President Barack Obama refused to retreat this morning on the closure of the notorious Guantanamo Bay prison, despite a Senate vote denying funding for the closure and opposing bringing any suspected terrorists to the US.
** NEW COLUMN COMING UP … TERMINATING THE DARKNESS?
** QUICK HITS. Admiral Mike Mullen, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, says the Pakistani offensive against the Taliban is going pretty well, and that the danger of the slow-rolling jihad is receding somewhat. There are 2.4 million refugees inside Pakistan now as a result of the conflict. … Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger put aside the notion of more borrowing, at higher cost, to balance California’s budget, now in extraordinarily serious straits with the global recession tanking revenues and voters shooting down the special election initiatives. I have more on this, but have been hung up much of the day. Asked about the new Terminator movie, Schwarzenegger quips: “I’ll be back.” … The state’s Legislative Analyst puts the latest deficit at about $24.3 billion, $3 billion worse than the worst case scenario Schwarzenegger laid out last week. When critics on the far right and left claimed he was using “scare tactics.” … There seems to be little appetite amongst Democratic legislative leaders for more tax hikes to make up the budget gap. … Meanwhile, Republican legislative leaders continue to refuse to spell out the cuts they have been demanding for more than a year. … And San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, trying to run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, unveils his new “Buck the System” slogan tonight at his latest kick-off event in the City by the Bay. Newsom is actually more a part of “the system” than any potential candidate.
** POOR MARKS FOR PELOSI ON TORTURE AND C.I.A. The new Gallup Poll finds that a plurality of Americans disapprove of how House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has handled the question of torture in the past interrogation of suspected terrorists. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama gets high marks, as does the CIA.
Last week, Pelosi attempted to respond to allegations that she learned of the use of waterboarding in September 2002 during a CIA briefing of congressional leaders. In her press conference, she asserted that the CIA misled her by denying that waterboarding was being used, even though government reports indicate it had been used on an al Qaeda terror suspect in the month prior to that briefing. The CIA responded and disputed her assertions that the agency misled her. Republican leaders have roundly criticized her remarks.
Sixty percent of Americans say they are following the news about the government’s use of harsh interrogation techniques closely, including 22% who say they are following it “very closely.” Republicans (66%) are slightly more likely than independents or Democrats (each 59%) to be following the matter closely.
The May 19 poll finds Pelosi largely losing the public relations game, as she gets a significantly more negative review for her handling of the matter than do the other major players in the controversy, including the CIA. Also, notably, Americans are much more critical of Pelosi’s handling of the matter than they are of the broader group of the Democrats in Congress she leads as speaker of the House.
Those who are paying the closest attention to the matter are especially critical of Pelosi, with 63% of this group disapproving of her, compared with just 30% who approve. This highly attentive group is generally somewhat more critical than the general public is of each of the actors — aside from the CIA, which is rated much more positively by those who are following the matter closely (63% approve) than by the broader population (52% approve). …
** OBAMA’S NEW CALIFORNIA-BASED CLIMATE POLICY: SIX KEY THINGS TO KNOW. When President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday that he is making California’s standard for vehicle fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions the new national standard, he accomplished a number of things. … From my new column.
** EXCERPTS FROM OBAMA’S SPEECH ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND GUANTANAMO. From Europe to the Pacific, we have been a nation that has shut down torture chambers and replaced tyranny with the rule of law. That is who we are. And where terrorists offer only the injustice of disorder and destruction, America must demonstrate that our values and institutions are more resilient than a hateful ideology.
After 9/11, we knew that we had entered a new era – that enemies who did not abide by any law of war would present new challenges to our application of the law; that our government would need new tools to protect the American people, and that these tools would have to allow us to prevent attacks instead of simply prosecuting those who try to carry them out.
Unfortunately, faced with an uncertain threat, our government made a series of hasty decisions. And I believe that those decisions were motivated by a sincere desire to protect the American people. But I also believe that – too often – our government made decisions based upon fear rather than foresight, and all too often trimmed facts and evidence to fit ideological predispositions. Instead of strategically applying our power and our principles, we too often set those principles aside as luxuries that we could no longer afford. And in this season of fear, too many of us – Democrats and Republicans; politicians, journalists and citizens – fell silent. …
First, I banned the use of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques by the United States of America.
