Hastert and crew are defending their decisions when faced with actual sexual misconduct while GOP candidates are running ads attacking incumbents who voted to fund the NIH which, in turn, uses a small portion of its grant system to fund sexual health research.
North Carolina candidate Vernon Robinson used an ad to attack the incumbent, Rep Brad Miller, last month and ignited a storm of controversy. Now, Paul Nelson has plagiarized the offending ad for his campaign against Rep Ron Kind in Wisconsin. Nelson's spokeswoman, Sheila Mealey, says the ads are similar. Watch the ads yourself and decide. Then check out the comments at TPM Cafe for the discussion.
Updated: McBride saw a story about the ad. Then she missed the story behind it.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
On Increasing Headcount At City Hall
There has been discussion about having the city and the Chamber of Commerce jointly fund a "go-to" position for economic development in Evansville. The Economic Development Committee recommended that the city fund 40% of such a position to the tune of $12,000 a year.
The position was not funded in the latest budget proposal, mainly due to WERP restrictions but could be resurrected by cuts to other programs.
To my mind, this position would be a waste of city dollars. The whole point is to have one place to call for those looking to invest in the city and to drive economic, rather than residential, growth in the city. The best possible solution to that would be to fill the vacant City Administrator's position with someone who will aggressively represent the city.
Too often in the past, the City Administrator has been turned into a hand-holder for residential development at the expense of much needed Industrial and Commercial business. Teaming with the CoC in those duties will result in a conflict of interest for either the city or the Chamber that could quickly become untenable. While there are mutual benefits to be driven by new business in town, there are also situations that would benefit the city while contradicting the mission of the Chamber.
In order to best benefit the city we need to fill the Administrator's position soon (the newest target date is 11/16) with someone to serve as a lightning rod for the interests of the city and the taxpayers. Funding a position for the CoC is not in the best interests of either group.
One who serves two masters serves neither well. (Matt. 6:24)
The position was not funded in the latest budget proposal, mainly due to WERP restrictions but could be resurrected by cuts to other programs.
To my mind, this position would be a waste of city dollars. The whole point is to have one place to call for those looking to invest in the city and to drive economic, rather than residential, growth in the city. The best possible solution to that would be to fill the vacant City Administrator's position with someone who will aggressively represent the city.
Too often in the past, the City Administrator has been turned into a hand-holder for residential development at the expense of much needed Industrial and Commercial business. Teaming with the CoC in those duties will result in a conflict of interest for either the city or the Chamber that could quickly become untenable. While there are mutual benefits to be driven by new business in town, there are also situations that would benefit the city while contradicting the mission of the Chamber.
In order to best benefit the city we need to fill the Administrator's position soon (the newest target date is 11/16) with someone to serve as a lightning rod for the interests of the city and the taxpayers. Funding a position for the CoC is not in the best interests of either group.
One who serves two masters serves neither well. (Matt. 6:24)
Newest Republican Response To Misfeasance In Office By Hastert And His Posse?
Blame Steve Kagen.
Nevermind that Reynolds, the man in charge of finding and developing Republican candidates is so insecure in his own race that he doesn't mention his party affiliation on his own website.
The NRCC, led by the Federally embattled Tom Reynolds, has dumped nearly $8
million into attacking challengers in Republican held districts.
Nevermind that Reynolds, the man in charge of finding and developing Republican candidates is so insecure in his own race that he doesn't mention his party affiliation on his own website.
I Guess It's True. Men Are Idiots
Leann Real promised her husband, an avid sports fan, that if they ever had
a son he'd get to pick the name. ESPN Montana Real was born this week at Biloxi
Regional Medical Center.From the AP
The CEO Administration's Trickle Down Corruption
From WDSU
Federal agents have arrested two current employees and one former employee of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency in an undercover sting operation.
Agents said the sting caught the men trying to sell air conditioning units which were stolen from FEMA trailers being stored in Baton Rouge. The arrested men were Byron Basil, 29, of Plaquemine; Leroy Thomas Jr., 37, of Baton Rouge; and Byron Hardesty, 37, of Baker.
Federal agents have arrested two current employees and one former employee of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency in an undercover sting operation.
Agents said the sting caught the men trying to sell air conditioning units which were stolen from FEMA trailers being stored in Baton Rouge. The arrested men were Byron Basil, 29, of Plaquemine; Leroy Thomas Jr., 37, of Baton Rouge; and Byron Hardesty, 37, of Baker.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
New GOP Plan: Punish The Pages
Rep Ray LaHood has called for the Page Program to be suspended calling it a flawed program. From the Oregonian:
So there you have it. The issue isn't a predator in Congress. It isn't the failure of Republican Leadership (of which Foley was a part) to investigate or communicate. The issue isn't the cover-up or the CYA attitude in Dennis Hastert's Office. It's all about them gays.
