"He knew all about it and didn't do a thing. He didn't think of the kids or anyone but himself."

Mark Foley is taking Cong. Tom Reynolds (R-NY) down:

"The whole thing makes me sick," says Hassett, 33, a staunch Republican in this staunchly Republican Rochester suburb, and -- until now -- a Reynolds voter. "My opinion of congressmen in general continues to go down, and now to have it happen in our own backyard is a shame. It's just horrible."

Seventy-five or so miles away in the Buffalo suburb of North Tonawanda, at the other end of New York's 26th Congressional District, Karen Eggert says pretty much the same thing about Reynolds, who has been under fire for not doing enough last spring when he learned about unusually personal e-mails from Foley that had upset a 16-year-old former page from Louisiana and his parents.

"He knew all about it and didn't do a thing," asserted Eggert, 47, a one-time Reynolds backer, as she rushed into a grocery store last week. "... He didn't think of the kids or anyone but himself."

Read the rest of this post...

Just got in to San Francisco

I'm here to attend a panel discussion hosted by Michelangelo Signorile, it will be replayed on his show on Sirius Satellite Radio. The panel discussion is open to the public:

Taped in front of a live audience at the Koret Auditorium for exclusive broadcast on SIRIUS Satellite Radio

San Francisco Public Library
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 @ 5:30 pm PT
Doors open at 5:00pm; limited seating: first come, first served; admission free

CONFIRMED PANELISTS:

• Assemblyman Mark Leno, 13th District, San Francisco
• John Aravosis: Founder and Editor, AmericaBlog.com
• Shannon Price Minter, Esq: Legal Director National Center for Lesbian Rights
• Jasmyne Cannick: member, National Association of Black Journalists; board member of the National Black Justice Coalition
• Haven Herrin: Co-Director of the Soulforce Equality Ride 2006

More info here. Read the rest of this post...

Key Iraqi colonel murdered

Had enough? Read the rest of this post...

Chris "Abu Ghraib sex ring" Shays really, really isn't one of the good ones

I was going to do an Open Thread...but the comments are screwed up (of course, because John's been in a plane) No comments sure defeats the purpose of an OT. So, let's kick Chris Shays around.

Chris Shays showed his true colors this past week. During a debate, he downplayed the torture that took place at Abu Ghraib scandal saying to was just a "sex ring." Huh?

For a long time, insider types have said Shays wasn't really like the other Republicans because he cast an occasional good vote. Make no mistake: He's one of them. Always has been. Always will be. It's key to remember that the House is authoritarian. The ruling party has absolute power and rules absolutely. The first vote to elect the House leadership is the vote that matters. And, Shays gladly casts that vote for Republican leadership in the House.

Sure, Shays flits with some progressive positions. But, when the GOP leaders need him, he answers their call.

I'm so sick of that sanctimonious "I'm above politics" from Shays. It's not true. Let's hope that fake "good guy" mask has finally been ripped off.

The Democrat in the district -- a very tough opponent for Shays -- is Diane Farrell. She's the real thing. Read the rest of this post...

We need more Clif Kelleys -- the guy is a Democratic hero

These are the kinds of stories from the field that give us all some inspiration:

Clif Kelley, a retired economist from Columbus, Ohio, is the walking, talking, fuming embodiment of what pollsters say is a defining feature of this election: the intensity of Democrats.

Mr. Kelley and a handful of fellow Democrats in Franklin County’s 21st Ward began meeting about two years ago, calling themselves Grassroots 21. Today they have a newsletter, a blog and on one recent Sunday a sprawling audience crammed into Mr. Kelley’s suburban backyard for a rally on a semi-rainy day.

Mr. Kelley reminded his friends that he vowed two years ago he would not die under a Bush administration. “You can see I’ve been holding on,” he said as the audience roared.

Mr. Kelley is 89. And angry. He says he simply “can’t wait” for Election Day.

Keep holding on, Clif. And, keep up the great work.