I know some have argued that brutal methods like water-boarding were necessary to keep us safe. I could not disagree more. As Commander-in-Chief, I see the intelligence, I bear responsibility for keeping this country safe, and I reject the assertion that these are the most effective means of interrogation. What’s more, they undermine the rule of law. They alienate us in the world. They serve as a recruitment tool for terrorists, and increase the will of our enemies to fight us, while decreasing the will of others to work with America. They risk the lives of our troops by making it less likely that others will surrender to them in battle, and more likely that Americans will be mistreated if they are captured. …The second decision that I made was to order the closing of the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay.
For over seven years, we have detained hundreds of people at Guantanamo. During that time, the system of Military Commissions at Guantanamo succeeded in convicting a grand total of three suspected terrorists. Let me repeat that: three convictions in over seven years. Instead of bringing terrorists to justice, efforts at prosecution met setbacks, cases lingered on, and in 2006 the Supreme Court invalidated the entire system. Meanwhile, over five hundred and twenty-five detainees were released from Guantanamo under the Bush Administration. Let me repeat that: two-thirds of the detainees were released before I took office and ordered the closure of Guantanamo.There is also no question that Guantanamo set back the moral authority that is America’s strongest currency in the world. Instead of building a durable framework for the struggle against al Qaeda that drew upon our deeply held values and traditions, our government was defending positions that undermined the rule of law. …
The third decision that I made was to order a review of all the pending cases at Guantanamo.
I knew when I ordered Guantanamo closed that it would be difficult and complex. There are 240 people there who have now spent years in legal limbo. In dealing with this situation, we do not have the luxury of starting from scratch. We are cleaning up something that is – quite simply – a mess; a misguided experiment that has left in its wake a flood of legal challenges that my Administration is forced to deal with on a constant basis, and that consumes the time of government officials whose time should be spent on better protecting our country.Indeed, the legal challenges that have sparked so much debate in recent weeks in Washington would be taking place whether or not I decided to close Guantanamo. For example, the court order to release seventeen Uighur detainees took place last fall – when George Bush was President. The Supreme Court that invalidated the system of prosecution at Guantanamo in 2006 was overwhelmingly appointed by Republican Presidents. In other words, the problem of what to do with Guantanamo detainees was not caused by my decision to close the facility; the problem exists because of the decision to open Guantanamo in the first place. …
President Barack Obama had his quarterly meeting with his Economic Recovery Advisory Board yesterday in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.
** OBAMA TODAY. President Barack Obama has a busy day.
At 7:10 AM Pacific, he makes a major speech on national security at the National Archives Museum Rotunda.
The event will be roadblocked on all cable news nets.
Obama then returns to the White House and receives the daily intelligence and economic briefings and meets with senior advisors in the Oval Office.
At 10:30 AM Pacific, he welcomes the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers (his pick to win) to the White House. Obama and the team then participate in a service event at the South Portico, putting together care packages for American troops.
At 1:15 PM Pacific, Obama meets with President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania in the Oval Office.
Vice President Joe Biden is in Kosovo today.
Biden addresses the Assembly of Kosovo and then visits Camp Bondsteel to meet and speak to U.S. troops taking part in the NATO mission in Kosovo.
Right after Obama speaks this morning on national security – in which he will explain again the shutdown of the prison at Guantanamo Bay – former Vice President Dick Cheney will again assail Obama’s policies in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington.
This will be a big deal in the media.
Vice President Joe Biden is in the Balkans, where he visits Belgrade, Serbia.
Terminator Salvation opens wide today. Arnold Schwarzenegger had a more musical conception of the new Terminator movie.
** FROM THE ARNOLD FILE. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger holds private meetings and discussions today in Sacramento and Los Angeles.
After attending the annual Legislative prayer breakfast, Schwarzenegger will hold a press availability at the Sheraton Grande Hotel in Sacramento.
First Lady Maria Shriver unveils the first edible garden in Capitol Park, also this morning.
** 24 AND THE TORTUOUS POLITICS OF TORTURE. The longtime hit TV series 24 has just wrapped a tumultuous seventh season in the midst of national debate about the past national policy of interrogation by torture of terror suspects. And, while 24 returned to past form as a crackling thriller, it’s done it in the midst of presenting a running debate about torture, mostly coming down on the side of torture.
Which, in its way, is appalling. There’s one thing, though. Torture may be more popular than many of us would like to think. …
** ANGELS AND DEMONS AND RELIGIOUS POLITICS. The sequel to one of the most controversial movies in recent memory is opening this weekend. And the collective response is a mild “hmm.” … From my May 15th column.