Yesterday Hastert said that he takes full responsibility but that he will take no action to hold himself accountable. Although his words said, "The Buck stops here," he made it very clear that his search continues for someone to whom he can pass the buck. That seems to be a common theme in Washington over the last 6 years, doesn't it?
Related: Seth says, "It's the cover-up, stupid!"
Update: The Republican from Utah puts the blame where it belongs; on the page's parents.
Either today's House members are less capable of being trusted aroundLast night on John Williams' WGN Radio show LaHood was asked if he thought other pages were in peril. "Well," he said, "There are other gays in Congress."
16-year-olds, or today's 16-year-olds -- as one conservative voice suggested
Tuesday -- are more dangerous and seductive.
To liberate House members from this unbearably suggestive atmosphere, from now on their errands might have to be run by prison trusties, or possibly elderly British nannies -- unless congressmen just decide to eliminate the middlemen and replace the teenagers with lobbyists.
So there you have it. The issue isn't a predator in Congress. It isn't the failure of Republican Leadership (of which Foley was a part) to investigate or communicate. The issue isn't the cover-up or the CYA attitude in Dennis Hastert's Office. It's all about them gays.
Yesterday Hastert said that he takes full responsibility but that he will take no action to hold himself accountable. Although his words said, "The Buck stops here," he made it very clear that his search continues for someone to whom he can pass the buck. That seems to be a common theme in Washington over the last 6 years, doesn't it?
Related: Seth says, "It's the cover-up, stupid!"
Update: The Republican from Utah puts the blame where it belongs; on the page's parents.
"Frankly, this is the responsibility of the parents," (Rep Chris) CannonAfter all, Ray Lahood says that Congress is a creepy place.
said. "If you get online you may find people who are creepy. There are creepy
people out there who will do and say creepy things. Avoid them. That's what you
have to do. And maybe we can say that a little more to the pages."
How Much Safer Do You Feel?
I know that you must have felt safer last week when the TSA confiscated my purple Sharpie at the Madison airport. But, how much safer does this make you feel?
Or this?
More than 30,000 airline passengers have asked just one agency — the
Transportation Security Administration — to have their names cleared from the
lists, according to the Government Accountability report.
Or this?
He said an agreement reached Friday between the U.S. and the European wouldEven if you're comfortable giving up your liberty, are you willing to trust this administration with your credit card info?
help prevent people from being misidentified. The agreement calls for airlines
to submit 34 pieces of data — including names, addresses and credit card details
— about passengers flying from Europe to the United States.
Arts In Evansville
On October 13, the very talented singer & songwriter, Becca Tracey, is scheduled to perform at Real Coffee al Gusto. Stop over and have a glass of vino and support a local talent.
Becca is an Evansville HS graduate who went to UW-Madison and got her degree in Education. She later got a teaching job in Nashville where she developed her true love of singing and songwriting. You can visit her website here. Please come out and support her at Real Coffee next Friday night.
Becca is an Evansville HS graduate who went to UW-Madison and got her degree in Education. She later got a teaching job in Nashville where she developed her true love of singing and songwriting. You can visit her website here. Please come out and support her at Real Coffee next Friday night.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Follow The Bouncing Ball
Sykes says he doesn't believe the Drudge Report but posts the story word-for-word anyway.
How long will it take for this drivel to be reposted as Gospel?
How long will it take for this drivel to be reposted as Gospel?
Hey, Susan. Mark Graul Still Owes You A Favor
Maybe Susan Ralston can get a job with Graul on Team Green. After all, she's done favors for some of them.
Ryan Supports The Cover-up
Paul Ryan is firmly behind the lack of leadership that has been covering up the actions of the Congressional Predator Foley.
Apparently rhetoric about protecting America's families falls by the wayside when politics kicks in. Southern Wisconsin voters should tape that quote to a note card to carry with them to the polls.
A vote for Paul Ryan is a vote for more of the same.
Related: Xoff wonders who else Paul Ryan supported in this way.
"You are seeing a rally-around-the-speaker effort more than anything else," he
said.
Apparently rhetoric about protecting America's families falls by the wayside when politics kicks in. Southern Wisconsin voters should tape that quote to a note card to carry with them to the polls.
A vote for Paul Ryan is a vote for more of the same.
Related: Xoff wonders who else Paul Ryan supported in this way.
He Said. The He Said. Then She Said
Denny said:
Then, later, he said instead:
Because They said to Denny:
But what did our own Miss Reliable say?
