq

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To see more details, click here.

Edwards Brings It

John Edwards gave our Shrub the smack down during an interview. It is refreshing to hear somebody besides myself and some other bloggers say it loud and proud.

"GWB is responsible for Osama bin Laden being at large." (paraphrased)

Edwards wants some of our brave kids to come home and be out totally within a year. Yes, let's bring our hard working troops home!!

The best quote from the WaPo article:

"The war on terror is a slogan designed only for politics, not a strategy to make America safe. It's a bumper sticker, not a plan," Edwards said. "It has damaged our alliances and weakened our standing in the world."

We were told that there were weapons of mass destruction. There were none. I belief that this is straight up fraud.

Bye Bye Blair

As of June 27 of this year, Tony Blair will step down. He has resigned after ten years. He came into office with such promise and flair. Sadly, he has disappointed so many of us with his unflinching support of W and his revenge war.

I am hoping that the two are so close that now GWB will submit his recognition. After all, it is the will of the people. Or, at least this person.

Four Years Later

Yesterday, was the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq.

Are we better off? Are the the people of Iraq? Have we won the so-called war on terror?

The answer to these questions is no.

However, the Criminal Bush Administration doesn't agree.

67 and Counting

67 US soldiers have died so far this month in the Bush fiasco, err, Iraq war. Bogus war.

What is the exit strategy for this ckusterf*ck?
Oh right. There isn't one. He is a lame duck and it is really not his problem.

I see why America is a sinking ship.  The not-my-problem attitude and modus operandi.

Always Trust a Teddy

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
                -Theodore Roosevelt

What's Going On?

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

Yo!

Dear President Dumbass:

You have proven yourself an embarassment and a laughing stock once again. You make me ashamed to be an American. This pisses me off a lot!!!!! Why can't you ever use some decorum, EVER?

BTW, I used to work in politics, so here, shit-for-brains, is politician rule number 5:

ALWAYS make sure any microphone is OFF before you say anything that you would NOT want others to hear.

Way to make a mockery of the Oval Office once again, you ignorant fool. Seriously, don't you need at least one ally in the Iraq debacle? Ugh. You make me want to hurl on a daily basis.

Sayonara, Iraq

In another blow to the Shrub Regime, Japan has announced that they will take their troops out of Iraq. Once again, they prove to be smarter than their Western counterparts.

Japan's troops arrived in early 2004 and have done what they can to "help." Most people in Japan do not support the war and are outraged that six of their countrymen have been killed in Iraq. No Japanese soldiers have died in the war.

Is anyone in DC getting the message? It is time to stop Shrub's friends from making money and profiting from the war.

If Children Are Our Future -- We're Screwed!

If you're friends are being shipped off to fight in a war half way around the world, wouldn't you be curious to know where it is?  Apparently not for most American youth.  In a new geographic literacy study released today, fewer than 4 in 10 Americans aged 18-24 in a survey could place Iraq on an unlabeled map of the Middle East.  Only 50% could find India or Japan and only 12% correctly located Afghanistan.

We seen these types of surveys in the past, but I would have hoped with the increase world news coverage after 9/11 and the two (2) wars we're fighting in the Middle East, our youth would want to know more about where Dumb-Dumb and The Grim Veeper were sending their fellow youth.  No... they are probably too preoccupied with planning their summer tan lines.

See how well you could do on a world geography test.  How do you score?

Anyone Willing to Step Up?

Ok, I don't know who deserves the credit for this photo, but the message is classic. Is anyone out there willing to take the bullet? I can't even look at Dumb Dumb let alone even consider going there. I do know that this pic was taken at an anti-Iraq war protest in San Francisco.

Hey, did Rover do a poll about gasoline prices? Or are lamo's friends complaining about what to do with all of their extra cash?

The plummeting approval or on the plus side growing disapproval ratings ought to be telling us something! GO DEMS in the MIDTERMS!

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

Any guesses as to how many people will leave the Bush Administration? The new chief of wieners is asking for anyone who wants jump ship, do it now.

Why would anyone want to leave that fabulous workplace? Could it be that they are mortified about the Katrina debacle? Or horrified about the war for oil on terror in Iraq? Hey, maybe we will finally find out where Osama bin Hidin' really is located?

Generals Say Rummy's a Dummy

I hate war.  I hate that we've started a war based on lies.  I hate that fact that our country's leadership has abused that power.  But if you're going to have a war, you fight to win.  As President, you listen to your professional military leaders -- the admirals and generals, the people that know military strategy best -- to advise you on best military practices and strategy.

So when six retired generals now call for Rumsfeld to step down for gross arrogance and ignoring his field commanders recommendation, you know the future of the war looks bleak.  They claim that many of the mis-steps in Iraq are because of Rummy's (and Dumb-Dumb's too) arrogance and mismanagement.

The last time a President ignored the military knowledge and advise of his generals was Vietnam, and we all know how well that ended.  I'm not saying Iraq is turning into another Vietnam, but the lack of strategy, the loss of any Iraqi public goodwill after the deposition of Saddam Hussein, and the utter incompetency of the rebuilding process does bode well for us... U.S.

