Tootboy's MindSay Blog

New Hampshire

tootboy — 2004-01-26T02:01:00-05:00

And the race is off to a very unpredictable start. If you would have asked all the pundits where the Iowans' votes would have gone to you would have seen Gov. Dean well ahead. And then he keeps putting his foot in his mouth and suddenly he's left holding the third place ribbon.

Now the pundits are saying that Kerry is a lock. Dean has shot himself. My guess is that Dean comes out on top. Kerry second, Lieberman third, Edwards fourth....

New Hampshire II

tootboy — 2004-01-26T02:01:00-05:00

In the event of snow...Dean will win by 10 points more than Kerry. The thinking is that Dean's supporters are more hard core than Kerry's.

Snow Day

tootboy — 2004-01-29T09:01:00-05:00

Well 14 inches of the white stuff fell yesterday and we were stuck home watching John Kerry pat himself on the back. Well done I say to him, of course it took Dean to implode and Kerry to shift far to the left.

Who doesn't love the Beatles

tootboy — 2004-01-29T09:01:00-05:00

The Washington Post has an article about the musical tastes of the democratic candidates. No real surprises here (most love the Beatles or Rolling Stones). The Post does offer its insights though such as when Wes Clark says his favorite album is "Yellow Submarine" the Post retorts, "Despite choosing the Beatles as his favorite band, here's the one fact that can be gleaned from Clark's answers: He's not a big fan of the Beatles. "Yellow Submarine" is universally considered the Fab Four's weakest work. It's barely a Beatles album at all, since about half of it is given over to producer George Martin and his score for the movie that gives the album its name."
Ahem!

Kerry's answers are the best and he's probably a true sixties wild child at heart.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50880-2004Jan26.html?nav=hptoc_p

S.C. Debate

tootboy — 2004-01-30T10:01:00-05:00

Wow, when you've seen one debate you've seen them all. This was such a total bore. Thoughts:
Kerry is going on as if it's over. He's on automatic pilot.
Dean is not sure what to say. He wants to be aggressive but when he is he can't control himself.
Rev Al is looking for any angle. He knows no one will try to pigeon hole him out of fear. He can say what he wants when he wants. He could be dangerous if he really wanted to but then again he doesn't
Edwards likes the term 'piggy back' to add to his comments. He doesn't shut up when his time ends. He'll lose because he's boring. Kerry / Edwards could be a scary thought but then again Edwards says he doesn't want to be VP.
Dennis is a kook and a half isn't he?
Lieberman seems to be the only real nice guy up there but he's got no shot thankfully

Superbowl

tootboy — 2004-02-02T10:02:00-05:00

Wow! It was a deadly dud for 1 1/2 quarters. And then an offensive explosion with 4 minutes to go in the 2nd. And then some more excitement in the 4th. Nice!

The janet jackson thing was typically silly. Obviously she knows that her performance was boring and her career has stalled. So let's do some fireworks that have nothing to do with music but everything to do with shock. Reminds me of the madonna-britney spears brew haha in the fall.
Shock all you want but the art has to come thru sometime.

Loved how justin timberlake put it as a "wardrobe malfunction". Malfunction? Was it supposed to do something else like light up?

I figure that since Michael and janet look so much alike now that seeing janet topless is like looking at michael topless.

Ah MTV

Teetgate

tootboy — 2004-02-03T11:02:00-05:00

Well Well now. Everyone is looking into the Jackson-Timberlake performance from Sunday. Well finally something will be done about the crude, lude attitude on TV. At least this one time. I can't tell you how often I have heard the S word, T word, B__ch, A$$, and the others on Network and basic cable. Worse than all of this is the sexual content on shows in the 8 and 9 PM hours that are syndicated at 4, 5, and 6 o'clock in the evening.
But the worst thing is that since it's become so ordinary to say these things, it's made the writers lazy. Instead of coming up with a new way of saying these things they just say 'em. Lazy, lazy and not funny.

Kerry Victory

tootboy — 2004-02-04T11:02:00-05:00

I'm glad for Mr Kerry. He gets his moment in the sun. I still think that Edwards is a phony.

Mr. Kerry does have a lot to answer for though. He has done flip flops on a whole host of material that will probably start getting more attention.

Goodwill Hunting

tootboy — 2004-02-04T11:02:00-05:00

Why do we care so much about the goodwill of the "world"?
Shouldn't they care more about the goodwill of the U.S.?
The United States is by far the largest consumer of products in the world. Why would they want to get on our bad side?

Goodwill gets you nothing except a pat on the back. It doesn't pay the bills. It doesn't feed the family. It doesn't keep the thief away from your car. It is just goodwill. Well thanks, but no thanks if it means my hands are tied and I have to ask you approval to go to the bathroom.

When we say the world needs to approve our military responses let me ask you this: Which countries specifically do we need approval from?
China?
Russia?
France?
Germany?
Saudi Arabia?
Cuba?
Sudan?
Nigeria?

Who?

please let me know and explain

Grammys

tootboy — 2004-02-09T11:02:00-05:00

Boy music must have been boring last year. Did you see the nominees for best new artist and best album? Ugh!

Best moment was during the Beatles tribute with Sting, Dave Matthews and Vince Gill, Mr. Matthews screws up the song title when he sings, "I saw her DANCING there"!

Can someone hit Madonna already?

Bush on Meet the Press

tootboy — 2004-02-09T11:02:00-05:00

I didn't think the President looked good or sounded comfortable. If I were against him I'd find numerous things to pick on. To me he's still a big front runner because the media is STILL talking about his national service during the Vietnam war. If that's their gripe this month then it's smooth sailing. The man has been the commander in chief for 1 war with 3 fronts! And has so far won them all. Russert was his same old constant self.

Grammys and Politics

tootboy — 2004-02-09T11:02:00-05:00

When you are arguing a point and you give opposing statements to your own theories you should be considered a nutcase or at least delusional. Case tonight: The Grammy's. There were more than a dozen speakers and presenters who off and on stage remarked about the Janet Jackson Super Bowl halftime show on the Boob Tube. They all mentioned how it's enough already and how it wasn't a big thing and that it's ok to see a breast. Do they know that this thing was broadcast to people outside of the U.S., to people in about 227 countries? THese are the same people who claim that we have to be more sensitive to the wants and sensibilities of others. Well? Shouldn't we more sensitive to people who are more religious or of a different religion. THese entertainers are hypocrits

Newsday

tootboy — 2004-03-02T11:03:00-05:00

The 'Hometown' Long Island newspaper is NEWSDAY. I'm going to start using this column to note NEWSDAY's political views and sometimes crazy notions.

I'll also include the number of left vs. right letters to the editors....

Newsday believes Marriage is a new concept for Americans

tootboy — 2004-03-02T11:03:00-05:00

March 1 Headline in their Part 2
Love it or leave it, marriage for decades has been one of many ways American couples get together

...OK, Marriage has been apart of the American way of life since the first settlements (didn't Pocahontas marry John Rolfe?). BUT Newsday seems that it's only been decades? Which decade, the 1950's? 1960's? Does this mean that George & Martha, John & Dolly, Abe & Mary, Franklin & Eleanor lived in sin?

And he's a great research statement:
"Whether the partners are gay or straight, big names or nobodies, is the institution - around at least since Roman times - in good shape or bad?"
...Roman Times? Um, Newsday, how about before that? Ever hear of Odysseus and Penelope (Fictional yes, but the institution was around for the Greeks), or King Nebuchadnezzar and his wife Amyitis (he built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for her) or Abraham and Sarah (the founders of many nations and religions). Hmmm...Newsday, sloppy.

Newsday Letter's to the Editor Tues Mar. 2 2004

tootboy — 2004-03-02T01:03:00-05:00

Number of Opinions from the Left: 10
Number of Opinions from the Right: 2

Left Letters
1)..."the legislative war being waged against gays is rooted not in a difference of opinions, but in the disregard of scientific facts... Being homosexual is not a choice that a person makes. Being gay is biological - something a person is born to be...-Drew Avril"

Hate to burst your bubble Drew but even if there are scientific facts it isn't like the law of gravity or inertia or even like you are born black, white, yellow, etc. If you are born black you die black, white (unless you tan) you are white. But sex is different...you can have a sex change operation but even more basic is the fact that there are plenty of men and women who are in heterosexual relationships and are then in homosexual relationships. I know women who say they experimented in college with women but they like men more. There may be biological facts such as hormones and chromosomes but in the end it IS a matter of choice. It's an acquired taste not a taste destined by G-d.

2)..."The election of judges has worked very well in both Manhattan Civil and Supreme Courts, and the screening panels have improved the judiciary with almost every judge elected to the bench in New York County.

Although we have seen good judges who were appointed, overall the better method is election, where the ultimate power resides in the people.

Alan Flacks
Editor's Note: The writer was a delegate from the First District to the Democratic Party judicial nominating convention. "

I'm not sure where this letter leans but since it is from a former delegate of the Democratic Party, I'll assume it is left center.

3)..."Israel's new barrier can't shield leaders from growing scandal

By arguing that Israel's new security barrier "makes strong political sense," David Makovsky ignores the Jewish state's brutal 35-year occupation of Palestinian land - and the wholesale subjugation of its people. He also fails to consider how Palestinian squalor and privation provide fertile ground for future suicide bombers. - Rosario A. Iaconis
Mineola"

Blah Blah Blah...this goes on like this for another 2 paragraphs...This is left wing propaganda at it's shrillest. Oy Vey!

4)"Sometimes the news is so ludicrous that it cries out for comment. Your cover story "Same Sex Marriages" [News, Feb. 25] is one. President Bush demands we ban homosexuals from marriages. His statement is a moral position. I contend that his own public record demands we should not listen to his moral convictions based on his lack of moral conviction in the past.
For example, he was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. He pled guilty, paid a fine and had his driver's license suspended for 30 days. Now it turns out he is the first president of the United States to have a criminal record.
He began his career in the oil business in Midland, Texas. He bought an oil company but didn't find any oil. He sold all his stock shortly before the company went bankrupt. And serious doubts remain that he ever fulfilled his duty in the National Guard during the Vietnam War.
Bush's record as president is nothing to brag about.
Yet he tries to take the moral high road about homosexuals.

Edward J. Thompson

Farmingdale"

WHERE DO I START????

5&6&7)..."I never thought I would see a president advocate for legislating hate in my lifetime. The Dred Scott decision and Plessy v. Ferguson have been, until now, simply chapters in a history book explaining the systemic nature of racism and intolerance throughout our history.

Little could I imagine that our nation, now expanding the parameters of intolerance to include sexual preference, would be writing a new chapter on discrimination.

A century from now people will look back on the president's assertions and see them for what they are: the brainchild of a simple, ignorant and hateful mind. -David A. Chauvin
Freeport"

"The president has found another way to divide the country. Either we are all free and enjoy the equal protection of the law, or our nation will be saying that some people can be excluded from those protections. Shall we now say that the past suffrage or civil rights movements giving the right to vote to women and African-Americans were wrong? Of course not. We all benefit as a people when we extend rights to everyone. If such issues are in the courts, it is because the people put them there, not the

judges.-Harold May
Melville"

"The next time some bigots decide one night to find and beat up some gay man, they can point to our president as their inspiration. Hatred, no matter how it is packaged, is hatred.

It is only in degrees that bigots are distinguishable. I am particularly incensed that Bush chose to make his statements before a portrait of Theodore Roosevelt, a great president, whose progressive policies of a century ago have been repudiated by Bush.-Ellen J. Richardson
Shirley"

YIKES! Hate speech...it gets personal

8)..."The framers of the Constitution wisely knew that legislation regarding certain issues rightly belong to state and local government. The definition of marriage is one of those issues.

The proposal by President George W. Bush to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage further illustrates his ignorance of the design of our governmental structure and states' rights. The federal government must not and should not be bogged down and distracted by an issue that should be decided locally, according to local sensibilities.-Lois Benjamin
Levittown"

Ok ok enough...Marriage has been decided locally in California (in 2000 a marriage was defined as between 1 man and 1 woman) and the Fed government passed in 1996 (signed by Pres. Clinton) the Defense of Marrage Act. A constitutional amendment has to be ratified by 75% of the states' legislatures. That's a major undertaking and would thus solidifies the US citizens' thoughts on the issues...

9)..."Never have the politics of greed been more apparent than in the Bush administration.

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan made it abundantly clear that the shortage of money due to the huge deficits should be paid by reducing Social Security Benefits-Joseph Marcal

Commack"

Ok it's fine for this person when Greenspan agrees with them regarding Soc. Sec. but the fact that Greenspan approves of the President's tax cuts doesn't matter to Mr. Marcal...

10) Gossip columnist Liz Smith calls Ralph Nader a "terrorist". Although her column is, by nature, trivial, this is unconscionable. It is irresponsible - and it is irresponsible to publish it.

There are plenty of terrorists out there, and to equate them to a man who has done enormous good for public citizens throughout this country is unacceptable.-Ritch Calvin
Stony Brook"

Well, this letter is from a Nadar fan, so it belongs on the left.

Right Letters:
1)...I'm sorry that Paul Vitello felt that the reactions of people to the movie "The Passion of the Christ" was not the story. He obviously missed the fact that people are being touched to their very souls by the passion with which Christ loves us, the message of forgiveness that his death brings and by the hope of eternal life we have, thanks to his bloody and painful sacrifice. That is the story.-Kathleen Sanguedolce
Mastic"

Haven't seen the movie, so no comment. A spirtial letter belongs on the right.

2)..."I am greatly offended by your headline "Attack has message", relating to the latest suicide bombing in Israel that killed eight people and injured 60. To call the murder of innocent people an "attack" makes it sound like a minor offense.
To report that the murderer has a message gives the impression that he had an acceptable reason to destroy the lives of so many innocent people.
To describe this message only gives a voice to an extremely wicked person who doesn't deserve to have his voice heard.-Bonnie Sigman
Great Neck"

I agree that suicide bombers and terrorists have only one message and that's one of weakness and hatred. There's no reason to print it unless it is an actual letter or quote. Not having read the article however, I can't say if this article's intention was correctly understood the writer of this letter...

Newsday Letter's to the Editor Tues Mar. 3 2004

tootboy — 2004-03-03T11:03:00-05:00

Number of Letters from the Left: 5
Number of Letters from the Right: 2

Left Letters:
1)..."Hurray for Ralph Nader. It is so good to hear a presidential candidate say that he wants to "retire the supremely selected president" ["Nader joins presidential race," Newsday.com, Feb. 23]. Would that we would ever hear a Democratic candidate say anything so truthful.
No, the Democrats will just go on whining about the spoiler who stole the presidency. No matter that Al Gore ran a sorry campaign, losing his home state, yet managing to win the popular vote anyway, before taking a dive. They won't mention how thousands of African-Americans in Florida were purged illegally from the voter rolls or Gore's failure to demand a recount of the whole state.
Democrats have ignored the Green Party's advocating instant runoff voting, which lets voters rank the order of candidates and, if their first choice is not among the top contenders, transfers their vote to another choice. The millions who came out to vote for Nader in 2000 could have chosen Gore second. These Green votes would have added up to a tremendous number for Gore. -Ann Eagan
Sunnyside"
A Nadar fan who speaks some truth. The Truth is that it wasn't George Bush who 'stole the election' but Gore who lost the election. He didn't represent the Green party people. He lost his home state (which NEVER EVER happens), he didn't ask to recount the whole state of Florida. He and the Clinton administration pissed off the Cuban-American populations with the Elian Gonzalez situation (and they voted asked Gore or didn't vote at all). Nadar seems like a good man but one with a bad macro vision for the US. The US needs a man like him but not in political office but doing what he has been doing for almost 50 years.

2) ..."Regarding "Station pulls Stern," News, Feb. 26]: Talking about sex isn't vulgar, flying planes into buildings is. Let the government worry about the planes, I can handle the radio dial myself.
Millions of people listen to Howard Stern every day and lead normal lives, yet I'm pretty sure you can't pick his show up in the caves of Afghanistan - and look what those people did. Perhaps, if they had been listening to Stern and not their leaders, the Twin Towers would still be standing.
I'll celebrate along with every American the day we capture or kill Osama bin Laden. But I will not vote for George W. Bush, because the one thing worse than being attacked by the Taliban is becoming them. It is pointless for our soldiers in Iraq to die defending our freedom if we plan on taking it away ourselves. Leave my radio alone. -Gary Taustine
Manhattan"

This letter fails to mention that the Station the pulled the plug on Howard Stern was not owned by the Federal Gov't. He makes it sound that way. Clear Channel has every right to pull Howard (as long as it doesn't break any legal agreement). It is a private company, though they can't claim they were unaware of his banter and activities on air. Some other stations in those local regions will pick him up. Blaming the presidency for Clear Channel's practices is stupid to say the least. And the Taliban analogies are just ridiculous and propaganda.
The FCC does have major issues that should be talked about but this letter doesn't mention any specifics. Nice selection, NEWSDAY

3)..."The answer to concerns about Social Security is twofold:
1. Eliminate the upper limit for Social Security payments. Have CEOs pay the full amount for Social Security and Medicare on their inflated salaries and stock options.
2. Have all U.S. senators, congresspeople and federal bureaucrats switch to Social Security from their current pension system. This would force them to devise ways to save the Social Security system for the poor and for the elderly, and remove their immunity from their own decisions.-Paul Jankiewicz
Ulster Park
"

This letter has it partially right. The SS system in Congress is better than anyone else. As are the pensions. I mean getting a pension for only 6 years of service...vile vile vile. Taxing CEOs (and the rich I presume) is just another form of taxation. Progressive taxes are so absurd because it has to be tweaked constantly and is subjective to others views.

4)..."As a volunteer AARP tax aide in the IRS-sponsored, Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, I have done tax returns for many senior citizens who have annual income levels (including Social Security) between $6,000 and $16,000 and have been concerned as to how they manage to survive on Long Island.
I was distressed to read, therefore, that Alan Greenspan is recommending that monthly Social Security payments be reduced and that the expiring Bush tax cuts (for the wealthy) be made permanent.
Obviously, this Alan will never be mistaken for Alan-O- Dale, one of Robin Hood's followers. That group believed in taking from the rich and giving to the poor; not the other way around.-Jay Bernstein
Plainview"

Just mentioning that we can afford Soc Sec or Tax Cuts proves that the scares tactics are underway. No one in the administration is saying one or the other. And it's not tax cuts, it's taxes that are not needed to be collected by the Gov't. It's our money not their's. Therefore it is only a decrease in the taxes they grab from us. Golly Gee

5)..."On Sept. 13, 2004, the Assault Weapons Ban will sunset, making it legal for weapons such as the AK-47 and Uzi to be manufactured and sold once again. These are the weapons of choice for gangs and drive-by shootings. An automatic weapon is created for military defense, not hunting, nor sport.
On Mother's Day, May 9, hundreds of thousands of mothers and others will march on Washington once again, to halt the assault on our families, our civil rights and our gun laws. Long Island members will join with others from all over the country on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, in a commitment to ensuring that our children can live in an environment free from the fear of gun violence.
We cannot let the end of the Assault Weapons Ban slip through the cracks. This is not an issue of Democrats or Republicans. It is not about politics. This is about the safety of our communities and our children.-Alexandra Gordon
Editor's Note: The writer is Long Island march captain of the Million Mom March.Port Jefferson Station"

Gun control...hmmm, I'm against assaulted and automatic rifles because I don't know what legal use they can be used for. I mean defense of the home and hunting have better choices in arms than automatic weapons, I would think. That being said, this letter says that criminals, gangs, etc will buy these guns if they are legal. Well, Ms. Gordon, how did these gangs acquire automatic weapons if they have been banned all these years? They use them don't they. Maybe it's because they are thugs and criminals and not care if it's legal or not, they will acquire these guns! The ban only stops law-abiding citizens from owning them. The gang members would still be too young (most of them anyway) to be buying these guns even if they were legal. These people don't care about bans. And HOW does civil rights get reduced if the ban is gone. It would be reduced if laws were more restictive not less. Silly argument even if I kind of agree with the ban (silly me).
Right Letters:
1) ..."When I heard that the Republicans decided to have their convention in New York this summer I knew exactly what would happen - and I was right.
John Edwards began his campaign in New York by saying, "The Republican Party is using 9/11 by having their convention in New York." Yet I seem to remember that Mayor Michael Bloomberg practically begged the Democrats to have their convention here, but they said no; they wanted to go to Edward Kennedy's Boston.
New Yorkers will gladly accept the millions of dollars poured into the city while slapping the Republicans in the face. Hotels, restaurants, shopping, movies, plays, landmarks, taxis and all forms of transportation will all benefit, but New Yorkers won't show one ounce of gratitude. When Moveon.org starts picketing the convention, I wonder how many New Yorkers will side with them. I predict everyone.
Wake up. President George W. Bush knows that New York will never elect him, but still he comes here.-Mary Gillen
Valley Stream"

Guaranteed that the media will only notice the protesters in NY against the Republicans and not the protesters in Boston. I've heard that the protesters in Boston have been given a very small square or triangle far from the actual convention. The Democrats should have been in NY but Kennedy and Kerry somehow talked the Dems into it.

2)..."Regarding "Greenspan backs cut" [News, Feb. 26]: If the millions who are working here illegally were to pay taxes as legal citizens do, would the Social Security system be in such peril? Moreover, if the ones who hire people illegally were to bear the responsibility all legal employers share, would that help?
Perhaps turning a blind eye to the economic drain caused by illegal employers and employees isn't working out after all.-John Higgins
Oakdale"

We'll throw this one on the side of the right because it calls for more gov't responsibility and less focus on victimization. Let's face it, a large, large % of legal citizens and workers do not pay the money actually owed. I'm not talking about people who work or do work off the books and such. I'm talking about people who don't file at all for years and years. They gamble they'll never get caught. That's where the money is!

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Tues Mar. 4 2004

tootboy — 2004-03-04T10:03:00-05:00

Number of Letters from the Left: 6
Number of Letters from the Right: 8

Left Letters:

1)"...We are sending a relatively small contingent of Marines to Haiti to save and protect the citizens.
I guess there are not a lot of weapons of mass destruction or oil reserves there.-Rich Tobiassen Woodside"

Well here's a letter from the left that's got it right. There are no weapons of mass destruction or oil reserves in Haiti. What we have here is a civil war. It poses little threat to the US and neighboring nations except for refugees. Haiti and Iraq are apples and (code) oranges.

2)..."The story "Dozens to seek licenses in city" reports that "City Hall's security detail turned away about 100 supporters" from the protest rally held there Sunday afternoon.
As two of the many hundred people not able to gain admittance to City Hall grounds, we can say that the number outside the gates was at least twice as large as the number inside.
We hope that this reporting error was made simply because the many hundreds of people forced to remain outside the gates was split into three groups.
We prefer to contemplate the possibility that you did not see all of the participants at the rally rather than the numbers being deliberately skewed downward for some purpose.- Drew Blakeman & Dan Spurgeon Manhattan

Are they complaining about semantics? Newspapers never get numbers right when it involves crowds. If you want to get a get an exact head count at a concert or rally or protest march...HIRE A CATERER! Trust me, they count everyone.

3)..."When I saw Rosie O'Donnell and Kelli Carpenter kissing on the cover of Newsday ["Wedding belles Rosie and Kelli tie the knot", I was reminded of a time not too long ago when the big worry was Y2K. Many thought catastrophic events would occur at the stroke of midnight. But, instead, something bigger happened: Life went on as usual.
The same can be said about the issue of gay marriage.
Thousands of gay couples are tying the knot in San Francisco, and now other areas of the country. Did taxes increase? Were jobs lost? Were schools closed down? Were churches burned? Did crime increase? Of course not. If any religious or conservative group can prove without a shadow of a doubt that gay marriage causes any harm, then it should get out there and share this proof rather than making threats and spreading fear.
To see the front page devoted to this issue not only draws attention to a major civil-rights issue, but is history in the making. More people are forced to examine their beliefs and move beyond their fears and prejudices. And anyone who uses the "What about the children?" cliche obviously doesn't have the courage to accept responsibility for their own feelings.-Dennis Keeley Shirley"

Here's the interesting thing about Rosie's wedding. Rosie didn't just say to her lover that they should go get married because they love each other. She did it to prove a political point. Now if I got married (if I wasn't already), to someone and the clergy asked me why and I said to make a political statement, he'd throw me out! Because he knows that just cheapens the institution of marriage. So logically doesn't Rosie's marriage cheapen the institution?

4)..."Why doesn't Ralph Nader run for Congress?
If successful, he could have a foot in the door where his voice could be heard regularly, following the lead of such spirited legislators as Bella Abzug, Al Lowenstein, Wayne Morse, Ernest Gruening, Paul Wellstone, Robert Byrd and others who did challenge the corporate structure that is today so negatively impacting the lives of the working poor and the middle class.
Nader doesn't stand a chance of a snowflake on a hot shovel in hell of garnering many delegates, but he might tip the scale in favor of four more years of the most dangerous president this nation has known, particularly in the areas of most concern to Nader.-Sheila Cayton Long Beach"

Thank goodness that Nadar can't run for Congress in my state! But why are corporations bad for the poor and middle class? Isn't Newsday, a corporation? Aren't the poor and middleclass employed by corporations? How are they bad? I'm serious.

5)..."In a recent Mallard Filmore cartoon, the Bush administration was chastised for supporting the mission of the National Endowment of the Arts. As a philosophically conservative individual, I must take issue with the position that some on the right have with respect to the NEA.
President George W. Bush's selection of NEA Chairman Dana Gioia, who is both a respected poet and an accomplished businessman, was a stroke of brilliance. He is well known for his view that quality and craftsmanship are necessary aspects of the work of the artist.
The NEA has an invaluable mission in promoting the fine arts and preserving our cultural heritage. Without at least some public-sector support, it would be very difficult for many worthwhile organizations to continue performing.
One would believe that someone with conservative tastes would reject a culture that was totally driven by market forces. After all, more people seem to care about Janet Jackson's breasts than the Long Island Philharmonic.-Daniel S. McLane Plainview

The writer is from the right but the statement is from the left. If, Mr. McLane, no one wants to see the LI Philharmonic then it should go bye-bye. Why we paying for something that no one wants just because it's 'good for us?' I know a lot of people who have vegetables in the 'frig because they know they should eat it. But when they want a snack they don't reach for the celery stalk...they reach for the Ho-Hos. If you don't need the celery, don't buy it! I'm a pack-rat...I keep things because I think I'll need it one day...Throw it out or at least clean up the mess...it looks like a sty.

6>..." Regarding "Aristide: U.S. forced me out" [News, March 2]: I so wish I could believe that our government neither kidnapped nor threatened Jean-Bertrand Aristide to force him out of office. However, because of the Bush administration's long history of doctoring, ignoring, selectively using or simply creating the "facts" on which it publicly claims to make rational decisions, I have my doubts.
While I never agreed with most of President George W. Bush's policies, until recently I thought he was an honest man. Last year, I would have believed Aristide left freely; this year, I do not know what to believe and that scares me.-Michelle Interlicchio North Babylon"

Thanks Michelle...I honestly don't believe you even know anything about the people of Haiti or Aristide. Did Bush pay the people to rise up? Has the US secretly overthrown a leader since 1963, JFK and South Vietnam? I don't know truly but neither does Michelle.

Right Letters:

1)..."I read "Pushing Aristide to go" carefully, especially where it says that former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide may have been pressured to leave power.
But I am afraid that with a demagogue like Aristide, Haiti's problems may not have been resolved simply by scaring him into understanding the consequences of his refusal to follow international demands to resign.
He will maintain in exile in Africa that he still is the president of Haiti, undermining all credible elections put in place and prompting calls for his return - until he can be charged with human rights abuses while he was in office. -Frantz Israel Manhattan"

I guess the best thing for Haiti to do is impeach Aristide otherwise this letter will be right.

2) ..."How sad it is that a talented actor and filmmaker, thus far, has not come out to denounce his father's recent interview blasting all Jews. His inflammatory remarks and insensitivity to his son's position can only add fuel to the already debatable film, "The Passion of the Christ." If Mel Gibson does not subscribe to the views of the elder Gibson, when, if ever, will he refute his father's obviously anti-Semitic views?
Hutton Gibson, in excerpts provided by his interviewer, states, "The Holocaust never happened!"
Need I say more?-Marion Abo Floral Park

You may disagree with me but this right on. I haven't seen the movie (yet) but Gibson's father's comments are outragious and should be condemned. If it were my Dad, I would've condemned them.

3)..."I work in a school that gets Newsday delivered for use by the students.
They shouldn't have to be subjected to photographs of immoral behavior.
This is part of the reason why I don't get Newsday delivered to my home.-Teri Nacci Seaford"

Unfortunately Teri, we have to keep to also keep them from reading some of the editorials and news articles too! But the photos sell newspapers. Maybe you should ask the school to subscribe to a newspaper without photos like the WSJ.

4)..."We wanted to write to express our dissatisfaction with the front-page photo of Rosie O'Donnell and her female partner kissing.
It was totally inappropriate. It was a slap in the face.
Our 10-year-old daughter, who looks at the paper, started asking questions: Why are two women kissing?
Try explaining to young children about homosexuality and same-sex marriage and, then, why it deserves to be on the front cover.
I think Newsday owes us all an apology.-Mitch Rosenfeld &
Terry Rosenfeld Nesconset

Now I know that many guys love to see 2 girls kissing but Rosie O'Donnell...however, her lover is very pretty, I must say. The Rosenfelds don't realize that Newsday's agenda is to promote the left and Rosie is a local guy making good in Newsday's eyes. The front page photo is just good propaganda... I don't think I'm wrong on this

5)..."Regarding "SUV Ban? We Can Only Dream": When the state parkway system was designed, it was built for the exclusive use of passenger cars, which incidentally is still the rule. The distinction between cars and trucks was very clear.
Today, most manufacturers designate many of their vehicles as trucks so they can skirt regulations required of cars, including safety, fuel economy and environmental impact. But many of these "trucks" have made their way into the mainstream and replaced cars as a typical form of transportation.
As such, if a handful of SUVs are to be excluded from using the parkways, then we need to take a look at some of the hi-top conversion vans, the massive extended pick-ups with caps and the "mini" school buses. These are all much bigger than the largest SUVs on the market today, yet they are all currently permitted on the parkways.
This problem is not really about SUVs; it is about a complete change in the automobile culture that probably will be here as long as any of us. If in fact these roads are to be limited to passenger cars only, then the definition of an auto needs to be redefined before we take potshots at particular models. It's time to accept the reality that big cars and trucks are here to stay, and a unilateral ban of certain ones is not a viable solution.-Steve Hladki Plainview

Level headed thinking there Steve. Are SUV's trucks? Well I guess technically there are built like a truck while minivans are designed like cars...I don't have any answer to the questions but reclassification would help minivan salespersons and hurt SUV sales. Certainly Hummers should be reclassified.

6)..."Despite criticism over the decision by the Long Island Power Authority to move forward with its plan to construct windmills in the Atlantic Ocean off Jones Beach, I applaud the agency's efforts to bring to its customers energy created by renewable technologies ["LIPA green lights clean-energy plan," News, Feb. 24].

In particular, I applaud its Green Choice Program, which would give residents the option to buy electricity generated in the state with non-polluting renewable technologies, such as wind power. Taking into consideration the escalating cost of fossil fuels and the pollution they create, less reliance on them is truly the logical choice.-Jason E. Hill Ridge"

Any mention of Green Choice would make you think that this letter is from the left and certainly I presume the writer is from the left but the letter is actually one from the right! Yes, it's important to have different sources of energies that don't rely on foreign production. Most importantly, if someone chooses their energy in a cleaner form then make them pay for it. It's like at the pump you are charged a higher price for 94 than 87. And coal is cheaper than natural gas for your home too. Good letter.

7)..."What a shocker: Newsday supports John Kerry for president.
In my humble opinion, Kerry is the most indecisive politician I've seen since Bill Clinton. He seems to have positions on both sides of every issue, with the exception of his hatred for our elected president, George W. Bush.
Bring on the election. It can't happen soon enough. The thought of listening to this man for the next year really turns my stomach. God help us if we let him slither into office.-Bergen Farrell Bellmore"

I fall for Farrell. Though Clinton wasn't indecisive. He strategized each move and said one thing to one person and another to another and so on. He had a way to make it sound like he agreed with whomever he was talking to. Kerry doesn't have that hypnotic ability. Clinton decisively told fibs and what he said depended on who he was talking to and what the polls said that day!

8)..."So, state education officials think that someone scoring 28 out a possible 84 points should be given a passing grade on the math regents ["In new scoring, 85-90% to pass NY math exam," News, Feb. 5].
By my math, that is 33 percent. A student who demonstrates knowledge of one-third of the course content is given credit for completing the course. With an educational attitude such as this, is there any wonder why the United States lags behind other countries in educational achievement? What does this say about the future when schools accept this level of performance as satisfactory?
We do not need a new scoring system; we need new state education officials who understand that test scores should be earned. Students must understand that their scores reflect their performance, not some whim of an administrator.-Martin Kennedy East Northport "

Martin, you are smart. Go to the head of the class.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Tues Mar. 5th 2004

tootboy — 2004-03-05T11:03:00-05:00

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 8
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 2

LEFT LETTERS:
1)…“President George W. Bush is wrong to pursue his marriage amendment. Marriage has been evolving for centuries. For example: I'm white, my wife is black. Not so long ago, that fact alone could have gotten us arrested in a number of states.
We don't need a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. What we need instead is a federal law declaring that whatever individual states call same-sex unions, they will be considered the equivalent of marriage nationwide, that acceptance of same-sex religious marriage is up to each individual religion, and defines physical and economic attacks on same-sex couples as hate crimes. -Hugh W. Thompson Flushing”

I was watching an ABC news segment on polygamy. This one guy is ‘married’ to 15 women and may have 75 children at his ‘compound’. The silly thing is that he doesn’t want to go on camera because it may hurt his business dealings. Then why agree to do the program? My point is that almost all Americans probably are disgusted by polygamy. But if in Mr. Thompson’s words above, “marriage has been evolving for centuries” should we just let polygamy be legal just to be ahead of evolution? No. Same thing will gay marriage. Also, a federal law is in placed, signed by President Clinton, called the Defense of Marriage act to do exactly the opposite of what the writer thinks. And a law on any physical and economic attack on a same-sex couple is silly because it is already a law to attack any person physically. I’m not sure what an economic attack is. That sounds very vague

2) …”The Feb. 27 Charles Krauthammer column, "Gay rites go the way of abortion rights," uses the same old agrument that conservatives have used since the segregationist governors of the South: Blame the victim. There is no correlation between the movement for civil rights of black Americans and gay Americans. Civil rights are civil rights. Any social condition in which people pay equal taxes but do not receive equal treatment under the law is a violation of their rights. -Bill Taylor Brooklyn”

Huh? Civil Rights are civil rights? Huh again? I’m not sure about the point this person is making. But here are two problems with the facts: a)Conservatives construed as segregationist governors. Well, the segregationist governors of the South were all Democrats (also known as Dixiecrats). b)Rights are not guaranteed based upon how much a person pays in taxes. If you pay more taxes than me does that mean you should receive better treatment under the law (even though sometimes it does work out that way in our system). The truth is there is no equal tax-treatment under the law system. That would be communism since everyone is expected to do the same amount of work for the same amount of reward and treatment.

3) …”At the beginning of every school day, I would join my classmates in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. "Liberty and justice for all" was, to my young mind, supposed to mean just that. I also learned that "all men are created equal." By endorsing the divisive and unnecessary marriage amendment, George W. Bush has chosen to tamper with the very founding document of our country to further the social agenda of his religious-right minions, whose ridiculous arguments against marriage for gay people are based on bigotry, fear-mongering, willful ignorance and intolerance. -Michael Koy New Brunswick, N.J.”

Religious-right minions…Mr. Koy tips his hand and shows his cards. So religious people are evil minions. But doesn’t his precious Pledge of Allegiance use the words, “Under G-d”? Could he also be, EVIL (placing pinky to mouth).

4) …”In response to Raymond Keating's quest for an answer to the unaffordability of living on Long Island ["Why Is LI So Unaffordable? Ask the Politicians," Viewpoints, Feb. 17], I see the situation very differently.
Young adults 18-34 cannot afford to live here on Long Island due to the high cost of living, which includes the taxes (going up) and the lack of housing (demand raises prices, but fewer houses are being built). So, if we remove government restrictions on new housing (restrictive zoning, moratoriums due to groundwater concerns and initiatives to purchase open space), then we can build housing to the limit.
This will create more supply and put such a strain on services that taxes will even go higher and, with all the people living on top of each other, totally destroy the last bit of "quality of life" and sense of nature we have left.
More development has never lowered taxes. Government waste is a redundancy, not an oxymoron. -Larry Schmidlapp Editor's Note: The writer is a board member of the North Shore Land Alliance. Cold Spring Harbor”

Didn’t it seem at first if the writer was advocating to remove government restrictions. Poor writing on their part or poor reading on mine? Taxes are not necessarily dependant on the number of people in an area. I live in the most densely populated area of Suffolk county and yet my taxes are much greater than people in less populated towns. NYC, which is very densely populated of course, has lower taxes (sales, property) on its residents than people on Long Island. What is the correlation? I don’t know. What proof does Larry Schmidlapp have? He likes to state sayings, not research.

5) …”Howard Stern has been a fixture of my morning commute for over 10 years now.
The people and government officials who want Stern off the air just do not get it ["Stations pull Stern," News, Feb. 26].
They do not know how miserable it is to sit in your car stuck in traffic. Stern brings me a little bit of joy while trapped in the nightmare that is the New York area rush hour.
Stern is not and has never been marketed for kids. His show is for the thousands of people like me who could use a laugh in the morning while in a standstill on the Expressway. -Leonard C. Ornstein Baldwin”

The government is not trying to pull Howard Stern off the air. The stations that pulled him off the air are private companies. Howard is funniest when he is doing the news and such and when he has celebrities on but least funny when he’s doing the lesbian naked stuff. That just gets redundant after a short while.

6) …”I've been waiting for anyone in the media to ask this question of the current administration: What conditions have to be present to declare victory in the "War on Terrorism"?
Is it reasonable to believe that it's possible to rid the world of all terrorists?
Considering the likelihood that as this war goes on, and more and more anti-American sentiment is nurtured around the world, it can be argued that a war on terrorism is self-perpetuating. If that's the case, then the only ones who'll really benefit from it are those in the business of manufacturing the weapons of war. -Jim Caputo Kings Park”

So what is the solution, Mr Caputo? I’m guessing you don’t have the answer. Is it letting up and asking the terrorists to stop? Should we give in to their demands and all become Muslims? Should our women wear burkas? Should we not allow Jewish people to travel? Should we follow dictatorships instead of elected leaders? Should we all carry automatic weapons? I’m not sure what to do. I am sure of what NOT to do and that is let the terrorists dictate our actions. Terrorists do not want peace they want the elimination of everyone.

7) …”When was it, exactly, that Newsday - once one of the nation's most respected newspapers - became a Christian publicity sheet and flack for Mel Gibson?
The last few years' copious and constant page space devoted to every pious evangelical burp and grunt is one thing - though far from any definition of "news."
But the ludicrous minute- to-minute coverage of "The Passion of the Christ" - from the first skeptical rabbis to the first-day box office to the coverage of the coverage itself - amounts to a marketing launch that Gibson couldn't buy with a billion dollars.
Whether this is all a sop to the anti-Enlightenment devout or evidence that Pat Robertson secretly owns the newspapers, the readers were not being served. -Michael Atkinson Centerport”

Note: I can’t comment on the film as I have not seen it….So What planet is this guy on? Newsday’s a Christian publicity sheet? I guess Mr. Atkinson hasn’t read the articles about “The Passion of the Christ” because they have been fairly negative toward it and talks more about the negative messages it may contain and little of the positive messages it may contain. The fact is the movie is news because Hollywood and the media didn’t expect the American public to embrace the film.

8) …”So Alan Greenspan from his ivory tower has touched the "third rail of politics" - Social Security, telling us that we might not get the benefits to which we are entitled.
Well, I've got news for him and his free-market, ship-the- jobs-out, globalization crowd whose irresponsible management of the economy has sold this country down the river.
This is still America! And Social Security is my stake in America. I paid for it, and I'm not about to be cheated! -Dennis Fagan East Moriches”

How did Greenspan get so powerful? His position is not mentioned in the constitution and he’s not a member of the cabinet. How did he get to be the second most powerful person in the nation? I don’t know. I do know that people in the 1990’s were calling Mr. Greenspan a god. Now he’s evil (here comes the pinky again). Yes you paid for it Mr. Fagan and you deserve your money back but Soc Sec is not your stake in America. You can not put a price on your stake. It’s priceless. (Mastercard does not know I’m using this phrase…shhh!)

RIGHT LETTERS:
1) …”Regarding Richard Amper's Feb. 29 letter, "Change the Law," written in response to my Feb. 22 Currents oped, "It May Take a Village": In arguing that open space preservation is not a contributing factor to the housing crisis on Long Island, Amper omits two crucial facts.
First, wide-scale acquisition of open space depletes the supply and inflates the cost of land, thereby exacerbating the shortage of affordable housing.
Second, the open space movement has embraced restrictive zoning as a principal means of preservation. For example, Amper strongly endorsed the misguided effort to rezone Southold town for five-acre building lots. Proponents were roundly defeated in November by voters who recognized that they would be priced out of town.
It is self-evident that land-use policies on Long Island operate in law and in fact to exclude working families and young people. This unhealthy condition demands quick and decisive action by Island leaders that should not be rejected out of hand. -Dave Kapell Editor's Note: The writer is the mayor of Greenport. Greenport”

Preservation is a great idea. However, many times it hurts people. Sometimes preservationists think more of nature then they do about man but then they complain about man’s situation. 3 examples: The writer knows that preservation will increase housing pricing which will decrease the number of people who can afford the neighborhood. Then the preservationists complain that housing is too expensive...Spotted owls or whatever keep logging companies from working putting people out of work. But then the preservationists complain that people are out of jobs (“think of the children”)…The caribou in Alaska have more rights than the people of Alaska and the consumers of gasoline around the world. The oil from up there would be a tremendous help to the US, adding to our exports, lowering gas prices, letting us rely less on foreign resources.

2) …”The fact that families of the victims of the World Trade Center disaster do not want rescue workers - who sacrificed their lives in an attempt to save lives - to have a simple designation on a memorial as to who they were is unconscionable. On that morning in 2001, I did not see any civilians running up those stairs or toward those buildings.”
The South Tower collapsed without warning. However, there was ample time for the firefighters to run and flee before the North Tower came down.
The fact that many stayed is a tribute to their courage. Men of my unit at the North Tower were told other planes were unaccounted for and possibly inbound. When the South Tower fell they thought it was another plane hitting their building.
Still, they stayed. A firefighter's life is not any more valuable than another but by allowing a simple "FD" designation next to a name, it tells the true story of what happened that day. -Joseph P. Sapienza Editor's Note: The writer is a retired captain of FDNY Ladder Co. 9. Kings Park”

Note: I did not lose any members of my family on Sept 11th. I was there 2 blocks away and I saw many awful things. I also know many people who died and many people who lost loved ones. I don’t know what these immediate family members are going through. However, this was a national tragedy and national event. It belongs to all of us. Like Normandy beach, like the signing of the Declaration of Independence, like Pearl Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, and Neil Armstrong’s walk and JFK’s and MLK’s assassinations. I think that the family members are coveting the site and the memories of the site to themselves. The planes flying into the building and the burnt out shells of the Towers should be shown everyday to remind us of our work, the war, our families and how precious life is. The firemen and rescue workers do deserve extra consideration because I’m certain (in a hypothetical way) if you could ask the people who died what they would do they would say that the rescue workers should be put on a pedestal. This is not suppressing the non-rescue workers status but elevating the accolades of the firemen, policemen, and EMTs that perished. G-D BLESS THEM ALL

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Tues Mar. 8th 2004

tootboy — 2004-03-08T09:03:00-05:00

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 2
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 3

LEFT LETTERS:
1)”…Mitch and Terry Rosenfeld state in "A kiss that isn't just a kiss" [Letters, March 4]: "Try explaining to young children about homosexuality and same sex marriage." When our 5-year-old was a little confused about our gay friend describing his new boyfriend, we said: "Most people fall in love with someone of the opposite sex, but some people fall in love with someone of the same sex."
This revelation was met with a shrug. Explaining homosexuality, like explaining race, levels of ability, or any other human variation, is not that hard. Overcoming fear and prejudice is. -Alison Pratt & Steve Hetzel Floral Park”

Why do people keep equating racism with an anti-homosexual attitude? They are not related. And there is nothing wrong from trying to shield your children from the tribulations of the worlds.

2)…” President George W. Bush needs to be ousted like Jean-Bertrand Aristide was from Haiti. The war on "terror" now includes homosexuals as well. Before we allow him to conjure up another imagined "threat," Americans should take to the polls and snap him out of it. -Imran Contractor Valley Stream”

So this person wants a large force of ‘rebels’ armed and inciting chaos and riots to storm Washington D.C. and threaten everyone unless President Bush leaves on Air Force One and goes to Fiji! Wow, now that’s terrorism at its best! Whoohoo! But I great idea to have a military Coup! Good thinking. And this person thinks that the issues with homosexual marriage should be raised to level of the war on terror. Nice. Thanks Newsday for publishing a radical!

RIGHT LETTERS:
1)…”I have been an accountant for 19 years and have heard many presidents say they are going to give the married, middle class a tax break. None have delivered until now. As I prepare my clients' returns this season, I am witnessing an average federal tax decrease of $2,000 per married couple.
My thanks to President George W. Bush for finally accomplishing what past presidents promised but failed to do.-Maryann Smith Nesconset”

My accountant and I won’t meet till March 20th. I pray this guy is right!

2)In your report of the emergency rescue of a premature baby ["Express delivery of a tiny package," News, March 4] you shamefully misses the point. The real headline of the story should have been, "Girl, 15-years-old, gives birth to baby."
By highlighting the joy of the unmarried teen parents at the miraculous survival of their tiny infant, Newsday is acting irresponsibly toward its many young readers. Teenage pregnancy is a problem that needs to be prevented, not celebrated. -Ellen Getreu Woodmere”

Just shows you there are many ways to spin a story. There is the rescue part. There is the premature baby story. The angles about unmarried parents, unmarried teenage parents…etc, etc…

3) …”Reading Dr. Faroque Khan's letter just adds to my disappointment with the leadership of the Long Island Islamic Center. As he acknowledges, I had a close relationship with him and other leaders at the Westbury mosque. I also took many stands in defense of oppressed Muslims - such as my politically unpopular support of President Bill Clinton's military interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo. In the days after 9/11, I made numerous television and radio appearances defending the American Muslim community.
I was, however, dismayed in the weeks following Sept. 11, when Ghazi Khankan, the interfaith director of the Islamic Center, made outrageous and indefensible statements such as that Mohammed Atta and other alleged hijackers were alive, that Atta's passport had been stolen, that the 9/11 attacks were not caused by Muslims and Arabs, and that the media should investigate the "world Zionist network." At a time when funerals and memorial services were being held for hundreds of innocent Long Islanders who were murdered by Atta and his henchmen, not one leader at the mosque - including Dr. Khan - objected to these remarks. Ghazi Khankan still holds his position and is the mosque's most visible public spokesman.
I believe that the overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans are loyal and patriotic. It is their leadership that is failing them. Indeed, in a State Department speech in 1999, Muhammad Hisham Kabbani of the Islamic Supreme Council of America said that extremists had taken over "more than 80 percent" of U.S. mosques. I find it sad that I must raise these issues. But the stakes are too high to do otherwise. -Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) Washington”

Rep. Peter King is not one of my favorites because like Sen. Schumer he only comes out when there is a camera around. But he has a point here and he backs it up with factual statements. So props to him!

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Mar. 9th 2004

tootboy — 2004-03-09T11:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Tues Mar. 9th 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 6
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 3

Left Letters:
1) …State Department officials' testimony before Congress on the Bush administration's role in the ouster of Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide revealed a staggering arrogance on the part of those who conduct our foreign policy.
In the name of saving lives, the administration has shown a willful disregard for Haitian lives. The administration had an opportunity to achieve a peaceful political resolution if it had chosen to compel the opposition to accept the Caribbean community's action plan.
In choosing to remove a democratically elected head of state from office, our government further weakened Haiti's already fragile democracy. The administration's complicity in Haiti's 33rd coup d'etat has opened the door for drug dealers, coup plotters, torturers, murderers and thugs to dominate its political and economic life.
What is this adventure going to cost American taxpayers? What happens when the Marines leave in three months?
What Haiti needs most is long-term economic and humanitarian assistance from the United States and the international community. It needs the rule of law, an orderly constitutional process, and help in building democratic institutions. What the American people need is a thorough congressional investigation into the role of the U.S. government.-Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-Far Rockaway) Washington

Ok now people want us to send in the troops. A very large portion of the Haitian population wanted Aristide gone. He had been democratically elected in 1990 but his next election in 2000 was considered by the UN to be fraudulent. He become the wealthiest man in the country and many believe he does a great job aiding the drug monsters. So this is the guy that Americans should risk their lives. It’s not as if Haiti is a big proponent of democracy. This country has lots of problems and democracy is having a hard time planting roots. It will happen but only if the people believe in and trust the government. Aristide would have a ‘vote’ of no confidence IF the people and legislature could vote.

2) ...I worked as a poll inspector at the recent Democratic primary and have done so for at least 10 years. From the three districts in my polling place, with approximately 700 registered Democrats among them, only 60 people came out to vote. Inspectors I know at other polling places in Nassau County also had small turnouts. I can only shake my head and wonder why. Did the voters forget? Did everyone think that since Sen. John Kerry was so far ahead their votes weren't necessary? Whatever their reasoning, I hope that all registered Republicans and Democrats turn out for the November election. Those who do not vote do not have the "right" to complain about the next administration. -Kris Marasca Westbury

The reason for the small turnout is that Democrats don’t care for the people running for the nomination. They do have a dislike of the President so they will show up to vote against him but they won’t vote FOR someone. The Republicans went through the same thing with Dole v. Clinton. The results will probably be the same with the incumbent running.

3) … The terrible massacre of observant Shia Muslims in Iraq sadly underscored once again the emptiness of President George W. Bush's promises in his "War on Terrorism" ["Blasts kill at least 143," News, March 3].
He promised that the Iraqis would welcome our brave soldiers with open arms once the fighting ended, and what we have is more than 500 dead heroes. He declared "mission accomplished" and our soldiers still ride uneasily in their Humvees. He said Saddam Hussein's capture would deflate the remaining rebels but they are cockier than ever.
Please, President Bush, change what you're doing and bring our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers home before it's too late. -Bob Levinson Oceanside

Dear Bob, The removal of American, British, Polish troops, etc., will exactly what the enemy wants. The Iraqis are not the enemy. They want us to stay but not be so in control. That is why they asked the U.S. troops to stay away from their holy holiday festivities. And we did. And that’s why the enemy was able to attack the Iraqi Shiites. If we retreat then the deaths of the 500 dead heroes will be for naught.

4) …I read with interest the two letters referring to my congressman, Peter King ["Muslim Long Islanders feel betrayed by King's remarks," Letters, March 3]. In the three years since Rep. King (R-Seaford) has become my representative, I have been appalled by the arrogance, lack of respect and dismissiveness that King and some of his staff have shown to people who do not agree with the hard-right turn of the House of Representatives.
On one occasion, my husband called his office to take exception to statements he made on a cable news show in defense of the Bush administration's lies about the Iraq war. King fired back a sarcastic letter reiterating the lies and suggesting that my husband purchase a copy of the broadcast tape and watch it during the summer for "his enlightenment." This, on a matter as serious as taking our nation to war.
The citizens of his district and Long Island deserve some answers from him on the future of Social Security under a Republican administration. This issue cannot and will not be hidden until after the election. -Tuula Friedman Glen Cove

I’ll say it again. I don’t particular care for Rep. King. He always reminds me of our Senator Schumer. They seem smug, arrogant, and media hounds. The writer does not mention whether Rep. King was right or if they watched the tapes. It seems though that lately there have been many letters that Newsday is publishing against the congressman. I guess that the only Republican on Long Island is a thorn in their side.

5) ...Regarding the survey question "Costly Power: Is Electricity from clean sources worth more?" [Newsday.com, Feb. 24]: There are many facts worth considering as Long Islanders ponder the question.
Sources of renewable energy are abundant throughout the United States. Their utilization reduces our national dependence on foreign oil. Long Island is wind rich. Green energy is cleaner and safer than fossil fuel and nuclear energy. In addition to the waste disposal problems associated with nuclear energy, state and federal agencies have identified nuclear power plants as possible targets for terrorism.
Right now, wind energy may seem more expensive, but oil and gas prices do not reflect the real costs to our society from the extraction and combustion of fossil fuels. The public subsidizes fossil fuel production with more expensive health care, national security and environmental protection.
"Is electricity from clean sources worth more?" Of course it is. -Maureen Dolan Farmingdale
Editor's Note: The writer is program coordinator of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

I like the wind machines that generate power. Their pretty and pretty expensive. I think Americans would like to get their energy from the wind that is until they get their electric bills. Those that want it should be allowed to pay for it. Those that don’t want it shouldn’t have to pay to subsidize it. People like their environment but they love their pocketbooks. The gasoline at the pumps just got cleaner. And the prices just went up. Now people want the gas to get less clean and prices to get less. The CCE is a non-affiliated group I believe. But they are do have an agenda. The writer doesn’t state it. It’s for us to figure out.
6) …As a representative of the female heterosexual population, I can only say that Islip Town clerk's comparison of same-sex marriage to father/daugther, brother/sister marriage is the most stupid analogy I have ever heard ["Clamor on clerk's comments," News, March 5].- Julie Velocci Kings Park

I will say this again too. Once they start allowing gay marriages they will be confronted by people who want to marry a immediate family member and polygamists. It will happen.

Right Letters:
1) …The headline "Lack of jobs, war wither Bush's hopes" [News, March 3] for Jimmy Breslin's column is just plain silly. The opinion is even sillier.
First of all, if everybody with a job voted for George W. Bush, and all of the unemployed voted for John Kerry, the vote total would be something like 94.4 percent for the president and 5.6 percent for the senator (5.6 percent is the current unemployment rate). Regardless of how bad Breslin tries to make the rest of us feel for working, we do have jobs.
The idea that President Bush lost the last election by 500,000 votes is uninformed and ignores constitutional facts. Thanks to the Electoral College, the 2000 presidential election was saved.
More than three years after the election, Breslin and his liberal cohorts can't get over the fact that they lost. That's OK, though. They are setting themselves up to lose again. And four years from now, they still will be in denial. -Dennis Shand Centerport

True Jimmy Breslin’s column are silly whenever politics are around but I think calling someone’s opinion silly is also, um, silly. That said, there is a huge division here. The Elite Media will spotlight anything that will help Pres. Bush look bad while turning their backs and heads on almost anything that makes Sen. Kerry look bad. Look at Gov. Dean. The Elite Media didn’t focus on anything ‘crazy’ he said and let him have a free pass on all of the issues. What made them turn on him? The screaming! So his passion was a turnoff but his ideas weren’t? I’d say his passion was to be admired while his ideas should’ve been refused.

2) …The World War II generation funded their pensions and Social Security by having enough children to pay into the fund.
Their children aren't having enough children to do that. When the Baby Boomers retire, the payroll tax may not be able to fund the ever-expanding benefit pool. Expanding the fund by allowing us to invest part of it in the stock market would only delay the inevitable. Life expectancy may be over 90 years soon.
Yes, benefits will have to be cut, and their start delayed until the recipients are older. But the ultimate answer will be a lifestyle shift. Boomers will not be able to stop working and retire like their parents did. They will end up alternating jobs and sabbaticals for the rest of their lives because their pensions will not turn out to be as generous as they hoped. And they will change their lifestyle because when Boomers are in their 80s, a labor pool very short of young workers will be glad to hire more elderly people for their experience and their flexibility. -Bill Crawford Massapequa

The Soc Security system is in disarray. Is there any way to fix something that was only meant to exist for a short period of time? People deserve the money they are putting into it but there are problems. One of them is that there are not enough workers to fund the retirees. We can’t cut the funding for the people who receive it and don’t need it because they worked hard to earn it. I don’t know the answer except that the answer may be very hard and difficult for the nation. Socialism doesn’t work in the long run.

3) …I am upset that Newsday would compare New Paltz Mayor Jason West to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ["Arraigned, unbowed," News, March 4]. Such a comparison is a slap in the face to all who had to undergo struggles for equality.
When was the last time West and his followers had dogs sent after them? Where are the signs saying "straights only"?
West is doing this for the national attention because homosexuality is hip and trendy.
King, despite his possible private failings, publicly stood for morality, justice and equality no matter what it took. -Todd M. Brenneman Bethpage
Amen. MLK was fighting to restore the rights that all people had legally had for a century. These rights were constitutionally fulfilled (and morally and ethically and spiritually correct). Homosexual marriage licenses have never been given constitutionally.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Wed 3/10/04

tootboy — 2004-03-10T10:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Wed. March 10th, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 5
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 8

Left Letters:

1) …George W. Bush's ad featuring images of the 9/11 attack is a disgrace - yet another indication that he and his team have no class, no scruples and no clue.
He has spent the last three years piling up photo-ops that he will now weave into a disgusting and hideously expensive series of B-class shorts to promote an image of his administration.
Bush should save his money because we know his administration is nothing but illusion. -M. A. Chiulli Manhattan

Boy this person is neutral, eh? Does it sound like the President can do any right by this um, man, woman. What’s an M.A.? Saving money by not having a first or middle name? Or is it just an illusion!

2) …As the price of gas roars past $2 per gallon, I think longingly back to the Clinton era, when with a strong economy the president proposed a tax of a few cents a gallon. At that time, the trucking and the auto industries predicted disaster. SUV owners complained that they would not be able to afford going to work.
Hardly more than a grumble from any of them now. Looks like Chicken Little has struck again. -Seymour Weinstein Farmingdale

Ms. Weinstein fails to realize that the US people and the US gov’t and the state gov’ts are no longer in charge of pricing except when it comes to taxing. Why are full service NJ prices so much lower than self serve NY pricing. Taxes. OPEC really controls the supply. And when they cut production as they did in March 1999 (during the Clinton administration) it affects almost everything we do. The only thing we can do as consumers is not buy gas which will force the price to come down.

3) …Let's hope Americans will grow tired of George W. Bush's cynical usage of the 9/11 tragedy by the time Election Day comes.
Whether it is his basking in the reflected glory of true heroes in posing with the firefighter atop the rubble at Ground Zero, or using the image of flag-draped coffins, he has shown little regard for the souls of the departed (attending political fund-raisers instead of funerals) or for the families of the victims and the rest of us (stonewalling the Sept. 11 Commission in its requests for records and interviews with administration officials).
Yes, Bush draped his arm around the back of that brave and weary firefighter while cameras recorded the image, but while he did he might as well have held a knife in his hand or at least the pen that he used to cut funding for first responders.
The cynical usage of the 9/11 imagery should outrage us all in view of such hypocrisy.- Peter L. Ruden Manor

Who’s being cynical now, Mr. Ruden?ville

4) …Just as I thought that there was nothing further that the Bush people could do to make me any angrier, along comes the first of the re-election ads.
The cynical and ultimately demeaning use of the 9/11 tragedy as a ploy to garner votes is really beyond bad taste. But I guess that when you stop to think of the other accomplishments of this administration (a frightening loss of jobs, continued daily deaths in Iraq, a complete lack of concern for the average working family), it's really not so strange. -Robert D. Berman Wantagh

Gotsta Love the cynical rhetoric from this writer. Complete lack of concern? Loss of Jobs? Daily deaths?

5) …I am appalled that President George W. Bush is exploiting the tragic events of 9/11 in his campaign ads.
On Jan. 23, 2003, addressing the terrorist attacks, he said, "I have no ambition whatsoever to use this as a political issue." However, he has been doing precisely that, implying that Democrats are unpatriotic because they dare to be critical of his inept policies on terrorism.
9/11 was not just a Republican event, but one that troubles and saddens us all. -Susanne J. Demuth Port Jefferson

Holy rewriting history, Susanne! Has anyone called a Democrat “unpatriotic”? Are those ads about Democrats? How are these pictures doing wrong and exploiting the loss of life and property? Are these writers for real or are they just political hacks?

Right Letters:

1) …I am a 9/11 family member responding in defense of the president's campaign ads for re-election. After reading "Outrage over ads" [News, March 5], I am appalled that so many people see it as exploitation, especially other 9/11 family members.
Sept. 11 is part of Bush's legacy. He lead us through the events with presence of mind and strength. He vowed to go after terrorists, and has never backed down. Why shouldn't he make reference to it?
I am sick and tired of hearing the blame and fault being put more on the government than where it belongs - the terrorists
I just want to go on record that there are many 9/11 families who support Bush. -Maria Ragonese East Stroudsburg, Penn.

Many of the people that have come out against the President on this issue have noted that they have endorsed the Democratic candidate. I still don’t get the problem. Can someone enlighten me? I am curiously interested what the big deal is.

2) …It was with great sadness we read of the death of Kevin Maldonado, 18 ["Teen Run Over," News, Feb. 22]. This tragedy serves to underscore the devastating effect of underage drinking on young people. All too often, teenagers spend weekend after weekend playing Russian Roulette with their lives.
The need for legislation that holds adults responsible for underage drinking is not unique to any one community. Rather, it has become a nationwide epidemic that requires a multifaceted approach.
In Long Beach, we have been addressing the problem of underage drinking for three years through the Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking. The coalition uses an environmental approach: increasing enforcement, limiting access and raising public awareness about the dangers of underage drinking. We have begun the task, but so very much more must be done.
This is an issue that needs the active support of all facets of this community. -Judi Vining Editor's Note: The writer is project coordinator of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Long Beach

This seems like a commercial for the NYSOASAS and the CPUD. What legislation is being done? I am all for making adults responsible for children under 18 and the places that provide underage children from obtaining alcohol. But what is the legislation and how do we find out unless we contact her organizations? Poorly written letter.

3) …The editorial "It's LI senators' turn" [Opinion, March 4] has come out in favor of a bill that has passed the State Assembly that would let developers build to a greater density.
This is way off base. What about the novel idea of reducing taxes so that the people who live on Long Island can continue to do so without working two or three jobs?
I hope senators vote against this bill and look more favorably at reducing the burden on the taxpayers of Nassau and Suffolk. -Laura Millard & Stan Millard Massapequa

Any thoughts about reducing property taxes on Long Island would be a unique, rare and holy idea.

4) …I found the headline "Express delivery of a tiny package" [News, March 4] to be in poor taste. I also found that the article and photos depicting the parents - Elizabeth Gomez, 15, and Philip Barnes, 16 - to be a sad reflection of today's society.
What happened to morality?
Stop glorifying these children. We don't need another generation of young mistakes. We need role models, proper parenting, religion and education. -Mel Guadalupe West Babylon

There is little good about teenagers who become parents except the child. There is little good if a Newspaper extols the virtue of having teenage parents. Even if it’s unintentional. Newsday may not have talked glowingly about the event (I haven’t read the article) but the title alone is of a jocular name and is tasteless.

5) …It amazes me how the Democrats are attacking the president for showing a split second of the carnage of 9/11 in his first campaign ad on TV. This event is embedded in each and every one of us.
This administration has thwarted many attempts to repeat an attack on our soil. This is what has defined this president and the country's role in fighting terrorism here and worldwide.
George W. Bush has the right to remind us what we all went through and how we all, including him, have responded. -Joe Grasso Selden

This is a well thought out letter. The President does have a right to use the images. Presidential candidates are always viewed on how well they would handle a crisis or foreign policy. Well for better or worse the President did handle a major crisis. Whether you agree with his response and handling he should be able to state his preparedness and show his records and policy.

6)...Why is it that when Sen. John Kerry jingles his Vietnam medals (the ones he retrieved from the rubbish heap, that is) it's all very noble, but when President George W. Bush alludes to the tremendous leadership he exercised in pulling our country together after the 9/11 attack it's simply "outrageous"? -Catherine N. Dillon Manhasset

This letter assumes most people understood the rubbish heap allusion. I don’t think 70% do. So the letter just sounds mean spirited about a war heroes medals. I agree with the sentiment but not the wording of the message.

7) …President George W. Bush, is being unfairly criticized. No one has been there for the victims of Sept. 11 more than Bush, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. George Pataki. They have all worked together to support New York.
No political leader was more deeply involved in this tragedy than Giuliani. Along with Pataki, he has supported the president's use of these images. Although unpleasant, the images are a part of American history - just like the American Revolution, the Civil War and the civil rights movement. They are America's images, and something we should all hold with us. They do not belong to any one person. Everything Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton asked of Bush, the president delivered on. He should be applauded for his work. - Nina Petraro East Rockaway Editor's Note: The writer is president of the Nassau County Young Republicans.

Not everything that the senators asked of the President did he give them. They didn’t want to go to war in Iraq among other things. It is true that the images of Sept 11 are all of ours.

8) …President George W. Bush has every right to include 9/11 in his campaign ads. He acted immediately and in a decisive and compassionate manner. It's fact, not fiction.
His response to the attacks also helped comforting us - just what the country needed.
Al Gore would still be thinking about it, and Bob Kerry wouldn't be any better.
Any outcry about the ads is coming from the bleeding-heart liberals who are just running scared.
The party of hate and divisiveness is desperate and will go to any length to bad-mouth an outstanding president. -Jack Malone Commack

Al Gore WOULD still be reading the polls. Kerry would’ve done something. Listen to his 1997 CNN Crossfire tapes. He advocates doing exactly what the President did and exactly the opposite as he said he would do now.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Thurs March 11 2004

tootboy — 2004-03-12T11:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Thursday March 11, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 5
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 8

Left Letters:

1) …George W. Bush is the most regressive president since Herbert Hoover. Take his tax cuts for the rich (please). Our tax system is progressive, in that the wealthier are supposed to pay a higher percentage because of their higher income. Bush's tax cats took the regressive path, with 40 percent of the cut going to the wealthiest 1 percent.
Take his insistence on abolishing the estate tax. That tax was initiated to prevent the wealthiest of families from passing on huge fortunes to their offspring.
Who benefitted from its abolishment? The super-rich.
His main goal since moving into the White House has been to undo all the progressive programs, including Social Security and Medicare. His privatization proposals would undermine, and eventually destroy, both programs.
It's time America returned to progressive programs and progressive presidents. We don't need 19th-century administrations.
Look at the damage this one has caused in less than four years. -Paul McElroy Forest Hills

Well regressive path may not be the right word but I understand what Mr. McElroy is saying. The point of the cuts is that the more you pay the more you get back. Certainly the people who pay the most would be receiving the most back. People who don’t pay can’t get anything back. You can’t get back $1000 from $0. It is not cash payout but cash back. The super rich are also the ones that usually have worked the hardest & smartest, taken the most risk and employ the most people. Destroying the rich hurts everyone as the top 5% pay 50% of the taxes. Giving them an incentive to work harder and smarter helps everyone. That’s a capitalist society. If Mr. McElroy prefers we can go to a flat tax system which maybe better for everyone and stop this class warfare.

2) …The National Education Association should not take umbrage at Secretary of Education Rod Paige for his recent use of the "T" word (terrorist) to describe them ["Education secretary criticized," News, Feb. 25]. He got this "T" word from his CEO, President George W. Bush.
Sooner or later, this was bound to happen, especially if his CEO constantly speaks about it. Since 9/11, George W. Bush has used the "T" word on every occasion. His obsession with the "T" word has pervaded most of the members of his cabinet. This is all there is to it: It is Paige's bad company. Poor man! -G. M. Chandu Flushing

Poor Man? G.M. is so poor that he/she doesn’t even have a real name. Just Initials! Here's a quarter. Buy a vowel at least. Does G.M. Chandu believe that terrorists are a figment of the President’s imagination? We are at war with terrorists. What word does G.M. think he should use? It is unfortunate that Mr. Paige used such a word. It is just as unfortunate that Senator Kerry called Republicans terrorists too. People need to stop and think before labeling others. Think carefully. On the other hand this are teeny, tiny issues and G.M. should spend the time getting more letters to fill out his name.

3) …One look at Saturday's Newsday shows that the government got exactly what it was looking for in the prosecution of Martha Stewart. The story dominated pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 18 and the editorial.
It wasn't until page 6 and 7 that we could read about such unimportant stories as the drafting of the Iraqi constitution or the anemic national jobs report.
I think back to last year when the House Committee on Commerce and Energy held hearings on the Stewart matter when it should have been investigating important cases such as Enron or Halliburton.
Stewart is being used to detract attention from the truly important issues of our day. -Stuart Davis Merrick

Stewart should be prosecuted. She didn’t just do something she knew was wrong (but wasn’t convicted of) but lying and hiding evidence from the Feds. This they will not tolerate. So they needed to make an example of anyone that thinks they can get away with this just because they’re rich. This writer is obviously left bias as they used the word “anemic” for the national jobs report and mentioned Halliburton. Halliburton is not a big scandal like Enron. Now, Global Crossings is but Mr. Davis wouldn’t mention that because that would make people think about Terry McAuliffe. Yikes!

4) …How many thousands of workers lost their pensions and 401k benefits and are now forced to work because of Martha Stewart's wrongdoing?
When will the overzealous federal prosecutors who "mean to set an example" be putting Ken Lay and his disgusting Enron cronies behind bars?
Or, does the pursuit of real justice not apply to those with friends in the White House? -Linda Strome Manorville

Anyone who reads a newspaper not called NEWSDAY knows that the Feds are going after the Enron people. It will take a little longer to build a case as it is a much more complicated issue. Stay tuned. I believe the Enron people gave money to the Democrats and the Republicans. If anyone is IN ON it then it is probably all of them.

5) …Martha Stewart faces 20 years in jail and $1 million in fines for being convicted on four counts of lying. President George W. Bush can't be sleeping very well after that! -John P. McDonough Mineola

How is it that every letter about Martha Stewart turns it around and mentions the President? Where is the logic in this? When did the President lie? Where is the logic in that?

6) …Your editorial praising Alan Greenspan's tough talk on Social Security only tells half the story ["Like it or not, he's right," Sunday Opinion, March 7].
The other half is his work on the task force that reformed Social Security so that it was manageable for the next 70 years - even though he then backed the Bush tax cuts that caused budget shortfalls as far into the future as possible to forecast.
So Bush raids the Social Security trust fund to finance the cuts, and Greenspan tells the people who depend on Social Security that they will have to take reduced benefits and wait longer to receive them so that the wealthy can have their tax cuts. -George J. Stinsman Holtsville

Scare tactics are cool. The wealthy are bad and evil. Tax cuts are bad and evil. Greenspan smart and stupid. Soc Sec trust fund is raided. Does any of these statements actually ring true?

7) …It is indeed awe-inspiring that Newsday can write a two-page editorial endorsing Alan Greenspan's plan to deal with the federal deficit by raising the Social Security retirement age and lowering benefits without mentioning the two major causes of the deficit, neither of which is Social Security.
One is President George W. Bush's tax cuts, which will transfer trillions of dollars from the federal government to the richest 5 percent of the population.
The second is Bush's war in Iraq, which has cost the United States $200 billion so far and promises to cost hundreds of billions of dollars more before it is over.
Without these drains on the budget, there would be no need to balance the budget on the backs of American workers. -Frank Anshen East Setauket

Scare tactics are cool part two. So what have we learned today? Tax cuts are bad. The richest 5 percent are bad. War in Iraq bad. Spending money is bad.

8) …While I applaud the wish to have a memorial built for the firefighters and other rescue workers who gave their lives on Sept. 11, it is wrong to imply that civilians did not run up the stairs at the World Trade Center or toward the buildings just because he didn't see any ["9/11 memorial," Letters, March 5].
My co-worker and friend, Zack Zeng, a volunteer paramedic, left his desk after the first plane hit the North Tower. After the second plane hit the South Tower, he was never to be seen again. He fearlessly and gallantly gave his life while offering medical assistance to injured strangers.
Let's not forget those who worked in the towers and were already there when the planes struck but chose to stay behind to help others, despite the untenable and diminishing circumstances around them.
I hope the writer of the above-mentioned letter will read this and join me in lauding all those gave the ultimate sacrifice that day, despite their chosen professions. -Roger Adelmann
West Babylon

I know that everyone is a hero. But what is the problem with uplifting someone else like firemen and EMTs? It is not downplaying others. No one is really implying that civilians did not do heroic acts. But is this division really helping anyone memories or is it just making the rest of us think that some of the families and friends of the dead are a little petty?

Right Letters:

1) …I disagree with Jimmy Breslin's assertion that gays are banned from the St. Patrick's Day Parade ["Intolerance hounded at Sunnyside parade," News, March 9]. They are not banned, and they can march like anyone else.
What is banned are gay organizations that promote their perverse lifestyle in a parade dedicated to a Roman Catholic saint. Is that so odd?
Apparently perverse Breslin thinks so.
I would be the first to say that the parade needs to lighten up and be more creative with floats, costumes and things for kids. That's what they do in Ireland.
What we don't need is thousands of screaming sodomites celebrating their disgusting lifestyle. They have their own "gay pride" parade where they can "celebrate" their sickness and try to convince us that gay is good.
I'm not surprised Breslin supports our law-breaking mayor in New Paltz, who has as much contempt for the law and the public as Breslin does. -Bill Mulcahy New Paltz

Calling homosexuals sodomites is not a good way to get your point across. The fact IS that gay organizations cannot participate in the parade. Nor, I assume, can Divorce organizations and Planned Parenthood. The individuals can participate but not the groups.

2) …Regarding "End of McRoad for big idea" [News, March 4]: Once again, the victims in our society feel the need to blame someone other than themselves for their problem.
McDonald's is being pressured to get rid of its super-size menu because it is making people fat. Give me a break.
We live in a free-will society. We have choices. Personally, because I do not want to eat foods I consider unhealthy for my body, I choose not to order those things at McDonald's. But I don't expect the McDonald's corporation to make that decision for me.
When Michael Jacobsen says, "If McDonald's truly cared about its customers' hearts and arteries, it would reformulate its cooking oil to eliminate trans fats," does he really think the fast-food chain should be responsible for my healthy or unhealthy choices?
The writing is on the wall: You don't have to be a Harvard graduate to know that you are not doing your body well by eating oversized portions of hamburgers and French fries.
If people would stand up and take responsibility for their actions, we could spend less time reading disclaimers on coffee cups from companies who fear being sued and more time tending to our own business. -Christine Marino Smithtown

Lawyers and Judges should be ashamed of themselves for hurting the little people. I want my supersize Fries!

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-15T09:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 12, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 7
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 0

Left Letters:

1) …Reading the paper recently, I found articles about a boyfriend being questioned in his girlfriend's grisly murder, corporate fraud, civil wars, deadly attacks in Pakistan and Iraq, the infiltration of criminals and terrorists across our borders, and a missing woman.
But the most incredible story was that the mayor of New Paltz could face a year in prison for marrying same-sex couples.
Imagine that in a society plagued with crime, we now have to deal with two people vowing to love, honor and respect each other. -Jennifer C. Ikeguchi Oakland Gardens>

Jennifer, purposely defying the law may be respecting each other but these people who ‘love each other’ and the mayors that are defying the law brought this situation on them by going around the law instead of trying to change the law. And why haven’t they tried to change the law because a large majority of Americans are against it and they know they would lose. Despite what Newsday wants you to think most Long Islanders are against it too.

2) …So George W. Bush is starting his ad campaign bragging about whatever he did before, during and after 9/11.
The country doesn't know yet what he knew before 9/11. He disappeared for hours on the day itself. He's been no help in protecting us since, mainly dropping bombs on a couple of countries and enraging more people, as well as cutting funds for our security. -Jane Troy Manhattan

Hmmm he disappeared for hours? Well let’s see we were unattacked and everything was crazy. He was on the air very quickly once he was secured away. Is Ms. Troy calling the President a coward? Ask most Americans if they thought that we would have another attack after 9/11 and I’m sure 90% or close to it would say imminently. It thankfully hasn’t happened thanks to the government and the citizens of the US. ‘Cutting funds for our security’? We know this is not true.

3) …On Jan. 23, 2003, George W. Bush said "I have no ambition whatsoever to use this [9/11] as a political issue."
But he is using the attack on the World Trade Center in his television ads. This only confirms the consistently arrogant and self-righteous attitude of his administration, which has little or no regard for any priorities but its own.
I was in New York on Sept. 11. The tremendous loss and grief suffered by so many have only been exacerbated since by Bush's insistence on violent retaliation, his fear-mongering and, now, his blatant exploitation of the tragedy. -Kat Hankinson Astoria

I still don’t see the exploitation of the tragedy. Are we to believe that no one can bring up the tragedy ever again? Politically or intellectually or spiritually? For any reason? Is it really off limits for everyone? This tragedy wasn’t a serial killer who terrorized one family or city. It’s a criminal investigation. It is war! The Kats of Astoria need to think about the tragedy and how our leaders face these tragedies before she votes.

4) …Seven years and 150 nations have not succeeded in moving President George W. Bush to sign the Mine Ban Treaty. Last week, his move backward from U.S. policy to ban all antipersonnel land mines, "smart" and dumb, allows for the indefinite use of smart mines and delays the destruction of dumb mines until 2010. The U.S. 1998 Directive to sign in 2006 is gone. Smart mines may be safer, but they are not safe. They can last as long as 19 weeks, 2 to 5 percent are damaged during the remote delivery by aircraft or artillery, and as many as 10 percent fail to arm properly, remaining intact without sign of whether they are live.
Rich nations' use of smart mines forces poorer countries to continue using dumb ones. A world with millions of anti-personnel mines in the ground of 80 countries, the 15,000 to 20,000 casualties a year, the dead, crippled and blind call on the United States to sign the treaty without delay. -Phyllis L. Reed Northport

I must say that I don’t know enough of this situation to comment. There are specifics that I have read and I am undetermined what course should be taken. I pray we make the right one. I urge everyone to let us know what you think on this issue.

5) …Our government allows uninspected food imports, which have already caused health problems in the United States, yet it does not allow the importation of brand-name drugs.
Does the government work to protect the people, or corporate profits? -Jeffrey Gurwitz Mount Sinai

The only question I have is which food imports specifically are not inspected and should be? Unless this is answered we can not even begin to discuss the issue. Though I believe unlike Mr. Gurwitz that corporate profits would be helped by the importation of brand-name drugs. A brand-name is generally corporate owned. Thus this writer hasn’t got a clue just likes writing about the ‘evils’ of corporate profits vs the ‘good’ of protecting people. Are these two these polar opposites? Really?

6) …I am overwhelmed by the depth of emotion of those dedicated to the preservation of the "sacred institution of marriage."
Although, I can't help but wonder if perhaps they could better serve society by directing their zeal toward discovering why such a sacred institution has spawned other sacred institutions, such as half-way houses and hide-aways for battered and abused spouses and children; swingers' and cheaters' clubs, swap chat rooms, no-tell motels; and divorce-dedicated law firms. -Brian O'Beirne Plainview

Mr. O’Beirne doesn’t believe in marriage. That’s fine. There are lots of problems with the institution of marriage. But it is not the institution themselves but the people in the marriage. There are hide-aways for battered women who aren’t married to their men but just live with them. And people who are not married but say they are couples constantly cheat on their counterparts, and children who grow up in broken homes are abused. Animals are abused too. Is this marriages fault. There are problems in the world. The institution isn’t it.

7) …Americans love to whine about the high cost of gasoline until it becomes cheap again, at which point they resume consumption patterns that guarantee a return to scarcity.
Last year, we worried about a heating-oil shortage, and who even remembers the energy crises of the 1970s?
Yet, we quickly went back to building the world's largest fleet of gas-gobbling SUVs, the great American status symbol.
What ever happened to conservation and fuel efficient motor vehicles? What we need is a serious energy policy for a long term solution. The sooner we stop using Middle East oil, the sooner we will stop funding terrorist groups.
Alternative fuels would be the answer, not more oil, no matter where it comes from. Our government could mandate the development and use of alternative fuels in the near future.
This is something it should be spending our tax dollars on. We put a man on the moon after a John F. Kennedy mandate, and that was in the 1960s. Think what we can accomplish with today's technology.
There are millions of motor vehicles in the United States - not to mention smokestacks - and a larger number across the world. They all pollute the air.
We need to stop poisoning our planet if we are to survive. And that is the real issue. -Steven E. Danish Oceanside

Supply and demand will determine the price. Mr. Danish makes a good job of pointing that out. However, alternative fuels to oil are quite expensive. And a federal mandate won’t make companies build alternative cars. It takes the will and wishes of the consumers to do that. Why do some people still takes their cars to work instead of taking the bus or train? They could do it but don’t for whatever reason. The consumers drive prices. You can’t change the manufacturers unless you change the minds of their customers.

