How is drunk driving an immigration issue?

The Post has an "immigration" story today that addresses what they say is a growing issue of illegal immigrants and drunk driving fatalities. I understand both issues but connecting the two leaves me at a loss. I know a few things about drunk driving fatalities since my brother was killed by a drunk driver decades ago, followed by my best friend a few years later. My wife's cousin was also killed by a drunk driver in Ireland so I know how the issue can rip a family apart. In my own family, my father never got over it and was angry until the day he died. Right or wrong, it's normal when parents grieve and lash out. I saw polar opposite responses with my own parents after the death of my brother.

The death of a child often leads to divorce and family strain long after the death. I know, I see it until this day. So while I sympathize with the families who lost children, brothers, sisters, cousins, this is not an "immigrant" problem. This is a problem of drunk drivers whether they are white, black, Latino, Irish, French, African, Chinese, whatever. Debate the issue of immigration and by all means, promote whatever theory you believe in but let's not confuse the issue with drunk drivers. Read More......

Taking a "Technology Sabbath"

I think I'd die. Nah, just kidding. When I travel abroad I'm usually forced to unplug for a while. Hell, in Greece, while visiting the relatives in the villages, I didnt' use my phone or computer for a good 5 days. And what happened? Larry Craig got caught in a bathroom and Alberto Gonzales resigned. So see, you won't missing anything by unplugging :-)

Then there was the time I was stuck on the Aleutian Islands, while covering foreign policy issues for Senator Stevens back in 1991, and the Russians had their attempted coup. Stevens wanted me to update him. I was on the freaking Aleutian Islands, pre-Internet. What possible update could I have? That was almost as much fun as when Eastern Europe exploded over Christmas of 1989 while I was visiting my non-cable-TV-subscribing parents in Chicago and, you guessed it, Stevens against wanted an update. I had the Chicago Tribune of that morning as my guide. So, for me at least, as soon as I unplug, big stuff always happens. (Oh yeah, and Microsoft decided to cave on its anti-gay position as soon as I hit Morocco.) It's pretty much a guarantee - want some news, buy me a plane ticket.

Here's more from PBS MediaShift:

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with taking one day each week away from work completely. You might think this would be an easy task as there’s a “weekend” each week that allegedly offers up two full days of rest. And yet, as I work at home, the shiny big screen of the iMac beckons at all hours, and I am often in front of its white glow the first thing every morning and the last thing at night.

So, being that I am Jewish — though not very religious — I decided to shut down the computer each Friday night at sunset until Saturday at sunset, the traditional time of the Jewish Sabbath. I make exceptions when I need to get directions or check for a personal email. I still use my cell phone but try to limit it to personal calls only. While this day of technological rest can be a difficult routine, it has allowed me to stretch my time, spend more hours outside and be with people more in face-to-face settings.

And I’m not alone. The concept of a “Technology Sabbath” is becoming more widespread...

Read More......

Horrible hit and run caught on film

I had received an email on this earlier today and thought it was a hoax. It's apparently not. Just a warning, it's kind of graphic. Here's the AP story. Four people reportedly dialed 911 within a minute of the accident. But, the man didn't die, so leaving him just lying in the road was gross.

Read More......

FactCheck.org catches McCain lying about Hurricane Katrina

From FactCheck.org:

McCain was asked by a New Orleans reporter why he voted twice against an independent commission to investigate the government’s failings before and after Hurricane Katrina, and he incorrectly stated that he had "voted for every investigation."

McCain actually voted twice, in 2005 and 2006, to defeat a Democratic amendment that would have set up an independent commission along the lines of the 9/11 Commission. At the time of the second vote, members of both parties were complaining that the White House was refusing requests by Senate investigators for information.

The McCain campaign accused the Obama campaign of "tired negative attacks" for pointing out and documenting McCain’s gaffe.

So in fact, McCain defended George Bush at the expense of the American people. Even McCain's best buddy Joe Lieberman said the White House was playing games and we should support this commission.

The other co-chair of that Senate investigation, Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, more forcefully chastised the White House and other federal agencies for withholding documents, refusing interviews and derailing the Senate's work.

