Over the buttoned-down top

This is George W. Bush on vacation. ----->


And this is George W. Bush during his leisure time while on a recent business trip.

He thinks he can dress as he wants when he travels to our home turfs, but when we visit our White House, where he resides temporarily, we now must dress by his dress code -- no jeans, no sneakers, no T-shirts and no flip-flops. After all, if he is expected to dress up on duty there, we all should have to. That's the childish behavior we've come to expect of Bush.

But, that means we should behave as he and his family do when we're there, right?

Decorum in this White House. Absolutely.

N.J. joins the Resistance

Former N.J. Attorney General Robert Del Tufo is among a bipartisan group of 44 former AGs who asked the Senate and House Judiciary Committees July 13 to investigate the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman for its "potential inappropriate political interference in the offices of United States Attorneys," Wayne Madsen (subscription only) is reporting. Our radar honed in on Siegelman June 1 and also here.

The evidence that Karl Rove, deputy chief of staff to George W. Bush, used the U.S. Department of Justice to orchestrate the prosecution from the White House for the National Republican Committee so Siegelman would lose the election, even though it seems as if he actually won, is growing. Madsen reports it turns out a "dinner party" at Rove's D.C. home March 7 and his Florida vacation home on another date actually included others on the Siegelman prosecution team. It's not a stretch to assume these were partisan strategy sessions.

Madsen further reports:

We have also learned that a number of FBI field agents have been deterred in investigating the interference by the White House in the Siegelman case. That has resulted in a schism between FBI field offices and politically-motivated U.S. Attorneys offices, particularly federal prosecutors who are considered "loyal Bushies." The interference is reportedly being directed by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Karl Rove.

Upon sentencing, Republican federal judge Mark Fuller denied Siegelman bail pending appeal and did not even grant the ex-governor the cusromary 45-day window to report to jail�in order to put his affairs in order. Furthermore, Siegelman was ordered handcuffed and shackled in leg irons as he was immediately taken to prison after his sentencing.

Yet, Bush deigned jail too harsh for poor little I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby to spend even a day there on his conviction of perjury and obstruction of justice in the conspiracy to leak the name and cover company of highly classified CIA NOC Valerie Plame Wilson and Brewster-Jennings Co. Siegelman's crime must be terrible if Bush didn't also commute his sentence, right? His crime was that as governor, he reappointed a hospital executive to an unpaid state health care panel, as did the three governors before him, coincidentally to the executive giving money to a charity so loosely tied to Siegelman that I can't remember how. What a danger to our national security, right?

It must never happen again

It's bad enough unknown Bushies secretly wrote an unrequested document on how an undemocratic America would operate ... in emergency, right.

Quickly we now learn there's a classfied portion someone in the White House forbids even the House Homeland Security Committee to know.

Bush administration spokesman Trey Bohn declined to say why DeFazio was denied access: "We do not comment through the press on the process that this access entails.[WTF?!] It is important to keep in mind that much of the information related to the continuity of government is highly sensitive."

Norm Ornstein, a legal scholar who studies government continuity at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said he "cannot think of one good reason" to deny access to a member of Congress who serves on the Homeland Security Committee.

"I find it inexplicable and probably reflective of the usual, knee-jerk overextension of executive power that we see from this White House," Ornstein said.

This is the first time DeFazio has been denied access to documents. ... "Maybe the people who think there's a conspiracy out there are right," DeFazio said.

This White House is an anarchy that has to go, ASAP. It has operated for years in violation of the Constitution, so there's no reason as far as I can see why the people should wait for validation of constitutional grounds to evict them.

Meanwhile, the White House is telling the Washington Post the Department of Justice we all pay for works only for "the commander guy" already. The DoJ can't investigate suspicions if "the decider" George W. Bush has decided it's not a crime.

Back in the box

Rep. Rush Holt's, D-N.J., flawed voter integrity bill is back to committee for rewrite. Let's hope it comes out fixed this time.

Update July 21: The Star-Ledger is reporting NJIT found 33 flaws in three printer models expected to be used next time around under a new state law designed to ensure accuracy of electronic voting machines across New Jersey. The experts say these flaws could compromise voter privacy and election security.

Meanwhile, Bradblog found out the disabilities "advocate" who's a big proponent of the corruptable DRE-only machines was paid $26,000 last year by the DRE companies that want us to just shut up and let them tell us how we voted ... and we'll be expected to believe them, for no good reason.

Don't feed the troll

Find them and out them:

If you click on the magazine ad, you can see it a little bigger. One headline on Alan Locke's site, www.winningcampaigns.org: "House parties must become $$$ makers."

Did she or didn't she?

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., spoke briefly at a press conference yesterday about his infidelity with cheap hookers but didn't answer questions. He let his wife do is talking -- the same wife that around 2000 said she'd Lorena Bobbitt him if he cheated on her, unlike the pansy forgiver Hillary Clinton when her husband had a consensual relationship with an intern (not committing the crime of prostitution). In fairness, he denied doing cheap hookers, only admitted to the expensive ones. Family values indeed.