** WHAT DOES OBAMA’S AFGHAN COMMAND CHANGE MEAN? For the first such change in wartime since Harry Truman replaced General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War in 1951, Barack Obama is replacing General David McKiernan in Afghanistan. Obama is moving both to change a stalemated war in Afghanistan and to scale back expectations there.
In the process, the Obama Administration is signaling that there will be no massive military surge preferred by General David Petraeus, as well as, seemingly, an end to nation-building fantasies and a preference for more special operations while searching for compromise.
McKiernan, the commander of conventional ground forces for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, is being replaced by a rather controversial special operations expert, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal. As head of Joint Special Operations Command, McChrystal oversaw the capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and the killing of Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. … From my May 13th column.
** THE HYPE FLU’S BIG FADE. Remember that big, dangerous swine flu threat that the cable culture was going on about round the clock, still scaring the sweat out of people a week ago? Why, it’s going to … er, never mind.
It was all very breathless and alarming. … From my May 11th column.
** STAR TREK‘S NEW COMING-OF-AGE SAGA FOR GENERATION O. Let’s get the straight-up politics out of the way up front. Barack Obama, as he says himself, grew up on Star Trek. And both the new Spock, young Heroes TV star Zachary Quinto, and the classic Spock, Leonard Nimoy, each of whom star in the new movie, backed him for president, with Quinto campaigning around the country.
Obama even flashed the Vulcan hand sign — not so easy to do the first few times you try — at Nimoy at an Obama fundraiser in, for those of you who were johnnies-come-lately, January 2007.
Now for the part that’s not quite so obvious. This Star Trek hinges on the original captain of the Enterprise. But not the one you’re thinking of.
In rebooting the saga, the new stewards of Star Trek have neatly set up a classic coming-of-age journey for a new generation, the Obama generation. … From my May 8th column.
** OBAMA’S TROUBLED AFPAK SUMMIT. … From my May 6th column.
** OBAMA’S CRISIS MANAGEMENT: OF FLU AND AFPAK. … From my May 4th column.
** THIS X DOESN’T MARK THE SPOT. WOLVERINE MISSES THE SERIES’ DEEPER THEMES. … From my May 2nd column.
** OBAMA’S DEEPENING AFPAK CRISIS. … From my April 30th column.
** OBAMA’S CALIFORNIA: ANGST AND IRONY FOR WINNING DEMOCRATS. … From my April 28th column.
** OBAMA’S EARTH DAY ENERGY DECLARATION: CALIFORNIA MAY BE THE NATIONAL MODEL HE SAYS, BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH. … From my April 23rd column.
** OBAMA: RIDING WITH HISTORY. (NOTE: As Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, this column was the featured column on the top of the front page of the Huffington Post.) … From my January 19th Huffington Post column.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the new Russia Today channel. You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti. While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, which I know as a former DemRussia advisor, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. With U.S. cable news chattering away as it does, this sort of respite can be informative. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM AL JAZEERA. With the US entangled in two wars in the region, it’s valuable to keep up with news and perspectives from the leading Middle Eastern-based TV news network. Based in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, Al Jazeera is very influential and more than a bit controversial. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer. The NWN live link to AJ does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** SCHWARZENEGGER’S CALIFORNIA. Here is my series of five columns on the governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Los Angeles Times in debate last fall, prior to the global economic meltdown, with Pulitzer Prize-winning former Times reporter/editor Bill Boyarsky, whose columns are also included. Among them is what I’m sure is the first piece examining Schwarzenegger’s legacy as governor of California. Since he will actually be governor of California until 2011. No technology known to be disruptive to the space/time continuum was used in its preparation.
You can listen to my April 21st video webchat with Schwarzenegger here.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND NATIONAL ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Having crashed over $147 for yet another record on July 11th, crude oil is trading in the $60 to $61 per barrel range, near a seven-month high.
This is up about $26 from the low of $34 per barrel prior to enactment of the Obama economic recovery program, due in part to some positive economic signs and in part to geopolitical jitters over Pakistan.
Your posts are welcome in the Forum.
Read 
| Comments (50) |
Obama’s Economic advisory meeting looks good.
The Arnold Musical video is hysterical.
Eh, does Arnold think that’s funny?
Barack’s always good and that’s too long to watch.
Jonas Blane Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 6:19 am
Obama’s Economic advisory meeting looks good.
He’s starting his national security speech now.
I really like your new column!
Obama’s making a good speech on Gitmo.
It was very good.
Thanks!
># Capitol Boy Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 6:36 am edit
I really like your new column!