Lieberman, Jan. 24, 2006: There has been a near-total lack of cooperation that has made it impossible, in my opinion, for us to do the thorough investigation we have a responsibility to do.

Read More......

Bush's Rubber stamp Republican Ros-Lehtinen now claims she's really not a "Rubber stamp" for Bush

This is rich. Florida Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has been a staunch ally of George Bush for the past eight years. If Bush said jump, Ileana asked "how high?" Over and over and over. You name it -- Iraq, SCHIP -- she was there for Bush.

So guess who is now claiming she's not a "Rubber Stamp" for Bush? Ileana. Her campaign actually used the term "rubber stamp"

With President Bush's popularity hovering in the 30s, a little breathing room might be good for some Republicans.

At least that's what Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is thinking as she faces what could be her first significant reelection challenge.

Out of the blue, Ros-Lehtinen's office Tuesday shot out two press releases: ''list of domestic initiatives where Ros-Lehtinen has broken with the current administration'' and ``list of foreign policy initiatives where Ros-Lehtinen has broken with the current administration.''

Her office said it was interested in debunking any perception that the generally reliably Republican is a ''rubber stamp'' for President Bush.

Okay, if you have to say you're not a "rubber stamp," it's too late.

Ros-Lehtinen is clearly freaked. And, she should be.

This year, Ileana has a very tough opponent: Annette Taddeo. And, Taddeo's campaign smacked back hard against the attempt by Ros-Lehtinen to run from Bush:

In a press release Wednesday, Taddeo's campaign said Ros-Lehtinen has supported Bush 85 percent of the time, and listed five examples, including voting against the renewal of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or S-CHIP. Taddeo, who was born with a cleft lip, has said that vote was the tipping point that made her jump in the race for Florida's 18th congressional district.

Also as part of her platform, Taddeo has frequently criticized Ros-Lehtinen for her support of the war in Iraq, which Taddeo opposes.

Keep an eye on this race. Ileana is running from Bush, so she's running scared. Annette Taddeo can win this race -- and she should.

We set up an ActBlue page for Taddeo. I have a feeling this campaign is going to be a fun one. The district runs from South Beach, through Miami to Key West -- it will be a key battleground in the Presidential race. I'm thinking it would be a good place to do get-out-the-vote in the fall, too. Read More......

Memo to Geraldine Ferraro: No one cares what you think

It's beyond pathetic that Geraldine Ferraro is riding another wave of fame -- or infamy -- because she's unabashed about her racist rhetoric. But, honestly, no one cares what what she thinks. Every time she opens her mouth, we just have more opportunities to mock her. She's already become a regular laugh line. And, she continues to demonstrate that she doesn't have a speck of class. Read More......

Dear AP, if Mrs. Obama is relevant then where is the story on drug-abuser, drug-stealer, Cindy McCain?

I'm trying to get my head around this story from Christopher Wills at AP. In it, the reporter gratuitously revisits the Rev. Wright brouhaha, the Ayers goofball, the recent priest snafu and then, as if that weren't enough, he takes a shot at Mrs. Obama.

In a 40 paragraph story, 38 are about Obama's supposed albatross's, 2 are about McCain's. Oh, and in the entire story there is no attempt given to Obama, or a surrogate, to defend himself.

Putting aside the unfairness of running such an untimely hit piece, so now wives are fair game for the AP? Cool, then where is the story about Cindy McCain's drug use? Where is the story about how she actually stole drugs? Where is the story about how John McCain ditched his first wife, an invalid, for this rich trophy bride second wife - since we're talking wives?

Oh, and if wives are fair game, are mistresses too?

There's only one relationship that matters in this election, and it's the one between John McCain and George Bush. And despite AP's desire to sleaze it up for the ratings, nothing will change that simple fact. Read More......

US household net worth crashes again in Q2

Is McCain going to explain his recent comment that "America's seen great economic progress" in light of the facts saying otherwise? When you're living the life of Riley like McCain (he does have eight or nine houses, his wife can't remember which), perhaps you don't notice these trends. And to think he wants more of the same on the economy.

Americans saw their net worth decline by $1.7 trillion in the first quarter, as declines in home values and the stock market ravaged their holdings.