Right Letters:

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-16T09:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 15, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 5
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 3

Left Letters:
1) …When the terrorists first hit the Twin Towers in 1993, it was a harbinger that more violence was impending. The greatest intelligence agency in the world, the State of Israel's Massad, warned the CIA and FBI to beware. The agencies were caught with their pants down.
Today our troops in Iraq are like lame ducks in a shooting gallery. President George W. Bush is helpless to stop this daily, senseless massacre of our men and women. Al-Qaida has to be squashed by a person with an iron fist. In my opinion, the president should not be re-elected. He is weak. Sen. John Kerry is the one. -Florence Lipton & Sam Lipton Bronx

Metaphor alert! Metaphor Alert! Beep Beep. Iron Fist, lame ducks in a shooting gallery, caught with their pants down.
Anyway here is what the Liptons are saying… 2 + 3 = 7 and 4 + 1 = 26 . Hmmm, something doesn’t add up here. What kind of argument is this? There was a bombing in 1993 and because of this the troops in Iraq are ‘lame ducks’ Al-Qaida has to be squashed by a person with an iron fist. So, Sen. Kerry is the one. Let’s play a game. We believe there are exactly six things wrong with these conclusions. Find ‘em. You have 120 seconds. Ok Go!

2) …What purpose does it serve President George W. Bush to use the 9/11 tragedy for political purposes, other than to re-open the unhealed pain of the victims' families? What the 9/11 ad really illustrates is the ineptness of his administration in preventing these dastardly acts from occuring. The ad also sadly highlights the unmitigating callousness and shallowness this president shows, especially when it comes to issues of life and death. -Felix A. Rivera Brooklyn

Again with the ads. The people writing seem to have nothing on their minds but these fleeting images which to this day, no one can explain why they are wrong to do shown. Is the war not in play as an issue?

3) …What we must ask about the 9/11 campaign ads is not merely whether individual images may be offensive. Recognizing that television advertising employs the interaction of juxtaposed images and an orchestrated sound track to override rational analysis, we must ask whether we are being pushed to conclusions we would, in lucid moments, reject.
The ads in question, while offering no rational argumentation, suggest by association a link between the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the preventive war in Iraq. In fact, no Iraqi involvement in 9/11 has been demonstrated, as point-blank questions forced the president to admit.
This won't be the last instance of demagoguery in this campaign, and we may expect both parties to engage in it. Ultimately, the only effective defense is the critical intelligence of an informed and thoughtful electorate. The responsibility is ours. -William Kenney Whitestone

Logic dictates that no footage of Iraq was shown in the ads and thus no logical connection and conclusion can be made between Sept 11 and Iraq. If it is implied we didn’t see it. While “the only effective defense is the critical intelligence of an informed and thoughtful electorate”, it is also true that “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance” to quote Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Kenney, we say is neither lucid or logical in his argument.

4) …It is truly sad to see that this country continues to perpetuate the disparity between men and women, as evidenced by the guilty verdict in the Martha Stewart trial ["Guilty just of lying," Opinion, March 6]. The Enron and Tyco executives, all men, continue in their legal entanglements without the vilification that Stewart has endured from society and the media.
Women especially should be ashamed of themselves for expressing their glee and content because Stewart was found guilty. She single-handedly built an empire out of the chores that women are expected to perform - cooking, cleaning and keeping house. She wanted to empower women who choose to perform those tasks to perform them more effectively, efficiently and eloquently.
The juror who deemed this guilty verdict as a victory for the "little guys" is grossly incorrect. Stewart lied, but she never hurt "the little guys." She never stole company money or turned employee 401(k)s into worthless holdings. No, this is a victory for the old boys' network and that, without doubt, is not a good thing. -Diana L. Amoroso Smithtown

Again with the Enron comparison. The Enron case has little bearings on this case. She lied to the feds. She is only one person and therefore it is easier to make a case against her than against an entire corporate board.

5) …Lately Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) has been jumping from one media outlet to another repeating his Islamophobic statements. Doesn't he have anything to do except defame the people whom he represents?
King's statements can further hurt the minorities in New York. Reports have shown that there is a trend of eroding civil rights in the Muslim and South Asian communities in New York and other states. Reported incidents include school and work-place discrimination, financial discrimination, harassment and even hate crimes.
Statements made by King can fuel this erosion and further divide the nation into lines of religion and ethnicity. As an elected official, he should be working for the people, not issuing irresponsible statements bashing them. -Mamoun Najjar Bay Shore

Hate crimes are abhorant. Discrimation is an abomination. I have no love for the Congressman but he made a statement that backed up his claims. It seems that Newsday has a vendetta against him because they keep publishing letters like this one that made wild accusations about Rep. King and the people of New York. No proof just mentions about ‘reports’. What reports? Newsday is pushing hard to change the minds of Rep. King’s constituents.

Right Letters:
1) …As a member of the Fire Department of New York and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) who worked down at the World Trade Center from day one, I have no problem with President George W. Bush using images from the WTC in his campaign ads.
What I do have a problem with is the hypocrisy of the IAFF, which has been using those same images in its campaign ads to promote Sen. John Kerry. -Lt. John Rigolini Editor's Note: The writer is a retired New York City firefighter. Walden

It ain’t hypocrisy because the IAFF had already (previous to the President’s advertising) endorsed Senator Kerry. Really, it is unscrupulous, immoral and corrupt.

2) …Newsday needs to be more impartial and not so biased with your political reporting. I realize you don't have any editorial control over such reporters as Paul Vitello, Liz Smith, Ellis Henican, Joseph Dolman, etc., but you do have control over allowing more space for opposing views. Why should thousands of your readers be subjected to only the liberal, far-left point of view?
Recently, Vitello said he was going to vote Democrat and vituperatively attacked President George W. Bush ["Bush sets himself up for a fall," News, March 2]. That's fine, but where is the counterbalance, providing a positive view of President Bush? Newsday should, and must, be fair, impartial and present a balanced commentary.
I am certain you realize that not everyone shares the views of Vitello, Smith, Henican, Dolman and the rest. There are Americans - many your readers and subscribers - who admire, respect and trust President Bush. Your readership is restless and frustrated over your one point of view, and I hope you will do something to correct it. -John E. Bonsignor Patchogue

The reason for this blog, as you know, is to demonstrate the imbalance of the local newspaper. We don’t expect the NY Times or the Wall Street Journal to be balanced in their editorials and opinions. Unlike the NY Post and NY Daily News who fight for readership in New York City, Newsday is practically alone in supplying local news on Long Island (and its millions of citizens). Newsday, is a local paper and as such should give most views a place to opine. The paper, we feel, should note the general feelings on Long Island. The fact to it gives credence to the left to an overwhelming amount on the editorial side (and in essence on the news’ and columnists’ sides) indicate there should be large amounts of letters arguing the opposite points. However, the letters published are more often than not, are ones that agree with the editorial staff of the paper or are even more radical. It is also our contention that when Newsday publishes letters from the left the letters are more prone to wild accusations than the more thoughtful and less accusing letters from the right. Though we have be stunned by shocking insults from both sides. Long Island is not well represented by it’s only main tabloid information source if only half a story is considered.

3) …I found it interesting that Sen. John Kerry took pride in his claim that foreign leaders were praying for his victory. Who would expect anything else? I'm sure Yasser Arafat, Osama bin Laden, Kim Jong Il, Fidel Castro, et al., would love nothing more than having Kerry lead the United States. Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, this would be a disaster for our country and for the rest of the democratic and free nations of the world. -Paul Rodway Huntington Station

In a poll out last week almost 70% of the people asked said that Al Queda would prefer Kerry to Bush while 35 % said that Al Queda would want Bush to Kerry. Should we ask Al Queda about healthcare or women working? Oh we can now add the president-elect of Spain, the Socialist, that endorses Kerry.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-17T09:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 16, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 8
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 2

Left Letters:
1) …Sen. John Kerry said the president didn't have an hour to sit with the 9/11 commission but he had a hour to go to a rodeo.
Now the White House spokesman is highlighting how Bush plans to sit longer with the panel. How can leadership be equated with the failure of this administration to investigate 9/ 11? -Barry Zelman Editor's Note: The writer's brother, Kenneth Zelman, died in the World Trade Center. Dover, N.J.

Negative attack ads. Does anyone really think that the President and his staff knew that Sept 11 would happen? This is not the gulf of Tonkin.

2) …Bravo for headlining the subpoena of George W. Bush's telephone records by the grand jury investigating the White House CIA leak ["Subpoenas for White House," News, March 5]. Such important news should be made more accessible to the American people. Why isn't this story about the leaking of a CIA agent's identity to Robert Novak more publicized? Shame on the "news media." -Arthur Caputo Little Neck

More publicized? This story was the lead story on every nightly news program for a week! This story has little legs for anyone who really wants to know what happened. Mr. Novak is not speaking and thus his source will remain a mystery. As for the CIA agent, her husband seemed to be everywhere. Even he is somehow reneging on the charges that his wife’s cover was blown. Let’s read a little Mr. Caputo before writing into the newspaper. The story happened ages ago in media time and too much has already been said.

3) …Newsday's exposé of offshore outsourcing of state jobs \ proved more than a match for my equilibrium. We are told these are help-desk positions for "struggling New Yorkers who have questions about their food stamp benefits." Where are these positions being routed? We are told to Mexico and India.
How did we get to this? Privatization. The rationalization is that Corporate America does a more efficient and cost-effective job at delivering services. When did our government become so inefficient? And how does one measure the cost of jobs lost on an overly burdened social system?
The fact that J.P. Morgan administers the program is defended by state officials on the grounds of its efficacy. More disturbing is the realization that the private contractor's practices appear to have gone unmonitored. To add insult to injury, state officials have said that no jobs were lost to outsourcing because "there were no help desks previously." Take that!
Hello, privatization; goodbye, accountability. -Ron Scott St. James

Is there any accountability at the state and federal governments? The larger the company or agency, the harder it is to account for anything.

4) …In "He's the king" [Letters, March 9], the writer talks about her experiences with Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford). King has been my congressman for 12 years, and like many people in this district, I had a very different impression of him during the Clinton administration, especially during the impeachment crisis, when King seemed to break ranks with House Republicans. Sadly, as other letter writers have noted, those days are gone.
I don't think people in this district would vote for Texas Rep. Tom DeLay if his name was on the ballot, but because of strong party "discipline," every Republican member of the House is now a political clone of DeLay, who is House majority leader.
King consistently votes with DeLay: for tax cuts for the super rich, for drilling in the Arctic, for an energy bill written by the oil industry, and for a Medicare drug benefit bill written by the pharmaceutical industry.
By redistricting Texas so that Republicans gain six seats, DeLay has tried to ensure that Republicans will retain control of the House in defiance of changes in the will of the people. But we still have the power to say no. This November, I intend to vote for A.B.K. - Anybody But King - in order to help take the House of Representatives away from the radicals who have so cynically hijacked it. -Patricia Goldsmith Island Park

Newsday’s after Rep King. In an almost daily attack on the only Republican congressman on Long Island, Newsday keeps pounding away. There has been no mention of either Senator from NY or any other congressperson this month but Rep. King has been in the ‘letters to the editor’ section many times now (check the archives to the left). Ms. Goldsmith is somehow upset up the redistricting in Texas over their state legislature. Maybe she thinks it is about her the federal congresspeople. I’m not sure. The fact is there is a tremendous redistricting effort in the house and the gerrymander has helped all. Of all the races that had an incumbent running in 2002, over 99% went to the incumbent. It’s almost impossible to lose if you are an incumbent. Ms. Goldsmith’s wild attack on Mr. King (whom as you all know we have no love for) is part of Newsday to single him out. This has become personal and vicious on the part of the paper.

5) …It's outrageous that President George W. Bush had planned to limit his testimony before the 9/11 commission to only an hour. It is investigating the largest intelligence failure in U.S. history - one that occurred on his watch. Bush giving more time to 9/11 panel," News, March 10].
If Bush were the effective and decisive leader his supporters claim, why didn't he immediately activate the National Guard to act as air marshalls, when he received reliable intelligence reports indicating terrorists planned to hijack airliners and crash them into office buildings?
Or were they held back, to be available for future deployment for the Bush administration's pre-planned invasion of Iraq?
America cannot survive four more years of Bush's inept, deceptive and divisive "leadership." -Greg Horak Hicksville

Newsday publishes a letter stating that the President will sit for longer than an hour and a letter stating that he will limit his time for an hour. Good going. The fact that there was ‘noise’ (the technical term) about hijackers doesn’t mean that it was read as credible for the intelligence community. Obviously, there was a failure. The ‘noise’ by Mr. Horak that the President was planning on invading Iraq with the National Guard in August of 2001 seems downright silly. The President cannot make war. Only Congress has that power. This another one of Newsday’s wild statement letter writers and black helicopters theorists.

6) …In "Double vision" [Letters, March 10], the letter writer says: "The party of hate and divisiveness is desperate and will go to any length to bad-mouth an outstanding president."
I could have sworn he was referring to the treatment the Republicans gave Bill Clinton during his whole term in office. What short memories those "elephants" have! Even now they are still blaming Clinton for things that happened long after he left. Don't you think it's time for them to quit whining and start accepting responsibilty for their own mistakes? -Clare Worthing Wantagh

A very true letter from the left. Republicans have been harsh on their opponents as have the Democrats. The difference is that Republicans have bad-mouthed President Bush too. No Democrat ever spoke badly about former President Clinton. Nor I believe any will ever. He has become more sacred than Kennedy some how to them.

7) …More than 270 of President George W. Bush's super-rich donors have overnighted in the Lincoln Bedroom since the Bushes arrived in the White House.
But there's not a word of outrage from the Republican hypocrites who demanded an FBI investigation of the Clintons for doing exactly the same thing. During the 2000 campaign, Bush himself told Al Gore in one of the debates that such use of these facilities was "not good for the country."
While the Clintons hosted Hollywood types and family members, Bush's list is limited to millionaires, billionaires and zillionaires. The list reminds us that guests do not have to re-imburse the government for their stays - as if we didn't know! -Tim Fleming Lake Grove

The opening of the Lincoln Bedroom to donors is a massive embarrassment. However, notice how according to the writer that it’s only wrong to be a hypocrite. The fact that our government is using our house for donations is not a problem to Mr. Fleming. Somehow Mr. Fleming doesn’t think that ‘Hollywood types’ could be millionaires and billionaires. I guess he hasn’t plunked down $10 on a movie lately.

8) …I have never been as frightened for myself, my family, my grandchildren and my country.
First, we are presented with an unelected president. Then, we are led into a pre-emptive war in Iraq, a coup d'etat in Haiti, probably to be followed by another coup in Venezuela. What's next: Cuba, North Korea, Pakistan, Syria? Are we going to decide which puppets we put in place in each country that doesn't side with us and then suppress those here who dare challenge Bush's imperialism with the Patriot Act?
We must elect some sane leader willing to work with other nations' leaders to create peaceful international solutions and restore the country that I love and make us all feel safe again. -Lee Weintraub North Valley Stream

Newsday is printing them all today! Would it be so bad if we had a sided with coups that ousted the dictator of North Korea, Cuba, or Syria? Mr. Weintraub must feel that enslavement is fine. While he whines about a Patriot Act that has never had a legal problem which he feels might lead to imperialism he sides with some of the most horrible dictatorships ever. But the President was unelected (when will this one ever fail to bring laughter to my eyes) and Haiti’s rebels were pressed into action by the US. More international solutions that’s the way to go. Because of international solutions we are in this mess.

Right Letters:
1) …Day after day I see articles in Newsday regarding "affordable housing." It should be obvious that if we weren't paying such obscenely high property taxes on our homes, then homes on Long Island would be more affordable.
Why is Newsday treating our outrageous tax rates as a sacred cow? You should be hammering on that aspect of the affordable housing crisis in capital letters on the front page. If our taxes were in line with most of the rest of this country, all of those young, first-time home buyers you say are fleeing the Island would have more money each month to pay toward their mortgage. -Steve Perlstein Calverton

For those of you outside of the New York area who are reading this, Long Island taxes are outrageous. It is not uncommon to find $10000 a year property taxes on 75 X 100 plots with 50 year old homes in middle class neighborhoods. Where does all this money go? Schools? Let’s get serious.

2) …My husband and I were gratified to discover the rare positive coverage of Israel about Israeli Arabs who prefer to remain part of Israel ["Picking one home over another," News, March 7]. But we were not surprised to find it so far into the paper; negative coverage tends to be placed nearer the beginning. And then anyone skimming "6 Palestinians killed," [News, March 7] would take it as further anti-Israel information, when in fact it gives short shrift to "a combined attack by three groups" who are perpetrators of the ongoing homicide bombing against Israelis. -Cheryl Meyer Jamaica

Whether it’s in the local paper, national network news or at global meetings and conferences, whenever the subject of Israel comes up, (and it comes up a lot) the people and the gov’t of Israel are generally held in poor regard. The positive news rarely makes it to see the light of day.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-18T10:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 17, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 10
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 3

Left Letters:
1) …George W. Bush's 9/11 campaign ads are a reprehensible display of tasteless opportunism.
The former New York City police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, said he wasn't offended: "It's about the president's history; it's about his leadership ability." Kerik must be thankful for his Defense Department contract to train Iraqi police.
One begins to feel that the Bush cronies and maybe the candidate himself must be so grateful to the terrorists for giving them the edge over the Democrats to capitalize over the misery and grief of the families of the 9/11 victims.
This is not the kind of campaign that George W. Bush had promised to run when he was miles ahead in the polls. Now that the tide has turned and Sen. John Kerry has a chance of beating him in November, Bush & Co. are willing to stoop as low as it gets. -Nithiananda Chatterjie Staten Island

Can someone please let me know what was offensive about these ads. We have yet to find someone, other than those you already despises the President that can find fault with these ad. Of course now the writer brings in Bernard Kerik, who has helped turn NYC around. But I find this line quite reprehensible, “the candidate himself must be so grateful to the terrorists for giving them the edge”. The writer acknowledges that the terrorists are out there and the President will be better at combating them then the Democrats. So that’s a reason to vote against him! And to suggest that anyone takes pleasure in terror is suggestion that should’ve stopped at Newsday’s editors.
2) …Like many New Yorkers, I'm appalled at the fact that President Bush has chosen to use the images of Ground Zero as a backdrop for his campaign ads.
Not only does this cheapen the acts of courage and sacrifice made by hundreds of brave men and women, but it also misleads the public in one very important point.
Bush was "in the driver's seat" when these horrific events took place. While he surely isn't totally to blame for us being attacked, he and his administration has to be held accountable for their failure to take action prior to 9/11.
Bush and his staff were quick to blame the Clinton administration and the CIA for their failures to provide the necessary intelligence. But let's face it, after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, we all should have seen this coming.
A good commander accepts the responsibility for his failures as well as his successes and does not throw the blame on his junior officers. -Stephen M. Tomecek Queens Village

The President took pains to make sure know one blamed the Clinton administration. The failure that the Clinton administration made was to prosecute the terrorists as criminals and not agents of warfare. No one in their right mind or even devious mind could’ve predicted the sickness and evil in the terrorists that day. It was complete paradigm shift of everything we treasure. The Bush administration should have fired the head of the CIA, George Tenet, because he failed at his post several times. This is a mistake by the President. Again to suggest that the horror of Sept 11th is anyone’s fault is ludicrous. Clinton, Bush cannot be blamed. Do we blame the people in the Virginia/Maryland area or the Ohio area for driving their cars on the highway even though they knew there was a sniper picking them off? No that would be ridiculous.

3) …It is interesting that George W. Bush is using a flag-draped coffin from 9/11 in his campaign ads, while banning pictures of coffins returning from Iraq.
Why the discrepancy? -Cathleen Callahan Farmingdale

The discrepancy is can be explained because these images have been seen a thousand times over already. It is out there in the public. The coffins of our brave military have not been presented to the American people. Should they be? That’s a different subject altogether. We say yes. But then I say show the footage of Sept 11th and the attacks in Madrid and on Indonesia, and the bus bombings in Israel. We can handle it all.

4) …President Bush is arrogantly insisting on his right to use 9/11 for his political advantage. Since all Americans were deeply affected by that traumatic event, I think Democrats should do likewise. In response to 9/11, we attacked Afghanistan and supposedly eliminated terrorist bases as a source of attacks. However, Osama bin Laden escaped.
Instead of pursuing that monster, we invaded Iraq, declaring with certainty it was an imminent threat to us. In addition, Saddam Hussein was somehow connected to 9/11.
Both of these rationales for this illegal preemptive war have been exposed as false. The tremendous cost in lives and resources has yet to be calculated.
Yes, Democrats should use 9/11 to counteract the hypocrisy of the White House. -Nettie Kaufman Oceanside

Whoa Nettie…the Democrats are doing so as we speak and have been for many months. The Democrats feel many of the things you do too. Here are a couple of factual errors though you made and we would like to point them out if we may. No one ever said that all the terrorist bases have been eliminated. Have all the drug suppliers been eliminated in the United States or just the Bronx? No one ever declared that Iraq was an imminent threat to us. That is the reason we attacked before they became an imminent threat and by then it would be too late. There is a plethora of evidence showing that Saddam Hussein’s regime was deeply involved in terrorists and their activities. The connection to Sept 11th is there but is more indirect than direct. However, this is not a war on Sept 11th’s perpetrators but on terrorism in almost all it’s forms. Almost.

5) …Almost daily, the news media reports how many American soldiers have died in Iraq. The president, as well as Congress, show very little concern for our fallen soldiers.
George W. Bush is very busy flying all over the country in Air Force One in a desperate attempt to convince the public that his policies have vanquished most of the problems confronting the county.
In addition to our wars, his refusal to close the Mexican border is allowing millions of illegals to enter our country.
If that's not enough, look what he has done to Medicare. Starting in 2006, he will have placed insurance companies in control of the program with a guaranteed profits of millions of dollars.
In order for us to survive we must say goodbye to George W. Bush. -Morris Kohn Carle Place

Mr. Kohn, you cannot close the Mexican border. We can do a much, much better job of patrolling it and this is the Bush Administration’s fault as it has been the fault of every president for the past 30 plus years. We do not understand why the administration doesn’t do more about it. Mr. Kohn, we agree with you. BUT, to suggest that the President and Congress have little concern for our fallen soldiers that is incredible. On the 17th of March, Congress voted to pay tribute to our troops. 93 members did not vote to pay tribute to our troops including many from the local LI and NYC area. They said they didn’t want to be put on the spot during an election year. Well, when do they want to be put on the spot? They only have 2 year terms. So are they allowed to make any decisions only 1/2 the time? Very Strange indeed.

6) …As a constituent of Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), I am troubled by his speeches and letters about the Islamic community.
While attending Hofstra University I had the privilege and honor of meeting Faroque Khan, president of the Islamic Cultural Center of Long Island, and attending a service at his mosque. As a Jew, I had serious reservations. But from the first moment we arrived those reservations went away because Khan made us all feel welcome.
King is on the House International Relations Committee. It seems odd to me that someone on this panel could have so much trouble getting along with his Islamic constituents. -Steve Keyser Lindenhurst

Here’s another of Newsday’s almost daily attacks on Rep. King. Newsday may as well endorse anyone who will be running against the congressman now and spare us in November. The funny thing is that it’s not a scandal that has gotten Newsday going but statements, not against Muslims in general but against an organization. This troubles us greatly.

7) …The article "Hard to assess this confusion" [News, March 9] was misleading. Each December, the Department of Assessment is required to send letters to homeowners who have improved their properties, based on field inspection or building permit reports forwarded to the department.
The letter basically alerts the homeowner that the tentative assessed value of their property has been increased based on the reported improvements.
Several weeks after assuming office in January, I learned that the notification letter was never mailed. After consultation with the architect of a recently passed assessment law that imposed new deadlines on the production of the county's assessment rolls, I was advised the following:
The Department of Assessment would still be able to capture any increases in assessed value based on building permits and that letters mailed in February would still meet the deadlines under the new law.
Only afterward did I learn of a problem in the law's notification period provision that rendered the mailing out of date.
Once I discovered the problem, I immediately advised staff to notify 5,800 homeowners - who did, in fact, make improvements - to disregard the notification. My letter advised that any increases in the assessed value of a home triggered by an improvement was reflected in the 2006 Assessment Roll approved in December.
Unfortunately for 1,200 unsuspecting homeowners, the county reassessment contractor mistakenly assigned a building permit code to their properties even though none had any improvements. The error was quickly corrected and the homeowners were notified accordingly. -Harvey B. Levinson Editor's note: The writer is chairman of the Nassau County Board of Assessors. Mineola

We will never understand this. If you can an improvement on your property and on your house you are then penalized by the town and county. You spend your money and the Depts. Of Assessment say you now owe them. This is illogical. People should not pay a penalty for improving their houses.

8) …Regarding the March 5 article "Subpoenas for White House" and the federal grand jury investigating the leak of a covert CIA officer's identity.
If someone in the government needs security clearance and can be charged with a crime for violating a trust, why can a columnist - in this case, Robert Novak - be allowed to leak the identity of a covert CIA officer and not be charged with a crime.
This makes a mockery of "security clearance." -Frances Hirsch Levittown

Because Ms. Hirsch, that is the letter of the law and part of freedom of the press. You can see a lawyer or congressperson about it and begin to get the law changed. I do not think THAT’S gonna happen.

9) …I read in "Riddles of Long Island nature" [News, March 14] that, based on environmentalists' estimates, only 5 percent of Long Island remains undeveloped or unpreserved.
That shocked me. But what was even more unnerving was the article on the Hogan Estate "11th Hour for Open Space" [LI Life, March 14]. I know that property. It is home to a rare stand of tulip trees, hawks, red fox and dozens of species of birds.
We need to sit up and do something. This is Long Island's problem and this property needs to be saved for our children who may never see a real forest for themselves on Long lsland. -Susan Escudero D'Amato

We grew up in Brooklyn. Never saw a forest for ourselves in Brooklyn. Didn’t miss it. Not really a commentary on this writer’s letter. Just a thought.

10) …I guess that one good thing about the Opinion section of Newsday is that anyone can write what they want no matter how irrational. Raymond J. Keating's March 9 column, "The arts can flourish without taxpayer aid," is an example.
To suggest that "people who have no interest in certain artistic enterprises should not be forced to pay for them through their taxes" is tantamount to saying that a couple without children shouldn't be forced to pay school taxes, people who oppose war shouldn't be forced to pay taxes used for Iraq, or people who have no interest in our government shouldn't be forced to pay taxes to pay politicians and government employees.
To omit the arts from government aid is like saying we no longer want to be a civilized society. -Harlan J. Fischer Smithtown

Not the same thing Mr. Fischer. You pay school taxes, even if you do not have children in school because you receive a benefit from children going to school. Children in school should become better citizens, better participants in the community. There is a social benefit. You may own a gun and may not want to pay taxes for a police dept but either way you receive the social benefit of having a local police dept. The arts are not the same. The social benefit for supporting the arts is different. If you can prove that these places add revenue to the community (such as in more taxes, more restaurant / hotel usage, higher property values for being in close proximity to the art center) then yes we should pay to keep it. However, if no one is attending these “artistic enterprises” then there is no social benefit to it. It would be like paying for a fire dept to sit in a raft in the middle of the ocean waiting for a fire.

Right Letters:
1) …President George W. Bush makes a historic visit to Long Island and Newsday chooses to give greater front-page recognition to the work of flagitious terrorists wreaking havoc in Spain. Surely there must have been a lapse in judgment. No other explanation could possibly validate this reproachable decision.-Lynn Gallagher East Meadow

Actually I agree with Newsday that the bombing in Spain is a top story. Many people want to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to seeing terrorism. We ought to be showing the destruction of the WTC everyday to remind us of our attack and loss. However, we are fairly certain that the editor’s of Newsday would’ve but the President’s visit on page 7 if any other news story came in that day, such as the Martha Stewart case.

2) …Do you believe in coincidences when 10 train bombs go off in Madrid on March 11 and then three days later the Spanish people vote down the government that supported our anti-terrorism efforts? I don't. I believe the Spanish electorate played right into the hands of the terrorists.
Just think of the consequences if this sort of intimidation becomes widespread. The United States would become increasingly isolated in a fear-ridden world. The terrorists then would have accomplished what they set out to do. -Joseph A. Arrighi Deer Park

The terrorists see not only can they put fear into the world, murder hundreds, and cause nations to doubt themselves, but they changed an election! Wow what a terrific new weapon they’ve acquired thanks to the people of Spain. Olé!

3) …I was shocked by the March 14 political cartoon by Walt Handelsman. The cartoon, portraying a "9-Eleven" store, over the heading " ... not a political convenience store" clearly, but perhaps unintentionally, conveyed the message that 7-Eleven storeowners were, in some manner, connected with or sympathetic to the terrorists involved in the 9/11 tragedy.
While Handelsman's intent may have been to express his view that politicians should not "shop" for 9/11 emotional issues to use in an election campaign, one would need to analyze the cartoon at length to reach that conclusion.
Instead, most readers would quickly and simply relate "9-Eleven" to "7-Eleven" and go on to connect the 9/11 attack to the many Asian owners and employees of 7-Eleven stores.
The editors at Newsday should have viewed this cartoon as a reader would and, having not done so, were complicit in fostering bigotry and racial profiling against hardworking and loyal citizens and members of the community. -Tariq Khan Editor's note: The writer is president of the 245-member United 7-Eleven Franchise Owners of Long Island & New York.
Rockville Centre

This writer is seeing something we don’t. We are sure 7-11 employees who are of Asian decent (and especially Arab) must be wary of anyone trying to falsely connect the terrorists and themselves. We are sure they are sensitive to stereotypes. Who wouldn’t be? But this accusation shows they may be too sensitive. The cartoon did seem to be in bad taste though as many political cartoons are.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-19T10:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 19, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 4
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 4

Left Letters:
1) ….President George W. Bush's outright dishonesty in his campaign ad "100 Days" only confirms suspicions of this administration's total disregard for the truth ["Bush, Kerry take off gloves," News, March 12]. John Kerry does not intend to raise taxes by $900 billion in his first 100 days, as Bush claims in the ad. Kerry's intention is to keep the middle-class tax cut along with new credits for college tuition and health care, while raising taxes only for those who earn in excess of $200,000.
In the same ad, the president says that Kerry wants to weaken the Patriot Act. If truth be told, he intends to strengthen it by amending portions of the act that strip Americans of basic rights that come with living in a democracy, such as terrorism laws being used solely for fighting terrorism and not for using the FBI to deter antiwar demonstrations.
Why does this administration have such a difficult time being truthful in matters of national importance? -Scott J. Pecora Inwood

Nice try Mr. Pecora and compliments on one of the more logically rather than emotional sounding left letters. The $900 billion comes from the raising of taxes of those making $200,000 (which is probably close to the lion’s share of tax revenues) and by providing healthcare and other services. Plus, much of the tax adjustments the middle class has received expires in 2005, 2006. If not renewed they will be forfeited. We do not know yet where Sen. Kerry stands on this.

2) …Now that the campaign for president has officially kicked off, it did not take long for President Bush to begin airing misleading ads about his opponent, John Kerry. While both candidates will undoubtedly provide pointed criticism of each other's positions on the issues, there should be no place in this contest for utterly false claims, such as President Bush's accusation that Kerry is planning to raise taxes by $900 billion.
Given that this administration has not hesitated to misrepresent the facts to the public in the past, President Bush's campaign tactics should come as no surprise. Nonetheless, in light of the serious issues this country faces in the coming years, we should demand and expect better. -Ralph DeRosa Oakdale

Hmmm we thnks that this letter and the letter above are part of some talking points memo. Let’s investigate. Both start out taking the Bush campaign of misleading the nation in his ads about Senator Kerry and his possible raising of taxes by $900 billion. After another statement they end with the Bush campaign not be truthful and it should be because these are tough times. We guess if these were not tough times then it would be ok not to be truthful.

3) …Regarding "Kerry pushes for debates" [News, March 14]: How refreshing that John Kerry, as a candidate for president, actually believes we should discuss the issues that affect our nation and the future of our children.
The Bush administration prides itself on decisive action - taken unilaterally if necessary - including but not limited to going to war, bypassing Congress to make federal district court judge appointments, withdrawing from nuclear arms treaties, and rewriting environmental legislation.
So, with all this courage to be bold and decisive, why is there a complete unwillingness to engage in dialogue?
The only response to Kerry's plea comes from Steve Schmidt a Bush campaign spokesman who dismissed the debate suggestion with a childish response: "After running negative ads . . . John Kerry should finish the debate with himself." -Ken Feifer Massapequa

Senator Kerry may be pushing for debates with the President but it is also strange that he didn’t want debates with John Edwards. When the Democratic Primary race became essentially Kerry and Edwards, Edwards continually requested debates and Sen. Kerry continually said that he would rather tour the country. We do not believe that Sen. Kerry is ready to debate the President until he has his issues and solutions formulated. We believe it would be embarrassing for the Senator. We could be wrong though.

4) …The driving force for gas prices is not the costs of crude oil for the most part but the oil industry's hunger for maximum profits. Oil companies will ask for whatever they can get. The consumer is left in the lurch. We are not even protected from this gouging by the federal or state governments.
During World War II, high- profit industries had to pay an "excess profits tax." Maybe this is what is needed to prevent this runaway gasoline cost experience. And what about price controls? -Emory Berman Plainview

Price controls do not work in a free society. Excess profits tax (like a luxury tax in baseball) will just be added back onto the consumer. EVERY industry and business hungers for maximum profits. We can use less gas that would bring down prices. Federal and state governments also hunger from maximum profits to pay for their policies. Otherwise there would be no taxes on gasoline and New York’s self serve would not be 20 cents higher than New Jersey’s full service stations.

Right Letters:
1) …He said it - the new leader of Spain. Socialist Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero stated: "My most immediate priority is to beat all forms of terrorism."
But he also vowed to withdraw Spain's 1,300 troops from Iraq ["Voters in Spain oust U.S. ally," Newsday.com, March 15]. Am I missing something? -Tommy Lydon Flushing

That’s socialism, baby.

2) …I have to laugh at your editorial "They're ads, not fact" [Opinion, March 6], telling your readers not to be taken in by President Bush's TV ads. It talks about the President's $130-million campaign treasury but says nothing about the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of free publicity being put out for Kerry by the overwhelmingly liberal press and TV commentators, which attack Bush on a daily basis.
Newsday also states that Bush will sooner or later "go negative to define Kerry in the worst possible light." Haven't Kerry, the Democrats and the media already done this to Bush? Witness the cartoon under your editorial. -Robert Bartels Syosset

Senator Kerry has been on the attack every day as well as he should be. He has swung wide left to keep up with Howard Dean and has remained there. We have no problem with this as long as the attack isn’t so personal but more on the issues. Example, an ad can’t say that Senator Kerry is “weak” but it can say that he is “weak on defense because he voted against SDI, M1 Abrams, Stealth bomber, etc”.

3) …Is Social Security's "benefit" a "giveaway" or a "government insurance plan." And how should it be funded fairly?
These answers should have been determined some 20 or 30 years ago, but there's one major problem. Politicians (especially the leaders) are too cowardly to even bring up the subject. They are way more concerned about being elected again than in doing what is right.
The final answer will have to include some form of means testing which will make the more influential and vociferous recipients scream louder than anybody else, especially if they have to "lose" even five cents of their benefit checks. So which politician will be brave enough to bite the bullet.
I don't mean to sound dramatic, but the Social Security problem can cause some catastrophic uprisings in the whole country if it's not addressed and now. -Arthur Yourish Lido Beach

Great letter. We don’t have any thoughts on how the Soc Sec situation can be improved. We don’t believe anyone does. It is an albatross around the neck of this nation. If you have any positive thoughts please email us. THANKS!

4) …It is scary to discover that most American voters state that the economy is their No. 1 concern. Although we are a people of fortitude and resolve, we are complacent. Whatever happened to the post-Sept. 11 slogan - "We will never forget"?
Don't we realize that, if another tragedy the magnitude or greater of 9/11 were to strike us, the economy could be crushed and irreversibly harmed?
It is one thing to sympathize for unfortunate people who are unemployed and struggling to get a job. But to think that the world we now live in is not filled with extremists plotting to destroy us is just pure folly.
Our nation's security should be No. 1 on the minds of all Americans. That is why we must continue to support our president, who has showed unwavering commitment in keeping the enemy at bay and on the run. -Jim Johnston Wantagh

Mr. Johnston, people are generally micro-visionaries and can also see the immediate past and future. We are so concerned with the last 5 minutes and the next 5 minutes that we spend no time learning from the past and think little of the future. There are few Americans are a truly macro-visionaires. We think Ronald Reagan was one though we didn’t know it at the time. George W. Bush could be one though he dad wasn’t. Bill Clinton wasn’t, neither was Jimmy Carter. FDR seems to have been one as were Kennedy, Truman and possibly Nixon. We aren’t but hope to be one day.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-22T09:03:00-05:00

TODAY'S Letters AND responses are quite funny.
NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 20, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 7
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 2

Left Letters:
1) …I am a New York Fire Department lieutenant stationed in lower Manhattan.
During the attack on America, which killed my best friend, six members of my firehouse, 343 of my brothers and over 2,500 of my fellow Americans, I was on vacation in Italy.
I was unable to return to New York City and get to Ground Zero until Sept. 14, the same day that President George W. Bush appeared.
I do not have the right to stand on that hallowed ground to be photographed - and neither does he. -Peter M. Sapienza Manhattan

Let’s get serious. Lt. Sapienza is not suggesting that the President and Commander in Chief, or any political dignitary or any person should not have visited the site. What he is saying is he wanted the press to be barred from filming and photoing any activity. As ‘hallowed’ as that ground may be to the minds of many I don’t believe that the press should be not allowed to work. They are allowed to film funerals right? So what is Lt. Sapienza’s beef with the press. Also what is this letter doing in Newsday’s 3/20/04 addition. The WTC ‘hallowed ground’ site has been cleared for 1 ½ years. This letter must’ve been lost in the mail!

2) …It's been one year since the Iraq war started. Are we better off today? I think not. Saddam Hussein has been replaced by chaos. No weapons of mass destruction have been found. We may be stuck over there forever.
America is hated and feared by countries that were our allies. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost for nothing. The deficit is $500 billion a year and climbing. Schools are closing. Gas prices are at record highs and Alan Greenspan talks of rationing Social Security.
Clearly, America did not win this war. The only one who seems better off today than a year ago is Osama bin Laden because America is far weaker and world opinion has turned against us. I think America needs a regime change. -Marc Perkel San Francisco

Mr. Perkel makes a grocery list of everything that he believes is wrong with America. Let us take each of these one at a time for the sake of fairness. A)It’s been 1 year since the war started. False. The war was restarted with Iraq. We fought them in 1991 and never left as we have patrolled the airspace of 2/3 of Iraq and have shot at and been shot at for over 10 years. This was just the resumption of fighting. B)Hussein was replaced by chaos for maybe a month at best. If America leaves it will be chaos. Does anyone really believe that the Iraqis would rather have Hussein in power than a infantile democracy? After the American Revolution we didn’t have a constitution for years. The Iraqis had one in less than a year. So False. C) Ok, very True there have been no WMDs found. This is a big one. Thanks for pointing this out Mr. Perkel. Otherwise we wouldn’t have known. D)America is hated and feared by countries that were our allies. Whom is he referring to? France or Saudi Arabia? We’ll give Mr. Perkel this one too because you can’t please everyone. Of course Canada is so frightened of the U.S. that it is thinking about reducing the size of its military to the size of the NYPD. This is a PUSH. E)10s of 1000s. Where is this number from? I have not seen these figures anywhere. False F) For nothing: Well, Iraq is free from a controlled tyranny. Libya was scared enough to open up its WMD vaults. North Korea was scared enough to admit it had nuclear weapons. The oil for food UN scandal has been uncovered. The suicide bombers in Palestine lost a benefactor. The people in Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran have felt courage enough to protest their governments for possibly the first time in 20 years. 100s of Al Queda’s best have been unmasked and captured or killed. So this is all slightly more than nothing. False. G)The deficit. We think it is out it is out of hand too. Too much spending on stuff. No accountability from our representatives. True. H) Schools are closing. We don’t know what schools are being referenced here. Schools for 8 years olds in Wyoming? Obedience Schools for Rover, King and Fifi. Driving Schools? Beauty Schools? This one doesn’t make the grade. False. I) Gas prices are not at record highs. That’s a easy to uncover fact. False. J) Soc Sec has been talked about by Mr. Greenspan. True. K) Soc Sec has always been rationed. No one has ever gotten there Soc Sec in a lump sum. It is doled out according to previous income and the person’s age that part is true but it is meant the way Mr. Perkel wanted it to sound. Anyone saying that the sun rises in the east is a true statement but is a known fact. So, Mr. Perkel gets a false for trying to scare people. L) Osama is better off. I have no clue if he is better off. Don’t know about his situation now. I guess Mr. Perkel does so Mr. Perkel would you be kind enough to let us know where that evil monster is or would you at least mail him a letter and tell him to give himself up to either the Pakistani military, the US Marines, or the French Foreign Legion. PUSH M) America is weaker. This one is debatable. Only history can tell. This one is a push. N) World opinion is against us. By all polls taken this is generally true. What does world opinion mean? Not much. But this statement was true. O) Regime change. Are we going to rise up, take arms and force the administration out. And what will we replace them with? A government ruled by world opinion polls? By people who went to Beauty Schools that were closed? False. This is a republic and a democracy. There will be an election not an overthrow and coup.
SO HERE ARE THE TOTALS: Mr Perkel got 4 correct. Mr. Perkel got 8 wrong and 3 are either very debatable or it is still too early to tell.
3) …"Picking one home over another" [News, March 7] reports on a little-publicized fact of life in the Middle East, one that may purposefully be hidden because it runs counter to the image that many Arabs would like us to have.
The article reports although the Israeli Arab citizens of the village of Umm al-Fahm may prefer to be called Palestinians, they also desire to be within the Israeli security fence.
The reason given by Umm al-Fahm's mayor is: "The democracy and justice in Israel is better than the democracy and justice in Arab Islamic countries."
If, as I suspect, this sentiment is typical of West Bank Arab communities, we can surmise that but for intimidation of Palestinian Authority overlords, the citizens of those towns would also disassociate themselves from Yasser Arafat and his cronies. -Gary Kerzner Valley Stream

Good point Mr. Kerzner. There are over 1 million Arabs who have Israeli citizenship. That’s a larger percentage than Blacks in America. Or Hispanics in America. Obviously the Arabs enjoy living in a democracy and participating in the freedoms of democracy. This has been a understated fact.

4) …If I understand our current societal views correctly, it is perfectly acceptable that:
People who have illegally entered this country "form up" at government provided and funded "hiring" lots, work "off the books," pay no taxes for the services they receive and beget children who automatically become U.S. citizens entitled to all rights and privileges.
In fact, it is "politically incorrect" to criticize these "illegal aliens" or suggest that they be deported back to their country of origin. Even our police officers are required to drive sedately by the "hiring" lots and do nothing to stem this tide of law-breakers who have invaded our country!
However, this same society views a union of two legal citizens of this country who are in love with each other, who happen to be of the same sex and who pose no threat to anyone in our society, to be a criminal act. Beam me up, Scotty, I've seen enough!c -John W. Ruth Huntington Station

This one starts off as if it is written from the Right but morphs into a letter from the Left. We’re confused. Because of lax laws in our illegal immigration policy we should allow gays to marry? And we should be allowed to park in the fire lane.

5) …Curiously, George W. Bush wants to "leave no child behind" and Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to leave lots of kids behind. Both are wrong.
The federal government supplies about five cents of each dollar of the cost of elementary and secondary schooling but Bush believes his nickel and a notoriously unreliable web of national testing will force schools to improve.
Yet as any school principal can tell you, what is happening is that the schools at key grade levels are substituting the test inventory for the curriculum, thus assuring the test scores will go up, allowing politicians to claim progress.
Bloomberg carries the threat down to the kids and families. He seems to view third grade as a special kind of prison and he believes that if he threatens the kids with another year in that prison they will be sufficiently scared to find a way to pass the third grade test. This is a terrible way to treat children.
There are no simple answers, despite the desire of the politicians to find such. Good schools do not threaten children and parents nor turn the schools into test-prep mills. -Francis Roberts Editor's note: The writer is a former president of the Bank Street College of Education. Cold Spring Harbor

We like the kids left behind idea. By third grade a child should be able to read. If not they should be tested for a learning disorder. They should get help. The third graders get a second chance before they are left back. They attend summer school and get to retry the test. Any child that cannot read anything will fail this test. If they fail should they be allowed to go to fourth grade. They will be even further behind. The school has a right to demand that the children know how to read and demand that the parents help. The child is a victim of illiteracy. We must make these children part of our strength in our society. We our sake and theirs.

6) …Newsday says Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan is right on cutting Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and raising the retirement age. ["Like it or not, he's right," Opinion, March 7]. What a lack of empathy for the aged.
The editorial also asserts that Social Security and Medicare are unsustainable because 40 years ago the ratio of wage earners to retirees was 4 to 2 and in another 40 it will be 2 to 1. However, in the past 40 years the number of farmers has declined precipitously without causing a famine here and higher productivity has even produced a surplus for export.
Similarly, fewer but better paid future workers generally could pay taxes to benefit more retirees, particularly if a new administration and Congress helped unions over hurdles thrown against them by Big Business.
But you're right that privatizing Social Security would deprive millions of young workers of their retirement funds if their investments failed. -Howard Pierson North Babylon

Farmers were aided by technology to increase productivity a thousand-fold if not more. What is Mr. Pierson suggesting? That we use technology to increase the number of people working? Cloning people to work as slaves to the retirees. This is like a sci-fi movie. Scene: the year 2032. Setting: John 591’s apartment. John 591 is being interviewed by a CCD (census cloning drone). The CCD asked John 591 what is it’s purpose. John 591 states that it is here to work and provide Soc Security funding for retirees. However, it will never collect Soc Sec as that will lead to an increase in new cloning which will bring about population overgrowth unless the farmers are given new technology to increase production to feeds the billions of clones that have been and will need to be created. The CCD does not destroy John 591. End Scene.

7) …Regarding concern over manipulation of November's election ["Election flawed," Opinion, March 14]:
If Bush & Co. could successfully deceive the American people into going to war in Iraq, it will be a cakewalk for the Republicans to steal another presidential election. -Gus Franza Moriches

Oh how we never get tired of hearing how the election was stolen in 2000. And no one ever says they wish that former VP Al Gore was President. They don’t want President Bush in power but it is never because they are so upset that it is not Gore in the oval office. Is this because the former VP has looked quite unremarkable, unqualified and somewhat silly these last few years? The left does not want the current President but they are not pining for what would have been the alternative.

Right Letters:
1) …So now Madrid. My girlfriend and I were there during December, a 10-minute walk from Atocha Station, which became a killing zone March 11.
Last summer, we were in Istanbul for a month; again, a 10-minute walk from what became another killing zone, the British embassy.
In 2002 my girlfriend had a plane ticket for Bali, which she didn't use, because the bombs went off. Later that year, she was in Moscow when the theater hostage horror took place .
In the late 1990s I lived two blocks from the World Trade Center. A week after 9/11, I went up to the roof of my old building and wandered through the ash and paper litter that had drifted down from the exploded offices.
I don't know what to make of this parallel of proximity to all these horrors. I pray this unspeakable terrorism is stopped.
And just as hard, I pray for governments, here and abroad, which don't damage democracy in the name of defending it; don't usurp our response to disasters for their own agendas; don't force on us streams of propaganda in place of information. -Barry Yourgrau Jackson Heights

I’m not quite sure about the point of this letter except that it must be a warning by Barry and his girlfriend to stay away from THEM! Barry and his girl should let us know where they’ve just traveled to or from because obviously the terrorists are seeking them out! Is this a right or left letter. I don’t have a clue. We flipped a coin and threw it on the right. Remind us not to visit Jackson Heights ever!

2) …Contrasting immigration today with that of the early 1900s, we often forget that there was a time when "the Golden Door" was not wide open.
Between about 1945 and 1965, the age of suburbia and the Baby Boom, immigration rates were at their lowest point in American history and the economy was at its most expansive.
In 1950, approximately half of everything manufactured or sold in the industralized world was manufactured and sold in the United States and a 25-year-old blue-collar worker could afford a house in the suburbs with his eight-hour job.
Indeed, the average Levittown homeowner back then was 23 years old. By 1956, the average American teenager made more money than the average American family made in 1940.
This was the era in which we opened up more schools, colleges, hospitals, businesses, charitable organizations, libraries, parks, museums, social services, and community facilities (or greatly expanded existing ones) than at any other time in our history.
It was an era in which crime, illiteracy, substance abuse, illegitimate births, and sexually transmitted diseases were at low points - before skyrocketing in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s to levels that exceed those of other industrialized nations.
The immigrants who come to America today find greater opportunities than they would have in their homelands because of the economy, infrastructures and amenities created between 1945 and 1965. It was a different world.
It was far from perfect (we had McCarthyism and Jim Crow and The Bomb to remind us of that). But it had lessons for the future worth remembering. -Paul Manton Hicksville

What was the point of this letter? To tell us about the “good old days”? Forgive us, but That’s just stupid. It considers Jim Crow to be just a side note (and we still have the Bomb!). Now we have equality for minorities, and women. Now more than ever can a person regardless of their background or family can rise up and create something special (whether it’s wealth or anything else). Opportunites are abundant for Americans born here too, Mr Manton. The biggest difference we can see between the 1950s and the 2000s is the family unit and social and moral issues. These we can still work on. Or we can go back in our time machine and relive the glory years of Richie, Potsie and Ralph Malph.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-22T09:03:00-05:00

TODAY'S Letters AND responses are quite funny.
NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 19, 2004

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 7
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 2

Left Letters:
1) …I am a New York Fire Department lieutenant stationed in lower Manhattan.
During the attack on America, which killed my best friend, six members of my firehouse, 343 of my brothers and over 2,500 of my fellow Americans, I was on vacation in Italy.
I was unable to return to New York City and get to Ground Zero until Sept. 14, the same day that President George W. Bush appeared.
I do not have the right to stand on that hallowed ground to be photographed - and neither does he. -Peter M. Sapienza Manhattan

Let’s get serious. Lt. Sapienza is not suggesting that the President and Commander in Chief, or any political dignitary or any person should not have visited the site. What he is saying is he wanted the press to be barred from filming and photoing any activity. As ‘hallowed’ as that ground may be to the minds of many I don’t believe that the press should be not allowed to work. They are allowed to film funerals right? So what is Lt. Sapienza’s beef with the press. Also what is this letter doing in Newsday’s 3/20/04 addition. The WTC ‘hallowed ground’ site has been cleared for 1 ½ years. This letter must’ve been lost in the mail!

2) …It's been one year since the Iraq war started. Are we better off today? I think not. Saddam Hussein has been replaced by chaos. No weapons of mass destruction have been found. We may be stuck over there forever.
America is hated and feared by countries that were our allies. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost for nothing. The deficit is $500 billion a year and climbing. Schools are closing. Gas prices are at record highs and Alan Greenspan talks of rationing Social Security.
Clearly, America did not win this war. The only one who seems better off today than a year ago is Osama bin Laden because America is far weaker and world opinion has turned against us. I think America needs a regime change. -Marc Perkel San Francisco

Mr. Perkel makes a grocery list of everything that he believes is wrong with America. Let us take each of these one at a time for the sake of fairness. A)It’s been 1 year since the war started. False. The war was restarted with Iraq. We fought them in 1991 and never left as we have patrolled the airspace of 2/3 of Iraq and have shot at and been shot at for over 10 years. This was just the resumption of fighting. B)Hussein was replaced by chaos for maybe a month at best. If America leaves it will be chaos. Does anyone really believe that the Iraqis would rather have Hussein in power than a infantile democracy? After the American Revolution we didn’t have a constitution for years. The Iraqis had one in less than a year. So False. C) Ok, very True there have been no WMDs found. This is a big one. Thanks for pointing this out Mr. Perkel. Otherwise we wouldn’t have known. D)America is hated and feared by countries that were our allies. Whom is he referring to? France or Saudi Arabia? We’ll give Mr. Perkel this one too because you can’t please everyone. Of course Canada is so frightened of the U.S. that it is thinking about reducing the size of its military to the size of the NYPD. This is a PUSH. E)10s of 1000s. Where is this number from? I have not seen these figures anywhere. False F) For nothing: Well, Iraq is free from a controlled tyranny. Libya was scared enough to open up its WMD vaults. North Korea was scared enough to admit it had nuclear weapons. The oil for food UN scandal has been uncovered. The suicide bombers in Palestine lost a benefactor. The people in Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran have felt courage enough to protest their governments for possibly the first time in 20 years. 100s of Al Queda’s best have been unmasked and captured or killed. So this is all slightly more than nothing. False. G)The deficit. We think it is out it is out of hand too. Too much spending on stuff. No accountability from our representatives. True. H) Schools are closing. We don’t know what schools are being referenced here. Schools for 8 years olds in Wyoming? Obedience Schools for Rover, King and Fifi. Driving Schools? Beauty Schools? This one doesn’t make the grade. False. I) Gas prices are not at record highs. That’s a easy to uncover fact. False. J) Soc Sec has been talked about by Mr. Greenspan. True. K) Soc Sec has always been rationed. No one has ever gotten there Soc Sec in a lump sum. It is doled out according to previous income and the person’s age that part is true but it is meant the way Mr. Perkel wanted it to sound. Anyone saying that the sun rises in the east is a true statement but is a known fact. So, Mr. Perkel gets a false for trying to scare people. L) Osama is better off. I have no clue if he is better off. Don’t know about his situation now. I guess Mr. Perkel does so Mr. Perkel would you be kind enough to let us know where that evil monster is or would you at least mail him a letter and tell him to give himself up to either the Pakistani military, the US Marines, or the French Foreign Legion. PUSH M) America is weaker. This one is debatable. Only history can tell. This one is a push. N) World opinion is against us. By all polls taken this is generally true. What does world opinion mean? Not much. But this statement was true. O) Regime change. Are we going to rise up, take arms and force the administration out. And what will we replace them with? A government ruled by world opinion polls? By people who went to Beauty Schools that were closed? False. This is a republic and a democracy. There will be an election not an overthrow and coup.
SO HERE ARE THE TOTALS: Mr Perkel got 4 correct. Mr. Perkel got 8 wrong and 3 are either very debatable or it is still too early to tell.
3) …"Picking one home over another" [News, March 7] reports on a little-publicized fact of life in the Middle East, one that may purposefully be hidden because it runs counter to the image that many Arabs would like us to have.
The article reports although the Israeli Arab citizens of the village of Umm al-Fahm may prefer to be called Palestinians, they also desire to be within the Israeli security fence.
The reason given by Umm al-Fahm's mayor is: "The democracy and justice in Israel is better than the democracy and justice in Arab Islamic countries."
If, as I suspect, this sentiment is typical of West Bank Arab communities, we can surmise that but for intimidation of Palestinian Authority overlords, the citizens of those towns would also disassociate themselves from Yasser Arafat and his cronies. -Gary Kerzner Valley Stream

Good point Mr. Kerzner. There are over 1 million Arabs who have Israeli citizenship. That’s a larger percentage than Blacks in America. Or Hispanics in America. Obviously the Arabs enjoy living in a democracy and participating in the freedoms of democracy. This has been a understated fact.

4) …If I understand our current societal views correctly, it is perfectly acceptable that:
People who have illegally entered this country "form up" at government provided and funded "hiring" lots, work "off the books," pay no taxes for the services they receive and beget children who automatically become U.S. citizens entitled to all rights and privileges.
In fact, it is "politically incorrect" to criticize these "illegal aliens" or suggest that they be deported back to their country of origin. Even our police officers are required to drive sedately by the "hiring" lots and do nothing to stem this tide of law-breakers who have invaded our country!
However, this same society views a union of two legal citizens of this country who are in love with each other, who happen to be of the same sex and who pose no threat to anyone in our society, to be a criminal act. Beam me up, Scotty, I've seen enough!c -John W. Ruth Huntington Station

This one starts off as if it is written from the Right but morphs into a letter from the Left. We’re confused. Because of lax laws in our illegal immigration policy we should allow gays to marry? And we should be allowed to park in the fire lane.

5) …Curiously, George W. Bush wants to "leave no child behind" and Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to leave lots of kids behind. Both are wrong.
The federal government supplies about five cents of each dollar of the cost of elementary and secondary schooling but Bush believes his nickel and a notoriously unreliable web of national testing will force schools to improve.
Yet as any school principal can tell you, what is happening is that the schools at key grade levels are substituting the test inventory for the curriculum, thus assuring the test scores will go up, allowing politicians to claim progress.
Bloomberg carries the threat down to the kids and families. He seems to view third grade as a special kind of prison and he believes that if he threatens the kids with another year in that prison they will be sufficiently scared to find a way to pass the third grade test. This is a terrible way to treat children.
There are no simple answers, despite the desire of the politicians to find such. Good schools do not threaten children and parents nor turn the schools into test-prep mills. -Francis Roberts Editor's note: The writer is a former president of the Bank Street College of Education. Cold Spring Harbor

We like the kids left behind idea. By third grade a child should be able to read. If not they should be tested for a learning disorder. They should get help. The third graders get a second chance before they are left back. They attend summer school and get to retry the test. Any child that cannot read anything will fail this test. If they fail should they be allowed to go to fourth grade. They will be even further behind. The school has a right to demand that the children know how to read and demand that the parents help. The child is a victim of illiteracy. We must make these children part of our strength in our society. We our sake and theirs.

6) …Newsday says Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan is right on cutting Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and raising the retirement age. ["Like it or not, he's right," Opinion, March 7]. What a lack of empathy for the aged.
The editorial also asserts that Social Security and Medicare are unsustainable because 40 years ago the ratio of wage earners to retirees was 4 to 2 and in another 40 it will be 2 to 1. However, in the past 40 years the number of farmers has declined precipitously without causing a famine here and higher productivity has even produced a surplus for export.
Similarly, fewer but better paid future workers generally could pay taxes to benefit more retirees, particularly if a new administration and Congress helped unions over hurdles thrown against them by Big Business.
But you're right that privatizing Social Security would deprive millions of young workers of their retirement funds if their investments failed. -Howard Pierson North Babylon

Farmers were aided by technology to increase productivity a thousand-fold if not more. What is Mr. Pierson suggesting? That we use technology to increase the number of people working? Cloning people to work as slaves to the retirees. This is like a sci-fi movie. Scene: the year 2032. Setting: John 591’s apartment. John 591 is being interviewed by a CCD (census cloning drone). The CCD asked John 591 what is it’s purpose. John 591 states that it is here to work and provide Soc Security funding for retirees. However, it will never collect Soc Sec as that will lead to an increase in new cloning which will bring about population overgrowth unless the farmers are given new technology to increase production to feeds the billions of clones that have been and will need to be created. The CCD does not destroy John 591. End Scene.

7) …Regarding concern over manipulation of November's election ["Election flawed," Opinion, March 14]:
If Bush & Co. could successfully deceive the American people into going to war in Iraq, it will be a cakewalk for the Republicans to steal another presidential election. -Gus Franza Moriches

Oh how we never get tired of hearing how the election was stolen in 2000. And no one ever says they wish that former VP Al Gore was President. They don’t want President Bush in power but it is never because they are so upset that it is not Gore in the oval office. Is this because the former VP has looked quite unremarkable, unqualified and somewhat silly these last few years? The left does not want the current President but they are not pining for what would have been the alternative.

Right Letters:
1) …So now Madrid. My girlfriend and I were there during December, a 10-minute walk from Atocha Station, which became a killing zone March 11.
Last summer, we were in Istanbul for a month; again, a 10-minute walk from what became another killing zone, the British embassy.
In 2002 my girlfriend had a plane ticket for Bali, which she didn't use, because the bombs went off. Later that year, she was in Moscow when the theater hostage horror took place .
In the late 1990s I lived two blocks from the World Trade Center. A week after 9/11, I went up to the roof of my old building and wandered through the ash and paper litter that had drifted down from the exploded offices.
I don't know what to make of this parallel of proximity to all these horrors. I pray this unspeakable terrorism is stopped.
And just as hard, I pray for governments, here and abroad, which don't damage democracy in the name of defending it; don't usurp our response to disasters for their own agendas; don't force on us streams of propaganda in place of information. -Barry Yourgrau Jackson Heights

I’m not quite sure about the point of this letter except that it must be a warning by Barry and his girlfriend to stay away from THEM! Barry and his girl should let us know where they’ve just traveled to or from because obviously the terrorists are seeking them out! Is this a right or left letter. I don’t have a clue. We flipped a coin and threw it on the right. Remind us not to visit Jackson Heights ever!

2) …Contrasting immigration today with that of the early 1900s, we often forget that there was a time when "the Golden Door" was not wide open.
Between about 1945 and 1965, the age of suburbia and the Baby Boom, immigration rates were at their lowest point in American history and the economy was at its most expansive.
In 1950, approximately half of everything manufactured or sold in the industralized world was manufactured and sold in the United States and a 25-year-old blue-collar worker could afford a house in the suburbs with his eight-hour job.
Indeed, the average Levittown homeowner back then was 23 years old. By 1956, the average American teenager made more money than the average American family made in 1940.
This was the era in which we opened up more schools, colleges, hospitals, businesses, charitable organizations, libraries, parks, museums, social services, and community facilities (or greatly expanded existing ones) than at any other time in our history.
It was an era in which crime, illiteracy, substance abuse, illegitimate births, and sexually transmitted diseases were at low points - before skyrocketing in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s to levels that exceed those of other industrialized nations.
The immigrants who come to America today find greater opportunities than they would have in their homelands because of the economy, infrastructures and amenities created between 1945 and 1965. It was a different world.
It was far from perfect (we had McCarthyism and Jim Crow and The Bomb to remind us of that). But it had lessons for the future worth remembering. -Paul Manton Hicksville

What was the point of this letter? To tell us about the “good old days”? Forgive us, but That’s just stupid. It considers Jim Crow to be just a side note (and we still have the Bomb!). Now we have equality for minorities, and women. Now more than ever can a person regardless of their background or family can rise up and create something special (whether it’s wealth or anything else). Opportunites are abundant for Americans born here too, Mr Manton. The biggest difference we can see between the 1950s and the 2000s is the family unit and social and moral issues. These we can still work on. Or we can go back in our time machine and relive the glory years of Richie, Potsie and Ralph Malph.

WHO SAID THIS?

tootboy — 2004-03-22T04:03:00-05:00

100 Points...who said these quotes in an interview given before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

Well, John, there's absolutely no statement that they have made or that they will make that will prevent the United States of America and this president or any president from acting in what they believe are the best interests of our country. And obviously it's disappointing. It was disappointing a month ago not to have the French and the Russians understanding that they shouldn't give any signals of weakening on the sanctions and I think those signals would have helped bring about this crisis because they permitted Saddam Hussein to interpret that maybe the moment was right for him to make this challenge. So clearly the allies may not like it, and I think that's our great concern -- where's the backbone of Russia, where's the backbone of France, where are they in expressing their condemnation of such clearly illegal activity, but in a sense, they're now climbing into a box and they will have enormous difficulty not following up on this if there is not compliance by Iraq.

The administration is leading. The administration is making it clear that they don't believe that they even need the U.N. Security Council to sign off on a material breach because the finding of material breach was made by Mr. Butler. So furthermore, I think the United States has always reserved the right and will reserve the right to act in its best interests. And clearly it is not just our best interests, it is in the best interests of the world to make it clear to Saddam Hussein that he's not going to get away with a breach of the '91 agreement that he's got to live up to, which is allowing inspections and dismantling his weapons and allowing us to know that he has dismantled his weapons. That's the price he pays for invading Kuwait and starting a war.
I am convinced that many people have not yet even focused in full measure on what is at stake.
When you're talking about biological warfare and when you're talking about the fact that they've already adjusted the cameras, they've already fooled around with the equipment which gauges the air, they've already moved some of the devices away from the U.N. inspectors. This is a very, very serious situation and I'm saying that we would have to, I think, threaten very severe military action at an early date. Now exactly what that would be is obviously, we have to get more information on it, but based on I think what all of us know, it is very, very critical and not too much time more can be wasted.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor:

tootboy — 2004-03-23T09:03:00-05:00

strong>NEWSDAY'S March 22, 2004
ILLITERACY AND ESPAÑA
Number of Letters from the LEFT: 3
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 3

Left Letters:
1) …I had to check the front of my Newsday last Wednesday to make sure I had gotten the Long Island edition. There were three pieces telling us how wonderful it was that Mayor Michael Bloomberg fired people who disagreed with him by thinking a scalpel is better than an ax when choosing which youngsters are equipped to handle fourth grade ["Bloomberg wins one for the kids who count," "Victory for mayor, school kids" and "Read it here: Mayor's doing the right thing," Opinion, March 17].
Brooklyn and Queens, while on the island physically, are not connected politically, and they receive enough coverage in the city papers. One piece would have sufficed.
Bloomberg is not my mayor, thank heavens. -Ann Kemler Long Beach

Well Ann you just allowed Newsday to issue one more piece about the person who is not your mayor. Though I like the opine at the end. Nice touch.

2) …I read with absolute disgust the editorial "In Spain, terrorists win" [March 16] and the facing opinion piece, complete with offensive illustration of a terrorist bullfighter menacing a cowed Spaniard ["Bombers score a political victory," Opinion, March 16].
What happened at the polls all over Spain was most certainly not a victory for terrorism. It was a victory for democracy. Is this the type of world that terrorists envision when they set about their murderous activities? A world where people are unafraid to question their leaders? Unafraid to come together at the polls en masse, to cast aside those by whom they have felt betrayed?
Terrorists won nothing in Spain. While there are people in this world who value the cause of freedom, and who honor the ideals of democracy by letting their voices, and their opinions be heard, terrorism will never, ever win. -Patricia Knight Smithtown

Ms. Knight, you may be the only person that doesn’t see the win as a victory for terrorists. In every poll previous to the election, the ruling party was ahead. However, in a just a few days after the bombing, the ruling party was ousted. Yes, it was from an election but an election tainted by the blood stains and explosions of hatred and violence. If perception is reality than the vast perception (except for you of course) is that the terrorists were able to influence the election due to their evil activities. The Socialist win with the promise to pull back forces fighting terrorism is a reality that the terrorists dream about. Your optimism that terrorism will never, ever win is great but just rhetoric if you seem blasé about the war.

3) …Your assumption that the results of Spain's election, with the defeat of Jose Maria Aznar's Popular Party by the opposition socialists, represent a victory for the terrorists is based on faulty logic. We in this country have a long and storied history of polls that could inform the results in Spain. Anyone recall the poll numbers for Howard Dean? And just how many states did he end up winning in the primaries? A more potent and logical conclusion for Spain would suggest the voters had a referendum on the ruling party for bringing their country into a pre-emptive war that the public strongly opposed. -Dean McKay Port Washington

Very true statement that this might have been a referendum on the ruling party (though a vote is obviously more accurate). However this letter has faulty logic. Howard Dean was ahead and fell behind because of things that Howard Dean said and did. Go back and look and you’ll find people came to their senses with him after he imploded. The ruling party of Spain’s numbers fell after an attack by foreign enemies. What was the reprisal by the people of Spain? “Pardon us, excuse us. We didn’t mean to be in your way. Thanks for killing us and making us see the light. Come again if you think we need another smackdown.” A shame for a great people to think like this.

Right Letters:
1) …Why wait for third grade to test already failing students? Teachers can spot these pupils earlier, so that they can get the help they need at that time. I'm sure there are many seniors or other retirees who would be glad to help these pupils. -Marguery Muster Bellerose

That’s a splendid idea. Tutors could be assigned. However the Board of Education of NY probably can’t assign tutors unless they are affiliated with the union. Great idea but this obstacle won’t be easy. Probably a better idea would be to set up an individual organization and run it yourself. Good Luck!

2) …Regarding "Educators: Not many are left behind on LI [Newsday.com, March 17]: Plainview-Old Bethpage Superintendent Martin Brooks states that "retention (of students) does not work well with kids. They end up feeling poorly about themselves and in the long run that hurts them more than moving them into the next grade." As a former New York City elementary school teacher with 12 years experience, I tend to differ with Brooks.
I grew up in Rockford, Ill., where social promotion was a no-no. If a child did not master the year's work, he or she was retained no matter what the grade. I knew three very popular students in high school who had been retained, including one who repeated the first grade and later was sophomore class president, captain of the basketball team and a member of the National Honor Society.
Schools and parents are doing a disservice to children who do not meet the standards of their grade. It's very probable that these children will "(feel) poorly about themselves" when they are promoted and cannot keep up with their classmates. I've found this to be true in my teaching experience. It is up to the teachers and parents to assure the children being retained that there is no shame in repeating a grade. - Edie Ellenbogen Merrick

We don’t understand this idea of the child feeling poorly about themselves if they are left back. Won’t they feel poorly about themselves if the teacher calls on them to read and they just absolutely can’t. How will they feel in the 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. grade? Self esteem is great unless you can’t spell or write the words to describe your feelings. The test does not hold you back if you don’t know who the governor of the state is. The test holds you back if you can’t do any fundamental reading. It’s the most basic of skills. Find an adult who can’t read and we will guarantee you that person has self esteem issues.

3) …Your editorial states that the victory by the socialist is a big blow to President George W. Bush. The observation is grossly understated. The result of the election is a big blow to the United States of America and our war on terrorism. Our enemies now know that they can influence elections and put leaders in power who are less likely to attack them.
This can only hurt us as a nation, as they will now be more emboldened to repeat this action regardless of who is president in this country. We should all be extremely concerned about what happened in Spain. -John Nastro Holbrook

Absolutely true. If this is a blow to the President and he loses the election in part to this event and someone is elected who will be softer on terrorism because of this event, the United States and western civilization will have lost an early battle in the war. G-d Bless you Mr. Nastro

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor :

tootboy — 2004-03-24T10:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 23, 2004
SPAIN & THE BUSHES AND THE BIN LADENS SOCIALIZE???

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 8
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 4

Left Letters:
1) …The article "Vow to pull troops from Iraq" [News, March 16] indicated that there are cracks in the Bush administration's effort to have a unified front in its war.
With the American death toll rising and terror spreading to the heart of Europe, I think it was inevitable that many people are now rethinking this war. The reassessement of the Bush administration's competence is not based on a lack of patriotism or commitment. It has to do with the deception and ineptitude of the White House. -Bob McKee Lindenhurst

A good assessment from the Left today. Many people are reassessing their thoughts about the war and the administration. That’s a good thing. But to once again assume that reassessment means a lack of patriotism is taking it way to far. People on the liberal left should not think that the people rethinking their position on the war are not patriots. The left are just as patriot as the right. The left should stop harassing the left.

2) …Some have said that the vote in Spain was due to fear, although millions of Spaniards standing together in their streets after the bombings would say otherwise. Perhaps more likely the Spanish people had the courage to ask - two-and-a-half years after 9/11, a year after the invasion of Iraq - where is the so-called war on terror if the organization we are supposedly smashing is alive and well and doing a brisk business in death? If a government can't answer those questions, then maybe it is time for the people in charge to go.-Dan Guarino Broad Channel

Democracy does work. We would just like to ask these two questions: If the government cracks down on the drug cartels does that mean that their business is gone? As long as there is one person to do the dirty work it isn’t. Same with the war on terror. Also if an election is heavily shifted or slanted due to an event that took place immediately before it doesn’t this call into question that this is not an election that was normal so how can we characterize it as such?

3) …Many pundits are bemoaning the results of the Spanish election as "a victory for terrorism" ["In Spain, terrorists win," Opinion, March 16].
Might it not be instead a victory for democracy and victory for the free expression and triumph of the will of the Spanish people who never wanted to go to war in the first place? The obvious lesson is that a democracy will ultimately fail when it tries to bend other democracies to its will if that is against the will of its own people. Shouldn't that have been obvious to the Bush administration? -John McDonagh Cold Spring Harbor

This letter is the same letter as the one above with the same points. Does Newsday believe the same point merited two letters?

4) …I wonder why so many articles relating to the election in Spain refer to it as a surprise. The majority of the Spanish population made it clear they didn't want their government to support the war in Iraq. Why shouldn't a democratic society oust a leader who clearly goes against its wishes on something so significant as an unprovoked pre-emptive war? I hope for a similar event here. In 2000, the majority of this country expressed a desire not to live with Bush's ideology, yet for three years now, he has been shoving it down our throats. Perhaps next November, we can provide George W. Bush with a little surprise of our own: It's called democracy in action. -Joshua Lamhut North Bellmore

Clarification…the majority of the people who voted did not vote for then Governor Bush. On the other hand, the majority of the people who voted did not vote for then Vice President Gore. Neither man had a majority.

5) …It is wrong for the president to try to smear anyone for wanting to bring our troops home from Iraq as disloyal, weak or a friend to terrorists. This is not so. It is an American tradition that good citizens must become active when they feel their nation is on the wrong track.
We are fighting a war that had nothing to do with those who attacked the World Trade Center. Saudis were involved but we didn't attack Saudi Arabia. Could it be because the Bush family has had a long relationship with the bin Laden family through their oil interests?
This war will bankrupt us. Everything feeds the military. The terrorists will have won because we have walked into a trap that Osama bin Laden created. He does not care if his people's lives are ruined as long as ours are.
Military protection should be provided by a true international force as suggested by Dennis Kucinich, who has a plan to get us out of there in six months. The horrific injuries our young people sustain will last them their whole lives. The price is too high. They should be brought home to their families and their communities. -Susan B. McKeon Mastic Beach

Let’s assume that the writer did NOT mean that the Bush family had a long relationship with the “bin Laden” family and meant instead the Saudi Royal Family. Ok. I hope Ms. McKeon did not mean the following. Given that, Saudi Arabia was not attacked for many reasons which we don’t believe need explanation here. Also there were Egyptians on the planes that day but we didn’t attack Egypt for reasons we don’t need to explain here.
Ms McKeon believes a true international force would be the best option for our troops will be home. In a true international force, the US would probably have to contribute at least 50 % of the troops anyway. Of course in a true international force, there would be equal amounts of troops from all nations. So 3000 from the US, 3000 from China, 3000 from Cuba, 3000 from Kenya, 3000 from Japan, 3000 from Switzerland, etc. Won’t that be fun?
Isn’t it fun that the UN, the first time it’s attacked months ago, pulled out immediately? Won’t that be fun?
The UN is basically, a sniveling dog with no back bone. They would be pulling out within 2 weeks after they arrived. If anyone can think of a positive military action the UN has managed please contact us.

6) …Many letter writers decry the idea of gay marriage or even, in some cases, civil unions. They contend that it is against "the will of God" or against the Bible, or that it will harm the "institution" of marriage.
I've been trying to think of how a gay marriage affects my marriage and can't think of a single thing. So I'd like them to tell me how the marriage, or even just a civil union, of a gay couple - giving them the same legal rights as a heterosexual couple - will harm them.
As for the "institution" of marriage, how can that be harmed more than it already is, with the rate of divorce in this country? And most importantly, they should all remember this country is not a theocracy and the Bible is not the law of the land. -Neil Rotter North Babylon

If gay marriage is allowed to happen legally than the institution (not individual marriages) will be tainted. Also, then the incestuous couples and the polygamists will want their day at the alter. Where will it stop?

7) …Every year my teaching colleagues and I review the school-testing lists that are published to illustrate the current state of learning in our public schools ["Rich-poor rift
seen," News, March 18]. One statistic we have often wanted to see added to the columns is the number of students per district who actually graduate from one of these four-year colleges. That is the criterion of preparation that should be judged when the districts' educational results are published. -Thomas A. Brady Wading River

This is an idea that is fairly ridiculous. We should judge a local school district by the way the local, regional, and national public and private schools educate the students? There are way too many variables to meet to think about why a person graduates from college or not. Just off the top of our head:
The college experience wasn’t for them,
Could they pay for college,
does the student have to drop out to work and provide for their families?,
did they dropped out to have a family and get married,
did they came into money or have a better offer does something else,
did they realize that most self made millionaires don’t have college degrees,
they joined the military.
A person should get a high school diploma and do well. College life and experiences have no reflection on where the person came from. Lebron James, the NBA rookie millionaire and star, did not attend college. Should his high school be punished for that?

8) …Would someone explain this hypocrisy to a college-educated, blue collar, independent-voting, registered Republican? Why is it permissible to allow certain industries self-policing capabilities when it comes to, say, controlling emissions preventing air pollution, but not when it comes to broadcast standards?
Consumers can choose which types of entertainment-infotainment-advertising to permit into their home, car or workplace; a simple change of channel makes the offending or uninteresting material disappear.
On the other hand, we all breathe the same air and live in a similar environment and possess very little control over what enters our lungs.
If our government cannot trust one industry to conform to so-called community standards, why should we trust the other? Why are clean airwaves more important than clean air? What is more offensive: nipple jewelry and risqué chatter or asthma epidemics and smog? -Christian W. Limbach Bay Shore

The broadcast system is build over public airwaves. It is much easier to hold to standards than the public air. We can control the airwaves in moments notice. The public air and what is put in it cannot we controlled. A polluting chimney, for instance, affects a small area, relatively to an indecent TV program which is generally broadcast to generally a large segment of the population. These are some of the differences.

Right Letters:
1) …Regarding the bombings in Madrid that killed more than 200 people and injured more than 1,400 ["Spain's lesson: terror is global," Opinion, March 12]: Our hearts go out to all the people of Spain who lost a piece of their nation on 3/11 as we did on 9/11.
This nefarious attack must not go unpunished. The bombings seem to be connected to al-Qaida, the usual suspects, whom we must hunt down with renewed vigor - for we need to stamp out terrorism for all time.
A day of mouring engulfed Spain but it was also a day of mourning for the entire world. When one innocent life is lost to hate, we all feel the loss, for it is a loss to humanity.
I am in deep sympathy for our fallen Spanish brothers and sisters. We should wear black armbands to show support and unity and also demonstrate our commitment against terrorism. And to the families who lost loved ones, may God help them in their grief. -Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Little Neck

Amen

2) …I was a little surprised that Pakistan might be bribed to relinquish its claim on Kashmir ["Peace is in progress for India-Pakistan, Opinion, March 9] but appalled that it would be the good ol' U.S.A. that would pay it, or rather, the good ol' taxpayer. Of all the taxpayers in the world, why should I be the one hit up for the money? -Gary S. Popkin Brooklyn Editor's note: The writer is temporary chairman of the Kings County Chapter of the Libertarian Party of New York.

The U.S.A. has to pay for it because we seem to be the only ones that care. Everyone expects the U.S. to pay. They may not issue with the Pakistan-India conflict but it is all talk no action.

3) …Regarding "The answer to terror is plain," [Opinion, March 16]: Although most probably agree that we certainly are not safe, we are clearly safer. If Saddam Hussein was not held to account for disregarding UN resolutions, why would another rogue leader ever bow to an international consensus to abort his threatening programs?
If the United States did not lead in enforcement of international law, then further UN resolutions to limit terror regimes would have been absolutely toothless.
For as long as the United States provides a backbone to UN decrees, deviant world leaders do not have free reign to threaten world security. -Brien McGuire Smithtown

As the Budweiser commercials say…TRUE

4) …If true, the allegations that Mepham school officials knew of past hazing incidents involving their students prior to the August 2003 atrocities in Wayne County, Pa., are disturbing ["Moms: Principal knew," News, March 18].
Codes of conduct and "zero- tolerance policies" regarding harassment and hazing may have some value, but written codes and policies alone will not change the culture in which such behaviors are allowed to exist.
Together, we must help our children learn from an early age that bullying and harassment in any form are unacceptable. We must help our children feel safe to speak out when they witness abuse - and we must listen to them and act appropriately when they do.
Together, we can create a culture of caring, rather than sacrificing our children to a culture of fear. -Alane Fagin Editor's Note: The writer is executive director of Child Abuse Prevention Services. Roslyn

It’s not enough to always blame teachers and school systems. Blame has to be blamed on parents and on the children.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-25T09:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 23, 2004
GROCERY LISTS, MARTHA, AND GAY MARRIAGE

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 8
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 4

Left Letters:
1) …Ken Lay still out on that sunny golf course? While Martha Stewart is heading for jail? I object. And, to register my disapproval and show support for Stewart, I am heading out to my local Kmart to purchase some of her goods. If a million potholders are sold this month, we can show that the women of this country are sick of the big boys messing with us! -Irene Barrett Huntington Station

Ken Lay is out there but hopefully not for long. Either way his case has nothing to do with her case. Different crimes altogether. With Ms. Barrett’s logic, Martha should be home and acquitted because the heads of the Russian mob are still out there too.