We can count on Jess to get to the story late and wrong.
"I saw Bill Clinton's adviser, Richard Morris, was saying these guys knew about
this all along," he said. "When the base finds out who's feeding this monster,
they're not going to be happy.... The people who want to see this thing blow up
are ABC News and a lot of Democratic operatives, people funded by George Soros."
Then, later, he said instead:
"I only know what I've seen in the press and what I've heard. There's no
ultimate, real source of information, but that's what I've read. And that's what
I've heard in the press." Later, he said he believed that Democrats "don't have
a story to tell. And maybe they're resolving to another way to -- to -- another
political tactic."
Because They said to Denny:
"The Chicago Tribune interview last night--the George Soros defense--was viewed
as incredibly inept," a national Republican official said. "It could have been
written by [comedian] Jon Stewart."
But what did our own Miss Reliable say?
FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2006, 12:42 a.m.
Authorities: Soros funded group allegedly sat on Foley emails for months and wouldn't cooperate with FBI Liberals are going to end
up snared in their own web.Washington Post story:In subsequent days, unidentified Justice and FBI officials told reporters that the e-mails provided by CREW were heavily redacted and that the group refused to provide unedited versions to the FBI. One law enforcement official -- speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation -- also told The Washington Post the FBI believed that CREW may have received the e-mails as early as April and that the group refused to tell the FBI how they were
obtained.CREW is a liberal group funded by Soros. The group denies the
allegations.
We can count on Jess to get to the story late and wrong.
That Didn't Take Long
I haven't been heading out of town to the north very much because of the construction on Madison Street. Some time between last Wednesday when I went out that way and this Tuesday when I got back from our little getaway the new speed limit signs went up.
The rationale for the 45 mph zone was to slow traffic on the hill and to make it safer for turning vehicles along that stretch. There has been a problem with some drivers ignoring the 35 mph limit at the bottom of the hill and passing inappropriately before the top of the hill or passing turning cars on the right going up the hill.
The letter in the Review which asked for the reduced limit to the top of the hill said that a new, lower limit woiuld make the hill safer and traffic flow smoother.
Yesterday was the first time that I went to work that way. I made the mistake of obeying the limit. The young woman in the SUV didn't even put down her phone while she passed me as soon as the solid yellow line started. She didn't look overly concerned about the school bus coming over the hill in the lane she was using.
If the new speed zone is going to work the DOT needs to put some signage or flags up to call attention to it. Then the County and the City need to set up some concentrated enforcement to send the message home to the Earnhardt wannabes headed for the big city. There is nothing like a ticket-blizzard to make a message clear.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
It Seems That I Misunderestimated Frank
I've often accused State Rep Frank Lassee of plucking on a one-note banjo. His monomaniacal pursuit of an artificial stranglehold on taxes is the stuff of legend. He's been willing to sign on to or co-author every version of TABOR/TPA that has come through the lege. But now he's added another arrow to his quiver of bad ideas.
In the wake of the tragedies in Weston and Colorado and Pennsylvania Frank has decided that what we need is more guns in our schools. Lassee is introducing a bill to allow school personnel to carry guns at work.
Frank thinks that a good dose of vigilante justice is needed in Wisconsin. He thinks that small arms will put the civilization back in Western Civ. Lunch ladies will be packing more than sandwiches. When the janitor says he has to "sweep the hall" everyone will duck for cover.
Whatever happened to thoughtful discourse and statesmanship? One candidate for Rock County sheriff says that we can solve society's problems by shooting the mentally ill and now a legislator is proposing, with a straight face, that we arm our Home-Ec teachers.
What the hell is happening here? Will we ever be able to get the grown-ups back in charge in Wisconsin?
Update: Carrie reminds us that a lot of Lassee's colleagues have already voted once to put guns on playgrounds away from schools.
In the wake of the tragedies in Weston and Colorado and Pennsylvania Frank has decided that what we need is more guns in our schools. Lassee is introducing a bill to allow school personnel to carry guns at work.
Frank thinks that a good dose of vigilante justice is needed in Wisconsin. He thinks that small arms will put the civilization back in Western Civ. Lunch ladies will be packing more than sandwiches. When the janitor says he has to "sweep the hall" everyone will duck for cover.
Whatever happened to thoughtful discourse and statesmanship? One candidate for Rock County sheriff says that we can solve society's problems by shooting the mentally ill and now a legislator is proposing, with a straight face, that we arm our Home-Ec teachers.
What the hell is happening here? Will we ever be able to get the grown-ups back in charge in Wisconsin?