The net worth of U.S. households fell 3% to $56 trillion at the end of March, according to the Federal Reserve's flow of funds report, which was released Thursday.

The drop marks the second straight decline in net worth, which fell by more than $500 billion in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Read More......

Swing 'em home

There's enough in this video to offend just about everybody. Probably because it has a point, and makes it devastatingly. (Josh has more on the golf theme here.)

Read More......

"The DNC and the Obama Campaign are unified and working together"

First, Howard Dean will stay as DNC Chair. We actually have a 50-state party after all.

Obama's uber-strategist Paul Tewes has moved into the DNC building.

And, no more lobbyist money into DNC coffers:

"The DNC and the Obama Campaign are unified and working together to elect Barack Obama as the next president of the United States. Our presumptive nominee has pledged not to take donations from Washington lobbyists and from today going forward the DNC makes that pledge as well," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "Senator Obama has promised to change the way things are done in Washington and this step is a sure sign of his commitment. The American people's priorities will set the agenda in an Obama Administration, not the special interests."

Read More......

Iceland police kill polar bill, for fun apparently, after it swam 200 miles in search of land

This is a story about global warming - polar bears literally can't find ice to rest on anymore - and about human cruelty. They didn't have to shoot the starving, exhausted bear. They could have easily sent for tranquilizers. They shot the endangered species anyway, apparently for fun, and then posed with the dead bear for glamor shots. More from Andy Towle. Read More......

Bob Barr is hurting John McCain

Too bad.

Bob Barr's Libertarian presidential campaign is poised to play a serious role in this year's elections, with early polls showing him taking away enough votes from Sen. John McCain to give Democrats a chance to win states that should be safely Republican.

Polls in Georgia and North Carolina over the last two weeks show Mr. Barr winning 8 percent and 6 percent respectively of the presidential vote, and in both cases helping keep likely Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama within striking distance of Mr. McCain in those states — which, taken together, account for more electoral votes than Florida, Pennsylvania or Ohio.

Read More......

Briar patch sexism

AP

"The media was in love with Obama," [Gloria] Steinem said, "and in hate with Hillary, hands down."

I'm still getting several emails a day about all of our "sexism" vis-a-vis Hillary, so, unfortunately, this topic needs to be addressed.

It's a hell of a way for the media to show their anti-Hillary bias, by trumpeting the woman as the "inevitable" winner up until just four months ago. I suspect Obama, Edwards and everyone else who ran for the Democratic nomination would have loved to share in some of that bias. And Jon Stewart actually did a compilation of a few of those women-hating pundits who, up until Christmas, regularly told Obama to take a hike because Hillary was going to win it, hands down. There may have been some sexism during this campaign, but it wasn't significant and it didn't impact the race (name a state in which sexism may have hurt Hillary's vote). Simply claiming it did, without offering any facts, does a disservice to all of us who fight bigotry every day. (And claiming you have 103 blog posts detailing the sexism, when the posts include the "Hillary vs the coffee maker" video as an example of sexism, is not proving you point. It's proving mine and Jacki's.)

You can watch Jon Stewart here. Read More......

Confirmation from Senate Intel. Committee (finally): Bush lied about Iraq

This should be a big boost to John McCain's effort to secure a third term for George Bush.

The Senate Intelligence Committee finally issued its report on prewar intelligence during build up to the Iraq War -- and in the very nice language of the U.S. Senate -- the report confirms that Bush lied to the American people about the Iraq War:

The Committee’s report cites several conclusions in which the Administration’s public statements were NOT supported by the intelligence. They include:

Statements and implications by the President and Secretary of State suggesting that Iraq and al-Qa’ida had a partnership, or that Iraq had provided al-Qa’ida with weapons training, were not substantiated by the intelligence.

Statements by the President and the Vice President indicating that Saddam Hussein was prepared to give weapons of mass destruction to terrorist groups for attacks against the United States were contradicted by available intelligence information.

Statements by President Bush and Vice President Cheney regarding the postwar situation in Iraq, in terms of the political, security, and economic, did not reflect the concerns and uncertainties expressed in the intelligence products.

