Bush lies, and AP actually calls him on it

Yes, Virginia, there is a free press still in America.

President Bush accused Democratic lawmakers on Saturday of being unable to live up to their duties, citing Congress' inability to pass legislation to fund the federal government.

"Democrats are failing in their responsibility to make tough decisions and spend the people's money wisely," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "This moment is a test."

The White House has said the failure of a broad immigration overhaul was proof that Democratic-controlled Capitol Hill cannot take on major issues. "We saw this with immigration, and we're seeing it with some other issues where Congress is having an inability to take on major challenges," said spokesman Tony Fratto.

The main reason the immigration measure died, however, was staunch opposition from Bush's own base — conservatives. The president could not turn around members of his own party despite weeks of intense effort.

It's actually been quite rare of late for the media to actually call Bush on his lies. Usually they simply parrot whatever the White House has to say, never challenging what they know to be untrue. In this case, AP refused to simply report a lie. And kudos to AP for that. While the Republicans want the media to report their truth, we want the media to report THE truth. There's a difference. Read the rest of this post...

Going on CNN around 10:30pm to discuss Scooter's pardon

I'm opposed. Read the rest of this post...

Cindy Sheehan considering running against Nancy Pelosi

From the Post.

Cindy Sheehan, the soldier's mother who galvanized the anti-war movement, said Sunday that she plans to run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unless she introduces articles of impeachment against President Bush in the next two weeks.

Sheehan said she will run against the San Francisco Democrat in 2008 as an independent if Pelosi does not seek by July 23 to impeach Bush. That's when Sheehan and her supporters are to arrive in Washington, D.C., after a 13-day caravan and walking tour starting next week from the group's war protest site near Bush's Crawford ranch.

Sheehan has been through more than any mother should have to endure - the death of her son at the hands of a president who doesn't care. Unfortunately, the ordeal has taken its toll, making her less and less effective with each passing day. Read the rest of this post...

Yesterday was the 2nd anniversary of the London bombings

Two years ago yesterday, London suffered a horrible series of suicide bombings on a bus and three underground trains in 2005. I was in Scotland that morning, at the airport waiting for a flight to London as the bombings occurred. We eventually made it to London later that day and went out with a local friend we'd made on the flight over from the US. It was really amazing to see how many people were out and about, eating at sidewalk cafes, walking in the park (we saw Michael Stipe strolling with friends), and even using the trains, the day they'd suffered a paralyzing, horrifying terrorist attack. I could only imagine any town in the US the day a bus and three trains were blown up. No one would be on the streets anywhere, and certainly not back on the trains the same day (not that I'd blame us).

Here are a few photos of that rather bizarre evening I took a gorgeous stroll through London. We walked by Buckingham Palace at around midnight and there was one cop - one - guarding the place, at least in public view. Yes I'm sure there were more hidden, but do you really think you'd find just one cop in front of the White House after an attack here? These guys truly are amazing.





Read the rest of this post...

After creating the monster, some GOPers are getting "Cheney fatigue"

AP is reporting on a new affliction for the beleaguered Republicans. It's called "Cheney fatigue." But, the GOPers have to understand that they created Cheney. They never reined him in. They never challenged him. One thing is right though. Cheney is a disease that is afflicting the country. And the symptoms are a lot worse than fatigue:

Dick Cheney, who thrives on secrecy while pulling the levers of power, is getting caught in the glare of an unwelcome spotlight. Once viewed as a sage and mentor to President Bush, Cheney has approval ratings now that are as low as - or lower - than the president's. Recent national polls have put them both in the high 20s.

Bush's decision to spare former Cheney aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison sentence has focused new attention on the vice president and his possible role in the commutation.

Cheney's relentless advocacy of the Iraq war, his push to expand presidential authority and his hard-line rhetoric toward North Korea and Iran are raising concerns even among former loyalists now worried about the GOP's chances in 2008.

It seems Cheney fatigue is settling in some Republican circles.

Republican strategist Rich Galen, who worked for both Bush and Bush's father, said he is finding less interest or enthusiasm for Cheney. "Republicans have, in essence, moved on and focused on who to get behind in 2008," Galen said.

It's going to take the country a very long time to get over the damage inflicted by Dick Cheney and his aide-de-camp, George Bush. Read the rest of this post...