It is quite long.
># Capitol Boy Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 6:28 am edit
Barack’s always good and that’s too long to watch.
Jonas Blane Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 6:19 am
Obama’s Economic advisory meeting looks good.
He does, indeed.
># Capitol Boy Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 6:26 am edit
Eh, does Arnold think that’s funny?
I think so. I have to avoid watching it again.
># Jonas Blane Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 6:23 am edit
The Arnold Musical video is hysterical.
lol
Bill Bradley Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 7:24 am
He does, indeed.
># Capitol Boy Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 6:26 am edit
Eh, does Arnold think that’s funny?
Obama’s speech was balanced and strong.
Cheney, talking now, not so much.
Brasky yesterday spoke of ex-veep Dick Cheney as “some sort of Paris Hilton/Adolf Hitler hybrid or something.” I always have the impression from his exdpression and body language that he resembles an odious toad.
I hereby apologize to all toads for the comparison.
In his cameo appearance (also yesterday) Mr. Hap complained we are too lefty here. Well, if you want mega-doses of nonsense from the ends you can visit Flash Report or Calitics–we engage in realpolitik here.
Considering what a torturous path the Bay Area Council lays out for having a constitutional convention plus likely pushback by stakeholders/insiders from all sides I wonder if this effort is unlikely to get very far.
Michael Steele seems intent on making sure the Republicans seem out of touch and maginalized. In his big speech this week he claimed “Under President Obama the federal government is now in the banking business. Under President Obama the government now makes cars. Under President Obama our country has amassed debts that will take generations to repay. Under President Obama America is increasingly in debt to foreign countries, from China to the Middle East.” Almost all these things began under Bush or continue his policies. And the Republicans didn’t say boo when Bush did them. To now denounce them now in some deluded idea it will get them brownie points is sad and misguided. They have destroyed their brand and constant phony attacks is no path to redeem it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/19/michael-steele-delivers-s_n_205268.html
Dana: Cheney could also be described as Golum on steroids.
I watched the rest of Cheney’s speech. He doesn’t think he did one thing wrong. Amazing.
Golum on steroids? Good one, Brasky!
The SNL spoof on Chaney this past Saturday made the points I have long pondered–Bush to his credit sincerely believes as he has always said that history will judge what he did while obviously Chaney isn’t willing to let things play out.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/17/will-ferrell-snl-season-f_n_204335.html
Cheney is very angry, I’m told. He’s very smart, but very canalized in his thinking.
He would be much more credible if he acknowledged a mistake or two …
># Jack Aubrey Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:34 am edit
I watched the rest of Cheney’s speech. He doesn’t think he did one thing wrong. Amazing.
Golumn?
># Brasky Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:24 am edit
Dana: Cheney could also be described as Golum on steroids.
It’s hard to take Michael Steele seriously. He is a bad party chairman and a gaffe machine.
># Dana Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:13 am edit
Michael Steele seems intent on making sure the Republicans seem out of touch and maginalized. In his big speech this week he claimed “Under President Obama the federal government is now in the banking business. Under President Obama the government now makes cars. Under President Obama our country has amassed debts that will take generations to repay. Under President Obama America is increasingly in debt to foreign countries, from China to the Middle East.” Almost all these things began under Bush or continue his policies. And the Republicans didn’t say boo when Bush did them. To now denounce them now in some deluded idea it will get them brownie points is sad and misguided. They have destroyed their brand and constant phony attacks is no path to redeem it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/19/michael-steele-delivers-s_n_205268.html
I think we should try a California constitutional convention.
However, as you pointed out, it would be so far off, if it happened at all, that to invest in it now as some sort of solution to the crises of the next couple of years is to indulge in political fantasy.
># Dana Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 8:19 am edit
Brasky yesterday spoke of ex-veep Dick Cheney as “some sort of Paris Hilton/Adolf Hitler hybrid or something.” I always have the impression from his exdpression and body language that he resembles an odious toad.
I hereby apologize to all toads for the comparison.
In his cameo appearance (also yesterday) Mr. Hap complained we are too lefty here. Well, if you want mega-doses of nonsense from the ends you can visit Flash Report or Calitics–we engage in realpolitik here.
Considering what a torturous path the Bay Area Council lays out for having a constitutional convention plus likely pushback by stakeholders/insiders from all sides I wonder if this effort is unlikely to get very far.