Statements by the President and Vice President prior to the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate regarding Iraq’s chemical weapons production capability and activities did not reflect the intelligence community’s uncertainties as to whether such production was ongoing.

The Secretary of Defense’s statement that the Iraqi government operated underground WMD facilities that were not vulnerable to conventional airstrikes because they were underground and deeply buried was not substantiated by available intelligence information.

The Intelligence Community did not confirm that Muhammad Atta met an Iraqi intelligence officer in Prague in 2001 as the Vice President repeatedly claimed.

Republican Senators fought very hard to prevent the release of this intel report back in 2004 to insure Bush's re-election. And, they wouldn't release this report back in 2006 to protect their own re-elections. All that delay has resulted in the release of this report in 2008 -- leaving John McCain to defend the Bush Iraq war agenda. In some ways, it was worth the wait. Read More......

It's time for some "Ask and Tell" with Sam Nunn

I wrote about the former Democratic Senator from Georgia, Sam Nunn, yesterday. There's been a lot of talk about Nunn as a possible VP choice for Obama. As I noted yesterday, Nunn is responsible for Don't Ask Don't Tell, though I also forgot that he fired two staffers for being gay. Steve Clemons notes that if Sam Nunn wants us to reconsider him for jobs in high places, then he needs to come clean on Don't Ask Don't Tell and his own homophobic past:

Now, Senator Nunn is recommending a "review" of the policy he helped fashion fifteen years ago, but he is not indicating whether his own views have changed.

I'm a fan of Sam Nunn's important work in trying to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other WMD related materials. I hear from many friends that he is an outstanding Board Chairman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and also Co-Chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

So despite my sincere respect for many of the good things Sam Nunn has done, I also think it is important for those whispering about the possibility of putting Nunn in the VP slot on the Obama ticket -- or in Obama's cabinet -- to realize that this blog and many others will not stand for someone who still harbors long standing, institutionalized discriminatory views against gay men and women, particularly in the arena of national security when we should be applauding any who want to serve this country.

It's time for us to be asking Sam Nunn what his views on gays in the military now are -- and he should tell us.

Read More......

"The political healing process already is beginning"

Big hat tip to Keith Pickering who has a recommended diary at DailyKos linking to this article from MinnPost.com. It's about a behind the scenes meeting between Clinton's Minnesota supporters and Barack Obama on Tuesday night -- and shows a lot of class on both sides:

The crowd kept pouring into the Xcel Energy Center. All ages. All races. All backgrounds. Young Somalis chanting "O-bama!" And older, white women, bedecked in sparkling red, white and blue and holding up a sign, "Women for Obama!''

But most noticeable was the arrival of such people as Buck Humphrey, who once had headed Hillary Rodham Clinton's Minnesota campaign. And Jackie Stevenson, a DFL activist, a feminist and a Clinton-supporting superdelegate, who at the last minute had changed her mind about attending the event. And St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, who was a Clinton supporter until sometime Monday. And Rick Stafford, another Clinton superdelegate.

Former Secretary of State Joan Growe was there. And Minneapolis City Council President Barbara Johnson. And a couple of dozen other people who had invested so much energy into Clinton's campaign.

Political healing process beginning

Their presence at the event where Barack Obama declared victory shows that, at least in Minnesota, the political healing process already is beginning.

No one is making that healing easier than Obama. Last night, after he had finished the sort of speech that leaves his followers exhilarated and exhausted, Obama did not just leave the arena. Nor did he head to the nearest television camera or the nearest fat cat.

Instead, he went to a room where the Clinton supporters had been gathered and one by one, shook the hands of the 25 people, stopping to chat with each of them.

"Chris (Coleman) walked around the room with him,'' said Stevenson, "and introduced each one of us.''

It was really pretty extraordinary.

"He shook my hand and said, 'Thank you for being here; I'm sure it's not easy,' '' said Stevenson of her meeting with Obama. "I thanked him and said that everyone involved in his campaign had been so gracious. I didn't know what to say, so I mentioned that my daughter works for a federal health clinic. And he knew right away which program I was talking about. He said, 'Oh that's wonderful.' ''

Stevenson, a feminist and Clinton supporter, had to admit this: "He's very impressive.''