2) …It seems to me that by going to war in Iraq we are making more enemies, not making ourselves safer. Every Iraqi we kill is a mother or father; a daughter or son; a sister or brother; a nephew or aunt. Each death creates at least a dozen more people who have reason to hate us.
Would you ever forget it if a foreign nation invaded the United States and killed a member of your family? Of course not. For every Iraqi death we bring about, we make many present and future (when the children grow up) enemies.
The vicious circle of violence that has been taught to the people of the world has got to stop if the earth has a chance to get to become a peaceful place.
What better country to break this violent circle than the one that touts itself as the moral leader of the world, the United States? -Kenyon Silvey Valley Stream

We presume that Kenyon would’ve been against the overthrow of the Nazis as every dead German would have created a least a “dozen more people who have reason to hate us”. Ok, let’s continue this thought process. Let us say that the US and its allies (including the Iraqis) have killed 10,000 people (just using as a round number). That mean that 120,000 people have reason to hate us. Let’s say we have to kill them all. Then we have 1.44 million people who hate us. That’s about the number of people Saddam killed when Iraq went to war with Iran. At least we won’t gas them to death! If Kenyon’s math equation is correct then Saddam had at least 12 million people who hated him and would have done violence against him and the U.S. liberated them. We think that that’s a good deal.

3) …The current administration's economy is still in the tank. Its economic policies have failed to create the economic atmosphere for job growth. American workers are still losing manufacturing and computer service jobs to overseas markets. The Bush "tax cuts" favor the rich with a mere pittance going to the poor and middle class.
The drug plan will cost most people more money, not less. The deficit spending is exploding at an alarming rate, which has become unsafe to our national interests. This deficit will further hamper the economic growth. The latest thought of reducing Social Security to the people whose blood, sweat and tears built the foundation of this great nation is totally incomprehensible.
The rising cost of fuel for our homes and cars without any attempt by this administration to draft counter measures is unconscionable. This, of course, starts another chain of events that make all goods cost more and our economy to suffer further. -Syl De Fazio Smithtown

The grocery list of grievances continues. Syl, according to Irene Barrett, a few letters down, you’ve got an extreme bias against people of means. We will say this again as we run down the laundry list of cleaning up your letter. Almost all of the ‘poor’ or those below the poverty line should not be paying taxes, unless you’re against them too. You can not receive a tax cut if you do not pay taxes. The cuts would then be considered income. However, those with children should have received $400 for each child. So either way you’re statement is false.
By every indicator the economy is not tanking but is growing, albeit not as fast as either predicted and certainly not as fast as anyone wants (if this is even possible). It is also not the current administration’s economy but the country’s economy. Yes, American workers are losing jobs to overseas markets. That has been happening for decades. Most of our clothes are not made here. The cars a good many of us buy are built overseas, any toy or piece of plastic is made somewhere else. If it’s cheaper to do overseas companies have to do it to compete with other companies that are already established there otherwise they will be out of business completely. What’s your suggestion, Syl?
Cost of fuel rises and then falls. The only way to stop the increase is stop using it. The current administration has drafted counter measures, one of them being to move some caribou and drill in Alaska. But the caribou have to strong of a caribous lobbying group. Syl, your last night signals to us that you are a very negative person. You may need help otherwise you may worry yourself to death. Instead of a grocery list of grievances maybe you can come up with a grocery list of improvements you would like to see. Write us. We would like to help.

4) …In arguing that there is little difference between the positions of President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry, Eric Weiner ["We agree more than disagree," Opinion, March 11] finds himself in the illustrious company of Pat Buchanan, George Wallace and Ralph Nader. Does everything short of civil war qualify as petty differences that only "the media magnify"? Bush's policies have brought us to virtual bankruptcy and an international debt that threatens the dollar itself; to declining employment and wages, a devastated environment, infrastructure, health system and social safety net; and to gravely impaired liberties. Weiner says that "neither \ would pull the troops out of Iraq or Afghanistan." However, Bush got us into Iraq under false pretenses that he is now at great pains to hide. Meanwhile, our efforts in Afghanistan, where our worst enemies lurk, are on the back burner, because our military resources are fully committed in Iraq with no end in sight. If a CEO ran a company's finances into the ground by questionable bookkeeping, antagonized both suppliers and customers, misjudged the markets, favored his cronies at the expense of everybody else, let plant and equipment run down, and mistreated the help, the first step for the shareholders is to fire him. -John E. Ullmann Hempstead

HEY ANOTHER GROCERY LIST! GET THEE TO A GROCERY! The US is not in virtual bankruptcy (is this a computer game?). Unemployment is declining, and wages are not declining (that would lead to deflation). The environment is not devastated, the health system is not devastated and the social sec system has been in trouble for the last 30 years. Also what liberties have been gravely impaired? Efforts in Afghanistan are not on the back burner and a great deal of our enemies are not there put in neighboring Iran and Pakistan. Should we invade those nations now? The analogy by Mr. Ullmann at the end sounds like he wants Michael Eisner to be fired!

5) …We still need to learn prejudice hurts us all. The gay marriage controversy seems to me a needless further division of our already split society. I think the best solution is to have all levels of government get out of the marriage business entirely.
If the Constitution truly demands that all citizens be treated equally, then laws granting benefits on the basis of sexual behavior are unfair to the celibate, whether that celibacy is voluntary or the result of a physical condition. The mounting costs of social welfare programs require some economies by government. A great deal of money can be saved and those savings could be applied to the only legitimate interest of government - the care of dependent children. Since modern science has made it possible for any person to have a child through sperm donation, surrogate mothers and, of course, adoption, all adults would have equal access to government benefits if they took on the burden of raising children. Leave marriage up to the various religions and ethical cultural societies. -John J. Brennan Bayport

So Mr. Brennan has the ears and is the mouth of a new cultural group. It’s the celibates! We’re sure all this talk about marriage and sex and children for the last 10000 years must be horrible to the celibates. The Janet Jackson Superbowl fiasco must’ve been the final straw! And now only those that have a specific religion and belong to a cultural society can get married. That’s a real prejudice and it hurts us all. You are a very mean person Mr. Brennan. Good day Sir.

6) …Concerning the lack of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights: We still haven't learned the lessons of prejudice in this country, with all the pain and ugliness that it has brought upon us. It boggles the mind to think that things don't seem to change much when it comes to including different people into the group at large.
This behavior began out in the schoolyard during recess when we were little; there always were some kids who were different for whatever reason. They would be left out until the group was forced to include them. I can still hear my teacher say that "it wasn't kind or fair to leave them out." As children we were taught to include and except everyone, what happened to us on our way to maturity? We need to grow up as a society. Female, male, black, white, gay, straight or in between, we all bleed the same color blood and are part of the same human family What part of that don't we understand ? -Edie Cunningham Malverne

We are born black, white, red, male, female. We are not born gay. It is a sexual preference much as adultery is or making love in the bed instead of the kitchen. You can’t compare blacks and gay situations. They are not the same.

7) …This is the United States of America. According to our Declaration of Independence, "All Men are created equal, that they be endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." I reiterate "all men," not just heterosexuals. Homosexuals just want to live in the United States with the same civil rights, equally and peacefully with everyone.
So why are our president, George W. Bush, and others like him trying to take away these civil rights that Thomas Jefferson said so eloquently are for everyone, which we fought many wars to preserve? -Barbara Ormandy Sayville

Ok. No one is saying that homosexuals should be denied life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness. But there are limits to everyone’s pursuit of happiness. Plus if you are going to invoke G-d into the subject then G-d says that homosexuality is disgusting perversion (Lev 18:22). Don’t go there Barbara.

8) …I am a 23-year-old Catholic female who grew up in a lesbian household and am extremely upset about the issue of same-sex marriages. I fully believe that a marriage should be a union of two people who love each other unconditionally regardless of gender.
People should have the right to be happy. If the Catholic Church wants to get involved, then it should remember that God put us here to love no matter what and he is the only one who has the right to judge.
I was led to believe that there is a separation of church and state. All people don't have the same beliefs. Therefore, the law cannot depend on what the Catholic Church has to say. I am offended by the statement that homosexuality is a disorder; homosexuality is something a person is born with and certainly not a disorder. -Kristin Collins Selden

Homosexuality is not something a person is born with. All people have homosexual and heterosexual tendencies to differing degrees. We can control our tendencies. We have to control our tendency to suck our thumb, or not fondle oneself in public. These are lifestyle choices. If this person is going to invoke G-d they need to read Lev 18:22. Most people do not want homosexual marriage. If others do they are going to have to vote those politicians in that allow marriage to homosexual, incestuous couples, and polygamists.

Right Letters:
1) …The only thing more disheartening than Martha Stewart's recent conviction is Sheryl McCarthy's venomous column, "Arrogance cooked Martha's goose" [Opinion, March 7]. I can't believe you would print a piece from someone with such an obvious chip on her shoulder and extreme bias against people of means. I felt like I was reading the thoughts of a catty person with an ax to grind, not a responsible journalist. There are some people who see only the worst in others and don't have an ounce of compassion. McCarthy strikes me as such a person. She writes about Stewart as if she's some ruthless businesswoman, not a human being who made a mistake. She also seems to forget Stewart's career was devoted to promoting beauty and loveliness in our homes. She elevated homemaking to an art form and thousands thoroughly enjoyed her television program, magazine and products. We need more TV programs and other media with positive themes like Stewart's, so I think we lose as a culture when someone like her takes a fall. And I think it's disgraceful to practically celebrate it as McCarthy did. McCarthy did much speculating about Stewart's motives and thought processes and stated her opinions as if they were fact. Then she made a ridiculous comparison of Stewart to Leona Helmsley and actually referred to Stewart as a diva. Give me a break. I suggest McCarthy examine her own arrogance before pointing her finger at anyone else. -Kathleen Picarelli Bay Shore

You may not have notice Ms. Picarelli but many letters and articles are written with extreme bias against people of means. Almost Every mention about tax cuts for the wealthy or corporate greed is exudes extreme bias. This is a very big letter. But from all accounts she could be a ruthless businesswoman who made a mistake that she should of known about and then covered it up. That isn’t a positive theme.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor Revised

tootboy — 2004-03-25T09:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 23, 2004
GROCERY LISTS, MARTHA, AND GAY MARRIAGE

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 8
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 1

Left Letters:
1) …Ken Lay still out on that sunny golf course? While Martha Stewart is heading for jail? I object. And, to register my disapproval and show support for Stewart, I am heading out to my local Kmart to purchase some of her goods. If a million potholders are sold this month, we can show that the women of this country are sick of the big boys messing with us! -Irene Barrett Huntington Station

Ken Lay is out there but hopefully not for long. Either way his case has nothing to do with her case. Different crimes altogether. With Ms. Barrett’s logic, Martha should be home and acquitted because the heads of the Russian mob are still out there too.

2) …It seems to me that by going to war in Iraq we are making more enemies, not making ourselves safer. Every Iraqi we kill is a mother or father; a daughter or son; a sister or brother; a nephew or aunt. Each death creates at least a dozen more people who have reason to hate us.
Would you ever forget it if a foreign nation invaded the United States and killed a member of your family? Of course not. For every Iraqi death we bring about, we make many present and future (when the children grow up) enemies.
The vicious circle of violence that has been taught to the people of the world has got to stop if the earth has a chance to get to become a peaceful place.
What better country to break this violent circle than the one that touts itself as the moral leader of the world, the United States? -Kenyon Silvey Valley Stream

We presume that Kenyon would’ve been against the overthrow of the Nazis as every dead German would have created a least a “dozen more people who have reason to hate us”. Ok, let’s continue this thought process. Let us say that the US and its allies (including the Iraqis) have killed 10,000 people (just using as a round number). That mean that 120,000 people have reason to hate us. Let’s say we have to kill them all. Then we have 1.44 million people who hate us. That’s about the number of people Saddam killed when Iraq went to war with Iran. At least we won’t gas them to death! If Kenyon’s math equation is correct then Saddam had at least 12 million people who hated him and would have done violence against him and the U.S. liberated them. We think that that’s a good deal.

3) …The current administration's economy is still in the tank. Its economic policies have failed to create the economic atmosphere for job growth. American workers are still losing manufacturing and computer service jobs to overseas markets. The Bush "tax cuts" favor the rich with a mere pittance going to the poor and middle class.
The drug plan will cost most people more money, not less. The deficit spending is exploding at an alarming rate, which has become unsafe to our national interests. This deficit will further hamper the economic growth. The latest thought of reducing Social Security to the people whose blood, sweat and tears built the foundation of this great nation is totally incomprehensible.
The rising cost of fuel for our homes and cars without any attempt by this administration to draft counter measures is unconscionable. This, of course, starts another chain of events that make all goods cost more and our economy to suffer further. -Syl De Fazio Smithtown

The grocery list of grievances continues. Syl, according to Irene Barrett, a few letters down, you’ve got an extreme bias against people of means. We will say this again as we run down the laundry list of cleaning up your letter. Almost all of the ‘poor’ or those below the poverty line should not be paying taxes, unless you’re against them too. You can not receive a tax cut if you do not pay taxes. The cuts would then be considered income. However, those with children should have received $400 for each child. So either way you’re statement is false.
By every indicator the economy is not tanking but is growing, albeit not as fast as either predicted and certainly not as fast as anyone wants (if this is even possible). It is also not the current administration’s economy but the country’s economy. Yes, American workers are losing jobs to overseas markets. That has been happening for decades. Most of our clothes are not made here. The cars a good many of us buy are built overseas, any toy or piece of plastic is made somewhere else. If it’s cheaper to do overseas companies have to do it to compete with other companies that are already established there otherwise they will be out of business completely. What’s your suggestion, Syl?
Cost of fuel rises and then falls. The only way to stop the increase is stop using it. The current administration has drafted counter measures, one of them being to move some caribou and drill in Alaska. But the caribou have to strong of a caribous lobbying group. Syl, your last night signals to us that you are a very negative person. You may need help otherwise you may worry yourself to death. Instead of a grocery list of grievances maybe you can come up with a grocery list of improvements you would like to see. Write us. We would like to help.

4) …In arguing that there is little difference between the positions of President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry, Eric Weiner ["We agree more than disagree," Opinion, March 11] finds himself in the illustrious company of Pat Buchanan, George Wallace and Ralph Nader. Does everything short of civil war qualify as petty differences that only "the media magnify"? Bush's policies have brought us to virtual bankruptcy and an international debt that threatens the dollar itself; to declining employment and wages, a devastated environment, infrastructure, health system and social safety net; and to gravely impaired liberties. Weiner says that "neither \ would pull the troops out of Iraq or Afghanistan." However, Bush got us into Iraq under false pretenses that he is now at great pains to hide. Meanwhile, our efforts in Afghanistan, where our worst enemies lurk, are on the back burner, because our military resources are fully committed in Iraq with no end in sight. If a CEO ran a company's finances into the ground by questionable bookkeeping, antagonized both suppliers and customers, misjudged the markets, favored his cronies at the expense of everybody else, let plant and equipment run down, and mistreated the help, the first step for the shareholders is to fire him. -John E. Ullmann Hempstead

HEY ANOTHER GROCERY LIST! GET THEE TO A GROCERY! The US is not in virtual bankruptcy (is this a computer game?). Unemployment is declining, and wages are not declining (that would lead to deflation). The environment is not devastated, the health system is not devastated and the social sec system has been in trouble for the last 30 years. Also what liberties have been gravely impaired? Efforts in Afghanistan are not on the back burner and a great deal of our enemies are not there put in neighboring Iran and Pakistan. Should we invade those nations now? The analogy by Mr. Ullmann at the end sounds like he wants Michael Eisner to be fired!

5) …We still need to learn prejudice hurts us all. The gay marriage controversy seems to me a needless further division of our already split society. I think the best solution is to have all levels of government get out of the marriage business entirely.
If the Constitution truly demands that all citizens be treated equally, then laws granting benefits on the basis of sexual behavior are unfair to the celibate, whether that celibacy is voluntary or the result of a physical condition. The mounting costs of social welfare programs require some economies by government. A great deal of money can be saved and those savings could be applied to the only legitimate interest of government - the care of dependent children. Since modern science has made it possible for any person to have a child through sperm donation, surrogate mothers and, of course, adoption, all adults would have equal access to government benefits if they took on the burden of raising children. Leave marriage up to the various religions and ethical cultural societies. -John J. Brennan Bayport

So Mr. Brennan has the ears and is the mouth of a new cultural group. It’s the celibates! We’re sure all this talk about marriage and sex and children for the last 10000 years must be horrible to the celibates. The Janet Jackson Superbowl fiasco must’ve been the final straw! And now only those that have a specific religion and belong to a cultural society can get married. That’s a real prejudice and it hurts us all. You are a very mean person Mr. Brennan. Good day Sir.

6) …Concerning the lack of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights: We still haven't learned the lessons of prejudice in this country, with all the pain and ugliness that it has brought upon us. It boggles the mind to think that things don't seem to change much when it comes to including different people into the group at large.
This behavior began out in the schoolyard during recess when we were little; there always were some kids who were different for whatever reason. They would be left out until the group was forced to include them. I can still hear my teacher say that "it wasn't kind or fair to leave them out." As children we were taught to include and except everyone, what happened to us on our way to maturity? We need to grow up as a society. Female, male, black, white, gay, straight or in between, we all bleed the same color blood and are part of the same human family What part of that don't we understand ? -Edie Cunningham Malverne

We are born black, white, red, male, female. We are not born gay. It is a sexual preference much as adultery is or making love in the bed instead of the kitchen. You can’t compare blacks and gay situations. They are not the same.

7) …This is the United States of America. According to our Declaration of Independence, "All Men are created equal, that they be endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." I reiterate "all men," not just heterosexuals. Homosexuals just want to live in the United States with the same civil rights, equally and peacefully with everyone.
So why are our president, George W. Bush, and others like him trying to take away these civil rights that Thomas Jefferson said so eloquently are for everyone, which we fought many wars to preserve? -Barbara Ormandy Sayville

Ok. No one is saying that homosexuals should be denied life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness. But there are limits to everyone’s pursuit of happiness. Plus if you are going to invoke G-d into the subject then G-d says that homosexuality is disgusting perversion (Lev 18:22). Don’t go there Barbara.

8) …I am a 23-year-old Catholic female who grew up in a lesbian household and am extremely upset about the issue of same-sex marriages. I fully believe that a marriage should be a union of two people who love each other unconditionally regardless of gender.
People should have the right to be happy. If the Catholic Church wants to get involved, then it should remember that God put us here to love no matter what and he is the only one who has the right to judge.
I was led to believe that there is a separation of church and state. All people don't have the same beliefs. Therefore, the law cannot depend on what the Catholic Church has to say. I am offended by the statement that homosexuality is a disorder; homosexuality is something a person is born with and certainly not a disorder. -Kristin Collins Selden

Homosexuality is not something a person is born with. All people have homosexual and heterosexual tendencies to differing degrees. We can control our tendencies. We have to control our tendency to suck our thumb, or not fondle oneself in public. These are lifestyle choices. If this person is going to invoke G-d they need to read Lev 18:22. Most people do not want homosexual marriage. If others do they are going to have to vote those politicians in that allow marriage to homosexual, incestuous couples, and polygamists.

Right Letters:
1) …The only thing more disheartening than Martha Stewart's recent conviction is Sheryl McCarthy's venomous column, "Arrogance cooked Martha's goose" [Opinion, March 7]. I can't believe you would print a piece from someone with such an obvious chip on her shoulder and extreme bias against people of means. I felt like I was reading the thoughts of a catty person with an ax to grind, not a responsible journalist. There are some people who see only the worst in others and don't have an ounce of compassion. McCarthy strikes me as such a person. She writes about Stewart as if she's some ruthless businesswoman, not a human being who made a mistake. She also seems to forget Stewart's career was devoted to promoting beauty and loveliness in our homes. She elevated homemaking to an art form and thousands thoroughly enjoyed her television program, magazine and products. We need more TV programs and other media with positive themes like Stewart's, so I think we lose as a culture when someone like her takes a fall. And I think it's disgraceful to practically celebrate it as McCarthy did. McCarthy did much speculating about Stewart's motives and thought processes and stated her opinions as if they were fact. Then she made a ridiculous comparison of Stewart to Leona Helmsley and actually referred to Stewart as a diva. Give me a break. I suggest McCarthy examine her own arrogance before pointing her finger at anyone else. -Kathleen Picarelli Bay Shore

You may not have notice Ms. Picarelli but many letters and articles are written with extreme bias against people of means. Almost Every mention about tax cuts for the wealthy or corporate greed is exudes extreme bias. This is a very big letter. But from all accounts she could be a ruthless businesswoman who made a mistake that she should of known about and then covered it up. That isn’t a positive theme.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-26T08:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 25, 2004
DEMOCRACY IS A FICKLE IDEOLOGUE, POLICE ACTIVITIES, AND BAD LETTERS FROM THE RIGHT

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 6
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 6

Left Letters:
1) …The peace march on Saturday was a blessedly peaceful event as you would expect from a gathering of people who oppose the use of violence to solve problems. The difference between this demonstration and those of last year, at which hundreds of the same people were arrested, was the approach of the police.
An officer in uniform has a different effect on people than one in riot gear with billy club in hand and plastic cuffs at the ready. The police on Saturday were not provocative, so people were able to express themselves without being made to feel like caged animals. Congratulations to the mayor and the police for learning from their mistakes and treating demonstrators with respect. --Matthew Frisch Bayside

Oh, it was the police dept’s fault that people got out of hand last year? Could it be that not only the police treating the demonstrators with respect but the demonstrators were treating the police with respect. We have seen lots of people who were non-violent who were very violent. At least everyone had a good time.

2) … Regarding "Death Toll at 31: More Clashes in Kosovo" [News, March 19]: The recently renewed violence by Albanians toward their Serbian countrymen in Kosovo (a region of Serbia currently occupied by NATO), as well as the fiascos that continue to fester in Iraq and Afghanistan and bubbling tensions that persist in occupied countries from Macedonia to Haiti, suggest the following: Democracy and peace cannot be imposed by force.
It is imperative that the United States and other Western powers stop treating other countries as if they are small children incapable of handling their own problems.
We should not act as if we have a moral imperative over everyone else, because ideologies like this one are fickle and can change hands very quickly.
Instead, let's have some faith in the people of the so-called "third world," some of whose civilizations precede ours by millennia, and allow them to resolve their own problems and disputes. In the meantime, maybe we could invest all of that extra time, money and effort into tackling the many still unresolved issues that plague our own country. -Filip Oginar Manhattan

This letter suggests that because these “civilizations” preceded ours by 1000 years and they are not worthy of our time, money and effort or so we should’ve allowed the Serbs, Bosnians and the rest of the Balkans to battle each other to the death, allow the Afghanis to leave under the rule of the Taliban and Al Queda, keep Saddam Hussein in power, and allow Haiti to remain in chaos. Nice. It’s very hard to have faith in nations that are under the thumb of evil circumstances and powers. And democracy is not a fickle ideologue. In fact, it is the LEAST fickle ideologue in the world today. The United States of America has the oldest government in the world today. It is the most stable government. In the same time period since 1789, the French have had approx. 9 different governments. That’s fickle.

3) …Regarding "Cheney's energy case" [News, March 19]: Antonin Scalia is correct in asserting that no reasonable person would suggest that any Supreme Court justice could be "bought so cheap." But he is also wrong. His hunting trip with the vice president has, at the very least, the appearance of impropriety. Therefore, any reasonable justice must recuse himself to preserve the court's integrity in the minds of the American people, who are, in our democratic society, the ultimate authority. -Elizabeth Levenson Freeport

Supreme Court justices are constantly in contact with all member of political society. There are only 9 members. If one had to recuse themselves from every case they had so slight a connection to there would only be 8 judges on a lot of cases. This isn’t how it works. We are confident that all the Supreme Court justices are open minded about every case. We must say this though. The 90% of the ultimate authority, the American people, couldn’t name at 2/3rds of the justices.

4) …Newsday, once again, shows its skewed priorities. Last Friday, Antonin Scalia's refusal to recuse himself from the case involving his hunting buddy Dick Cheney is on page 32. Courtney Love baring her breasts on David Letterman is on page 6. One story affects a conflict of interest of a Supreme Court justice involving critical energy policy. The other involves a drug addict who has been looking for attention. Readers expect better. -Deborah Harris Dix Hills

No conflict of interest has issued by anyone except in the media. You can look it up. Courtney should be put in a rehab facility, and her child should be removed from her custody and given to a family member. She’s a danger to her daughter the way she is right now.

5) …Does the country need President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) going at each other on TV and in print and radio ads like a couple of children on a school playground? I think it would be in the county's best interest for the president to accept Kerry's challenge to a debate - but not the sort the gentleman from Massachusetts may have in mind. I propose a variation on the format the American public is subjected to every four years. No questions in advance, no carefully crafted speeches, and no opening or closing statements. Military service, Sept. 11, respective drug histories and all forms of "gossip, sensationalism, and manufactured controversies" (to quote Carl Bernstein) are off limits. Issues such as hypocrisy in U.S. foreign policy, lack of human dignity in the American workplace, corporate scandals, the importance and relevance of integrity while holding public office, the justification of congressional pay raises when so many Americans are losing their jobs and anything else the audience feels like throwing at them are fair game.
Each candidate can question the other. Audience members - and not pre-selected ones, either - can ask questions as well. Finally, no corporation or individual that has contributed to the candidates' campaigns can sponsor the debate.
With the whole world watching, let's see what we get when these men are forced to think on their feet and speak extemporaneously without the safety nets of their strategists. -Paul Molloy Center Moriches

We are all for the fun of having politicians talking straight and an arena where anything goes sounds great. Audience members can start asking anything. Here are the problems with this suggestion. They’d never go for it, that’s problem one. Problem two is that you’d have audience members who are already leaning one way or another and the questions could randomly be skewed so they heavily favor one candidate over the other. 3…You can not have Sept. 11th and the subject of terrorism off the table. 4…Lack of human dignity in the American workplace, what’s that question about, what relevance does it have to anything, and shouldn’t you just get a different job or talk to your boss? 5…Respective drug histories, military service, family, voting record, are all important. Six…corporate scandals? Mr. Molloy sounds like he has an agenda too. We feel the idea of shaking up the political debates is great but Mr. Molloy shouldn’t be in charge.

6) …It's a sad day when millions in Spain demand to know who was behind the 3/11 bombing while in this country the administration fights tooth and nail to obstruct investigations. -Bill Paladino Kings Park

This is a vicious attack from behind. Is there any obstructing of the investigation or is there just a desire to meet privately vs. publicly with investigators. We’d prefer it to be out there in public but there are certain details that require high security clearance to hear. We understand that need in a time of war.

Right Letters:
1) …Perhaps holding a child back in the third grade is a bit late. Why not the first or second grade?
When I went to school, a lot of children were held back because of difficulty in reading or arithmetic. They were put into a slower class. When they were able to catch up, they were put into the grade they would have been in.
It is a fact that open enrollment shows that there were too many children who were not proficient in math or reading and were allowed to get into colleges but eventually dropped out. I think a big problem is the fact that many of the children are non-English speaking. They aren't given instruction at home.
They should be held back at an early age. If not, they will fall back. This will harm them in the future. -Lee Mayerson Whitestone

Kudos to you, Lee. We didn’t think of holding them back at an earlier age but it makes more sense. The younger you hold a child back the less they feel like they are not with their friends since they would only know their friends for a year or two instead of three. Plus they are much less inclined to feel ashamed and embarrassed as they may not fully comprehend what is happening to them and they are also more likely to forget these feelings when they get older.

2) …Regarding Paul Vitello's column "He was too busy running" [News, March 23]: As he takes shots at President George W. Bush, he fails to make it clear that Richard Clarke worked for President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2000. Was al-Qaida not a threat back then? Do you think the Sept. 11 attacks were planned during the eight months that Bush was in office?
It is easy to point fingers after the fact, but if Clarke was as passionate and as adamant about his job as he is about touting his book, maybe he could have made some waves to be taken more seriously. After all, he was the Antiterrorism Czar.
I find it ironic that CBS airs his interview and publicizes his book when Viacom, which owns the network, stands to make money: The book's publisher is a Viacom sister company.
But why would this be mentioned in Vitello's column? The average person doesn't need to know these facts. -E.G. Petrou Hauppauge

The truth is coming out. While Mr. Clarke seems to be an intelligent man he seems to have a real love to hate the Bush administration. In 2002 he praised the administration to being serious about antiterrorism from the first 100 days and increasing funding 5 fold over the previous administration. Now he says that the Bush administration did not do anything compared to the Clinton administration. Will the real Richard Clarke please stand up?

3) …Here's an idea. Why don't all those people who got together to protest the war in Iraq get together and protest the acts of terrorists? Do these protesters even realize that to pull out of Iraq now would only leave a giant vacuum for the terrorists to happily fill? -Marianne Presta Miller Place

Good question. The acts of terror both in Iraq and Israel are not acts of terror to the war protesters. In their heads they are freedom fighters. Does it matter that the terrorists kill more people than the soldiers do? Not to these people. Not in general. They simply do not see it because many of them hate America.

4) …Regarding "North Fork's Kanas calls tax cuts 'a waste'" [Business & Technology, March 17]: John Kanas is right about job outsourcing being a permanent thing. We all need to remember when a simplified version of outsourcing began. Banks and insurance companies, among others, started sending "back room" jobs from Long Island and New York City to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio because the labor was cheaper. Overseas transfer was the next logical step.
As long as we have workers who want higher paychecks, but don't want to pay for the goods and services they cause to increase in cost as a result of their higher pay, then we will need to outsource and economize. Automakers have been doing it for decades.
What we in the United States considered cheap labor a few years ago has become relatively costly, and even Mexico is now outsourcing its jobs to China and other Asian nations. The next logical step is going to be the African nations, although that may take more time.
Everyone needs to remember that the bottom line for American business, be it General Motors, Microsoft or the corner deli, is profit. If the end product can't be made for a profit, then the business isn't worth being in existence. -Paul J. Tabone Patchogue

China is the biggest ‘insourcer’ of labor and manufacturing. In fact, as cheap as labor is in Indonesia and the Philippines, and Vietnam, many times cheaper in China. Those countries are starting to lose lots of business to China. Companies in the US outsource business to China and the like for a number of reasons. It’s not generally salary of the employees but the health benefits. It’s possibly the biggest difference in expense between Americans and the Chinese.

5) …John Valenti's column "Calling all cars: Hang up the phone" [News, March 17] was so accurate and so insightful that I felt my blood boil.
Whenever I am on the road and I see a person yapping away on a cell phone, I look at them the same way I would look at a person I saw stealing an item from a store.
In both instances, they're breaking the law. In fact, I find the person on the cell phone even more reprehensible.
The person stealing does not endanger me in any way. The person on the cell phone, however, is driving a 3,000- to 4,000-pound weapon that can kill me or a member of my family. As Valenti points out, studies have shown that "talking on a cell phone while driving is more dangerous than driving drunk."
Statistics have proven this, not to mention common sense and my own observations. Driving an automobile, whether speeding on the parkways or going 30 mph in a residential neighborhood, requires 100-percent concentration.
In my opinion, people caught on a cell phone while driving should have their license revoked for one year and pay a $1,000 fine. That should finally put an end to this atrocity. -Rick Buono Manorville

Lots of problems with this letter. First off, cell phone use is not illegal! It is using the cell phone without a hands free device. While a hand maybe spared the person’s concentration level is just as diminished. Plus even if you have a hands free devise you still have to use one hand to dial the phone number initially.
Next problem witht this letter, We don’t think that cell phone use while driving is more dangerous than driving drunk. What study suggests that? Common sense suggests that?
And another thing… A person on the cell phone is just as dangerous as a person putting on lip stick or talking with someone who is sitting in the passenger seat or with the kids in the back.
The fine is a hefty penalty. No politician will endorse that.

6 ) …This may sound idealistic, but there may be another way to tackle Nassau County's budget deficit crisis: Have the police really enforce hands- free cell-phone use in Nassau County.
There is not one time when I'm out driving that I do not see at least five out of 10 people on cell phones without hands-free equipment.
Most of the time these people are not at stop signs or red lights. They are moving and trying to make turns while juggling their phones by their ears.
I would like to see the statistics of tickets issued since the hands-free cell-phone use law went into effect. This law is a joke to most people, and I'm sure not just in Nassau County. -
Enrique Aguila Valley Stream

Not possible but Good suggestion. We would love for the police to really enforce the hands free cell phone use. We would really love if the police could enforce the law against idiots swerving through traffics and the morons who think the road is open to just them is their own private place to drive. Unfortunately, this does not happen. The only way to do this is with cameras all over the parkways and roads. We hope we are not ready for this.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-29T08:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 26, 2004
A LETTER FROM IRAQ, VP RUNNING MATES

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 7
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 3

Left Letters:
1) …At the beginning of 2002, the United States had full support from the international community to wage war against the terrorists responsible for 9/11.
Instead of pursuing al-Qaida, however, the Bush administration diverted billions of dollars and thousands of troops in 2003 to invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 or al-Qaida. The result? Osama bin Laden is, according to Alfonse D'Amato's absurd spin, "on the run" ["Bush will war on terrorism," Opinion, March 22].
Meanwhile, al-Qaida continues its insane killing spree in Bali, Istanbul, Casablanca and Madrid. International opinion of the United States is at its lowest point in decades.
D'Amato ignorantly and unconscionably insults the Spanish people - grieving over 3/11 (their own 9/11) - by calling them appeasers. But 90 percent of the Spanish people were against invading Iraq. They kicked the Aznar government out of office because they were furious with its decision to join a war that had nothing to do with the real terrorist threat and because it lied to them about the Madrid bombings. Let's hope that the people of the United States will follow their wise example. -William Glenn Brooklyn Editor's Note: The writer is co-editor of Terra Incognita, a bilingual literary journal published in New York and Madrid.

It maybe true that the Spanish people kicked the ruling party out because of the war in Iraq even though the Spain was not nearly involved compared to the British and the U.S. The election seems to have turned because of the bombings on 3/11 because all polls previous to that showed that the Mr. Aznar’s government was well ahead. If perception is reality then the ‘reality’ of it is that the terrorists won this battle and changed the election. So the perception is that Mr. D’Amato’s spin is correct.
The war in Iraq was not to wage war against the terrorists responsible solely for 9/11 but the Bush Doctrine as flawed as it is, is to go after all terrorism that could possibly threatened the United States. Clarification on points this important are critical to a healthy debate and nation.

2) … I believe Hillary Clinton would make a divine choice as John Kerry's running mate.
She has made leaps and bounds since being elected to the U.S. Senate. But I fear she will be unduly attacked by the Republican media.
Yet there is that sparkle in her eye and her wit that dictate that she'd succeed in such a high position. If there is anything to cast doubt about it, it is the following: She is a diehard liberal similar to Geraldine Ferraro. The other is that she just might not be ready.
Perhaps in 2008 or 2012 she could muster a nationwide swing of popularity, all the way to the top of the heap. -David J. Caspi Flushing

She is a diehard liberal very true. She will never run as a diehard liberal. She will have to change her stances on many issues just to run for a national office. Is this the leaps and bounds and strides you want her to make Mr. Caspi? Do you want someone who is not true to her positions and will change them in order to run for elective government. We all have to compromise but are you willing to compromise for a politician who will have to compromise her postures on many issues that keep that ‘sparkle in her eye’.

3) …So the Democrats are calling Ralph Nader the reason a Democrat was not elected in 2000 and will not be elected in 2004.
For the past 50 years, the Democrats and Republicans have alternated control of the government. But our major problems have not been solved. The main reason is that this is a coporatocracy, not a democracy. Nader may not have all the answers, but he certainly knows what the problem is.
Until this country is again a democracy, corporate profits will trump problem solving. -Paul Beissel Brooklyn

Sometimes it is hard to tell whether a letter is from the left or right. This letter could have been written by someone who is libertarian as well as a Nadar supporter. The last line is a giveaway; the corporate profits point hits it on the head. The Democrats and the Republicans do have the elections sowed up. However, that doesn’t mean that no one else has a say. Though they may not get many votes on election day, candidates like Nadar are given a voice and have the opportunity to swing voters and the other candidates closer to their points of view.

4) …The headline "The Vote of Fear" on the March 15 Newsday cover was unjustified.
The public needs news to be delivered in neutral manner. Only then can it begin to form balanced views.
Whether the Spanish people voted out of fear or not, if I want Newsday's take on their action, I will turn to one of its columnists or the editorials. The front page is for news, not opinion. -Kara McLaughlin Garden City

Great point. We wish the newspapers would abstain from making subjective statements in their news. But we can’t think that all news needs to be neutral. Infamously, Reuter news service treats all terrorists as ‘militants’ or ‘freedom fighters’. As unbiased as it tries to be the truth is that these terms are lies and not middle ground. Terrorists are terrorists as Rapists are Rapists and not ‘sexual deviants’.

5) …Regarding "Former Citigroup CEO's retirement breaks the bank" [News, March 17]: It's a disgrace! Sanford Weill is 71 years old. I can't imagine him spending all that money - $44.7 million in 2003 alone. The poor soldier in Iraq is in danger every day. His pay is peanuts. No one deserves the compensation given Weill and those who agreed to it should have their heads examined. -Ernestine Quinn Massapequa

That’s capitalism. If you don’t like it you’ll have to live somewhere else or vote for the next socialist you see on the ballot.

6) …I was deeply moved by "Bittersweet band of brothers" [News, March 20]. I do not agree with our government's decision to invade Iraq, but I have the utmost regard for our soldiers fighting over there. The nine members of the Nassau County Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America who traveled to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to offer their support to our wounded soldiers are to be commended.
The fact that they took time out from their busy lives to visit the injured Iraq War vets was such an unselfish act. I also commend Newsday for publishing the story on Page 4.
The photographs accompanying the article clearly show the exchange of respect and support between the two generations of soldiers.
The actions of the Nassau veterans reinforce the idea that although pain is universal, the desire to heal is universal as well. -Wendy L. Oborne Lido Beach

The desire to make a difference is also. G-d Bless the troops. A good letter reminding us that most of us are pulling for our troops.

7) …In his article, "Bush will win war on terrorism" [Opinion, March 22], former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato says: "On his watch, Ronald Reagan stood up to the Communists" and the Berlin Wall "did come down, due in large part to his determination to stay the course."
If Sen. D'Amato wants to believe that, fine. The problem is that it can't be proved.
He also goes on to list three terrorist attacks and the killings of U.S. soldiers in Somalia, all during the Clinton administration. He marks them "unanswered."
What he doesn't mention is that on Oct. 23, 1983, a suicide bomber attacked an American barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The bomber killed 241 Americans, including 220 U.S. Marines. The president then was Ronald Reagan, His only response was to immediately withdraw American forces from Lebanon.
The senator should add that one to his list and also mark it "unanswered." -Marie Petrone East Northport

True. This first experience with Islamic truck bombers surprised our forces who came in as peace keepers. This was one of the worst moments of the Reagan administration. Not to mention in the history of the United States Marine Corp outside of an actual war. President Reagan did not stay the course. Lebanon has been a disaster since the 1970s. Does this excuse other presidential administrations including the Clinton & Bush administrations.

Right Letters:
1) …Let me recollect: Aren't the Arab communities around the world the ones who were in the streets cheering the 9/11 attack?
Now they rally to protest the elimination of the leader of one of the the worst terrorist organizations in the world ["Assassination protest," News, March 24].
I'm shedding no tears. -Arnie Fishman Plainview

It is funny how Israel is condemned for killing Mr. Yassin and yet he has been killing Israelis (both Jewish and Arab), and Palestinians for years and no one says anything. Mr. Yassin was called a spiritual leader in many newspapers and TV broadcasts. A spiritual leader who promotes violence and death? Why do those newspapers and TV Broadcasts insult Islam? Do they believe that Islam should promote violence and death? Shame on them if they do!

2) …I feel that it was wrong for many people to complain about President George W. Bush's visit to Eisenhower Park for the 9/11 memorial ceremony.
Throughout our country's history, presidents have dedicated memorials and given speeches honoring America's war dead. One of the most famous was President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Gettysburg address.
Other presidents have visited Pearl Harbor and Normandy to pay tribute to Americans killed in war. Bush was honoring those killed in 9/11 just as past presidents have honored dead Americans at other memorials.
The people protesting against Bush's visit did it because they dislike him and like to protest against everything he does. It is perfectly normal for presidents to visit memorials, and the people complaining should understand and accept it. -Joseph Niczky Bethpage

No earth shattering news here.

3) …I have been reading the articles concerning peace-loving individuals around the world protesting the invasion of Iraq. It is very presumptuous of them to use the memories of fallen soldiers to push their own liberal agendas. The most disturbing photo I've seen was of a mother with a sign that said, "You killed my son."
I also am offended by how these people insert their leftist agendas into the protests that have absolutely nothing to do with the war in Iraq. "Free Palestine," "Impeach Bush," etc.
You don't fight terrorism with peace protests and conferences. You fight it with bombs and bullets. Islamic extremists are prepared to die for their cause and we must make that experience so terrifying for them that they would think twice before doing it.
I don't know if we were fighting terrorism directly by invading Iraq and ousting Saddam Hussein, but I do know that as long as these extremist groups are expending resources by attacking soldiers in Iraq, they are less capable of attacking helpless civilians in the United States, Israel and other civilized nations.
I am going to return from Iraq soon, not as a disgraced soldier who fought an immoral war, but as a proud American who has done his part in preserving our way of life. -Matthew Shifrin Editor's Note: The writer is a lieutenant in the U.S. Army's 65th Military Police Company. Mosul, Iraq

We say it often here: G-d Bless the USA. G-d Bless the people who defend the USA. This letter says more than we could ever say.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-30T09:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 27, 2004
ONLY LETTERS FROM THE RIGHT, THE LEFT IS SHUT OUT!

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 0
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 7

Left Letters:

Right Letters:
1) …Whether President George W. Bush skipped out on his National Guard duties is not important to the future of America and America's national security. Whether Sen. John Kerry was awarded medals for his service in the Vietnam War is not important for the future of America's and America's national security.
The presidential election isn't a "tough guy" competition. It's about who is more fit to protect America from Islamic terrorists.
I am not a Democrat or a Republican; I am a concerned citizen who wants the person most qualified to protect America from terrorists. And that person is Bush. -Tim Caravello Manhattan

The race should be about issues and also about the character of the person. It was important to know whether or not the President skipped out on his National Guard duties. But it was important in 2000 not now. Why? Because it was looked into in 2000 and nothing was discovered that would make one believe he neglected his duties. Secondly, his service as President & Commander in Chief has superceded any time in the service. Kerry’s war record is important but his record since leaving the navy is much more important. John Kerry spent approx. 4 months in Vietnam but 30 plus years out of the service. What kind of Commander in Chief he will be is crucial.

2) …Hey, Newsday, your bias is showing. This is a quote from your article "An unexpected assist for Bush" [News, March 24]: "If it excuses the Clinton administration's conduct, it also offers a defense for the Bush crew ... " Why does Bill Clinton have an administration but George W. Bush has a crew? Clearly this is meant to foster an impression consistent with Newsday's bias. It is this type of sneaky subtext that has caused many to turn to other sources for their news. -Ray Olsen Williston Park

A surprising letter to publish from Newsday. It is true that this kind of bias has infiltrated the news reporting of Newsday and many other established papers. Trying to be either biased or creative gets the news division in trouble. The editorial side slips in and it’s easy not to pick it up if you are not an astute reader.

3) …My dictionary defines "analysis" as "the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements." Your article labeled "analysis" and headlined "Killing adds fuel to the fire" [News, March 23] does not objectively analyze both the Israeli and the Palestinian sides. Once it begins with "By killing an old, quadriplegic enemy in his wheelchair," the article shows a bias. Perhaps Osama bin Laden should be allowed to live out his days. What harm can he cause? He's sick and in need of dialysis. The opening phrase of this story should have been reworded or it should have appeared on the Opinion page. -Linda Goldsmith Dix Hills

The news division has become an extension of the op-ed section. It is a sad time for American journalism.

4) …Newsday has reached a new high in lows \"A litany of shortcomings," News, March 25]. Richard Clarke worked for the Clinton administration for eight years, yet in this article you let him blame the Bush administration - which had been in office only eight months - for the terrorist attacks. Additionally, your paper has made Sheik Ahmed Yassin into a "grandfatherly figure." He was a terrorist and murderer. What's the matter with you people? -Joel Topkin East Meadow

Seems out of character that Newsday is allowing this much abuse on its own editorial staff.

5) …My husband and I were in Vietnam during the Spain bombings, as well as when the Hamas and Al Aksa Brigades killed 10 innocent Israelis. The news coverage in Asia referred to both acts as "terrorist" atrocities.
It is biased news reporting when Newsday refers to the terrorists in Israel as "militants," even showing their photos. The coverage of this event was more accurately reported in Vietnam. -Iris Schiff Mt. Sinai

Newsday is taking it on the chin. Notice though it is only Newsday getting attacked not any of the issues that Newsday allies itself to.

6) …People who don't believe there is a liberal bias in Newsday should look at page A4 in the March 26 edition. There are three photos. Two show top Democrats Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Jimmy Carter and Howard Dean, all happy. The third shows Condoleezza Rice with a scowling, upset expression. A coincidence? Not likely. -Gerard Hellen Bayville

We have also noticed that Condi Rice’s picture is everywhere and each time it is with the same scowl, upset expression. Isn’t there a better picture to place on the web or in the paper?

7) …As a dual Israeli-American citizen who must send his children to school past armed guards, and ride local buses, I don't see where anyone has the right to strait-jacket Israel in its attempts to protect its citizens from monsters like Sheik Ahmed Yassin.
However, your editorial ["Israel's bitter revenge," March 23] and Opinion essays by Gershom Gorenberg and Qustandi Shomali ["Sheik was a killer, but Israel again fans flames" and "After Yassin, Hamas will live on," March 24] say that Israel should restrain itself.
"Israel is entitled to defend itself, but ...," goes the argument. These inevitable "buts" then hypocritically deny Israel this right to fight its war against daily terrorism. Unfortunately, much of the world holds Israel to a double-standard that results in the ongoing murders of its citizens.
After 9/11, Americans overwhelmingly decided that they weren't going to take it. But in Israel, we've been hit by many mini-9/11s. No one should deny us the right to not take it, either. -David Schor Raanana, Israel

This letter again proves that the need for sympathy of other nations is worthless. Many times we have heard that the US has squandered all the good P.R. that Sept.11th provided unfortunately by invading Iraq. Well here we have Israel with lots of sympathy but no one standing up for its survival. All talk and no action is worthless in the defense of a nation.

The Meaning of Being a Judeo-Christian Nation

tootboy — 2004-03-30T02:03:00-05:00

A lot of us talk about Religion or Politics. Here is a great one about both.
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0304/prager_2004_03_30_04.php3

What does 'Judeo-Christian' mean? By Dennis prager
The uniqueness of America
http://www.jewishworldreview.com | The United States of America is the only country in history to have defined itself as Judeo-Christian. While the Western world has consisted of many Christian countries and consists today of many secular countries, only America has called itself Judeo-Christian. America is also unique in that it has always combined secular government with a society based on religious values.
But what does "Judeo-Christian" mean? We need to know. Along with the belief in liberty — as opposed to, for example, the European belief in equality, the Muslim belief in theocracy, and the Eastern belief in social conformity — Judeo-Christian values are what distinguish America from all other countries. That is why American coins feature these two messages: "In G-d we trust" and "Liberty."
Yet, for all its importance and its repeated mention, the term is not widely understood. It urgently needs to be because it is under ferocious assault, and if we do not understand it, we will be unable to defend it. And if we cannot defend it, America will become as amoral as France, Germany, Russia, et al.
First, Judeo-Christian America has differed from Christian countries in Europe in at least two important ways. One is that the Christians who founded America saw themselves as heirs to the Hebrew Bible, as much as to theirs. And even more importantly, they strongly identified with the Jews.
For example, Thomas Jefferson wanted the design of the seal of the United States to depict the Jews leaving Egypt. Just as the Hebrews left Egypt and its values, Americans left Europe and its values (if only those who admire Jefferson would continue to take his advice).
Founders and other early Americans probably studied Hebrew, the language of the Jewish Bible at least as much as Greek, the language of the New. Yale, founded in 1701, adopted a Hebrew insignia, and Hebrew was compulsory at Harvard until 1787. The words on the Liberty Bell, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land . . . ," are from the Torah. Vast numbers of Americans took Hebrew names — like Benjamin Franklin and Cotton Mather (kattan in Hebrew means "little one" or "younger").
The consequences included a strong Hebrew Bible view of the world — meaning, in part, a strong sense of fighting for earthly justice, an emphasis on laws, a belief in a judging, as well as a loving and forgiving, G-d, and a belief in the chosenness of the Jews which America identified with.
The significance of this belief in American chosenness cannot be overstated. It accounts for the mission that Americans have uniquely felt called to — to spread liberty in the world.
This sense of mission is why more Americans have died for the liberty of others than any other nation's soldiers.
It is why those who today most identify with the Judeo-Christian essence of America are more likely to believe in the moral worthiness of dying to liberate countries — not only Europe, but Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. That is why America stands alone in protecting two little countries threatened with extinction, Israel and Taiwan. That is why conservative Americans are more likely to believe in American exceptionalism — in not seeking, as President Bush put it, a "permission slip" from the United Nations, let alone from Europe.
The second meaning of Judeo-Christian is a belief in the biblical G-d of Israel, in His Ten Commandments and His biblical moral laws. It is a belief in universal, not relative, morality. It is a belief that America must answer morally to this G-d, not to the mortal, usually venal, governments of the world.
That is why those who most affirm Judeo-Christian values lead the fight against redefining marriage. We believe that a pillar of Judeo-Christian values is to encourage the man-woman sexual and marital ideal, and to provide children with the opportunity to benefit from the unique gifts that a man and a woman give a child, gifts that are never replicable by two men alone or two women.
That is why those who most affirm Judeo-Christian values are unmoved by the idea that the war in Iraq is moral if Germany, France, China and Russia say so, but immoral if they oppose it. We ask first what G-d and the Bible would say about liberating Iraq, not what Syria and other members of the U.N. Security Council say.
That is why those who most affirm Judeo-Christian values believe that war, while always tragic, is on more than a few occasions a moral duty. Nothing "Judeo" ever sanctioned pacifism. Of course, the Hebrew Prophet Isaiah yearned for the day that nations will beat their swords into plowshares. But another Hebrew Prophet, Joel, who is never cited by those who wish to read the secular value of pacifism into the Bible, said precisely the opposite: "Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, 'I am strong!'"
And that is why those who want Judeo-Christian values to disappear from American public life affirm multiculturalism, seek to remove mention of G-d from all public life, and make Christmas a private, not a national, holiday. The battle over whether America remains Judeo-Christian or becomes secular like Europe is what this, the Second American Civil War, is about.

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor

tootboy — 2004-03-31T11:03:00-05:00

NEWSDAY'S Letters to the Editor March 30, 2004
TERRORIST OLYMPICS, CONDI, GAS PRICES, AND A VILE LETTER

Number of Letters from the LEFT: 11
Number of Letters from the RIGHT: 5

Left Letters:
1) …With the first anniversary of the Iraq war, I can't help but remember an image from a year ago of an African-American father holding up a snapshot the day the Pentagon announced the first combat deaths and saying to the TV cameras that President George W. Bush had killed his son. I never saw that man interviewed again.
There are parents whose children died in Iraq who oppose the war. As John Kerry's presidential candidacy reminds us, there are anti-war veterans. Let's hope the media let us hear more from those people who believe this war looks more and more like a Vietnam-sized mistake and less from those who need to believe it isn't. -Charley McKenna Manhattan

According to this person we are only hearing from people who are for the war. And it’s the media’s fault. We don’t know what this person is watching or reading but we have noticed plenty (in fact a unscientific majority) of people who are outspoken about the war. There are plenty of anti-war veterans and certainly plenty of anti-war parents of veterans. Let’s also note that most of the soldiers in Vietnam were drafted while all of the soldiers in Iraq are volunteers. This war will never be like Vietnam and the comparisons are downright inane.

2) …Last week you published an opinion piece by Condoleezza Rice ["Bush team didn't drag feet on terror," Opinion, March 24], but she refuses to testify publicly in front of the 9/11 commission about her work in the days before 9/11. But she will put out her words to media outlets willing to publish her. If Rice refuses to answer in public questions about history's biggest terrorist attack on American soil, I don't think she has any opinions worth sharing through your Opinion pages. -Daniel Kinch Brooklyn

As fate would have it she accepted speaking to the commission in public and under oath which we will note is something we approve of but we also know is out of character for any President’s advisor. We will also note that she has already spoken with the commission in private. The press has been all over Dr. Rice who we believe will be the next Secretary of State or possibly even Vice President.

3) …The cost of health care in this country has become a serious burden for people on a limited, or fixed, income. In "The right to sue HMOs" [News, March 24], Justice Antonin Scalia said, "All you're talking about is money." It has become the trend here for HMOs to decide what treatment is necessary, rather than doctors. If HMOs want to do this, they should obtain malpractice insurance, similar to physicians, and be held accountable for their errors in judgment.
As for Justice Scalia's comment, the main problem for seniors is money. There are proposed cutbacks in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, as well as all the social programs providing care to the elderly and the impoverished of this country. Let Scalia send checks to people who need to get medicine and treatments not covered by their HMOs or insurance providers. This would certainly ease their burden. -Fred Scholfield Queens Village

4) …The article "Rising gasoline prices" [News, March 23] raised some concerns. I, along with dozens of other Long Islanders, participate in the FORD/NYPA/LIPA/LIRR sponsored Th!nk electric-car program. Tens of thousands of miles have been driven using these vehicles in New York. Trips that would have typically been driven in gasoline-powered automobiles. This has resulted in a savings of thousands of gallons of gasoline plus eliminating untold air pollution. Participants in the Th!nk program were given a 30-month lease only because the vehicles didn't meet all the federal safety requirements. Participants are being forced to turn in their vehicles beginning this fall and the vehicles, which were slated to be crushed, will be returned to Norway. Because we are experiencing a gasoline crisis, I believe that this program should continue until the crisis has passed. Since the Th!nk program is already in place, no additional start-up costs are necessary. It only makes sense to extend the program. -Dave Smith Hicksville

Pricing are rising but contrary to reports they are not at record prices. A gallon of gas costs about the same as a gallon of gas cost in the 1950’s with inflation adjusted to 2004 prices. We don’t know enough about the electric cars or about the electric-car program that this writer is specifying. We do know that we would use an electric car if one were provided to us free of charge (pun intended).

5) …The firm refusal of the president's National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to testify in public before the 9/11 Commission is the beginning of her fall from grace and that would be a terrible loss. Her behavior today is a long way from the warmth and compassion she expressed on the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2002, when she joined with the president and the first lady at Ground Zero to shake the hands of hundreds of relatives of the victims, including FDNY families.
It would be a shame to see Rice put politics before government service and the truth, after having already proved to many young girls and women in America that a strong, smart woman can succeed and "dance on the glass ceiling." She owes her country and the victims nothing less. -Dianne Baumert-Moyik Holtsville

What does “dance on the glass ceiling” mean? As we mentioned above Dr. Rice has met with the commission and today going against precedent has agreed to testify in public and under oath. We think this is an appropriate move but we understand that this is highly irregular for any president’s advisor.

6) …The revelations by the Bush administration's counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke dovetail perfectly with those of former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill that George W. Bush was intent, from the very outset of his presidency, on invading Iraq and was incredibly disengaged from the threat posed by al-Qaida. It is no wonder that the president and his staff have been so uncooperative with the commission investigating 9/11.
The tragedy is that many lives have been lost unnecessarily while we squandered our real opportunity to deal an effective blow to the scourge of terrorism by diverting our attention and military resources from Afghanistan to the invasion of Iraq. Sadly, this administration has allowed al-Qaida ample time to regroup and decentralize into a more amorphous and insidious threat to the free world. We are now well past the point where the White House can spin its way out of this one. D. Carl Lustig III Roslyn

IF the President and his people did not look into Iraq’s involvement in Sept 11th then this would be foolish. If the President and his people did not look into Iraq’s relationship with terrorism it would be ridiculous. The war in Iraq is not about Sept 11th justice and revenge but about foiling the potential for another Sept 11th. Isn’t this what the commission is for? Isn’t this what people are saying should have been done to Al-Queda? The same people who are crying that the terrorists should have been stopped before Sept 11th are the same people who typically would’ve cried out that the US was attacking another nation for little reason. A war in Afghanistan would have been seen as diverting our attention from a poor economy or smelling of imperialism. Either way the Bush administration would have been in the wrong according to people like D. Carl Lustig the 3rd.

7) …To hear the Republicans on the 9/11 commission bashing President Bill Clinton for not doing enough during his presidency to fight terrorism and prevent 9/11 is laughable. What did the Republicans focus their energies on during Clinton's eight years in the White House? Whitewater, Monica Lewinsky and the meaning of "is." When the Republicans should have been helping Clinton fight terrorism, they impeached him. -Robert Mauro Levittown

The truth is former President Clinton’s staff treated terrorism as a judicial issue and not a war issue. It is true that the Republicans should have been pressing the Clinton administration on destroying terrorism but it is also true that elimination of terrorism was not the route that was going to be taken. Whitewater, and Lewinsky were viable issues about the misuse of Presidential and Gubernatorial power for personal gains. It still does not take either Democrats or Republicans off the hook. However the finger pointing is worthless if we do not learn from it. We think Mr. Mauro is speaking as a finger pointer and saying, “Oh yeah, well your guys didn’t…”

8) …The Bush administration claims it has been more open than any administration. Why is it that when Sen. John Kerry challenged George W. Bush to monthly debates, Bush flat-out refused? Why is it that when Condoleezza Rice was asked to testify publicly at the 9/11 commission hearings, she refused? For an administration that prides itself on its openness, it certainly has a strange way of displaying it. -Howard Sandak Coram

The Bush administration has not been the most open administration. The President does not hold enough press conferences for my taste. He needs to let the American public know what is going on more often from his own mouth. The most open comment was a political maneuver. For example Bill Clinton at the beginning of his presidency claimed he would have the most truthful administration ever which was far from the truth. President GHW Bush said he would raise no taxes. Unfortunately we are stuck with politics in politics. President GW Bush is not as open because of the urgency and necessity of secrecy of the war. Still there is no excuse for not being more available to the media. In regards to the monthly debates, Senator Kerry was not prepared to debate since no one really knows where he stands on most of the issues. This is possibly the reason he refused to debate John Edwards before that Senator stepped out of the race. There is plenty of time to debate. The two candidates are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum on the majority of topics. If they had started now we would be crying foul come November.

9) …Richard Clarke, the former top counter-terrorism official, has charged the Bush administration with a failure to consider the threat of terrorism to be an urgent problem.
Maybe Bush deserves some sympathy. Bush's first priority was to be re-elected. His re-election campaign practically started on the day of his inauguration.
His second priority, after taking office, was to reverse many of President Bill Clinton's initiatives. Anything that had Clinton's fingerprints on it had to be eliminated.
Bush's third priority was a regime change in Iraq. How could Clarke expect a man like Bush to consider terrorism to be an urgent problem with all of his other priorities? -Kenneth Zajick Coram

How do you really feel Mr. Zajick? A humorous aspect (we are kidding you know) is that anything that had Clinton’s fingerprints on it was either taken home in a carpet bag to New York, or was in counseling for being molested. Sorry, bad jokes. Of course Kenneth Zajick is right about one thing. The Bush presidency did start immediately on eliminating Clinton’s high tax margin rate and attempt to cut taxes and refund all Americans especially those who were married and/or with children.

10) …First, we drag a man out of a hole. Then the Israelis kill a half-blind man in a wheelchair with a rocket.
Oh, yes, I feel much safer now that these two big threats are gone. What a relief to able to walk through Penn Station twice a day with thousands of others without worrying whether I am going to die that day. Now that President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have made the world safer with their "war on terror," I can go back to concentrating on keeping my job long enough to pay for my son's $35,000-a-year college tuition. Just one thing: I am changing my name to Sitting Duck. -Loretta Gallion Hauppauge

This letter is so abominable and full of such contemptuous remarks that we cannot even begin to speak of it. We will let Sitting Duck’s quacking fly by.

11) …Imagine a local public official ordering an evacuation of a building due to a possible threat. In the process, hundreds die. Later, it's learned that the threat did not exist. Let's agree there was a good faith belief that it was serious. Could you also imagine that same official later making a joke of the situation? Our president can. In the article "Bush pokes some fun during media dinner" [Newsday.com, March 25], he put on a slide show at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association 60th annual dinner that showed him in a fruitless, frustrating search. "Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere," the president says.
The fact remains that the threat of these weapons was the predicate for this war. That any person in this administration could make light of those claims now that nearly 600 men and women have died and thousands have been wounded is despicable. Do the families of the dead and the maimed share the president's laughter? -Dennis M. Brown Ronkonkoma

Mr. Brown, we don’t understand your analogy. If a building weren’t under a possible threat why would hundreds die? Only if there was a credible threat would hundreds die. In any case, the President’s jokes may have been in poor taste to many. We laughed when we heard them and they were in proper context to the audience. Of course not everyone shares our sense of humor so Mr. Brown has the right to feel this war. The war in Iraq was not predicated to finding WMDs, it was predicated to finding out the truth behind Iraq’s WMD inventory. Which we believe we did. If Saddam Hussein had not veiled his WMD program in secrecy and had attempted to hide anything from the US and the UN he maybe still in power. However, either way the world and Iraq is better off without his bullying and horrific abuse.

Right Letters:
1) …It is ironic that just as the 9/11 commission rebuked the Clinton and Bush administrations for relying on diplomacy instead of military options, Newsday and others were criticizing Israel for the assassination of the leader of the terrorist group Hamas. Israel is fighting terror while the world is encouraging it. -Aviva Sonnenblick Fresh Meadows

For whatever reasons Israel has always had to bear the criticism of every diplomat and bureaucrat around the world. No matter what Israel does or does not do it seems there is no pleasing the politicos. Israel killed someone who was the equal of Al Queda’s #2 man. To think that he was being hailed as a spiritual leader or a reasonable human being is obviously treating the Palestinians with disrespect.

2) …Richard Clarke is on an even par with the little boy who cried wolf. I cannot discount the accusations he is levying against the Bush administration because I was not there. But where was he then? Why did he not bring attention to his opinions that he claims were being discounted?
Whistle-blowing has become socially acceptable in today's climate, and imagine the clout Clarke would have received had he passionately communicated his opinion. No, Clarke is, sadly, only after the almighty dollar. -Angelo M. Gagliano Coram

Sadly it maybe true that Mr. Clarke’s motivations are revenge for his demotion in the Bush administration and/or money. We hope this is not the case because partisanship and greed is not what we need to hear at the commission hearings. We need to hear the truth (as long as no security secrets are revealed). Mr. Clarke seems to have an agenda other than the truth. He has now told the commission things that he left out of his book and things that are in direct contradiction with other statements he has made in the past 2 to 5 years. This is also the man who made the judgment call to help the Rwandans during their civil war and subsequent genocide. Though that has little relevance here it is important to know how he thinks.
3) …It is scary to me that there are so many people who believe whatever they hear without any effort to verify the information themselves. We are being flooded with input. Democrats and Republicans alike want to reach the public with information reflecting their views. Our job as citizens is to check it out for the truth.
I don't think President George W. Bush is a perfect president. But I believe the record shows him to be an honest man and president. If people want to call him a liar, they are free to do so, but I personally want to see proof. Without evidence, I'm not going to believe the words of politicians who clearly hate the president.
Before anyone believes any propaganda and acts on it (for example with a vote), I wish each person would take the time to check out the facts. Don't we all want the best for this country? -Deborah DeCillis Seaford

The facts are that there are lots of facts to check. Propaganda on both sides are weapons of words. We believe that everyone should read as much as possible to get all sides or at least get the truth instead of assuming what others feed you is correct and not just partial “spin”. If we may we suggest you should go to www.jewishworldreview.com and www.lucianne.com for the latest news and opinions. Most people know only what they hear on the evening news, in the newspaper or from the late night talk shows.

4) …Regarding "A litany of shortcomings" [News, March 25]: Both Newsday and Richard Clarke are intensely interested in selling their own opinions as factual. Both have a wonderful way of overlooking eight years of Clinton's failures. They also overlook Bush's increased intelligence efforts. Clarke admitted that most likely nothing could have been done to stop 9/11. How about giving reporting a fair chance? -Ned Sweeney Central Islip

We have noted Clarke’s inconsistencies before including contradictory statements, the book published the week of his testimony, etc.

5) …I was pondering the photograph of a Hamas supporter jumping over a burning pile of tires while carrying the Hamas flag ["Killing adds fuel to the fire," News, March 23]. I was trying to get a sense of the impact Israel's killing the Hamas sheik would have on the United States when my son came over to me. He looked at the photo and said, "So they want to kill us but it's OK to wear our clothes." I asked him what he was talking about and he pointed at the logo on the man's sweatshirt: It was Nike. -Richard J. Wilke Bayport

Well Nike’s motto is “Just do it” and it supports any sport you want to do. Isn’t it possible that this Hamas supporter was participating in a terrorist Olympics? He may have even won the Long Jump over the burning pile of tires. We hear that the winner of the 100-yard suicide bomber run was awarded posthumously. Although they tried they found it difficult to find enough contestants in the 2-4 age bracket.

The Cliche of Vietnam? Athena gets it...Champy doesn't

tootboy — 2004-04-07T10:04:00-05:00

Sorry I've been away...
Many out there have been calling the War in Iraq another Vietnam. While it may seem like a good thing to some of you that would love for this to become another Vietnam, it isn't.
Here are the 5 reasons:
>The biggest problem in the Vietnam War was the Johnson and then the Nixon administrations refusal to win the war. They made the military hold back. We had every opportunity to destroy the main parts of North Vietnam and didn't do it. Much like Korea.
>Vietnam was unwinnable in the long run. We could and should have taken out the North Vietnamese but the Vietnamese people have a long history of destroying all foreign intruders. The Chinese, the Cambodians and the French could never conquer them. The people the US would have put in place to lead would have been considered fraudulent by the Vietnamese. Eventually there would have been another coup or civil war.
>North Vietnam had the help of the Russians and Chinese
>Vietnam is made of one culture essentially while Iraq has at least 3 distinctive cultures and peoples.
>South Vietnam's independence was not essential to the survival of the United States or its allies while Iraq is.
>While 135 US servicemen died on average a week in Vietnam, the completely unfortunate deaths of servicemen in Iraq the deathtoll has averaged around 11 a week. Plus this is a volunteer army not drafted or conscripts. This is a professional personnel.

Enough with the "quagmires". This is war. We all remember the networks calling Afghanistan a quagmire after the first week. And then the coallition forces broke through. I think The administration has made many mistakes in the war but what the hell do I know about military strategy. I can't defend the progress or lack thereof but I know in the end the US will win and we will look back on this and know we did the right thing. History will agree with us.

We have to many naysayers on this board and in the media and in Washington. We need to be more decisive and agressive.

Another Kerry Waffling?

tootboy — 2004-04-07T04:04:00-05:00

Kerry: Terrorist Shiite Al-Sadr 'A Legitimate Voice'

In an interview broadcast Wednesday morning, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry defended terrorist Shiite imam Muqtada al-Sadr as a "legitimate voice" in Iraq, despite that fact that he's led an uprising that has killed nearly 20 American GIs in the last two days.

Speaking of al-Sadr's newspaper, which was shut down by coalition forces last week after it urged violence against U.S. troops, Kerry complained to National Public Radio, "They shut a newspaper that belongs to a legitimate voice in Iraq."
In the next breath, however, the White House hopeful caught himself and quickly changed direction, adding, "Well, let me . . . change the term legitimate. It belongs to a voice - because he has clearly taken on a far more radical tone in recent days and aligned himself with both Hamas and Hezbollah, which is a sort of terrorist alignment."

But Kerry again seemed to voice sympathy for the Shiite terrorist when asked whether he supported al Sadr's arrest. "Not if it’s an isolated act without the other kinds of steps necessary to change the dynamics on the ground in Iraq," Kerry told NPR, in quotes first reported by the New York Sun.

"If all we do is make war against the Iraqi people and continue an American occupation, fundamentally, without a clarity as to who and how sovereignty is being turned over, we have a very serious problem for the long run here," Kerry added. "And I think this administration is just walking dead center down into that trap."

On March 28, the U.S.-led coalition authorities closed al-Sadr's newspaper, al-Hawza, for 60 days, the Sun reported. L. Paul Bremer, the chief U.S. administrator in Iraq, charged that said the newspaper had published false stories blaming the coalition forces for local acts of terrorism.

Former Sentor Bob Kerrey on the War in Iraq

tootboy — 2004-04-08T03:04:00-05:00

The Search for Answers
Richard Clarke is wrong about Iraq.

BY BOB KERREY
Thursday, April 8, 2004

The 9/11 Commission's objective is to answer the following question: How--at the end of a summer of high terrorist threat--did 19 men with a few hundred thousand dollars manage to utterly defeat every single defensive mechanism we had in place that September morning and murder 3,000 innocents on American soil?

The search for this answer is especially painful because these 19 men were part of al Qaeda, a radical Islamic army called to war against the United States by Osama bin Laden in August 1996 and again in February 1998--and because Sept. 11, 2001, was not their first success.

On Aug. 7, 1998, six months after Osama bin Laden's declaration of war against Americans world-wide, al Qaeda terrorists attacked our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania with truck bombs, killing more than 250 Kenyans, Tanzanians and Americans and wounding thousands more. Attempts to bomb Los Angeles International Airport, a hotel in Amman, Jordan, and the USS The Sullivans in Yemen were prevented by a combination of skilled spycraft and good luck.

But our luck did not hold.

On Oct. 12, 2000, a bomb ripped through the USS Cole in Yemen killing 17 American sailors. And less than a year later, Mohamed Atta and his suicidal crew crashed civilian aircraft into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pa.

I believe Chairman Tom Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton will lead our commission to write a bipartisan report that will provide Americans with the clearest picture yet of how this happened. I believe they will lead the commission to produce a report that will contain specific recommendations of what we need to do to make certain that nothing like the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, ever happens again.
As a member of the commission, authorized under federal law as a consequence of the persistence and perseverance of the families of the victims of that terrible day, I sincerely hope our efforts will meet their highest expectations.

Today's appearance of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will test the commission's resilience to the partisan pressures which threaten to collapse the goodwill needed to achieve consensus. Among the most dangerous forces is the tendency in politics to become personal and question motives instead of confronting the substance of the argument made by any individual. If we yield to this tendency, all hope for an honest and constructive report is lost. We will most certainly fail.

The best example of this came two weeks ago, when all the key national security officials of both the Clinton and Bush administrations, except Ms. Rice, testified under oath before the commission. This testimony came immediately after Richard Clarke, the former counterterrorism director under both presidents, spoke.

Mr. Clarke's most startling statement was that there have been more terrorist attacks against the United States in the 30 months since 9/11 than in the 30 months prior to the attack. You could almost hear a clap of thunder when he went on to say that this happened because we substantially reduced our efforts in Afghanistan and went to war in Iraq, causing a loss of momentum in the war against al Qaeda.

That's his argument. I think he's wrong, but I don't think he is being duplicitous. He is wrong because most if not all of the terrorism since 9/11 has occurred because al Qaeda and other radical Islamists have an even dimmer view of a free and independent Iraq than they do a free and independent United States. A democracy in Iraq that embraces modernism, pluralism, tolerance and the plebiscite is a greater sacrilege than anything we are doing here at home.

Mr. Clarke's views on Iraq notwithstanding, after 9/11 we could not afford either to run the risk that Saddam Hussein would be deterred by our military efforts to contain him or that these military deployments would become attractive targets for further acts of terrorism. I supported President Bush's efforts to persuade the United Nations Security Council to change a 10-year-old resolution that authorized force to contain Saddam Hussein to one that authorized force to replace his dictatorship. And I believe the president did the right thing to press ahead even without the Security Council's support. Remember, the June 25, 1996, attack on Khobar Towers that left 19 American airmen dead happened because of our containment efforts. Sailors had also died enforcing the Security Council's embargo and our pilots were risking their lives every day flying missions over northern and southern Iraq to protect Iraqi Kurds and Shiites.

It is my view that a political victory for terrorism in Iraq is a much greater danger to us than whether or not we succeed in capturing Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. Victory in Iraq will embolden radical Islamists as much as our failure to recognize the original danger of their declaration of war against us.

This debate becomes all the more important since the work of this commission--to examine an attack against the U.S. that occurred nearly three years ago--has been overshadowed by the events taking place in Iraq. The war there is not over. Twelve marines were killed in Ramadi Tuesday night in what has become a dramatic escalation of violence against coalition forces. I believe this escalation is taking place precisely because the country is about to be handed over to the Iraqi people to run themselves.
More importantly, I believe this commission must try to provide a foundation for bipartisan agreement on what should be done in Iraq and the broader war against radical Islamists who use terror as a tactic to destroy our will.

Whether you disagree with me or with Mr. Clarke, the only way for the 9/11 Commission to succeed is to confront every fact and every argument on its merits. If we do, the world will be safer. If we don't, we will have exercised our freedoms poorly.

Mr. Kerrey, president of New School University in New York and a former Democratic senator from Nebraska, is a member of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the "9/11" Commission).

The truth

tootboy — 2004-04-09T09:04:00-05:00

Now that Condi has testified and former President Clinton has spent 4 hours with the Commission it is time for America to realize that we were damned if we do damned if we don't.

Let's think about this. Let's say the Clinton or Bush administration would have killed Osama Bin Laden or one of his top Lts. in 2000 or 2001. Do we really think that would have stopped Mohammed Atta and his band of evil from taking those planes into those buildings? No in fact we would have said, "oh it's our own fault. If we didn't kill Osama they would never have done this". Let's wake up to the fact that this could have been prevented only if we had enforced the doors to the cockpits and given guns to the pilots. Before Sept 11th this in itself would have caused an uproar.

WHAT IF... by Kathleen Parker

tootboy — 2004-04-09T11:04:00-05:00

In a parallel universe called "What if . . . "
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | New York — President-elect John F. Kerry's rise to the nation's highest office came as little surprise following almost four years of remonstrations against President George W. Bush for his bizarre attack on the defenseless people of Afghanistan.

Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, was the right man for a nation outraged by the Bush administration's pre-emptive war, which, it now seems clear, was based on highly speculative intelligence that Saudi Arabian-born terrorist Osama bin Laden was planning an attack on the U.S.

Absent absolute proof of such an imminent attack, Bush's Sept. 10 bombing of Afghanistan earned him international condemnation and, in all likelihood, an indictment in coming weeks. United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General Kofi Annan, appearing last night on Larry King Live, said the U.N.'s International Criminal Tribunal likely would bring charges of genocide against the president.

Bush also faces federal charges at home for his baseless arrest of 19 foreign nationals, many of them native Saudis, whose "crime" was attending American flight schools. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has joined the American Civil Liberties Union in a joint suit against both Bush and former Attorney General John Ashcroft, charging racial profiling, unlawful arrest, and illegal search and seizure.

Kerry's campaign mantra - "You go to war because you have to, not because you want to" - clearly resonated with Americans as they tried to make sense of Bush's September 10 attack on Afghanistan. Neither the president, nor National Security Adviser Dr. Condoleezza Rice convincingly defended their actions during the recent "9/10 Commission" hearings, which Congress ordered in response to public outcry.

The commission's purpose was to try to determine what compelled the president to launch a war against Afghanistan. What kind of intelligence suggested that such an act was justified?

The main target of the attack was bin Laden, friend to Afghanistan's brutal Taliban regime, as well as al Qaeda training camps in that war-ravaged nation. Al Qaeda, an international terrorist network, has been blamed for numerous attacks on U.S. interests, including the USS Cole bombing, which killed 17 sailors.

Even though Bush's military campaign was successful in ending the oppressive Taliban regime, bin Laden apparently escaped and al Qaeda continues to flourish.

Some intelligence sources speculate that bin Laden's operatives may be trying to secure weapons of mass destruction (WMD) from Iraq's Saddam Hussein. Even though Saddam continues to send money to the families of Palestinian terrorists and is believed to have programs for developing WMD, Kerry says he is committed to containing Saddam through continued sanctions and the U.N. oil-for-food program.

In any case, experts say that intelligence about Saddam's WMD program are just as speculative as was the intelligence that prompted Bush to attack Afghanistan. The man credited with sounding the alarm on bin Laden and al Qaeda was Richard Clarke, a counterterrorism expert who has served four presidents, including Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton.

In a January 25 memo to Dr. Rice, for instance, Clarke urged immediate attention to several items of national security interest: the Northern Alliance, covert aid, a significant new '02 budget authority to help fight al Qaeda, and a response to the USS Cole.

At Rice's and Clarke's urging, Bush called a meeting of principals and, after "connecting the dots," decided to wage war against Afghanistan. What did the dots say? Not much, in retrospect. Apparently, the president decided to bomb a benign country on the basis of "chatter" that hinted at "something big."

With no other details on the "big," and by weaving together random bits of information from a variety of questionable sources, Bush and company decided that 19 fundamentalist Muslim fanatics would fly airplanes into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon on 9/11.

Under questioning by the "9/10 Commission," Clarke denied that his memo was anything more than a historical overview with a "set of ideas and a paper, mostly." The bi-partisan commission concluded, therefore, that Bush's "dot-connecting" had destroyed American credibility and subjected the U.S. to increasing hostility in the Arab-Muslim world.

Last week, Saddam Hussein and Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat joined French and German leaders in condemning Bush and urging American voters to cast their ballots for regime change in the U.S. Kerry was the clear response to that call.

In a flourish of irony and the spirit of bon vivant for which president-elect is widely known, Kerry gave his acceptance speech from Windows on the World, the elegant restaurant atop the World Trade Center's Tower One.
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/kathleen/parker.html

The new genocide: Have you heard? The UN hasn't?

tootboy — 2004-04-12T10:04:00-05:00

The new genocide: Have you heard? by NAT HENTOFF
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/hentoff.html

http://www.NewsandOpinion.com | The U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, Mukesh Kapila, said in a March 19 BBC interview that the killings, abductions and organized rapes in the far western region of Darfur in Sudan is "the world's greatest humanitarian crisis, and I don't know why the world isn't doing more about it."

The world, including the United Nations and United States, was silent in 1994 during the 800,000 murdered in the genocide in Rwanda. Kapila, who was in that nation during the slaughter, says that "the only difference between Rwanda and Darfur now is the numbers involved."

In his March 27 column in The New York Times, Nicholas Kristof estimates that "some 1,000 people are being killed a week; tribeswomen are being systematically raped; 700,000 people have been driven from their homes; and Sudan's army is even bombing the survivors. And the world yawns."

This atrocity is the result of the ruthless army of the National Islamic Front government in Khartoum, which for years has enslaved black Sudanese in the South. But the horror in Darfur is yet another of its crimes against humanity.

On March 22, the U.N. Integrated Regional Information Network reported that during a Feb. 27 attack in the Tawilah area of northern Darfur "30 villages were burned to the ground, over 200 people killed and over 200 girls and women raped -- some by up to 14 assailants and in front of their fathers who were later killed. A further 150 women and 200 children were abducted."

In addition to reports from Kristof, the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, the most detailed running accounts of this genocide are being provided by Eric Reeves, a professor of English at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. For years, he has also been the most persistent reporter on human rights crimes by the Khartoum government in the south of Sudan.