I first would like some sort of process in place where the result makes sense. Maybe have the California Research Bureau do some white papers on how other states organized their constitutional conventions and analysis of state government structures and options. It isn’t rocket science–there are 49 other states: how do they deliver services etc. and are they doing things we may want to emulate? What can we do to improvement procurement, etc. Too many IT upgrade bogdowns happen and we need to find a way to end that.
There is a lot of loose talk about goverment efficency, contracting out, waste and fraud, etc. How about some facts on these matters, and others, so whoever ends up as part of such a convention has some information which provide a framework for the discussions?
>Bill Bradley Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:49 am
I think we should try a California constitutional convention.
Mark Evanier is a writer with a very informative blog. And like many blogs he has a paypal link to allow readers to tip the blogger. He recently asked for donations and said whoever sent the largest tip could name a topic and he’d write something on that subject. The winner asked that Evanier (who has been a critic of Bush) write something about what a great president George W. Bush was, how the Iraq War was a stroke of genius, how the nation is so much better off because of Bush ‘n’ Cheney. Well, evidently the guy was sincere and Evanier gamely tried to do it. After two days of trying he gave up and gave the guy his money back. “I really thought I could be bought and I’m amazed to find out otherwise.” Evanier has made a living as writer since he was a teenager (circa 1969)–and yet finding something praiseworthy about the Bush years was beyond his powers to write prose about–honestly. Interesting times we live in, hmm?
http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_05_20.html#017151
THE BLIND ALLIANCE
ALLIANCES
In the work The Art of War, written in the fifth-century (B.C.) Before Christ, by Sun Tzu of China, Sun Tzu wrote under Maneuvering, We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors, and there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. You add these two concepts together and you come to the conclusion that the longer and more protracted a war is things change, and what the designs of our neighbors were at the start may change do to circumstances, putting the State at risk. And, now the Special Relationship that the Media Messiah Imperial President, the Media proclaimed Magic Negro has given to the STATE OF ISRAEL, means The Shi-ite Persian Iranian Republic will be preemptively Nuclear Attacked in the near future, either by a combined alliance of both the Eastern and Western (AIE) American Israeli Empire, or by the Eastern Half with Political and Military Protection provided by the Western Half. Taking Hundreds of Thousands of human lives over a God in a box in Ethiopia, which is to be brought back to Jerusalem Israel, and placed behind a curtain that is yet to be hung, in a Temple that has yet to be built in a location were the Dome of The Rock Mosque, now stands, so a group of Israeli Jews dressed in funny clothing, with odd customs. In an effort to gain the last piece of the Grand Game II Puzzle, the Islamic Crescent, The Caspian Sea Basin, the two pipelines, Nabucco, and the Central Asian, allowing the establishment of a Hierarchical Structure a New World Order with the (AIE), American Israeli Empire with Israel at the apex.
WEAKING STATE BULWARK
The bulwark of the STATE is not complete at all points; the State is weakening causing the bulwark to be defective, making the State weak. So, what does that mean, it means cracks in entire (AIE) American Israeli Empire are evident, micro-structure cracks which in the end will cause catastrophic failure beyond a (2009) deadline. Which means the attack upon Shi-ite Persian Iran MUST occur in the fall. The (AIE) Easter Empire (Israel) is beginning to fracture from within, and is under pressure from without. From within a new generation of young Jewish-Israeli kids is standing up to the government – they call ‘em “Shministim.” The Shministim- all about ages 17, 18, 19 and in the 12th grade – are taking a stand. They believe in a better, more peaceful future for themselves and for Israelis and Palestinians, and they are refusing to join the Israeli army. They’re in jail, holding strong against immense pressure from family, friends and the Israeli government, and are being supported from without by (AIE) Western Empire (Non-Israeli-Jews), The Jewish Voice for Peace in the (AIE) Western Empire, group heading things up for them. The economy of the STATE is weak from the protracted campaign, and is no longer equal to the strain, the Western Empire is broke and can’t afford much more of the War on Islam, The soldier of the Empire have not been treated with humanity, but driven to the point of suicide, from (PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with lack of treatment, or care, with Orange Vest to mark them, caused once again by a protracted and continuing war.