Read More......

The reality of Obama's historic achievement sinks in

Almost lost in the political drama of the past couple days has been the historic nature of Obama's ground-breaking success. Today, both the Washington Post and the NY Times take a look at what it means for Americans -- especially African-Americans. I know it's a little sappy, but I got some goosebumps reading the articles. For the past couple days, I was thinking about the kids in this video, that we posted a couple months ago. I'd love to see what they're saying now.

The Post:

They watched on television as Barack Obama basked in a standing ovation and read off his thank-you list. They listened to him claim the Democratic nomination for president. They sat glued to the news for hours, as if repetition might make the scene more real.

And even still, some of Obama's most ardent supporters went to bed Tuesday night wondering: Could this really have happened?

The final reality of Obama's victory over Hillary Rodham Clinton, predestined for weeks, still struck Obama's supporters -- young and old, white and black, the believers and the skeptics -- with the sudden weight of history.

For some black Americans, the impact of his win reached into the improbable, registering as a shock inconsistent with a lifetime of experience. Adrian Cheeks, 45, from Falls Church, had considered Obama's candidacy a "chance in hell -- snowball." Mildred Taylor, 80, from Los Angeles, was convinced she'd never see a black president in her lifetime.

The Times:

Kwabena Sam-Brew, a 38-year-old immigrant from Ghana, doubted that Nana, his 5-year-old American-born daughter, would remember the rally that effectively crowned Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee Tuesday night.

But Mr. Sam-Brew said he would describe it to her: “I will tell her, ‘Tonight is the night that all Americans became one.’ ”

Mr. Sam-Brew, a bus driver living in Cottage Grove, Minn., said Mr. Obama’s achievement would change the nation’s image around the world, and change the mind-set of Americans, too.

“We as black people now have hope that we have never, ever had,” Mr. Sam-Brew said. “I have new goals for my little girl. She can’t give me any excuses because she’s black.”

In his remarks Tuesday, Mr. Obama did not mention becoming the first American of color with a real chance at being president of the United States, and, of course, most of the Democrats who had voted for him were white. But for that very reason, many African-Americans exulted Wednesday in a political triumph that they believed they would never live to see. Many expressed hope that their children would draw strength from the moment.

Read More......

Thursday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

So, it's really over. I got the email from the Clinton campaign:

On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.

I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.

It will take some time to process this whole primary process and how it really happened. But, from a political junkie's perspective, it was truly amazing. Maddening at times. Frustrating. But, historic.

Okay. On we go. Read More......

Unemployment high for Latino workers

This is going to be a very important voting block in November and the GOP has been unable to win their support. Between the hard line anti-immigrant, anti-Latino sentiment in the GOP and now the jobs issue, Republicans are going to face significant challenges.

Latino workers have lost nearly 250,000 jobs in the construction industry over the past year, with the foreign-born hit hardest, the report by the Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center said.

The unemployment rate for Latino workers was 7.3 percent for the first quarter of 2008, compared with 6.1 percent for the same period last year. The rate for all other workers was 5 percent, up from 4.6 percent.

For the first time since 2003, the unemployment rate for Latinos not born in the United States was higher, at 7.5 percent, than the rate for native-born Latinos, at 6.9 percent, the report found.

Read More......

Kenya celebrates its new "national hero"

Schools are being named after him as are new born babies. Obama becomes Kenya's adopted favorite. Not to be left out of the action, I hear McCain is becoming the favorite at country clubs around the US, especially among the marry-into-wealth crowd and those playing bridge.

Others said that they were proud that a Kenyan had laid out a political programme which had gained respect throughout the world.

Barack Obama's success as a politician stands in stark contrast to many in Kenyan political life.

His nomination has provided welcome relief and distraction against a Kenyan political backdrop.

Read More......

Thank goodness - another phone merger

Wow, just what everyone out there is begging for. If ever the US needed more phone industry consolidation it was now. Best "free market" economy in the world and consumers are celebrating. One size fits all, Soviet style. Read More......

CBS Poll: Bush at 25%; Obama Beats McCain By 6

More from Dkos. Read More......