I just wish the generals would critique more than Rummy's performance, but the arrogance of Dumb-Dumb's administration's foreign policy.  Of course, the Dumb-Dumb administration isn't going to ask Rummy Dummy to resign.  That would just be an admission that this war of choice is one big cluster f**k.

Italy Gets New Regime

Could it be that the Italians really do have common sense? Are they becoming more practical in the age of the European Union? Can they, please, spread their sense of outrage at the Bush Administration to the US?

That's right! The Italian people have voted out Conservative Silvio Berlusconi aka Shrub's Chief Ass Kisser ally in his fake war on terror. His was challenged and beaten by Roman Podi who is more of a centrist. Va bene!

Although, Berlusconi refuses to admit defeat. You would think that he would having hitched himself to the toad in the US whose poll numbers are shrinking themselves into non-existence.

I just want to scream, Ciao, Italia! Bravo! Brava!

This Frosts My Cookies

Okay, I keep seeing ads for the movie based on the actions of the people on Flight 93. While we have no idea what actually happened, a movie has been made on the events of 9/11.

Why am I pissed? for starters Dumb Dumb has used this attack as a justification for the unjust war in Iraq.

The main reason, however, is that I lost two friends in the towers. To think that anyone is trying to make a buck by glorifying this event in anyway pisses me off to my very core. Please boycott this shlock. What are the makers of this movie thinking? Yuck.

Card Left on the Table

Andrew Card "resigned" today from being the White House Chief of Staff. He told Shrub that he thought that he is a lying sack of crap good man. What was that? In other words, please don't have me killed and dumped in the River?

Apparently, he is the sacrificial lamb and now magically, Dumb Dumb's poll numbers will rise. Or at least that is the hope. The new guy, Joshua Bolten, comes from the Budget Office via Wall Street. Well, we can all see what a great job he has done with the budget, eh?

See the Heretik's discarded, CommonSenseDesk keeps 'em linked and take a sip of Pam's brew, too.

Three Years, So Little Progress

It has been three years since Dumb Dumb has started the war. The war to bring Halliburton and his other privileged white male friends supporters another source of oil money. Let's just be clear about that up front.

Where is Osama bin Laden? Yes, we have Saddam Hussein, but what do the Iraqi citizens have? A better education system? Clean, running water? Jobs? Independence? Security? A police force? A military? A justice system?

The answers to all of the questions above is no. Gee, I am shocked. What a freakin' joke!

The facts of what they do have are at After School Snack, DED Space and the Heretik

Dumb Dumb's World

Well, in Dumb Dumb's world thing are crumbling worse than any cookie that I have ever eaten. His poll numbers are down in the way down dumps. It seems off that Bill Clinton had a higher approval rating during the impeachment process then ShrubCo has right now.

It would seems that the troops want to come home and be out of the cluster-fuck known as the Iraq War. We are damned if we do, damned if we don't. Thanks to the crooked morons who are currently  running this so-called democracy.

Ugh, I need a drink.

Four More

Our military and our country have lost another four lives. How many more people will we have to lose for a senseless war and an even more senseless Presiden?

SIGH.

Not to mention the thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians who have been innocent bystanders when their deaths occurred.

EXTRA LONG SIGH.

Sad State of the Union Summary

Total word count: 5,325

Number of times freedom was said: 17

Number of times evil said:a shocking twice

His use of Coretta Scott King was irksome.

Today our nation lost a beloved, graceful, courageous woman who called America to its founding ideals and carried on a noble dream. Tonight we are comforted by the hope of a glad reunion with the husband who was taken from her so long ago, and we are grateful for the good life of Coretta Scott King.

This statement gave me a little hope for those inflicted by Katrina.

We also show compassion abroad because regions overwhelmed by poverty, corruption and despair are sources of terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking and the drug trade.

Of course, he was talking about Iraqi citizens.

Number of times he said America: 71

You should read Shakespeare's Sister and Cookie Christine for their thoughts.

New Democratic Mantra

Hey, hey, ho, ho!

George W has got to go! (Repeat as many times as necessary.)

That's right Congressman John Lewis is calling for Impeachment! Where do i sign a petition? How can I help? Let's spread the message to everyone including our own Representatives now!

Why not? Think about Iraq, the spying and lying and the Katrina debacle! Shakespeare's Sister is also singing discussing this song.

UPDATE:

California US Senator Barbara Boxer is starting to shout our chant, too. Welcome, Babs!

I Spy . . .

A Liar! While, sadly, I missed the Dong an Pony Show by ShrubCo over the last 24 hours, I still have a few thoughts. No, really it is true.

This little gem caught my eye; my commentary are the underlined portions.

Bush and other officials have said the program involved monitoring phone calls and e-mails of individuals in this country believed to be plotting with terrorists overseas. Does this include Valerie Plame and any/all of her family and friends? Furthermore, does this include Donald Rumsfeld?