In a Feb. 25 Washington Post article, Reeves emphasized that the National Islamic Front "has allowed no news reporters into the region and has severely restricted humanitarian access, thus preventing observation by aid workers." It was the first op-ed on the issue I've seen in the American media.

Victims of the violence, Nicholas Kristof reports, are black non-Arab Muslims. The killers, often aided by government troops, are Arab Muslims known as the Janjaweed militia. Mukesh Kapila distilled the ferocity of this hatred -- rooted in the "ancient tension between herdsmen (the Arabs) and farmers (the black Africans)" competing for water and forage -- by saying that "it is more than just a conflict. It is an organized attempt to do away with a group of people."

The killers and the rapists intend to make the region "Zurga-free."

Zurga is a contemptuous word for blacks, recalling the Nazis' murderous wish to make Europe "judenfrei" -- meaning "Jew-free." Which is why, the International Crisis Group in Brussels reports, there is "widespread destruction of schools, clinics, wells and irrigation pumps."

U.N. secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs, Jan Egeland, has spoken out about these atrocities. But, as of this writing, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has yet to appear on international television and call loudly and often for world condemnation of the Sudan government. It's the least Annan could do after admitting, on March 27, to only part of his blame for his failure to stop the genocide in Rwanda when he was in charge of peacekeeping at the United Nations.

Annan could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but rejected seven pleas from his representative in Rwanda.

President George W. Bush, however, did telephone Sudan President Omar al-Bashir on March 22 to express concern about what was happening in Darfur. According to the White House, he asked President Bashir "to rein in militia and open up humanitarian access in the region." But that's far from enough. Bush should insist that Bashir end the genocide. The president should also urge the other African states -- that have been notoriously slow to actively intervene in human rights atrocities in Zimbabwe, for example -- to speak and act to end the killings and rapes in Darfur.

Syndicated radio host Joe Madison was a primary force in organizing American public opinion that got the president to sign the Sudan Peace Act, which condemned Khartoum's involvement in genocidal slavery, killings and rapes in the South.

Madison says that the news organizations have "to wake up. If this genocide were happening in Bosnia or Iraq, there is no question that tremendous attention would be paid by the media."

As Nicholas Kristof asks: "Are the world's pledges of 'never again' really going to ring hollow one more time? ... If we turn away simply because the victims are African tribespeople who have the misfortune to speak no English, have no phones and live in one of the remotest parts of the globe, then shame on us."

That means shame on each of us, not just the media.

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/hentoff.html

The impossibility of confront terrorism prior to Sept 11th

tootboy — 2004-04-12T11:04:00-05:00

Before 9/11--and After
Only a nation at war can properly confront terrorism.

BY LOUIS J. FREEH
Monday, April 12, 2004 12:01 a.m. EDT

Al Qaeda was at war with the U.S. even before Sept. 11, 2001. In August 1998, it attacked our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. In December 1999, one of al Qaeda's soldiers, Ahmed Ressam, entered the U.S. to bomb Los Angeles airport. In October 2000, al Qaeda attacked the USS Cole in the port of Aden.

The question before the 9/11 Commission is why our political leadership declared war back on al Qaeda only after Sept. 11, 2001. Osama bin Laden had been indicted years before for blowing up American soldiers and embassies and was known as a clear and present danger to the U.S. So what would have happened had the U.S. declared war on al Qaeda before Sept. 11? Endless and ultimately useless speculation about "various threads and pieces of information," which are certainly "relevant and significant," at least in retrospect, will not take us very far in answering this central question.

On Jan. 26, 2001, at 8:45 a.m., I had my first meeting with President Bush and Vice President Cheney. They had been in office four days. We discussed terrorism, and in particular al Qaeda, the African embassy bombings, the Cole attack and the June 1996 Khobar bombing in Saudi Arabia. When I advised the president that Hezbollah and Iran were responsible for Khobar, he directed me to follow-up with Condoleezza Rice. I did so at 2:30 p.m. that day and she told me to pursue our investigation with the attorney general and to bring whatever charges possible. Within weeks, a new prosecutor was put in charge of the case and on June 21 an indictment was returned against 13 Hezbollah men who had been directed to bomb Khobar by senior officials of the Iranian government. I know that the families of the 19 murdered airmen were deeply grateful to President Bush and Ms. Rice for their prompt response and focus on terrorism.
I believe that any president and Congress faced with the reality of Sept. 11 would have acted swiftly and overwhelmingly as did President Bush and the 107th Congress. They are to be commended. However, those who came before President Bush can only be faulted if they had had the political means and the will of the nation to declare a war back then, but failed to do so. The fact that terrorism and the war being waged by al Qaeda was not even an issue in the 2000 presidential campaign strongly suggests that the political will to declare and fight this war didn't exist before Sept. 11.

All of this is not to say that the intelligence and law enforcement communities couldn't have done more to protect the nation from a Sept. 11. As FBI director I share in that responsibility. And I don't know of any FBI agents who would not have given their lives--two did--to prevent Sept. 11 from happening. The Joint Intelligence Committee and now the 9/11 Commission are properly seeking to understand how Sept. 11 was able to happen. But the grand failure to comprehend the contrast between the pre-9/11 fight against terrorism with the total war being waged since Sept. 11 blinds us to an immensely significant historical and political dialectic.

The 1993 attack on the World Trade Center by foreign-trained terrorists focused the FBI on homeland security and prevention as its counterterrorism priority. Excellent investigation and skillful prosecution effectively identified the terrorists involved. Those who were quickly captured were tried and convicted. Ramzi Yousef, a terrorist mastermind, fled to Pakistan along with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, now believed to be one of the architects of Sept. 11. The FBI's 1993 criminal investigation identified and stopped another plan by Sheik Rahman to blow up New York City tunnels, bridges and buildings (dubbed "Terrstop"). Important lesson learned: Good investigation is also good prevention. Two years later, FBI agents surprised Yousef at a guest house in Pakistan and brought him back to Foley Square, where he was convicted for two terrorist attacks. Besides the 1993 WTC murders, he was also convicted for his plot to blow up 11 U.S. airliners. His arrest and return to face justice was the result of long and painstaking investigation. Important lesson repeated: Investigation is prevention, and it also saves lives.

Yousef's arrest taught another valuable lesson. His apprehension was enabled by the fact that an FBI legal attaché, or "legat," was assigned to Islamabad in 1996. A legat is a "declared" FBI agent who serves as our liaison with the host country's law enforcement services. The expansion of our Legat Offices from 19 to 44 (from 1993-2001) was an integral part of the FBI's counterterrorism strategy. We determined in 1993 that the FBI needed legats in Tel Aviv, Cairo, Ankara, Riyadh, Amman, Tashkent and Almaty--to deter terrorists from murdering Americans. We later proposed legats in Tunis, Kuala Lampur, Jakarta, Rabat, Sana, Tbilisi and Abu Dhabi. The FBI and CIA narrowly missed grabbing Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in 1996 as he was about to travel from Doha to the UAE. Only because we had an arrest warrant was capture an option. Legats in those countries would have improved our chances of success.

FBI terrorist "cases" are designed to collect maximum information, evidence and intelligence in order to prosecute and pre-empt such activities. U.S. v. bin Laden, et al., tried successfully in New York from January through May 2001, was just one byproduct of an international program that targeted bin Laden/al Qaeda, ongoing since the 1993 WTC bombing when his name first surfaced as an organizer and financier of military training camps in Afghanistan.

FBI investigators seek to pursue all leads to their logical end, and follow those leads wherever they take us. Leads are unfortunately developed in the wake of terrorist attacks; but more often they are developed proactively, through sources and cooperators. In multiple instances, FBI investigations have disrupted planned attacks in the U.S. Moreover, FBI investigation has significantly contributed to the identification of al Qaeda's leadership, organization, methods, training, finances, geographical reach and intent. Through the pursuit of leads, the FBI's investigation of bin Laden and al Qaeda can be credited with having "jump-started" investigations in other parts of the world, Europe in particular. The FBI is extremely effective in conducting interviews, and putting together both criminal and intelligence cases. Information obtained through law-enforcement channels--whether testimony, documents, records, photographs, forensic evidence or the results of interviews--provides the purest form of intelligence.

Short of total war, the FBI relentlessly did its job of pursuing terrorists, always with the goal of preventing their attacks. But the FBI's pre-9/11 Counter-Terrorism (CT) resources were finite and insufficient--3.5% of the entire government's CT budget. In 1993, we had fewer than 600 special agents and 500 support positions funded for CT. By 1999, we'd more than doubled our personnel and trebled the FBI's CT budget to $301 million. We knew it wasn't enough. For Fiscal Years 2000, 2001 and 2002 the FBI asked for 1,895 special agents, analysts and linguists to enhance our CT program. We got 76 people for those three critical years. FY 2000 was typical: 864 CT positions at a cost of $380.8 million requested--five people funded for $7.4 million. This isn't a criticism of the DoJ, White House or Congress--that's how Washington makes its budgets, balancing competing needs against limited resources. The point is: The FBI was intensely focused on its CT needs but antebellum politics was not yet there. By contrast, after Sept. 11, the FBI's FY 2002 Emergency Supplemental CT budget was increased overnight by 823 positions for $745 million. The al Qaeda threat was the same on Sept. 10 and Sept. 12. Nothing focuses a government quicker than a war.

Before Sept. 11, the FBI relentlessly pursued criminal investigations, renditions and prosecutions of terrorists, particularly bin Laden and al Qaeda. This was an integral part of two administrations' CT strategy. This course wasn't pursued because we believed indicting bin Laden and issuing warrants for al Qaeda leaders would stop their war against us. In fact, we always viewed this law-enforcement action as limited in scope and completely secondary in terms of national security. Yet aside from cruise missiles, armed Predators and invading countries which harbored terrorists, this was our chosen path.

Sometimes it worked. Yousef's arrest didn't happen without an active warrant. After Mir Aimal Kansi's murders of CIA personnel in Langley, Va., it was his indictment that led to his arrest by FBI agents in Pakistan and murder convictions back in Fairfax County. We continue to pursue the arrest of Hezbollah's military commander for the murders of our Marines in Lebanon and Navy diver Robert Stethem. His capture may rest on an FBI arrest warrant. The al Qaeda terrorists who destroyed our African embassies and almost sunk the Cole have all been indicted and are now hounded by FBI agents as well as by CIA officers and our armed services. Even the administrators in Iraq have gone after Muqtada al-Sadr with an arrest warrant.

The FBI was relentless in indicting and pursuing the terrorist agents of Iran who blew up Khobar Towers. Why were we pursuing this case? Certainly not because we thought that arrest warrants for 13 fugitives protected by Iran was the best way to stop that country from sponsoring terrorist attacks. A poll of FBI agents would show a preference for a military operation against Iran as the more effective action. But short of "warring back," there's a fundamental but misunderstood notion about why it's a good thing to at least have an arrest warrant. Experience has taught the FBI that we never know the place and time--it's not of our choosing--when one of these terrorists is suddenly found traversing an airport, or is within-the-grab of a country that will remit him to us or to a "friendly" place only because we have a warrant. Hence the FBI always wanted to be in a position where--as with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed--we could capture a high-value target in a rare chance because we'd taken the trouble to get an indictment and a warrant. We don't think the American judicial process is always the best defense against terrorism--it's not; but it does give terror victims another means for justice.

Pre-9/11, the FBI used all the means at its disposal to capture bin Laden and to prevent future attacks against America. The FBI and CIA actively targeted al Qaeda and bin Laden beginning one year before the East Africa embassy attacks on Aug. 7, 1998. Together, they were able to indict bin Laden prior to Aug. 7 for a plot to murder U.S. soldiers in Yemen. In November 1998, he was indicted a second time for the embassy bombings and put on the FBI's Top 10 list in April 1999. In 1999, a dedicated "bin Laden Unit" was established at FBIHQ and the CIA-FBI "bin Laden station" began to operate covertly on an international basis. Of course, our arrest warrants, by themselves, were pieces of paper. The U.S. armed forces provided a means to execute a warrant to the FBI and DEA in 1988 by invading Panama in order to allow agents to arrest Manuel Noriega. Similar means to capture bin Laden did not become available until October 2001, when Afghanistan was so successfully invaded by our forces.

Before then, diplomacy and other means were tried. The U.S. brought political pressure on the Taliban to turn over bin Laden--but to no avail. The CIA and FBI sorted through a series of proposed, covert actions designed to capture bin Laden in Afghanistan and bring him to justice. None of the plans appeared to have any chance of success and were not approved. Finally, on April 6, 2000, after consultation with the national security adviser and the State Department, I traveled to meet Pervez Musharraf and requested his personal assistance in capturing bin Laden. Gen. Musharraf was polite but unhelpful. He explained that he had personal assurances from Mullah Omar of the Taliban that bin Laden was innocent of the East African bombings and had abandoned terrorism. We gave Gen. Musharraf and his military leaders an extensive briefing of our evidence against bin Laden and al Qaeda and followed up our meeting by sending FBI agents and an assistant U.S. attorney from New York to Pakistan to make the case for arresting bin Laden. It was clear that short of the U.S. declaring war against bin Laden and his Taliban accessories, Pakistan was not going to help us get this terrorist out of Afghanistan.

Protecting our homeland from attacks by foreign terrorists had long been the FBI's priority. Back in September 1994, I recommended to Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick that the DoJ strengthen investigative powers against suspected "undesirable aliens," accelerating deportation appeal proceedings and limiting U.S. participation in a visa waiver pilot program under which 9.5 million foreigners entered the U.S. in 1994. I also recommended that we include provisions for the detention and removal of undesirable aliens, under a special, closed-court procedure. I also criticized alien deportation appeal procedures which often took years to conclude. Finally, I recommended legislation to provide the FBI with roving wiretap authority to investigate terrorist activities in the U.S. President Clinton requested that authority in 1996.
The FBI was also active in focusing on the terrorist threat to Americans overseas, our first line of defense. This was the centerpiece of the dramatic expansion of legat offices. The FBI must have this foreign capability to carry out effective CT, especially prevention. When I left the FBI, I'd proposed that we establish an FBI training facility in Central Asia, as we'd done in Budapest in 1995, and had begun in Dubai, to enhance our ability to establish liaison and critical points of contact in those important regions. There is absolutely no substitute for these liaisons. Without them we risk being blind.

The FBI's expansion overseas paid immense dividends. The U.S.'s rapid response after Sept. 11 was based in part on this infrastructure. And during our examination of the forensic evidence from the Cole case, it was discovered that the explosive used was possibly manufactured in Russia. Because the FBI had been working in Russia since 1994, I was able to call the FSB (Russian intelligence) director and ask for assistance. His response was immediate. Russian experts provided us with all the information requested, helping immensely.

Everyone understands why and how some of our basic rules, beginning with provisions of the Patriot Act, changed after Sept. 11. America declared war on al Qaeda and bin Laden, and the Congress and president put the country on a war footing. It's important to remember that war changed these rules and the FBI, CIA and the rest of the government can only be judged prior to Sept. 11 by the pre-existing rules.

The FBI and CIA working together have accomplished much in fighting terrorism, but it is a continuing battle. These agencies should remain the primary counterterrorism agencies. But al Qaeda-type organizations, state sponsors of terrorism like Iran, and the threats they pose to America, are ultimately beyond the competence of the FBI and the CIA to address. America must maintain the will to use its political, military and economic power when acts of war are threatened or committed against our nation by terrorists or their state sponsors. We have now seen how war is declared and waged against terrorists who attack our nation. The painful lesson is that fighting terrorism without such a declaration of war is unlikely to be successful.

Mr. Freeh, a former FBI director, is scheduled to testify before the 9/11 Commission tomorrow.

Pres. George and Sen. John are kissing cousins

tootboy — 2004-04-13T11:04:00-05:00

http://msn.ancestry.com/landing/strange/bush4/tree.htm
This is fun! A MUST viewing. What do you think?

someone needs to get a grip and count to 10 and breathe

tootboy — 2004-04-13T12:04:00-05:00

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE APRIL 13, 2004 12:12:05 ET XXXXX

CAMPAIGN RAGE: FLORIDA DEMOCRATS PLACE NEWSPAPER AD CALLING FOR RUMSFELD HIT; FUNDRAISING FOR KERRY

Campaign 2004 turns extreme in Florida with the placement of a newspaper ad calling for physical retribution against Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld!

"We should put this S.O.B. up against a wall and say 'This is one of our bad days,' and pull the trigger," the ad reads.

MORE

The call-to-arms fundraising ad, placed by the St. Petersburg Democratic Club in the current issue of the GABBER, a local St. Petersburg paper, asks readers to make an urgent donation to the John Kerry campaign.

Club Vice President Edna McCall told the DRUDGE REPORT Tuesday morning: "We want to get our country back. In Iraq, we're in deep trouble. If we don't try to get this situation cleared up, we are finished."

When asked if the ad was a challenge to inflict violence on Rumsfeld, McCall explained: "'Pull the trigger' means let Rumsfeld know where we stand, not to shoot him!"

"We are getting raped, and they are planning to steal the election again."

McCall said her club is in direct contact with John Kerry campaign.

"We're all working together."

The publisher of the GABBER says running the ad with the passage "pull the trigger" was a mistake that "slipped through" during the editing of this week's edition.

kissing cousins

tootboy — 2004-04-13T12:04:00-05:00

http://msn.ancestry.com/landing/strange/bush4/tree.htm
This is fun! A MUST viewing. What do you think?

Another keen insight from Dennis Miller

tootboy — 2004-04-13T03:04:00-05:00

"A brief overview of the situation is always valuable, so as a service to all Americans who still don't get it, I now offer you the story of the Middle East in just a few paragraphs, which is all you Really need. Here we go: The Palestinians want their own country. There's just one thing about that: There are no Palestinians. It's a made up word. Israel was called Palestine for two thousand years. Like "Wiccan," "Palestinian" sounds ancient but is really a modern invention. Before the Israelis won the land in the 1967 war, Gaza was owned by Egypt, the West Bank was owned by Jordan, and there were no "Palestinians". As soon as the Jews took over and started growing oranges as big as basketballs, what do you know, say hello to the Palestinians," weeping for their deep bond with their lost "land" and "nation."
So for the sake of honesty, let's not use the word "Palestinian" any more to describe these delightful folks, who dance for joy at our deaths until someone points out they're being taped. Instead, let's call them what they are: "Other Arabs Who Can't Accomplish Anything In Life And Would Rather Wrap Themselves In The Seductive Melodrama Of Eternal Struggle And Death."
I know that's a bit unwieldy to expect to see on CNN. How about this, then: "Adjacent Jew-Haters." Okay, so the Adjacent Jew-Haters want their own country. Oops, just one more thing. No, they don't. They could've had their own country any time in the last thirty years, especially two years ago at Camp David. But if you have your own country, you have to have traffic lights and garbage trucks and Chambers of Commerce, and, worse, you actually have to figure out some way to make a living.
That's no fun. No, they want what all the other Jew-Haters in the region want: Israel. They also want a big pile of dead Jews, of course --that's where the real fun is -- but mostly they want Israel. Why? For one thing, trying to destroy Israel - or "The Zionist Entity" as their textbooks call it -- for the last fifty years has allowed the rulers of Arab countries to divert the attention of their own people away from the fact that they're the blue-ribbon most illiterate, poorest, and tribally backward on God's Earth, and if you've ever been around God's Earth, you know that's really saying something.
It makes me roll my eyes every time one of our pundits waxes poetic about the great history and culture of the Muslim Mideast. Unless I'm missing something, the Arabs haven't given anything to the world since Algebra, and, by the way, thanks a hell of a lot for that one.
Chew this around and spit it out: Five hundred million Arabs; five Million Jews. Think of all the Arab countries as a football field, and Israel as a pack of matches sitting in the middle of it. And now these same folks swear that if Israel gives them half of that pack of matches, Everyone will be pals.
Really? Wow, what neat news. Hey, but what about the string of wars to obliterate the tiny country and the constant din of rabid blood oaths to drive every Jew into the sea? Oh, that? We were just kidding. My friend Kevin Rooney made a gorgeous point the other day: Just reverse the Numbers. Imagine five hundred million Jews and five
million Arabs.
I was stunned at the simple brilliance of it. Can anyone picture the Jews strapping belts of razor blades and dynamite to themselves? Of course not. Or marshaling every fiber and force at their disposal for generations to drive a tiny Arab State into the sea? Nonsense. Or dancing for joy at the murder of innocents? Impossible. Or spreading and believing horrible lies about the Arabs baking their bread with the blood of children? Disgusting. No, as
you know, left to themselves in a world of peace, the worst Jews would ever do to people is debate them to death.
Mr. Bush, God bless him, is walking a tightrope. I understand that with vital operations in Iraq and others, it's in our interest, as Americans, to try to stabilize our Arab allies as much as possible, and, after all, that can't be much harder than stabilizing a roomful of supermodels who've just had their drugs taken away.
However, in any big-picture strategy, there's always a danger of losing moral weight. We've already lost some. After September 11 our president told us and the world he was going to root out all terrorists and the countries that supported them. Beautiful. Then the Israelis, after months and months of having the equivalent of an Oklahoma City every week (and then every day) start to do the same thing we did, and we tell them to show restraint. If America were being attacked with an Oklahoma City every day, we would all very shortly be screaming for the administration to just be done with it and kill everything south of the Mediterranean and east of the Jordan.

The President talks...and so do we

tootboy — 2004-04-14T09:04:00-05:00

I must say that I am impressed with most of the bloggers on this site. I have talked off-site with many of you including Doug, Matt, Josh, Mark, Jim, Laura. While we don't always see eye to eye at least their is a line of communication which is more than I can say about the jokers in Congress.

BTW "24" will be shown on Sunday!

Sorry seems to be the hardest words

tootboy — 2004-04-14T10:04:00-05:00

A few points if I may:
Regarding the attempts of the media to get the President to say he's sorry:
There were 3 questions at the press conference and ABC's Peter Jennings focused solely on this in his analysis afterward.
I genuinely think it would be great if he said his sorry for not protecting this country or he would admit to making mistakes. As I think former President Clinton could also. But neither SHOULD. It's not because they don't feel sympathy, or are less introspective then we are as human beings. It's not because the President is in an election year. What many fail to see is that ANY weakness on this subject by our leaders only strengthens the resolve of our enemies. It may be hard for Peter Jennings to comprehend but even someone as low on the national totem pole as myself but every station in the Arab world carried the press conference. They are looking for a reason to continue their fight. Our leaders cannot do this at this time. It is just not practical or feasible.

With regards to the Iraqis taking charge of there own country:

It reminds me of the biblical story of the exodus from the Hebrews from Egypt. These former slaves never forgot their oppression and their whole mindset was one of slavery. This is why they were forced to wander the desert for 40 years. None of the people from that generation were allowed to continue onward because they never fully realized they were free. It was up to the next generation to fulfill their collective destiny. So it may be with the Iraqis. They have been suppressed for so many decades that they cannot conceive they can be free.
The U.S. had it's own growing pains. For years before Washington became president there was much chaos. Many state representatives who helped frame the Articles of Confederation asked Washington to become their king. Here are men that fought against the monarchy of Britain and they were still in the belief that only a strong man can rule the young nation. So it is I'm afraid with the Iraqi people so far.

9-11 Commission

tootboy — 2004-04-14T11:04:00-05:00

From this morning by George Tenet on a report from 1999:
"The report also noted several 'threat reports' produced by the intelligence apparatus had 'mentioned the possibility of using an aircraft laden with explosives,' such as the terrorists used on Sept. 11.
"'Of these, the most prominent asserted a possible plot to fly an explosives-laden aircraft into a U.S. city,' it said. Others included reports of a plan to fly a plane into the Eiffel Tower in 1994, and of flying a plane into CIA headquarters.
"'A 1996 report asserted that Iranians were plotting to hijack a Japanese plane and crash it into Tel Aviv,' it added."

From Janet Reno 04-12:
"[To go forward we must] try to come to the issues so that we can answer the questions of the families, so that we can provide the best advice we can on how we can prevent this for the future. Not talking about blame, not talking about partisan politics."
"Much of these issues -- many of these issues will or have been resolved by the passage of the Patriot Act or other statements. But I think it is extremely important that the director or whoever leads the FBI understands that you've got to repeat the message again and again. "

Louis Freeh 4/12/04:
"I don't think there were probably -- at least I never was aware of a plan that contemplated commercial airliners being used as weapons after a hijacking. I don't think that was integrated in any plan."

Let's play...George Bush or not George Bush

tootboy — 2004-04-14T10:04:00-05:00

Is this quote from George Bush?
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

What's your guess?

Iraq had nuclear-related equipment sez by the UN

tootboy — 2004-04-15T10:04:00-05:00

raqi Nuclear Gear Found in Europe
By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 15, 2004; Page A22
UNITED NATIONS, April 14 -- Large amounts of nuclear-related equipment, some of it contaminated, and a small number of missile engines have been smuggled out of Iraq for recycling in European scrap yards, according to the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog and other U.N. diplomats.
Mohammed ElBaradei, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned the U.N. Security Council in a letter that U.N. satellite photos have detected "the extensive removal of equipment and, in some instances, removal of entire buildings" from sites that had been subject to U.N. monitoring before the U.S.-led war against Iraq.
Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13416-2004Apr14.html

If you have common sense you'll read this...

tootboy — 2004-04-15T01:04:00-05:00

The same editorial board that has barbecued the Bush Justice Department after the September 11 attacks for fingerprinting young male temporary visa holders traveling from terror-sponsoring and terror-friendly nations (editorial, June 6, 2002); temporarily detaining asylum seekers from high-risk countries for background screening (editorial, December 28, 2002); and sending undercover agents to investigate mosques suspected of supporting terrorism (editorial, May 31, 2002) now expects us to believe it would have applauded Bush for his vigilance if he had swiftly ordered airport security officials to stop thousands of young Middle Eastern men at airports during the summer of 2001 on the basis of an ill-defined threat.

Full story: http://www.jewishworldreview.com/michelle/malkin.html

Your favorite game show is back!

tootboy — 2004-04-16T11:04:00-05:00

It's time to once again play...
GWB or NOT GWB. The game show that gives a quote and asks you which president said this quote. Is It GWB or someone else? Today's question is worth 10 points.

Here's today's quote:
"From our birth, America has always been more than just a place. America has embodied an idea that has become the ideal for billions of people throughout the world. Our founders said it best: America is about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

In this century especially, America has done more than simply stand for these ideals. We have acted on them and sacrificed for them. Our people fought two world wars so that freedom could triumph over tyranny. After World War I, we pulled back from the world, leaving a vacuum that was filled by the forces of hatred. After World War II, we continued to lead the world.
We know that these are the blessings of freedom, and America has always been freedom's greatest champion. If we continue to do everything we can to share these blessings with people around the world, if we continue to be leaders for peace, then [this time period]can be the greatest time our nation has ever known. "

Today's Choices are:
President GW Bush
President Clinton
President Reagan
President Nixon
President Carter

College Tuition and the Presidential Elections

tootboy — 2004-04-19T01:04:00-05:00

Full Story: By Neal McCluskey
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/mccluskey200404190820.asp

To illustrate the alleged horror of the college-funding situation, the Kerry campaign's website features figures from the nonprofit College Board's "Trends in College Pricing 2003," which notes that the average tuition at four-year public colleges has risen from $3,487 in 2000-2001 to $4,694 in 2003-2004, a 28-percent increase. It's a jump Kerry attributes to the Bush administration's failure to bail out states suffering through budget crises — crises that forced states to cut public college funding.

Unfortunately, the Kerry team appears to have missed a lot of important information in the College Board's report. For instance, the report notes that in 2002-2003 about half of all undergraduate students at public four-year colleges received grant aid — money they don't have to pay back — averaging over $2,400. It also points out that the average student at a two-year public college received grant aid that covered his entire tuition, and that, after factoring in grants, the average net tuition and fees for a student at a four-year public institution were only $1,700. Suddenly, students' futures look a lot brighter.

In his defense, Kerry is not alone in overestimating students' woe. Last November, in unveiling theCollege Affordability and Accountability Act, their entry into this year's Higher Education Act reauthorization, Democrats on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce mentioned two powerful figures. The first is that the average graduate is leaving college roughly $17,000 in debt. A discouraging statistic, but for the second figure: Over his lifetime, that same graduate will make roughly $1 million more than he would have had he not gone to college — a $983,000 net gain.

Despite this obvious windfall, committee Democrats, as well as student activists and politicians across the country, continue to characterize the tuition increases that have raised average debt to $17,000 as "taxes on students." If so, they're the toughest taxes students will ever love.

Kerry and Russert & The Boston Globe

tootboy — 2004-04-20T10:04:00-05:00

Tim Russert asked Kerry if he will pledge not to seek re-election in 2008 should he become president and fail to meet his goals of creating 10 million new jobs (which I've previously explained is not possible) and halving the deficit. His answer:

"Well, it would depend on the circumstances. If I don't [succeed] because there's a war or something terrible happens, of course I'm not going to make that pledge."

So Kerry is acknowledging that economic performance can be disappointing if "there's a war on or something terrible happens." Imagine that.

Now the liberal newspaper Boston Globe has been following Senator Kerry for 30 years like no one else. Each week they find another angle about him:

Kerry, in an interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet The Press," was asked whether he would follow President Bush's example and release all of his military records. "I have," Kerry said. "I've shown them -- they're available for you to come and look at." He added that "people can come and see them at headquarters."

But when a reporter showed up yesterday morning to review the documents, the campaign staff declined, saying all requests must go through the press spokesman, Michael Meehan. Late yesterday, Meehan said the only records available would be those already released to this newspaper.

"He is releasing all military records he has released to The Boston Globe," Meehan said in a telephone interview. In a follow-up e-mail, Meehan said it was those particular records to which Kerry was referring on "Meet the Press."

Kerry has not released the formal evaluations from superior officers, although his campaign has given a letter from a commanding officer that recommended him for service aboard Navy patrol boats and also reports for the Silver and Bronze stars that laud Kerry's actions in combat. By comparison, retired Army General Wesley K. Clark released hundreds of pages of his records during the Democratic primary campaign, including all evaluations of him by his superiors.

Bush earlier this year released 300 pages of documents after media outlets raised new questions about the extent of his National Guard service. Those records, which Bush promised during a Feb. 8 appearance on "Meet the Press" to make available, included many military evaluations and medical records.

White House communications director Dan Bartlett, in a telephone interview, contrasted Bush's action with that of Kerry's. "The president made a pledge before the American people, and he made his complete file available to the media and the public," Bartlett said. "They were able to review all of his medical records, and we fully released the remainder of his military files, including evaluations and performance sheets as well as days served. The president lived up to his commitment he made to the public, and we should expect the same from his opponent."

The question about Kerry's military records came up when Tim Russert, the moderator of "Meet The Press," asked the Massachusetts senator about a story in the Globe last week that quoted Kerry's former commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Grant Hibbard, as saying that he raised questions about Kerry's first Purple Heart. Hibbard said that he had heard from others in the office that there were questions about whether Kerry and his crew took enemy fire, and Hibbard observed that Kerry's wound was minor, resembling a fingernail scrape. Purple Heart regulations say nothing about the severity of the wound. The campaign earlier this year showed the Globe a record verifying that Kerry was treated for the wound and that shrapnel was removed. That document was cited in last week's story, which was based on the forthcoming book, "John F. Kerry: The Complete Biography," written by a team of Globe reporters.

Meehan said yesterday that the campaign would show that document to what he called "legitimate" news organizations. He said other records previously shared with the Globe -- including documents describing Kerry's actions when he was awarded the Silver and Bronze stars -- would be shared with other reporters. Asked whether Kerry would release his evaluations, as Clark did during the primaries, Meehan responded: "We don't have Wesley Clark's evaluations." Asked directly whether Kerry would release all of his own evaluations, Meehan repeated that the campaign would release only the records already made available.

Meehan similarly said no new records would be released when asked if the campaign would make public other medical records besides the one related to the first Purple Heart.

full story: by Michael Kranish
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/04/20/kerry_refuses_to_release_more_records/

EVEN the WaPost knows Kerry isn't decisive.

tootboy — 2004-04-21T04:04:00-05:00

"WE NEED A reasonable plan and a specific timetable for self-government" in Iraq, Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) said in December. "That means completing the tasks of security and democracy in the country -- not cutting and running in order to claim a false success." On another occasion, he said: "It would be a disaster and a disgraceful betrayal of principle to speed up the process simply to lay the groundwork for a politically expedient withdrawal of American troops."

Contrast that with what Mr. Kerry told reporters last week: "With respect to getting our troops out, the measure is the stability of Iraq. [Democracy] shouldn't be the measure of when you leave. I have always said from day one that the goal here . . . is a stable Iraq, not whether or not that's a full democracy."

Mr. Kerry contends that he has not shifted his public position. But there are major differences between what he said in December -- right after Saddam Hussein's capture, when Mr. Kerry was seeking to discredit dovish Democratic challenger Howard Dean -- and his remarks last week, which followed several weeks of bad news from Iraq and growing public disenchantment with the course of the war. Where once he named democracy as a task to be completed, and the alternative to "cutting and running" or a "false success," Mr. Kerry now says democracy is optional. Where once he warned against setting the conditions for an early but irresponsible withdrawal of U.S. forces, now he does so himself by defining the exit standard as "stability," a term that could describe Saudi Arabia or Iran -- or the Iraq of Saddam Hussein.

Full Story:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29230-2004Apr20.html

Hillary says Bill LIED

tootboy — 2004-04-22T10:04:00-05:00

Sen. Hillary Clinton appeared Tuesday on CNN's "Larry King Live," and CNN describes an interesting exchange:

The lack of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq contradicts years of intelligence indicating Saddam had such weapons, which also was the conclusion of officials in the Clinton administration.

"The consensus was the same, from the Clinton administration to the Bush administration," she said. "It was the same intelligence belief that our allies and friends around the world shared.

"But I think that in the case of the [Bush] administration, they really believed it. They really thought they were right, but they didn't let enough sunlight into their thinking process to really have the kind of debate that needs to take place when a serious decision occurs like that."

So the Clintonites and the Bushies both said Saddam Hussein has weapons. The difference is that the latter "really believed it." The former didn't really believe it, but they said it anyway. So it turns out it was CLINTON who LIED!!!!

The Greatest Generation is this Generation

tootboy — 2004-04-26T10:04:00-05:00

The Greatest Generation Is in Action Today,Too
In 1998, Tom Brokaw wrote a book heralding the men and women of the generation who came of age during the depression and World War II and went on to build modern America.That same year, Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” was released as a fitting tribute to the heroics of the military that won the war and saved the world.

Mr. Brokaw’s book was called “The Greatest Generation” and until September 11, the superlative case of its title was definitely apropos.

Without taking away any of the glory due that older generation, it’s also time to recognize that American heroes are not from the distant past, but are alive and some are still dying for love of their country.

Pat Tillman, the former NFL star who passed up a multimillion-dollar contract to join the service after 9/11, was killed in Afghanistan last week, and the news of his death is giving him the attention he spurned while alive. Some in the mainstream press could not understand why a young man who had a lucrative career ahead of him would do something as foolish as give it up to fight for his country. How archaic!

In Mr. Brokaw’s book, he writes about a generation that was united with a common purpose and common values:

duty, honor, economy, courage, service, and love of family and country.

Until September 11, these values did not seem to describe those held by what we dubbed the slacker generation. Yet after that awful day, we heard untold stories of ordinary people performing extraordinary acts of courage. World Trade Center workers helping their injured and incapacitated coworkers get to safety. Firefighters and police officers risking and losing their lives rescuing the thousands of trapped victims. Airline passengers thwarting another hijacked plane from crashing into the Capitol.

Sal is a native Staten Islander who asked me not to use his name so he’d feel free to rant.He is in his late 70s and a member of that great generation honored in Mr. Brokaw’s best-seller. He was just a teenager when he was drafted into the Army and went to Germany soon after the Battle of the Bulge.

He told me he was scared, as were most of the soldiers, but he did what he was supposed to do.Everyone there felt that they were fighting for their country, but they also had no choice.

The soldiers who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are a voluntary force. Words cannot describe the magnitude of their mission and their dedication, but they are getting a raw deal from the mainstream press and broadcasters.

Sal expressed his disgust with their lack of understanding of the military at war.

“When we were fighting in Europe, there was never any question about collateral damage,” he said. “There were never reports about how many innocent women and children were being killed. If mortars were being fired at us from a town, the town would be flattened out.We were at war and the Germans were the enemy. Now in Iraq, the military is being so careful not to hurt any innocent people and are using restrained force, and they get no appreciation for this. None.”

Sal is absolutely correct and judging by the poll numbers that continue to support the president, he’s not alone in understanding the truth about the war that somehow is escaping the liberal press.

He went on: “All this talk about the WMDs and unilateral nonsense is just stupid. I don’t understand why some people just don’t get it.The United Nations signed a treaty with Iraq, which Saddam broke and the U.N.did nothing about it. We ought to tear down that building and kick them all out.”

It’s outrageous to still hear complaints about how we need to get back into the good graces of the international community.There are 32 countries in the coalition fighting and dying with our men and women. Apparently, their blood doesn’t amount to much according to critics of the war.

The fact that France, Germany, and Russia had economic ties to Saddam Hussein and were never going to vote for the war, doesn’t resonate with the anybody-but-Bush crowd.

As the rhetoric gets nastier and more desperate, many in Sal’s generation are losing their patience with the so-called intelligentsia who give token support to the soldiers while blasting their presence in Iraq as unnecessary.

Bob Woodward, who’s plugging his book “Plan of Attack,” looked so smug on “60 Minutes” when he said about President Bush,“He’s not an intellectual. He is not what I guess would be called a deep thinker. He chastised me at one point because I said people were concerned about the failure to find weapons of mass destruction. And he said, ‘Well, you travel in elite circles.’ I think he feels there is an intellectual world and he’s indicated he’s not a part of it…the fancy-pants intellectual world. What he calls the elite.”

No, Mr.Woodward, the president was telling you and that so-called intellectual elite that you’re the real boobs.

Sal gets it.So does the rest of the Greatest Generations I and II who genuinely understand what love of country means.

Full Story: http://daily.nysun.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:ArticleToMail&Type=text/html&Path=NYS/2004/04/26&ID=Ar00400

There are people out there who want to kill you

tootboy — 2004-04-27T10:04:00-05:00

Full Story: http://www.newsherald.com/viewpoint/phillucas/040404.shtml

We could fill the newspaper every morning with mobs of fanatical Muslims. They can’t get along with their neighbors on much of the planet: France, Chechnya, Bosnia, Indonesia, Spain, Morocco, India, Tunisia, Somalia, etc. etc. etc. Can anybody name three ongoing world conflicts in which Muslims are not involved? Today, where there is war, there are fanatical Muslims. We might quibble about who started what conflicts, but look at the sheer number of them.

One thing is sure. Muslim killers started the one we are in now when they slaughtered more than 3,000 people, including fellow Muslims, in New York City.

Madeline Albright, the former secretary of state and feckless appeaser who helped get us into this mess, said last week Muslims still resented the Crusades. Well, Madame Albright, if Westerners were not such a forgiving people, we might resent them too.

Maybe we are so tolerant, we are so bent on “diversity,” we are so nonjudgmental, we are so wrapped up in our six-packs and ballgames that our brains have drained to our bulbous behinds. Maybe we’re so addled on Ritalin we wouldn’t know which end of a gun to hold. Maybe we need a new drug advertised on TV every three minutes, one that would help us grow a backbone.

It doesn’t take a Darwin to figure out that in this world the smartest, the fastest, the strongest, and the most committed always win. No exceptions.

Look at your spouse and children. Look at yourself in the mirror. Then look at the pictures from the paper last Thursday. You better look at them. Those are the people out to kill you.

The Media talks about the candidates

tootboy — 2004-04-27T03:04:00-05:00

Kerry never had a particularly great relationship with much of the Boston press corps, and the same is proving true with the national media.

All this is more important than it may seem at first blush. Most people are not going to vote for a potential president unless they're comfortable with that person coming into their living rooms for the next four years. I happen to think this was an underrated factor in the Bush-Gore race.

It's surprising that, instead of dueling with Tim Russert, Kerry's handlers don't have him chatting up Barbara Walters or Oprah or posing with his family for People. Kerry himself says that folks don't know much about him. The effort to fill in the blanks involves more than just position papers and reminding people that he served in Vietnam. There's also the warmth factor.

This, at bottom, is what the Kerry medals flap is about. Not whether he tossed his ribbons but other soldiers' medals in a protest 33 years ago, but whether he is so calculating that he did it deliberately and isn't owning up to that. Kerry's notably testy interview with Charlie Gibson on "Good Morning America," replayed for much of the day, probably didn't help him.

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45735-2004Apr27.html

Here's the whole thread on Gay Marriage with Tarheelgrad - a must read

tootboy — 2004-04-28T01:04:00-05:00

Tarheelgrad and I have been running this dialogue. Instead of rehashing the debate I'll just reprint it here as it's a good debate:

TARHEELGRAD:
Okay, I can give my short and sweet take on gay marriage.

I'm all for it.

Why? Any protestations about morality or religion are irrelevant, since we have separation of church and state in this country. Further, I see in no way how gay marriage will harm the "sanctity" of marriage, especially when divorce and adultery are so rampant in our society. If anything, it will be a stabilizing force for a segment of our society that is not going to go away.

While a majority oppose gay "marriage," this debate has actually increased support of civil unions, in what looks to be an attempt at some sort of compromise. I also think more people under 30 support gay marriage, so as the conservative old folks die off (to be blunt), this issue will gain momentum. I think we'll have civil unions in this country within 10 years, gay marriage within 20.

History will look kindly on this as an attempt for basic rights, just as the Women's movement, civil rights, etc.

Okay, not so short and sweet after all. :)

Tootboy:
Question:
I want to marry my mother and sister and impregnate them. Should I be allowed?

TARHEELGRAD:
Now you are just being ridiculous.

Homosexuality has existed for thousands of years. As long as no harm is being done and everyone is consenting, it should be supported. You simply cannot compare homosexuality to incest or inbreeding. To do so is incredibly ignorant and homophobic.

Impregnating your sister or mother would not only do psychological harm, but it would also physically do harm in terms of birth defects, etc. The same degree of harm is not present with homosexuality.

TOOTBOY:
I am trying to make a point. Right now only heterosexual marriage between two partners has been considered sanctioned by the people. If the government allows homosexuals to marry, there will be nothing to stop polygamists and incestuous couplings. By opening the door for homosexuals to marry it will be impossible to stop brothers and sisters, fathers and daughters, etc. from marrying. Whether or not there are babies involved it won't matter. And no one ever said it was illegal to have a baby even though you know it will probably be deformed in some way.
Incest, inbreeding and polygamy has been around as long as man has been around. In Saudi Arabia, inbreeding and polygamy is quite common.

I am not making a statement against homosexuality but against any marriage that is not between 2 opposite sex partners.

You cannot stop incestuous marriages or polygamy once you open up marriage to gays. Incestuous relationships are prevelant around the world and there will be a lot more of them if they are legalize. Mothers and sons will get married just to evade estate taxes. Once you open the pandora's box it can not be closed.

TARHEELGRAD:
You can prevent legal recognition of those marriages. Who's to say that allowing gay marriage will lead to a supreme court approval of clearly deviant types of marriage? Your slippery slope argument just doesn't hold.

Incestuous relationships may happen, but it again comes down to harm and consent.

Trust me, legalization of gay marriage will not result in the sky falling.

TOOTBOY:
Who's to say that allowing gay marriage will lead to a supreme court approval of clearly deviant types of marriage?"

Hold on. Most Americans believe gay marriages are deviants. But even if that weren't the case you can not stop one if you don't prevent the other. Once the Supreme Court overruled the deviant sexual behaviors in Texas last year it opened up the flood gates for all people who were in love to get married. Just because you think incestuous love is wrong doesn't mean that those 2 consenting adults can't get married, right?
There are cases right now before the courts of brothers and half sisters who want to marry and adopt children. Who gave you the right to decide that Bob and Frank can get married but not if they are brothers?

Legalization of gay marriage will result in the sky falling. Check it out.

TARHEELGRAD:
News Flash:

Heterosexual couples have anal sex too.

I guess the government should try to ban that, since it will lead to legalization of gay marriage, which will lead to legalization of incestuous relationships, which will lead to legalization of bestiality, which will lead to a race of chimpanzees taking over the world in a violent nuclear holocaust.

TOOTBOY:
Now you are being cynical. I'm being serious. I am not saying yay or nay to gay marriage just telling you what the subsequent consequences will be. The cases that were decided last year (I'll find them if you need them) by the courts threw out the notion of deviant sexual behavior in private. Senator Rick Santorum got in some media hot water because he noted that this ruling will lead to gay marriage. He was right. The same thinking will lead to legalization of polygamy and incestuous marriages. Ask a lawyer. How would you stop them from marrying. You can't say that two men love each other and should be allowed to marry and then say 3 men can't love each other and be allowed to marry. Where would you draw the line? How would you draw the line?

TARHEELGRAD:
I like to think our courts and justice system could handle this. Our current marriages are based on monogamy with one partner. That would rule out your scenario.

I still think it boils down to harm/consent.

You can't stop three men from "marrying," but you can deny them the rights that go along with marriage.

Tootboy:
Why are you denying people who love each other from getting married? Our current marriages are based on monogamy and heterosexuality. You are infavor of getting rid of the heterosexual part but not the monogamy?
Who made you G-d?

I'm asking not to be a jerk but because this are the same question asked by people who want gay marriages to be legal. If it is ok to allow people who love each other to marry then why are you not allowing people who love each to get married?

Kerry losing support among his own

tootboy — 2004-04-29T09:04:00-05:00

- This is not an opinion just an observation-
Senator Kerry has never been one to energize people. He seemed to win the nomination not by doing anything other than getting out of Governor Dean's way when he imploded (and exploded). While every candidate (winners and losers) has had some kind of message to deliver, Senator Kerry doesn't. Quick think of his stance. The The candidates in 2000's messages were: GWB - To restore honesty and integrity to the White House. Gore - The people not the powerful. What is Kerry running with? Only one I can think of is "I'm not George Bush". Usually negative messages don't play well. And anyways golly Lou Pinella or David Spade aren't GWB either.

So it seems that the mainstream and liberal press which is hopeful to finish off the President has become disappointed in Senator Kerry, his staff and his non-message. Already, no matter how hard they wish, they cannot turn this "frog" into a "prince". They now have started to show they are less than enthusiastic about their nominee.

from the Washington Post:
"You don't have to fall in love," Hillary Rodham Clinton reportedly reproved a top Democratic fundraiser who was recently moaning about Kerry's lackluster performance as a candidate. "You just have to fall in line."

- Also -

There was a surreal moment at a serious Manhattan dinner party Tuesday night when 12 power players who had all been talking at once about the mess in Iraq suddenly fell silent to listen to the waiter. He dove in shortly after he had served the coconut cake with lemon dessert -- perhaps to give moral support to the only Republican present, who was beginning to flag. Or perhaps he just thought it might be helpful for the guests to hear from one of the Ordinary Americans whose unhappiness with the status quo they are in the habit of earnestly invoking.

"I'm from the suburbs," he announced, "and I'm voting for Bush."

All eyes turned to him. "It might seem odd that a savvy New Yorker like me is voting for a guy in a cowboy hat," he went on, as he recklessly doled out ice cream to a network anchor, "but what we want is stability. This Kerry guy -- he's all over the place."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51604-2004Apr28.html

From the Village Voice:
Headline: John Kerry Must Go
Note to Democrats: it's not too late to draft someone—anyone—else

With the air gushing out of John Kerry's balloon, it may be only a matter of time until political insiders in Washington face the dread reality that the junior senator from Massachusetts doesn't have what it takes to win and has got to go. As arrogant and out of it as the Democratic political establishment is, even these pols know the party's got to have someone to run against George Bush. They can't exactly expect the president to self-destruct into thin air.

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0417/mondo1.php

LA Weekly:
John Kerry has a problem. And it’s not of his making. With the war in Iraq becoming increasingly difficult, he confronts again and again a natural question: What will you do differently? The issue is not what he would have done differently than George W. Bush. Despite his vote to grant Bush the authority to invade Iraq, Kerry certainly would not have followed the damn-the-inspections, full-invasion-ahead course Bush adopted. And Kerry is quick on the campaign trail to blast Bush for a screw-the-allies unilateralism that has left the United States holding a rather big and costly bag in Iraq. But it is not enough for Kerry to say he would have prevented the United States from getting into this jam. He still will continuously be pressed on what he will do in Iraq as president.

Not only does he not have a good answer; there is no good answer.

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/22/news-corn.php

Boston Globe:
IF JOHN KERRY hadn't already clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, his medals meltdown on "Good Morning America" this week would have sunk his campaign. Much as Howard Dean's crazed "I Have A Scream" speech jolted voters into wondering whether someone so hotheaded should be allowed anywhere near the nuclear trigger, Kerry's abusive tirade on ABC gave millions of viewers a foretaste of how far presidential discourse will sink if Kerry becomes president.

Not one voter in 100 would vote against Kerry for trashing his Vietnam War medals when he was 27 years old. What he did with his combat decorations in 1971 has no bearing on whether he is fit to be president today. That long-ago episode is an issue today only because Kerry's versions of it have changed so many times and because it so perfectly typifies his lifelong habit of saying one thing today and something else tomorrow -- and then denying having done so.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/04/29/the_kerry_medals_mystery/

Buzzflash:
And, finally, I have a question: Mr. Kerry, If you can’t or won’t prosecute Bush and his administration in terms of their motives and credibility, their policies and the connections leading to these policies, their actions and inactions in terms of our security and the pursuit of a stable world, then what kind of an election are we facing? I, for one, need to see the steady fire again, everyday, on every issue, from now until November.

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/04/04/con04179.html

UTNE
Instead of appealing to young, on-campus voters by hyping the need to make college more affordable or snatching democracy from the corporations and giving it back to the people, John Kerry is delivering his same, generic speech on his Campus Tour 2004 -- promoting tax-code reform, outsourcing, Social Security, and Medicare, writes The Village Voice's Anya Kamenetz. "No candidate would go to a senior center and give a lecture about Head Start. Why, then, bring college students to a speech at the 'Harvard of the poor,' only to address the concerns of the middle-aged middle class?" asks Kamenetz, who interviewed several first-time voters looking for a reason, any reason, to vote for Kerry in November.

http://www.utne.com/webwatch/2004_146/news/11207-1.html

Kerry suggests that there are WMDs in Iraq on HARDBALL

tootboy — 2004-04-29T03:04:00-05:00

It's quite a turnaround for Kerry, who just a few weeks ago was complaining, "George Bush sold us on going to war with Iraq based on the threat of weapons of mass destruction. But we still haven't found them . . . . We were misled about weapons of mass destruction."

Key Kerry backer Howard Dean has been even more adamant, insisting to CNN earlier this month, "There were no weapons of mass destruction . . . This is Bushgate, which is far more serious than Watergate."

But Tuesday night on MSNBC's "Hardball," Kerry retreated.

"It appears, as they peel away the weapons of mass destruction issue - and we may yet find them," he told host Chris Matthews. "Look, I want to make it clear. Who knows if a month from now, three months from now, you find some weapons? You may."

Coincidentally or not, Kerry's reversal came a day after the Jordanian government announced that WMDs from Syria were part of an al Qaida plot to kill 80,000 people in Amman with poison gas. At least one of the plotters has admitted he was trained in Iraq.

The top Democrat's flip-flop also followed news that a suspected weapons of mass destruction production facility in Baghdad - disguised as a perfume factory - unexpectedly blew up, killing two GI's who were searching the plant.

ALL OF THE EVIDENCE HAS "MYSTERIOUSLY" DISAPPEARED

tootboy — 2004-04-30T09:04:00-05:00

The vast majority of the United Nations' oil-for-food contracts in Iraq have mysteriously vanished, crippling investigators trying to uncover fraud in the program, a government report charged yesterday.
The General Accounting Office report, presented at a congressional hearing into the scandal-plagued program, determined that 80 percent of U.N. records had not been turned over.

The world body claims it transferred all information it had - including 3,059 contracts worth about $6.2 billion for delivery of food and other civilian goods to the post-Saddam governing body, the Coalition Provisional Authority.

But the GAO report also found that a database the U.N. transferred to the authority was "unreliable because it contained mathematical and currency errors in calculation of contract costs," the report found.

The GAO findings, which were aired at a hearing of the House International Relations Committee, raise new questions about corruption and mismanagement in the biggest-ever U.N. aid program - and what has been called the biggest financial scandal in history. An earlier GAO report said Saddam ripped off over $10 billion.

Committee Chairman Henry Hyde said the report raised serious concerns - and could have "a potential impact on the reputation and credibility of the United Nations."

"If these charges prove true, some of the obvious victims are those Iraqis who failed to receive needed assistance," Hyde (R-Ill.) said.

"But the damage extends further. The massive windfall resulting from this organized theft allowed Saddam to maintain his grip on the country, line his pockets and make companies and countries dance to his tune, with consequences we are still trying to contain."

Investigators are interested in Benon Sevan, the U.N. official who managed the program. Sevan denied wrongdoing after his name appeared on an Iraqi newspaper's list of several officials, businessmen and others who profited from the program.

The oil-for-food program, which the U.N. ran from 1997 until the war, allowed Iraq to sell oil in order to buy food and other civilian goods - thereby easing the sanctions imposed after the 1991 Gulf War.

A former oil-for-food program coordinator testified at yesterday's hearing that in the early stages his U.N. superiors were openly hostile to U.S. efforts to contain Saddam.

"For reasons I have yet to fully understand, several U.N. leaders approached the implementation of the oil-for-food program with more distrust towards the United Kingdom and United States than towards the regime of Saddam Hussein," Michael Soussan said.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan fired back.

"If you read the reports, it looks as if the Saddam regime had nothing to do with it. They did nothing wrong - it was all the U.N.," Annan said.

http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/19813.htm

What do you make of this John Kerry story?

tootboy — 2004-05-03T10:05:00-05:00

This is an interesting story. Will the national news cover it or will it just be a blurb on page 38 of the local paper?
Hundreds of former commanders and military colleagues of presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry are set to declare in a signed letter that he is "unfit to be commander-in-chief." They will do so at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday.

"What is going to happen on Tuesday is an event that is really historical in dimension," John O'Neill, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Navy as a PCF (Patrol Craft Fast) boat commander, told CNSNews.com . The event, which is expected to draw about 25 of the letter-signers, is being organized by a newly formed group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

"We have 19 of 23 officers who served with [Kerry]. We have every commanding officer he ever had in Vietnam. They all signed a letter that says he is unfit to be commander-in-chief," O'Neill said.
FULL STORY: http://www.cnsnews.com//ViewSpecialReports.asp?Page=/SpecialReports/archive/200405/SPE20040503a.html

Why won't the U.N. answer questions about its Iraq scandal?

tootboy — 2004-05-05T09:05:00-05:00

THIS IS WHY THE UN CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH ANYTHING INCLUDING IRAQ

'We Have Other Priorities' BY CLAUDIA ROSETT

The harder the United Nations tries to keep a lid on Oil for Food, the more the scandal keeps boiling over. This past Sunday Secretary-General Kofi Annan appeared on "Meet the Press," rejecting as "outrageous" allegations that this graft-ridden U.N. relief program for Iraq had helped prop up Saddam Hussein's regime, and denying that the U.N. has made any attempt at a coverup. Asked by host Tim Russert why only a portion of the documentation requested of the U.N. by the U.S. General Accounting Office had been turned over, Mr. Annan protested: "We are open. We are transparent."

That sounded lame enough, coming just after Mr. Russert on national TV had flourished in front of Mr. Annan a letter sent by Mr. Annan's own Secretariat on April 14, advising one of the pivotal Oil for Food contractors, Saybolt International--which oversaw Saddam's oil exports--to keep quiet.

Full Story:http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/cRosett/?id=110005040

The fighting El Sals

tootboy — 2004-05-06T10:05:00-05:00

El Salvador's "Bravest and professional troops"
One of his friends was dead, 12 others lay wounded and the four soldiers still left standing were surrounded and out of ammunition. So Salvadoran Cpl. Samuel Toloza said a prayer, whipped out his knife and charged the Iraqi gunmen.
In one of the only known instances of hand-to-hand combat in the Iraq conflict, Cpl. Toloza stabbed several attackers swarming around a comrade. The stunned assailants backed away momentarily, just as a relief column came to the unit's rescue.
"We never considered surrender. I was trained to fight until the end," said the 25-year-old corporal, one of 380 soldiers from El Salvador whose heroism is being cited just as other members of the multinational force in Iraq are facing criticism.
Phil Kosnett, who leads the Coalition Provisional Authority office in this holy Shi'ite city, says,..."These guys are punching way above their weight. They're probably the bravest and most professional troops I've every worked with."
The troops, El Salvador's first peacekeepers abroad, have conducted a range of humanitarian missions in Najaf. They have provided books, electricity, playground equipment and other supplies to destitute schools and have helped farmers with irrigation works and fertilizer supplies.
"Our country came out of a similar situation as in Iraq 12 years ago, so people in El Salvador can understand what is happening here," said Col. Calidonio, referring to the civil war between the U.S.-backed government and leftist guerrillas that left about 75,000 dead. The military was held responsible for widespread abuses.

Superstars put on a show for Kerry - another reason not to buy anything from them

tootboy — 2004-05-06T12:05:00-05:00

Barbra, Neil, Bette Will Sing for Kerry

The likely Democratic presidential nominee is about to get some big gun help from some major pop stars.

Next week it will be announced, I am told, that Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond will perform a one off-concert for John Kerry. The pair, who had a huge hit many generations ago with "You Don't Send Me Flowers," will be sending bouquets of cash Kerry's way on June 7 in Los Angeles. Streisand isn't likely to stop there. She performed for Al Gore in the 2000 presidential race and is expected to start pitching in all over the place later this year.

Meantime, New York will reciprocate three days later on June 10 when a gaggle of superstars hits the stage at Radio City Music Hall for Kerry. Expect to see Bette Midler, John Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg among the many names at that show. (If the latter two are there, Billy Crystal can't be far behind.)

(Interestingly, I'm told that both Steve Martin and Jerry Seinfeld have each turned down entreaties to host other Kerry fundraising shows this year. "They don't do political material," explained a source who tried to corral them.)

But back to Radio City: The New York show could turn out to be something even bigger than currently planned since it's also the night of the annual Songwriters Hall of Fame dinner and show in Manhattan. This is the big deal show put together by Linda Moran, lyricist Hal David, and producer Phil Ramone, which has gone from small potatoes to big leagues in just three years. This year Stevie Wonder is one of the honorees, which means he could conceivably appear at both events.

Other inductees that night will be politically minded performers such as Al Green, Don McLean and Hall & Oates. Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty is getting the first-ever Starlight Award that night and other prizewinners include Motown's Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, and Charles Fox (he wrote Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly" and Jim Croce's "I Got A Name.")

The organizers of these shows, by the way, are the same team that brought us The Concert for New York immediately after the World Trade Center tragedies. Miramax's Harvey Weinstein, Infinity Broadcasting's John Sykes, and Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner will put the New York show together, with Irving Azoff responsible for the west coast production as the trio's L.A. man. Other concerts have been mentioned as possibilities, with the name of The Eagles coming up way too often.

WMDs? Not today? But tomorrow

tootboy — 2004-05-06T10:05:00-05:00

Saddam did have WMD plans says inspector

Brian Brady
WESTMINSTER EDITOR

SADDAM Hussein had the ability to unleash biological and chemical weapons "at short notice" on foreign nations, according to a potentially explosive new report by inspectors.

The leaked document, written by Charles Duelfer, the new director of the Iraq Survey group, concludes that hard evidence does exist that Saddam had the ability to wreak terror with the weaponry.

Furthermore, there was evidence that he was plotting to expand his facilities last year, prior to the invasion of British and American troops.

The report will be seized on gratefully by London and Washington as they continue to fight the case for war. One Foreign Office official described it last night as "hopeful".

But critics of the war immediately hit back, claiming that Duelfer, a CIA special adviser, was simply offering the US and UK what they wanted to hear.

His report follows another desperate week for the occupying forces in Iraq, after the brutal lynching of American contractors in Fallujah.

Security firms are now desperately recruiting ex-military personnel to try to protect workers. They include Clive Fairweather, the former deputy commander of the SAS and Chief Inspector of Scottish prisons, who revealed last night that he had been offered a ‘substantial’ sum in return for a short-term contract advising on security. He turned it down.

Duelfer’s report provides what he calls "new information" on Saddam’s military build-up. "Iraq did have facilities suitable for the production of biological and chemical agents needed for weapons. It had plans to improve and expand and even build new facilities," he says in the report, seen by Scotland on Sunday.

Duelfer says he has fresh evidence that long-range ballistic missiles were being tested. He also reveals evidence from a research centre in Iraq where scientists were found to have been apparently testing commercial biopesticide, which can be used as anthrax.

The report is Duelfer’s first since his appointment in February when he took over from David Kay - who quit saying he did not believe there were any large stockpiles of weapons.

Last night his findings were questioned by critics of the war, who claimed he had moved the goalposts in the hunt for weapons of mass destruction since taking over the job - shifting from the search for hard evidence, to signs of "intent".

They also demanded that the factual basis for Duelfer’s five-page report be revealed.

Democrat senator Carl Levin - the party’s most senior defence spokesman - has now challenged the CIA, which controls the survey group, to declassify the entire report.

"Mr Duelfer’s statement is written to express the author’s ‘suspicions’ as to Iraq’s activities relating to possible weapons of mass destruction programmes or activities while leaving out information in the classified report which points away from his suspicions," he said.

In the report, which has been sent to the US Congress, Duelfer admits that the task of the ISG team is made difficult by the reluctance of former government officials to explain their role in developing weaponry.

"There is a fear former regime supporters would exact retribution," Duelfer reports. Nevertheless, the group continued to receive "intriguing" reportsabout concealed caches.

What's your opinion? Is the Vatican right? Is Kerry next?

tootboy — 2004-05-07T12:05:00-05:00

Bowing to pressure from New Jersey's increasingly outspoken Roman Catholic bishops, Gov. James E. McGreevey said Wednesday that he would no longer receive holy communion during Mass because his support for abortion rights and other social causes contradicts church doctrine.

Last month, a high-ranking cardinal at the Vatican said during a news conference that a Catholic politician who did not embrace the church's anti-abortion position was "not fit" to receive communion. That statement prompted the archbishop of St. Louis to declare that Senator John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, should be denied the sacrament because he supports abortion rights, and has led to speculation that Mr. Kerry might not be invited to the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity fund-raiser sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York each October.

full story from the NY TIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/nyregion/06mcgreevey.html

Do Nothing Congress

tootboy — 2004-05-11T10:05:00-05:00

Now we all know that a press statement was released in January regarding the Abu Ghraib investigations. This press release was given to the press and the media and Congress.

Now I know Congress is busy but are you telling me that not one of the 535 members of congress or their huge staffs noticed this and then told other members of Congress or their staffs.

What are they doing? They say they are too busy to read the words that were written in a newspaper yet they are not too busy too see pictures in a newspaper.

Where is the accountability in Congress?

How much should you be paying?

tootboy — 2004-05-12T01:05:00-05:00

If your neighbor made $5 million dollars in a year how much do you think they should be paying in income taxes?

How much would you charge them?

Vote if you think Kerry should resign

tootboy — 2004-05-13T11:05:00-05:00

Should John Kerry resign? Not from the campaign but from the Senate. Campaigning is not easy but he has spent well too much time away from his daytime job. This is not a partisan view but someone who can't understand why there is such a double standard.

My thoughts are this: If you and I were running for a political position that involved us being away from our job for great lengths of time and impeded the job we were doing we would be fired or asked to resign. Right?

So how come politicians don't? I'm not just talking about Kerry. Bush should have resigned his governorship if he couldn't be there to take care of his constituents. I know Bob Dole resigned to run for president in 1996. I don't believe Gore should resign because his constituents was the whole nation who he was visiting while campaigning, though Lieberman should have resigned.

I think that these politicians who campaign far away from their constituents and far away from their jobs should resign. Is it fair to Massachusetts residents that their Senator has been gone for 6 months and his voting record is spotty at best in that time period. Kerry has missed many votes that would have helped his statement or at least given voice to their needs.

Case in point:

2 days there was a measure to help extend federal unemployment benefits for 13 weeks. The measure failed by 1 vote. Guess who was the only Senator not to vote. Is it right that he is doing his thing and ignoring his employers, the people of Massachusetts?

Like I said, all these politicians running for a different office should resign if they know they won't be available to do their job. THis is not a partisan issue. If John McCain was running for President and was ignoring his responsibilities toward Arizona I'd be saying the same thing.

Defending Bush and myself

tootboy — 2004-05-14T10:05:00-05:00

I received this response yesterday, "It really is amazing how much you will defend and make excuses for the president"

What's amazing to me is how anyone could say this about me. Looking at my blog or reading countless replies to the blogs of others' you should be able to see a pattern. Yes, I am a conservative, yes, I believe in and agree with many of the things the President has done. However, it also should be apparent that I agree with many of the things that the more liberal bloggers say. I used to be a card carrying semi-liberal Democrat. Do I defend the President? Yes. But not always and not mindlessly. I do have a thinking working brain, I think.

There are quite a few things that I don't agree with the President on. Need a list:
-He messed up by not sending initially more troops to Iraq
-He messed up by not demanding his generals to be tougher in the war
-He spends way too much approving every little thing the Republicans and Democrats ask for. He never uses his line-item veto power.
-He signed the McCain-Feingold law
-He doesn't stand behind the judicial nominees he sends to Congress
-He didn't fire CIA director, George Tenet who has a very bad track record.
-He doesn't hold enough press conferences to let us know what he's doing
-He has been terrible with regards to the border with Mexico and Canada
-His immigration proposal is too bad for words.
-He signed bills on Education and Medicare which I think go too far and are too expensive as are bills for prescription drugs.
-He hasn't done his best to make the tax cuts permanent
-He makes too many appeasments to the left when he knows they will not reciprocate
-I do not want a complete ban on stem cell. I think stem cell research is vital.
-He didn't have the Afghanistan opium fields destroyed when he had the chance. He allowed them to regrow.
-He has flip-flopped on supporting Israel's stances on terrorism. Even though their fight is the same as ours, the President has not treated their methods equally to his doctrine.
-He lets foreign leaders, and domestic opponents run their mouth off about him and the US. Maybe that's a good thing though. Maybe he's more man than I am.
-I don't think his cabinet had a good enough post-Saddam strategy
-He is keeping Cheney on his ticket even though I think he is not a liability but not an asset either.
-Some of the members of his cabinet stink. Secty of Transportation Mineta is awful. Christine Whitman? Let's not get started.
-Lately he has sounded very dour. I know there is a war on but the job of a leader is to lift up our spirits. I don't mean he needs to sound gleeful, or giddy just positive. Very much like Reagan or Clinton.

My point is I can't defend him. On the issue with Iraq I agree with liberal views that Bush isn't doing the right job. I believe he should be tougher while they may think that we should get out or not be there at all or involve the UN. So from their point of view I'm defending him.

In the end this President is likable, sincere, and has had a great vision on the war on terror. Although not implemented with the best strategy I think he has done a good job for America. I believe that the things I hated about his dad, do not reside in him. I believe he believes in the things he says and not just to be the best liked guy on the block. I believe he is mostly consistent with his viewpoints (excluding the items mentioned above). He has a good sense of humor, love of America's core values. He is pretty much a straight shooter without tooting his own horn. As a conservative, I like the fact that he has taken away most of the issues liberals have with our government. As a conservative, I hate the fact that he has given liberals most of what they want (though not to the extreme they would've liked).

I think he deserves a second term. I didn't say this about his dad who I thought was not a good leader. I didn't believe Bob Dole deserved to win. I don't vote republican all the way down the line. Each candidate's attributes are weighed as best as I can.

I know you may think of full of it, that I'm a "right-wing" nut. Maybe I am. But I'm not black and white. Lots of gray. But it may be a very dark gray.

Thanks for your time and your responses.

Whoa, I think we found an intelligent Canadian

tootboy — 2004-05-17T03:05:00-05:00

From the Saskatoon Star Phoenix written by Lloyd Litwin (what a name!)

"If you listen to the anti-gunners, the mere presence of guns will increase the rates of homicides, suicides and violent crimes. So Canada and the United States should be the worst places to live. Admittedly, the U.S. has the highest incidence of gun crime. So it's the fattest kid at the gym. But if we look at the last 10 years, the results from the U.S. contradict other countries' attempts to solve the problem.

The rate of decline of gun-related crimes in the U.S. is better than Canada's. It's also much better than in Britain and Australia. Countries where they have banned and confiscated guns are seeing crime rates rise significantly. The U.S. diet is working; ours is not.

The anti-gunners like to point to suicide statistics as proof Bill C-68 in Canada is working. Indeed, gun suicides are going down, arguably due to the increased complexities and scrutiny in obtaining a gun. However, the total number of suicides is not changing. People bent on destroying themselves turn to other methods. So again the expensive experiment has failed to achieve one of its stated purposes."

Emperor Greenspan

tootboy — 2004-05-18T11:05:00-05:00

President Bush formally nominated Alan Greenspan for a fifth four-year term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, fulfilling a pledge Mr. Bush made last year and reassuring investors about the most powerful economic post in the country.

HOW DOES A PERSON GET THIS POWERFUL WITHOUT BEING ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE????????????????????????????????????????????

John Kerry gives the enemy hope

tootboy — 2004-05-20T09:05:00-05:00

FROM AN AP NEWSWIRE CREDITED TO UNATTRIBUTABLE

United States Democrat John Kerry promised that, if elected president of the United States, he would pull virtually all American combat troops out of Iraq - away from the "death zone" - by the end of his first term.

In an interview yesterday with AP reporters and editors, he also criticised President George W Bush for damaging relations with allies. There is so much strain in those relationships now, he said, that only a new president can repair them.

"Every president of the last century, Republican and Democrat alike, worked differently from this administration, reached out to other countries and worked with greater respect through international structures," Kerry said.

"This has been a terrible period of loss of American influence, respect and prestige, and it costs us all across the globe."

The problem is most evident in Iraq, said Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran. He promised to avert a quagmire, saying "it will not take long to do what is necessary" there.

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"It will not be like Vietnam," Kerry said. "I will get our troops home from Iraq with honour and with the interests of our country properly protected."

Republican Richard M Nixon used similar language during the 1968 presidential race, but the war in Vietnam dragged on for years after his election.

Saying his goal would be achieved in his first term, Kerry explained: "Look, you may have some deployments of people for a long period of time in the Middle East depending on what the overall approach to the Middle East is. I'm not going to tell you we won't shift deployments from one place to another, but we're not going to be engaged in an active kind of death zone the way we are today."

Kerry also said he is confident that if he becomes president, he could persuade countries that sat out the Iraq war to contribute peacekeepers. But he said he would not place US soldiers in Iraq under UN command, or under the command of another country.

letterman's top 10

tootboy — 2004-05-21T11:05:00-05:00

From the May 20 Late Show with David Letterman, the "Top
Ten Questions on the John Kerry Running Mate Application." Late
Show home page: http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/

10. "Do you support both sides of every issue?"

9. "Excluding horse, what animal do I most resemble?"

8. "Mind if I pretend you're John McCain?"

7. "Are you related to any Governors who can help rig an
election?"

6. "In the vice presidential debate, will you make Cheney your
bitch?"

5. "You're not going to trick me into starting a war to help out
your oil buddies, are you?"

4. "Which trait do you find more inspirational: My dour blandness
or my smug arrogance?"

3. "If chosen, would you be willing to change your name to Kenny?"

2. "Any black market botox connections?"

1. "Do you have my back if I pull a 'Clinton'?"

Some shots at Bush, but #10 and #4 show that those two anti-Kerry themes have become well-enough known perceptions for comedians to feel comfortable that their audiences will get the joke.

The Slippery Slope (Ahem, Tarheelgrad) :-]

tootboy — 2004-05-22T10:05:00-05:00

Pulled from the Wall Street Journal editorial pages:
The week Massachusetts starts marrying same-sex couples, Slate's Dahlia Lithwick mocks the "slippery slope" argument against same-sex marriage, an argument most recently offered by James Dobson of Focus on the Family in a Monday interview:

"You could have polygamy. You could have incest. You could have marriage between a father and a daughter. You could have two widows, or two sisters or two brothers. . . . Once you cross that Rubicon, then there's no place to stop. Because if a judge can say two men and two women can marry, there is no reason on Earth why some judge some place is not going to say, this is not fair. Three women or three men, or five and two or five and five."

Last year, Sen. Rick Santorum made a similar argument about Lawrence v. Texas, a then-pending case challenging state sodomy laws: "If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual [gay] sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything."

And in his Lawrence dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote: "State laws against bigamy, same-sex marriage, adult incest, prostitution, masturbation, adultery, fornication, bestiality, and obscenity are likewise sustainable only in light of Bowers' validation of laws based on moral choices. Every single one of these laws is called into question by today's decision."

These comments drew howls from gay-rights advocates, most of whom, we suspect, were objecting to the implication that homosexuality was comparable to practices like incest and bestiality, which most everyone still agrees are deviant. But Lithwick thinks the slippery-slope argument itself is fundamentally flawed: "The problem with the slippery slope argument is that it depends on inexact, and sometimes hysterical, comparisons," she writes. Also: "Slippery slopes are only metaphors. They are not intrinsic principles of law."

Yet the way American constitutional law works, slippery slopes are almost inevitable--a point that is more easily understood if we think of same-sex marriage as coming at the end of such a slope rather than the beginning.

In 1868 Congress and the states ratified the 14th Amendment, the first section of which was designed to protect the rights of black Americans, newly freed from slavery. But the amendment's language was much more sweeping:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

The 14th Amendment was the basis for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954, which declared unconstitutional the segregation of government schools. But it has also been the basis for a series of other court decisions that have profoundly affected American life but have nothing to do with the rights of blacks.

The equal protection clause has been construed to apply to various sorts of nonracial discrimination, while the doctrine of "incorporation" has led to myriad restrictions on state policy in the name of enforcing the Bill of Rights (including judicially discovered rights like privacy), which originally limited only the federal government.

A partial list of the Supreme Court-driven changes we owe to the 14th Amendment:

The ban on prayer in government schools and other restrictions on religious expression in public venues (Engel v. Vitale, 1962, and subsequent decisions).

The establishment of a constitutional right to contraception (Griswold v. Connecticut, 1965).

The right to abortion (Roe v. Wade, 1973).

The right, subject to limits that are minimal in practice, to distribute pornography (Miller v. California, 1973).

The abolition of all state laws against consensual gay sodomy (Lawrence v. Texas, 2003).
Same-sex marriage isn't on this list yet, because the U.S. Supreme Court hasn't spoken on the issue. But the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court relied heavily on Lawrence in its decision mandating it last year--proving that Scalia was correct in at least one aspect of his slippery-slope argument.

The point of this list is not to make a judgment as to whether any of these cases were good law or good policy. It is simply to underscore the extreme unlikeliness that the framers of the 14th Amendment could have foreseen any of these results in 1868.

Yet there is a logical progression from the sweeping language of the 14th Amendment to the jurisprudence of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Once the court had established a right to marital privacy in Griswold, it wasn't that much of a leap to expand it to include unmarried people, abortion and homosexuality. Indeed, the court's 1986 decision in Bowers v. Hardwick, which declined to strike down sodomy laws, left the court's privacy doctrine looking incoherent: If government was to stay out of abortion clinics, what business did it have in the bedrooms of consenting adults?
Imagine if a conservative Southern politician had reacted to Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 by issuing the following prediction: "If the court can strike down our precious institution of segregation, are there any limits? One day it will affirm the right to practice sodomy, and men will even marry men." History would have recorded this as a bigoted and hysterical pronouncement. But purely as a matter of prognostication, our hypothetical politician would have been proved right. At least where the law is concerned, one shouldn't be too quick to scoff at slippery-slope arguments.

FULL STORY:http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110005113

A man who has fallen off the deep end

tootboy — 2004-05-22T10:05:00-05:00

Nick Berg's murder was one of the more disgusting things these two eyes have viewed. I feel awful for his family and friends. And maybe this senseless and vile killing has destroyed Nick's dad's mind because he has penned an editorial for a UK newspaper which he plans to read at a rally today. In it he writes:

"People ask me why I focus on putting the blame for my son's tragic and atrocious end on the Bush administration. They ask: "Don't you blame the five men who killed him?" I have answered that I blame them no more or less than the Bush administration, but I am wrong: I am sure, knowing my son, that somewhere during their association with him these men became aware of what an extraordinary man my son was. I take comfort that when they did the awful thing they did, they weren't quite as in to it as they might have been. I am sure that they came to admire him.

I am sure that the one who wielded the knife felt Nick's breath on his hand and knew that he had a real human being there. I am sure that the others looked into my son's eyes and got at least a glimmer of what the rest of the world sees. And I am sure that these murderers, for just a brief moment, did not like what they were doing.

George Bush never looked into my son's eyes. George Bush doesn't know my son, and he is the worse for it. George Bush, though a father himself, cannot feel my pain, or that of my family, or of the world that grieves for Nick, because he is a policymaker, and he doesn't have to bear the consequences of his acts. George Bush can see neither the heart of Nick nor that of the American people, let alone that of the Iraqi people his policies are killing daily.

You have to pray for this man. This sounds like a person who'd invite his son's killers over for lunch so they can chat about his son and he can show them Nick's high school varsity trophies and homemovies of Nick's piano recital.

I feel sorry for him. Both for the lose of his son and the lose of his sanity.

The Liberal Press

tootboy — 2004-05-24T11:05:00-05:00

http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=829

Journalists at national and local news organizations are notably different from the general public in their ideology and attitudes toward political and social issues. Most national and local journalists, as well as a plurality of Americans (41%), describe themselves as political moderates. But news people especially national journalists are more liberal, and far less conservative, than the general public.

About a third of national journalists (34%) and somewhat fewer local journalists (23%) describe themselves as liberals; that compares with 19% of the public in a May survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. Moreover, there is a relatively small number of conservatives at national and local news organizations. Just 7% of national news people and 12% of local journalists describe themselves as conservatives, compared with a third of all Americans.

In this regard, Internet journalists are similar ideologically to local journalists: 57% describe themselves as moderates, while 27% say they are liberals and 13% conservatives. Local TV and radio journalists include the lowest percentage of liberals of any of the journalist groups surveyed (15%). Even among local TV and radio journalists, however, just 13% describe themselves as conservatives.

from the boston globe

tootboy — 2004-05-25T10:05:00-05:00

GOING TO FENWAY FOR THE WEEKEND Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry, who watched the Red Sox game Sunday at Fenway, left the ballpark through the players entrance while outfielder Johnny Damon just happened to be trailing a few feet behind. A young fan -- our spies tell us about 6 years old -- yelled: "Johnny, you're my favorite." Both Johns turned around, but when Kerry shook the boy's hand, the young fan seemed a bit puzzled

The Connection

tootboy — 2004-05-28T07:05:00-05:00

In late February 2004, Christopher Carney made an astonishing discovery. Carney, a political science professor from Pennsylvania on leave to work at the Pentagon, was poring over a list of officers in Saddam Hussein's much-feared security force, the Fedayeen Saddam. One name stood out: Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Hikmat Shakir. The name was not spelled exactly as Carney had seen it before, but such discrepancies are common. Having studied the relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda for 18 months, he immediately recognized the potential significance of his find. According to a report last week in the Wall Street Journal, Shakir appears on three different lists of Fedayeen officers.

An Iraqi of that name, Carney knew, had been present at an al Qaeda summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 5-8, 2000. U.S. intelligence officials believe this was a chief planning meeting for the September 11 attacks. Shakir had been nominally employed as a "greeter" by Malaysian Airlines, a job he told associates he had gotten through a contact at the Iraqi embassy. More curious, Shakir's Iraqi embassy contact controlled his schedule, telling him when to show up for work and when to take a day off.

full story:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/152lndzv.asp

Sing, Singapore

tootboy — 2004-06-01T11:06:00-05:00

Thanks - we needed that
June 1st, 2004

Singaporeans are the most pragmatic people on earth, and they don’t care a whit about political correctness. Living as they do in a Confucian city-state, Singapore’s leaders are free to speak their minds on certain subjects, without worry about the niceties of pandering to the sensitivities of sundry groups. Singapore is conscious that it has no time or spare resources to waste on wishful thinking about matters vital to its survival.