The Democrats do have intensity this year. You can feel it. And, the Democrats, like Clif, are fighting back -- hard. The GOP doesn't know what to do when Democrats fight back. They start whining and crying that Democrats are being rough and mean. Classic bully behavior. Now's the time to fight harder -- kick 'em while they're down. Read the rest of this post...

Hastert's scandals are creating an opening for his opponent, John Laesch

The latest poll in Hastert's Congressional District has him ahead by a 52% - 42% margin. That's pretty astounding.

Denny hasn't had to run a real campaign for years. And, he's way off his game. He's scrambling to save the GOP majority in addition to his own seat. Let's make him really work. (No one really thought Tom Foley was going to lose in 1994, so don't think a Speaker can't be defeated.)

Laesch is within striking distance. Denny's not doing much to improve his credibility these days. Here's the website for Laesch and this is his ActBlue site. Remember, the more Hastert has to do to save his own butt, the less he can do to help the rest of his caucus.

Check out Laesch's latest ad using the campaign ad of Tom Reynolds against Hastert. This has got to make Denny sweat:
Thanks to AMERICAblogger Tony for keeping on top of this one. Read the rest of this post...

Chokers, racists and child sex predator defenders - this way to the White House

Bring us your chokers, your racists, your creepy child sex predator defenders and the White House will support 'em all. Morals and character mean nothing to this team who are so desperate to cling on to power, they will line up and support anyone...and I mean anyone. Snow can say whatever he likes, but Bush supporting this crew is revolting on so many levels. Bush must be upset that Foley resigned because he would have enjoyed campaigning for a child sex predator to round out the bunch. Sheesh, how low can you go on the GOP campaign trail? Read the rest of this post...

The Republicans just made online gambling a crime

Surprise! It was special legislation the religious right wanted, to force the rest of America to live like them. Because this was the most important issue in America today, people who gambled on the Web.

Had enough? Read the rest of this post...

Curt Weldon is the latest Republican facing an FBI investigation

Culture of corruption is an understatement for the Republicans in Congress. No sooner does Bob Ney plead guilty, then we learn the Justice Department is investigating Curt Weldon:

The Justice Department is investigating whether Republican Rep. Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania traded his political influence for lucrative lobbying and consulting contracts for his daughter, according to sources with direct knowledge of the inquiry.

The FBI, which opened an investigation in recent months, has formally referred the matter to the department's Public Integrity Section for additional scrutiny. At issue are Weldon's efforts between 2002 and 2004 to aid two Russian companies and two Serbian brothers with ties to strongman Slobodan Milosevic, a federal law enforcement official said.

Weldon's race is ranked 16th in Hotline House rankings -- and that was before this revelation. His opponent is Joe Sestak who will make a great member of Congress. Read the rest of this post...

Gay marriage losing punch as a political issue

Uh oh, the Republican party may have to start focusing on real issues now. I always get a kick out of Republicans (and people - not to confuse the two) who say the Democrats don't stand for anything, but you can always rattle off what the Republicans stand for, namely:

1. Limited government.
2. Tax cuts.
3. Strong defense.
4. Family Values.

The only problem? They don't stand for any of those things, other than tax cuts. And at some point, you've cut taxes so far it's dangerous, and counter-productive to the other supposed goals.

Limited government? Let us all laugh together.

Tax cuts? Yeah, so much that they've turned Bill Clinton's $400 billion surplus into a massive deficit (see "limited government").

Strong defense? Uh, creating more terrorists not fewer (see the "NIE"), invading the wrong country (Iraq), and never finishing the job in the country you'd already invaded (Afghanistan), is not a strong defense.

Family Values. Two words: Mark Foley.

The GOP talks a good talk. But in the end, they've been preaching the same party platform for 30 years now, and it's getting a bit old. They don't even mean the things they're saying because they don't know what else to say. They don't stand for anything other than tired slogans.

Had enough? Read the rest of this post...

I'll be in SF this week for a panel discussion, join us

I'm flying to San Francisco today to do a panel discussion Tuesday afternoon for Michelangelo Signorile's radio show. The discussion will be taped live and then broadcast on his show a bit later. It should be fun, and it's open to the public - live audience - and free, so consider coming by. Details are below.