Normally, no wiretapping is permitted in the United States without a court warrant. But Bush said he approved the action without such orders "because it enables us to move faster and quicker. We've got to be fast on our feet. Yea, like you were for the po' black folks down in New Orleans or poor people in general? Or to help with the AIDS crisis or to help the people on Darfur or to help the ravaged hills of Pakistan?

"It is legal to do so. I swore to uphold the laws. Legal authority is derived from the Constitution," he added. So, if you swore than what about the right to privacay? Pursuit of happiness for all which is stated in the Constitution, i.e. gay marriage? Are we reading the same Constitution or have you re-written it, too?

X-posted at Daily Pepper and the Refugee Blog

Almost Truth Serum

Yawn. Dumb dumb gave another speech today. Well, this one sorta got a minute of my time. it seems that GWB must have been hung over or read the wrong speech or Karl Rove had a moment of clarity.

"It is true that much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong," Bush said during his fourth and final speech before Thursday's vote for Iraq's parliament. "As president I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq. And I'm also responsible for fixing what went wrong by reforming our intelligence capabilities. And we're doing just that." CNN

Does he know what he read? He just admitted without saying it, that he is a LIAR.  Hmm, does he think that this will help his bottom dwelling polls? Is Karl Rove attempting a Hail Mary for republibrats coming up the ranks? (x-post at Daily Pepper)

Turn This Murtha Out

Rep. John Murtha confirmed his belief that we will not have a military victory in Iraq. He also holds steadfast in his conviction that Iraq is being wrongly labeled by ShrubCo as the center of terrorism. This makes sense to me. Weren't we told that we needed to go after Osama bin Laden who was/is the center of terrorism and all things anti-American? Murtha seems to enjoy reminding the Republibrats about these minor details.

The conservatives hate Murtha and really find a way to point finger at Bill Clinton, again. Plus it must piss them off that he was a real soldier unlike Dumb Dumb. It is sad that they need to take cheap shots at a man who stands up for what he believes in, have you seen this?

So, we [Democrats] should capitalize on finally having a voice and go with it! I say we get a Murtha and uber peace Mom, Cindy Sheehan, together to form a super anti-Iraq rally.  Let's turn this Murtha Out and everyone else, too!

The Dick

Yes, it is true, Dick Cheney was dusted off and given a trafusion to 'rally' some troops in upstate New York. Yawn. My house plants have more charisma than The Dick.

"Any decisions about troop levels will be driven by conditions on the ground and the judgment of our commanders, not by artificial timelines set by politicians in Washington, D.C." Cheney said. Reuters

Of course, this comes from the man who said that we would find weapons of mass destruction. The Grim Veeper was wrong - none were found.

How Many More Soldiers Will Die?

We lost another ten soldiers in Iraq today. This makes me feel very angry pissed off the need to SHOUT from the rooftops about how we need to re-think our focus.

Say it with, me.

What do we want? Out of Iraq

Why? We had no business going there in the first place!

Who did this? ShrubCo Why? THEY LIED!

What do we want? AN EXIT PLAN

When do we want it? NOW

Also at the Daily Pepper

Here's the New Plan

Yes, this morning Dumb Dumb presented his new, er old plan to the Country to convince us all that staying in Iraq is the right thing to do for his friends the World. By staying there, we will irradicate terrorism increase oil company profits and make sure that everyone who works for Halliburton has a very happy holiday season.

Wonder what their company party will be like? What will their bonuses look like?

Thoughts on Iraq Debacle

While I was abroad just last week, I noticed the lack of coverage on the War in Iraq. This is not too surprising because most countries are phasing out their presence and dollars.

A lot of people are asking why can't/don't we? Especially, Congressman John Murtha from Pennsylvania is raising his voice and the question. Yes, the War was a huge mistake -- a lie told to all of us in order to move the BushCo agenda forward. Sadly, most of the Country bought into to it at the time. Former President Bill Clinton said that the war was a mistake to a group of Arab students in Dubai.

Here is the thing, while it would be great to just pull out and say, we messed up your Country, left thousands homeless, penniless and jobless (not to mention the thousands killed) -- um -- yea, we are out of here. Why? Well, it is too expensive and massive of an undertaking to 'fix you.'

Huh? Would we settle for this behavior? Do we -- NO!

As much as I HATE what was done in our name, in the name of freedom and in the name of bettering off a Country -- we simply cannot leave Iraq. Not now.

We have an obligation to help and mentor this Country with it's own military, police and governmental system that works, not just in a half-assed way. They deserve working lights, water, hospitals and schools. Things that we take for granted, but demand them to work properly.

By simply just pulling out, isn't it a very real possibility that we will only reinforce the very negative thoughts that these poor people and a very large portion of the Arab population already harbor against us? Won't we seem just as arrogant and self-centered as they already believe us to be?

It seems me that the right thing to so is to make sure that we help and mentor them as much as possible, exiting (as costly as it is) slowly to ensure that we do continue to foster and breeding such contempt, such hate and animosity so that we can build some good will? Perhaps, we can teach the next generation to know peace, happiness and liberty which will help to set us all free.

Cross - posted at Daily Pepper.