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore paid Americans the compliment of speaking bluntly, as a friend, about the realities of the War on Terror, in a speech last month, before the Council on Foreign Relations. P.M. Goh’s bracing words are carefully-chosen, and sometimes quite eloquent. Americans, who actually care about winning the War on Terror more than simply winning the next election, would do well to read the entire transcript.

P.M. Goh acknowledges that we are locked in a war for our survival, against a hostile ideology which seeks our destruction. The War on Terror is shaping our era just as surely as the Cold War shaped the previous. This time, the enemy is even more formidable, in some ways:

The communists fought to live, whereas the jihadi terrorists fight to die and live in the next world.

full story:http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=3574

An amusing analogy of liberals vs. conservatives

tootboy — 2004-06-02T01:06:00-05:00

Doug Priest http://doug.mindsay.com/ brought up an amusing analogy which he and I have continued. Just thought I'd say it with you...

Doug:
"Talking to a conservative is like talking to your refridgerator, the light goes on, the light goes off, its not going to do anything thats not built in to it. So im not going to talk to a conservative any more than im going to talk to my damn refridgerator"-Utah Phillips

Tootboy:
Talking to a liberal is like walking around in a vampire movie. The liberals walk around and never recognize that the Count and Countess are vampires. The conservatives are aware and recognize the evil and try to tell the rest but they think the conservatives are crazy. "What? That young handsome man? A Vampire? No way dude." The conservatives run into the castle with their torches while the liberals don't realize that it's too late to save themselves until their necks are sucked dry. Of course it would've helped if the libs wore crosses around their necks.

Doug:
A conservative will end up killing his friend because he thinks they have been turned into a vampire too, only to realize afterwards that he was just being paranoid and his friend wasnt a vampire at all.

Tootboy:
A liberal will know his friend is a vampire and petition the government to give him human blood subsidies (aka blood stamps), ask HUD to build him a coffin, ask the ACLU to defend the vampires' rights to practice their cultural traditions and blood lust, give them a PC name like Jugular Engineer or Mirror Reflectionally Handicapped. Of course they can't be out in the day time so they can not be fired just because they now need to work soley at night. And they cannot be turned down for employment just because of their aversion to the sun.

It's the expansion, stupid

tootboy — 2004-06-02T01:06:00-05:00

The excerpt from the column by Chris Pummer, Assistant
Managing Editor of CBS MarketWatch.com:

...."I don't know how much is agenda and how much is ignorance or just lemming-type journalism," said Comerica Bank Chief Economist David Littmann, who's tracked the economy for 40 years. "We're in a mini-boom, and to characterize it as a recovery is to diminish it."

This isn't nitpicking, mind you. The media is a powerful influence on how we view ourselves, and refusing to come around to substituting one word for another is depressing the national mood.

Think about it: An expansion implies strength and virility, while recovery suggests lingering weakness -- the stroke victim in therapy for paralysis, or the reformed alcoholic still at risk of falling off the wagon.

Contrary to what conservatives might suspect, the media's dim view isn't due to a liberal conspiracy to derail President Bush's reelection. The personal politics of journalists overall may be a few degrees left of center, but business journalists on the whole are fairly centrist. I consider myself a compassionate moderate.

No, the driving force here is altogether different. Namely, as a sage editor of mine used to say, "Don't blame on malice what can best be attributed to incompetence."...

The National Bureau of Economic Research since has emerged as the brain trust the media now relies on for calling recessions. Yet the NBER doesn't even use the word "recovery." By its terminology, an expansion begins once a recession ends, and it says we've been in one since November 2001.

If that's not sufficient proof, try these measures on for size:

* The nation's GDP grew 4.4 percent in the first quarter of 2004, capping its biggest 12-month gain since 1984. By most forecasts, GDP this year is expected to grow 4.7 percent -- the best calendar-year performance in two decades, surpassing even our longed-for 1999.

* The economy has created more than 1.1 million jobs since last August, with unemployment falling to 5.6 percent in April. That rate was lower, by a hair, in only two of 22 years from 1974-to-1995 -- 5.5 percent in 1988 and 5.3 percent in 1989.

* Home ownership reached a record-high 68.6 percent in first quarter of this year -- up nearly 5 percentage points in the last decade

Yet the major media clings to the word "recovery" like a
malpractice-fearing doctor too afraid to offer an optimistic prognosis to family members. For instance:

* A May 19 Wall Street Journal story on a speech by Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Anthony Santomero said he expects inflation to remain contained during "the U.S. economic recovery."
(The Journal's words)

* A May 15 New York Times story on Money magazine naming a new editor said: "By this time in the recovery, most people can at least bear to open their 401(k) statements..."

* A May 18 Reuters story carried on NYT.com, the Times' Web site, said: "Mortgage rates dipped to near 40-year lows in the first few months of 2004, but have risen in recent weeks as signs of the U.S. economic recovery have solidified..."
...

When I alerted my boss to his use of the word "recovery" in a TV interview about rising oil prices, and its use by one of our columnists, he said: "You wouldn't call it an expansion if you were one of the people still unemployed."

Therein lies the root of the error.

Those who think we're still in a recovery apparently won't change their view until we return to the record-low 3.8 percent unemployment we enjoyed for a fleeting moment in 2000 during the most prosperous economy in history.

That's like not recognizing a bull market until the Nasdaq
surpasses 5,000 again. I'd bet my retirement savings no one alive in the U.S. today will ever see sub-4 percent joblessness again,and here's why.

For decades, economists considered 4.5 percent "full employment," so the U.S. entered a labor-market utopia when we dropped far below that. But 3.8 percent didn't reflect real production needs.
It reflected a gross overcapacity of human resources, as employers with delirious growth expectations rushed to net the little talent left in a labor pool then shallower than a sidewalk puddle after a light summer rain....

END of Excerpt

For the Piece by Pummer in full:
http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7BEC0AE4E8%2D3B33%2D417F%2DBD11%2D8A491E2A964F%7D&siteid=mktw

At the very least, Democrats are more entertaining

tootboy — 2004-06-03T11:06:00-05:00

Well, Democrats everywhere are excited. About John Kerry? No! About the economy growing? No!
They're excited about the entertainment fundraisers. Come on in, see a show.
In Los Angeles, you can see Barbara Streisand & Neil Diamond singing "You Don't Bring me Flowers", Billy Crystal and Willie Nelson, Danny DeVito & wife Rhea Pearlman, Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburgen, Larry David and wife Laurie, Warren Beatty and wife Annette Bening, Dustin Hoffman, Ben Stiller, Bobby De Niro, Leo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, Rita Wilson (where's Tom?).

In New York you can go see James Taylor, Bette Midler, John Mellencamp, Jon Bon Jovi, Wyclef Jean, Whoopi and Robin Williams.

Pretty good. The Republicans have a show starring Laura Flynn Boyle refusing to eat again.

The biggest problem for the Dems is that they are obviously unaware that New York and Californina are foregone Democrat strongholds. They don't need a concert there. Why don't they hold one in Miami? Or Cleveland?

Zero Tolerance for Sweets

tootboy — 2004-06-04T09:06:00-05:00

We all know that 5 year olds can get booted out of school for drawing a picture of a soldier with a gun. Here's a new one for public schools. NO CUPCAKES. The article below says that birthday celebrations in class will no longer be accompanied by the traditional cupcake as it incites obesity. What's next, suspending twinkees from lunch boxes? For people who talk about civil rights, liberals are all into controlling people's rights to eat what they want, draw what they want, and smoke where they want (have you heard the one that bans smoking from California's beaches?)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/06/04/in_obesity_fight_school_bans_birthday_cupcakes/
Students celebrating their birthdays this fall at the Chandler School in Duxbury can expect their classmates to sing "Happy Birthday," but cupcakes are out of the question.

Concerned that the children are eating too much junk food, the Chandler School Council and the Parent Teacher Association are forbidding parents from bringing sweets to their child's classroom birthday party.

"We love birthdays, but we decided to shift the focus onto the child and not the food," said principal Deborah Zetterberg, who is also cochairwoman of the school council. "What we proposed was to have a birthday package, as we're calling it."

The package includes a special birthday chair cover that will be placed on the back of the student's chair, Zetterberg said. The birthday boy or girl can also wear a sash. They get a special pencil and a sticker with the school's mascot, the Happy Dragon, she said. Preschool and kindergarten students also get to wear a birthday crown, she said.

Back from Iraq

tootboy — 2004-06-04T01:06:00-05:00

Lt. Col. Leidinger, a Maine MD, Recalls His Tour of Duty in Iraq in a cover story in a liberal publication. For those skeptics and non skeptics alike
http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:k76lqTsq7QkJ:www.freepressonline.com/cover.cfm+%22Lt.+Col.+Richard+J.+Leidinger%22&hl=en

Lt. Col. Richard J. Leidinger sat at his kitchen table in Rockport after having spent four harrowing months in Iraq. He spoke with quiet pride of the medical unit he supervised as they cared for the injured (friend and foe), of the attacks on his base, and of the Iraqi people and doctors he came to know and admire.
He returned from the war in March to resume his life as Doctor Leidinger at Penobscot Bay Urology, as Rich to his new wife Kate, and as Dad to his children, Sarah, age 11, and Tristan, who just turned 10.
Leidinger, age 43, served as vice commander of the 506 EMeds (expeditionary Medical Support), a small Air Force forward-deployed fixed hospital unit of 58 people from all over the US, about half of whom were Guard and half active-duty personnel. His military medical base was just outside Kirkuk, in northern Iraq, about 60 miles from Tikrit, at the top of the Suni triangle. As head doctor at his base, Leidinger oversaw the treatment of more than 1,200 patients in the sick bay, and several hundred trauma patients who were checked and treated if necessary, before being flown to U.S. military hospitals in Germany.
He didn’t have to go to Iraq. The Air Force put in a request to his Bangor-based Air National Guard unit for a flight surgeon. Leidinger was the most qualified for the duty — he had spent 12 active-duty years in the Navy, primarily at a Naval hospital in California, then two years in the Naval Reserves, and has been in his Air National Guard unit for three years. And he was willing to go, though it meant leaving his wife and children, plus his local patients, and flying into danger.
As a flight surgeon, Leidinger flew on 11 combat missions on C130s — one of those 11 was a medivac flight to pick up casualties — and so saw a good portion of the country, at least from an aerial perspective. On those flights, as air crew, he served as a visual spotter for small-arms fire and shoulder-launched missiles. He did spot small-arms fire and his plane did get missile locked once, and undertook defensive, evasive action. C130s are cargo planes, used to move people and supplies, and have defensive but no offensive weapons, he explained.
But above all, Leidinger worked as a healer, in a tent on the barren base (there was one tree on the base besides a Christmas tree made of coat hangers), performing routine, as well as life-saving, surgery on accident victims, people with shrapnel wounds, as well as men and women with everyday medical problems. He treated US military, Iraqi civilians, Iraqi police, as well as EPWs (enemy prisoners of war).

Calm under stress, Leidinger said it’s necessary “to control your fear.… I knew I could get killed, but I felt why I’m here is to help the people, to try and maybe make a little bit of difference. And ultimately what it’s for is to make a safer world for our kids. So our kids don’t ever have to witness some of the things we’ve seen. Ultimately, that’s what it’s about.”

He believes the war is “absolutely worthwhile,” and that the continuing violence is a result of “the growing pains of a free society.” Adding that “freedom is not free,” Leidinger believes that if the U.S. and its allies can establish a democratic Iraq, it will stabilize the Middle East.
He knows many critics of the war want to bring the troops home now, but he thinks that would be a mistake. “I can almost guarantee you those guys [U.S. soldiers killed in action] if you could bring them back to life for 15 seconds and ask them if it was worth it, they’d say yes.”

Leidinger complained that the media is only telling Americans a small percentage of what happens in Iraq. “I saw evidence of weapons of mass destruction,” he said. Asked what sort of evidence, Leidinger paused and said some of his information was sensitive, but he was willing to explain that some OSI (Air Force equivalent of CIA), as well as some CIA people, occasionally “brought material which they had received from informants” to his unit for testing. His medical unit had biotech people and equipment on site and some of that material, after being tested by his unit, proved to be radioactive. (He added that informants were paid based on material turning out to be WMD-related material, so there could be some ulterior motives at work in what was provided.) He also monitored the secret email system on the base, which bolstered his conviction that WMD are present in Iraq. He noted that while he was in Iraq “US forces found cyanide during a raid at a terrorist storage facility in Baghdad,” and that while that got some coverage in the US press, it didn’t get much attention.
“Al Qaeda is sending terrorists into the country to subvert the American effort,” said Leidinger. “Their primary focus now is Iraq, not Afghanistan.” He says there was a distinct difference in the level of sophistication of attacks that began throughout the country, including at his base, shortly after Saddam Hussein was captured. While he was there, the base was attacked 31 times with rocket mortars. That doesn’t count the number of times small-arms fire was going on — so frequent that oftentimes his unit didn’t know if the fire was aimed at them or involved non-US factions shooting at each other. Any which way, Leidinger laughs, it was best to take cover.
Speaking of Hussein, Leidinger barely mentioned the fact that his unit received a citation for “outstanding treatment of and professionalism in” treating Iraqi people badly hurt in a humvee-taxi crash last November 30. The Iraqi families were so grateful for the medical care that, the citation reads, “they in turn risked their lives to notify coalition forces of Saddam Hussein’s whereabouts. By treating these injured Iraqis with the highest standard of care, you directly contributed to the capture and detainment of the Ace of Spades.”

It’s well known, according to Leidinger, that many al Qaeda members were coming into Iraq from Iran. His base was about 40 to 50 miles from the Zagros Mountains on the Iranian border. “But we think they were probably also coming in from Saudi Arabia and Syria — and who knows where else.”

Perhaps Leidinger’s biggest complaint is that “the media is downplaying the humanitarian efforts that make up most of the work the US forces are involved with, including the big reconstruction projects.” Those include, he said, reconstruction of water purification facilities, water treatment systems, hospitals and bridges — as well as the work involved in establishing local governments. While there’s a lot of press coverage of the Provisional Authority, he says, there’s almost no coverage of the countless military civil affairs people who are going into towns all over Iraq helping to establish city councils and fire and ambulance services, and teaching Iraqis how to repair the emergency equipment and how to get spare parts. US forces have also been at work on establishing communications — and they are about to bring up a cell phone network in the country. And, he adds, “I didn’t even touch on the rebuilding and resupplying of the schools.”

“Our doctors and their doctors have been working side by side,” says Leidinger, in order to get medical supplies and get the hospitals functioning. The three main hospitals in Kirkuk are all functional now, says Leidinger, “though certainly not up to Western standards.” He estimates that it took about three months after the major combat of the war ceased last spring to get them to the functional stage. But, he says, NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are now working with the hospitals, and there is also a national health ministry.
“That’s probably 80 percent of what we’re [US forces] doing there — that’s the bulk of what the soldiers do every day.” Most people in the US, says Leidinger, “think we’re roaming around in convoys waiting to be attacked,” but those convoys that people see on television are usually protecting the day-to-day work of the military’s engineers, civil affairs personnel and medical workers, as well as the civilian workers.
Leidinger said he is unhappy about the revelations of abuse of prisoners, but also feels ambivalent because sometimes the information extracted from “EPWs” (enemy prisoners of war) is strategically valuable and saves lives.
There were times, Leidinger said, when moments after a rocket or mortar attack, he would be called on to care for a wounded Iraqi man, and he remembers what he considered the “I would kill you” look in his patient’s eyes. But Leidinger doesn’t hate Iraqis. On the contrary, he hopes the bloodshed and turmoil will bring them democracy, freedom and something that has eluded them for a long time: happiness.
One hundred and twenty three days after he first flew into the midst of war, he came home to the peace of midcoast Maine and a chance to ride his bicycle again. Could America be attacked by al Qaeda again? It’s possible, Leidinger said, but unlikely. Could he be asked to serve again in Iraq? “With rotations, it’s possible,” he said.
As to how he felt about leaving Iraq, he said his feelings were mixed. “I was happy to come home, but I also felt guilty.… I came home with only half my unit, so as Vice Commander, I felt like a father abandoning his children.”

by Steve Cartwright & Alice McFadden

A time for Choosing

tootboy — 2004-06-07T10:06:00-05:00

I am going to talk of controversial things. I make no apology for this.
It's time we asked ourselves if we still know the freedoms intended for us by the Founding Fathers. James Madison said, "We base all our experiments on the capacity of mankind for self government."
This idea? that government was beholden to the people, that it had no other source of power is still the newest, most unique idea in all the long history of man's relation to man. This is the issue of this election: Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves.
You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream-the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path. Plutarch warned, "The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits."
The Founding Fathers knew a government can't control the economy without controlling people. And they knew when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we have come to a time for choosing.
Public servants say, always with the best of intentions, "What greater service we could render if only we had a little more money and a little more power." But the truth is that outside of its legitimate function, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector.
Yet any time you and I question the schemes of the do-gooders, we're denounced as being opposed to their humanitarian goals. It seems impossible to legitimately debate their solutions with the assumption that all of us share the desire to help the less fortunate. They tell us we're always "against," never "for" anything.
We are for a provision that destitution should not follow unemployment by reason of old age, and to that end we have accepted Social Security as a step toward meeting the problem. However, we are against those entrusted with this program when they practice deception regarding its fiscal shortcomings, when they charge that any criticism of the program means that we want to end payments....
We are for aiding our allies by sharing our material blessings with nations which share our fundamental beliefs, but we are against doling out money government to government, creating bureaucracy, if not socialism, all over the world.
We need true tax reform that will at least make a start toward I restoring for our children the American Dream that wealth is denied to no one, that each individual has the right to fly as high as his strength and ability will take him.... But we can not have such reform while our tax policy is engineered by people who view the tax as a means of achieving changes in our social structure....
Have we the courage and the will to face up to the immorality and discrimination of the progressive tax, and demand a return to traditional proportionate taxation? . . . Today in our country the tax collector's share is 37 cents of -very dollar earned. Freedom has never been so fragile, so close to slipping from our grasp.
Are you willing to spend time studying the issues, making yourself aware, and then conveying that information to family and friends? Will you resist the temptation to get a government handout for your community? Realize that the doctor's fight against socialized medicine is your fight. We can't socialize the doctors without socializing the patients. Recognize that government invasion of public power is eventually an assault upon your own business. If some among you fear taking a stand because you are afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even government, recognize that you are just feeding the crocodile hoping he'll eat you last.
If all of this seems like a great deal of trouble, think what's at stake. We are faced with the most evil enemy mankind has known in his long climb from the swamp to the stars. There can be no security anywhere in the free world if there is no fiscal and economic stability within the United States. Those who ask us to trade our freedom for the soup kitchen of the welfare state are architects of a policy of accommodation.
They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right. Winston Churchill said that "the destiny of man is not measured by material computation. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits-not animals." And he said, "There is something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty."
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.

A Time for Choosing by Ronald Reagan, 1964

Personal Recollections of Reagan

tootboy — 2004-06-07T10:06:00-05:00

Growing up in a Democrat household in Brooklyn, I vaguely remember my parents going to vote for Carter even though they hated him but we were democrats. Something about Reagan being a hawk and Carter giving us peace. Reagan seemed to have a tough reputation.

I remember being home sick the day he was sworn in. I remember I had a humidifying going and it was snowing hard. Then the breaking news. The hostages were released by Iran. The yellow ribbons on every tree and stop sign and banister had worked. And then it was followed by Reagan arriving at the capital. His reputation of strength had proceeded him and had let to the Iranians giving up what we held so dear. There have been few times since that I've felt the swelling up of pride in being an American. It may have been the first.

I remember the air controllers strike and how everyone said that the skies were certain disaster because Reagan fired them. His decision turned out to be right but he was given grief. In fact, everyone in the media treated him like a dim witted, senial, old man who was just acting as a president.

I remember Reagan being shot. I remember saying that is a good thing because Reagan was a republican and he was the enemy (this was in an era where no one voted outside of their own party). My father strongly scolded me and told me that he was the President of the US, respect him for that and for being a good human being. This is not something we wish for on anyone.
I remember being ashamed of myself especially since one of my heroes, John Lennon had been murdered just months before.

I recall how the news (back then the national news was 1 hour long and 1000 times more important than it is now) was all over President Reagan's build up of the arms race. I remember seeing giant No Nukes rallies in the US and in Europe (especially Germany). These rallies cried that Reagan was leading the world down the path of nuclear destruction because of his strong arm tactics. How dare he denounced the Soviets as evil. How dare he use war-like words like, "tear down this wall". They turned out wrong.

But Reagan wasn't always right. A prime example was the death of the 280 Marines in Lebannon. He ordered the US to run away. Lebannon is still in shambles and we didn't learn the lesson of the sick Arab fundamentalist mentality until almost 20 years later.

I remember being proud of freeing Grenada (oh silly that one feels today), of waving the US flag, of bombing Libya (Ghadafy has said that he is sad Reagan died as he will never be able to stand trial for bombing him). I remember the Iran Contra hearings and being glued to them and thinking that if the President was guilty of this at least it was the right thing to do.

I remember starting to like and love Reagan but feeling guilty because he was a republican. Then I saw a "Family Ties" episode. A family member of the Keatons was getting a divorce. When Alex (played by Michael J Fox)asked how could this happen to such good people, his dad said that these things happen. His mother added that Ronald Reagan had been divorced. Of course Alex said "Yeah, but that was when he was Democrat".

Reagan had ideas. His political opponents had notions. Reagan stood for ideals that seemed ancestral and ancient and yet seemed fresh and new. His opponents stood for little things and never saw the big picture.

For all the things that he was I noticed his successor GHW Bush wasn't. I knew I wasn't really a Democrat anymore though I still naively believed much of the things they expounded. But I knew that no one in the republican party was filling Reagan's shoes. No one has captured my attention and my heart like Reagan. The current President has been the closest I've seen to Reagan's visionary powers. And like Reagan he has been derided as a dimwit, and a lover of war pushing the world to the brink. He's not Reagan though. I wish he were. Because Reagan could've handled anything and made us believe we could too.

Butterfly and Tootboy

tootboy — 2004-06-10T11:06:00-05:00

This is a long discussion of various issues started on June 6th between Butterfly81 and myself...

BUTTERFLY:

First off...i am going to vote for someone that i actually agree with and trust-just so happens to be kerry. im not saying that bush is a scapegoat. im saying hes a dumbass. let me pose this question for you do you believe everything he says? and how can we be so quick to judge? i gave the man 4 years to prove he can be a decent president. he hasnt done the job. hes done nothing to prove hes a great president except start a war he shouldnt have in the first place. oh and the enviornment...what has he done to help it? not only that but he throws religion in our faces. when did this country get so religious that some people cant even listen to the radio shows or the tv shows they want to listen/see? heaven help us if he gets re-elected again.

i dont trust the media at all. thats why i try to research my own facts. you want more? just ask soapboxtop and she will help you understand why not only me but others dont trust bush

TOOTBOY:

Hey butterfly...
You made some statements which you know I've got to call you on...:-)

Senator Kerry: You say you agree and trust him. On what? You are the first person on this blog to actually say that they are voting FOR Kerry instead of against Bush. What reason has he given you that he's earned your trust and respect.

The Environment. Granted, I can't name anything off the top of my head that Bush has done for the environment but then again I can only name one that the Clinton/Gore did in 8 years. That was the federalization of private land. I don't agree with the policy but it is an answer. The environmentalists wanted Kyoto passed (which Clinton never did), wanted alternatives for gasoline (Clinton did not help push this).

Bush didn't start the war. The war in Afghanistan was started on Sept 11 2001. The war in Iraq never ended with the first Gulf war. Even if you don't believe in the Iraqi invasion please note that we were still at war with them since 1991.

This nation has always been a religious one. It is probably the most religious nation in the world (except the Vatican?) One of the first reasons people came here was to able to pray in their own way. Freedom of religion is part of the first amendment. The Declaration of Independence begins that the governments of the world get their power from G0d and mankind gets their universal laws and equality from the Creator. The swearing in of the President, Justices, and Congresspeople all end "So Help me, G0d".

HOWEVER, I agree with you. I don't trust the media either!

BUTTERFLY:

hey toot!!

Well for starters what would a debate be like if you werent in it? i enjoy debating with you as you are one of the rare conservatives out there that doesnt get offensive when i bash bush.

anyhoo moving on...usually i vote For a candidate. I dont like bush and that is well known. however if there was a republican that was running against a democrat that would be better off (think the reagan election when he ran against carter) i would certainly vote for the better candidate. but when it all comes down to it i am a liberal. that said i shall now start the debate.

i like kerry because unlike bush he doesnt want to take my rights as a woman away. bush did sign for a new bill banning partial birth abortions. say all you want how bad it is whatever. the fact is by banning partial births, bush is putting his foot in the door to ban all abortions and it will only be a matter of time before he does (thats if hes re-elected). dont believe me? there was a rally back in april 25, 2004 where well over a million women (and the media never disclosed how many women there were for reasons of their own) that marched for woman's rights...right after that bill was signed. why even care you might be wondering...simple. they know just as i know that bush is against abortion and do what it takes to get rid of it. kerry might not say where he stands on the issues but he never said he would sign a bill such as that. yes his wife was about to have an abortion years ago but that was because of health issues.

now lets move on. at least clinton/gore did one thing for the enviornment. that is one more thing then bush has done.

you can say the war hasnt ended since 1991, but kerry at least wants to end it. did you catch the interview with tom brokaw and george bush? brokaw flat out asked bush when the war would be over. bush never gave an answer.

i look forward to hearing from you again

TOOTBOY:

hey Butterfly,

thanks for the compliment!

I believe, as does an overwhelming number of Americans do that partial birth abortion is abhorant. Now, I do not believe in abortion except in the cases of rape, incest and when the mother or another baby in the womb is at risk of death. so I do believe that abortions should be available for those reasons.

As you know the federal government can sanction abortion as the supreme court did. However, it cannot take abortions away. That is up to the state legislatures. So if the Supreme Court did go against Roe vs. Wade that doesn't mean abortions are gone forever. What it means is that the people of the nation now have the ability to vote on it. The voting goes to the state legislatures who now can ban or sanction abortions. So if you live in a state like NY or Massachusetts there is absolutely no way the legislature will ban it. If you live in a state like Utah they may because that may be the will of the people in the state. So in reality the President of the US can not take away abortions. What he can best hope for is that the state has the right to ban or sanction.

Now you say the Clinton-Gore did one thing more than Bush. But, Clinton-Gore had 8 years of peace to focus on it. And more importantly it was a cornerstone of their administration. Gore wanted to be known as the environmental vice president yet they did relatively zero to promote the environment. Bush, has not made the environment a cornerstone so you shouldn't expect him to do much about it especially in a time of war. You expected Clinton Gore to do something and yet nada.

Kerry in 1997 said that Saddam Hussein and his WMDs were a menace to the world and the US should "unilaterally" take him out.
Now Bush does want to end the war. But a good strategist shouldn't tell his enemies what he is or isn't going to do. By saying that he is going to pull the troops no matter what on a certain date isn't really helping the troops but the enemy. Bush doesn't want to be there. There was obviously good news this past week in Iraq.
I don't think anyone can forsee when this war will end. Remember back in November of 2001 when we invaded Afghanistan and it didn't look like we were making headway for weeks and the press was calling it a quagmire? Well a week later it was all over (at least the main battles). From then on the Taliban was out and the Al Queda in the country was on the defensive and on the run.

Iraq will be the same thing. Hopefully soon the Iraqis will start finding the terrorists and the militias that won't stop fighting. The troops will be there supporting the Iraqis. And before 5 years is up a true democracy will have been started. But if the Iraqis think the US will turn tail and leave they will be in a much weakened position. If they trust in us they can succeed, if they don't then there goes the neighborhood.

Have a good one!

BUTTERFLY:

Hey Toot!!
Anytime for the compliment. you always bring up interesting points. it is nice that we can debate in a nice manner. i really cant stand when i argue with a conservative and they get all annoyed on me and beyond defensive. i like to debate in a calm way. hearing both sides of the story is something i like to hear...you know? you have every right to agree or even disagree with bush. and you certainly have every right to want to vote for him.

what certainly bothers me is that a lot of orthodox jews are siding with bush. as a jew it confuses me simply because most jews are liberal. i dont think bush is good for israel at all as most of the jewish newspapers are printing in their papers. israel is worse off then it was before. during the clinton/gore era there was never this much fighting as there is now. no one wants to go there anymore. i totally got off the point you were making.

i do think there are other ways to resolve conflicts other than fighting. its soo odd how if one fights on the street the people involved go to jail...even if one kills someone they go to jail. yet on the battlefield its different. im by all means not a feminist or hippie even though the quiz i took about whta city i am says otherwise. i just dont think war is the answer. sure 9/11 happened but we are bigger people then they are. why the hell should we send our men and women out like that. im sorry but its still too difficult for me to compare WWII and this war. this war should have been avoided at all costs. your right about if bush says when this war would end it would be good for the enemy. but everytime brokaw asked bush any kind of question he skirted around the issue at hand. i want a leader that i feel can effectively run the country. hey i think guilliani(sp?) would be a better leader than bush. guilliani did a great job handling 9/11. thats it for now...

TOOTBOY:

Hey Butterfly!

I think it is very easy for me to see both sides because I used to be a Democrat liberal. As I've grown I feel the wiser I get. This wisdom has made me more conservative.

I think you are making very good points. If I may I want to kind of twist your points so you can see where I am coming from...

I'll start with the Bush/Brokaw answering. I have no idea when this war will end. The president can't answer that. If you asked FDR in 1942 when this war will end he'd probably say "with the unconditional surrender of Germany, Italy and Japan". Ok when would that be Mr President?
I guess technically the answer is fairly easier because you are fighting governments and established groups. It is harder to fight individuals and loosely formed group such as Al Queda or other terrorist organizations. I mean the British were fighting Sein Fenn for 80 years! And the Israelis have been fighting the PLO since 1964. In WWII the war ended in 1945 but the reconstruction of Japan of Germany lasted well into the mid-1950s. So really the war last into the mid-1950s and actually we are still there. Our troops in Korea are still there since 1953 though the war is over. The Japanese and Canadians have been fighting separatist factions for 15-20 years.
So I don't really think that the president can tell when it's over tell way after it's over. Unless we are sure that all the terrorists are dead it will be an uneasy peace.

You mentioned that if you fight you go to jail yet on the battlefield its different. And you also say we are bigger people why can't we just, I guess you mean, ignore them.
If someone comes at you with a knife, you have to hope you can beat them up, disarm them or kill them. That's self defense. Sometimes you know that this person has threatened you and though you've gone to the police they say there is nothing they can do until they actually try to kill you. You know that it will be to late for you and you'll be dead. So instead you go and take them out first.
Remember, we were attacked first. I'm not even talking about Sept 11. They bombed the WTC in 1993. What did we do? We did exactly what you say we should be doing. We arrested those we could. The rest were put under investigation or escaped. Then during the 'black hawk down' incident our troops came under fire during peace keeping missions. We left immediately. Then they bombed and destroyed several of our embassies, and the Khobar towers in 1996. We looked for the perpetrators. Whoever we found we tried to prosecute though I don't think we found much. Then there was the USS Cole in 2000. Again, we treated this as a justice issue and not as a war.
You see, the people behind this were willing to actually blow themselves up to kill us. We can't understand this. And each time we basically ignored them it made them believe we were weak and easy prey. So then they planned on blowing up bridges and tunnels. we stopped them but then they killed 3000 on Sept 11. Bringing them to justice and doing routine investigations has no effect on them. They know they can only be stopped when they are dead. There is no negoiating with them as they have said time and again. It is their mission to kill everyone that does not believe in their brand of Islam.
So we send our troops to kill them before they can kill us. It is easier for them to kill us because all it takes is one person with a bomb in their Hondo Odyssey to destroy 100s. Or a dirty bomb to kill 1000s or a butcher's knife to kill a family. So we have said that the troops are out there to draw them out so they don't have time and the chance to kill our civilians. Given any chance they will.

If you'll let me I will tell you why the Jewish people are and should be voting with Bush. You kinda answered it yourself.

I'll be back...

BUTTERFLY:

Hello there Toot!
You bring up a great arguement.

i still think there is a better way to prevent these people coming in. we should have better security. look at israel...when was the last time there was a hijacking on an israeli airplane? its been a loooong time. we have poor security and if all this was going on why not tighten our security? i think the answer to israeli conflict is to put a wall around the palestinians (thats another issue with me)

i can understand why you would think FDR would say he wouldnt know when the war would end. i mean hitler was a great power/leader. everyone listened to him because they needed something to listen too. everyone in germany was suffering from poverty well except the jews of course. so their answer-kill of all the jews. i can understand WWII. i really can. and i can see your point of view for the iraq war. but that doesnt mean i think bush is great for the country. aside from war our economy is in the shits. uneployment is at its record high and of course i am concerned about the enviornement. these are issues that bush isnt dealing with. kerry may not be the best option but he is the lesser of the two evils.

as far as the jewish people wanting to vote for bush...i do my own research. i refuse to have someone tell me who to vote for.

cant wait for your reply...in all honesty i do enjoy talking with you. i hope we can continue even after this election

TOOTBOY:

Hey Butterfly!!

I can't believe you actually believe that a wall around the Palestinians is a good thing! See, you are becoming more conservative everyday! :-)
So we agree a something. Since you brought it up I guess I'll have to start here.
The Israelis have learned that the Palestinians cannot be coexisted with as long as they mantain a leadership that is bent on the complete destruction of Israel. Israel has learned this the hard way. The current problems started back in 1993 when the world and the US acknowledged Arafat as the Palestinians leader. Giving a terrorist and murder the keys to a nation is never a good idea. When President Clinton pushed the Israelis and Palestinians together they weren't ready. And he pushed way too hard. He and the Israelis offered Arafat everything he ever wanted. Instead of making off with more riches than ever offered before he (forgive the Biblical reference) had his heart hardened and declared war. It's taken the Israelis 3 years of death to come up with the wall. Meanwhile the hypocritical world is up in arms about it. They treat the Israelis like the murderers when the Israelis would give up their armies right now for peace.

The Israelis learned the hard way how to combat evil. You mentioned the security on the planes.
We obviously have much better security. The problem is that the American people would not have endured the extra security before 911. We complain like babies now because our shoes are checked. Imagine if this were happening before 9=11. There would be an uproar of a facist government and rights being violated. If Clinton or Bush had the Federal government taking away people's knitting needles there would be law suits galore. We accept it not but still begrudgingly.

I'm not quite sure about what you were trying to get at with Hitler. I'm sorry but I missed the point, you may have to repeat it.

You mentioned a shit economy. Record high unemployment? Where are you getting this from? Before Jimmy Carter left office the unemployment rate was 13% compared to 5.6 now. In fact 5.6 is better than average for the last 30 years. Interest rates are at 40 year lows, the economy has added 1 million jobs in the last 3 or 4 months. Now, I don't give Bush the credit, that's the American people. If you think the economy is in the shits you haven't been reading the latest economy numbers. And even gas prices aren't as awful as we complain about. If they were people would be cutting down on their driving and vacations. I haven't seen this. Back in the late 1970s gas prices and lines were so long it was common for people to wait 30 minutes to an hour to get to the gas pump. Considering we haven't built a new oil refinery snce 1978, I'm surprised we don't have long lines now.

The enviroment is certainly not the top priority now. Remember we are in a war. The commander in chief shouldn't be worried that worried about this whoever is president. I'm not sure what you'd like done. I'm sure whatever it is the American people will find a way and a method to resolve it. Especially if there is the motivation of money.

I promise I will get to the Jewish vote soon!

BUTTERFLY:

Hey Toot!!
Ahh my friend you are mistaken about one thing. i am not getting conservative nor would i ever. it was funny cause last night i asked the bf what he thought i would be like if we lived back in the 60's-70's. he said he didnt know if i would be a hippie. but then he thought about it and said i would be the leader hippie...that i would be the one to go off and organize all the events needed for rallies and the like.

but anyways that was way besides the point. the only reason why i said there needs to be a wall around the palestinians is becuase they blow up israelies on a daily basis. and no it didnt take only 3 years for them to recognize this. some of the leaders of israel werent as aggressive as Ariel Sharon. He wont take crap from anyone and it shows. im not saying the leaders before werent effective im saying Sharon is aggressive. the israelies have been more than willing to give the palestinians jobs and to have them come over whenever they want. not only that, but they have to pass through extensive boarders to get through so it was as if there was a wall beforehand.

i dont complain about my shoes being checked because id rather have extra security then have (G-d forbid) something happen. our security still isnt up to par. not too long ago i went to fl on a new airline. i actually took two diff airlines. the first one was song...which wasnt too bad. it was like jet blue except you had to pay for food...but i had my own personal tv it was great i was in heaven. the other airline i took was usa 3000...a new airline that was crappy. the seats were beyond filled and when i asked the flight attendant if i could move up he said no it was a book flight. to make a long story short two seats next to me were empty and i was sitting on a plane and my luggage was not on. why you may ask? well they took off everyone;s luggage only to have us reclaim it again. seems as if two extra baggages came on board and there might have been or there was a bomb in it. our security still sucks. in newark and even in jfk it isnt as high the security as say ft lauderdale.

not to be mean or rude but im not sure where you are getting that the unemployment rate is being lowered....its been unchanged and there are still 8.2 million americans without jobs. and yea gas prices arent as high as carters time but they are still pretty high. the reason why people arent cutting down on their driving time is because people need to drive to work and back. i noticed people driving on memorial day and the traffic was no wheres near bad as it was years before. i dont drive as much because i refuse to spend $20 to fill my car halfway. when i graduated last year i thanked my lucky stars my dad had his own business. if he didnt i would be in grad school now because the job market is terrible. so many people are in grad school because of the job market.

btw you like my new blog layout?

TOOTBOY:

I like the blog layout though it's a tad too girly for me!

This is a nice discussion. We are talking about tons of different issues at the same time though they all seem related.

BUTTERFLY:
Toot!!
im such a girly girl...my fav colors are pink purple and yellow. i love make up and i love to shop. i will go to a ball game though and will scream just as loud as the next guy for my team.

it is cool we can talk about different issues

TOOTBOY:

Ok, I've got a quick second.

You threw a lot my way in your last post...
1)Lead Hippie? Is that a good thing? Depends on what music you are listening to! Hippies pretty much got little done
2)Like I said before, your stance on the wall keeping the Palestinians out is a conservative stance. The liberals in the US, and in Israel loathe the wall. It has been back by the President while John Kerry has told a crowd of Jews I thing and the week previously told a crowd of Arabs another. But I digress.

3)You don't complain about the security now but if this security had been in place before 9-11 and security guards were detaining old men and young girls there would've been a huge backlash. Think about the way we thought before 9-11.
Now, I agree it still isn't safe enough for me. On the other hand I ride the least terrorist safe mode of transportation everyday. The LIRR and the subways are not protected at all except for maybe the vigilance of the ridership.

4) I hear Song airlines is pretty decent. I didn't know about Usa 3000. Thanks for the tip

5)About the unemployment: The US Labor of Statistics says that the unemployment rate is at 5.6 % with adult women having a lower rate (4.8) vs men (5.2).
I looked up rates. I will go by May of an election year
May 1968: 3.5 - Nixon won
May 1972: 5.7 - Nixon reelected
May 1976: 7.4 - Ford lost
May 1980: 7.5 - Carter lost
May 1984: 7.4 - Reagan reelected
May 1988: 5.6 - Bush won
May 1992: 7.5 - Bush lost
May 1996: 5.6 - Clinton reelected
May 2000: 4.0 - Bush won
May 2004: 5.6 - ???

What does any of this mean? I don't know. Except for May 2000 and May 1968 this is the lowest May Election year unemployment level (tied with 2 other times). I guess it doesn't mean much except that it is an average unemployment level. It's not the best nor the worst. It is at it's lowest level since Sept/October of 2001 when for the first time during the Bush administration unemployment rose over 5%.

In fact since Jan 1948 the average monthly unemployment rate is 5.5%. So this is exactly average.
I'm not saying this is something to be proud of but then again it's not as bad as some are making it.

Now Gasoline could be much worse. In 1980 the average gallon adjusted for inflation cost $2.59. According to EIA it's at 2.03 average which let's face it is about 35 cents more than last year. In this respect I'd say you are right that the prices are much higher than the adjust for inflation average of the last 50 years.
I predict that prices will be at least 10 cents less by the end of July / early August.

BUTTERFLY:

Whew thats a long one. lets see if i can get everything in.
1. I think by lead hippie my bf meant that i have a lot of the ideals they had. im very conscious of the enviornment (or at least try to be) i dont buy beauty products unless they say not tested on animals. and yes i think the music i listen to has a lot to do with my bf saying id be a lead hippie i dont mind cause i liked a lot of what hippies did/said.

2. Im still not a conservative. But i think most people that are in israel and most jews will agree that something needs to be done with the palestians. i think most would agree of a wall but dont want to be called inhumane towards other. the palestinians need to be in their own little area regardless. lets face it they can go wherever they want and will be welcomed with open arms. jews? forget it. no one likes us they just tolerate us. arabs can keep coming in and try to take us done but when all is said and done the israeli army is one of if not the best army in the world. there is a lot of national pride over there-something america lacks.

3. IF we had tighter security before 9/11 i dont think i would mind too much. i used to fly all the time between florida and ny as my parents are divorced. i lived in fl with my mom while finished up schooling down there and moved up here to be with my dad while going to college. driving back and forth from hofstra to nj every weekend is not fun. and im sorry anything can happen while stopped in traffic on the verrazzano. i cant even tell you all the feelings i had run through me on 9/11 knowing i couldnt drive home as all the bridges and tunnels were closed. i had none of my family near by. the thought of that ever happening again-let there be tighter security! you are more than correct about the lack of securities on the LIRR and the subways. as a frequent rider of the subways (and i did take the LIRR a few times) its scary for a small girl like me. i wont go to penn station alone at night unless i have someone with me. the people are sketchy. and im sorry but i get scared when i stand on the platform even when im with my bf (though he is a big guy and he doesnt look like someone should mess with him) cause i feel like someone can easily push my on the tracks.

4. any time for the tip. personally i think jet blue is the best. but song will more than likely catch up if they start giving sodas out for free.

5. The problem i have with what you wrote in 5 is as follows:
so bush won and the unemployment rate was at 4.0 well he didnt make it that way. who was the president before him? clinton was. clinton helped get the economy out of a recession that bush sr but us all in. if you see what you wrote back in 1992 unemployment was at 7.5 when bush sr lost. clinton had to make those numbers disappear which is why when he was re-elected it was at 5.6. im not a math major so im not even gonna try with that one. but the numbers speak for itself. after his time was up it was down to 4.0. sot he started with 7.5 and ended with 4.0 thats pretty good and i dont think you can deny that one. bush jr on the other hand started with 4.0 and ended with 5.6 in less than 4 years.

btw i called the prediction about the lowering of the gas prices months ago. of course they will be lowered...i still wont vote for bush.
nice argument btw :)

TOOTBOY:

Hey Butterfly

I will skip #2 because I promised you a whole thought process on the votes of the general Jewish population. I will (eventually) get to it.

1) I want to state that I am generally a decent environmentalist. I recycle as best as I can and even helped establish a paper recycling program in the office building I used to work in. I do not eat any animal that walks on the ground or fly in the air. I'm not a vegetarian though (or vegan) as I eat fish and seafood and dairy and eggs and such.
i'm an activist of sorts as I'm always calling my local town board about issues as well as other government agencies that have policies that irk me. :-)
3) I don't believe the American public would have stood for the super extra security pre 9-11. When I said that the subway and LIRR are not safe I didn't mean from other NYers. I meant from terrorists. It's very easy for a suicide bomber to run into a crowded train like the shuttle from times sq to grand central. Or go on the LIRR with a bag of luggage filled with explosives or worse. An Amtrak train filled with explosives pulling into Penn Station is too horrible to think. Now Mayor Bloomberg is planning on having police start random checks on trains and subways this summer especially during the Republican Convention. And in every newspaper in the area there are op-eds and letters to the editor crying that the Mayor is a fascist because these checks will cause delays of 30 minutes or more. it hasn't even happened yet and YET they are complaining about it. And this in a city in which 2 foreign terrorist attacks have taken place in the last 11 years. That's why I know that the American public wouldn't have allowed the heavy security we see now at the airports.
(Phew!)

4) What's up with airlines giving you no or 1/2 a cup of soda? The soda costs them $.10. Give me the whole can please.

5) I'm not quite sure how much influence a President has on the unemployment level. I don't think it's that much except when it comes to the top marginal tax rate. It's the American people, congress and local governments, and other events.
The unemployment rate was 4.0 in may 2000 and 4.2 when Bush took over in January 2001. The unemployment didn't make a major jump by going to the 5% level and above until 9=11 which cannot be blamed on the President (despite the conspiracy theories). So the unemployment that we've seen hadn't occured until 9-11 and after.
I know people want to give the Presidents credit and blame for unemployment but unless the Presidents are hiring lots of people personally there is not as much they can do.

If you can want to blame Bush for the unemployment levels that's your right. I'd say one reason to blame him is that he signed bills adding the # of months people can collect unemployment benefits which does not encourage people to look for work. I agree with increasing the time for the benefits but it does work against the unemployment levels.

Remember the recession started in November of 2000. Do I blame Clinton for that? No. I blame the higher oil prices that occured in early 2000 and more importantly the computer geeks that scammed us into believing the Y2K hoax. Companies spent billions which turned out to be the biggest waste of money in the history of the world. These companies spent 2000 firing computer geeks, and not having money to invest and handle other real crisises. Shortly after the country and the rest of the world, especially Japan, went into a recession.

6)The gas prices always goes up in the spring and down in the summer as demand for oil for heating goes down.
Talk to you tomorrow.

BUTTERFLY:

mornin toot!!
i think i should start a new entry with all your points and debating them. more than likely it will be soon when i do it seeing how the responses are getting too long over here.

so im only going to talk about 4 until i write something in my blog. airlines are pissing me off. with jetblue they give you free snacks and sodas so i cant complain. but other airlines have this thing where they dont like to feed us. and when they do feed us its usually somethign crappy. if im to know in advanced there is a meal being served id like the option of a kosher meal-i dont eat ham i dont want it near my plate. not only that i am a lot like you-i only eat fish and chicken. even chicken i find myself eating less and less. one day i will become a full fledged vegeterian.

im ranting and rambling

TOOTBOY:

I'm not a vegetarian. I'm a non-meat eater which is different. If I didn't have fish to eat I'd starve in any restaurant I go to. Now when I go I only have 4 things on the menu to choose from but that is better than none. I don't recommend going cold turkey (forgive the pun). It doesnt't bother me that other people eat meat and I don't get uptight if my food touches meat. I do hate it if I am eating something (like a pasta dish) and there's little pieces of meat or something in it and someone tells me it's in there. You know I'd rather not know because now I can't eat it and I'm not happy I ate some of it already. So don't tell me I shouldn't be eating it. Ignorance is bliss!

BUTTERFLY:
im also a non meat eater...but im thinking of becoming a vegetarian...not sure ifi can though. i do enjoy tofu on some occasions. if i am sounding incoherent please forgive me as it is so hot that im becoming delirious. btw im still not a conservative ;)

Who's not coming to Dinner?

tootboy — 2004-06-10T11:06:00-05:00

SO now the current leaders of France, Russia, Canada, Japan and Mexico are all missing Ronald Reagan's state funeral even though they were all in the US meeting with President Bush on Thursday. None of them wanted to fly from Georgia to Washington DC. How sad are these little men that can't come to pay their respects by adding one day to their visits.

Imagine President Bush being in Normandy France when a former President of France or Germany dying and deciding not to go. The uproar would be huge as the French or Germans would believe they weren't treated with respect.

Roll Call - Kerry Absent from Work -Updated 7/19 - MIA 87.7%

tootboy — 2004-06-11T10:06:00-05:00

No offense to anyone running for a political office. If it interferes with you day job then quit or you should be fired.

I'm going to pick on Senator Kerry. It's not a partisan call but it's about ALL politicians. If you can't do your job then let someone else do it. Millions are depending on you.
Senator Kerry has proven that you don't need to do anything to be a U.S. Senator. What a scam these 100 people have on the rest of us! Of course, Senator Kerry is the worst senator in the 2004 Senate. This is not a subjective statement but an objective one.

Here are Senator John Kerry's Records for 2004 Attendance during voting on resolutions and bills and other issues of legislation.

Since January 1st, there have been 130 issues so far (not including Judicial nominations which I haven't counted).
John Kerry missed all 5 votes in January.
John Kerry missed all 15 votes in February.
John Kerry showed up for work on March 2, voted on 6 of the 7 issues on the day, came back March 10 voted on another 5, came back March 25 and voted on 2. In total he voted on 13 issues. However, he missed 25 other votes in March. Therefore, he voted in 13 of 38 issues.
John Kerry missed all 13 votes in April.
John Kerry missed all 22 votes in May.
John Kerry missed the first 16 votes in June including one to honor former President Reagan but made himself available on June 22nd for 3 votes. He subsequently missed the last 14 of the votes for the month.
He has missed all 4 votes in July.

So, John Kerry has missed 114 of 130 votes in the Senate this year. To put a positive spin on it, he voted in 12.3% of all issues (not including Judicial confirmations).
He showed up for 4 days so far this year.

Now I am not picking on Kerry because he is a Democrat. If ANYONE had a record like that he or she should be released for failure to do their job. The people, in his case, of Massachusetts deserves someone who is willing to vote for their interests. There were several close votes that he missed.

To prove my point, I checked into the voting record of the previous Senator that ran for his party's nomination for President which was Bob Dole. He eventually dropped out of the Senate a month before the election but should he have dropped out of the Senate much earlier for the sake of his state of Kansas.

Taking the same period of time (January through the 2nd week of June) the Senate votes on 173 issues (not counting Judicial confirmations). Of these Dole missed 14. Or to put a positive spin, he made 91.9% of the votes while running for President.

Unfortunately, the roll call records on the internet only go back to 1989 so there are no other prime examples of voting records by a party's Presidential candidates who were still members of Congress.

Iran declares war on the world and the world and media snoozes - AGAIN!

tootboy — 2004-06-14T11:06:00-05:00

There were more troubling reports coming from various corners of Iran’s political landscape last week. Iran’s refusal to allow U.N. inspectors visit military sites suspected of being part of Iran’s nuclear weapons program, and President Khatami’s warning Thursday that Iran might resume uranium enrichment and halt snap inspections of its nuclear sites are certainly alarming.

Equally disturbing, the rubber-stamp parliament in Iran began its seventh session last Thursday with chants of "Death to America" and "Death to the occupiers of Iraq". One new deputy, former Revolutionary Guards member Mehdi Kouchakzadeh, led his colleagues in a chorus of anti-U.S. slogans which he said would "attract attention to the main task of the parliament."

Nonetheless, the most ominous news from Iran last week has to do with the formation of Karbala-bound Battalions tasked with carrying out suicide attacks against the Coalition forces in Iraq.

Iran is launching this requiting campaign under the religious pretext of defending the Muslim holy shrines against the infidels. In reality, this is a part of mullahs’ sinister goal of expanding their Khomeini-style theocracy into Iraq. Iran’s ruling regime has frequently and skillfully used the cloak of religion to legitimize its tyranny and advance its political and diplomatic goals. And this is just another example.
FULL STORY http://www.americandaily.com/article/545

Tootboy scoops the pack!!

tootboy — 2004-06-15T04:06:00-05:00

Several weeks ago I questioned whether or not politicians running for a different office should resign if they could no longer handle their current jobs.
Last week I examined Senator Kerry's work. After reading the Roll Call for 2004 I realised that he has missed 87% of all votes (actually he's missed another since then) including several that he could have affected with his one vote. Noting that this is abnormal (Bob Dole only missed 9% in the same time period in 1996) I asked whether or not Kerry should step down so he can focus on his presidential campaign.

Now, 4 days behind me, the governor of Massachusetts is asking the same question.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/06/15/romney_administration_calls_for_kerry_to_resign?mode=PF
"Romney administration calls for Kerry to resign
By Associated Press | June 15, 2004

BOSTON --The Romney administration called Tuesday for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry to resign while he runs for president, saying he's had an abysmal attendance record since launching his campaign last year and is not adequately representing his constituents.

Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, a Republican, said Kerry has missed 64 percent of last year's roll call votes and 87 percent this year, including a vote on banning Internet child pornography.

He also missed a vote on extending unemployment insurance benefits, which was defeated by one vote.

"It's not fair, it's not right and the public is not being well-served," said Healey, who said she was acting on behalf of Gov. Mitt Romney. "I'm calling on John Kerry to resign so that we can fill that office with someone who is 100 percent devoted to the job of representing the people of Massachusetts."

A spokesman for the Kerry campaign did not immediately return calls seeking comment. Kerry, who is to receive the Democratic nomination for president at next month's national convention in Boston, said in February that he had no plans to resign his Senate seat.

Under current state law, the governor would appoint someone to fill the remainder of Kerry's term, which is set to expire in 2008."

John Kerry: Pro-Israel? by the Jewish Press

tootboy — 2004-06-16T11:06:00-05:00

Full Story: http://www.thejewishpress.com/news_article.asp?article=3837

Someone who read an abbreviated version of "Kerry, Carter and Israel" (my
front-page essay in the May 5 issue of The Jewish Press) wrote that he was
unconcerned about Kerry, because his pro-Israel voting record was "second to none,"
he had "fought" the attempt by the first President Bush in the early 1990`s to cut loan
guarantees to Israel, and he had endorsed Israel`s recent actions against the leaders of
Hamas.

I was intrigued by the suggestion that Kerry`s pro-Israel record was "second
to none," so I looked it up.

The Jewish Virtual Library lists Kerry`s vote on 60 Senate bills, resolutions
and other matters: "Legislative Record of Senator John Kerry on Issues of Concern
to the Pro-Israel Community"
(www.us-israel.org/jsource/US-Israel/kerryrecord.html).

I disregarded the 17 measures that passed with 90 or more votes (out of a
possible 100), on grounds that these were not exactly profile-in-courage moments.

(That includes Kerry`s "fight" for loan guarantees to Israel, which consisted of
his joining 98 other senators in 1992 in voting for Sen. Lautenberg`s resolution of
support).

Then I discounted the 18 measures that garnered between 82 and 89 votes.
You don`t get a "second to none" rating by simply hanging around with the 80-plus
percent crowd.

I decided the best indicator of the depth of Kerry`s support would be the
instances where the pro-Israel position got 60 votes or less -- by definition the most
controversial situations, the ones where Kerry`s vote mattered most.

There were 10 of those votes in the JVL list, and Kerry`s record there was . . .
envelope please . . . six pro-Israel votes out of 10. So in the close-call category,
Kerry was basically a 60-40 guy.

The JVL list notes that, in connection with the FY 2000 Foreign Aid
Conference Report, Kerry opposed the pro-Israel position. In 2000, he failed to join
60 co-sponsors of the "Middle East Peace Process Support Act" — a bill calling on
the president not to recognize a unilaterally declared Palestinian state. He also failed
to co-sponsor the pro-Israel "Peace Through Negotiations Act," which attracted 60
co-sponsors.

In 1993, Kerry failed to join 55 senators signing the Grassley/Lautenberg
letter to the State Department, which demanded that it include Hamas in its annual
report on terrorism.

Earlier this year, after the assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Yassin,
Kerry exasperated even the Forward -- the paper that, two weeks before the New
York primary, had dutifully reported to the Jewish community Kerry`s assertion that
the reason he had named Jimmy Carter as his prospective Middle East envoy was a
"staff mistake."

The Forward repeatedly sought Kerry`s reaction to the assassination, but
could not get a response. On March 30, 2004, it reported that “John Kerry`s
campaign last week used the excuse that the senator was on vacation in Idaho to
dodge repeated requests from the Forward for a statement from him on Israel`s
assassination of Hamas head Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. It is still dodging the matter.”

On April 18, 2004 -- nearly one month after the Yassin assassination -- Kerry
appeared on "Meet the Press" and was asked directly about his position:

MR. RUSSERT: Israel assassinated Hamas leader Rantisi. Do you support
that assassination?

SEN. KERRY: I believe Israel has every right in the world to respond to any
act of terror against it. Hamas is a terrorist, brutal organization. It has had years to
make up its mind to take part in a peaceful process. They refuse to. Arafat refuses to.
And I support Israel`s efforts to try to separate itself and to try to be secure. The
moment Hamas says, “We`ve given up violence, we`re prepared to negotiate,” I am
absolutely confident they will find an Israel that is thirsty to have that negotiation.

Notice that he did not answer the question. (If you think he did, re-read the
answer and then take this short quiz: Would John Kerry (a) support or (b) oppose an
Israeli assassination of Yasir Arafat?). And Kerry`s suggestion that Hamas need only
say it has "given up" violence and is "prepared to negotiate" seems on a par with his
statement that Israel should simply pick up where things left off at Taba and
negotiate.

Saddam Torture Video

tootboy — 2004-06-17T10:06:00-05:00

Does anyone know where we can find a link to view the Saddam Hussein Torture Video online?

If you are unsure what I am refering to please see this article:

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/schulz200406170846.asp

or

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/23065.htm

An informal poll on politics and religion

tootboy — 2004-06-18T10:06:00-05:00

Is Chriac a fool, stupid, or just our enemy?

tootboy — 2004-06-18T07:06:00-05:00

FROM THE AMERICAN THINKER:
France’s President Jacques Chirac is finally worried about France’s escalating wave of anti-Semitic attacks, and has admitted to representatives of France’s Jewish community that he had “largely underestimated” anti-Semitism in France this according to the French website Guysen News.

President Chirac told representatives of the Jewish community he met on Wednesday that he was worried about the anti-Semitism in France, which he had “at first largely underestimated”. He condemned “without any reservations” this phenomenon and wished that “French justice sentenced very severely these acts with an exemplary punishment which will get large publicity.”

Regrettably, just as the President of France shows a sign of progress in grappling with France’s anti-Semitism, a former Prime Minister has made a move in the other direction, as the French website Proche-Orient.info reports (my translation):

According to ASHARQ AL AWSAT, Michel Rocard, ex Prime Minister under President Mitterrand and one of the leaders of the French left declared while in Alexandria, Egypt that the Balfour declaration was an historical mistake and Israel was founded on racial criteria. He added that:" Israel is a racial state. Worse, Israel constitutes a threat to his neighbors".

Posted by Olivier Guitta 06 18 04
http://www.americanthinker.com/comments.php?comments_id=322

Viewing the Handiwork of Evil [GRAPHIC PHOTOS]

tootboy — 2004-06-18T07:06:00-05:00

http://www.drudgereport.com/jp.htm

I viewed this as I have viewed the video of Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl. Unlike the other 2 I cried. I don't know why I cried this time compared to the others. I can not express the anger, rage, utter confusion I am feeling.

This war is between a good people and nation and animals that have no concern, no thoughts, for other people. Why do they do this? Because they believe they can. They will be destroyed.

Iraq

tootboy — 2004-06-20T11:06:00-05:00

We are fighting terrorism. Hence the 'war on terrorism' slogan.

1 We have heard people say that Iraq wasn't a threat.
2 We have heard people say that Iraq and Al Queda have no relationship.
3 We have heard people say that Iraq wasn't involved in 9-11.
4 We have heard people say that Al Queda could have been pre-emtively struck before 9-11
5 We have heard people say that 9-11 could definitely been prevented.

I've maintained that all the above is false except #3 though I may be proved wrong on that one.

And now for a couple of news items...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=3&u=/nm/20040620/ts_nm/iraq_intelligence_dc

The commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks has been told "a very prominent member" of al Qaeda served as an officer in Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s militia, a panel member said on Sunday.

Lehman said the information, contained in "captured documents," was obtained after the commission report was written that stated there was no evidence of a "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and al Qaeda.

"Some of these documents indicate that (there was) at least one officer of Saddam's Fedayeen, a lieutenant colonel, who was a very prominent member of al Qaeda," Lehman said.

Putin: Iraq planned U.S. attack

By RON HUTCHESON

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/news/world/8961479.htm
WASHINGTON - Bush, Cheney defend claims of Saddam's link to al-Qaida

President Bush and other top administration officials on Friday vigorously defended their claims of close ties between Iraq and al-Qaida terrorists, despite the Sept. 11 commission's conclusion that the link didn't amount to much.

Bush got some support Friday from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said he had warned U.S. officials after the Sept. 11 attacks that the Iraqi regime was planning attacks in the United States and against U.S. facilities overseas. Putin, who did not elaborate on the nature of the threat, said the information came from Russian intelligence agencies.

He said the intelligence did not alter Russia's opposition to the Iraq war.

Analysts predicted that the controversy would have little political impact, but Bush partisans were not taking any chances.

BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT

tootboy — 2004-06-21T10:06:00-05:00

by NY Post Editorial http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/editorial/26129.htm

June 21, 2004 -- It's time folks stopped calling the body headed by former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean the 9/11 Commission — and started addressing it by a substantially more appropriate name: The 20/20 Hindsight Commission.
Because the panel's latest report — suggesting that only chaos at the top levels of government prevented the 9/11 jetliner-bombs from being shot down — scales the heights of absurdist fantasy.

It's been apparent for some time now that the commission long ago was hijacked by political shills with a distinctly partisan agenda. Nothing the commission has done in its continuing headline-hunting campaign in any way contradicts the suspicion that its primary mission is to make life difficult for George W. Bush.

Truth, in other words, has taken a back seat to political posturing.

Case in point: The dramatic "revelation" at Thursday's public hearing by Gen. Ralph Eberhart that had the Air Force been notified 13 minutes earlier about what was happening on the morning of 9/11, "we could have shot down those planes."

Perhaps those planes could have been shot down before they hit their targets.

But would they have been shot down?

All anyone knew at that point was that planes had been hijacked; intercepted cockpit communications disclosed the al Qaeda terrorists telling the passengers that they had "a bomb" on board.

Not until the very last minute was it clear that the bombs they were talking about were the fuel-heavy jets themselves, and that their targets were the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.

Yes, Vice President Dick Cheney apparently ordered shoot-downs.

But only after the Twin Towers had collapsed and the Pentagon had been attacked — and he'd been told (incorrectly) that three more planes were headed for Washington.

Minutes later, the only plane headed for the capital crashed after passengers on board attacked the terrorists.

The notion that officials up and down the line would instantly have recognized that the hijackers planned on crashing their jets into populated targets — and then have been able to order a shoot-down that would have prevented the tragedy — borders on the bizarre.

What happened on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, was not an exercise in government bumbling and miscues.

What matters now is that America sustain its response to the attack. That's the only way to prevent future 9/11s.

The Right Choice by Ben Shapiro

tootboy — 2004-06-21T10:06:00-05:00

It's been long enough. For the last two decades, American Jews have shirked common sense and logic in the interest of an ideology that deserted them long ago. American Jewish leftism cannot be overlooked or excused. And in a world teetering on the brink of disaster, blind loyalty to a false cause can no longer be afforded.

Jews have a long history of liberalism in America, dating from a day when conservatives were "country-club Republicans" and Franklin Delano Roosevelt was deified. Those days are long past. Elderly Jews should realize that FDR is dead and that his party no longer stands for tolerance.

It was Rep. Jim Moran, a Democrat from Virginia, who claimed that a Jewish cabal stood behind the Iraq war. It was former Rep. Cynthia McKinney, a Democrat from Georgia, who took money from anti-American and anti-Israeli terrorist supporters during her candidacy for Congress. It was Vermont's Howard Dean, a Democrat, who labeled Hamas members "soldiers." It was Sen. Robert Byrd, a Democrat from West Virginia, who was once Grand Kleagle in the Ku Klux Klan. It was Sen. Ernest Hollings, a Democrat from South Carolina, who blamed the Iraq war on pro-Israeli interests. Beyond all the rhetoric about Jewish relatives, the Democratic Party stands for a thinly veiled hostility toward Judaism and Jews.

Jewish resistance to the Republican Party also has roots in an inordinate fear of American Christianity. Many American Jews fear motivation more than action. Though it was Jerry Falwell who powerfully defended America's pro-Israel policy the night of Sept. 11 on national television, American Jews largely fear the idea that, according to some Christians, Jews will go to hell for their rejection of Jesus. So they fight American Christianity tooth and nail. They champion the idea of complete separation between Judeo-Christian ethics and American politics. They join the American Civil Liberties Union and the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Down deep, American Jews fear another Holocaust -- and they've been told that all Holocausts come from the right.

For all the Jews who fear American Christianity, the most tolerant and philosemitic ideology the world has ever seen, I challenge you: Look at history.

It was the Nazis who were the secularists -- their sophisticated secularism led millions of Jews to gas chambers. The waves upon waves of white crosses marking the resting places of American dead pay silent tribute to the fact that American Christians, not secularists, died to liberate the death camps.

It was the communists who were secularists -- their hatred for God led thousands of Jews to the gulag. The fields of white crosses that dot the globe mark the burial sites of American Christians who died to keep the world free from that vicious system of government.

Today, just as then, it is the American Christians who defend the globe from the threat of fundamentalist tyranny. Leftists like to say that all religious people are on the same side, but no bigger lie has ever been told. The open, life-affirming quality of the American Judeo-Christian ideology is directly opposed to the murderous ideology of radical Islam.

And today, just as then, it is secularists who pose the most extreme threat to the Jewish people. It is the secularists of France who ally with Muslim fanatics bent on a second Holocaust. It is the American secularists who defend the rights of terrorists bent on murder and destruction. It is the moral relativists of the American left who excuse terrorism based on the notion of diverse worldviews and hold up the United Nations as a moral paragon.

President Bush and the American right have been the best friends to the Jewish community in the annals of modern history. It is President Bush and his administration that have staunchly maintained their support for Israel, even in the face of withering attacks from the world community. It is President Bush and his administration that have stood up against the neo-Nazi ideology of Islamism. It is President Bush and the Republican Party that have fought for American morality; it is they who zealously guard the Judeo-Christian ethic that has made America the greatest power in world history. It is they who uphold the concept of a culturally, economically, morally strong Jewish people.

It's about time the Jewish community recognized that fact and realized that allegiance must be to principles, not to parties.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=13847

Cornucopia of unrelated items

tootboy — 2004-06-22T10:06:00-05:00

I finally located a partial copy of the video of "The Torturers of Saddam's Abu Ghraib and Their Place in the New Iraq". It's 2 and 1/2 minutes long though I hear there is a 6 minute video.
You can view it here and I recommend that you do but it is hard to watch. It is not suitable for children. http://www.aei.org/events/eventID.844,filter.all/event_detail.asp

******

John F. Kennedy once said, ""Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."

Now John F. Kerry has said, "In a Kerry Administration, if you believe in yourself enough to work hard and do what's right, your country will invest in you."

******

For those of you who have made fun of President Bush's reading of "My Pet Goat" to a 2nd grade class during the 9/11 attacks (and now made even more famous due to Fahrenheit 9/11) you'll like this. While GW can read to 2nd graders, Theresa Heinz Kerry says that her husband would make, ""the best nursery-school teacher in the world."

******

Clinton has written in his memoirs — I saw a news report — that George W. Bush was inattentive in the meeting they had before Bush was sworn in. This echoes exactly what Jimmy Carter said about Ronald Reagan — that he was inattentive in their pre-inaugural meeting.

This charge — made in Carter's memoirs — triggered one of my favorite Reagan ripostes of all time: "What was I supposed to do, jump up and down and beat my breast?"

The Usual Suspects

tootboy — 2004-06-22T01:06:00-05:00

FRANCE SAYS WE WANT OUR MONEY The Associated Press has this story "France does not support writing off Iraq's nearly $122 billion in debt, though Paris will consider a substantial reduction, French officials said Tuesday.
Iraq owes about $42 billion to members of the Paris Club of creditor countries, with the largest debts owed to Russia, Japan, France and Germany. It owes a further $80 billion to several Arab governments.
'The situation of Iraq, which has considerable potential resources, cannot be compared to other poorer, more indebted countries,' said Cecile Pozzo di Borgo, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Jesse Jackson charges all blacks of being felons:
From the Miami-Dade Herald's Andrea Robinson: "Jesse Jackson, on Miami radio, accuses Gov. Jeb Bush of scheming to keep blacks from voting by asking that felons be dropped from the rolls."

John Kerry says he will make some time to be a Senator: For the first time since March 25 John Kerry has decided to go back to work for the state of Massachusetts. According to the AP Senator Kerry will return to the Capitol to place a vote on a Senate bill. As recorded (updated continuously on my June 11th entry) the Senator has missed 88% of the votes this year including one recently introduced by his state-mate Senator Kennedy.

I guess Howard Stern can't blame this all on Bush and the GOP: Senate votes 99-1 to increase FCC's indecency fines. John Kerry voted "Yea".

Who says the French don't know how to surrender?: Former Vivendi Universal (NYSE: V) chief Jean-Marie Messier surrendered to French authorities amidst questions about the bankruptcy of the company. They gave him a night in jail. That'll teach him.

Various thoughts

tootboy — 2004-06-23T11:06:00-05:00

The Most preventable fatal disease ever: President Bush said on Wednesday,""We can learn from the experiences of other countries when it comes to a good program to prevent the spread of AIDS, like the nation of Uganda," Mr. Bush said. "They've started what they call the A.B.C. approach to prevention of this deadly disease. That stands for: Abstain, be faithful in marriage, and, when appropriate, use condoms."

Victimization forever. Affirmative action goes against 'other blacks':
From the NY Times today, People are lamenting that blacks that didn't have all their ancestors as slaves are being picked over blacks that did. They are now rating who had worse family backgrounds. Is this a better way to pick college students than their SATs and high school stats?
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/24/education/24AFFI.final.html?ei=5062&en=052e9c2e67cc4398&ex=1088654400&partner=GOOGLE&pagewanted=all&position=

Why Stats are misleading:
The UN says that since Sept 2000 3,437 Palestinians have been killed and 942 Israelis have been killed. Of course this doesn't note how many Palestinians have been killed by other Palestinians or how many Palestinians were killed by blowing themselves up. Nor does it say how many Palestinians were part of terrorist organizations. Instead the UN declared that the Israelis are too blame by saying, "The killing of people continues and the Palestinians continue to suffer and this all contributes to an atmosphere of despair and extremism." It doesn't state any anger against any Palestinian organization and equates the deaths of suicide bombers with the deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians. Ah, the moral authority of the UN.

The Moral authority of FRANCE:
Undeterred by Iran’s pariah status in the United States and by the shortcomings of the Iranian commercial climate, French companies have been increasing their presence here in the past few years.

to Tehran this month after a seven-year hiatus. And the carmaker Renault is about to make the first large-scale, long-term direct investment in the country by a French New Peugeots and Citroëns flood crowded highways and streets. French businesspeople dine in the capital’s restaurants and work on Gulf oil platforms. Air France resumed flights company since the 1979 revolution that toppled the pro-American Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.
.
‘‘The French are eager to come to Iran,’’ said Bernard Hourcade, a Paris-based Iran scholar and a consultant to French companies considering doing business here. ‘‘It is the only major place in the Middle East to invest, because the other countries are more or less in a revolutionary or prerevolutionary situation.’’ Though companies from Germany and the United Arab Emirates have a bigger presence in Iran, France is catching up.

French exports to Iran have nearly doubled in five years, totaling ¤2 billion, or $2.4 billion, in 2003, according to the economic mission of the French Embassy in Tehran.

Jewish Bullets can't kill Arabs, and other wacky stories

tootboy — 2004-06-24T09:06:00-05:00

Put a Star of David on that ammo, soldier!
(Reuters) Israeli-made bullets bought by the U.S. Army to plug a shortfall should be used for training only, not to fight Muslim guerrillas in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. lawmakers told Army generals on Thursday.
Since the Army has other stockpiled ammunition, "by no means, under any circumstances should a round (from Israel) be utilized," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii, the top Democrat on a House of Representatives Armed Services subcommittee with jurisdiction over land forces.

Cheese, Chocolate, Watches, and...Duck? Switzerland is refusing to protect its own diplomats.
(UPI) Switzerland's cabinet has ruled out sending Swiss troops to guard the country's humanitarian offices in Iraq, citing fear of assassinations.

The cabinet said Switzerland should not send any troops to Iraq -- not even a very few to guard Swiss representatives -- since such a deployment might give the impression that Switzerland is taking part in the occupation of Iraq, Swiss news agency SDA reports.

The New Peacekeeper in the MiddleEast: Jordan?
(IsraelNN.com) Egyptian officials told US Undersecretary of State for Mideast Affairs William Burns they are seeking a more active Jordanian role in area diplomatic and anti-terror efforts. Egypt wants Jordan to deploy peace-keeping forces and take part in the cost of undertaking the new role following an Israeli retreat from Gaza and areas of the northern Shomron.

Clinton and the CIA on opposite ends

tootboy — 2004-06-24T11:06:00-05:00

Ex-President Bill Clinton said Thursday morning that the Central Intelligence Agency scuttled his plans to capture or kill Osama bin Laden - even though he had already approved the missions.

"I had approved in general three other operations against bin Laden," Clinton said during an AOL online interview about his new book, "My Life." "And the CIA came back and said the evidence is insufficient to think that he was at the sites we were going to bomb."
"So they recommended we not do it and we took their recommendation," he added, in remarks that contradict an earlier account he gave in a February 2002 address about those operations.

Just five months after the 9/11 attacks, Clinton said the primary reason he didn't give the order to attack bin Laden after an initial failed airstrike in 1998 was that he didn't want to violate the airspace of Middle Eastern nations and that he feared the collateral damage would be too great.

"Now, if you look back - in the hindsight of history, everybody's got 20/20 vision - the real issue is, should we have attacked the al-Qaeda network in 1999 or in 2000 in Afghanistan," Clinton told the Long Island Association in February 2002.

"Here's the problem. Before September 11 we would have had no support for it - no allied support and no basing rights. So we actually trained to do this. I actually trained people to do this. We trained people.

"But in order to do it, we would have had to take them in on attack helicopters 900 miles from the nearest boat - maybe illegally violating the airspace of people if they wouldn't give us approval. And we would have had to do a refueling stop."

In the same speech, Clinton said he decided against another mission to get bin Laden because he feared it would kill innocent women and children.

"Now, I had one other option. I could have bombed or sent more missiles in. As far as we knew he never went back to his training camp. So the only place bin Laden ever went that we knew was occasionally he went to Khandahar, where he always spent the night in a compound that had 200 women and children.

"So I could have, on any given night, ordered an attack that I knew would kill 200 women and children that had less than a 50 percent chance of getting him."

Clinton all but admitted that in hindsight, he made the wrong call:

"Now, after he murdered 3,100 of our people and others who came to our country seeking their livelihood, you may say, 'Well, Mr. President, you should have killed those 200 women and children.'

"But at the time," he insisted, "we didn't think he had the capacity to do that. And no one thought that I should do that. Although I take full responsibility for it."

On Thursday, however, Clinton said others were responsible for bungling the hunt for bin Laden.

"There's not a shred of evidence that I denied either the military or the intelligence services of our country anything when they were after the terrorists in general and bin Laden in particular," he told AOL.

"I gave them the full authority to proceed and to do whatever we could. And I wish we'd been successful in getting him."

NYTimes provides the link

tootboy — 2004-06-24T11:06:00-05:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/25/politics/25TERR.html?hp

Iraqis, Seeking Foes of Saudis, Contacted bin Laden, File Says By THOM SHANKER
Published: June 25, 2004

WASHINGTON, June 24 — Contacts between Iraqi intelligence agents and Osama bin Laden when he was in Sudan in the mid-1990's were part of a broad effort by Baghdad to work with organizations opposing the Saudi ruling family, according to a newly disclosed document obtained by the Americans in Iraq.
American officials described the document as an internal report by the Iraqi intelligence service detailing efforts to seek cooperation with several Saudi opposition groups, including Mr. bin Laden's organization, before Al Qaeda had become a full-fledged terrorist organization. He was based in Sudan from 1992 to 1996, when that country forced him to leave and he took refuge in Afghanistan.

The document states that Iraq agreed to rebroadcast anti-Saudi propaganda, and that a request from Mr. bin Laden to begin joint operations against foreign forces in Saudi Arabia went unanswered. There is no further indication of collaboration.

Last week, the independent commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks addressed the known contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda, which have been cited by the White House as evidence of a close relationship between the two.

The commission concluded that the contacts had not demonstrated "a collaborative relationship" between Iraq and Al Qaeda. The Bush administration responded that there was considerable evidence of ties.

The new document, which appears to have circulated only since April, was provided to The New York Times several weeks ago, before the commission's report was released. Since obtaining the document, The Times has interviewed several military, intelligence and United States government officials in Washington and Baghdad to determine that the government considered it authentic.

The Americans confirmed that they had obtained the document from the Iraqi National Congress, as part of a trove that the group gathered after the fall of Saddam Hussein's government last year. The Defense Intelligence Agency paid the Iraqi National Congress for documents and other information until recently, when the group and its leader, Ahmad Chalabi, fell out of favor in Washington.

Some of the intelligence provided by the group is now wholly discredited, although officials have called some of the documents it helped to obtain useful.

A translation of the new Iraqi document was reviewed by a Pentagon working group in the spring, officials said. It included senior analysts from the military's Joint Staff, the Defense Intelligence Agency and a joint intelligence task force that specialized in counterterrorism issues, they said.

The task force concluded that the document "appeared authentic," and that it "corroborates and expands on previous reporting" about contacts between Iraqi intelligence and Mr. bin Laden in Sudan, according to the task force's analysis.

It is not known whether some on the task force held dissenting opinions about the document's veracity.

At the time of the contacts described in the Iraqi document, Mr. bin Laden was little known beyond the world of national security experts. It is now thought that his associates bombed a hotel in Yemen used by American troops bound for Somalia in 1992. Intelligence officials also believe he played a role in training Somali fighters who battled Army Rangers and Special Operations forces in Mogadishu during the "Black Hawk Down" battle of 1993.

Iraq during that period was struggling with its defeat by American-led forces in the Persian Gulf war of 1991, when American troops used Saudi Arabia as the base for expelling Iraqi invaders from Kuwait.

The document details a time before any of the spectacular anti-American terrorist strikes attributed to Al Qaeda: the two American Embassy bombings in East Africa in 1998, the strike on the destroyer Cole in Yemeni waters in 2000, and the Sept. 11 attacks.

The document, which asserts that Mr. bin Laden "was approached by our side," states that Mr. bin Laden previously "had some reservations about being labeled an Iraqi operative," but was now willing to meet in Sudan, and that "presidential approval" was granted to the Iraqi security service to proceed.

At the meeting, Mr. bin Laden requested that sermons of an anti-Saudi cleric be rebroadcast in Iraq. That request, the document states, was approved by Baghdad.

Headlines and Headaches

tootboy — 2004-06-25T09:06:00-05:00

Now boys, let's play nice
From CBSnews.com: "Democrats call Nader delusional. He thinks they’re hypocrites."

With friends like this who needs enemies...
From Wapo: "Shiite Cleric Offers to Help With Iraqi Security
Moqtada Sadr Recommits to Truce Between His Militia and U.S. Force"

Hold me Closer Tiny Dancer...
Reuters Headline: Britney Spears Engaged to Dancer

How do you steal money from a place that doesn't accept money?
From sfgate: A former executive at the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinics was arrested for allegedly stealing $773,000 from the health center founded to treat drug addicts and others for free at the height of the counterculture movement.

Why does this Airline really hate fertile women?
CNSnews Headline: "Song Encourages Violence Towards Pregnant Women, Group Says"

Doesn't he get in trouble everytime he unveils something interactive?
Newsday Headline: "Clinton unveils interactive Web site for his presidential center"

More of the Usual suspects

tootboy — 2004-06-26T09:06:00-05:00

Al Gore campaigning for VP in 1992:
Al Gore on CNN's Larry King Live 1992 attacking President G.H.W. Bush for not doing anything about Iraq's ties with terrorism:

"When George Bush took office, he should have reevaluated what our relationship was with Iraq..." Larry King: "Well..." Gore: "Let me finish, just briefly. Instead, he stepped up the foreign aid to Iraq, and he looked the other way when there were repeated incidents of terrorism in which Iraq had a part, terrorists operating openly in Baghdad, and repeated warnings from our national security people telling the Bush administration that Saddam was on a crash program to develop nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, and other weapons of mass destruction. (Larry King Live, 10/5/92

The Japanese think Kerry is not fit to be a leader
from Japan Times : Every now and then, U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, lets slip that he speaks French. He chats with French reporters, has occasionally responded in French to a French-language question at a news conference, and once participated in a phone-in talk show in France. But lately Mr. Kerry has been at pains to keep his language skills under wraps.