Well, whad'ya know?

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is the favorite of military Republicans in the GOP pack for president.

Paul has received 23,465 donations, compared with traditional favorite Sen. John McCain's 15,825 military supporters. Of military donations, Paul takes almost 53% to McCain's 34%. Crikey, mate!

As I recall, the MSNBC.com poll showed Paul won both GOP debates by a landslide in its polls, too.

Karl Rove may have misunderestimated Paul when he ordained the actor-with-loose-britches Fred Thompson the yet undeclared king of the hill.

Selling out

David Sirota has an interesting new piece in In These Times about how the Democrats are selling us out. Even when the people put them in, they seem to be easily flattered by the money the corporate lobbyists spend wining and dining them.

Thomas Paine's paradise

The Internet, as it is, is the great equalizer. Each of us has not only the ability to speak our opinions in blogs as accessible as any Big Media page, but our sites also come through the Internet just as fast.

That would change if multinational communication corporations get their way with the FCC and start charging tolls for each page on the Internet highway. We have only until Monday to protest an FCC move to give the Internet to Big Brother. It won't affect just Americans either. The shot needs to be hear around the world, again.

SaveTheInternet.com

What is "net neutrality"? It's demystified here.

Watch your buns

Chinese TV is reporting at least one Chinese food supplier is cutting corners by making its buns 60% from waste paper.

In the case of the fake buns the CCTV reporters used hidden cameras to show the lengths the bao zi producers were going to in order to cut costs.

To get the right consistency the cardboard was shown being soaked in caustic soda, a poisonous industrial solvent.

The owners told the reporter they then mixed it with about 40 per cent fatty meat and the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate before selling the bao zi in nearby markets.

Despite discrepancies in colour and texture, the bun makers - who were shown wearing little more than boxer shorts and flip-flops - said they did not believe customers are able to tell the difference.

"Do you eat them?" the CCTV reporter asked the factory owner.

"No, I don't eat them," he replied.

Hat tip to Cannonfire for the link from al-Jazeera's coverage of it. Why aren't American papers covering it? Perhaps because they all rely only on the Associated Press these days of investor profits at the expense of newsroom budgets -- and if the AP doesn't say it's news, by God, it's not news here.

I think I'll skip the wonton soup in my Chinese carryout this weekend.

Where's the love?

Looks like New York doesn't love Rudy Giuliani, "the urban legend," so much.

Summer makeovers

Talking Points Memo by Josh Marshall has a new look. I think it's the best blog design I've seen to suit my interests for daily news and commentary.

Blue Jersey has redesigned, too, for the better. Good job, Juan Melli.

Government "of the people"?

The latest poll from Princeton-based Gallup and USA Today found two-thirds of Americans wanted George W. Bush to mind his own business in I. "Scooter" Libby's punishment for obstructing justice and perjury in the coverup of the White House leak of a highly classified undercover CIA spy. Then again, was it exactly Bush's business to help Libby hide from the public which of his bosses -- Dick Cheney or Bush -- ultimately ordered this traitorous crime?

I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning

It never ceases to make me laugh when one of the "sanctity of marriage," see-no-homoSEXuals, hear-no-homoSEXuals, speak-no-homoSEXuals brigade gets caught with his pants down without his wife. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., is in the DC Madam's little black book. The judge ended the injunction on it last week.

"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," said Vitter in a statement. "Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there-with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way." ...

In 2004, Vitter campaigned with a promise of "protecting the sanctity of marriage," and was a co-author of the "Federal Marriage Act" that sought to prohibit courts from interpreting same-sex marriage laws.
"This is a real outrage. The Hollywood left is redefining the most basic institution in human history," he said then.

And when he's caught again, say, helping Jack Abramoff morphs get federal aid for slave camps in the Pacific, he'll repent again. Ain't this form of "Christianity" grand?

And around 1998, Vitter as a congressman with years of hookerdom already behind him called for President Clinton to resign for having an affair, along with impeaching him for it. Will Vitter have the integrity to resign, according to his own standards? Pshhhah!

The DC Madam's entire black book now is posted on her website. Go see if the phone number for your hubby or senator -- or vice president -- is there.

Friday night at the movies

As the latest poll shows 54% of Americans want Dick Cheney impeached, filmmaker Robert Greenwald released "Impeach Cheney" today.


The Asylum Street Spankers brings us "Stick Magnetic Ribbons on your SUV":


This group, Elephant Larry, was in NYC on the Weapons of Pants Destruction Tour. Here's their "Sitting on a Bear":


Last but not least, my new favorite comedian, Carol Hartsell:

Looking a lot like Edward R. Murrow

"Even Richard Nixon knew it was time to resign." It's time for a President Pelosi to take the reins and fix this corrupt mess called a Bush 43 presidency.