SELLING A MORAL ATTACK
Sun Tzu wrote; The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by danger. What that mean now a days is a Media Blitz, by individuals such as Bill Bradley of (NWN) NewWestNotes.Com, Television Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the (AIPAC/AZC) American Israel Public Affairs Committee/American Zionist Council, a (100K) One-hundred membership neo-conservative Jewish lobbyists group, connected to various caucus members of influential members of the Empire’s pro-Israel lawmakers the (544) Imperial Court. and other Non-Israeli-Jews, who support the God in a Box, Hierarchical Structure New World Order. Over the next few Patriotic Months, May (25th) Memorial Day, June (6th) on the Beaches of Normandy, The (4th) of July, but ending with an attack prior to the seasons of harvest and peace on earth good will toward men, the selling of the killing of hundreds of thousands of human lives, will be made into a Moral cause, justified for the greater good of STATE, without regards to the consequences, geo-politically, economically, militarily, or ecological effects upon the global community. So, to the question will the (AIE) Preemptively Nuclear Attack the Shi-ite Persian Republic of Iran by years end, one would conclude with (99.9%) ninety-nine point nine percent certainty, that a joint attack or an Eastern Empire, militarily and politically supported preemptive attack will occur.
Could the above be classified as a rant? Could it???
More Steve Poizner kissing up to the far right…
http://notanotherdimecalifornia.com/
Or … harmlessly crazy.
># Sacramento Solon Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 1:01 pm edit
Could the above be classified as a rant? Could it???
Actually, that doesn’t surprise me in the least.
I can find things to praise Bush on.
># Dana Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 10:46 am edit
Mark Evanier is a writer with a very informative blog. And like many blogs he has a paypal link to allow readers to tip the blogger. He recently asked for donations and said whoever sent the largest tip could name a topic and he’d write something on that subject. The winner asked that Evanier (who has been a critic of Bush) write something about what a great president George W. Bush was, how the Iraq War was a stroke of genius, how the nation is so much better off because of Bush ‘n’ Cheney. Well, evidently the guy was sincere and Evanier gamely tried to do it. After two days of trying he gave up and gave the guy his money back. “I really thought I could be bought and I’m amazed to find out otherwise.” Evanier has made a living as writer since he was a teenager (circa 1969)–and yet finding something praiseworthy about the Bush years was beyond his powers to write prose about–honestly. Interesting times we live in, hmm?
http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_05_20.html#017151
Well, you know, people are venting …
># Dana Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 10:37 am edit
I first would like some sort of process in place where the result makes sense. Maybe have the California Research Bureau do some white papers on how other states organized their constitutional conventions and analysis of state government structures and options. It isn’t rocket science–there are 49 other states: how do they deliver services etc. and are they doing things we may want to emulate? What can we do to improvement procurement, etc. Too many IT upgrade bogdowns happen and we need to find a way to end that.
There is a lot of loose talk about goverment efficency, contracting out, waste and fraud, etc. How about some facts on these matters, and others, so whoever ends up as part of such a convention has some information which provide a framework for the discussions?
>Bill Bradley Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:49 am
I think we should try a California constitutional convention.
lol
… And San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, trying to run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, unveils his new “Buck the System” slogan tonight at his latest kick-off event in the City by the Bay. Newsom is actually more a part of “the system” than any potential candidate.
No, Bill, I’m harmlessly crazy.
lol
True.
Newsom is a complete fake.
His campaign is run by the biggest corporate lobbying firm in California!
BB:And San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, trying to run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, unveils his new “Buck the System” slogan tonight at his latest kick-off event in the City by the Bay. Newsom is actually more a part of “the system” than any potential candidate.
“I think about you a lot, Rebecca.”
This is a very funny and telling comedy video about “Schwarzenegger.” Rebecca Romijn as Sarah Connor.
“I love it, love it, love it.”
Whom do you find most annoying, far right or far left?
Ann,
Thank you. Knew you would both understand and be supportive!
Arnold Schwarzenegger is still most popular movie star in Russia.
What new video today?
Obama, Obama, and Schwarzenegger.
And Russian women are so happy about that …
> sergei says:
May 22, 2009 at 3:14 am (Edit)
Arnold Schwarzenegger is still most popular movie star in Russia.
Coin, please?
>#
marcus waldron says:
May 21, 2009 at 5:30 pm (Edit)
Whom do you find most annoying, far right or far left?
#
Ah, now I understand.
> Sacramento Solon says:
May 21, 2009 at 3:56 pm (Edit)
No, Bill, I’m harmlessly crazy.
Bill,
Nice to be loved…and you know you do!
Also should have added Ann…
Between you and Liz posting on old threads, I’m not sure who is more irritating.
If you agree COlts are going to lose become a fan of FB page Colts Will Lose Super Bowl 2010!
If you agree COlts are going to lose become a fan of FB page Colts Will Lose Super Bowl 2010!