To foreign observers, it seems obvious that part of the reason for that is Mr. Kerry's failure to follow Mr. Biden's example and seize the initiative in this debate. Americans may be ambivalent about the French and the rich, but they are surely as clear as anyone else about what a leader is: a man who refuses to let his opponent turn his knowledge, experience and abilities into something he feels he should apologize for.

Is anyone surprised that Ron Reagan Jr. said this to the NY Times:
"I'm an atheist. "
"We have three cats. It's like having children"

Why is she so 'unlikely'
from the UK telegraph: Among the activist leaders of 9/11 families' groups it is safe to say that Debra Burlingame - whose brother, Charles, was the pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon - is not a uniformly popular figure. Ms Burlingame, a staunch Democrat, has become the first public 9/11 "dissident" - a vocal critic of the "blame game" being played over the al-Qaeda attacks - and an unlikely defender of George W Bush. For good measure, the outspoken former lawyer describes some of the bereaved 9/11 families as America's "rock stars of grief".

Comparing Bush's and Clinton's presidency

tootboy — 2004-06-28T10:06:00-05:00

From Ireland's Sunday Independent by Mark Dooley, who currently holds the position of John Henry Newman Scholar in Theology at University College Dublin.
http://unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=36&si=1206034&issue_id=11064

MOST of the crazies who called for George Bush's arrest this week believe we were safer when Bill Clinton was bedding interns in the Oval Office.

These political adolescents think the ex-president possessed qualities of leadership that are lost on his simple-minded successor. But those who seriously study the record will know it is actually George Bush who fits the description of a truly great leader.

Glancing through the ego-soaked pages of Clinton's new memoir - My Life, you would never guess that he abandoned reason and scruple by making statesmen out of people like Yasser Arafat and Gerry Adams, thereby destroying any hope for long-term peace in either Northern Ireland or the Middle East.

Bill Clinton, during his time in office, quite simply squandered America's moral authority that Ronald Reagan restored in the wake of Watergate and Vietnam.

He did so by vetoing intervention to stop the Rwandan genocide, refusing to stand up to Slobodan Milosevic until he had wasted most of Bosnia and Kosovo, and by abandoning countless innocent Somalis once the going got a little tough. Under his nose, Kim Jong Il restarted his nuclear programme, Saddam bored holes in the sanctions and expelled the arms inspectors from Iraq, while Al-Qaeda used the protection of the Taliban to take control of Afghanistan.

In response, Clinton bombed Iraq for the duration of his impeachment trial without United Nation approval. If it's war crimes the anti-war loons are concerned with they need first prosecute their darling Bill.

In contrast, George W Bush has rid the world of Saddam Hussein's regime and the vile Taliban - killers of 2.5 million innocent Muslims between them, thereby depriving Al-Qaeda of its sole state sponsor.

Thanks to the President's moral courage, Iraq has now the most ethnically diverse government and most liberal constitution in the Middle East.

The 400 towns that Saddam destroyed have now been rebuilt and all of the country's schools, hospitals, and universities have been refurbished and reopened.

Libya has been disarmed, North Korea and the Iranians are being forced to follow suit, and a worldwide underground nuclear network has been exposed and shut down.

Bill Clinton liked to honey up his speeches with talk of combating Aids, but as Bob Geldof rightly insists, it is actually George Bush who has done more to alleviate Africa's misery than any American president in history.

That combined with the fact that he has rejoined UNESCO and paid all of America's outstanding debts to the United Nations, makes George Bush's period in office one of the noblest on record.

Bill Clinton's eight years of dithering led to unmitigated disasters that could well have been avoided had he possessed even a smidgen of the current president's honour and grit.

It has taken George Bush less than four years to clean up his predecessor's mess and restore the moral balance.

And that is why calls for his arrest are as contemptible as they are stupid.

Mark Dooley.

Saudi Arabia, Bosnia and Mike Tyson

tootboy — 2004-06-28T11:06:00-05:00

You are now entering Saudi Arabia. Population: Zero Jews.
From http://jewishworldreview.com/0604/memri_saudi_tv.php3:
In its first attempt to attract tourists to the country, Saudi Arabia's tourist commission, under the control of Prince Sultan bin Abd Al-Aziz launched an official website in March 2004. The website listed those not allowed into the kingdom: "Israeli passport holders or those whose passport has an Israeli arrival/departure stamp; those who do not abide by the Saudi traditions concerning appearance and behavior; those under the influence [of alcohol]; and Jewish people."

The Saudi embassy's Washington, D.C. spokesman, Nail Al-Jubeir, said he was "stunned" when he saw the website; and the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., Prince Bandar bin Sultan, said he was "embarrassed." According to a press release by the Saudi embassy, "the information on the website was not correct and as a consequence the erroneous material was removed."

The ambassador's father, Prince Sultan, who serves as secretary general of the tourism commission, said in a statement that the controversy was "blown out of all proportions" by U.S. media seeking to portray the kingdom as anti-Semitic. He added, "...It is all part of a smear campaign meant to tarnish Saudi Arabia's image."

Prince Sultan — who is also second deputy prime minister, defense and aviation minister, and inspector general of Saudi Arabia — has been making statements against Jews for years. Following a ceremony at the Saudi Public Institution for Military Industries in June 2002, when asked about U.S. criticism of Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan replied to the Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, "It is enough to see a number of congressmen wearing Jewish yarmulkes to explain the allegations against us." More recently, the Saudi royal family website 'Ain-Al-Yaqeen, quoted Prince Sultan as saying that the U.S. media, which is "under the Jewish influence," is using the U.S. reform initiative to widen the gap between Arab countries and the U.S.

the War on Terrorism - battleground Bosnia
In mosques and storefront Muslim charities, U.S. and European intelligence agencies are engaged in a covert conflict in postwar Bosnia, tracking up to 300 suspected Islamic militants and shutting down those financing them.

Hundreds of CIA and military intelligence agents work out of a well-protected compound in the Sarajevo suburb of Butmir, leading the high-intensity effort to neutralize terrorists and their backers, European and Bosnian officials said.

Col. Stephan Thomas, the commander of the German-Italian contingent of NATO-led peacekeepers, describes Bosnia as a "transit country and possible refuge" for Islamic extremists. Lt. Col. Julian Bauer, also with NATO, said, "We are vigilant, because there is a (terrorist) potential here." - From JournalNow

I could've been somebody instead of a bum...aka...I'll work for a bite of someone's ear
Boxing legend Mike Tyson has been sleeping in homeless shelters and living like a 'street bum' since declaring himself bankrupt.
The former heavyweight champion of the world, who once had more than £165million in the bank and regularly earned £5million per fight, also said he has been accepting handouts from drug dealers.
He added: 'For two years I have been a bum, truly a bum in the streets.'

Niger and Iraq - Finally the real story?

tootboy — 2004-06-28T03:06:00-05:00

From the Financial Times

Illicit sales of uranium from Niger were being negotiated with five states including Iraq at least three years before the US-led invasion, senior European intelligence officials have told the Financial Times.

Intelligence officers learned between 1999 and 2001 that uranium smugglers planned to sell illicitly mined Nigerien uranium ore, or refined ore called yellow cake, to Iran, Libya, China, North Korea and Iraq.

These claims support the assertion made in the British government dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programme in September 2002 that Iraq had sought to buy uranium from an African country, confirmed later as Niger. George W. Bush, US president, referred to the issue in his State of the Union address in January 2003.

The claim that the illicit export of uranium was under discussion was widely dismissed when letters referring to the sales - apparently sent by a Nigerien official to a senior official in Saddam Hussein's regime - were proved by the International Atomic Energy Agency to be forgeries. This embarrassed the US and led the administration to reverse its earlier claim.

But European intelligence officials have for the first time confirmed that information provided by human intelligence sources during an operation mounted in Europe and Africa produced sufficient evidence for them to believe that Niger was the centre of a clandestine international trade in uranium.

Michael Moore's voting records

tootboy — 2004-06-29T08:06:00-05:00

The Smoking Gun reveals that Michael Moore is registered to vote in two states: New York and Michigan.

Although he has claimed to be an "independent” and not a Democrat, records from the New York City Board of Elections show that in reality he registered as a Democrat, the Web site reported.

"Now here's the good part: Moore is simultaneously registered to vote in Michigan, where registrants aren't even given the option of party affiliation (so he's not an Independent there either)."

And there's more: "as a New York City voter, TSG can tell you it's hard not to realize you are registered, since a voter's mailbox is regularly bombarded with candidate mail, official voter guides, and Board of Election notices about upcoming elections and reminders about the location of your polling place."

12 weeks...Is IT alive?

tootboy — 2004-06-29T09:06:00-05:00

Babies produce a motion approximating to yawning from as early as 12 weeks' pregnancy. Maybe this is nature's way of ensuring that as soon as she enters the world, she'll be able to take her first breath.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/3847319.stm

Michael Moore

tootboy — 2004-06-29T01:06:00-05:00

Michael Moore goes off on all 3 presidential candidates and Americans
Michael Moore made an appearance after a screening by ACLU of "Fahrenheit 9/11." The New York Post reports that he let loose with pronouncements that when circulated must have terrified John Kerry's campaign and teed off DNC.

Moore described the Dems as "a miserable, pathetic party that can't win an election even when they win an election."

He indicated that he had "posted a petition on my Web site, which I signed, that said I won't vote for anybody who voted for the war. And Kerry voted for the war."

About Al Gore, Moore said, "Nobody counted on him losing Tennessee, nobody counted on him forbidding Clinton from campaigning for him in Arkansas, and certainly nobody counted on him - and Gore is a smart man - losing 3 debates to the dumbest man to ever run for president."

Sharing his assessment of Ralph Nader, Moore said that "he doesn't give a [blank] about anybody but himself."

Moore described an incident that had occurred while he was screening his film for a group of students. When he asked the students how many intended to vote for Nader, "about half" raised their hands. Kerry's daughter, Alexandra, was present, and "she freaked out."

Moore has plenty more nasty stuff stashed in his angry arsenal. While in the U.K., Moore did an interview with The Mirror and described his fellow citizens as "possibly the dumbest people on the planet."

He told an audience in Germany that Americans always had a "big a-- grin on our face all the time, because our brains aren't loaded down."

In Cambridge, he proclaimed that America was "known for bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe."

written By Dr. James Hirsen
Tuesday, June 29, 2004

no subject

tootboy — 2004-06-30T10:06:00-05:00

From the Files of "how DARE they":
Tucked into the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was a little-known program called the "e-rate," setting up a tax that has cost consumers and phone companies upward of $2 billion a year. What has that money bought? A rudderless program riddled with fraud and waste.
The e-rate tax is aimed at providing schools and libraries with Internet access. The program, championed by Al Gore when he was vice president, was supposed to help schools allow low-income students to close the "digital divide" and gain new social and economic opportunities. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) began raising questions about it during a hearing on the program six years ago. Since then, its problems have become more apparent. The e-rate fund has distributed $12 billion over six years, and estimates place the amount wasted in the billions. Because of lack of oversight, it's impossible to know the extent of the losses. Source: LA TIMES

We know you worked hard for it but you don't really deserve it and we'd rather give it to someone else:
"Many of you are well enough off that ... the tax cuts may have helped you," Sen. [Hillary] Clinton said. "We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." [Senator} Hillary Clinton told several hundred supporters – some of whom had ponied up as much as $10,000 to attend – to expect to lose some of the tax cuts passed by President Bush if Democrats win the White House and control of Congress.
Source: Signon San Diego

How am I doing? Ed Koch and Michael Moore
A year after 9/11, I was part of a panel discussion on BBC-TV's "Question Time" show which aired live in the United Kingdom. A portion of my commentary at that time follows:

"One of the panelists was Michael Moore, writer and director of the award-winning documentary "Roger & Me." During the warm-up before the studio audience, Moore said something along the lines of "I don't know why we are making so much of an act of terror. It is three times more likely that you will be struck by lightening than die from an act of terror." I was aghast and responded, "I think what you have said is outrageous, particularly when we are today commemorating the deaths of 3,000 people resulting from an act of terror." I mention this exchange because it was not televised, occurring as it did before the show went live.
Source: Edward I. Koch

The difference between a civilized & moral nation and a terrorist nation:
"The High Court of Justice on Wednesday cancelled most of the route of the security fence between the Modiin area and the outskirts of Jerusalem on the grounds that it caused to much harm to the 35,000 Palestinians living in the area.

"The route of the separation fence severely violated the right of the population and their freedom of movement," the decision says. "Their livelihood is severely impaired."

"These injuries are not proportionate. They can be substantially decreased by an alternate route," it said.

Responding to the court's ruling, the Ministry of Defense said it would respect the judgment and take the necessary planning steps to implement the court's decision.
Source:Jerusalem Post

Schools and States get an "F" in Math and Accounting and an "A" in Asinine:
States are getting a reminder from the federal government: Make plans quickly to spend more than $2 billion in education money or be ready to lose it.
The Education Department has found that all the states, the District of Columbia and eight territories have high cash balances left from 2002, including money meant for poor children, disabled students and limited-English learners.
That money must be obligated by Sept. 30, 27 months after it was released to states.
States then have two final years to spend the money. Ultimately, school money not committed or spent returns to the federal treasury, as happened with $155 million last year. The states have $16.8 billion in unspent school money dating from the former Clinton administration, a figure that the Education Department confirmed
Source: Oakland Tribune

Flipping and Flopping on Teachers and Education
The National Education Association, the nation's largest professional employee organization, is fundamentally opposed to any education reform that seeks to hold public schools accountable for their failures. On July 3, it will hold its national convention in Washington, D.C. That's when the association is expected to endorse John Kerry for president. In return, Kerry will talk about how school vouchers will tear apart our public education system.

In 1998 Kerry said in Boston and Washington, "We must end teacher tenure as we now know it". During those speeches, Kerry took shots at a public education bureaucracy that shielded public schools and teachers from accountability and bemoaned that "those going into teaching have the lowest SAT and ACT scores of any profession in the United States."
In a 1998 New Republic article, Dana Milbank wrote that Kerry told her he'd "even approve government-funded vouchers - good for tuition at any accredited private school - as part of an overall education reform. ..." At the time, Kerry was proposing turning all public schools into charter schools. The reasoning was that, since students are assigned to public schools, the system has no incentive to improve and no accountability for failure. Stated otherwise, the public school system is a monopoly. But if poor families could send their children to any charter school, with the government paying all or part of the tuition, public schools would be forced to raise their standards or risk having their students flee.

"I'm for tough love here, folks," Kerry said. "It's time to come in and kick some butts. Democrats can't be viewed as somehow protecting these practices. You can't do this in some loosey-goosey ... way."
Source: Armstrong Williams

no subject

tootboy — 2004-07-01T11:07:00-05:00

Did he really call them negroes?
Jesse Jackson says NASCAR should feature more African-American drivers because "negroes can drive cars fast."
Jackson made the remarks on Tuesday at a NASCAR-sponsored sports luncheon at the 33rd Annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition conference in Chicago.
"One thing I know, negroes can drive cars fast," Jackson said to laughter. "I mean, we go through red lights, even [drive] at night with our lights off. We can drive cars fast," he asserted from the podium.
Source:CNSNews

I'm dead. Where do I sign?
Teastie Fowler's name is signed to a petition to repeal the high-speed rail amendment in March, but it's not likely she actually signed it.
She's dead.
Miami-Dade officials rejected Fowler's and seven other signatures because the voters were dead when they purportedly signed. Those are among thousands sitting in reject piles in county election supervisor offices across Florida as obvious forgeries, duplicates or nonregistered voters.
Source: Pensacola News

Does anyone ever see Saddam and Ted Kennedy in the same place and the same time?
Downcast but defiant, Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge Thursday, questioning his authority and saying the "real criminal" was President Bush.
Saddam refused to recognize that he was guilty of a crime in invading Kuwait in 1990, jabbing his finger toward the judge and saying: "I'm surprised you're charging me with that as an Iraqi when everyone knows that Kuwait is part of Iraq."
The judge told him these were legal procedures, but Saddam interrupted him. "Law, what law?" he asked.
"You are putting Saddam on trial when the Kuwaitis said they could buy Iraqi women for 10 dinars on the street. The Iraqi soldiers went to defend the honor of Iraq, so what right do these dogs have?" he said, drawing a reprimand from the judge.
"This is all a theater," Saddam said with a half-smile. "The real criminal is Bush."
Source: Reuters

Dick Clarke talks about Mikey Moore
Former White House terrorism czar Richard Clarke, who served as a principal source for conspiracy filmmaker Michael Moore's movie "Fahrenheit 9/11," said this week that the central premise of the film is "a mistake."

In an interview with the Associated Press, Clarke took issue with Moore's criticism that President Bush allowed prominent Saudis, including members of Osama bin Laden's family, to fly out of the U.S. in the days after the 9/11 attacks.

Saying Moore's version of the episode has provoked "a tempest in a tea pot," Clarke called his decision to make the bin Laden family flyout a big part of the film's indictment against Bush "a mistake."
"After 9/11, I think the Saudis were perfectly justified ... in fearing the possibility of vigilantism against Saudis in this country. When they asked to evacuate their citizens ... I thought it was a perfectly normal request," he explained.

In May, Clarke confessed that he and he alone made the decision to approve the flyouts.

"It didn’t get any higher than me,” he told The Hill newspaper. "On 9/11, 9/12 and 9/13, many things didn’t get any higher than me. I decided it in consultation with the FBI.”

Clarke told the 9/11 Commission the same thing in March, after first detailing the episode for Vanity Fair magazine last August - leaving plenty of time for Moore to adjust his film to the facts as recounted by his primary source.

Can anyone verify this about Michael Moore.

tootboy — 2004-07-02T09:07:00-05:00

I read this today about Michael Moore, "In England, he called Israel part of the axis of evil. In his last book, he called for the US to cut off all funding to Israel, to use the money saved to supply arms to the Palestinians, and then to let the two sides go at in a “fair” fight for a change, and blow each other to smithereens."

Can anyone confirm or deny these Moorisms? I just want to know if this is true or just an slur against him.

The Usual Suspect : The French

tootboy — 2004-07-02T10:07:00-05:00

In a deliberate snub, French Foreign Minister Barnier decided to visit Palestinian Authority head Yasser Arafat, rather than Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, on his visit to the region.
Mr Barnier explained that it was important for France to reaffirm strongly the indispensable role of Chairman Arafat in that region of the world. He brought a message of sincere friendship and high esteem from President Chirac to Arafat. He also conveyed a message of solidarity with the Palestinian people in these very difficult times, mainly caused by the Israelis. “These are not only words but also concrete actions such as the cooperation agreement between France and the PA.”

Then he went on to deliver a “message of truth” to Arafat telling him: “Time is of the essence and if nothing is done, France will soon be all alone as the only country supporting you.”

Barnier also complained bitterly about the fate reserved to Arafat by Israel. For him, it is a disgrace for Arafat, for his rank as the legitimately elected President, and for his people. He demanded that Arafat’s isolation in his Headquarters be terminated.

If that were not enough, Chirac declared in Istanbul during the NATO summit that Arafat is the only legitimate representative of the Palestinians and that no agreement can be signed without him.

France’s government shows once again where its priorities lie: helping Muslim rogue dictators blindly until the end. So after Saddam Hussein, they are going to stick with Arafat whatever happens, even after it has been widely proven that Arafat remains one of the major masters of terror in the world.

Last but not least, in yesterday’s Le Monde op-ed page, a group of influential French politicians and intellectuals signed a declaration of solidarity with the PLO’s representative in France, Leila Shahid. Her last name means martyr in Arabic, possibly an ironic touch. In this text they state,

"The Israeli government annexes and chokes the occupied territories, multiplies war crimes and tries to destroy the elected Palestinian Authority.”

As usual, whatever the circumstances and the hard facts, France goes to great lengths to defend the PLO and Arafat.
In such an environment of fueling hatred of Israel, it is not surprising that young French Muslims keep on physically attacking French Jews in one of the largest waves of anti-Semitism since Hitler’s day.
Source: by Olivier Guitta American Thinker

Former Pres. Clinton wants to be taxed

tootboy — 2004-07-02T10:07:00-05:00

An interesting insight into the minds of former President Clinton. Yesterday he said that as a wealthy man, he would be happy to pay more in taxes to fund programs he feels are vital to the nation.

"I like saying this now - 'cause I literally -- I didn't have any money ever. I had the lowest net worth of any modern president when I went in office and then they bankrupted me when I left, and I didn't car, 'cause I wasn't in it for the money anyway," he said.

"Let me tell you something -- people like me -- it's a privilege to live in this country and if you are lucky to have something, you ought to give something back, so that all the kids can get educated."

"Nobody makes anyone live in this country. If I want to go live in a tax haven, I can do it. I am proud to be an American-- I like living here -- and I want to pay my fair share. I think most people do. This is crazy -- this economic policy," he said.

What the former President didn't say is that he would take the extra money he wasn't taxed on and give it to the places he thinks should be funded. Liberals always tell people to give me in taxes instead of asking them to raise money for charities. Instead of funding programs by taking them from everyone they should provide the money themselves or through donations. Most chartitable organizations run themselves much better than any government (fed or state or local) can and the money they take in is always better spent. What Clinton is saying is that he wants everyone to pay regardless of what they think of a program. This is not the American way.

Poland stands by their find of chemicals in Iraq

tootboy — 2004-07-05T12:07:00-05:00

http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040703211910.617uvolu.html

The Ultimate flip and flop?

tootboy — 2004-07-06T01:07:00-05:00

Kerry professes that it's ok to kill:

I've said it before...when you are talking about abortion there is only one relevant question...Does life begin at conception. If Yes then abortion is murder right? If No then abortion is by all means a woman's right to choice. Now, John Kerry says that life begins at conception but that abortion is ok with him. So then he believes that a woman has the right to destroy a life. Isn't that murder or is he just trying to side with both sides? If you believe that life doesn't start until the body is out of the mother and breathing air and you believe in abortions than you are at least not contradicting yourself. But here the Senator is taking the nuanced and ultra incongruous and conflicting position. Is this the ultimate flip flop?

no subject

tootboy — 2004-07-06T01:07:00-05:00

Canada goes back in time
Even as the Muslim Personal Law Board in India is making moves to introduce reforms in the Sharia law, Ontario is set to take a step backwards in time by becoming the first province in Canada as well as the first western jurisdiction to accept the 1,400-year-old religious law in its legal system.
Under the 1991 Arbitration Act, Sharia-based marriage, divorce and family tribunals run by the Islamic Institute of Civil Justice are expected to begin later this year in the province of Ontario. One of the reasons cited by Ontario in allowing Sharia tribunals is that Hasidic Jews have been using the act for years in domestic arbitrations based on Jewish law and therefore Muslims can not be denied access to it.
The arbitration act allows religious groups to resolve civil family disputes within their faith, providing that all parties involved consent to the process and the results conform to Canadian law and human rights codes.
Source: Times of India

Can I have the Belgians waffle on this issue?
Recently, the wave of anti-Semitism in Europe has been the fiercest in France. That is why we have been focusing on that country, reporting at length on the situation of the French Jewish population. France hosts the largest Jewish and Muslim communities in Europe.But a tiny country in Europe has been also witnessing endless attacks on its Jewish population.
I am talking about Belgium, home to 40,000 Jews and 500,000 Muslims.
The scenario taking place in Belgium exactly mirrors the one in France. The far-right/neo-Nazi fringe of the population formerly perpetrated anti-Semitic acts, but in the past four years they can be almost exclusively attributed to Muslims. For example, just in the past week, six very violent anti-Semitic attacks were reported in the city of Antwerp, where a vibrant Jewish community lives. One of the attacks involved the stabbing of a sixteen-year-old teenager; then three other young Jews were also shot at; another one was beaten and left unconscious on the pavement and so on….
One should note that Antwerp is the city where the Arab European League was founded by Abu Jajah, a Lebanese who happened to have been very involved with the Shia terrorist organization Hizbullah.
Abu Jajah recently stated that “Antwerp is the European pillar of Zionism and that is why it has to become the Mecca of pro-Palestinian actions.”
His movement has also threatened Belgian Jews to stop supporting Israel or violence will fall upon them.
With such a message of hate, it is not surprising that young Muslims are feeling compelled to physically attack Jews in the streets of the kingdom.
Even if the official figure for anti-Semitic attacks in Belgium is around 120 in the past three-and-a-half-years, it does not reflect the reality. In fact, a lot of complaints are never even filed because the victims are scared to report the violence inflicted on them.
Source: AmericanThinker

Get back Gitmo
Several detainees released by the U.S. military from the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have rejoined their former comrades-in-arms and taken part in fresh attacks on American troops, according to Defense Department officials.

A Defense official independently confirmed that several such cases had involved Afghans released from Guantanamo.
"At least five detainees released from Guantanamo have returned to the [Afghan] battlefield," the defense official said on the condition of anonymity.
When asked how U.S. authorities could know, the official declined to comment.
"That gets into intel stuff. I can't go there," the official said.
Source: Washington Times

Moral Dilemma

tootboy — 2004-07-07T03:07:00-05:00

Yesterday, I accused John Kerry of being a)A very bad politician or b)A politician. This stemmed from his statement that although he believes life starts at conception he not only doesn't want to push this belief on others, he wants to campaign for abortion rights.

If you'll let me please read this through. There is no greater moral dilemma than between those that believe it is or isn't murder to have an abortion. If you believe it is murder then how do you not only allow it to continue but campaign for it?

If we went back 144 years ago and there was Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois running for President. If he said this, "I oppose slavery, personally. I don't like slavery. I believe all humans are equal. But I can't take my Protestant belief, my article of faith, and legislate it on a Catholic or a Jew or an atheist . . . who doesn't share it. We have separation of church and state in the United States of America."
What would you think of Stephen Douglas? Here's a man who believes it's wrong to own slaves but he will fight for it for those that don't believe it is.

We are not discussing a man that hasn't claimed his moral stance. We are discussing a man that has and ignored it for political sake.

We are not discussing a man that believes that cigarette smoking in public is ok but will fight for those that don't. We are talking about life and death. If he doesn't want to take a stand on death what are we to believe of him?

Andrew Sullivan talks bluntly about John-John

tootboy — 2004-07-07T01:07:00-05:00

As you know Andrew Sullivan is a blogger and columnist that is campaigning against the President due to Bush's call for a Gay-Marriage ban. While reading this, remember, he is trying to support Kerry.
He writes this yesterday on Kerry's pick of Edwards..."The veep pick was the right one. But did you hear Kerry's speech yesterday? It was so bad, so vacuous, so dumb-liberal it strained credulity. If this is Kerry's message, Bush will continue to be one of the luckiest politicians alive...
"Edwards is being chosen because he can do what Kerry can't, sell himself, then how on earth is Kerry going to be able to sell his policy positions to a hostile Congress or, heaven forbid, US positions to friend and foe abroad? This pick screams that Kerry knows he's toast. And once the public figures out that John Edwards makes great speeches but has nothing else, Kerry's unique position as the man no one outside of the strictest partisans wants to elect, will be self-evident. The betting here has to be that this won't get figured out until the second week of November. Pathetic and self-absorbed choice, completely ignoring what is best for the country (a sober, experienced and competent Gephardt), and placing this country's national security a distant second in the list of priorities. Frankly, I think this makes the Bush/Cheney point about them being best qualified to fight this war quite well. It's not so much that they don't think anyone else is qualified, just that the Democrats aren't. Today Kerry proved it."

Here is the beginning of his article on someone he is trying to support:
"It was, I think, the right decision. John Edwards will make a great running mate for Kerry. But missed in the natural brouhaha is the actual speech John Kerry gave announcing his choice. It's perhaps the first national stump speech given by Kerry now that the primaries are long over and the national campaign is beginning. And it was dreadful. It failed on almost every count. It was tedious; it was vacuous; and it was hyper-liberal. Here's my textual criticism:Read More

Poll - just for fun

tootboy — 2004-07-07T04:07:00-05:00

no subject

tootboy — 2004-07-08T11:07:00-05:00

Lately I've noticed something...
I am getting more hits daily but less replies from the more liberal bloggers. Now, I come up with some very different, sometimes funny, but always truthful stuff.
There are 2 reasons for this I suspect for the less number of replies.
1 - People disagree with me but don't reply. Why? Well we know people are opinionated so they want to reply. But they don't? Is it because I'm nasty, or too staid or never see the other side of a story. No, I'm a great guy. So, the reason this can't be the REAL reason is because they know that a discussion with me will give them considerable doubts in their position.

OR

2 - They agree with my position but are afraid to admit it.

Either way, you are welcome. If you don't answer to this message, I'll know why.

from the Boston Globe

tootboy — 2004-07-09T12:07:00-05:00

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/07/09/much_of_world_is_more_peaceful?pg=2

no subject

tootboy — 2004-07-12T09:07:00-05:00

Rock this Fella:
"The Committee did not find any evidence that Administration officials attempted to coerce, influence or pressure analysts to change their judgments related to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities."
So reads Conclusion 83 of the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on prewar intelligence on Iraq. The Committee likewise found no evidence of pressure to link Iraq to al Qaeda. So it appears that some of the claims about WMD used by the Bush Administration and others to argue for war in Iraq were mistaken because they were based on erroneous information provided by the CIA.
A few apologies would seem to be in order. Allegations of lying or misleading the nation to war are about the most serious charge that can be leveled against a President. But according to this unanimous study, signed by Jay Rockefeller and seven other Democrats, those frequent charges from prominent Democrats and the media are without merit.

Or to put it more directly, if President Bush was "lying" about WMD, then so was Mr. Rockefeller when he relied on CIA evidence to claim in October 2002 that Saddam Hussein's weapons "pose a very real threat to America." Also lying at the time were John Kerry, John Edwards, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and so on. Yet Mr. Rockefeller is still suggesting on the talk shows, based on nothing but inference and innuendo, that there was undue political Bush "pressure" on CIA analysts.
Source: Wall Street Journal Editorial

Hollywood goes campaigning:
Last weekend's hatefest in New York City, in which John Kerry endorsed the vicious attack of Hollywood hacks on the Commander-in-Chief, provides a sad portent of things to come. Leftist hate group MoveOn.org announced last week that it has enlisted the help of the Hollywood elite in its partisan campaign to smear the president and stigmatize America’s War on Terror. According to a Time magazine story (“I’m Rob Reiner, and I Approve This Ad”), such Hollywood powerhouses as Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris, Rob Reiner, “West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin, Ed Asner, Danny Glover, Al Franken, the ubiquitous Kevin Bacon, Margaret Cho, Woody Harrelson, Scarlett Johansson, Alicia Silverstone and musician Moby have agreed to write, direct and star in TV ads for MoveOnPAC, the Political Action Committee of MoveOn.org.

The program is being overseen by Laura Dawn. Dawn is the 34-year-old singer behind MoveOn’s contest that challenged members to shoot their own anti-Bush commercials, which resulted in the website posting two ads comparing George W. Bush to Adolf Hitler.

Before their ads start running, let’s review their history of involvement in public affairs:

Evil Protesters
Fringe elements are hoping to spark major disruptions at the Republican National Convention with a series of sneaky tricks - including fooling bomb-sniffing dogs on trains bound for Penn Station, the Daily News has learned.

Internet-using anarchists are telling would-be troublemakers to decoy specially trained Labrador retrievers with gunpowder or ammonium nitrate-laced tablets in a bid to halt trains or even spur the evacuation of Madison Square Garden.

Top cops are girding against the attempt to foil strong anti-terrorist strategies aimed at protecting conventiongoers - including President Bush - as well as peaceful protesters during the Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 GOP fete.

"Where is the legitimate protest in trying to endanger the public?" an angry Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told The News.

"It is the height of irresponsibility," he added. "These hard-core groups are looking to take us on. ... They have increased their level of sophistication and violence."
Source: NY Daily News

no subject

tootboy — 2004-07-13T10:07:00-05:00

1 in 2,100 Those are the odds that you'd have been a victim of an anti-semitic attack if you are Jewish and lived in France in 2004.

Don't Worry Kyoto (Mummy's Only Looking for a Hand in the Snow
In an initial draft of its 2004 platform recently released, the Democratic Party unveiled several positions certain to surprise its anti-Bush supporters in Europe.

For example, the party will not to describe the war in Iraq as a mistake or to call for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region. And, in a shift from the Al Gore's 2000 platform, the Democrats have for the moment dropped any reference to the need to endorse the Kyoto treaty on global warming.

This shift -- on an issue over which the media has spent an awful lot of time excoriating the Bush White House -- did not receive much coverage outside of obscure ideological sites. Great political hay has been made over the idea that President Bush is actually distinct from his domestic political counterparts and the bulk of the world when it comes to Kyoto.

This is increasingly, however, not the case,

Europe's Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom, said more than two years ago that the purpose of Kyoto is to, "level the playing field for big businesses worldwide."

While the anti-global warming pact's problem, as far as U.S. politicians and the public are concerned, is its substance, it is also true that any related political problem is largely a result of the administration's failure to communicate its actual position. This is further compounded by remarkably uninformed reporting of the issue.

Early indications are that both factors will remain constant as the campaign proceeds.

For example, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin, "Recently announced that his nation would soon ratify the Kyoto Protocol."

What Putin in fact did was assert the vote of the Russian Legislature would be expedited, while making clear that he supports Kyoto only so long as it is not in its present form.

Putin's rhetoric on the issue has not changed for two years. His party controls the Duma and he controls the party. Even a casual observer sees this as a sign that Russian ratification of Kyoto is not on the agenda in the near

The same piece in the AJC said Bush had, "argued against signing Kyoto."

Yet the United States signed the Kyoto Protocol on Nov. 12, 1998, and it has not, as has been otherwise commonly reported, withdrawn from it. In fact, the United States sent another delegation to an international meeting on the subject, the just-completed mid-June 2004 Subsidiary Body negotiations in Bonn, Germany. In attendance was a full delegation of 28 State Department, EPA and other U.S. government officials.

The main issue, illuminated by the Democrats' retreat in the face of certain pro-Kyoto political costs, is that Bush has merely continued the Clinton-era policy of refusing to send the signed Kyoto agreement to the Senate for a vote.

The president could formally renounce the U.S. signature on the protocol, as Bush did when he withdrew the United States from the treaty on the International Criminal Court. No such communication to the United Nations has been issued regarding Kyoto, as the U.S. State Department readily confirms.

Until the president affirmatively strikes out on a different course by pulling the U.S. signature off the Kyoto pact, nothing will change.

With the Democrats in retreat on the issue, as can be seen by the aforementioned dropping of Kyoto from the party platform, it should be clear to all concerned that any purported differences simply do not exist beyond rhetoric.

Now that the Democrats have quietly abandoned the signature issue of their last candidate for president, it should stand as verification that the Republicans and Democrats do not differ on ratification of Kyoto as a matter of policy. The have both put it on the back burner.

Should this development circulate through the European salons where such matters are the topic of conversation, it should prompt some interesting discussions, especially among those who are at least rumored to be strongly pro-Kerry -- in major part because they believe he would move forward on Kyoto.
Source: Washington Times

Golly Gee, let's be just like those wonderful Candians
All the major candidates in Canada's recent national election acknowledged that the country's health-care system is failing Canadians. The common prescription, however, was just to spread more taxpayer money on it — the usual nostrum of socialism. In the end, no major candidate had the political courage to tell the truth about the ailing Canadian system.
Indeed, on the other side of the border, Americans such as Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, fantasize about importing the Canadian health-care dream to the U.S. so that every citizen has comparable "equal access" to medical care.

But more and more Canadians are awakening — not from a dream, but from a nightmare. The results are coming in. After years of government control, the medical system is badly injured and bleeding citizens' hard-earned tax dollars.

A study recently released by the Fraser Institute in Vancouver, B.C., compared industrialized countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that strive to provide universal health-care access. Among those countries, Canada spends most on its system while ranking among the lowest in such indicators as access to physicians, quality of medical equipment and key health outcomes.

One of the major reasons for this discrepancy is that, unlike other countries in the study that outperformed Canada — such as Sweden, Japan, Australia and France — Canada outlaws most private health care. If the government says it provides a medical service, it's illegal for a Canadian citizen to pay for and get the service privately.

At the same time, to try to keep spending down, the government chips away at the number and variety of covered services. According to another Fraser Institute survey, this means that on average a patient must wait in line 17.7 weeks for hospital treatment.

In 1999, Dr. Richard F. Davies described how delays affected Ontario heart patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In a single year, just for this one operation, 71 Ontario patients died before surgery, "121 were removed from the list permanently because they had become medically unfit for surgery" and 44 left the province to have their CABG surgery elsewhere, often in the U.S.

In other words, 192 people either died or were too sick to have surgery before they worked their way to the front of the waiting line. Yet, the Ontario population of about 12 million is only 4 percent of the population of the United States.
Source: Seattle Times

JOHN, PETE, MIKE, TERESA,

tootboy — 2004-07-13T11:07:00-05:00

If his excuse is that he doesn't show up...then what do we need him for?
The National Journal rates senators in three major areas -- economic policy, foreign policy, and social policy -- but only if they voted on more than half the issues. Kerry spent most of 2003 on the campaign trail and amassed only enough votes to be assessed on economics. He wasn't even rated on foreign or social issues.
Source: Bostom.com

HUH?
Teresa Heinz Kerry surprised and worried some of the 1,000 guests at Friday morning's Women for Kerry breakfast when she looked out at the crowd and said, "We had better get you women some birth control, there are so many of you here!"
Source: NY POST page Six

Quick One while He's away
MICHAEL Moore messed with the wrong rocker when he charged that The Who's Pete Townshend refused to allow his classic hit "Won't Get Fooled Again" to be used in "Fahrenheit 9/11." Biting back on his Web site, Townshend said the reason the song wasn't used was not because he was for the war in Iraq (which he admits he was), but because he doesn't trust Moore's accuracy in reporting and regards Moore as a bully. "When first approached, I knew nothing about the content of his film 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' " Townshend writes. "I had not really been convinced by 'Bowling for Columbine,' and had been worried about its accuracy...Once I had an idea what the film was about, I was 90 percent certain my song was not right for them." The rock legend continued, "I greatly resent being bullied and slurred by him in interviews just because he didn't get what he wanted from me. It seems to me that this aspect of his nature is not unlike that of the powerful and willful man at the center of his new documentary...[Moore will] have to work very, very hard to convince me that a man with a camera is going to change the world more effectively than a man with a guitar."
Source: NY Post Page Six

Edwards and the decision to go to Iraq
Did we go to war in Iraq just because we wanted to, or because Iraq posed a threat? Kerry's new running mate John Edwards addressed that question from the Senate floor on October 10, 2002, explaining his decision to vote to authorize war in Iraq.

"I'm here to speak in support of the resolution before us, which I cosponsored. I believe we must vote for this resolution not because we want war, but because the national security of our country requires action."

We do this dance every four years. Politicians from the same party trash each other in a primary and then, when they later join hands, reporters dig up all of the bad things they said about each other. (Remember "voodoo economics"?) It can be a tiresome routine. But this year's Kerry-Edwards paper trail is an exception. Why? Because Edwards, it turns out, has almost eerily anticipated and answered Kerry's chief criticisms of the Bush administration's Iraq policy:

The Bush administration "misled America." Kerry is fond these days of claiming that the Bush administration "misled" the country to go to war in Iraq. Here he is during a June 25 appearance on Nightline with Ted Koppel. The administration "deeply misled the American people. I think the evidence is quite clear."

For Edwards, however, the evidence wasn't quite so clear. "So did I get misled? No. I didn't get misled," he said on Hardball with Chris Matthews on October 13, 2003, almost a year to the day after he voted to authorize the Iraq war and some six months after major combat ended. When Matthews followed up, asking Edwards if he got an "honest reading on the intelligence," the junior senator from North Carolina seemed to place much of the blame on the intelligence community.

EDWARDS: "And as you know, I serve on the Senate Intelligence Committee. So it wasn't just the Bush administration. I sat in meeting after meeting after meeting where we were told about the presence of weapons of mass destruction. There is clearly a disconnect between what we were told and what, in fact, we found there."
Source: Weekly Standard

Peeping TOM & JERRY Springer

tootboy — 2004-07-14T01:07:00-05:00

Hijack! How are you! My I stay for a spell
Nine Afghan gunmen who hijacked an airliner four years ago and forced it to fly to London have been told they can stay in Britain with their wives and children.
After a secret court hearing, immigration adjudicators refused them asylum but ruled that they could not be deported because their human rights would be infringed.
Source: Telegraph UK

Jerry-curl
Trash talk show host Jerry Springer, who continues his flirtation with Ohio politics, will serve as a correspondent for envelope-pushing 19 Action News during this month’s Democratic National Convention.
So what can viewers expect? Teresa Heinz-Kerry and Elizabeth Edwards start mud wrestling? Jilted former lovers of John Kerry? Mr. Springer, eager to please, promised to cover the convention unconventionally.
“Each night, I’ll provide insight and analysis that you won’t find anywhere else,” Mr. Springer said in the release. “And I promise you it won’t be boring.”
Source:Crains Cleveland

...And the PEEP shall inherit the Earth...
A "Peeping Tom" who photographed a woman in the changing room of a Bethlehem area clothes shop sparked a night of rioting between Palestinian Muslims and Christians, witnesses said on Wednesday.
At the height of the hours-long riot, hundreds of Muslims and Christians fought each other with metal rods and stones in the streets of the West Bank town of Beit Sahur, adjacent to Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus.
"It was like a war," said Nahle, a resident.
The first explosion of violence between Christians and Muslims in the area for years began when a Muslim man sneaked a camera into a changing room and snapped several pictures of a woman dressing, residents said.
The man, from a nearby Muslim town, raced to a taxi with the shopowner in pursuit. But he was forced to flee to a mosque when dozens of Beit Sahur residents arrived and began smashing the taxi, which they later torched.

Regarding this Kerfuffle about Postponing the Elections made by Tom Ridge.

tootboy — 2004-07-14T09:07:00-05:00

If an attack (and the nature and veracity of the attack is important) occurs within 2 days before the election, the election should be postponed for 1 week. Why? Because millions of people will be disenfranchised as they will not be able to go the polls (they may not be able to fly home, or they'd be scared or a crackdown may take place in their region, or local transportation may be shut down so people can't travel to their polling areas, etc.).

The fact that people are saying this is politically motivated is against logic. Let's suppose that a significant attack does occur on the day before election day. Where is it most likely to take place? Washington DC, NY, Boston, Chicago, LA, San Fran, Atlanta. Big cities right? Politically speaking how do all of these cities generally vote. Democrat, right? Ok, so if NYers can't get to the polls because of the attack (that is exactly what happened on Sept 11, there was a Mayoral primary which was postponed), and most NYers are Democrats... Then the odds that NY STATE goes Republican are pretty good. So if this were politically motivated the Republicans wouldn't care if there was an attack because the people who wouldn't be able to vote would most likely be democrats. Imagine if Chicagoans were unable to vote or Philadelphians, their respective states would go "Red" instead of "Blue". So the Republican party would actually benefit from a terror attack happening that day or the day before, wouldn't it. So, postponing it would not help Republicans, politically.

But I do think it's ludicrous for people to suspect the administration of trying to manipulate the system. One, that's really paranoid. Everything this (or any) administration does is not politically motivated. Not Bush's, Not Clinton's, Not Lincoln's. We have to believe no matter how much we dislike Bush or Clinton or Lincoln, that generally they do what they feel is the best for the nation.
# 2, if they did postpone then the party base would reject them, wouldn't they? I know I WOULD.

In the end, who decides that an election has to be postponed? This is not only because of a terrorist attack but also Acts of G-d (like large-scale blackouts, hurricanes, earthquakes).

Does anyone know?

no subject

tootboy — 2004-07-14T09:07:00-05:00

I believe:

-That President Bush and Brit PM Tony Blair did the right thing regardless of the intelligence mixup.
-That Tenet should have been fired a long time ago
-The world is better off in the long run with the Iraqi invasion
-That France's government is an enemy of the United States
-That unlike Bill and Hillary Clinton, Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards are good people and genuinely care for people.
-That Senator Kerry is indecisive, unable to lead and is an opportunist
-That the Fed Marriage Amendment should not have passed. It is up to each state to pass an agreement as it should be for many cultural and social issues. It should be up to the voices of the people to define these issues.
-That if liberals want to keep handing things out then I want a Hummer to protect my family.
-That NYC is the greatest city in the world.
-That Republican politicians are generally idiots, heartless and greedy.
-That Democrat politicians are mostly idiots, heartless, greedy and useless.
-President Bush is a decent man though there are many issues I disagree with him on.
-That the Mets still have a chance to win the division but the Braves are still the team to beat.
-Spiderman 2 is more believable than the stuff I read in the NY Times.
-Whoopie Goldberg and Michael Moore and the rest of the Hollywood left have every right to say whatever they want as long as it's in the form of dissent and not slander. On the other hand, everyone else has a right to ignore them.
-Rich people have everyright to get tax cuts since they are the ones paying the lion's share of the taxes.
-Everyone wants to be rich but not everyone is willing to take the risk, pay the price, and invest in themselves.
-That we should believe in people just not believe people.
-That one of the greatest things created for man is music and that certain people were touched directly by G-d for that purpose.
-The hardest thing to look at is the mirror directly in front of us.
-Rapists should be destroyed.
-Drive drunk once, we take your car and licence. Drive drunk twice, you go to jail. Drive drunk thrice and we cut your right foot off. It's harder to drive drunk then.
-The government can't run a train line. The government can't run a delivery service (the post office). How in the world does anyone think they can run education or a healthcare system?
-There is no such thing as an ugly rich guy.
-Cellphones are a major reason why crime is down all over the country.
-The United States is the greatest country ever invented and we are lucky, lucky, lucky to have born or live here.
-We need to respect people.
-Everyone is prejudice in some form or other. But discrimination is unacceptable.
-Property taxes are a killer.
-Women are smarter than men and are much better multitaskers. Men are more logical then women and certainly less emotional.
-The Yankees are "Satan's Team". How can they be G-d's team as Yankee fans suggest. G-d doesn't worry about sports or gambling. But "Satan" does! G-d on the other hand heard about the Black Sox and cursed the team. Someone had told Him that it was the Chicago WhiteSox but he wasn't paying attention so he just cursed both Chicago teams and anyteam that ended in Sox. The Cubs, RedSox and Whitesox haven't won since.
-Ranting and !!! give me a headache.
-It was nice of you to read this all.

The Dailys

tootboy — 2004-07-15T01:07:00-05:00

Generally once a day I give highlights to stories which I deem are kind of offbeat or hardly reported on or just personally interesting. I never title the post but someone recently suggested "the Dailies" so, "the Dailys" it is...

A Front? I am Affronted!
Rod Paige, the nation's first black education secretary, condemned NAACP leaders Thursday for saying some black groups are fronts for white conservatives.
"You do not own, and you are not the arbiters of, African-American authenticity," said Paige, who rose from segregated Mississippi to become President Bush's education chief.

Paige's comments, in a Wall Street Journal column titled "Naked Partisans," appeared on the same day Bush's challenger, Democrat John Kerry, was speaking at the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Philadelphia. Bush is at odds with the NAACP and has not spoken to the civil rights group since his 2000 campaign.

Paige took aim at two NAACP leaders, chairman Julian Bond and president Kweisi Mfume, for what he called "hateful and untruthful rhetoric about Republicans and President Bush." At the convention, NAACP officials have described some black organizations as mouthpieces of white conservatives and have said Bush's education law disproportionately hurts minorities.
Source: Associated Press

We've been working for 6 months. We're taking a year off. AY!
The Canadian navy will sit out the war on terrorism for one year in an effort to give exhausted sailors a chance to recuperate. HMCS Toronto left the Arabian Sea and the American George Washington Carrier Strike Group July 4 with a broken Sea King helicopter on deck.

And the navy has quietly decided against dispatching a replacement ship until spring 2005 at the earliest.

The Sea King on HMCS Toronto has been grounded since June 25 after particles were discovered in its gearbox.

Naval Capt. Bruce Belliveau, Toronto's commanding officer, said the Sea King was available to hail foreign ships during 80% of the six-month deployment. It broke down during the frigate's preparations to leave.

"It's been a very, very busy six months," Belliveau said. His crew hailed 1,300 ships and boarded 123 of them, but didn't find any terrorists or criminal activity.
Source: Seattle Times

More Dems condemn the Israeli wall by demonstrating their anti-semitism
The usual suspects in the Democratic party wing of the House of Reps agreed not to vote "Deploring the misuse of the International Court of Justice by a plurality of the United Nations General Assembly for a narrow political purpose, the willingness of the International Court of Justice to acquiesce in an effort likely to undermine its reputation and interfere with a resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and for other purposes."

25% of the Democratic Reps voted "Nay" or "Present" when it came time to vote. Some of the names are common place whenever anti-semitism rears its ugly head on the House floor.
There's Barbara Lee, Jesse Jackson Jr., Jim "Baghdad" McDermott, Jimmy Moran, Danny Davis, Dennis "the Martian" Kucinich and Carolyn Kilpatrick plus 41 others.

Really? And they still won't let FoxNews in?
Federal broadcast regulators have cleared the Arabic Al-Jazeera television network for viewing by Canadians via cable and satellite.
But in a decision released today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission set stringent rules designed to keep anti-Semitic or other abusive comments off the air.
Source: Toronto Star

The Dailys

tootboy — 2004-07-16T10:07:00-05:00

CheckMate!
Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer, wanted since 1992 for playing a tournament in Yugoslavia despite U.N. sanctions, has been detained in Japan, clearing the way for his extradition to the United States.
In radio interviews, Fischer praised the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, saying America should be "wiped out."
Source: SF Gate

Presbyterian Church goes wild
Jewish liberals received a shock this week. The liberal Presbyterian Church of America declared war on Israel at is annual General Assembly meeting, approving a divestment campaign from Israel by an 87% vote, making the Holy Land into the new South Africa, in their minds. The shock was doubly painful since liberal Jews believe that liberal churches are supposed to be their allies in all kinds of common fights.

Jewish liberals frequently warn that Christian conservatives are not allies of the Jews and do not share Jewish values. There is a genuine fear by liberal Jews that other Jews might walk off the liberal plantation, and create bonds politically with Christian conservatives as a result of their support for Israel.
Source: Various

According to Le Sot, Jews and Muslims cannot be French
During the traditional Bastille Day press interview, French President Chirac was asked to touch on the violent anti-Semitic wave shaking France. He replied,

”Our fellow Jews, Muslims or others, or simply sometimes French are victims of aggressions because they do not belong to such and such community.”

Smoke and we'll charge you. Don't Grow and we'll pay you
The Senate approved a plan to give the government broad new powers to regulate the cigarette industry, including the ability to eliminate harmful ingredients in tobacco products and forbid advertising that appeals to children.

The measure empowering the Food and Drug Administration to oversee the sale, marketing and manufacturing of cigarettes was linked on the Senate floor Thursday to a $12 billion buyout of tobacco farmers.

An unlikely coalition of anti-smoking advocates and tobacco-state senators pushed to secure the 78-15 vote to add the twin measures to a massive corporate tax bill that the Senate then passed on a voice vote and sent to a House-Senate conference committee.

The House-passed tax bill includes a plan to pay tobacco farmers to leave the federal tobacco-growing system but does not give FDA any new powers. Health groups hailed the Senate action.
Source: Pittsburgh-Post Gazette
Of course, Kedwards was not there to vote

Will the Saudis even miss $25,000
Lawmakers cheered as the House of Representatives voted on Thursday to strip financial assistance for Saudi Arabia from a foreign aid bill because of criticism that the country has not been sufficiently cooperative in the U.S. war on terror.

The House voted 217-191 to remove $25,000 in the $19.4 billion 2005 foreign aid bill earmarked for Saudi Arabia.
Source: My Way - News

Micheal Reagan speaks out about Ron Jr.

tootboy — 2004-07-16T12:07:00-05:00

Recently, Ron Reagan, the son of President Reagan, argued on MSNBC how unconscionable it is that there are those in Washington "standing in the way" of stem cell research, given that so many could so quickly reap its benefits.
And young Ron's planned prime-time speech at the Democratic convention has been touted as a major coup for the Democrats. Not so fast, President Reagan's elder son, Michael, says.

Discussing the Ron Reagan speech, Michael Reagan told his radio audience on his nationally syndicated "Michael Reagan Show" (Radio America Network) that brother Ron has no interest in continuing his father's political legacy.

In fact, Michael said that his brother so vehemently disliked his father's views he never voted for his own father when he ran twice for the presidency.

Michael said that "in the interest of accuracy, and to defend [his] father’s legacy," he must make clear the difference between embryonic stem cell research and adult stem cell research:

"Stem cell research is going forward. Embryonic stem cell research is going forward. But embryonic stem cells create tumors in rats while adult stem cells are doing quite well. The Left, including my brother, make you forget the difference."

Michael continued: "The president, and most everybody I know, is in fact on board with stem cell research. It is the creation and destruction of an embryo for those cells which conservatives have a problem with."

Deficits in the Budget and children's healthcare

tootboy — 2004-07-16T01:07:00-05:00

The latest budget numbers show a $19.1 billion surplus for June, $3 billion higher than the $16 billion Wall Street expectation. It seems that a flood of new tax collections, spurred by fatter employment payrolls and corporate profits, is rapidly reducing the federal budget gap. Tax receipts from businesses rose an astonishing 38 percent over the past twelve months and personal income-tax collections increased almost 9 percent. What’s happening? Could it be that stronger economic growth from lower tax rates is producing more tax receipts? I believe it’s called supply-side economics.

Just as the 1.5 million new jobs created since last August has terminated talk of a jobless recovery, the chatter over widening budget deficits will end. The fiscal-year 2004 budget deficit now looks to come in around $435 billion, less than 4 percent of GDP. This would be almost $100 billion below early-year estimates from the Office of Management and Budget and about $50 billion less than Congressional Budget Office forecasts. The administration is also getting its arms around federal spending. Fiscal year to date, domestic discretionary program spending has slowed to 2.7 percent from 6.8 percent a year ago.

As the tax-cut-led recovery continues, deficits will rapidly wane over the coming years.

Former Clinton economic officials Robert Rubin, Gene Sperling, and Bowman Cutter — all now advising Kerry — continue to obsess over the alleged economic consequences of budget deficits. But there is virtually no evidence that the budget gap (two-thirds of which emanated from the Clinton recession) has had any negative effect on U.S. recovery prospects. In fact, even with the fastest economic growth in twenty years, long-term Treasury rates remain at 4.5 percent, the cheapest money in over forty years.

Source: NRO

The Dailys

tootboy — 2004-07-19T09:07:00-05:00

Pat Benatar's calendar is booking up quickly
Linda Ronstadt apparently got what she wanted -- to be 86'd from the Aladdin.
In a bizarre performance notable for its bridge-burning comments, Ronstadt inflamed more than her Aladdin audience on Saturday by taking potshots at Las Vegas and dedicating "Desperado" to "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker Michael Moore. When her show was over, the Aladdin had her checked out of her room and escorted off the premises.
Early in the show she told the crowd not to expect her greatest hits and added a snide remark or two about Las Vegas and the Aladdin. Scores of fans filed out when Ronstadt made her dedication to Moore and his controversial political film.
Source: Las Vegas Review Journal

The Italians are under fire
Al Qaida really has it in for Silvio Berlusconi. As the target of terrorist threats, the Italian prime minister ranks second in frequency only to President George W. Bush. On Friday, al Qaida again had Berlusconi in its sights. A message on the Ansarnet website that carries extremist Islamic content warned that unless Berlusconi was removed from office there would be terrorist attacks against Italy.

"Either you dump the incompetent Berlusconi or we will really burn Italy," the message said. "We are in Italy. None of you is safe." The message was signed by the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigade, an al Qaida affiliate which most recently claimed responsibility for the Madrid train bombings last March. Observers in Rome argue that al Qaida may feel that a terrorist attack in Italy would create political chaos and finish off Berlusconi. And this, the observers say, may be no more than a dress rehearsal for a well-timed action in the United States before the presidential elections in November.
But another reason for targeting Italy may be its success in rounding up Islamic terrorist suspects since 9/11. Only last week 17 alleged terrorists were arrested in Italy and Belgium. One of the key figures in the Madrid train bombings was caught by the Italian anti-terrorist unit and has been extradited to Spain. Italian sources said Sunday that he was one of the leaders of the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigade.
Source: UPI

It's Progress. Last year, they would've beheaded the woman
A Saudi man was beheaded today in the kingdom's capital for attempting to rape a woman, the Interior Ministry said.
Source: The Hindu

Youthful predictions
"Don't take these statistics lightly. They may be too young to vote, but not too young to have strong opinions about the leaders of their country," says Beth Carpenter of the Washington-based Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She says FCCLA's teens have an impressive streak going, voting for the winning president for the past three decades, beginning with Jimmy Carter.
So who wins in 2004, President Bush or Sen. John Kerry?
When thousands of the FCCLA teens met in Chicago last week for their national leadership meeting, they were asked which candidate they would vote for if the 2004 presidential campaign were held today.
Mr. Bush captured 74 percent of the votes.
Source: Washington Times

Wouldn't you want "Respected at Home, Stronger in the World" instead
The Democrats have just unveiled their plans for their national convention in Boston next week. It will seek to project their prospective nominee, John Kerry, as the nation's best remedy for the troubled times under the slogan "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World."
Source: Baltimore Sun

When does Martha Stewart get to ring the bell?
The miniature Liberty Bell clanged. Elbows flew. Sweat poured down foreheads. Sales tickets were passed and, with a flick of the wrist, 10,000 shares of the Middle East Bank had more than doubled in value.
The frantic pace yesterday of those first 10 minutes of trading typified the enthusiasm behind the Iraq Stock Exchange -- a new institution seen as a critical step in building a new Iraqi economy.
Source: NJ Star-Ledger

Ok, where's my invitation?
The Democrats and the Republicans are inviting a limited number of bloggers — those witty, candid, irreverent, passionate, shrewd and outrageous Internet chroniclers — to their 2004 conventions. It's a gesture of respect for the growing influence of the blogosphere, and if ever there were events ideally suited to bloggers, the heavily scripted and tensionless conventions top the list.
Source: LA Times

Washington Post comes to Bush's 'AID'
"Inconveniently for those who enjoy stereotypes, the Bush administration is far and away the leader in the global AIDS fight. This year the United States will spend $2.4 billion on the pandemic, nearly twice as much as all other donor governments combined; attacking the Bush team for indifference to AIDS is like attacking it for inadequate defense spending."
Source: Sebastian Mallaby - Wash Post

The Dailys

tootboy — 2004-07-20T11:07:00-05:00

Lee Harvey, I want to party with YOU!
Michael Monn's birthday celebration went a little awry when he was arrested while drunk, nude and covered with nacho cheese. Monn was detained early Sunday as he ran toward a Jeep in the parking lot outside a swimming pool snack bar. According to police, he was stark naked and was carrying a box of Frito Lay snacks and a container of nacho cheese.
Source: USA Today

Old thought for Think tank…where have they been?
Al Qaeda may be trying to recruit young Europeans and women as terrorists in order to throw off U.S. government investigators who are in the habit of looking for men with a Middle Eastern appearance, a think tank expert said Monday at a seminar on terrorism.
Source: CNSNews

Does anyone really want this guy opening them up?
Would-be California medical students with learning disabilities filed a discrimination suit Monday saying their prospects of becoming doctors are being thwarted because they aren't given enough time on the medical school entrance exam. It argues that students who have trouble reading are capable of learning and practicing medicine, provided they're given enough time to complete the Medical College Admission Test in a distraction-free setting.
"Without accommodations, I really can't show what abilities I have,'' said Brendan Pierce, 28, of Oakland, who has dyslexia and attention deficit disorder.
Source: SF Gate

Common sense thrown out with the trash
Take the public trash cans off Boston streets and remove potential hiding places for bombs during the Democratic National Convention. But what security planners and city officials didn't count on was that people would still throw garbage into the black metal frames that held the cans.
Pretty it wasn't on Beacon Hill yesterday. Under blooming window boxes and faux gaslights on the hill's quaint, tony main streets, Starbucks Coffee cups and cigarette butts toppled out of the trash can frames onto narrow brick sidewalks. Over the weekend, city workers began removing public trash cans on much of Charles and Cambridge streets. By yesterday afternoon, complaints flooded the local neighborhood association, and many business owners fumed as they watched the trash pile up outside their stores.
Source: Boston.com

Two old farts think they are cool hipsters?
July 19 Headline USAToday: “Bush’s Agenda Rocks” by Ed Gillespie, chairman RNC
July 19 Headline USAToday: “Kerry connects with Youth” by Terry McAuliffe, chairman DNC
Source: Do you have to ask??

’Fraidy cat Filipinos set horrific example
The Islamic militant group blamed for deadly attacks on foreign and local interests in Iraq threatened Japan on Tuesday that car bombs would strike its troops if they were not withdrawn. "To the government of Japan: do what the Philippines has done. By God, nobody will protect you and we are not going to tolerate anybody”
Source: AP

He loves me, he loves me not…or Does he love me, I wanna know. How can I tell if he loves me so?
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia has withdrawn his resignation, and agreed to stay on in his post at the urging of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. His announcement followed Mr. Arafat's appointment of his cousin, Musa, as head of security in the Gaza Strip. On Monday, Mr. Arafat bowed to pressure and fired his relative. He replaced him with former security chief Abdel Razek Majaidi, who had been dismissed only a week ago.
Source: VOAnews

Is that a classified document in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?
Sandy Berger and his attorney told the Associated Press last night that he knowingly removed handwritten notes that he had taken from classified anti-terror documents he reviewed at the National Archives by sticking them in his jacket and pants.
The Washington Post played the story at the top of page 2. The New York Times played the story at the bottom of Page A-17. USA Today was among the newspapers playing it above the fold on the front page.
Source: Reuters

Kerry's War by Debra Saunders

tootboy — 2004-07-20T11:07:00-05:00

Reading material for your lunch hour:
When Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., cast his vote in favor of the Senate resolution authorizing military force against Iraq in October 2002, he made his bed. Now, the president's political guru, Karl Rove, is preparing to tuck Kerry snuggly inside those sheets.

In Sacramento Friday, Rove laid out the problem with Kerry's position -- or positions -- on Iraq: "If Sen. Kerry now wants to come out and say, 'I looked at the intelligence ... I said (Saddam Hussein) was a danger, I said he had weapons of mass destruction. But the president is a liar for saying the same thing.' That's going to be a hard sell to the American people."

I noted that Kerry told the San Francisco Chronicle in a February editorial board meeting that he would not have voted for the resolution had he known that much of the intelligence upon which Washington relied came from Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmed Chalabi.

Rove responded, "If (Kerry) had doubts, he should have voted no. If he had doubts, he shouldn't have written that wonderful op-ed on Sept. 6, 2002, in The New York Times in which he said it is imperative to go to the Congress and ask for a resolution of support, it is imperative that the president go to the United Nations and secure the backing of the U.N. Security Council. He said it was imperative then that we issue an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein and that we require immediate and full compliance, and if Hussein doesn't, the United States must be prepared to go in and ... if need be, largely alone remove Saddam Hussein from power."

In fairness, the Kerry op-ed didn't quite suggest that the evidence against Hussein was so overwhelming that President Bush should rush to war with or without the United Nations. But Kerry did write that the Bush administration should "offer a clear ultimatum" to Iraq and asserted that America could go to war if the U.N. "Security Council fails to act."

Kerry's main criticism of Bush then was that the president failed to present a conclusive argument. He faulted Bush for suggesting that the need for regime change was sufficient excuse for war.

(Note to other critics: This undercuts your claim that Bush only used the regime-change argument after allied forces failed to find WMD.)

Kerry then argued that it was incumbent upon Bush to convince Congress and the United Nations that America "had no choice" but to go to war, "that this was the only way we could eliminate a threat we could not afford to tolerate."

Kerry also wrote, "There is also no question that Saddam Hussein continues to pursue weapons of mass destruction, and his success can threaten both our interests in the region and our security at home."

"No question"? Those words, I presume, were written upon much consideration, staff vetting and exposure to Kerry's much-vaunted "nuance."

As it turns out, "no question" is the giant chink in U.S. intelligence -- or so news stories on "groupthink" in the CIA say. (So now that everyone agrees that "groupthink" misled intelligence operatives completely, I'm waiting for new stories that suggest the intelligence was not completely wrong. This just in: In 1999, Iraq may well have been shopping for uranium in Niger.)

Here is where Rove is right: Kerry boasts that he is the international community's darling and that he has been steeped in intelligence and foreign intrigue for decades. And, sacre bleu, he's practically French.

Yet the senator said in a primary election debate, "I don't regret my vote. I regret we had a president who misled the nation and broke every promise he made to the Congress of the United States."

"Broke every promise" apparently is longhand for "Bush lied."

Bush lied. Those two words have become such a mantra that it is hard to know how to begin addressing them. There's the awful knowledge, which makes me want to vomit, that U.S. intelligence was severely flawed -- and those flaws fueled a war. It was Hussein's flouting of the U.N. cease-fire agreement that made the war not only possible but justifiable. Still, war was more avoidable than America knew.

"I think every premonition I had about the downside of this war was proved prescient," Kerry also told the Chronicle, "and it comes out of the experience that I personally had when we lost the consent and legitimacy of our nation in the war that I fought in."

And yet Kerry voted for this war. How can a man so savvy and sophisticated -- so prescient, if he does say so himself -- have been misled by that simpleton Bush?

"Proved prescient," yet "misled."

Now that is nuance.

The most important blog you read today

tootboy — 2004-07-21T09:07:00-05:00

I know many people who don't agree with me. I know there are people out there who won't agree with me (at least publicly). I am the 'other side of the aisle'.

Will they agree with someone from their 'side of the aisle'? Will they listen to someone who espouses their more liberal values? We shall see when you read this article by someone who has been a bastion for the American left for more than 30 years.

The Dailys

tootboy — 2004-07-21T04:07:00-05:00

Kids are getting better
"Young people have become aggressively normal. Violence, drug use and teen sex have declined. Kids are becoming more conservative politically and socially. They want to get married and have large families. And, get this, they adore their parents.

"The Mood of American Youth Survey found that more than 80 percent of teenagers report no family problems -- up from about 40 percent a quarter-century ago. In another poll, two-thirds of daughters said they would 'give Mom an 'A.''"
Source:TechCentralStation

She don’t Love Her no more
A Toronto couple is seeking what is believed to be Canada's first same-sex divorce.
The women, known only as M.M. and J.H., tied the knot on June 18, 2003, a week after the Ontario Court of Appeal legalized same-sex marriage, but separated five days later.
Source: Toronto Sun

Media Bias?
A San Francisco Chronicle editor who gave Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry $400 has been placed on leave for possibly violating the newspaper's rules, the newspaper said on Wednesday. The newspaper's letters editor, William Pates, reached at home by telephone, confirmed that he had contributed about $400 to the Kerry campaign but declined to comment on his paper's response. Pates said he had worked for the Chronicle for the past 35 years.
Source: Reuters

Abortion clinic against happy children…No Mirth in Perth
A PERTH abortion clinic objected to plans for a childcare centre on a neighbouring property because the sight of children might upset its patients. Marie Stopes International Australia, which operates the clinic, objected to the development of the childcare centre on an adjoining block. It also said right-to-life proponents who staged weekly protests outside the clinic might upset the children.
"It would be an emotional situation for someone who's decided to have an abortion and then the last thing they hear before they enter the clinic is the happy voices of children."
Source: News.com.Au

Face the music gutless wonders…which Ten “abstained”
Australia yesterday became one of just six nations that voted against a United Nations resolution that orders Israel to tear down the barrier it is building through the West Bank. The resolution received overwhelming international support, with 150 nations in the UN General Assembly voting for it. Besides Israel and Australia, the nations that voted against the resolution were Israel's strongest ally, the United States, and three smaller countries: Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. Ten nations abstained.
Source: SMH.com.AU

Promises, Promises
Sen. John F. Kerry's promise to meet with people who disagree with him has prompted several conservative groups to take him up on his offer.
Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, sent a letter to Kerry Campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill last Friday, inviting the senator to participate in one of ATR's "Wednesday Meetings," a weekly gathering of representatives from center- and right-leaning organizations.
"I am happy that John Kerry is willing to appear before groups that disagree with him," Norquist said in a press release. "There are quite a few of us on the conservative side of the spectrum that have some very serious questions for the nation's most liberal senator."
Norquist extended his invitation to Kerry after Kerry's recent speech before the NAACP.
Kerry -- referring to President Bush, who refused an NAACP invitation to speak -- told the group, "When you're president, you need to talk to all of the people, and that's exactly what I intend to do."
Source: CNSnews

More Joe Wilson
Read more of this ultra silly story…

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-07-22T02:07:00-05:00

"A coward, a most devout coward, religious in it" -Twelfth Night
Philippine negotiators said their mission was the most difficult they have ever undertaken and believed their success they owed to God, but in a breath said an array of go-betweens had been tapped to help secure the liberty of Filipino driver Angelo de la Cruz.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the Philippines obtained the backing of “many countries” for its decision to withdraw its troops as shown by the number of envoys who had expressed their support for the move.
Lakas Rep. Rey Aquino said, “President Arroyo has achieved a moral victory” in the face of the “complex issues involved, among them the country’s standing in the international community and its commitment against terrorism.”
Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said on this issue that despite the antipathy of the US government, he remains confident it would not renege on its promised military assistance to the Philippines.
Source: ABS-CBN

I can't believe there is even 1
By a ratio of more than 4-1, Arizonan in a new statewide poll supported a ballot measure designed to cut services to people here illegally.
The poll done for KAET-TV, the Phoenix PBS affiliate, shows that 74 percent of those asked said they would vote for a measure to "deny state and local social and welfare services to illegal immigrants and require everyone who registers to vote to prove they are U.S. citizens and to provide identification when voting."
Source: Arizona Daily Star

The return of the Huns
Asinine German cycling fans harassed five-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong during yesterday’s grueling ride though the French Alps — two of the “idiots” spat on him, and another spectator chased him while wearing a “F - - - Bush” T-shirt. "I don't think it's safe," said Armstrong, who is on pace to win an unprecedented sixth tour in a row. He called the German fans "horrible" — but said that animosity "motivates me more. I think it puts a little fuel on the fire."
In a TV interview, he complained about the Germans' "disgusting behavior."
Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc struck an apologetic tone.
"There were lots of aggressive fans," he said, calling the two spitters, "idiots."
Many Europeans are openly contemptuous of the American.
That sentiment was captured in a roadside sign last week that read, "Lance Go Home."
As a result, Armstrong has bodyguards during the three-week race.
"Nothing against the French, but in France, they're after us," Armstrong said.
Source: NY Post

So Democrats are really cowardly dogs?
Eighty-three-year-old Alice Ainsworth keeps supporting her political party, even though Democratic names have almost disappeared from Williamson County ballots. "I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Yellow Dog Democrat from way back," the Georgetown resident said.
Source: Austin-American Statesman

Censorship? No, just smart
Margaret has been Whoopi'd.
The potty-mouthed comedian has been cut from a gay political bash coinciding with the Democratic convention.
Apparently, its John Kerry-friendly organizers are worried that her racy routine will become more fodder for Republicans who have been trying to label the Massachusetts senator the candidate of Hollywood values instead of family values.
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights group, insists it is not censoring Cho, whose anti-Bush diatribes are well known in the gay and lesbian community.
"We want this event to be about the unity of the gay community," said group spokesman Mark Shields. "Margaret's people made very clear that they had material that was not in that vein and we didn't want to censor her, so we just made other plans."
Source: NY Daily News

10000 doctors leaving is nothing to sneeze at...
Before we buy into this socialist agenda, we might check out just what happens when health-care services are "free." Let's look at our neighbor to the north -- Canada.
Read this article

Drop him from your fantasy leagues
Fervently anti-war, Carlos Delgado quietly carried out his personal protest this season, refusing to stand when "God Bless America" was played at ballparks across the majors.
Most fans never saw him disappearing up the dugout tunnel or staying on the bench. And even teammates who disagreed with the Toronto slugger's political stance accepted his right to call the United States' invasion of Iraq "the stupidest war ever."
The Blue Jays played at Yankee Stadium for the first time this year on Wednesday night. It's the only park in the majors where "God Bless America" has been played every game since the Sept. 11 attacks.
But there were brief chants of "USA! USA!" when he lined out in the top of the seventh. During a moment of silence before Kate Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" was played during the seventh-inning stretch, derisive shouts were made in his direction.
While big leaguers usually come to the top step of the dugout or on to the field to stand in silence during "God Bless America," Delgado does not make a public show of his stance.
"It's a very terrible thing that happened on Sept. 11. It's (also) a terrible thing that happened in Afghanistan and Iraq," Delgado said at the time. "I just feel so sad for the families that lost relatives and loved ones in the war.
"But I think it's the stupidest war ever. Who are you fighting against? You're just getting ambushed now. We have more people dead now after the war than during the war," he said. "I don't support what they do. It's just stupid."
He said, "It takes a man to stand up for what he believes."
"I am not pro-war; I'm anti-war," he said. "I'm for peace."
Source: Fox Sports

Kill the Twins...I don't want to go to Costco
I found out I was having triplets when I went to my obstetrician. The doctor had just finished telling me I was going to have a low-risk pregnancy...
My immediate response was, I cannot have triplets. I was not married; I lived in a five-story walk-up in the East Village;
There was a part of me that was sure I could work around that. But it was a matter of, Do I want to?
I looked at Peter and asked the doctor: ''Is it possible to get rid of one of them? Or two of them?''
On the subway, Peter asked, ''Shouldn't we consider having triplets?'' And I had this adverse reaction: ''This is why they say it's the woman's choice, because you think I could just carry triplets. That's easy for you to say, but I'd have to give up my life.''
When I found out about the triplets, I felt like: It's not the back of a pickup at 16, but now I'm going to have to move to Staten Island. I'll never leave my house because I'll have to care for these children.

I'll have to start shopping only at Costco and buying big jars of mayonnaise.

The [abortion] procedure involves a shot of potassium chloride to the heart of the fetus. There are a lot more complications when a woman carries multiples.

When we saw the specialist, we found out that I was carrying identical twins and a stand alone. My doctors thought the stand alone was three days older. There was something psychologically comforting about that, since I wanted to have just one.
But Peter was staring at the sonogram screen thinking: Oh, my gosh, there are three heartbeats. I can't believe we're about to make two disappear. The doctor came in, and then Peter was asked to leave. I said, ''Can Peter stay?'' The doctor said no. I know Peter was offended by that.
Read more about the audacity of Feminism

9/11 Commission: Conclusions

tootboy — 2004-07-23T09:07:00-05:00

The reviews on the 9/11 Commission are in.
Here's the best and most objective one I found (in red):
"Here are the report highlights:

• Presidents Clinton and Bush were not guilty of anything but failing to perceive the extent of the Al Qaeda threat.

• The CIA and FBI were incapable of stopping the attack because of chaos inside those agencies.

• The CIA didn't have good enough intelligence on the ground.

• And the FBI big shots didn't listen to their field agents.

Saddam did have a relationship with Bin Laden, but did not assist him in the 9/11 attack. Those are the headlines. And the committee recommends a new terror czar, approved by the Senate and reporting directly to the president, and much more intense high tech surveillance of U.S. ports of entry and terror suspects.
Very simply, the commission did an excellent job. Page 66 of the 567-page report caught my eye. And it says, "In July [1998], an Iraqi delegation traveled to Afghanistan to meet first with the Taliban and then with bin Laden...Similar meetings between Iraqi officials and bin Laden — or his aides may have occurred in 1999 during a period of some reported strains with the Taliban. According to the reporting, Iraqi officials offered bin Laden a safe haven in Iraq. But to date, we have seen no evidence that these or earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship, nor have we seen evidence indicating that Iraq cooperated with Al Qaeda in developing or carrying out any attacks against the United States."
So put yourself in President Bush's position. According to the Senate investigation, Lord Butler's British investigation and Vladimir Putin, the intelligence assessments on Iraqi WMDs all said Saddam had them. That, of course, turned to be faulty, at least for now.
But Bush and Blair were told the WMDs were inside Iraq. They were also being told that Saddam had a relationship with bin Laden. Do the math. Would you, as president, let that scenario play out while the U.N. dithered around?
What if Saddam Hussein did have anthrax, gave it to Al Qaeda, and a month later San Francisco was attacked? What if President Bush had ignored the intel and a disaster took place? Well, you know the answer. Mr. Bush would have been driven from office and gone down in history as a villain.
Any fair-minded person knows that the president had to act. The remaining legitimate questions concerned the timing and the planning of the Iraq action."

So, where are we now? My guess is nowhere closer to safety. 6 things work against us:
1-By definition, our government works slowly. Committees are formed to find out if we need to form a committee. Year long studies 'discover' there's traffic in NYC. We need changes now. It's already years behind schedule. It also tends to micromanage instead of macrothinking. This bogs down our resources and thought process.
2-Immigration policy is horrific. Please read any of Michelle Malkin's reporting and insights. We are so unprepared. Illegals arrive here, are never deported, and eventually rewarded for disobeying the law. Thank goodness for “Security Mom #1” and others like her because this administration, Congress, the Feds, and state law enforcement people are looking the other way.
3-Our enemy is evil. They don’t care what is in place to stop them. They don’t care about their lives or the lives of their families.
4-We have to be 100% perfect. We only need 1 time to fail even if we have 100,000 successes. It only takes 1 mental case with some anthrax to kill. It only take 1 nut to do irreparable damage to a city. It scares me quite often.
5-There are people who live in this nation that hurt us even if they believe they “mean well”. Actions like anarchists trying to disrupt the conventions, activists against the USA Patriot Act (I hate it when the full title is not used…It’s an acronym. All the letters are needed), the ACLUs fight to keep cops from doing what they need to do to keep us free like checking bags and profiling.
6-There are people and publications who have already gone back into a September 10th mentality.

So, what’s left then:
1-The American people are not only resilient but resistant to evil and generally vigilent. As the most moral nation on the planet we understand what we need to do and where our destiny lies.
2-The US makes a ton of mistakes but we generally learn from those mistakes and almost always right the ship (pardon the metaphor)
3-We have the best military ever created not just technically but the men and women that defend us are the greatest volunteer force known to man.
4-We have the greatest creative minds working who have the freedom, resources and financial-motivation to resolve any issue.
5-Our media, despite it’s common stupidity, keeps our government on its toes.
6-Good vs. Evil? I’ll take Evil in the short run, but bet on Good in the long run. Just like in the movies. Just like in the rest of History.

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-07-23T02:07:00-05:00

“Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.” – Oscar Wilde
Genocide is being committed in Sudan's Darfur region, according to a new US Congress resolution.
Pro-government Arab militias have forced more than one million black Africans from their homes and killed thousands, human rights groups say. The US is proposing a UN resolution that threatens Sudan with sanctions. Sudan denies backing the militias, and has warned the US and UK not to get involved in another Iraq-style crisis.
If the UN accepts that a genocide is occurring, it is legally obliged to take action to stop it."While the world debates, people die in Darfur," Kansas Republican Senator Sam Brownback was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. "We actually could save some lives instead of lamenting afterward that we should have done something."
Source: BBC News

Search all the cast and crew of LOTR
IT makes you wonder about Helen Clark's priorities. In two separate sting operations in March and April, Thai police seized 23 bogus New Zealand passports that were being sold on the Bangkok black market. And, if that isn't bad enough, security officials in Thailand expressed the belief al-Qa'ida terrorists have been using the products of these forgery rings for quite some time.