To find out how to call or write to any lawmaker, click here.

From Daily Kos:

In the [Constitutional] convention George Mason argued that the President might use his pardoning power to "pardon crimes which were advised by himself" or, before indictment or conviction, "to stop inquiry and prevent detection." James Madison responded:

[I]f the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds [to] believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him; they can remove him if found guilty...

Madison went on to [say] contrary to his position in the Philadelphia convention, that the President could be suspended when suspected, and his powers would devolve on the Vice President, who could likewise be suspended until impeached and convicted, if he were also suspected.

Happy Independence Day

Pop a bag of popcorn and pull up a soft chair. It's movie time. If you don't have QuickTime, it's worth loading the software to see this Movie Archive film I found at Thom Hartmann's website.

Then, hear Hartmann read the first chapter of his book, "Screwed." You won't regret spending a bit of your day off on American history instead of nationalistic fervor that'll bombard you the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, a thought I was pondering:

Wasn't the U.S. campaign at Normandy Beach a "suicide attack"? If our military conquests in the Middle East really are part of a "war," how can we decry suicide bombers as a war tactic? I don't think these conquests are war, however, and I see all bombings -- theirs, and ours -- to be crimes, violations of law.

20% presidents

Only three presidents reached as low as the 20s in favorability polls: Richard Nixon sunk the lowest, but he got out before he had the sustained numbers of these two:

Harry S Truman: "The buck stops here."

George W. Bush: "I'm the decider."

The American public grew to despise both who believed in the imperial presidency, one of whom saw it as responsibility and the other, as arbitrary and capricious power.

Why they love us

Evolutionary biologists trace the genetics of cats to the fertile crescent.

The consequence of one other feline behavior -- the average cat's uncertainty about whether it wants to be indoors or out -- was also written in the genes Driscoll studied.

The time has come

Americans must have universal health care. It's downright humiliating we trail the world in health care, and Michael Moore's new documentary, "Sicko," demonstrates that need in a very entertaining way well worth the $10 movie ticket price.

Those who want to close their eyes because of the anti-Michael Moore lobby might want to read this CNN report showing Moore's data checks out. Context? Who cares. Don't we already know what the insurance industry will say? It wouldn't be informative -- or entertaining.
Good show, again, old boy!

A deeper look at the Supremes

Social justice blogs and bloggers are decrying the latest pair of disingenuous U.S. Supreme Court justices George W. Bush appointed, and weenie Democratic senators let get confirmed because they were scared silly of the GOP nuking the filibuster practice forever (how'd that work for you, senators? shaking head). I agree with that criticism.

But the decision that upset me most this week is one that seems to upset others least.

No question, the five majority are making law instead of interpreting the Constitution in all these activist rulings, as they did in rulings banning a medical procedure used in abortions and eroding women's rights to equal pay. That's wrong, and it validifies my refrain in the '04 election cycle: It's all about the judges.

1) Overturning a key aspect of the McCain-Feingold law that restricted interest groups from advertising for candidates two months before elections: YEA! This is a fundamental First Amendment issue. I favor corporations and groups putting out their own ads instead of donating to campaigns to do it. It would be easier for us to see who's the pimp and what's the real deal with the devil. I would think the people really scared by this are candidates. They won't be able to control the message, and they'll risk greater consequences overpromising to fringe constituencies.

2) Essentially overturn of Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education promising desegregated schools: The status quo wasn't working. Congress, legislatures and communities must get the brightest minds together to come up with a new way to integrate society. Look at Asbury Park and other urban schools. How integrated are they? Communities develop by economic demographics more than anything. To desegregate, we have to factor in class at least equally to race. Forced busing didn't work. It drove middle-class families to religious schools, private schools or home school. The public charter school program seems, so far, so good. They offer something special to encourage motivated students to apply. As long as public charter or magnet schools admit students according to a balanced demographics, they could lead the way in desegregating schools, without giving extremists ammunition to claim reverse racism.

3) Bong Hits 4 Jesus: nonsensical decision. Common sense, which the Radical 5 apparently don't have, tell me a school does not have the right to punish kids for what they do outside school, after school was dismissed. My own school district has tried this and failed to get public support. The Radical 5 seem to have ignored two fundamental points: Children have legal standing only through the parents. Parents have legal liability for their children. Therefore, as everyone through time has known that these misogynist justices insist on repressing, Mom's the boss.

The Radical 5 showed their miniscule credibility by passing judgment on the meaning of a meaningless logo. So much for the First Amendment they extended to corporations and lobby groups. Citizens don't need free speech anymore, now that corporations have that right, I guess. They are so out of touch with reality that neither the justices nor apparently the lawyers figured out the "drug advocacy" is just a skateboard label.

I want some rich person to print a million "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" T-shirts and send them to high school students so they can wear them en masse to school, like V did in sending his Guy Fawkes costumes to everyone in London in "V for Vendetta."