Sunday Talk Shows Open Thread

Iraq will undoubtedly be an issue with Hagel and Lugar on the shows. But, there are plenty of other Bush scandals to discuss including the Libby pardon, Dick Cheney and the on-going U.S. Attorneys scandal cover up.

Here's the line up:

•NBC’s “Meet the Press,”... — Guest: Sen. Chuck Hagel, Nebraska Republican. [On early today because of the men's final at Wimbledon.]

•“Fox News Sunday,”... — Guests: Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Maryland Democrat; Rep. Chris Cannon, Utah Republican; Rep. Peter Hoekstra, Michigan Republican.

•ABC’s “This Week,”... — Guests: Rep. John Conyers, Michigan Democrat; Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Republican; former senator Mike Gravel, Alaska Democrat.

•CBS’ “Face the Nation,”... — Guests: Sen. Charles Schumer, New York Democrat; Sen. Orrin Hatch, Utah Republican.

•CNN’s “Late Edition,” ... — Guests: Mowaffak al-Rubaie, Iraqi national security adviser; Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican; Sen. Patrick Leahy, Vermont Democrat; Sen. Richard Lugar, Indiana Republican.

One of these guys -- and it is all guys today -- should have something interesting to say. Interesting or outrageous given the line up. Read the rest of this post...

Australia plays the fear card again

Ahhhh, it all takes me back to the 2004 election season in the US when Tom Ridge handed out terror warnings like candy on Halloween, though candy at least has more substance compared to the junk he handed out. Earlier in the week Australia issued a cheery "sleeper cells are waiting to attack" warning, just in case Australians might not be afraid of their own shadows. John Howard, Bush's friend and conservative PM, is locked in a tough battle to hold his title after being in the office for more than ten years.

It's hard to say if this new travel advisory is real or just part of the fear card that Howard seems to enjoy playing, just as our very own GOP likes playing even now. Indonesian authorities claim everything is just fine so it's a he-said-she-said scenario for now. The pro-fear crowd continues to politicize this very serious system of alerts, cheapening its worth for their own short term political gains. As long as they win the next election, that's all that matters to them. What pillars of democracy...what models for the rest of the world to follow. Read the rest of this post...

Corporate farmers lining up for more handouts from the middle class

In 2002, the GOP shoveled out billions of dollars of handouts in the Farm Bill with the bulk of the money going to large corporate farmers who are certainly much wealthier than the average American. Corporate welfare if a familiar theme for the GOP who never mind slashing money for the poor and asking them to step up and work, but the same brutal capitalism is noticeably missing when it comes to handouts for big corporates.

As taxpayers continue to foot the bill for Iraq, costs that will be weighing on the middle class for years to come, now the special interests from corporate farms want those same people to take on even more costs that will again profit already very rich people. I wonder if this new breed of American business will ever get out and do work on their own or if they intend to live off of taxpayer handouts forever. They're always the first to attack any welfare for individuals but would like taxpayers to think their business is somehow critical and needs to be funded.

Farming is obviously important but if these corporate farmers can't figure out how to survive in business, maybe they're in the wrong business and should change fields. They won't though, because they know there will always be plenty of handouts from those in Congress who are afraid of modernizing the system and introducing the idea of fairness.

Besides being unfair to the bulk of Americans who are forced to subsidize Big Farm, it's also unfair to farmers in other parts of the world who don't enjoy such luxuries and are unable to compete in the US market. It also highlights the hypocrisy of GOP claims of "free market" business because the only time they ever want a "free market" is when they have a tilted balance like this and don't have to worry about competition. Competition is always for someone else. Read the rest of this post...

Giuliani falters again

It's interesting to see what happens when people ask questions and it's just not possible for Giuliani to stick with the classic "9/11, we're all going to die" answer. And to think that worked so well for him in the past. He's going to need to scare the hell out of people soon or else his future in the GOP presidential race is limited.

Several dozen people jeered when Giuliani, in response to a question, said he would not be in favor of what they call the fair tax.

"I have to study it some more," the former New York City mayor said. "I don't think a fair tax is realistic change for America. Our economy is dependent upon the way our tax system operates."

Oh dear, man overboard.

Update: It gets worse...he never attended a NASCAR event. Read the rest of this post...