But the prospect of Osama bin Laden flashing a visa-free Kiwi passport as he sauntered through customs at Heathrow didn't seem to bother the New Zealand Prime Minister. In fact, her Government's reaction to these passport forgeries was exceedingly low key. Thus, a Foreign Affairs spokesman responded dismissively to this story, declaring that he "had absolutely no confirmation" of "claims by Thai police that New Zealand passports may have been used by al-Qa'ida-linked terrorists in Europe".
Source: The Australian

The EU becomes a big yenta
EU Foreign Minister Solana told reporters Thursday that the EU would be involved in any Israeli-Palestinian peace process whether Israel likes it or not.
In meetings the day before, both Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom warned Solana that following its support Wednesday for the UN General Assembly resolution, that the EU will be unable to play a significant role in resolving the conflict, because had shown itself to be not impartial.
"Israel has an interest in integrating the international community, especially Europe, in a [peace] process with the Palestinians," Sharon told Solana, according to a statement issued by his office.
"But without a radical change in the European position, especially in relation to Israel's security and its need to defend itself, that will be difficult to do."
Shalom was even blunter, delivering his message at a joint press conference in Tel Aviv, with Solana standing alongside. "I find myself challenged to convince the Israeli people that the European Union is a [diplomatic] partner we can trust," he said.
But Solana did not seem alarmed. "We will be involved whether you want us or not," the EU foreign policy chief told Shalom.
Source: Washington Post

Biased Media?
"I think we were mugged by Viacom, because they changed the release date of (Richard Clarke's) book and geared up 60 Minutes to launch his book to time them with his testimony and they edited his book to take out all of the criticisms of Clinton from his [original private] testimony. Because they wanted to make it a jihad against Bush." -9/11 Commissioner John Lehman

Still Heroes – let’s roll
U.S. investigators now believe that a hijacker in the cockpit aboard United Airlines Flight 93 instructed terrorist-pilot Ziad Jarrah to crash the jetliner into a Somerset County field because of a passenger uprising in the cabin. The government's findings -- laid out deep within the report on the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that was sent to Congress last month -- aim to resolve one of the enduring mysteries of the deadliest terror attacks in U.S. history: What happened in the final minutes aboard Flight 93? The FBI strenuously maintains that its analysis does not diminish the heroism of passengers who -- with the words "Let's roll" -- apparently rushed down the airliner's narrow aisle to try to overtake the hijackers.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Morons
Jodi Millar of Hermitage can handle periods of not hearing from her son, Tim, in Iraq.She can handle accidentally opening a letter he wrote to his father, a Gulf War vet. It described the dangers the 19-year-old faces when on point on patrol. But what has left her angry and discouraged is what happened last week. In response to words of support Millar had about her son on her van, vandals ''keyed'' it and left this message: ''F—- u.s.''
Unfortunately, the vandalism described is not an isolated incident. A local Marine mom — whose son was home recently — writes: ''He went to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. The young man working behind the counter asked my son if he was a Marine. He said 'yes,' and the young man thanked him for his service and talked to him along with other customers. (But) there was a table of young people who just glared at him. One of them, a rather large young man, walked over to my son and got in his face and said something about war not being the answer. The young man just kept on, and of course, he knew my son could not touch him.
''My son said an elderly man then stood up and raised his cane. He said, 'Back the hell off!' There was an eagle, globe and anchor tattoo on his arm. My son said it was great, this older Marine coming to his rescue. The young man backed off immediately. The sad part is this was a group of American youth. ''
Source: The Tennessean

A Big Standing Ovation
If the Boy Scouts gave out merit badges for perseverance, Sam Roe would have one more for his collection. As it stands, the newly minted Eagle Scout has 31, more than enough to earn Scouting's highest honor. But the badge-covered sash the 15-year-old wore yesterday during his Eagle Scout ceremony aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln told only part of the story. A very small part. Under Boy Scout rules, Roe, who was born with cerebral palsy, could have had special accommodations made for his physical disabilities while he fulfilled the requirements for Eagle Scout. But Roe, who wears a brace on his left leg and has little control of his left arm, wanted to earn his badges the same as all the other boys — without any concessions. To achieve the rank of Eagle, Scouts must earn at least 21 merits badges. Sam's 31 include those for rock climbing, wilderness survival and hiking. "It took him longer than some of the other boys, but he earned every badge the hard way," said Roe's father, Arne Roe, an assistant scoutmaster for Everett Boy Scout Troop 114. "When he earned his wilderness-survival badge, he had to build his own shelter out of sticks and branches and he stayed there all night. He really has got perseverance."
Source: The Seattle Times

Great musician…great American
Short-tempered country star Toby Keith doesn't back down from anything. He has feuded with the Dixie Chicks, quarreled with ABC anchorman Peter Jennings, stood up for rednecks, bashed the Taliban, and furthered his hawk credentials by taking a swipe at terrorists in the radio hit, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)."

But Keith has a confession to make. "People don't realize that I'm a registered Democrat," he says. "They automatically assume that I'm a chest-banging, war-drum-pounding Republican with my military stance."
Keith goes on to compare himself to Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut: "a conservative Democrat who is sometimes embarrassed for his party."
Source: Boston.com

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-07-26T01:07:00-05:00

First lady of Iowa insults Teresa Heinz
Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack, a key factor in John Kerry's primary sweep and the primetime convention speaker tomorrow, has derided blacks, southerners and easterners as bad speakers because she couldn't understand them.
In inflammatory columns for her local newspaper obtained by the Herald, the normally soft-spoken Vilsack tore into several minority and ethnic groups while lampooning non-midwesterners for regional dialects.
``I am fascinated at the way some African-Americans speak to each other in an English I struggle to understand, then switch to standard English when the situation requires,'' Vilsack wrote in a 1994 column in the Mount Pleasant News.
Source: Boston Herald

Meanwhile, Teresa Heinz who prides herself as being an African-American apparently didn’t say, “Shove it” to Mrs. Vilsack, just a reporter.

Iraqi PM tells Israel to Shove it and blames catch-22
Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said Monday that Baghdad will not make any moves to normalize relations with Israel before other Arabs do so as part of a Mideast settlement. The U.S.-backed prime minister, speaking to reporters at a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, also dismissed Arab press reports that Israel have established a presence in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion.
"Future relations with Israel are determined by two issues: international resolutions and a just and comprehensive peace that has been adopted by Arab leaderships, including the Palestinian leadership. Iraq will not take any unilateral action on a settlement with Israel outside those two frameworks," Allawi told reporters.
Source: Haaretz Daily

210,078 felons to be on the look out for
Of the 470,500 parolees discharged from supervision last year, 38 percent went back to jail for a new crime or a rule violation, with 9 percent becoming fugitives. About 95 percent of those on parole had been convicted of a felony.
Source: AP

French President says he is concerned about all of Europe especially French Farmers
Washington's senior trade negotiator has accused French President Jacques Chirac of hampering efforts to reach a global free trade accord, as EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels to forge their negotiating strategy. US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick has criticized Chirac's rejection of a draft framework to be discussed by World Trade Organization delegates in Geneva starting Tuesday. The Geneva talks are seen as crucial to reducing global trade barriers. The French president last week described the framework as detrimental to the interests of the European Union, most notably French farm subsidies.
Source: Deutsche Welle

Red Sox Nation is wicked cool
FOR AS LONG as politicians have been throwing out first pitches, fans have been booing them. So it was no surprise last night when the crowd at Fenway Park let Kerry have it. As soon as it was announced that Kerry would be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, the Boston faithful began booing.
This was somewhat surprising, since many people in the stands were carrying posters with "Team Kerry" and "For a Stronger America: Kerry-Edwards." After the initial wave of booing, some applause mixed in. Then Kerry threw a weak pitch from the grass in front of the mound. It bounced over home plate. The booing came back in force.
All was then quiet on the Kerry front until the 7th inning, when a woman waving a "Team Kerry" poster was put on the Jumbo-tron. The crowd instantly, and vigorously, booed again. Team Kerry shouldn't be overly concerned with the boo birds, but they might be a little worried about how uncomfortable Kerry seems with middle-America events, like sports.
Kerry has long claimed allegiance to the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Yet last week, ESPN's Peter Gammons reported that, Kerry claimed to be a big fan of "Manny Ortez." Having fused the names of Boston's two biggest sluggers, Kerry then compounded the error by correcting himself and saying he meant "David Ortez." No word on what either Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz thought of the slip up.
Source: Weekly Standard

What is going on here?
The office of the Pentagon Inspector General was bugged using a listening device, apparently left over from the eight years of the Bill Clinton Administration, a US media report said today, quoting classified papers.
The Washington Times quoted a Pentagon "info memo" from Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz's as saying: "On January 19, 2002, during a routine meeting with the Director of Security for the Department of Defence, it was reported to my staff and me that a potential 'listening device' was previously discovered in the infrastructure of the Department of Defence Inspector General."
"The DoD Directorate of Security conducted a routine sweep for electronic listening devices in certain areas of the ninth and tenth floors of the DoDIG on August 7, 2000. The sweep revealed that a wire had been installed inside the wall structure leading to and from the ninth and tenth floors of the DoDIG areas which comprise the Defence Criminal Investigative Service and the personnel office space of the Inspector General," the memo says.
Another touchy issue for Schmitz was that a series of internal memos from his staff showed that a Muslim who was employed as an auditor granted a "top secret" security clearance was not an American citizen. "He possesses a Social Security number tied to multiple confirmed aliases," a May 2002 memo said.
Source: the Hindu

A real quickie

tootboy — 2004-07-27T08:07:00-05:00

Bill O'Reilly invited Michael Moore onto his show last night. He promised him 8 minutes for tonight and we shall see if Mr. Moore keeps his promise.

The convention last night was strangely boring. No real insults or red herrings. Jimmy Carter is still a loon and Hillary's 4 minutes were more like 24 minutes. Bill was as energetic as possible. I still don't like the ex-presidents breaking the time honored tradition of not speaking about the current administration. Seems like Teddy Roosevelt is back.

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-07-27T04:07:00-05:00

WHAT A JOB! Where do I apply?
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS are having to pore through naked pictures of hundreds of exotic dancers to keep impostors out of Canada. Foreign strippers planning to table dance in clubs here must now provide photos of themselves with no clothes on to qualify for a visa for Canada, immigration officials say.
Source: Toronto Sun

Liar-Liar…car bomb on fire
Palestinian youth fabricates charges of abuse at checkpoint.
Says he was beaten after asking permission to pray. Defense officials say he admits to lying.
Source: Maarivintl

A religion of tolerance
Judaism's holiest site - was closed to Jews today in response to Muslim threats of violence if Jews were allowed to visit.
Source: Israel National News

What was Kerry thinking when he said this to Peter Jennings?
“I think there should be less violence and less sex. And when I talked about the heart and soul, I'm talking about the artistic expression. I'm talking about sort of the, I mean, I believe in the arts. I think that there's a great expression in it, and there's always this struggle. You know, does life imitate art or art imitate life? Which comes first? It's a little of both”

…And in France today the 1st same-sex marriage was annulled.
The Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat and his prime minister, Ahmed Qurei, hugged, kissed and settled their political dispute today with a pledge to pursue limited reforms that have been attempted previously without success.
Source: NY Times

Moore’s sampling not appreciated
Australian artist and filmmaker George Gittoes has objected to American Michael Moore's use of some of his work in the controversial movie Fahrenheit 9/11.
Mr Gittoes said today Mr Moore had incorporated about 17 selections from his own documentary film Soundtrack to War into Fahrenheit 9/11.
They depicted American soldiers and their music in Iraq.
"I was concerned of course for my soldiers because their interviews were taken out of context," Mr Gittoes told the Nine Network.
"There are about 17 scenes from my documentary in his film. I wouldn't go so far as to say he lifted (them). Michael got access to my stuff and assumed that I would be happy for it to be in 9/11. I would actually have been quite happy for it not to be in 9/11."
Source: The Age (Australia)

”A love once new has now grown old…”
The VIP room was crowded and the champagne flowed as Hillary Rodham Clinton moved her lips up to her husband's face. Bill Clinton puckered up gratefully, apparently believing the woman he married was greeting him with a smooch.
Not a chance.
Bill and Hillary Clinton breezed into town Sunday night, to a party thrown in their honor high atop an office building. They arrived separately.
They barely seemed to know one another.
Bill arrived before 9 p.m. and began holding court at one end of the VIP room. Hillary spotted him and wafted over to his side. And as I watched, in amazement, the pair who have been wed more than 20 years engaged in one of those embarrassing physical misunderstandings that usually occur between strangers.
Hillary leaned in to Bill's face, and he responded by giving her a little kiss. But Hillary completely bypassed her hubby's willing orifice, and instead moved her own maw up to his ear, into which she whispered, curtly, "That's John's brother."
Bill looked momentarily confused.
"John Kerry's brother!" she said sharply, and she pointed Bill in the direction of Cameron Kerry.
And then she was gone.
It was plain as the embarrassment on Bill Clinton's face. The power sinew that has joined this couple has changed.
Bill lingered in the VIP room for a long while, chatting, signing his memoir, posing for pictures.
Hillary spoke first. "Let me introduce you to Chelsea's father, a best-selling author, the man who taught the Democrats how to win again. A great, great president for the country we love . . . "
No mention of the fact she was married to him.
Source: NY Post

Kerry’s non Irish roots show through
US Presidential candidate John Kerry needs to get real about the political process in Northern Ireland, he was told today.
Democratic Unionist Assembly member Peter Weir lambasted the Democrats’ candidate for being out of touch with Northern Ireland politics after he vowed to do all he could to deliver the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
The North Down Assembly Member said, “Once again, Senator Kerry has shown himself to be out of touch with the realities of the Northern Ireland political situation.
“During the Democratic primaries, he erroneously pointed the finger of blame for the continued suspension of devolution at the Democratic Unionist Party whenever almost everyone has accepted the fact that Northern Ireland does not enjoy self-government because Sinn Fein/IRA have failed to divest themselves of terrorism, paramilitarism and criminality.
“Now, Senator Kerry has committed himself to working for the full implementation of an agreement that has been overwhelmingly rejected by the unionist electorate.
Source: Scotsman

Is 11 minutes of speech more damning than 18 ½ minutes of silence?
On Monday morning, the Kerry Spot referred to an 11-minute tape of Kerry’s statements on Iraq. The AP has referred to it as well.
The Bush backers who put it together call it a “powerful statement” about Kerry’s lack of leadership on the issue of how to handle Saddam Hussein.
What’s perhaps most damning about the video is the degree to which Kerry doesn’t seem to be straddling when he takes either the pro or anti-war position. When he is talking about the need to take action in 1998, 2001 or 2003, Kerry is forceful, decisive, aggressive. He indicates that an aggressive military stance is the only logical policy, and that those who disagree with him just don’t understand the seriousness of the threat.
Source: NRO
Iran tells Europe to Shove It…I wonder why?
Breaking an agreement with Europe's big powers, Iran has resumed building and installing equipment that can be used to make nuclear weaponry, diplomats said Monday.
The United States and its allies accuse Iran of working on a weapons program, something Tehran denies.
Under international pressure last year, the Islamic Republic agreed to stop enriching uranium and stop making assembling centrifuges, the equipment used for the enrichment process. In turn, France, Britain and Germany dangled the prospect of providing it with peaceful nuclear technology.
Source: Jerusalem Post

Double M and the Big O

tootboy — 2004-07-27T11:07:00-05:00

I will say that I give Michael Moore credit for going on the 'Factor' tonight. I thought he'd chicken out. So bravo to him.

I am not going to comment on the actual words between the two as you can read them on foxnews.com/oreilly or on drudgereport.com

I will say that I thought it was ironic that Michael Moore insisted that there be no edits in the tape (except for the 1 commercial break). Here's Moore who has made a nice living cutting and editing information so it appears however he'd like it to look and yet he was paranoid that O'Reilly would do it. Ironic or just self-conscious?

Tell Alanis that I used ironic in it's proper context. Don'tcha think?

P.S. I have a new respect for Ben Affleck after seeing him on the show. And the fact that he jumped from J. Lo to Jennifer Garner is just as impressive.

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-07-28T12:07:00-05:00

A feel good, goose-bump story
A lot of luck and a little bit of fate combined to make one baby's birth even more special than her parents thought it would be.
The story started in 1979, when one doctor delivered Jennifer Kemp and Thomas Jackson six hours apart at Kaiser Walnut Creek. Their health plan numbers are even consecutive.
Twenty years later, a mutual friend introduced the two and they married in 2000. Just before 2 p.m. Monday, as their second child was ready to be born, their lives came full circle.
Obstetrician Karen Rice, 61, still visits Kaiser roughly once a month and maintains her privileges.
"I was heading out and the nurse said she would like me to meet this patient," said Rice, who retired last year to volunteer in the Philippines and other parts of Asia after nearly 30 years at Kaiser.
"I went into the room and they told me I had delivered the parents. Then they asked, 'Would you like to do this delivery?'"
The Martinez couple was excited to see Rice.
"She just put down her purse and put on her gloves," said Jennifer Jackson.
"It was kind of cool," said her husband. "The doctor delivered my wife and the next baby born was me. Then almost 25 years later to the day, we're having our second child and that same doctor happens to be in the hospital.
Source: Contra Costa County

Purported Murderers are just lying thiefs
Activists from Fatah's armed wing have found a novel way of earning an easy living - they make false claims to Hezbollah paymasters in Lebanon about attempted terror attacks in Israel and the territories, and collect bonuses for such reports.
Military sources say senior Fatah officials, especially in the Qalqiliyah area, have invented what the sources call a "Palestinian sting."
The activists send mendacious reports to Hezbollah about sending terrorists into action, and claim the attack went wrong or missed the target. In reality there was no attack nor even an attempted attack for which the Palestinians file a false report. Hezbollah has apparently fallen for the trick several times and paid for attacks that never happened.
Source: Haaretz

Vote Kerry if you want to save the New Hampshire primary
BOSTON — Bill Shaheen said yesterday he was “very nervous” about the future of the New Hampshire primary if Democrats do not win this year’s Presidential election. Speaking here before a reception honoring his wife, former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, Bill Shaheen said pressure from big Democratic states like Michigan and New York to change the system means an uncertain future for the state’s primary. If President Bush is reelected, Shaheen called the prospects “worrisome.”
Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has pledged to protect the New Hampshire primary’s unique place.
Source: Union Leader

Terrorist news from the Israeli front
Iran threatened on Monday to "wipe Israel off the globe" if Israel were to attack Iran's nuclear program. It is not clear if the Arrow can also intercept Iran's Shihab-3 missiles, which are not only faster than Scuds, but could also be armed with chemical or nuclear warheads. Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz said that Teheran had "broken all the rules" when it reneged on its commitment to suspend production of nuclear centrifuge equipment, used in the production of enriched uranium - a prime ingredient for an atomic bomb. He said that international pressure against Iran's nuclear ambitions could obviate the need for a military operation.

In related news, IDF Intelligence Chief Gen. Ze'evi-Farkash revealed this week that Syria had recently supplied the Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon with improved, Syrian-made katyusha rockets. The unguided missiles have a range of at least 130 kilometers, enabling them to reach as far as Hadera and Netanya
-also-
The Knesset today voted on a preliminary reading of a bill sponsored by MK (National Union) Prof. Aryeh Eldad that calls for stopping Bituah Leumi (National Insurance Institute) payments to families of terrorists.

Eldad explained his bill is intended to bring an end to the “absurd situation in which the government provides financial assistnace to families of persons who seek to harm citizens of the country.”
Source: Israel Now

Moore backpedaling?
CNSNews.com asked Moore on Tuesday if he still believed that President Bush was directly involved in approving the flights of Saudi Arabian citizens out of the U.S., given Richard Clarke's admission that he alone authorized the flights. Clarke is a former White House counter-terrorism official and a Bush critic.
"What I said in the film (Fahrenheit 9/11) was that the White House authorized it. Richard Clarke worked for the president, he was part of the White House and he took the word of the FBI," Moore told CNSNews.com, following his fiery speech to a "Take Back America" event, organized by the Campaign for America's Future.
But Moore's response on Tuesday differed significantly from his earlier allegations that Bush took time out of his day on September 11 to contemplate what he could "do to help the bin Ladens."
Moore ended his speech with a message to Sen. John Kerry:

"Here's my plea to the Democrats and to Mr. Kerry. You will not win this election by being weak-kneed and wimpy and wishy-washy and lacking the courage of your conviction," he said.

"Push for the liberal progressive agenda that the majority of America already agree with," he added.
Source: CNS News

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-07-29T05:07:00-05:00

Shooting the fat about Arafat could get you shot
A longtime critic of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has had his leg amputated in a German hospital after being shot by gunmen at his West Bank home.
They said Nabil Amr's right leg was amputated from the knee down due to severe nerve and muscle damage from two bullets fired through a window of his Ramallah home minutes after his return from a television interview during which he criticised Mr Arafat.
Source: SMH.com.au

Another reason to vote to re-elect…
The Arab and Iranian press have increasingly discussed the upcoming American presidential election. Most journalists are pulling for a Kerry victory.

But isn’t Heinz kosher?
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon treats US President George W. Bush warmly, while his attitude toward Democratic candidate Senator John Kerry can be described as "cold", officials from Kerry's headquarters said.
Sharon's attitude toward the two may have an effect on the vote of US Jews in the coming November elections, officials told Army Radio Thursday morning.
Kerrry's people said that one example illustrating Sharon's "preference" is his avoiding meeting Kerry in the past. They added that vice premier Ehud Olmert, Sharon's right-hand man, had been quoted recently as saying, "Jews in America prefer Bush to Kerry."
Source: Jerusalem Post

-meanwhile-

From CBS News: Just 10 days after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon enraged French leaders by urging France's Jews to leave for Israel, a group of 200 French Jews arrived to start a new life in the Jewish state, with Sharon at the airport to greet them.

As one émigré told CBS News Correspondent Mark Philips: You wear something to say you are Jewish and you have difficulty. We are afraid. It's simply that we are afraid."

North Korea finds out that some have escaped the asylum
Communist North Korea accused the South Thursday of committing "a terrorist crime" when it brought in more than 450 North Korean refugees from Southeast Asia in secretive flights this week.
The North Korean body, which handles ties with South Korea, broke its silence a day after the end of a two-day operation that brought the largest arrival of refugees from the North since the 1950-53 Korean War. Seoul cloaked the exodus in secrecy partly to avoid provoking Pyongyang.
Source: Reuters

the DNC

tootboy — 2004-07-30T12:07:00-05:00

Kerry came through with a much better speech than I expected. I had low expectations as Kerry is generally a very boring speaker. But he had some umph tonight. Good for him. I won't comment on the words because you know how I feel about that...

As the rest of the DNC night was a snooze fest luckily the WB has a new show called Blue Collar TV with Jeff Foxworthy and the rest of his Blue Collar tour team. Very funny show. It encores Friday night.

These conventions are so boring probably because the more nutty or passionate members of the parties are not allowed to speak and when they do their speeches are edited tightly.

Let the nuts speak and let them be themselves.

Terror Threats are no sweat

tootboy — 2004-08-02T12:08:00-05:00

So there is credible evidence that some one wants to take down the buildings of NY again. The Citicorp Building, the Fed Reserve, Met Life building, the Chrysler Building, etc. Does this bother me? Absolutely...but no more than usual. Everyday I travel 1 and 1/2 hours into NYC. I travel thru Penn Station, the subways and past Grand Central Station. I am surrounded by thousands of people and millions of tons of infrastructure. Or as the terrorists call it: The pot at the end of the rainbow.

I am scared everyday. I go about my business with a wary eye out scanning for anything. My heart leaps at every siren or plane flying overhead. The sunnier the day the more nervous I am.

Am I more nervous now?

No.

Now that everyone is on alert I actually feel a little safer. In my heart they are going to strike when we least expect it.

SO this week, the coast should be clear.
Next week, I'm worried.
By the time the convention comes, I'll feel safer again.
But the next week as everything calms down, my fear increases.

Then there's the anniversary of Sept 11th. Alert level up, my level down. Then the Jewish holidays, alert level up...

It's a roller coaster. I don't fear that I'm going to die. The life insurance was just increased. And my family knows I love them. And I know they love me.

I fear that I won't do the right thing. Will I do the right thing when the time comes? Will I rush in to save someone? Will I be able to withstand seeing the body parts and blood and whatever I cannot imagine? Will I run away or run towards the wreakage? Will I remain calm or...? Will I be trapped and be able to relax another's fears?

I pray I'll know what to do and that I will be steered in the right direction whatever that is.

I also know that if I were a coward I'd stay home. Just going in everyday does take courage.

Actually just facing life everyday is courage enough for most of us.

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-08-03T11:08:00-05:00

John Kerry threatens Massachusetts that he’ll go back to work
John Kerry, who has only showed up for work 4 times in 2004, said yesterday Bush should immediately call a special session of Congress to implement the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission, and he said he would interrupt his campaigning to be there for debate and voting "when necessary."
"When we are at war, we need to do the things that make us safe rapidly, immediately," Kerry said. "If there is something that will make America safer, it should be done now, not tomorrow." This of course contradicts his Jan 30th notion at the Democratic presidential debate that the threat of terrorism has been exaggerated.
"I think there has been an exaggeration," Mr. Kerry said when asked whether President Bush has overstated the threat of terrorism. "They are misleading all Americans in a profound way."
"It's just hard for me to see how you can say there's an exaggeration when thousands of people lost their lives on September 11," Sen. John Edwards said.

The EU bares its gums
An EU team of military and civilian experts will today (3 August) head to the troubled area of Darfur in Sudan to assess ways of implementing a ceasefire, according to Agence France Presse.
The team will be in Sudan for five days and will visit the capital Khartoum as well as the war-torn region in the West of the country.
An aide to the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Javier Solana told AFP, "The goal is to assess how the EU can help the African Union in strengthening the existing ceasefire monitoring mission".
International pressure is growing on Sudanese authorities to rein in Arab Janjaweed militiamen, who stand accused of slaughtering black Sudanese in Darfur.
At a recent meeting of EU foreign ministers, the Union made it clear to Sudan's government that sanctions would be considered if the violence does not cease.
And the United Nations Security Council last week threatened "international measures" if the militia were not reined in.

At least we’ll always have McDonald’s
The French are scared. Scared they are losing their place in the world. Afraid that no one will notice them anymore.
According to Boston.com, “The most frustrating aspect appears to be the waning influence of the French language. The French obsess about this and seem offended that the de facto official language in the European Union is clearly English. A European Commission report found that 83 percent of its officials and staff speak English and only 24 percent speak French.
The French have reacted defensively. In May, the National Assembly issued a resolution on preserving the use of French in EU institutions, urging the body to pump millions of dollars into French lessons for officials and staff.”
At least they have some things going for them. 3 Starbucks have just been built in Paris, meanwhile, France represents 10% of McDonald’s new worldwide openings.

Daddy’s little Girl...sugar and spice and everything evil
My only request is that my father get a fair trial", Raghad Hussein, daughter of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussen, told Israeli journalist Dafna Barak in an interview published today by the London based Arabic-language daily al-Sharq al-Awsat.
Raghad, 36, now living in Amman, complained to Barak that her father's lawyers were requesting exorbitant fees, and she expressed a desire to hire an American lawyer. Barak then suggested a few names, one of them Jewish-sounding. "Excellent, but he's Jewish", responded Saddam's daughter. "You must understand that my father would never allow it. I don't judge people, but I cannot cooperate with Jews".
Raghad also praised her two brothers, Udai and Kusai, who were killed by US forces about a year ago in Mosul. She said that her younger sister Hala has yet to recover from their death. “They fought till the last moment. I am proud of them”.
Source: Maarivintl

Whites not permitted? Reverse Racism in Boulder
Students at the University of Colorado at Boulder can take the popular "School and Society" course on Fridays — as long as they're not white.
That particular section is reserved for "students of color," according to a course description. It is also open to those of any race who are first-generation college students. Other students can take the course, which is a requirement for education majors, but during a different period.
University officials say the restricted class offers minority students "a much safer and open environment" in which to discuss issues of race, gender and class. But some students say the course represents a disturbing throwback to the days of "separate but equal" education.
Source: Washington Times

Kerry & the swift boat commanders

tootboy — 2004-08-03T11:08:00-05:00

John Kerry will be assailed by his fellow swift boat vets in the new book Unfit for Command coming out 8/15.

For the record this story has little meaning for me and it should have little meaning for the election. What happened during the Vietnam War 38 years ago when John Kerry was a basically a kid should have no effect on his electability.

The only reason this story has legs is because John kerry has made his service in Vietnam the biggest reason he has given people to vote for him.

He never speaks about his service as a congressman, Lt. Governor or Senator. 30 years as a politician is ignored by him.

To me, it's those 30 years that needs to be spotlighted to decide if he is fit for command not his 4 month service in Vietnam.

To me it's those 30 years that Kerry is ignoring that makes me believe he is unfit for command and not his 4 month service in Vietnam.

Singles and Married

tootboy — 2004-08-03T11:08:00-05:00

Has anyone seen the idiocy going on between the people who are single and want fair and equal treatment to married people?

These fights don't do anything but raise everyone's taxes, make prices go up, and make lawyers rich.

Everyone is looking to see what they can get out of the government. It's amazing.
Everyone feels unappreciated.

They want to sue insurance companies that 'discriminate' against single people. Do they realize that insurance companies are businesses that create policies based on generalizations. Fighting them will in the end hurt us all.

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-08-04T02:08:00-05:00

Shouldn’t we let the people decide for themselves by voting on it? Some Judges don’t think so
Here are 2 different stories on gay marriages.
Gay couples can be married under Washington state law, because denying their right to do so is a violation of their constitutional rights, a judge ruled Wednesday.
"The denial to the plaintiffs of the right to marry constitutes a denial of substantive due process," King County Superior Court Judge William L. Downing said in his ruling. [Source: SF Gate]
Missouri voters solidly endorsed a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, a decision that was closely watched by national groups on both sides of the battle.
With nearly all precincts reporting, the amendment had garnered 71 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results for Tuesday's vote. It was the first such vote since the historic ruling in Massachusetts last year that legalized same-sex weddings there. [Source APNews]

To Do List
The "Anti-terror to-do list." from the NY Post has these 4 suggestions:
· Tracking trucks and tankers
· Profiling Hazmat drivers
· Monitoring ammonium nitrate sales
· Border security now

Good news. Now we’ll get to see which daffy Hollywood star bought all the bunk
Fahrenheit 9/11 won't be disqualified from Oscar's documentary race after all. On Tuesday, as TV guide reported that the pictures faced possible disqualification because it ran on Cuba's state-run television, and Academy rules say a feature film can't air on the small screen within nine months of its release. That ban apparently doesn't apply to pictures that have been pirated.

Ah, trial lawyers strike again
Rising malpractice insurance rates forced Carolyn McCormick, MD 57, into early retirement Wednesday.
And when she closed her Elm Street office, thousands of patients - she's not sure exactly how many - lost not only a trusted physician, but a friend as well.
"So many of my patients have come in crying, in total disbelief that this is happening," said McCormick, whose office employed two people besides herself. "I have patients who have been with me for 25 years.”
McCormick shares not only the pain of her patients, but also their disbelief. She had heard for years that rising malpractice rates were hitting doctors across the nation and forcing them into early retirement, but she had always thought it affected only physicians practicing in high-risk fields such as surgery and obstetrics - not family practitioners.
"I found out two months ago my insurance rates were going up from about $8,000 to about $19,000," McCormick said. "I can't afford that. And then, the insurance company came back and told me they were dropping me from coverage because of a lawsuit from six years ago. I couldn't believe it."
The lawsuit came from an "unattached" patient - a patient she treated while working at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in 1997. According to McCormick, the 60-year-old patient was suffering from a serious bowel condition that was made worse because she was a smoker who was in poor health otherwise. The patient died about two weeks after McCormick saw her, and the patient's daughter sued both McCormick and the surgeon who had operated on her.
The daughter won a $100,000 judgment against McCormick for pain and suffering from her mother's death. The money was paid by McCormick's insurance company.
"I came to North Carolina and Robeson County specifically because I wanted to help American Indians," said McCormick, a native of Iowa who attended medical school at the University of Iowa. "My patients are about 30 percent white, 30 percent black and 30 percent Lumbee. That's part of the appeal of my job - working with all these diverse people."
Source: The Robesonian

“Mosul Fighting Kills 12; Hostages Freed”
Isn’t this a misleading AP headline. The hostages were rescued by the Iraqi police. When I hear ‘freed’ I think released or at least a voluntarily let go. This wasn’t the case. It just makes the terrorists less terrorizing.

Drone on and on and on and while you’re at it, get rid of Humane borders
A pilot program that uses unmanned aerial drones to monitor illegal activity along the Arizona-Mexico border is gaining momentum, border officials say.
Two Hermes 450 drones, which were launched over Arizona on June 25, use thermal and night-vision equipment to spot illegal immigrants trying to cross the desert into the United States. They can detect movement from 15 miles up, read a license plate, view a vehicle's occupants and even detect weapons.
The drone program, which is financed by the Department of Homeland Security, is part of stepped-up surveillance officials hope will stem the tide of illegal immigrants who have made Arizona the busiest illegal entry point along the 2,000-mile border with Mexico.
In 39 days of surveillance of the border, the drones have led to the apprehension of 248 illegal immigrants. The drones also have led to the seizure of 518 pounds of marijuana and two vehicles used for immigrant smuggling.
Whether drones will be used permanently along the nation's borders won't be decided until at least 2006.
Elizabeth Ohmann, secretary and founder of Humane Borders, which has placed more than 50 water stations in the desert to aid illegal immigrants, said the group does not support using the aircraft to monitor the desert.
"It's another step toward militarization of the border," she said. "There are other ways that it could be handled."
Source: Tucson Citizen

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-08-05T04:08:00-05:00

The NY Times may be starting to get it
Headline: Qaeda Strategy Is Called Cause for New Alarm
Read the article

What is Jesse Jackson’s friend up to?
The senior Al Qaeda operative captured in Pakistan last week met with former Liberian president Charles Taylor in the years before and after Sept. 11, 2001, and received refuge from the former US ally while planning further terrorist operations, according to US intelligence officials and United Nations investigators.
The officials and investigators also painted a picture of Liberia under Taylor as a haven for Al Qaeda, and raised new questions about why the United States waited so long to support Taylor's ouster and continues to refrain from using its influence to bring him before a UN war crimes tribunal.
Source: Boston.com

The NY Times debates who is black and who isn’t
Scott L. Malcomson, writing in Sunday's New York Times, declares that Barack Obama, the Democratic Senate nominee from Illinois, "is not black in the usual way." To bolster his argument, he cited an article in the New Republic by Noam Scheiber, who voiced the opinion that Obama is "not stereotypically African-American."
How is one black "in the usual way"? What does it mean to be "stereotypically African-American"?
Malcomson tried to explain by emphasizing Obama's mixed-race heritage -- his father is a black Kenyan, his mother a white Kansan. He pointed out that Obama was raised by his mother and her parents in Hawaii, as opposed to being brought up in a black household. He argued that Obama's keynote address at the Democratic National Convention last week "did not . . . sound the familiar notes of African-American politics."
After noting that Obama identifies himself as a black man, Malcomson seemed to be trying to prove that the Senate candidate is mistaken about his own identity. "[W]hile he is black, he is not the direct product of generations of black life in America: he is not black in the usual way," Malcomson wrote. I wonder: Is there a "usual way" to be white?
Source: WaPo

Is Gore, Nadar and Bush different in Espanola?
The U.S. Department of Justice and Ventura County settled a complaint alleging the county election division violated the voting rights of Hispanics by failing to provide enough Spanish-language ballot materials.
Source: SF Gate

Someone needs to introduce Viagra to the Japanese
Japan's population rose by only 0.11 percent during the year ending March 31, the lowest-ever population increase since surveys began in 1968, a government report has shown. Compared to the year before, the population rose by 135,802 people, an increase of 0.11 percent.
Source: Mainichi Daily News

Unfortunately, there are many reasons for this…
Arab and Muslim Australians are the victims of increasing vilification and violence because of the "moral panic" perpetuated by politicians and some sections of the media, a new book says.
Source: SMH.com.au

Honey, Get the horse and buggy…we’re going to vote
The Amish live without electricity, cars, telephones, and usually, without voting. But they are being sought out this year as Republicans try to sign up every possible supporter in presidential battleground states.
Amish almost always side with the Republican Party when they do vote - making them an attractive, if unlikely, voting bloc in the neck-and-neck campaign between President Bush and Democratic nominee John Kerry. A majority of the nation's Amish live in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Source: TIMESLEADER, PA

Hmmm…what else WOULD he be doing?
According to this article about Germany’s worries about Iran’s nuclear activity there is a picture with this caption, “Iran's top nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani wants to negotiate”. Well, duh! Either way, Germany and the EU’s sharp gums are worthless. Hey, EU, Thanks for playing “Woooorld politics!” Now go back to sleep.

US-Mexico Border: Safe from the US military since 1878
Congress should repeal the 126-year-old act prohibiting the military from enforcing laws on U.S. soil and put troops on the U.S.-Mexico border, congressional candidate Randy Graf told about 40 supporters yesterday.
Source: Tucson Citizen

What a surprise…they’re Muslims!
Srinagar, India - Nine Indian policemen were killed and eight injured in an attack on their camp by suspected Muslim militants in the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, police said on Thursday.
Militants stormed their way into the camp of India's Central Reserve Police Force in the uptown Raj Bagh area of Srinagar around 20:50 on Wednesday.
One policeman was killed instantly while two others later died in hospital, a police spokesperson said.
Source: News 24-South Africa

What a bigger surprise…they’re Muslims too
Srinagar, India - Suspected Islamic rebels decapitated a woman in Indian Kashmir and left her head hanging in a tree, police said on Thursday, adding that six other people were killed in the restive state.
Police were investigating the motive for the beheading of Shameema Akhter near the town of Tral, 40km south of the Kashmiri summer capital Srinagar, a police spokesperson said.

THE DAILYS!

tootboy — 2004-08-06T12:08:00-05:00

He should have taken the deal…I’m glad now that he didn’t
U.S. forces have killed about 300 Iraqi militants loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in the past two days of fighting around the city of Najaf, south of Baghdad, Reuters reported, citing a U.S. military officer.

Foot Fetishes go Dutch
Toe-licking could become a criminal offense in the Netherlands after a man who licked the toes of several women was released by police without charges. The toe-licker, whose name was not released, was arrested in Rotterdam earlier this week after a woman who had been sunbathing said he unexpectedly licked her bare foot.
Other women had also complained, and the 35-year-old man has reportedly been pursuing his fetish for years, but prosecutors in Rotterdam said they are powerless to stop him.
Source: SF Gate

I’d love to believe this, unfortunately the Gov’t is run by politicians
Speaking on CNBC's Capital Report Wednesday night, Republican Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas said President Bush is committed to "a growth platform" for the coming campaign, and predicted "you'll start hearing him talk about a flat tax, really getting the tax code out of so much impact over people's lives." That fits with recent comments by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who writes in his new book, "Speaker," that an important goal for the next four years should be changing "our present tax system and adopting a flat tax, a national sales tax, an ad valorem tax, or a VAT (value-added tax)."
Source: WSJ

You wanted it…you got it…
The White House distanced itself from a commercial by a controversial veterans' group that accuses Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry (news - web sites) of lying about his service in Vietnam.
"We have been very clear in stating that, you know, we will not and we have not and we will not question Senator Kerry's service in Vietnam," spokesman Scott McClellan said as US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) made a campaign stop here.

Kerry and his hindsight

tootboy — 2004-08-06T01:08:00-05:00

John Kerry, has been a guest several times on Larry King Live...
Here are several important comments made by him. Note: The ellipses are mine but I have not edited any comment.

About the events of 9-11 , interviewed that same day 9-11-01 :
"We have always known this could happen. We've warned about it. We've talked about it. I regret to say, as -- I served on the Intelligence Committee up until last year. I can remember after the bombings of the embassies, after TWA 800, we went through this flurry of activity, talking about it, but not really doing hard work of responding.

We need to do that now and I'm confident that the size of this, the nature of this loss and the nature of this attack are going to motivate everybody to come together to do that. And I think that's imperative. And we also, I think, Larry -- I was heartened by the president's comments tonight. We need to make certain that those countries that sponsor terrorism, that support it, that harbor these fugitive are as much a part of the problem as those who engage in the terrorist acts themselves. And we need to make certain as a country we respond to that. Boldly and bravely -- not recklessly -- but boldly."

On Afghanistan and Iraq and Saddam:
"Oh, I think we clearly have to keep the pressure on terrorism globally. This doesn't end with Afghanistan by any imagination. And I think the president has made that clear. I think we have made that clear. Terrorism is a global menace. It's a scourge. And it is absolutely vital that we continue, for instance, Saddam Hussein. I think we...

KING: We should go to Iraq?
KERRY: Well, that -- what do you and how you choose to do it, we have a lot of options. Absent smoking gun evidence linking Saddam Hussein to the immediate events of September 11, the president doesn't have the authorization to proceed forward there.
But we clearly are he ought to proceed to put pressure on him with respect to the weapons of mass destruction. I think we should be supporting an opposition. There are other ways for us, clandestinely and otherwise, to put enormous pressure on him and I think we should do it."

Referring to where he was on 9/11:
"KING: Where were you on 9/11?

HEINZ KERRY: You know, it's very interesting. I landed at National Airport less than 12 hours before, coming from Pennsylvania, where I was doing a prescription drugs thing -- meeting. And I came in from Pittsburgh, landed at National, and that's the last time I landed at National for quite a while.

KING: How'd you hear about it?

HEINZ KERRY: I was at home in Washington. I had just come in and I got a call...

KERRY: I think I called.

HEINZ KERRY: And they said, look at the TV. I looked at the TV and I couldn't believe it.

KING: Where were you?

KERRY: I was in the Capitol. We'd just had a meeting -- we'd just come into a leadership meeting in Tom Daschle's office, looking out at the Capitol. And as I came in, Barbara Boxer and Harry Reid were standing there, and we watched the second plane come in to the building. And we shortly thereafter sat down at the table and then we just realized nobody could think, and then boom, right behind us, we saw the cloud of explosion at the Pentagon. And then word came from the White House, they were evacuating, and we were to evacuate, and so we immediately began the evacuation."

Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0407/08/lkl.00.html
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0112/14/lkl.00.html
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0109/11/lkl.00.html

Hindsight is 20/20 but so are transcripts and timelines. John Kerry wants to complain about 7 minutes? He sat stunned after the attacks-- in his own words ‘unable to think’ for at least 42 minutes until he was ‘told to evacuate.’
Not only that but he doesn't remember (nor does she) if he called her.
I was across the street from the WTC and I can clearly remember what I did that morning.

Kerry's Senate record. I need YOUR help

tootboy — 2004-08-07T10:08:00-05:00

Convex and I have been having many multi-layered conversations. I have quite enjoyed them as Convex is not only a good debater but also openminded, has a sense of humor and can take a joke. (Don't get any crazy ideas convex. I'm married. LOL.)

Anyway, we've talked about Kerry and the swift boat vets that are coming forward to shed their perspective on Kerry's service in Vietnam. Convex and I, I think, have agreed that although this is an interesting story, it should have not correlation on whether or not Kerry is fit for command.

I have stated that although Kerry doesn't seem to want to speak about it, he has been in the US Senate for 20 years. He usually spends his time talking about his 4 months in Vietnam.
I believe it is his record and role as a Senator that has made him unfit to be commander in chief. Hate Bush or Love Bush or unsure, we still need to know what kind of commander of chief Kerry would be if elected based on his Senatoral service.

I am planning to write about Kerry's service as Massachusetts senator. I'd like to ask everyone's help. If you have any information regarding Kerry's performance as Senator (I don't care if it's a plus or minus) please send it to me. I'll compile it up. Thanks!

TOOT'S DAILIES!

tootboy — 2004-08-09T12:08:00-05:00

Good, then we will know when we can stop shooting
Headline in St. Petersburg Times: Iraq Cleric Vows Fight to Death Vs. U.S.

Never missing a chance to miss a chance
Arab countries said Sunday that Sudan needs more time to end the crisis in its troubled Darfur region, where Arab militias, said to be backed by the government, are accused of killing thousands of African villagers. The 22-member Arab League, which held an emergency meeting Sunday in Cairo on Darfur, also rejected "threats of military intervention in the region or imposing any sanctions on Sudan."
Source: Chicago Tribune

Kerry’s Iraq plan is MIA according to the USA today
Here’s the article

A fashionable protest
Over the next few weeks, more than 1,000 Bay Area activists and artists will head to New York to raise a ruckus around the upcoming Republican National Convention. And already they've been given a fashion tip for Big Apple protesting. Even though it's chic in Manhattan to wear black, protesters are being told to forget it. Instead, try khaki. Or as one convention protest Web site put it, "business casual" to blend in better with the Republican protest targets.
Yet most aren't going to New York to show their devotion to Kerry, the Democratic nominee. His candidacy elicits little more than a shrug from most, and a few activists loathe electoral politics so much that they won't even vote in November.
Source: SF Gate

Rally around Bill
Later this month, Bill Cosby will meet with local leaders and authorities in Springfield, Mass., to help put together a rally against street violence. The comedian, whose son was murdered while changing a tire on an L.A. freeway in 1997, has a home just 50 miles outside of Springfield.
Source: TV Guide

Yeah, that’s right…Blame the old people
The biggest threat to November's presidential election is not balky voting machines or a terrorist attack, but the potential for confusion and mistakes by the nation's aging corps of 1.5 million precinct poll workers, federal election officials say. The current corps of poll workers is well short of the 2 million needed for a national election. The average age of a U.S. poll worker is 72, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. "If they don't get it right, someone could be denied their opportunity to vote," says Paul DeGregorio, one of four members of the commission.
Source: USA Today

TOOT'S DAILIES!

tootboy — 2004-08-10T08:08:00-05:00

Saddam’s Home Movies
Enjoy these home movies of Saddam and his friends playing what must be party games in Iraq. Turn the sound up, grab some popcorn, and watch.
Fun Flick 1
Amusing Movie 2

133,000 more than John McEnroe
In his talk show debut on CNBC, Howard Dean bombed with just 133,000 viewers at 8pm on Sunday night.
Source: Drudgereport

So what happened to "Two Americas"?

"There is a segment of the campaign, and it's growing by the day, that doesn't think that speech is working very well," says a Kerry adviser. "In fact, we'd like it ditched. The problem is Edwards loves it. Kerry loves it. And the media really buys into it and promotes it for us. We just don't think the voters buy it."
Source: American Spectator

Look for the price of Tuna to go up
In a victory for environmentalists, a federal judge ruled Tuesday that the Bush administration cannot change the standards commercial fisheries must meet before the tuna they catch may carry the "dolphin-safe" label.
Source: SF Gate

Pelosi admits that politicians are not good for the safety of America
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi stands opposed to the nomination of Rep. Peter Goss (R-Fla.), an eight-term congressman and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, to head the CIA, but just two months ago, Pelosi pledged to support Goss for the position.
On Tuesday Pelosi suggested Goss is too "political" to be named director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
"But I will say what I said before is that there shouldn't - a person should not be the director of central intelligence who's acted in a very political way when we're dealing with the safety of the American people," she told CNN.
"Intelligence has to be the gathering and analysis and dissemination of information, of intelligence, without any political, any politics involved at all," Pelosi added.
But on June 5, 2004, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported Pelosi saying that if Goss were nominated for the post, she would support him, having worked closely with Goss during the congressional investigation into the Sept. 11 attacks.
The newspaper reported Pelosi as saying whoever replaces CIA Director George Tenet "needs to be independent of political pressure" and Goss, having worked for the CIA before being elected to the House of Representatives, has shown that ability as chairman of the House Intelligence panel.
Source: Cnsnews

I use “Colloquialism”s “every day”. Don’t we all?
Mary Ann Knowles is the Hudson woman whose battle with breast cancer Kerry has turned into a campaign anecdote. Here is what Kerry said about Knowles during his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on July 29: “What does it mean when Mary Ann Knowles, a woman with breast cancer I met in New Hampshire, had to keep working day after day right through her chemotherapy, no matter how sick she felt, because she was terrified of losing her family’s health insurance? America can do better. And help is on the way.”
What it means is that John Kerry is fibbing. As Union Leader correspondent Scott Brooks reported on Sunday, Mary Ann Knowles did not have to work through her chemotherapy for fear of losing her health insurance. Employed by Elderhostel, the Boston-based non-profit travel organization for people 55 and older, Mary Ann had 26 weeks of paid disability at her disposal. More was available for a long-term illness. She did not have to work through her chemotherapy. She chose to.Knowles would have lost some income had she taken the disability leave, said her husband, who is unemployed. But she would not have lost her health insurance, as Kerry has repeatedly misstated.
Asked if the Kerry campaign bothered to get the details of Knowles’ personal story, spokeswoman Judy Reardon said Kerry’s use of the words “every day” in describing Knowles story was “a colloquialism.” She went on: “When a woman has a mastectomy and goes through therapy, I don’t need to double-check on her.” In other words, Kerry knowingly used the words “every day” when he did not mean “every day,” and he used the phrase: “she still has to go to work every day — just to hang on to their health insurance” when she did not have to work every day and was in no danger of losing her health insurance.
Source: The Union Leader, New Hampshire

Biggest story of the day and probably week

tootboy — 2004-08-11T12:08:00-05:00

Yeah, I know there are new terror threats and the election campaign is fun to watch but this has to be item #1:
From the NY Times:

Citing concerns about terrorists crossing the nation's land borders, the Department of Homeland Security announced today that it planned to give border patrol agents sweeping new powers to deport illegal aliens from the frontiers abutting Mexico and Canada without providing the aliens the opportunity to make their case before an immigration judge.

The move, which will take effect this month, represents a broad expansion of the authority of the thousands of law enforcement agents who currently patrol the nation's borders. Until now, border patrol agents typically delivered undocumented immigrants to the custody of the immigration courts, where judges determined whether they should be deported or remain in the United States.

Homeland Security officials described the immigration courts — which hear pleas for asylum and other appeals to remain in the country — as sluggish and cumbersome, saying illegal immigrants often wait more than a year before being deported, straining the capacity of detention centers and draining critical resources. Under the new system, immigrants will typically be deported within eight days of their apprehension, officials said.

Immigration legislation passed in 1996 allows the immigration service to deport certain groups of illegal aliens without judicial oversight, but until now the agency only permitted officials at the nation's airports and seaports to do so. The new rule will apply to illegal aliens caught within 100 miles of the Mexican and Canadian borders who have spent 14 days or less within the United States. The border agents will focus on deporting third-country nationals, rather than Mexicans or Canadians, and they are expected to begin exercising their new powers on Aug. 24 in Tucson and Laredo, Tex.

TOOT'S DAILIES!

tootboy — 2004-08-11T01:08:00-05:00

The perfect place to drop politicians
Cave explorers discovered a pit inside a mountain range in central Croatia believed to have the world's deepest subterranean vertical drop, at nearly 1,700 feet, a scientific institute reported Monday. The cave, in Croatia's mountainous Velebit region, has a steady, weaving descent of 203 feet before it takes a direct vertical plunge of 1,693 feet through the ground, said Ana Sutlovic Baksic, a researcher at the Velebit Speleological Society. The cave's widest stretch is about 100 feet.
Source: CNN

Swiftees v. Kerry
The Swift boat Vets v. John Kerry is still interesting. While the mainstream media continues to ignore the claims of the vets themselves, while only noting the denouncements by those siding with the Senator, I will continue to note the voices of the swiftboat vets. Not because I want to defame the Senator’s record; far from it. This story should have no effect on the election. But to sit back, watch the bickering of 2 groups that have nothing to do with me is fun. No one said I didn’t have a little devil in me. This story has legs as Kerry’s forces are looking not just discredit the vets but also sue them. Get a chair and a bag of chips.
Legal Terrorism
Kerry’s “Christmas in Cambodia

Superman, Super Freak, Super Train, Super Bowl, and Super Coffee?
Scientists in Brazil have decoded the genetic structure of the country's best-known product, coffee.
He proclaimed that Brazil would use the genetic code to create a super-coffee, richer in taste, more aromatic and resistant to disease and frost.
"We are going to create a super-coffee that everyone can benefit from eventually," Mr Rodrigues told reporters in Brasilia.
Source: BBC

The Daily News is waking up
Daily News editorial called : John Kerry’s weapons of Mass Distraction

The one war the French and the American left wanted...won’t go away
Five years ago, American air power took the province of Kosovo away from Serbia.
The United Nations was put in charge of Kosovo's administration and NATO was assigned to stop violence between the Albanian Muslim and Serb Christian populations. The previous administration was widely praised for its foreign policy "achieve- ment."
Hindsight is 20/20, however, and things don't look nearly as good now.
For one thing, the "ethnic cleansing" of Serbs is still taking place. Albanians went on a rampage this spring, for example, leaving 35 Christian monasteries and hundreds of homes in ruin. Nine- teen died, and 900 were injured.
Witnesses say Greek and Italian peacekeepers did their best to protect Serbs, but French soldiers did not.
With unemployment as high as 70 percent, meanwhile, abject poverty is widespread. The United Nations was supposed to sell off state enterprises to jump start the economy, but it hasn't gotten around to doing that yet. Thousands of frustrated Kosovars jammed the streets of Pristina in mid-July, demanding action. The United Nations often is ineffective, and French soldiers historically haven't necessarily been reliable. These are lessons that the winner of the U.S. presidential election must keep in mind as the United States helps to rebuild Iraq.
Source: The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville

Ed Koch

tootboy — 2004-08-12T11:08:00-05:00

Ed Koch penned another terrific and sincere article today called, "I've been branded a 'turncoat'

The cool thing was that I ran into him this evening. I walked over to him, told him that I had read the article and that he is not a turncoat. I told him that my family revered him as I grew up in Brooklyn and that he was a hero to us.
He seemed quite surprised by my words, smiled, thanked me and I walked on.

Criminal American

tootboy — 2004-08-13T11:08:00-05:00

Why do I hate politicians?
Because of governors who are so corrupt and know it but want to be a victim...so they call themselves gay-americans? what is a gay-american? geez, isn't he just a criminal american?

When you are given a position in which are exposed to sensitive material such as homeland security you should never be in a sitution that you can be blackmailed. The governor of NJ put the people of the US in jeopardy by being compromised and available to blackmail.

Cartoons

tootboy — 2004-08-14T11:08:00-05:00

Blogging At the RNC

tootboy — 2004-08-16T01:08:00-05:00

I will be reporting back to y'all from the RNC in a couple of weeks. I am volunteering myself though I have yet been given an assignment which I assume with come this week.

It's not a partisan volunteer, as the NYC host committee keep reminding us. "You are not volunteering for the Republicans, you are representing the city of NY", says the person behind a table. He takes my picture and off we go. This is our first real training session. We learn how to smile, how to shake hands, how to say, "Welcome to NY!", how to ask, "where are you from?", etc. 1 hour of this and I'm thinking that maybe I should go back to bed.
I remind myself that if this is not fun than I will quit. But for now the other volunteers look fun and excited. Most that I meet are either republicans or independents. Lots of people are not there for politics but to have something to do to help NYC.
My dream assignment would to help people find the best places to eat and be invited with them. Hey, what can I say? I'll do anything for a good meal.
We received a booklet of places to go to in the city, places to eat, places to shop. The booklet also lists the places in which we will get discounts of generally 20% off if we show our volunteer passes from Aug 29-Sept 8th. So just that alone was worth my hour so far.

I got to meet former Mayor Koch, whom I've written about recently. And I made a couple of decent business contacts too.

I don't expect much. I am not sure what my assignment will be, what hours I can work (I am NOT taking off for it), or how much fun vs. work it will be. I'd love to meet Arrrnold for sure. But other than that I don't care if I meet anyone. For all I know, I will be placed in Penn Station greeting people getting off trains.

But this is a chance to see what the freak goes on at these things. You know my opinion...politicians suck and political conventions are worthless. So with that cynical mind I will be reporting. If there is anything you want me to find out about I will try...

Tax Freedom Day

tootboy — 2004-08-17T10:08:00-05:00

You know what this day means… This is the day after which the money you earn goes to you, not the government.
When there are so many different taxes it can be hard to know what the real burden is. And with the rates of all those taxes varying widely between countries, it is even harder to compare your own burden with that of taxpayers elsewhere.
But there is one simple measure of how much time we spend working for our governments: Tax Freedom Day.

Tax Freedom Day compares a nation’s total income against its total tax take, and then translates that into a specific day of the year. In other words, the average American spends every day in 2004 from January 1 to April 11th working for the TAXMAN.

This year, tax freedom day was April 11th. It was the earliest date for this celebration since 1967. In 2000 Tax Freedom Day was May 2, the latest in the year that it has fallen since World War II.

I know there are some people now arguing that we pay more taxes now because of tax cuts and such…(and some people saying we should pay more no matter what)
So how do we compare with the rest of the world? Here are the Tax Freedom Days and predicted economic growth (that I could find) for each [estimates mainly by Price Waterhouse July 2004]

United States - April 11 - 4.5% annual growth
Ireland - May 7 - 3.3%
Great Britain - May 30 - 3.0%
Greece - June 1 - 4.5% (Olympic boost, eh!)
Spain - June 4 - 3.0%
Italy - June 24 - 1.6%
Canada - June 27 - 2.8%
EU (combined) - June 28 - 1.7%
Austria - July 5 - N/A
France - July 5 - 1.9%
Denmark - July 24 - N/A
Sweden - July 29 - 2.5%
Germany - N/A - 1.4%
Japan - N/A - 1.8%

Here is an article that details the Tax Freedom Day for Each State in the US, along with other graphs about our tax burden.
PDF Version
HTML Version

TOOT'S DAILIES!

tootboy — 2004-08-17T03:08:00-05:00

Iran threatens…and still the EU wets itself
Iran said Tuesday it would destroy the Dimona nuclear reactor if Israel were to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. A senior commander warned that Iranian missiles could reach Dimona. "If Israel fires a missile into the Bushehr nuclear power plant, it has to say goodbye forever to its Dimona nuclear facility, where it produces and stockpiles nuclear weapons," said the deputy chief of the elite Revolutionary Guards, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, in a statement. Zolqadr was referring to the site of Iran's first nuclear reactor at Bushehr, a coastal town on the Gulf. Built with Russian assistance, the reactor is due to come on stream in 2005.
Source: Jerusalem Post

The Terminator says, “Hasta Lavista, Baby”
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office said Monday that the Bay Area is to blame for the massive cost overruns on the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge and that its residents should foot the $2.3 billion bill themselves.
Source: SF Gate

Women of Courage
The two queens of Afghanistan sport - scarred by the past and eager for the future - hope the girls back home are watching. The ones who have televisions, anyway. They have all seen horrors and know fear - those here, those there. What they have never, ever seen is an Afghan woman in the Olympics. And now there are two. The sprinter is 17. Robina Muqimyar trains in Kabul Stadium where the Taliban executed its enemies and the bodies once hung from the goalposts at halftime of a soccer game. And so what if her running track is really broken concrete, and her shoes are so old she sometimes runs barefoot, and she trains in long pants to be modest, and will surely finish last in her first heat Friday, or close to it? `This is important. The women in Afghanistan will know they can do anything, if there is hope in the heart,'' she said. ``Standing on the track, I will feel like a winner.''
Source: Daily Record, Morris County, NJ

The Teresa Legacy
Headline of AP: “Destin Tells Air Force "shove It" With Condo Site Annexation”

Civil War Redux?
Headline of SF Gate: “U.S. seizes $308,000 of grant to Lee center”

Well duh, all that hot air in Hollywood!
Headline of Yahoo News: “Study: Global Warming Could Affect Calif.”

Continental Europeans voting for Kerry
The big money managers who steer billions of dollars in investments around the world reckon U.S. Senator John Kerry might just beat President George W. Bush in November but it is non-Americans who give him the best chance. As part of a monthly poll of fund managers -- usually geared to gather views on economic growth or corporate profits -- investment bank Merrill Lynch added a question about who would win the U.S. presidential election. As in most current election polls, the race came out close. By 41 percent to 37 percent the nearly 300 respondents, who together manage around $940 billion in investments, said Kerry, the Democrat, would beat Bush, the Republican. The rest did not know.
But there was a difference in view depending on where the fund manager was based.
"This is very much an international perspective of the election," said David Bowers, Merrill's chief global investment strategist.
Bush won among the 36 North American-based respondents by a margin of 44 percent to 33 percent, among the 68 British-based managers by 37 percent to 34 percent, and among the 43 Japan-based respondents by 49 percent to 37 percent.
Kerry, however, was favoured by the 96 continental Europeans by 46 percent to 33 percent, by 28 Asian Pacific-based respondents by 43 percent to 29 percent, and by 16 South African managers by 50 percent to 31 percent.
Source: Reuters

A reason that the Bush Admin irks me and makes the ACLU happy
The Department of Homeland Security wants to restrict the U.S. Border Patrol's arrest of illegal aliens in the nation's interior, concerned that the recent apprehension of 450 illegals by agents in inland areas of Southern California failed to consider the "sensitivities" of those detained.
According to department sources, a formal written policy under review would limit Border Patrol arrests to areas along the nation's 7,000 miles of international border and give U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the responsibility for enforcing immigration laws in the nation's interior.
Source: Washington Times

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-08-18T11:08:00-05:00

Palestinians feed on hunger strike
The terrorists' hunger strike continues for its fourth day - although some leading terrorists feel that they need not starve as "intensively" as their underlings. Marwan Barghouti, head of the Tanzim terrorist group who considers himself a potential candidate to succeed Yasser Arafat, was photographed yesterday sneaking a well-balanced meal in his prison cell, while his fellow terrorists have not had a bite since Saturday night.

Israel Prison Service officials, who are closely monitoring the strike to ensure that no one collapses or dies, say that Barghouti is not alone, and that at least ten other top terrorists - leaders of the hunger strike - have taken advantage of their solitary confinement to grab a quick bite.
Source: Israel National News

Who said this isn’t the single most important issue?
For the first time since the Vietnam era, national security issues are larger concerns than the economy and jobs for U.S. voters, according to a report by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.
Source: Bloomberg.com

Kerry breaks with tradition
Sen. John Kerry plans to bring his campaign for president to Nashville on Sept. 1, when he will speak at the American Legion's national convention.
The appearance by the Democratic Party nominee would be a break with tradition — a presidential candidate typically doesn't campaign during his rival's convention. The Republican National Convention will take place in New York from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.
Source: The Tennessean

Kerry admits that he doesn’t know that the Cold War is over
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Wednesday said President Bush's "vaguely stated" and "hastily announced" plan to withdraw 70,000 troops overseas came at the wrong time and was done in the wrong way.
Speaking to the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention that Bush addressed on Monday, Kerry also blasted the president's record on helping war veterans, a key group both candidates for the White House are wooing before the Nov. 2 election.
"Nobody wants to bring troops home more than those of us who have fought in foreign wars," said Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran. "But it needs to be done at the right time and in a sensible way. This is not that time or that way."
In his speech this week to the VFW, Bush announced plans to move 70,000 troops from Europe and Asia in a shift of focus from Cold War enemies.
Source: Reuters

The Russians are less alarmed than Kerry. They know the Cold War is over
The Russian government reacted calmly to President Bush's announcement on the realignment of U.S. troops abroad, despite the likelihood that the changes could see American forces move closer to the Middle East and Central Asia, heightening Moscow's "encirclement" fears.

"I do not see anything worrying in these plans," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Tuesday, adding that no dramatic movements were expected.
Source: CNSNews

Arabs in America are made at Bush because he stopped the Arabs from uniting behind a Saddam empire
ALTHOUGH attempts at linking President George W. Bush to the Arabs have generated a veritable industry in the past two years, there is evidence that most Arabs favor his Democratic Party challenger Sen. John F. Kerry. A Zogby poll taken this month shows that in the November presidential election Kerry is likely to collect more than two-thirds of the Arab-American vote. A similar pattern is emerging in the Arab world itself.
"If it were up to us, it would be 60 percent Kerry, 40 percent Bush," says Iyad Abu-Chaqra, an Arab columnist who has followed American politics for years. "Most Arabs have one dream this year: to see George W. Bush booted out."
Dislike for Bush has created the most curious Arab coalition in a long time.
The pan-Arab nationalists are angry at Bush because, toppling Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime in Baghdad, he destroyed the illusion of a "strongman" leading Arabs to unity and socialism. "It may take a generation before anyone talks of Arab unity without being laughed out of the room," says columnist Ahmad Rabii. "Those who dreamed of an Arab superpower will never forgive Bush." The pan-Islamists also dislike Bush, but for different reasons.
They see his talk of democracy as an attempt at preventing them from establishing their "ideal Islamic" system based on the Shariah rather than elections.
Source: NY Post

I guess the American Jews also wanted a Saddam empire
Three out of four Jewish voters in the United States will vote for Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in November, a poll released Monday indicated.
Source: Washington Times

The Poles are wise to the French
Polish police have detained a Frenchman suspected of planning a large-scale "incident" possibly aiming to kill many people, prosecutors from the western city of Poznan said on Wednesday.
Source: Reuters

Pee Whiz! Sit Down and it’ll shut up!
German men are being shamed into urinating while sitting down by a gadget which is saving millions of women from cleaning up in the bathroom after them.
The WC ghost, a £6 voice-alarm, reprimands men for standing at the lavatory pan. It is triggered when the seat is lifted. The battery-operated devices are attached to the seats and deliver stern warnings to those who attempt to stand and urinate (known as "Stehpinkeln").
"Hey, stand-peeing is not allowed here and will be punished with fines, so if you don't want any trouble, you'd best sit down," one of the devices orders in a voice impersonating the German leader, Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. Another has a voice similar to that of his predecessor, Helmut Kohl.
Source: UK Telegraph

Didn’t Sadr promise to fight to the death! SADR LIED!
Iraq’s defense minister gave Shi'ite militiamen in the holy city of Najaf hours to surrender Wednesday, warning that troops were preparing for a major assault to "teach them a lesson they will never forget."

Wow, no kidding…The NY Times must be finally taking business lessions
A relentless rise in the cost of employee health insurance has become a significant factor in the employment slump, as the labor market adds only a trickle of new jobs each month despite nearly three years of uninterrupted economic growth.
Government data, industry surveys and interviews with employers big and small indicate that many businesses remain reluctant to hire full-time employees because health insurance, which now costs the nation's employers an average of about $3,000 a year for each worker, has become one of the fastest-growing costs for companies.
Source: NY Times

Yesterday they take on the Israelis and today it’s the Americans
Iranian Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani has warned that Iran might launch a preemptive strike against US forces in the region to prevent an attack on its nuclear facilities.
Source: ABC.net

Kerry V. Swift Boat Vets

tootboy — 2004-08-19T08:08:00-05:00

I've talked about this one quite a bit. I read the Swift Boat vets book last week. My lasting thought is that one of the 2 parties is lying outright. I don't know which. But the Swift Boat vets are taking a big chance, not with their reputations, but with their finances because if they were lying, Senator Kerry and his high priced lawyers would sue their asses off for libel.

Now I don't know who is lying of course. Kerry's side has really hurt himself by reconfiguring the account of his Christmas in Cambodia. One of the Swift Boat vets (Thurlow) who witnessed Kerry's actions that led the captain of boat 94 to receive a Bronze Star and has said there was no enemy fire that day, is now under 'fire' because the Thurlow's military records state there was enemy fire. Again, I don't know who is right or lying. Senator Kerry must sign document 180 release his military records and probably more importantly his medical records (of course he should also release his and his wife's tax records).

If Senator Kerry wins the election this problem will haunt him. He may as well take care of it now.

Most politicians have this difficulty. While they proclaim openness their advisors keep them from doing this. The publicity about a possible coverup is always worse than the actual problem (see Bill Clinton). The current President has had this issue at times in which his advisors tell him not to release info but then he does anyway 2 weeks later. Enough! True leadership is being open and honest.

BTW, I was correct in noting the press and media would not cover the swift boat story. A recent article I read said that ABC NBC CBS's news covered the President's military records and supposed 'AWOL' with 75 newstories but the Swift Boat vet story only 9 times. It should also be noted that when they did cover the story most of the time it was mentioning John McCain's opinion about it or mentioned a possible 'GOP' funding for the Swift Boat book.

Toot's tidbits!

tootboy — 2004-08-21T12:08:00-05:00

Useful Carters
When Jimmy Carter went to Cuba in 2002, Fidel Castro reveled in the photo-ops with a former U.S. president. Mr. Carter seemed to think he was heroically "engaging" the Cuban despot. But in the documentary "Dissident," celluloid captures something most Americans didn't see: Castro giggling sardonically as Mr. Carter lectures the Cuban politburo on democracy. That foreshadowed what happened when the media splash ended and the former president went home: Dissidents he went to "help" today languish in gulag punishment cells.
Check out how Jimbo has helped Chavez remain in power.
Also check out how the LA Times and NY Times is upholding this very suspicious “election”

’Images’ on the radio>
Saudi Arabia this week launched a $1 million radio advertising campaign designed to improve the desert kingdom's public image in the United States.
Source: Fox News

Jocks are not good at math, even if they are judges
A mistake in scoring of the all-around gymnastics final cost Yang Tae-young the gold that ended up going to Paul Hamm, the International Gymnastics Federation said Saturday. The South Korean got the bronze instead.
The error Wednesday cost Yang a tenth of a point on his parallel bars score that made the difference between third and first. But South Korea failed to lodge a protest during the event, so the scoring was not changed.
A start value is based on the difficulty of the routine. Yang received a start value of 9.9 on parallel bars, a tenth lower than he got for the same routine in team qualifying and finals.
After reviewing a tape of the all-around, FIG officials determined Yang should have been awarded a start value of 10. With the extra 0.10, he would have finished with 57.874 points and defeated Hamm by 0.051.

Terrorists' lists of demands...A funny must read.

tootboy — 2004-08-22T11:08:00-05:00

The Arab terrorist prisoners' hunger strike entered its second week today, and they have not yet reduced their astonishing list of demands. Public Security Minister Tzachi HaNegbi, who said at the beginning of the strike that as far as he's concerned, "they can starve until they die," said that he had not changed his stance. The Israel Prison Service and police sources explained that the imprisoned terrorists have arranged many terror attacks in the past, thus necessitating the many restrictions on the prisoners and their visitors.

The terrorists, most of whom are imprisoned in Israel for murder and other terror crimes, disseminated their list of demands on the ADDAMEER Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association website. The list includes no fewer than 144 demands, divided into 15 sections. Excerpts:

* To remove the glass/plastic barrier between prisoners and visitors
* To allow all family members and relatives to visit
* To bring in families to visit as soon as they arrive to the prison. No delays either at the prison or at checkpoints.
* To allow prisoners to be in plain clothes during the visit and not restricted to uniforms of certain colors or design
* To install pay phones or allow mobile phones in every cell or for every prisoner
* To end all practices and policies accompanying counting the prisoners
* To allow all those prisoners in isolation back to regular sections
* To end all collective punishments
* To allow prisoners to study at Palestinian, Arab, and International Universities
* To allow all cells to have access to a computer and not only students
* To restore recreation time to four hours a day
* To allow university students to choose recreation time suitable for them
* To allow having events, debates, celebrations in the recreation areas and yards as in the past
* To install air conditioning in the cells and section
* To provide an electric toaster, refrigerator and fruit knife for each cell
* A small photocopier and cameras for group photos in each section
* To end the practice of body search by hand and to restrict it to electronic scanning
* To stop searching children 14 years old and under during visits
* Not to handcuff prisoners during the search
* To limit the overall general search to once every 6 months
* To raise payment for workers
* To allow prisoners in the upper beds not to step down at the morning count and to limit to them just raising themselves up in their beds
* To change seats in the buses to more comfortable ones
* To allow prisoners representatives to meet newly transferred prisoners at the bus as they arrive
* To remove the darkened windows of the buses
* To increase the number of allowed TV channels
* To remove one bed in each cell
* To end the use of the special classification of certain prisoners "prisoners sentenced for serious offences" and end all unjustified punishments against them and to allow them to be able to work at various facilities in the prisons

Source: Arutz Sheva

Kerry Vs. Swift Boat Vets - what does it mean to us

tootboy — 2004-08-23T01:08:00-05:00

As my good friend, Convex and I noted a while back, the Kerry V. Swift boat vets would be an interesting story.
And it surely has been.
The firing of the first round was by the Swift boat vets announcing their book, which hardly got any mainstream notice.
The adverts exploded next. This received more notice at the cable shows and on the web. The mainstream press started off by looking into how to disqualify the Swift Boat vets statements.
Then Kerry got involved went on the defense and made a counteroffensive advert. Now everyone was talking about it. But not necessarily about what is said by the vets or by Kerry’s own defense about his time in Vietnam.
Instead the media has focused on why the vets are doing this and who is paying for it and is the President involved…which now has lead to a building story about the 527 campaigns being run amuck throughout this campaign.

To me this is the real story. While Kerry and Co. have mentioned that associates of republicans or the white house are involved (and sometimes associates of associates) in the financing of the swift boat vets, the White House is mentioning that tens of millions have been spent by democrats and their associates and their 527s against Bush-Cheney.

So where does this leave us, the common citizen?
Well, first, the real issue of these salvos of questioning Kerry regarding his military record by the Swift Boat vets is lost. We can talk about it without ever resolving it or understanding who is lying and who is merely exaggerating.
Second, as many other good friend, Stygius wrote to me, “Reporters keep themselves off the issues. That's the problem with politics. The media doesn't know how to talk about issues, that's why the common narrative for presidential races is a personality contest.” Now the issues are off the table. Even Iraq. It’s back to personalities…I’m sure both are booking Oprah right now, as well as a guest appearance on Reno 911! The media of course is no unbiased player. According to The Center for Responsive Politics says these “companies have given nearly a million more to Kerry than the $1.1 million they've given to President Bush.
The lion's share of media money - approximately two thirds - has been donated to the Democratic Party. Media giants Time Warner and Viacom have given 72% and 74% of their political donation budgets to Democrats. “
Third, the 527 question maybe answered. The fact that this highly ineffective (obviously) bill was passed is ridiculous. Everyone figured out the loopholes before the President signed it into law. The loopholes are big enough for George Soros AND Michael Moore to walkthrough side by side. Now that’s big and we haven’t seen nothing yet. So far it is estimated that the Democrats and their 527s will have outspent the Republicans by $300 millions by Election Day.
So once again the media and the political process have resolved to focus on the little minutia of another important election. Our voices, our issues are muted. Just make you want to

no subject

tootboy — 2004-08-23T08:08:00-05:00

The UN demands that the Sudanese kill everyone they can this week
DAMNING new evidence of fresh atrocities in Sudan has emerged with less than a week to go until the United Nations’ deadline for a halt to the killing.

Refugees have been attacked, women raped, villages burned, and Sudanese government forces have fired on their own people in support of attacks by the Janjaweed.

It means that while the world has waited for it to keep its word, the Sudanese government has seized the opportunity to press ahead with its campaign of ethnic cleansing in Darfur.

The evidence seen by The Scotsman (UK) should be enough to persuade the UN that Sudan cannot be trusted to safeguard its own people. Instead, it appears that the UN may be preparing to back down from its threats to take action to force Sudan to end the ethnic cleansing in the Darfur region.
Source: The Scotsman (UK)

Who did MSNBC and CNBC have at the Democratic Natl Convention
Al Sharpton, one-time White House aspirant, Democratic debate favorite and smooth dancer in his "Saturday Night Live" gig, will unleash his political barbs from the small screen during the Republican National Convention. Sharpton, who drew a spirited response with his biting criticism of President Bush at the Democratic convention in Boston, will be a commentator on two cable networks, MSNBC and CNBC.
Source: AP

Kerry brings up Vietnam…again. This time to talk about the Lord
Presidential hopeful John Kerry is prodding himself to talk about God and values, a clear sign that the Kerry- Edwards campaign recognises that in this deeply religious country, Mr Kerry's perceived level of faith could have an outcome on the election result.
The Catholic candidate has implied often that his faith is private - but recently said 'the grace of a higher being' kept him alive in the Vietnam War.
Source: The Straits Times

Humiliating? Because that is all Cuba’s infrastructure is worth?
Cuba on Monday rejected the U.S. government's offer of $50,000 in post-hurricane aid, calling the gesture hypocritical and the amount humiliating.
Source:AP

Drafting a Political deception
A state Democratic Party effort to enlist new voters calls on people to make a choice between being drafted for military service or registering to vote. The first page of the mailing shows a draft notice with orders to report to a Pittsburgh military induction center. The next shows a helicopter with troops in the foreground beneath a headline that says "Officials in Washington are calling for more troops in Iraq." Below, the mailing asks "Which form would you rather fill out?" Republicans say the mailing is off-base.
Source: AP

no subject

tootboy — 2004-08-24T09:08:00-05:00

Isn't it ironic that the McCain Feingold bill, signed by the President and voted for by John Kerry, is now despised by both and their parties? And isn't it wonderful that both men have John McCain defending them against 527 attacks?

Can anyone come up with a great line that describes this lunacy?

Poor Republican Casting

tootboy — 2004-08-24T09:08:00-05:00

Hollywood loves a good political fight. It also loves to stack the odds in its favor.

Did you ever notice that whenever an actor is picked to play a Republican, the thesbian is always a vocal Democrat?

I just read that Martin Sheen's character on the West Wing is due to leave office. So a campaign will start next year staring Jimmy Smits as the Democrat and Alan Alda as the Republican. Now, Alda is a great actor, writer and director and one of my personal favorites (MASH is certainly in my top ten shows) He is also a staunch anti-Republican. Can he overcome his bias or are the pro-Democrat producers of the show just looking to make the Republicans look bad? Jimmy Smits, by the way is a great actor. The one and only time I watch NYPD in its entirety was when Smit's character died. I didn't cry until an hour later when it hit me like Michael Moore at a buffet line.

The Alda/West Wing isn't the first time that a staunch anti-Republican was enlisted to play a Republican. Another Aaron Sorkin (creator of the West Wing) written production was "the American President". The Republican candidate played with vile disgust was Richard Dreyfuss (another great actor who hates Republicans).

Then there was Meryl Streep in the Manchurian Candidate, and Joan Allen in the Contender...
James Brolin as Ronald Reagan on the small screen.

There was Tim Robbins as the right-wing candidate, Bob Roberts.
Gene Hackman has been 'the President' in several movies but the only one I can think of where he played a conservative or republican is in the hilarious, "the Bird Cage"

any others

Toot's Tidbits

tootboy — 2004-08-25T11:08:00-05:00

Let’s hope they listen so we can kill them all
Anti-U.S. cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has called on his followers to march on the
Iraqi holy city of Najaf to break a U.S. siege of Shi'ite militants holed up in a shrine, an aide says.

Mahmoud al-Soundani said the march had been planned before Sadr's political rival, Grand Ayatollah
Ali al-Sistani, issued a call earlier on Wednesday for all Iraqis to go to Najaf to save the "burning city".

Were they banking on Saddam?
Two European banks were yesterday accused by the US Treasury Department of helping Saddam Hussein launder money stolen from the UN oil-for-food programme.
American authorities aim to cut the Infobank of Belarus and First Merchant Bank of Cyprus out of the financial system by making mainstream institutions aware of the allegations.
Source: Telegraph, UK

The UN is quite delusional, eh?
Sudan's announcement Wednesday that it is prepared to accept more foreign troops as monitors in the troubled region of Darfur suggests that international pressure on Sudan's government is beginning to work, U.N. Ambassador John C. Danforth said.
"It depends on how many troops are actually allowed to come, but it's a big deal," said Danforth, responding to Sudan's agreement to an unspecified increase in the 150 African Union soldiers already in Darfur.
Source:Kentucky.com

Gotta love this headline!
Americans Are Different From Saudis
Source: Arabnews

Slate Slams Kerry! Now that’s got to be news
Asked whether the Swift boat ads had affected him personally, Kerry replied (to Jon Stewart on the Daily Show on 8/24/04) pointedly, "Yeah, it's a little bit disappointing. But believe it or not, I've been through worse." And then, when the interview was over and Kerry rose to leave, he caused audible groans in my household by saluting the audience (just as he did at the opening of his convention speech: "John Kerry reporting for duty." Lieutenant Kerry, your first order is to stop saluting the audience. It makes you look like a total tool).
Source: Slate

How is racial profiling wrong in these cases?
The oldest daughter of a man described as a high-ranking Hamas operative said Wednesday that police used racial profiling when officers stopped her family's sport utility vehicle while her mother made a home video of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
"We were wearing hijabs (headscarves)," Duaa Elbarasse, 20, said in a telephone interview from her home in Annandale, Va. "We feel we have been racially profiled since we are Muslim."
"The individuals were pulled over because they were videotaping the bridge," and because when someone in the vehicle spotted the officers' car, the woman put the camera down and the vehicle slowed down so the officers would pass them, said Bill Toohey, a Baltimore County police spokesman. "That was the suspicious activity, not because they were Middle Eastern-looking."
Source:Mlive.com

Massachusetts says Lesbians can get married but aren’t really a real couple
A woman who agreed to have a child with her lesbian partner, but split up with the mother before the baby's birth, cannot be forced to pay child support, the state's highest court ruled Wednesday.
The split ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court -- which legalized gay marriage in a landmark ruling last year -- comes in the case of a Hampshire County lesbian couple, identified in court documents as "T.F." and "B.L.," who lived together from 1996 to 2000.
B.L. at first resisted T.F.'s wishes to have a child, but later changed her mind.
The couple broke up after T.F. got pregnant by artificial insemination. After the baby was born, T.F. sued her former partner for child support. A Probate and Family Court judge turned to the state Appeals Court, which in turned passed the case up to the Supreme Judicial Court.
Source: CNN.com

Theater of the Absurd

tootboy — 2004-08-26T01:08:00-05:00

Senator John McCain pushed hard for his McCain-Feingold bill to be passed. Despite calls from conservative voices that the bill was fundamentally unconstitutional, the bill passed the House, Senate and signed into law by President Bush.