Update: Carrie reminds us that a lot of Lassee's colleagues have already voted once to put guns on playgrounds away from schools.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
The Signs In The Lobby
We stopped to check out a "rustic" motel west of Boulder last Saturday. The two signs in the lobby said;
In case of flash flood, climb to safety.
What to do if you encounter a mountain lion...
We headed back into town and found a spot with a nice, indoor, Jacuzzi.
In case of flash flood, climb to safety.
What to do if you encounter a mountain lion...
We headed back into town and found a spot with a nice, indoor, Jacuzzi.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Do You Want To Know How To Do It Wrong?
Carrie has a list of the candidates willing to sign on to the failed theory behind TPA or TABOR or whatever other foolishness it'll be called this time. Eight straight years of failure and these folks are signing up for more.
Colorado is just only now starting to dig itself out from under the mess that TABOR has wrought in that state. I just got back from a long weekend in Boulder and can share one of the other effects of this mindset, the one that says, "Let's vote on it."
Next month the good people of Boulder will be asked to vote on no fewer than 19 ballot measures. They have their own version of the referendum to restrict marital rights and benefits alongside votes on annexations and bond issues.
Representative Democracy has been choked to death in Colorado by the forces of meaningless pledges. Votes that should have been taken by duly elected County Boards and School Boards and City Councils are stacked up like cordwood waiting to be burned off on election day.
Most voters struggle to understand the issues that separate one candidate from another beyond the top of the ticket. To expect them to offer informed votes on 20 referenda at a time is disingenuous at best and negligent at worst.
Take a look at the list of candidates willing to abdicate their judgment to campaigns of rancor and special interest money. Note that these candidates are willing to "Put it up for a vote," a vote that will be fought over by the same special interest money running ads in the two referenda measures in Wisconsin.
It's past time to vote for candidates willing to make the hard decisions in Madison. Election Finance Reform, School Funding Formulas and the future of our infrastructure are the needs of this state. It's past time to reject sloganeering and vote instead for some statesmen and women willing to do more than pander.
Colorado is just only now starting to dig itself out from under the mess that TABOR has wrought in that state. I just got back from a long weekend in Boulder and can share one of the other effects of this mindset, the one that says, "Let's vote on it."
Next month the good people of Boulder will be asked to vote on no fewer than 19 ballot measures. They have their own version of the referendum to restrict marital rights and benefits alongside votes on annexations and bond issues.
Representative Democracy has been choked to death in Colorado by the forces of meaningless pledges. Votes that should have been taken by duly elected County Boards and School Boards and City Councils are stacked up like cordwood waiting to be burned off on election day.
Most voters struggle to understand the issues that separate one candidate from another beyond the top of the ticket. To expect them to offer informed votes on 20 referenda at a time is disingenuous at best and negligent at worst.
Take a look at the list of candidates willing to abdicate their judgment to campaigns of rancor and special interest money. Note that these candidates are willing to "Put it up for a vote," a vote that will be fought over by the same special interest money running ads in the two referenda measures in Wisconsin.
It's past time to vote for candidates willing to make the hard decisions in Madison. Election Finance Reform, School Funding Formulas and the future of our infrastructure are the needs of this state. It's past time to reject sloganeering and vote instead for some statesmen and women willing to do more than pander.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
The MSM Sees The Problem
Jessica McBride, a radio personality (if you will) with WTMJ in Milwaukee says it plain:
Congressman Green has done little to distance himself from the Bush administration except ducking out on the picture taking with Dick Cheney's Money last week. I'm not sure why McBride thinks others will do it for him.
Green is underperforming in the Valley. More people are getting to know him, but
he's got a problem with senior citizens, and his negatives are rising faster
than his positives, likely due to the bad press/Doyle attack ads about
Washington and... this.
Congressman Green has done little to distance himself from the Bush administration except ducking out on the picture taking with Dick Cheney's Money last week. I'm not sure why McBride thinks others will do it for him.
Just Exactly How Bad Is This Problem?
Taken from a Joint Statement from Speaker Hastert, Majority Leader Boehner and Majority Whip Blunt on the Congressman Foley Matter:
Do they expect a lot of calls? Enough to keep an operator busy 24/7? Or is this a CYA move on the part of failed leadership who knew about the problems Foley was creating and chose to do nothing about it? Do they believe there are other Congressmen preying on pages?
We have also asked for the creation of a toll-free telephone number for House
Pages, parents, grandparents, and staff to confidentially report incidents of
concern.
Do they expect a lot of calls? Enough to keep an operator busy 24/7? Or is this a CYA move on the part of failed leadership who knew about the problems Foley was creating and chose to do nothing about it? Do they believe there are other Congressmen preying on pages?
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