CONVERSATIONS IN QUEER AMERICA:
Combating the War on Freedom

Taped in front of a live audience at the Koret Auditorium for exclusive broadcast on SIRIUS Satellite Radio

San Francisco Public Library
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 @ 5:30 pm PT
Doors open at 5:00pm; limited seating: first come, first served; admission free

Sponsored by the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center of The San Francisco Public Library

The event will take place Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 5:30 pm PT at The Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Public Library. It will be taped in front of a live audience for broadcast on Signorile’s show on SIRIUS OutQ on Friday, October 20.

Three weeks before important mid-term elections, Signorile’s guests - GLBT activists on the front line of queer activism - will strategize to take America back. Where is the movement for marriage equality headed? Should gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people be more focused on the larger assault on civil liberties and the government’s military actions? What is the future of GLBT rights? This thought-provoking discussion will address these questions and many more.

CONFIRMED PANELISTS:

Assemblyman Mark Leno, 13th District, San Francisco

John Aravosis: Founder and Editor, AmericaBlog.com

Shannon Price Minter, Esq: Legal Director National Center for Lesbian Rights

Jasmyne Cannick: member, National Association of Black Journalists; board member of the National Black Justice Coalition

Haven Herrin: Co-Director of the Soulforce Equality Ride 2006

PROGRAM DETAILS
Location: San Francisco Main Library Koret Auditorium
Address: 100 Larkin St. (at Grove)
Library Sponsored Public Program
Event Time: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Program begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. Limited seating. First come, first served.

Read the rest of this post...

Saturday Morning Open Thread

Change is in the air...and it's not just the weather.

All the pundits are updating and revising their predictions -- and all the changes are in the direction of the Democrats. Yesterday, The Cook Political Report stated: The election is still 25 days away and things could change, but right now a Category 5 storm is headed toward the GOP. Read the rest of this post...

Blair in tailspin, British Army general gets strong back on Iraq stance

Poor little Poodle, I can almost hear him whimper "it wasn't supposed to be this way, George!" as his legacy takes yet another wallop. Who is going to believe Blair at this point, compared to the British chief of the general staff who knows Iraq a hell of a lot better than Blair.

The devastating assessment by General Sir Richard Dannatt, the chief of the general staff, infuriated ministers and caused alarm in Washington.

However there was widespread backing across the Army yesterday as soldiers of every rank praised General Dannatt for standing up to the Government.

Within hours of his comments being made public, the Army's unofficial website was packed with hundreds of blogs from troops voicing their support. The messages included: "Can Tony Blair recover from this and justify British presence in Iraq, without using the words 'I was wrong ...?'" Another said: "Dannatt gets my vote! Anyone care to disagree with him? We were lied to when it all started and we are still lied to today!"

Other serving soldiers were also quick to voice their relief at the general's intervention.

One senior officer said: "It has been decades since someone senior actually stood up for us, the soldiers and their families.

"People need to take him seriously. This is not a man who is thinking about his career. This is a man who passionately and clearly believes he should tell the truth and represent all of us."

Ouch, ouch, ouch. With the news, many UK soldiers are also chiming in, supporting the general.

After years and years, AT LAST someone at the top has had the b@lls to stand up and be counted. If he gets the sack, watch out for fireworks - Brandt

At last, someone who had integrity and genuine concern for his men and his country - Hansvonhealing

Bloody well said. B'liar, your legacy is secured, it's called Iraq - Carmbrai-Kid

Well Tony, I'm sure your book and speaking tour of America will still be safe territory for you...at least on the GOP side of America. Read the rest of this post...

ATT-BellSouth coronation delayed by FCC

Don't tell me someone just might see a little issue with helping to re-create a trust that we ditched years ago! Justice rubber-stamped approval as fast as congress rubber-stamps everything from Bush but the FCC has decided to delay their vote and consider additional information. Oh dear, I hope that the FCC isn't going to do something kooky like do anything about competition, because competition in the new GOP America is bad. It only helps consumers so what good is that? Let them eat cake. Read the rest of this post...