It was immediately obvious by those that were paying attention that the loopholes created, notably the 527s, would make the bill look completely foolish. But the bill was pushed through by the politicians trying to look good in the public's eye by curbing their election propaganda.
President Bush signed it probably believing that the US Supreme Court would find the bill unconstitutional. (Bascially a bad political manuever). However, in December 2003 the Court upheld the 'soft money' ban.

So now, the 527s are a major concern to both parties. George Soros, Moveon.com and others have spent well over $50 million to attack George Bush. John Kerry is having difficulties with the Swiftees.

So here is the absurdity:
In response to reporters' questions, the president once again condemned the so-called 527 groups, which can raise unlimited donations and run attack ads, but cannot directly coordinate their efforts with the campaigns. . . .

"All of them," the president said, when asked whether he specifically meant that the veteran's group's ad against Mr. Kerry should be stopped. "That means that ad, every other ad. Absolutely. I don't think we ought to have 527's. I can't be more plain about it, and I wish--I hope my opponent joins me in saying--condemning these activities of the 527's. It's--I think they're bad for the system."

The White HOuse press sect'y Scott McClellan tells the press that this morning the President called Sen. McCain to ask for his help in pursuing court action to shut down the 527 groups... If court action does not work, Bush said he would look forward to working on legislation to silence the groups in political debate.

Meanwhile Kerry's team though keeps saying, "President Bush denounce the attacks on Kerry's service." as if the above statements didn't exist.

Then there is gold-plated medal winner John McCain who is playing both sides. His big political moment of the McCain-Feingold bill is a disaster.

"I enthusiastically applaud President Bush's commitment to ensuring that 527s operate under the same funding rules that apply to federal candidates and parties. I look forward to working with the President, both in the courts and through legislation, to force the Federal Election Commission to regulate 527s, as they are already required by the law and affirmed by the Supreme Court, to do," said McCain in a statement.

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS! Maybe the problem is not the 527s or freedom of speech. Maybe it's the bill which McCain sponsored, Kerry voted for, and Bush signed.

You all messed up and now you have to live with it.

Quotable Quotes

tootboy — 2004-08-26T09:08:00-05:00

If President Bush had said this it would be on every news station and in every paper and most of your blogs
The truth, which is what elections are all about, is that the tax burden of the middle class has gone up while the tax burden of the middle class has gone down."--John Kerry, quoted by the Associated Press, Aug. 25

Another incident of faulty memory? Or just another exaggerated fabrication?
“I remember well April 1968--I was serving in Vietnam--a place of violence--when the news reports brought home to me and my crewmates the violence back home--and the tragic news that one of the bullets flying that terrible spring took the life of that unabashedly maladjusted citizen.” -John Kerry, January 20, 2003 commemorating Martin Luther King Day.
The problem is that John Kerry didn’t arrive in Vietnam till 7 months later in November of 1968

Anti-American Rhetoric
"All I could think of was that this must be a really contemptible human being," said Warner, although we can't expect the rest of the country to share our disgust at Kerry for turning on us. A lot of people are too young to remember that." – Former POW Jim Warner on when he first learned about Lt. John Kerry in a North Vietnamese prison camp. He said that when his captors brought him out of solitary confinement in the infamous Skid Row punishment camp for an interrogation, they made him read the typewritten transcript of a statement by Kerry, speaking in the United States. His interrogator kept pointing at Kerry's words, saying, 'See? This officer from your Navy says you deserve to be punished.' The speech included a litany of war crimes American soldiers were committing in Vietnam.
What is the use of the UN?
"It (UN deadline) never crossed our mind," said Khalifa, head of the Sudanese government delegation at the peace talks, which saw a sign of progress Wednesday as the African nation accepted the deployment of more AU troops, but only to help cantonment of the rebels in Darfur besides protection of ceasefire monitors.

The First Purple Heart

tootboy — 2004-08-27T11:08:00-05:00

William Schachte, who was a lieutenant in the Navy during Kerry's Vietnam tour — and who later rose to the rank of Rear Admiral — has released a statement describing the events of December 2-3, 1968, when Kerry received a minor shrapnel wound for which he was awarded the Purple Heart:

On the night of December 2-3, we conducted one of these operations, and Lt. (jg) Kerry accompanied me. Our call sign for that operation was "Batman." I have no independent recollection of the identity of the enlisted man, who was operating the outboard motor. Sometime during the early morning hours, I thought I detected some movement inland. At the time we were so close to land that we could hear water lapping on the shoreline. I fired a hand-held flare, and upon it bursting and illuminating the surrounding area, I thought I saw movement. I immediately opened fire with my M-60. It jammed after a brief burst. Lt. (jg) Kerry also opened fire with his M-16 on automatic, firing in the direction of my tracers. His weapon also jammed. As I was trying to clear my weapon, I heard the distinctive sound of the M-79 being fired and turned to see Lt. (jg) Kerry holding the M-79 from which he had just launched a round. We received no return fire of any kind nor were there any muzzle flashes from the beach. I directed the outboard motor operator to clear the area.

Upon returning to base, I informed my commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Grant Hibbard, of the events, informing him of the details of the operation and that we had received no enemy fire. I did not file an "after action" report, as one was only required when there was hostile fire. Soon thereafter, Lt. (jg) Kerry requested that he be put in for a Purple Heart as a result of a small piece of shrapnel removed from his arm that he attributed to the just-completed mission. I advised Lt. Cmdr. Hibbard that I could not support the request because there was no hostile fire. The shrapnel must have been a fragment from the M-79 that struck Lt. (jg) Kerry, because he had fired the M-79 too close to our boat. Lt. Cmdr. Hibbard denied Lt. (jg) Kerry's request. Lt. (jg) Kerry detached our division a few days later to be reassigned to another division. I departed Vietnam approximately three weeks later, and Lt. Cmdr. Hibbard followed shortly thereafter. It was not until years later that I was surprised to learn that Lt. (jg) Kerry had been awarded a Purple Heart for this night.

Source: http://www.nationalreview.com/document/document200408280010.asp

Kerry and his Dog Of War: The Full Tail (Ha!)

tootboy — 2004-08-28T04:08:00-05:00

I’ve brought this one up sometime before but now a Swiftee and John Kerry’s own records have added a little more to it.

To bring y’all up to date:

Kerry, as we all know is quite proficient at connecting a current situation or issue with his combat experience in Vietnam.

Back in March 2004, Senator Kerry had an interview with Humane USA regarding animals and pets. This interview has since been confirmed by the program director of Humane USA.

When asked, “Do you have any pets that have made an impact on you personally?”

Kerry responded, “When I was serving on a swiftboat in Vietnam, my crewmates and I had a dog we called VC. We all took care of him, and he stayed with us and loved riding on the swiftboat deck. I think he provided all of us with a link to home and a few moments of peace and tranquility during a dangerous time. One day as our swiftboat was heading up a river, a mine exploded hard under our boat. After picking ourselves up, we discovered VC was MIA. Several minutes of frantic search followed after which we thought we'd lost him.
We were relieved when another boat called asking if we were missing a dog. It turns out
VC was catapulted from the deck of our boat and landed confused, but unhurt, on the
deck of another boat in our patrol.”

A nice, heartwarming story, right? Until you think about it a little bit:

First off, No military records on Mr. Kerry's Web site, which aides say is a complete accounting, mention a mine exploding under his boat or any dog. The only report of a mine detonating "near" Mr. Kerry's PCF 94 was March 13, 1969, when Mr. Kerry says he was injured and a man knocked overboard.

In addition, is the story even possible?

Blogger Steve Sturm had this conversation with himself on March 16th, 2004, “Kerry's boat was "heading up a river", which means the boat was moving. I assume Naval doctrine in those days called for ships to maintain a minimum distance from one another in order to minimize damage and casualties in the event one ship draws hostile fire, hits a mine, etc. How far away from Kerry's boat was this other boat - 20 yards, 50 yards, 100 yards? Even if they weren't strictly adhering to doctrine, there ought to have been some separation; there's no reason I can think why one boat would be running upriver with another boat tied to its stern.

So, we have Kerry claiming that his ship hit a mine that generated enough explosive energy to propel this dog (the weight of the dog is unknown, so I can't do the physics calculation... hey, I'm not a physics major so I couldn't do the calcs even if I knew the weight of the dog) some 40 yards or so through the air, without hurting the dog? Unlikely.

Now, what are the odds of the dog being catapulted from Kerry's moving boat and landing on another moving boat? It must have been the perfect combination of launch angle, distance, explosive force, trajectory and the like for that to have happened. I know for a fact that this is no easy thing to do: think how hard it is to win that silly carnival frog game - and that's from a stationary platform. Maybe this happens in the movies, but not in real life. Wait a minute, in the remake of Starsky & Hutch, they tried launching a car into the air trying to land it on a moving boat. They failed miserably. So, I take it back, it doesn't even happen in the movies.

And, Kerry's account refers only to "picking ourselves up" after the explosion. There's an explosion so forceful that it launches the dog into near earth orbit and all Kerry and his crew have to do is 'pick themselves up'? Again, I'm no physics major, but wouldn't it reasonable to think that an explosion with that much force wouldn't have seriously damaged the boat? What about his crew - granted they're all likely to have been bigger than the dog, and perhaps better able to absorb the shock, but none of them were hurt, knocked out, knocked overboard?”

Blogger The mighty righty adds this: “John Kerry, during his "Vietnam Experience", was only stationed aboard two U.S.Navy Vessels. Patrol Craft Fast(PCF)#44 and #94. Taking into account the laws of physics, an underwater mine that would have physically been capable of lifting a 50' Aluminum Swiftboat that weighs 47,000 lbs., in a manner in which to "launch" a 20 lb. dog airborne, would have caused catastrophic hull damage. The hulls on these vessels are 1\4" thick 5086-H321 Aluminum alloy w\ all scantling extrusions(t-bar,Angles,etc) of 1\4" 5086-H311 Aluminum alloy. The vessel would have been seriously damaged or, more probably, sunk. In either event, there would have been a Navy inquiry and subsequent documentation of repair. There isn't any.”

NOW to the Swiftee:
Blogger and radio host Hugh Hewitt interviews Steve Gardner, a Kerry crewmate who belongs to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, and asks him about the tale of VC the Dog:
Hewett: "Steve, was there a dog named VC on your boat?"
Gardner: "Buddy, to the best of my knowledge (laughing), I never saw any dog at any time on the 44 boat." . . .
Hewett: "In the time that you were on the swift boats--totally--did any of the swift boats have a dog?"
Gardner: "Never saw one, ever."
Hewett: "Would it have been a good idea to have a dog on the swift boats?"
Gardner: "Not likely."
Hewett: "Why not?"
Gardner: "Because there was just too much action going on. We had hot brass rolling around there any time we were in a firefight. He would have got beat up."
Hewett: "Is this the first time you have ever heard of the dog story?"
Gardner: "It sure is."

Hewitt acknowledges that "it is possible that Kerry had a dog named VC after Gardner left Kerry's command."

Silver Star scandal? Military Records Scandal?

tootboy — 2004-08-28T05:08:00-05:00

From the Chicago Sun Times

The Kerry campaign has repeatedly stated that the official naval records prove the truth of Kerry's assertions about his service.
But the official records on Kerry's Web site only add to the confusion. The DD214 form, an official Defense Department document summarizing Kerry's military career posted on johnkerry.com, includes a "Silver Star with combat V."
But according to a U.S. Navy spokesman, "Kerry's record is incorrect. The Navy has never issued a 'combat V' to anyone for a Silver Star."
Naval regulations do not allow for the use of a "combat V" for the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration the Navy awards. None of the other services has ever granted a Silver Star "combat V," either.
Reporting by the Washington Post's Michael Dobbs points out that although the Kerry campaign insists that it has released Kerry's full military records, the Post was only able to get six pages of records under its Freedom of Information Act request out of the "at least a hundred pages" a Naval Personnel Office spokesman called the "full file."
What could that more than 100 pages contain? Questions have been raised about President Bush's drill attendance in the reserves, but Bush received his honorable discharge on schedule. Kerry, who should have been discharged from the Navy about the same time -- July 1, 1972 -- wasn't given the discharge he has on his campaign Web site until July 13, 1978. What delayed the discharge for six years? This raises serious questions about Kerry's performance while in the reserves that are far more potentially damaging than those raised against Bush.

Note: There is a couple of additional questions regarding the John Kerry military records in this article.

The NY Times admits it never understood civics class

tootboy — 2004-08-29T11:08:00-05:00

What's the constitution?

The NY Times wants to get rid of the Electoral college in their latest juvenile editorial

Here are some of the priceless 'points' it makes:
- The Electoral College makes Republicans in New York, and Democrats in Utah, superfluous
- The main problem with the Electoral College is that it builds into every election the possibility, which has been a reality three times since the Civil War, that the president will be a candidate who lost the popular vote.
- This shocks people in other nations who have been taught to look upon the United States as the world's oldest democracy
-The Electoral College also heavily favors small states.
-The small states are already significantly overrepresented in the Senate, which more than looks out for their interests
-The interests of people from Puerto Rico scarcely come up at all
-A few swing states take on oversized importance, leading the candidates to focus their attention, money and promises on a small slice of the electorate

Now, I'm sure the NY Times thinks its clever. I am sure they are also sincere in their hope that "other nations" won't be shocked any more. I mean, can we live with ourselves if France and its 5 republics are shocked or Castro or Chavez look down on us and our elections. Maybe the NY Times wants to get rid of the bicameral system although. Maybe we can get rid of the way an amendment is passed since it is not an unanimous vote. Maybe 5-4 votes in the Supreme Court is too close of a call on important decisions. Scrap them all! Maybe voting is too archaic for the NY Times. Maybe the Presidency doesn't have the power sign treaties to buy land. Give back the Louisania Purchase to France. Give back California to Mexico and Florida to Spain.

Notable Quotables

tootboy — 2004-08-30T03:08:00-05:00

Matthews suggests Kerry is a pawn of the French
If you want to go to a party that is a little more hesitant. This President, if we elect John Kerry President, he
will be hesitant about going to war, he will be careful. In fact, he'll probably wait around to hear what the French think and if that bothers you, vote for Bush.
-Chris Matthews on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ 8/28/04

Reuters’ editor believes that abortions bring down crime rates
Who will pay for policing our streets & maintaining the prisons needed to contain them when you, their parents & the system fail them?
-Email by Todd Eastham, editor for Reuter in an email to a pro-life group

Stop the music! I’m speaking here
“Shhhhhhh!”
-Alexandra Kerry at the VMA’s last night when she was loudly cheered, jeered and ignored by the talkative crowd

Delusional faith in Europe
"If we are engaging with Iranians in an effort to reach this great bargain and if in fact this is a bluff that they are trying to develop nuclear weapons capability, then we know that our European friends will stand with us.”
-Senator John Edwards 8/29/04

The truth…but, will it go heeded
“France will not be spared -- no more than Italy, Spain, or Egypt," "Governments that decide to remain on the defensive will be the next targets of terrorist ... Avoiding confrontation is not a response."
Iraqi PM Allawi said in an interview published Monday in Le Monde newspaper.

Quotable Notables

tootboy — 2004-08-30T11:08:00-05:00

Pro-testers are not pro-Kerry
Danny Glover was angry. Along with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and radical filmmaker Michael Moore, Glover had just finished leading the "No to the Bush Agenda!" march through the streets of New York. Cfooling off in Union Square, the actor was asked why, amid the thousands of expressions of outrage at George W. Bush seen and heard during the march, there were very, very few mentions of John Kerry.
"That's a surprise," Glover agreed. "John Kerry should have been here. There should have been people with John Kerry leaflets and John Kerry buttons and everything all along this march line, and there weren't."
At that, a fellow marcher interrupted Glover. The protest was against the war, she pointed out, so how could Kerry come to New York, since he voted for the war in late 2002?

French papers prove they don’t have a grasp on reality or on Islamists - Surrender is probably imminent
Monday's French press reflects national feelings of shock and defiance as the country rallies behind the two French journalists facing a death threat from the Islamist group holding them captive in Iraq.
"Monstrous!" is the stark caption to the editorial in the heavyweight Le Figaro.
Another leading daily, Le Monde, says "France rocked by journalist crisis", while Le Parisien speaks of "Outrageous blackmail".
President Chirac has also postponed his trip to Russia for talks with the Russian and German leaders, in order to address the crisis.
"France mobilises for its hostages in Iraq", is the headline in Le Nouvel Observateur, while La Croix says "The whole of France stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the hostages".
One of the two journalists, Georges Malbrunot, writes for Le Figaro, which points out that the war in Iraq was "sought by the president of the United States, but condemned by the president of the French Republic".
The paper expresses "outrage" at what it calls the act of "fanatics who claim to speak for an oppressed Islam, but who use the very methods of the oppressors".
Given its position as the leading opponent to the US-led war on Iraq, the paper says, "France could have hoped to be spared this cruel ordeal".
All papers note Sunday's universal condemnation by the leaders of several Muslim organisations in France, who said the taking of hostages ran counter to Islamic values and teachings.
"How can people be so blind," the paper wonders, "as to believe that such outrageous methods can further the spirit of tolerance invoked by those who deplored the French law" banning religious symbols from state schools.
"In addition and most importantly," it stresses, "France's attitude in the Iraq conflict should give it powerful leverage in Baghdad."
On the other hand, it warns, "the Islamist terrorists prowling the streets of Iraq and the Middle East are not necessarily amenable to the kind of reasoning used in democratic countries".
Source: BBC

Quick thoughts...

tootboy — 2004-08-31T11:08:00-05:00

A terror-ble day
What do these things have in common?
-12 Nepali Hostages beheaded in Iraq
-Suicide Bombers murder 16 in Israel
-10 Murdered in Moscow by Suicide Bomber

The Islamists must be stopped. Is there any greater threat to civilization? Each of these terror groups have different agendas and different primary enemies. But the results are the same. And the question is the same…are you with us or are you with them?

France has it’s principles…pass the cheese
What is causing France to be the target of evil psychos in Iraq?
Is France trying to defend itself against Terror? No, of course not.
Is France funding the American effort to stem Terror? No, of course not.
Is France sending beautiful half naked female models to Muslim Holy Sites? No, the Muslims wish!

What could it be? What could France be standing for that could make evil psychos angry.
Oh, France is standing by its decision to ban school children from wearing headscarves, yarmulkes and crosses. What principles to stand up for! To disallow its citizens and people from expressing their religions and living piously!
France might as well say that the terrorists are allowed to blow them up as long as there are not wearing sandals.
And this is the nuanced nation that some on the Democratic ticket thinks we should consult before we do anything?
How did a nation that gave birth to Voltaire, Manet, Lafayette, and Joan of Arc become such a backward nation?

Protest this!
Ah, the smell of democracy in action. I viewed some protesting on the way home today. I love protesting. It’s fun. It’s passionate. It’s vocal. I’ve done it in the past and I have some real fond memories of it. I remember sneaking into the president of my university’s office to protest the raise in bus fees and parking passes across the campus.
But let’s not forget that the NYC police are here to protect us. Let’s remember that they have enough to do to protect all of us from the real evil out there. Let’s not distract them from the real job that they have to do.
Also, and this is important, don’t block NY traffic. This is not San Diego or Seattle. The drivers will think nothing of killing you. So be careful

GOP Convention
I’m not a big McCain fan. He has one thing I like. He is a fiscal conservative and he sticks to it. How was his speech? He is not a passionate speaker but it was fine enough. However, the McCain/Rudy 1-2 punch was a much better 1-2 punch then the Dems first night’s speakers of Carter and Gore who are not only political losers but also not well loved by the Democratic base.
Rudy was great as he was passionate, witty, and stayed on point. He hit his opponent hard without being nasty. Whether you like his message is up to you. But he did his job.
It was interesting to note that when Rudy said that he felt that Kerry was an honorable hero in Vietnam, I thought there would be a chorus of boos. But I was happily shocked that the crowd showed respect for Kerry’s service, and clapped instead with class. Probably the surprise of the week.
Arrrrnold was Mr. Mirth. One liners and lots for the Networks to replay tomorrow. He was strong but nowhere near as original or moving as Rudy.
The Bush Twins are giggly and silly. I will admit that the Kerry girls were much better and probably a bigger help than the BushChicklits
Laura Bush is generally classy. She is not a Hillary. Her role is not to try to upstage her partner or try to share the political spotlight. Her job is to support and serve her partner. That’s not a sexist view. If she were running it would be George’s job to support and serve her. There can only be one president. The spouse is an advisor. But mostly that person is a spouse.

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-09-01T11:09:00-05:00

Would you give money to someone who hates you?
Despite $2 billion in yearly aid, 98 percent of Egyptians have unfavorable view of US.
Just two years ago, Zogby found that 76 percent of Egyptians had an unfavorable impression of the US. Today, that number is 98 percent.
Source: AP
This belies the myth that Arabs are mad at us because of Iraq. They hated us even before.

US tells Syria to surrender. France offers to show them how
The United States, together with France, has begun to circulate a draft resolution in the UN Security Council calling for the immediate withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon. Lebanon accused the United States and France Tuesday of trying to "blackmail" it and Syria, and create trouble between Beirut and Damascus.
Source: Maarivintl

Florida paper demands that the UN should set a deadline to…set a deadline
“Put up or shut up. Another United Nations deadline has passed, this one in Sudan, and the world awaits a response from the global body to what is by many accounts a grave humanitarian crisis.”
-South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board

Animal activists acting like animals
Staff have been sent packets of excrement and had their homes picketed by noisy animal rightists shouting abuse through megaphones and in general trying to disrupt not only the life of employees but also that of their families, including children. They have received frequent abusive telephone calls and threats to spread false information about them to neighbors, including invented allegations that individuals have been involved in child-sex abuse.
Source: Japan Times

With the Olympics over, protesters look to break different records
With 1,191 arrests from convention-related protests on Tuesday, Manhattan broke the record for most arrests in one borough in one day, according to the Office of Court Administration.
The unprecedented number of arrests Tuesday brought to 1,763 the total number of convention-related arrests between last Friday and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, said OCA spokesman David Bookstaver.
Source: NY Newsday

Conservationists advocate for unemployment
Environmentalists asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday to grant protected status to the California spotted owl, claiming the bird's old-growth forest habitat is threatened by logging.
Source: Sign on San Diego

Nepali seeking revenge
An indefinite curfew was imposed yesterday in Kathmandu after angry mobs stormed the city's two mosques, vandalised manpower agencies and attacked the offices of Qatar Airways and Gulf Air. Four deaths are unconfirmed but at least three people are known to have died in the violence which erupted after news of the slaughter of 12 Nepalese hostages in Iraq by an Islamic militant group, Ansar al-Sunnah, the largest number of foreign hostages to be killed at one time by insurgents in Iraq.
Source: Independent, UK

The Socialists in Europe choose greed over courage
The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency’s report on Iran’s nuclear program will help Europe and Russia - two of Iran's largest trading partners, with much to lose if penalties are enacted - which are seeking to defuse any confrontation. In the absence of what one senior European official called "a smoking nuke,'' the report issued yesterday seems likely to delay any major decisions on how to deal with Iran until after the American presidential election. But the report also suggested that the Iranians fully intended to move forward with the production of uranium, on a much larger scale than in the past.
Source: NY Times

Toot's Tidbits!

tootboy — 2004-09-02T11:09:00-05:00

Didn’t he mention that he invented the radar gun?
Former Vice President Al Gore pleaded guilty for speeding when he drove a rented car to visit family on the coast, authorities said. Gore paid the $141 ticket for driving 75 miles per hour on Highway 26 in the northwest corner of the state. The speed limit is 55 in that area.
Source: KATU.com

Attempted Treason
A National Guardsman accused of trying to give al-Qaida information about U.S. troops, including methods for killing soldiers, was found guilty Thursday on all five counts of trying to help the terrorist network.
Source: Centredaily.com

Streep insults the Iron Lady
Meryl Streep described yesterday how she drew inspiration from Margaret Thatcher for her portrayal of a high-flying American senator in the new political thriller The Manchurian Candidate.
Source: UK Telegraph

2 months early - Democrats employ Lawyers again in Florida
The Florida Democratic party and an independent group of voters separately sued the state Tuesday, trying to keep Ralph Nader off the November ballot and accusing the Reform Party's nomination process of being a sham.
Source: AP

Commies don’t like to Che with others
Ernesto Che Guevara was born in Argentina in 1928 but attained fame in the Cuban revolution in the 1950s. A group of Argentine legislators has asked their government to request that Cuba repatriate the remains of the revolutionary, who was killed in Bolivia in 1967. Argentine legislator Ines Perez Suarez, one of the promoters of the initiative, said the government of Carlos Menem should have claimed Che's remains when they were found in Bolivia in 1997, because the guerrilla leader never renounced his Argentine citizenship.
Source: EFE News

If you’re underage, drink all you want as long as you toss your cookies
Even if you're puking, the potty is private, the Montana Supreme Court has ruled. The high court says a police officer went too far when he walked in on a young woman while she was vomiting into the toilet during a loud house party. She was convicted of underage drinking and given a deferred sentence. On appeal, she argued the search of the bathroom was unconstitutional and evidence obtained by the officer could not be used against her.The Supreme Court agreed.
Source: AP

Talk about writer’s block! It took this woman 4 years to come up with this poem. That’s like 2 years for every line.
Poet Molly Birnbaum read aloud to a crowd of feminists gathered in New York's Central Park on Wednesday night, as part of a NOW event dubbed "Code Red: Stop the Bush Agenda Rally."

"Imagine a way to erase that night four years ago when you (President Bush) savagely raped every pandemic woman over and over with each vote you got, a thrust with each state you stole," Birnbaum said from the podium.
Source:CNSNews.com

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-09-03T02:09:00-05:00

Their fight is our fight
The mass hostage-taking at a Russian school was led by a senior Chechen rebel commander and possibly financed by al Qaeda, Itar-Tass news agency quoted sources in the regional security service as saying.

Russian officials say rebels fighting for the region's independence from Moscow are under strong influence from Wahhabism, a strict form of Sunni Islam. Wahhabism, the only permitted form of Islam in Saudi Arabia, is banned in Russia.
Source: Deepikaglobal

Justice: Not served
Argentina's Jewish community was "in shock" Friday at the acquittal of all five local defendants in the 1994 Islamic-radical bombing of a Jewish community center that killed 85 people. The worst terrorist attack in Argentina's history remains unpunished after Thursday's acquittal, for lack of evidence, of four former police officers and a used-car salesman. The verdict came after a three-year trial, the longest in Argentine history.
Source: EFE News

Can’t we get these people math lesions?
Palm Beach County election officials on Thursday downplayed ballot-counting discrepancies as they officially certified polling results a few days early in anticipation of Hurricane Frances. An apparent double-count of 6,701 absentee ballots capped off a difficult week for Supervisor of Elections Theresa LePore, who lost her bid for re-election in Tuesday's primary.
Source: S. Florida Sun-Sentinel

For Once, Happy News!
Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed today said, ''the collective prayer of Indians have been answered by God,'' in the release of the three Indian hostage in Iraq. He said the government acquired the release of the hostages without compromising the policy of not negotiating with terrorists.

Women’s group: If you don’t have sex, you will get AIDS
The United States is endangering the lives of millions of women because of its policy of teaching that sexual abstinence is the best way to fight AIDS, women's health experts said today.
Source: Deepikaglobal

A Special Interview With ATHENA

tootboy — 2004-09-05T11:09:00-05:00

Athena, It’s good to hear from you. How have you been? How’s the weather?

Thanks, it's nice to be able to keep in touch with the rest of the blogosphere. It's very hot and dry. Actually, it's a welcome change because there is no humidity.

What were your first impressions of Jordan?

It's a very beautiful country. When I first stepped off the plane, I was greeted with "Hello Britney Spears" by the man issuing visas. When I first stepped out of the airport, I almost tripped over a woman clad in all black as the call to prayer came over the minaret speakers.

You’ve noted the people have been surprisingly pleasant and how gone out of their way to help you. Have you seen any animosity from them at all?

No, I haven't seen any animosity, but I have been warned that it is there for some people. We're told that some men may refuse to shake our hands and look away when they see us because we are not veiled. Fortunately that hasn't happened yet.

Is there anything that the people in the US should know about the Jordanians or Jordan?

Yes, they are extremely hospitable people. They do like Americans, believe it or not.

Was there something you assumed about the Jordanians or Jordan (example: the way women are treated) that was incorrect?

Well, walking in an older part of Amman, I saw a young boy clobber his sister. It made me extremely mad, but this is the only instance I've seen thus far. I've seen completely veiled women in restaurants eating under their veil. Sometimes this is a personal choice, but sometimes it is the man who requires this.

Have they asked you how Americans view them? What did you tell them?

They think Americans view them as terrorists because they are Arab. We tell them that's not true whatsoever.

Have they asked you about your religion, about your way of life in the United States?

Yes, some ask if I am Christian. I say yes and they just smile and say that's good. I've had random questions like, "Do you wear your seatbelt in the backseat of cars in the States?" "Do you like Bush?" "What's the weather like there?"

Does anyone accuse you of being a spy?

Not yet, but they are suspicious. Me and some friends made the mistake of mentioning FBI in the back of the cab and the driver was rattled…we made a few other dumb statements and I think he started to think we were with the "Muhabarat." [The Jordanian secret police]

What is the relationship between the Royal Family and the Jordanian people?

Some love them and some hate them and some are indifferent. I suppose it's like this in most any country. It's much like Britain where everyone is obsessed with the latest gossip concerning their lives. I just heard Queen Rania is pregnant.

What kind of news sources can you find? Are you able to go to any internet website?
Is any news censured?

The big paper is al-Graid and the Jordan Times of course, which is online in English. Al Jazeera is always on TV, as well as Al-Arabiyya and Al-Hurra. There are tons of satellite stations in my house, even BBC, CNN. I've not seen any censoring so far. They even play [Beyonce’s] "Naughty Girl" on the radio.

How does the Jordanian media depict the U.S. and/or Israel and/or the Europe?

I haven’t seen the Jordanian media other than the papers. They seem to not really like Bush or Sharon (and sometimes Israel), but it seems they blame leaders rather than the people. Al-Jazeera really makes Bush out to be evil. They show pictures of him with Sharon with horror sounding music in the background. Another girl in the program says she was watching a cartoon of an airplane with an evil grin on its face flying into the twin towers.

Is there any difference between the news that’s in Arabic and the news that’s in English?

I can't read Arabic well enough to tell you.

Is there any chance of you staying in Jordan or marrying someone from Jordan?

I wouldn't mind living here while doing research or learning Arabic, but I doubt marrying anyone from this area because the culture is so different.

What kind of amenities have you seen that’s surprised you?

Well, they DO have toilet paper, but not everywhere. Even in the nicest mall, there is a hose in each stall, rather than paper. I have to take a shower by boiling water and standing and using buckets to pour it over me. But, in the nicer hotels, hot running water is available.

Changing the subject…Now that the Athens Olympics are over, do you plan to change your nom-de-plume? Maybe modify it for a future Olympic game setting. (Such as Lady Liberty for the NYC 2012 games?)

Heh, no.

Before you left did you use your proxy vote?

You mean absentee ballot? I'll go to the American Embassy to vote.

It’s only been a week, but (other than the people you’ve left behind) what do you miss the most? Is there anything you wish you had brought with you?

I miss my family and friends, but I'm not very homesick. Everyday I learn or see something new. I wish I had brought more Western clothes! The girls here are beautiful and dress like or more fashionable than many sorority girls back home! (At least in the newer parts of town) I definitely need my pink heels back.

Is there anything this audience can forward along to you? Food, News articles, Plasma TV?

Plasma TVs are always welcome. Feel free to email any news you deem relevant, comments or questions to Athena@TerrorismUnveilved

Thank you for your time and your insights. We wish you well.

You can check out ATHENA'S WEB SITE AT http://athena.blogs.com

REVIEWING THE CONVENTION... Part One

tootboy — 2004-09-08T10:09:40-05:00

The conventions are (finally) over. So, howd they do? Did they accomplish everything they needed to?
Lets see. Cmon as we begin Convention 2004: The Report Card.
The grades are in.
Well be basing this non-partisan report based on the following criteria:
How well did the speaker keep to the theme of the night (if any)
How effective was the speech in exciting the audience?
How effective was the speech in keeping with the party-faithfuls message and securing the base
How effective was the speech in reaching the undecided
How well did the speech provide a positive backdrop for Kerry/Bush
The Intangibles
The speeches will be rated on a scale of 1-12, with 12 being the highest. The reviewer was aided by several life-long Democrats and Independents and only takes the main prime time speakers into consideration.
The transcripts have been reread. The videos/audios have been rerun. Ready? SET? Lets go!

First Nights speakers Part I, the Democrats
AL GORE: Al showed a humor that had been lacking this past 3 plus years since the 2000 election. He was able to poke fun at himself while also throwing a red meat line like, America is a land of opportunity, where every little boy and girl has a chance to grow up and win the popular vote.
He thanked his family and the base. He promised to speak only of the future. He spoke of the past election, & he questioned George W Bushs record (using rhetorical questions). The issues that he felt we should be concerned with were (in order of mention): Jobs creation, unemployment, pollution, global warming, economic competition, fighting Iraq vs. fighting Al Queda, dealing with allies, deficit reduction. He spent 7 paragraphs on the triumphs and the virtues of John Kerry and the Kerry/Edwards ticket, especially highlighting Kerrys senate record. He mentioned the DNC mantra, stronger at home and respected in the world. Gores delivery was good though the audience didnt react with enthusiasm. Gore may have alienated some Kerry supporters by backing Howard Dean in the primaries. Some may not have appreciated his praising of Bill Clinton especially when many believe that he lost the election because he didnt use Clinton to win over voters in 2000. His speech was filled with issues and phrases that the base is familiar with and dear to their hearts. The undecided have seen Al Gore grow fat, grizzly and angry over the past 3 years and will not be moved by his speech. SCORE: 8 Points

JIMMY CARTER: Jimmy continued an odd theme of highlighting past political losers of the Democratic party. Although a winner in 1976, Mr. Carter was beaten badly in 1980 and had not even been allowed to speak at the 1996 Democratic convention. At this convention Carter started off well by talking about honoring military services and unsubtly but effectively contrasted Kerrys military record with Bushs record. The issues that Jimmy mentions are (in order): Energy, taxation, the environment, education and health, and the safety of the nation. He made an odd comment, we need new leaders in Washington whose policies are shaped by working American families instead of the super-rich and their armies of lobbyists. Of course lobbyists and the super-rich makes one think of Bush and oil interests but also Kerry, Edwards and trial lawyers. He then goes on to say to say, [We must] restore the greatness of America, (something that leads one to associate with Ronald Reagans words before his election in 1980), and Trust is at the very heart of our democracy, the sacred covenant between the president and the people which may make the base to believe George W Bush but also recall Bill Clintons problems. He goes on to rewrite history. He seems to take want to take a partial credit for how the Soviets lost the cold war when history shows that his malaise and détente only added to the Soviets confidence. He also states that [since Bush took office] the Middle East peace process has come to a screeching halt for the first time since Israel became a nation. This incredible remark is added by mentioning the more recent progress made by President Bill Clinton. Perhaps Mr. Carter didnt remember the 5 Israeli wars or the current Intifada that began in September 2000. In any case the audience was stunned and dead silent. Jimmys revisionist history lessions also states that President Bush claims to be a war president and then based on the polls, claims to be a peace president. The base, believing that Bush has ignored any polls and has always tried to be a warmongering president, is aghast. At this point, he loses the audience and the base as well as the undecided. He is given a respectful applause. He uses no humor in his speech. It also doesnt help that his time at the podium is keeping the audience from the most anticipated speaker of the night and possibly the convention. SCORE:   3

BILL CLINTON: Clinton begins by thanking and praising his wife, Carter, Gore, the people of NY, Arkansas, Boston and the audience.   He tells them that all Americans want the same things. The issues he mentions in order: Security threats, economic challenges, global warming and AIDS. At first, instead of focusing on what he deems are Americas problems he focuses on Americas opportunities and positive visions. He contrasted the ideas of Democrats and Republicans. He begins with a praise for Bush and then goes into Bushs missed opportunities. He notes several items in which he believes Bush has made bad decisions.
He did not insinuate that Bush misled the American public like the other speakers, just made bad foreign policy decisions. Bill listed red meat stats for the base about the economic and domestic woes of the nation. He continued the stronger at home, respected in the world theme. He crafted statements and made it sound to the audience like it was their suggestion. An example, If you think its good policy to pay for my tax cut with the Social Security checks of working men and women, and borrowed money from China, vote for them. If not, John Kerrys your man. By showing how remarkable Kerry is compared to his own flaws (During the Vietnam War, many young menincluding the current president, the vice president and mecould have gone to Vietnam but didnt.) and listing Kerrys ideas, save Social Security; to make healthcare more affordable and college more available he built up Kerrys image, both as a person and as an executive and leader. He quoted scripture, referenced the founding fathers, and noted great moments in American history (including his election in 1992). The audience loved him, the base loved him and the undecided thought that Bill made Kerry sound the next best thing since Bill Clinton. SCORE: 12
The DNCs first Night was about past Presidential winners. Al Gore, despite not becoming President is considered a winner as the base feels he was cheated out of the office. The message was that Kerry was ready to become the next member of this elite group. While Gore was sound, Carter was not a help; Clinton restored all the promises of the evening.   However, the night had one problem. The biggest star of the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton, originally was not given an opportunity to be a featured speaker at the convention. Later, she was inserted just to introduce Bill. The Democrats missed a chance to energize the base and reach out to the audience. Additional First Night [1-5] SCORE: 2
Total 1st Night score: 25
First Nights speakers Part II, the Republicans
JOHN MCCAIN: Invoking the spirit of the 1936 Democratic Convention, McCain compares FDR message then to the present time. While FDR was trying to communicate a coming threat, McCain talks about a fight between right and wrong, good and evil. McCain remarks focus solely on the war of terror, September 11th and how all Americans need to be united in the fight. He strikes at Democrats claims that Bush hasnt done enough to work with allies by noting, as we've been a good friend to other countries in moments of shared perils, so we have good reason to expect their solidarity with us in this struggle. That is what the President believes. We have received valuable assistance from many good friends around the globe, even if we have, at times, been disappointed with the reactions of some. However, the tone is not nasty and at several points calls Democrats and Kerry, his friends. His comments are to prove that despite some newspaper gossip he is behind the President and for the war in Iraq. McCain receives his biggest reaction from the audience when he talks about a disingenuous film maker, an unsubtle reference to Michael Moore, who unknown to McCain was in the audience. McCain tries to convince the audience that we are all Americans and testify for the President. The base is excited to hear that any supposed gulf between McCains opinions and the Presidents is non-existent. The undecided, as usual love McCain for his credibility factor. McCain loses points for not connecting with the audience. SCORE: 9
RUDY GIULIANI: Rudys message continues McCains testimony for the President role in the war. While McCain focused on a macro version of the war on terror and Americans remaining unified against terrorism, the heart of Rudys words are specific regarding September 11th and the history of Islamic terrorism. He inserts Bush into the great Republican inner circle of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Reagan, while comparing Bush to Winston Churchill. He cited personal remembrances of September 11th. He cited personal remembrances of Bushs role directly after September 11th as Bush dedicated America under his leadership to destroying global terrorism. He reminded the base of Bushs famous quote, Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists". Rudys mannerisms could be considered feisty and spirited. At the half way point he spoke about Kerry. After pointing out that he respected Kerrys service to our nation and this was not a personal criticism he noted his personal beliefs about Kerrys vision and decision-making abilities. He made reference to John Kerry and John Edwards own words to make his point. Rudy, announced as Americas Mayor proceeded to describe the actions of Bush with the rescue workers at the WTC sight days after 9/11. He compared Kerrys and Bushs decision style. It is a passionate speech and certainly the best of the Republican convention. SCORE: 12
The RNCs first night was a night to speak about the War on Terror, and Bushs response to it and role in it. The two speakers stayed completely on message. The two speakers are also two people that have tremendously high Q ratings by people on the left, right and center and are considered to be future contenders for Presidential or vice Presidential office. The base, the audience and the undecided gave the speeches a big hand. Additional 1st Night [1-5]SCORE: 5
Total First Nights Score: 26

REVIEWING THE CONVENTIONS...P... 2

tootboy — 2004-09-09T09:09:31-05:00

HERE ARE THE REVIEWS FROM THE 2ND NIGHT OF EACH CONVENTION
If you see any bias, it is unintentional. Please let me know how we did.
The Democrats
TED KENNEDY:
The Democrats favored son, Ted Kennedy, rose to the podium on the second night of the DNC2004. He begins by being the cheerleader for John Kerry and for Boston. Playing the hometown host of the convention, he waxes poetic about Massachusetts enduring political philosophy. He jokes frequently about his opponents, wed be happy to have [our opponents] over for a polite little tea party. I know just the place right down the road at Boston Harbor. His best-written line is, If America is failing to reach [our goals] today, its not because our ideals need replacing, its because our President needs replacing.
He links John Kerry as the 3rd member of the Boston Presidential Triumvirate of Johns: John Adams and John Kennedy being the others. Ted says that Americans are divided against each other, not just politically but culturally, racially, and among genders and geographically. He recites part of the declaration of independence including the words, under G-d and makes special allusion to his brother, JFK.
He also alludes to the interdependence of the US to other nations. He spoke of the failures of the administration regarding the war on terror: the dead, the wounded, alienated long-times allies, not winning the real war on terrorism.
He spoke of the successes of the Democratic vision: GI Bill, Safety in the workplace, overtime pay, minimum wage. He ended by talking idealistically, romantically, and non-specifically about the greatness of America. Kennedys long speech was much appreciated by the audience and the base. The undecided were not undecided about Kennedy.
SCORE: 9

TERESA HEINZ KERRY
Mrs. Kerry opened up her speech in 5 languages including Italian, French, Spanish & Portuguese and mentioned her continental African family. She says she wants to say a few words about [her] husband John Kerry. She then spends the next 9 paragraphs to introduce herself. This is such a powerful moment for me, I have a very personal feeling about how special America is, I learned something then, and I believe it still.
When she begins talking about John Kerry, it is never about John as a man but John as the idealist. Her monotonous tone never rises to enthusiasm or uses humor. Generally the spouse of the nominee uses her time to speak of the personality of the candidate, the personal side; the softer side. One core Democrat I spoke to cracked that Teresa could have replaced the name John Kerry with any politicians name and no one would have noticed nor would it have changed the meaning of her sentence.
SCORE: 3

BARACK OBAMA
Obama is not a household name. He has not even elected to a major office yet. However, he is surrounded by hype and he is given the Key Note Address by the party. He begins by mentioning his familys supposed humble beginnings. He told his personal story and his familys love for America. I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents dreams live on in my precious daughters. He tries to share his hopes and dreams with the audience.
He shares the partys platform, (Its that fundamental beliefI am my brothers keeper, I am my sisters keeperthat makes this country work) and does a better job than any speaker before him of expressing John Kerrys qualities as a leader, John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and sacrifice, because theyve defined his life. He projects some of the fears and concerns he has with the direction of the United States. If theres an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties.
The audience is enthused as is the base for the young and articulate newcomer. The undecided is impressed with the unknown candidate for the US Senate.
SCORE: 10

The DNCs second night did not seem to have a theme. There were 3 speakers: the rising star of the party, the elder statesman of the party and the wife of the nominee. While Kennedy and Obama centered their talk on the ideals and successes of the Party, Heinz Kerry spoke of her own struggles and ideals. While Kennedy and Heinz Kerry know John Kerry better, it was Obama who expressed it best. The night ended with Obamas message of hope. Heinz-Kerry's talk in between Kennedy's and Obama's stalled the evening for the audience.
Additional 2nd Night [1-5] SCORE: 3
Total 2nd Night score: 25

The Republicans
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Arnold uses humor to frame his speech. One-liners, movie quotes and Media-friendly remarks highlight his speech. Arnolds status as a Hollywood star brings extra attention to the convention as not only is the news following this speech but also entertainment programs and newspaper tabloids.
Arnold describes his upbringing in the Soviet occupied part of Austria. He compares the political culture of Austria to the political parties in 1968. He explains why he is a Republican. His cheerful tone is different than the night before's theme regarding the fight against terror.
He only mentions Bush once and briefly but the delivery is what you'd expect of a big screen action star.
The audience is excited, the base is pleased and the undecided are at the very least entertained. Arnold speech is not one of great importance or urgency. However, his stature as an actor and governor of California is an added attraction. Arnold gets extra points for becoming a watercooler speaker and adding even the least politically interested person to the viewership.
SCORE: 11

JENNA AND BARBARA BUSH
The daughters of George Bush followed Arnolds lead-in. They began by speaking in giggled spurts, making cultural references, telling family secrets. The base, the audience and the undecided are thoroughly embarrassed. It is possible that they related to young voters.   Although they give the shortest prime time speech at either convention they also get the lowest marks.
SCORE: 2

LAURA BUSH
Lauras speech was based on personalizing her husband.
She identified her husbands mindset when it came to deciding to go to war with Iraq. She expressed some of her experiences as the First Lady and some of her conversations with ordinary citizens and famous people.
The audience gave her a respectful but not enthusiastic hand, the base like the way she humanized and supports her husband. The undecided felt her style was refined.
SCORE: 8

The RNCs second nights theme was a personal one. Schwarzenegger talked about why he was a Republican, and why someone in the audience might be a Republican. The Bush daughters role was to speak as young Americans and their personal views on their dad. Laura Bushs seemed to have a personal chat with the audience regarding her insiders view. Although Arnold and Jenna/Barbara did comedy routines, Arnolds turned into a standing ovation while the girls remarks would have made any comedy club audience demand their money back. Lauras likable but rather pedestrian talk balanced the night. While the night was a let down from the first night, it received plenty of air time and talk time the next day because of Arnold and Laura. The fact that no one seemed to have read the Bush daughters' speech before hand is puzzling.
Additional 2nd Night [1-5] SCORE: 3
Total 2nd Nights Score: 24

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-09-09T10:09:55-05:00

The Sounds of the Vast Silent Majority
From the Boston Globe:
There have been no public demonstrations by Muslims anxious to make it clear how outraged they are that anyone could commit such unspeakable deeds for their version of Islam. There has been no anguished outcry by Islam's leading imams and sheiks. Prominent Muslim organizations in the West have not called press conferences to express their disgust. Once again the world has witnessed a savage episode of Islamist terror, and once again it strains to hear a convincing rejection of the terrorists from those who should care most about Islam's reputation.
That is not to say there has been no criticism at all. Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to assure him that "this terrorist act . . . goes against religious teachings and violates human and moral values." Syria's official news agency decried the massacre as "a terrorist, cowardly action." Sheik Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi of Al-Azhar University in Cairo lambasted the murderers for "taking Islam as cover" and said that "those who carry out the kidnappings are criminals, not Muslims."
Better Late than Never
"We have to admit we showed no understanding of the danger occurring in our own country and the world at large." Vlad Putin maybe, finally, getting it.       Source:Jersualem Post

The NY Times still doesnt get it
The NY Times warns Russia, "President Putin has never been strong on diplomatic nuance. But unless he now opens a serious negotiating channel with legitimate Chechen leaders outside the Moscow-backed puppet government, things can only get worse. And if they do, Russia will not only be the nation that pays the price."      Source: NY Times, Sept 4th.
The Islamists want to be in pictures
Police in the Russian city of St Petersburg have found explosives, detonators and a gun in a cinema closed for repairs, Russian media have said.     Source: BBC News
Its election time and the killing is easy
A car bomb exploded outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, killing at least eleven people and wounding more than 130, in an attack police blamed on al Qaeda-linked militants. The blast, which came days ahead of Indonesia's presidential election and exactly a month before Australia's general election.       Source: Yahoo! News
FOUR! But it only holds 2
A Highland Park woman has sued Moraine Township and the Park District of Highland Park after she was injured last year while riding in a golf cart at a picnic. The woman attended a picnic last September sponsored by Moraine Township and got on the back of a golf cart carrying three other people, said Steven Kleinman, general counsel for the Park District Risk Management Agency. The cart was designed to carry two people, he said.             Source: Chicago Tribune

Stimpey, You Idiot! The 'Rich Witch' knows her healthcare plans
Teresa Heinz Kerry said Wednesday that "only an idiot" would fail to support her husband's health care plan. "Of course, there are idiots," Heinz Kerry. If Kerry is elected, Heinz Kerry predicted that opponents of his health care plan would be voted out of office. "Only an idiot wouldn't like this," she said.
"I don't have to sell it - the people want it," Heinz Kerry said of the health plan. "The common man doesn't look at me as some rich witch. I talk about what I see. It has always been so. You judge people not by their pocketbook but by their actions. Walk the walk."    Source: AP
Hurricane 'Nader' will not be landing in Florida
In a tactical victory for John Kerry, a Leon County circuit judge issued an emergency order Wednesday night knocking Ralph Nader off Florida's ballot. I've never seen, in 40 years, a more pell-mell kangaroo court procedure involving any of our third-party activities," Nader told the Tallahassee Democrat after the ruling by Judge Kevin Davey. "This is nothing more than a judge responding to the political imperatives of a nervous and corrupt Democratic Party."         Source: Tallahassee Democrat
They said he died peacefully, but we know the truth. It was the work of the Jews, Blacks and Koreans with help from the PuertoRicans and Indians.
Richard G. Butler, the notorious white supremacist who founded the Aryan Nations and was once dubbed the "elder statesman of American hate," has died at the age of 86, authorities said Wednesday.
John Kerry on Sept 6th, regarding the war on Iraq   ''Today marks a tragic milestone in the war in Iraq; more than 1,000 of America's sons and daughters have now given their lives on behalf of their country, on behalf of freedom, the war on terror."
John Kerry on Sept 7th, regarding the war on Iraq Its the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time

UPDATE: John Kerry's Senate Record

tootboy — 2004-09-09T10:09:08-05:00

Updating John Kerrys Senate attendance in 2004 since the Senate has returned to session since their summer vacation.
As of July 22, John Kerry had missed all 6 votes (not including Judicial confirmations) in July. This means he was present at 12.1% of the votes through August. Including the Judicial confirmations he has been present less than 10% of the time in 2004.

Since the return of the Senate, Kerry (now along with John Edwards) has not been present at any of the votes.
This means he has been on hand to cast his vote 11.5% of the time in 2004.
The missed votes in September by Kerry and Edwards have been tough for his fellow Democrats. At least twice in September, Kerry and Edwards would be votes would have changed the outcome toward a Democrat victory.
John Kerry has shown up for work on 4 days this year.
To be continued....

REVIEWING THE CONVENTIONS...P... 3

tootboy — 2004-09-10T01:09:21-05:00

HERE ARE THE REVIEWS FROM THE 3rd NIGHT OF EACH CONVENTION
If you see any bias, it is unintentional. Please let me know how we did.
the Democrats
JOHN EDWARDS
The Vice Presidential nominee thanks his family and thanks John Kerry for their support. Edwards speaks about Kerrys service in Vietnam for 6 paragraphs. So when a man volunteers to serve his country, and puts his life on the line for othersthats a man who represents real American values.
He mentions negative remarks coming from their opponents and suggests that everyone is sick of it. He involves the audience and includes them in the plans for the Edwards/Kerry campaign. This is where you come in.
The speech turns to Edwards early life and family philosophies. This leads to his campaign slogan of The Two Americas. We shouldn't have two different economies in America: one for people who are set for life, their kids and grandkids will be just fine, and then one for most Americans who live paycheck to paycheck.
He starts a laundry list of promises from tuition and day care assistance, to poverty elimination. Edwards continues speaking of the importance of a secure nation and how the Kerry/Edwards ticket will remain strong vs the USs enemies. He paraphrases an old Ronald Reagan quote, And we will have one clear unmistakable message for al Qaida and the rest of these terrorists. You cannot run. You cannot hide. And we will destroy you.
While sounding hawkish, We will destroy you, Edwards also reaches out to the anti-war majority of the Democratic party when he says about the troops in Iraq, some buttoned their uniform for the final time before they went out to save their unit. Men and women who used to take care of themselves, they now count on others to see them through the day. They need their mother to tie their shoe. Edwards draws a parallel regarding Kerrys knowledge of war in Vietnam with the troops in Iraq. They deserve a president who understands that on the most personal level what they have gone through.
He takes up the cause of veterans benefits. Edwards says that the US military is stretched thin and he says that they plan to modernize our military. But even then, Edwards goes back to Respected in the world mantra by saying, we cant do this alone. We have to restore our respect in the world to bring our allies to us and with us. He goes on to say how John Kerry and he will plan to do this including: Bring the world together to secure WMDs, and close loopholes in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
Edwards begins a hypothetical story about a woman whose husband is in Iraq and she can barely pay the rent and feed the kids. It is an attempt to connect the worries of the economy to the war in Iraq.
He adds a mantra of Hope is on the Way. He begins to rally the audience by making statements and after each stating, Hope is on the Way. By Hope he makes clear he is talking about the Government such as when he says, When your brother calls and says that hes working all the time at the office and still cant get aheadyou tell himhope is on the way. He ends by telling the audience what he and John believe: To lift people up not tear them down, the color of your skin shouldnt control your destiny.
Edwards comes across strong & hawkish but he doesnt alienate the anti-war audience . He is both vague and specific in details on plans. He acts as a strong partner to the presidential candidate, optimistic though a few people said he was too slick. Some believed he failed to do a good job of introducing himself.   SCORE: 11
The DNCs theme on the third night was to prove that the Democrats werent weak on defense and that Edwards was a worthy candidate for Vice President. Both aspects were accomplished. [1-5] SCORE: 5
Total Third Nights Score: 16
the Republicans
ZELL MILLER
Miller starts off slowly talking about his great grandchildren. This seems unrelated to why he, a life-long Democrat, is delivering the Keynote address for the Republicans. The audience may be suspicious about his motives. He finally states that only George Bush can protect his family.
He talks about his upbringing in the 1940s. He relates how all Americans, put down their political affiliations and stood by their leaders, changed their lives to fight together as one nation. He now says that has changed, Democrats and Republicans worked together to ensure that freedom would not falter. But not today.
At this his demeanor changed. He gets fiery. He gets a big applause, with this statement, Motivated more by partisan politics than by national security, today's Democratic leaders see America as an occupier, not a liberator. And nothing makes this Marine madder than someone calling American troops occupiers rather than liberators. He goes on to list the places and ways American troops have helped to liberate other parts of the world and lists the Presidents that commanded them.
He extols the role of the soldier in American history, It is the soldier who has given us the freedom of the press, freedom of speech, the freedom to protest. This is red meat for the flag waving crowd. They are practically at hysterics. He is interrupted by chants of USA from the crowd. Miller relates how the soldier is the tool of the commander-in-chief and their policies. He says specifically that Carters policies were wrong and Reagans were right.
He begins to speak about John Kerry. He says that John Kerry is wrong to be President because his voting record denotes what kind of commander-in-chief hed be. He starts to list 10 weapons systems that Kerry had voted against. Miller then makes the statement, which at the time got the biggest hand and most notoriety afterward, This is the man who wants to be the Commander in Chief of our U.S. Armed Forces? U.S. forces armed with what? Spitballs?
Miller continues with more red meat for the base by remarking that Kerry may let France and the UN decide when the US should defend itself, while he wants Bush deciding. After his long criticism of Kerry, he begins to note why he is crossing party lines for Bush and why he admires Bush, as a human being and leader, I have knocked on the door of this man's soul and found someone home...And this Democrat is proud to stand up with him
The base and the audience vigorously approved Mr. Millers speech. The undecided said had credibility fordaring to cross party lines for the first time in his life. Mr. Millers score reflects his defection as a one-time Keynote speaker for Clintons convention to one for Bush solely on the issue of the war on terror. This defection gave Miller added media coverage.   SCORE: 11
DICK CHENEY:
The VP began talking about his grandfather, the promise of America, and some of the things he felt were the administrations success with regards to domestic issues. He then led his speech into the horrors of the war on terror and how Bush has dealt with the terrorists. He spoke of the administrations success with regards to the war on terror namely the removal of the threats from Hussein, Libya, Afghanistan, black markets for WMDs.
After speaking about what the Presidents administration has done he begins to talk about John Kerry. He makes it known that he honors Kerrys war experience, but, But there is also a record of more than three decades since. He continues speaking about Kerrys senatorial record specifically his opposition to defense initiatives and the Gulf War. Cheney ends by comparing Kerry and Bushs tone and decisiveness.
Cheneys remarks pretty much continued & mirrored the previous speakers, Zell Miller, without the fiery passion. It is a calm dialogue that although not boring it is not enthralling. The base and the audience are comfortable with Cheney and his tone. It reminded them of why they liked him in the first place to be the backup to the President. The undecided have already made their decision on Cheney and this speech wont change their mind. A fairly unmemorable speech.   SCORE: 7
The RNCs theme on the third night was why Bush is necessary to win the war on terror and why voting for Kerry would be a disaster. Cheneys remarks echoed Millers without the passion. While Cheney was the big name, it was Miller who received the spotlight and the highlights. [1-5]SCORE: 4
Total Third Nights Score: 22

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-09-10T04:09:36-05:00

More press and promotion for Moore
In what book publishers call a rare event, The New York Times has denied permission to reprint one of its recent articles in the forthcoming Michael Moore book, "The Official 'Fahrenheit 9/11' Reader."
"We strongly value The Times's neutrality in its election coverage," spokeswoman Catherine Mathis said, "and we are determined not to associate ourselves with any work in film or print that attacks either candidate."
Moore's response, as quoted in Friday's New York Times: "They made the determination of what is in the book without having read it. I think that's pretty lame."
Source: NY Times
What a mother!
Actress Ellen Barkin, startled those attending the Venice Film Festival this week by saying she would force her daughter to have an abortion.   "I am the mother of a 12-year-old girl and I can tell you unequivocally that if my daughter was pregnant, I would take her kicking and screaming to have an abortion. Source: LifeNews

Blowing in the wind
A South Florida businessman says he's going to try to reduce the strength of Hurricane Ivan by flying a Boeing 747 into the edge of the hurricane and dumping thousands of pounds of an absorbent material into the storm.
Source: WFTV.com

The world argues as people die
The United States on Thursday declared the violence in the Darfur region was genocide and urged the world to back an expanded African peacekeeping force to halt the bloodshed. The measure threatens sanctions on Sudan's budding oil industry, which pumps about 320,000 barrels per day, if Khartoum does not stop the abuses. Germany, which also supports the U.S. draft resolution, dismissed the debate over the genocide charge. "Far more important than the term is to find clarity in New York soon on how to proceed," Foreign Ministry spokesman Walter Lindner said. China, one of Sudan's oil customers, threatened to use its veto power against the resolution if changes were not made.
Source: Reuters
John Kerrys Spirit Crushing Foolishness
Slate's Chris Suellentrop notes a hilarious provision in the Kerry health plan: "What I want to do, what I'm determined to do, and it's in my health-care plan, is refocus America on something that can reduce the cost of health care significantly for all Americans, which is wellness and prevention," Kerry said. So far, so good. But then, "And I intend to have not just a Department of Health and Human Services, but a Department of Wellness." Again, what? Apparently this idea comes from Teresa Heinz Kerry, who told the Boston Herald in January 2003 that she would, in the Herald's words, "be an activist first lady, lobbying for a Department of Wellness that would stress preventive health." Mickey Kaus calls this "Spirit-crushing foolishness from my candidate, John Kerry" (asterisks in original): The nation is trying to figure out how to fight global terrorism and he's talking about having "not just a Department of Health and Human Services, but a Department of Wellness." How about a Department of F***ing Perspective?

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-09-13T02:09:38-05:00

6 very ambitious psychotic young men. What kind of school do they go to?
Six Egyptian students from Cairo, who were caught after they crossed the Egyptian border near Nitzana on August 25 carrying 14 knives, black camouflage attire, backpacks, binoculars, communications equipment, and maps of Israel, were indicted today at the Beer Sheva District Court.
The Egyptians planned to kidnap Israeli soldiers in order to negotiate the release of Palestinian security prisoners. The Egyptians also planned to take command of an IDF tank and rob a bank in Mitzpe Ramon. Source: israelinsider

Cuomo, comments, on counting, Kerry's, commas, is there a quota?
FORMER Gov. Mario Cuomo, says John Kerry must start using some plain talk in order to get his presidential campaign back on track.   "He's very smart, he's intelligent, he's good with words — it's just that he's good with words in the Senate and that's different than talking to a TV camera or talking to groups," Cuomo continued. Cuomo said that Kerry's sometimes convoluted speaking style has made it difficult for voters to understand his positions.
"The question is: 'Can he do it every day without using sentences with three commas in them?' "   Source: New York Post
It's about Time counting Kerry's commas
"I'm not going to say one, two, three"
"I've made mistakes, and I've done things that I regret, sure"
Source: TIME.com

We Shall Never Forget...Forget about what?
"Nobody feels the need to show students any more pictures of airplanes going into buildings," said Susan Stewart, who teaches 10th-grade government at Palo Alto High School. "I don't know that it's very constructive for people to wallow in that."
On the first anniversary, classrooms everywhere imposed moments of silence. On the second anniversary, there were the moments of silence. Now, three years teachers say they are more interested in having students consider the rapidly unfolding events of the day than to dwell on the tragedy.
In fact, difficulty in handling the emotions of Sept. 11 has led some schools to avoid the topic altogether.   Source:SF Gate

All Joking aside:... Awful stat of the week:
In Michigan 2003, black women had 10,911 abortions. (For the sake of comparison, 1,283 Michiganders of all ages and races died in traffic accidents in 2003)
Detroit Free Press

Russia: We do not understand that terrorists rarely have military bases
Russia has the right to carry out pre-emptive strikes on militant bases abroad, Russia's defense minister said Sunday, citing the school hostage crisis.   Source: Yahoo!

Russia: Hint Hint... France you stink!
Russian Defense Minister Ivanov, "It has been easier for us to find a basis for mutual understanding with the United States than with some of the European nations."   Source: Yahoo!

Kerry on 9/11/04: I promise to divide America along racial lines even if I am not elected President
"We are not going to stand by and allow another million African American votes to go uncounted in this election," the Democratic presidential nominee told the Congressional Black Caucus. "We are not going to stand by and allow acts of voter suppression, and we're hearing those things again in this election."   "What they did in Florida in 2000, some say they may be planning to do this year in battleground states all across this country," Kerry said. "Well, we are here to let them know that we will fight tooth and nail to make sure that this time, every vote is counted and every vote counts." Source: AP
Kerry: I promise that Lawyers will never be counted among the unemployed
Kerry has a team of lawyers to examine possible voting problems to try to prevent a repeat of the 2000 election disputes. He also has said he has thousands of lawyers around the country prepared to monitor the polls on Election Day. Source: AP

no subject

tootboy — 2004-09-13T04:09:23-05:00

Some say President Bush has trouble communicating because of his "Bushisms".
John Kerry wants to prove that his communication troubles don't come from taking ideas in his brain and mixing up the words. His problems come from what his supporters call, "being naunced". He is never sure what his response should be as he is never sure of the answer. He can't make up his mind. Every option sounds good (or bad).   And he likes to dismiss even the easiest questions.
This week Mr. Kerry gives an interview with Time Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040920-695825-2,00.html
Here are some of the comments by "Mr. Naunced": [epillipses are mine and none of the statements are Dowdified]
[After saying that the President has not handled the war in Iraq correctly here is the followup question]
TIME
Is the President being as aggressive as he should be in dealing with insurgent strongholds in Iraq?
KERRY
At this moment in time, I'm not sitting with the generals in front of me for the full briefing. I'm not going to comment on that right now. [Translation: "No comment"]
TIME
As President, who would be the first person you would phone?
KERRY
I'm not going to say one, two, three. I will tell you that I have 20 years of experience on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I have personal relationships with leaders around the world. I will not cede our security to any other country. I won't cede our security to any institution, but I know how to reach out to countries and leaders and build bipartisan-support structures necessary to strengthen the country. [Huh? An easy question and the answer has no answer]
TIME
You can't be more specific?
KERRY
I know exactly what I'm going to do, but I'm not the President today. I've already laid out the international conference, the shared responsibilities between European and Arab countries, the more rapid training of Iraqi police and military. [Translation: I am not sure. It's all up here and I'll let you know when I figure it at out myself. I'm sure the Europeans will be happy to hear I've decided their roles for them]
TIME
If I could get back to politics
KERRY
I don't talk politics.
TIME
Are you surprised at the bounce Bush got out of his convention?
KERRY
I don't know what you're talking about in terms of the Bush bounce.

Madeline (perhaps not so) Albright

tootboy — 2004-09-13T04:09:49-05:00

Madeline Albright is very helpful with Tim Russert on Meet the Press. In her attempt to boost Senator Kerry she gives reasons why Kerry and his team are falling in the polls as people begin to learn about him.

On Kerry's hopefully try 'perhap/maybe/couldbe' not so sure-fire Iraqi policy (bold is mine)
MR. RUSSERT: What is John Kerry's position on Iraq? What would he do right now as commander in chief?
MS. ALBRIGHT: He has said that what he would do is to try to make clear that we have to internationalize it. That he, in fact, would press to try to get the countries in the region to make sure that the borders are not so porous, get NATO more involved in it, try to, in fact, move forward on trying to get the Iraqis better trained, and turning it over to the Iraqis in a way that I think is much more effective than what this administration has done. But his main point here is that we cannot do it alone and that we have to internationalize this and that our forces need to be equipped better and that, in fact, we have to be able to get the Iraqis properly trained and, in many ways, try to get others to pick up the burden.
On dealing with terrorists, let's go back to the very successful pre-9/11 methods:
"There is no question that Senator Kerry would have reacted to an act of war in a military way. But we also have to understand that law enforcement plays a part in dealing with the terrorists"
Ms. Albright says she was duped by the openly-evil North Korean government. So we should invade them!
MR. RUSSERT: But didn't North Korea develop a nuclear bomb on Bill Clinton's watch?
MS. ALBRIGHT: No, what they were doing, as it turns out, they were cheating.
MR. RUSSERT: And it is now an imminent threat?
MS. ALBRIGHT: Well, I think it's a very dangerous threat, and I also think they get the wrong message out of Iraq. You know, we invade countries that don't have nuclear weapons and we don't invade those that do. We didn't invade the Soviet Union and China, so why not build up nuclear weapons as quickly as possible?

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-09-14T01:09:51-05:00

What’s a “non-lethal weapon”? Mel Gibson tied to a train track?
The Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation is designing a combined lethal and nonlethal weapons system to be fielded to Army and Marine Corps units in Iraq by summer, 2005, in an experiment called “Project Sheriff.” Source: European and Pacific Stars & Stripes

In some states, it’s illegal to talk on the phone and drive. Now you can drive by phone
A Saudi engineer has invented an instrument to prevent car theft. The device which is linked to the car owner’s mobile phone can monitor the criminal in the car.
“The owner will be able to control the car using his mobile,” Al-Watan Arabic daily quoted Sunbul as saying. “As long as the thief drives the car within the range of the mobile, the owner will be able to control it,” he said, adding that the device would cost about SR300. Source: ArabNews
Does anyone sense they are scared of the awakened Bear?
A Chechen rebel envoy on Tuesday urged the international community to help bring peace to the southern Russian republic and warned of future tragedies on the scale of the school hostage seizure in Beslan unless stability was restored. Akhmed Zakayev, accused Western governments of giving Russian President Vladimir Putin carte blanche to crush the rebels by force. Zakayev said the West must urge Russia to hold peace talks with "the democratically elected government of Chechnya, under the auspices of international mediators," and suggested the United Nations would be the best body to oversee such talks.    Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Isn’t the proper term, “Vertically-Challenged Radios”?
North Korea on Tuesday accused the United States of sending midget radios and "impure" publications into the country to destroy the isolated communist state with "rotten imperialist reactionary culture." Source: Newsday.com

Polls we never hear about
In a stunning display of support for democracy and a strong rebuttal to critics of efforts to bring democratic reform to Iraq, 87% of Iraqis indicated that they plan to vote in January elections. Expanding on the theme, 77% said that "regular, fair elections" were the most important political right for the Iraqi people and 58% felt that Iraqi-style democracy was likely to succeed.   Source: www.iri.org

The Bank Robbers are the owners of the Bank

tootboy — 2004-09-15T01:09:58-05:00

So on the 14th the House of Reps decided they deserve a raise and gave themselves one.
Nice of them to spend our money on themselves.
Just in case you weren't sure who voted for this here's how it went
53% of the Republicans voted for it, 40% against it and 7% did not vote
57% of the Dems voted for it, 38% voted against it and 5% did not vote.
So it just proves that no matter what party they belong to, most politicians have a great sense of entitlement to take more for themselves.
Here's the link if you want to see what your Representative did. Mine voted 'YEA’.

no subject

tootboy — 2004-09-16T08:09:48-05:00

I will be away the next couple of days. TIDBITS shall return. LOL!
Lashana Tova

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-09-17T07:09:51-05:00

Thanks Claudia
Another great read by the only reporter who seems to be getting to the heart of the Oil for Food Scandal.

Roe V. War
Abortion - not the war in Iraq - is the main issue for elected Catholic officials this year, several Catholic scholars said yesterday at the National Press Club.
Source: The Washington Times

Kerry’s sister blames October 2002 Bali attacks on March 2003 Iraq war
JOHN Kerry's campaign has warned Australians that the Howard Government's support for the US in Iraq has made them a bigger target for international terrorists.
Diana Kerry, younger sister of the Democrat presidential candidate, told The Weekend Australian that the Bali bombing and the recent attack on the Australian embassy in Jakarta clearly showed the danger to Australians had increased.
Source: The Australian

Stop! Johnny Depp DVDs maybe helping terrorists
Australia is being flooded with pirate DVDs - and the money is helping fund global terrorism. Interpol is warning that counterfeit discs have overtaken drugs as the biggest source of income for organised crime gangs based in South-East Asia.
A United Nations report said 1kg of counterfeit discs was worth more than the same weight of marijuana.
Source: DVD-Recordable
Syrious Rewards
Martin Indyk served two stints as US Ambassador to Israel during the Clinton Administration.   He is one of the individuals that the Kerry campaign has identified as part of its Middle East advisory team, and many think he will return to a significant government job in the diplomatic arena, were Kerry elected. It is therefore of more than passing significance that Indyk last week argued that the Golan Heights belong to Syria, and Israel will not realize peace without surrendering it. Source: Jerusalem Post
Appease 'em, Pay 'em, please 'em
France is to spend €12.7 billion ($22 billion) on a program to tackle unemployment, disaffection and growing religious extremism in its Muslim-dominated ghettos. The Labour Minister, Jean-Louis Borloo, a former lawyer to the rich now portrayed as the caring face of conservatism, aims to create a million jobs and 500,000 new homes in what has been called a "Marshall plan for towns". His timing was bad. As he presented his scheme to President Jacques Chirac and the cabinet on Wednesday, the state audit office was announcing a record deficit in the troubled health system, the shortfall having almost doubled to €11.9 billion in a year. Source: smh.com.au
If they can’t get into Germany they can always go to France and get a hand out
Berlin - Germany will refuse visas to anyone seeking to take part in a controversial Arab and Islamic conference next month in Berlin, the foreign ministry said on Friday. "Fundamentalists and preachers of hate have no place in Germany," foreign ministry spokesperson Walter Lindner said.   Source: News24 (South Africa)
Brokers burning for Bush; Lawyers, Lobbyists and Professors profess to loving Kerry
The president soaked up most of the donations from eight out of 10 business sectors, including the financial services sector. The only two business sectors that gave more cash to Kerry were the lawyers and lobbyists group, and the communications and electronics sector, which includes phone and computer companies, as well as Hollywood movie studios.   Topping the list for Bush are securities firms Morgan Stanley & Merrill Lynch. The money does not come from the organizations themselves, but from political action committees (PACS), set up to funnel donations, or from employees and their families.
By contrast, the two biggest contributors to Kerry's campaign are not from business but academia: the University of California, and Harvard University. Again, the institutions themselves did not make the donations; they came from their PACS or employees.
Source: CNN.com

IMUS and KERRY

tootboy — 2004-09-18T04:09:57-05:00

I’ve been accused of picking on Kerry. While, it may be true, I have few problems with Mr. Kerry as a man. My difficulty with him is his positions, or at least his lack thereof. If this man wants to be the President, and he might win, I want to know where he stands. Besides my angelic voice can’t compete with the tone-deaf multitudes of vitriol voices.  Bush of course has alienated most on the left. Kerry is in the midst of doing the same.

Mr. Kerry had a chat with Don Imus this week. You can read it but I want to point a couple of things out. Please look at the way he never answers any question, or gives a straight opinion.

Remember, Imus has been supporting Kerry, so this is a relatively non-abusive interview. Please let me know if you see what Kerry is planning to do as commander in chief. As I’ve said, he keeps ducking the questions and says he will let everyone know his specific plans on Jan 20th.

IMUS: You know, Senator Kerry, you say you have this plan to get out of Iraq in your first term, which, barring some scandal, would be four years.
(LAUGHTER)
I've known you a long time, Senator Kerry.
KERRY: That's counting correctly. That's counting correctly.
IMUS: What is this plan you have?
KERRY: Well, the plan gets more complicated every single day because the president...
IMUS: Try to simplify it for me so I can understand it.
KERRY: I'm going to just tell you why.
IMUS: OK.
KERRY: Because about -- I can't remember whether it's -- several months ago, I said, "This may the president's last chance to get it right in Iraq." That's what I said. And I said, as Joe Biden did and others did, "Mr. President, you've got to lead. You've got to get the international community at the table." The president has never done that. Now it's obviously, with the situation on the ground, much more complicated; I have to acknowledge that. It is more complicated. But I would immediately call a summit meeting of the European community. They haven't lived up to the obligations of their own resolution that they passed at the U.N. It is important to do much more rapid training. Senator Biden came back from over there, other experts have observed they're not doing the training that's necessary, at a pace that's necessary, in a way that's necessary to establish the security. And it is going to be critical to accelerate that kind of training.
But look, I have to look and see what I have on January 20. At the rate the president's going, nobody can predict what will happen on January 20. I'll tell you this: A new president, with new credibility, with a fresh start, who listens to the military leaders, doesn't fire them, like General Shinseki, when they give him advice they don't like, a new president who has credibility with the foreign leaders, will have the opportunity to isolate the extremists and to bring people to the table in different ways: for border security, for training, and to do the things necessary to provide stability. I'm committed to providing that stability, but I'll tell you, this president is making it tougher every single day by just not understanding and not being honest about what's going on.
IMUS: But it sounds -- that may or may not be a good plan, but meanwhile, we had three soldiers dead in Iraq yesterday and how many die before -- wind up over there in the rehab room at Walter Reed before a plan like this kicks into effect? Also, I was talking to...
KERRY: Well, Don, I realize that, but the fact is that the president is the president. I mean, what you ought to be doing and what everybody in America ought to be doing today is not asking me; they ought to be asking the president, What is your plan? What's your plan, Mr. President, to stop these kids from being killed? What's your plan, Mr. President, to get the other countries in there? What's your plan to have 90 percent of the casualties and 90 percent of the cost being carried by America? I mean, he is the president today, and we have given him advice from day one; from day one, from the floor of the Senate when we debated it where I said don't -- you know, you've got to have other countries with you, don't make an end runaround the U.N., the difficulty is not winning the military, it's winning the peace; and he ignored it. And others -- the bipartisan, Dick Lugar, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Joe Biden, and the Foreign Relations Committee gave him advice that he chose to ignore. And since then, many times we've stood up and said, "Mr. President, this is what you have to do." He's chosen not to do those things.
IMUS: We're asking you because you want to be president.
KERRY: That's correct. But I can't...
IMUS: He's not going to answer any questions.
KERRY: I can't tell you what I'm going to find on the ground on January 20th.

Battle Royale

tootboy — 2004-09-19T12:09:48-05:00

Convex and Tootboy got in a steel cage. China Vs. Triple H! We battled it out at the cantina. And Greedo did not shoot first! In the end...we came to understand.  If you dare to Read and skim you may learn something. Watch what happens when people are ready to listen...if you Dare!
http://tootboy.mindsay.com/?skip=6

TOOT'S TIDBITS!

tootboy — 2004-09-20T03:09:37-05:00

Another Kennedy involved in politics is like watching another Emmy Award Show
Kennedy clan member Bobby Shriver, who got involved with local politics in a fight over untidy hedges, declared himself a candidate Sunday for the City Council in Santa Monica, a Los Angeles suburb.
Source: CNN.com

Looking to become Bush’s next Secretary of State? Kerry advises Bush on the Iraq War.
Kerry said President Bush has to get more international support for the war effort -- and he should do it this week.
Kerry also said the president "must get serious" about training Iraqi security forces -- both inside and outside Iraq.
Third, he said the president must "carry out a reconstruction plan that finally brings tangible benefits to the Iraqi people." He indicated that poor planning has left the Iraqi people in limbo.
Fourth, Kerry said the president must take urgent steps to ensure a "credible election" in Iraq. That includes bringing in help from other countries, he said.
[Snip]…We can't afford to wait until January.
Source: cnsnews.com P.S. Yes, I am expecting tons of email based on this headline.

Wars will be outlawed, and beer-jerky will be the currency for all nations
The rules for using military force will be a key focus for an international panel working to update and reform the United Nations, a member of the panel said on Monday.
"There's been much recent international controversy of course about the rights and wrongs of using force, not just reactively, but pre-emptively and preventively in situations of self-defense, in actions against states posing threats to others outside their borders and actions against states posing threats to their own people,” said a member of the panel.
Source: reuters

Rewarding the too little too lates
The International Atomic Energy Agency and its chief Mohamed ElBaradei are the most likely winners of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, experts said on Monday, just a day before a final Nobel Committee meeting was set to designate the laureate.
The IAEA and ElBaradei played a vital role in the inspections of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's weapons arsenal and the search for his suspected nuclear programme, and more recently in the attempts to rein in suspected nuclear activity in North Korea and Iran.
Source: Iol.co.za

Iranian Control of Hamas Opens Gaza Strip to Iranian Surface Missiles
Source: DEBKAfile

Indonesia-A possible ally?
A former general who has pledged to fight terror and fix the economy was headed for a landslide win over incumbent President Megawati Sukarnoputri in Indonesia's landmark elections today, according a countrywide sampling of votes.
Source: TheStar.com

Does this mean that India is pulling it’s troops from Kashmir?
An army major was killed and a woman injured in north Kashmir late last night, official sources said today.
They said militants attacked a security force search party at Nadihal Bandipora last night. Security forces also returned the fire and in the gunbattle Major Ganesh was killed.
Sources said reinforcement was rushed from the nearby camp and the entire area has been cordoned off.
IN OTHER NEWS FROM INDIA…Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has firmly ruled out sending Indian troops to Iraq and said offers of help for the war-torn country must await better security.
Source: deepikaglobal.com
The UN Fiddles while Dafur burns
A woman and teenage girl who were raped and abducted by soldiers in Western Darfur have claimed that the Sudanese army organised airlifts of sex slaves to serve as the "wives" of government soldiers in Khartoum. Source: Telegraph