W.S.B.S.?

What should Bush say tonight in his State of the Union address? Tom Friedman, my pick for the presidency any day of the week, has some suggestions. His Sunday column in its entirety:

On Tuesday night President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address and map out priorities for his last three years. The direction in which America needs to go is obvious: toward energy independence. If Bush steps up to that challenge, this speech could be a new beginning for his presidency. If he doesn't, you can stick a fork in this administration. It will be done — because it will have abdicated leadership on the biggest issue of our day. Here's the speech I'll be listening for:

My fellow Americans, on May 25, 1961, President Kennedy gave an extraordinary State of the Union address in which he called on the nation to marshal all of its resources to put a man on the moon. By setting that lofty goal, Kennedy was trying to summon all of our industrial and scientific talent, and a willingness to sacrifice financially, to catch up with the Soviet Union, which had overtaken America in the field of large rocket engines.

"While we cannot guarantee that we shall one day be first," Kennedy said, "we can guarantee that any failure to make this effort will make us last."

I come to you this evening with a similar challenge. President Kennedy was worried about the threat that communism posed to our way of life. I am here to tell you that if we don't move away from our dependence on oil and shift to renewable fuels, it will change our way of life for the worse — and soon — much, much more than communism ever could have. Making this transition is the calling of our era.

Why? First, we are in a war with a violent strain of Middle East Islam that is indirectly financed by our consumption of oil. Second, with millions of Indians and Chinese buying cars and homes as they join the great global middle class, we must quickly move away from burning fossil fuels or we're going to create enough global warming to melt the North Pole. Because of that, green cars, homes, offices, appliances, designs and renewable energies will be the biggest growth industry of the 21st century. If we don't dominate that industry, China, India, Japan or Europe surely will.

But to lead, we must impose the highest energy-efficiency standards on our own automakers and other industries so we force them to be the most innovative. I want to inspire girls and boys across America to study math, science and engineering to help our nation achieve green energy independence. President Kennedy said, Let's put a man on the moon. I say, Let's make oil obsolete.

Finally, my call for spreading democracy will never be achieved if some of the worst regimes on the planet — Iran, Sudan, Venezuela — have so much oil money they can misbehave and ignore the world, and if the rest of us — Europe, America, China and India — are forever coddling them to get access to their crude.

With all of this in mind, I am sending Congress the Bush Energy Freedom Act. It is based on ideas first offered by the energy expert Philip Verleger, and it argues the following:

Transportation accounts for most of our oil consumption. And many Americans have purchased big cars and SUVs, expecting gasoline to remain cheap. That is no longer the case. Therefore, I propose creating a government agency that will buy up any gas-guzzling car or truck in America at the original new or used price, and crush it. This national buy-back program will be financed by a $2-a-gallon gasoline tax that will be phased in by 10 cents a month beginning in 2008 — so people know what is coming and start buying fuel-efficient cars right now.

By removing so many gas guzzlers, we will quickly reduce our oil consumption and create a huge demand for new energy-efficient cars from Detroit, which will rescue our auto industry. We have to do something drastic. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle company is worth more today than General Motors! But by sharply raising the gasoline tax, we'll also make sure that Detroit shifts its fleet to energy-saving plug-in hybrids and hydrogen- and ethanol-fueled vehicles, which will force Detroit to out-innovate Toyota. And by generating so much income from a gasoline tax, we will be able to give gas-tax rebates to lower-income folks and have plenty left over to pay for new investment in education and scientific research.

Impossible? Read my lips: Nothing is impossible when Americans put their hearts and minds to it.

One last thing: I have accepted the resignation of Vice President Dick Cheney, who felt he could not be a salesman for the Energy Freedom Act. I am nominating Jeffrey Immelt — the CEO of General Electric, who has focused GE's innovation around "eco-imagination" — as Mr. Cheney's replacement.

Good night, and God bless America.

"Brokeback" Leads Oscar Nominations

It received eight, including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress.

More on the nominations later today after I have had a chance to look them over.

Cruising for a Bruising

Tom Cruise receives a Razzie nod for worst actor for his performance in R. Kelly's "The Closet."

What?

Oh.

Sorry. His nomination is apparently for "War of the Worlds."

Up-Ended, Part 2

Iran said on Tuesday a move by the world's top five powers to report it to the U.N. Security Council would close diplomatic avenues to a solution of its long-running nuclear standoff with the West.

This runaway train is moving faster down the track with each passing day.

The Brokeback Spark

It's just like the gays to move into a run down, boarded up, urban neighborhood, gentrify it, and increase the property values by a gazillion percent.

Well, faster than you can say "Jack Fuckin' Twist," it seems the gay cowboy has done the same to the Mountain West.

Republican with Cajones

Sen. Lincoln Chaffee (Republican-RI) will vote "no" on the nomination of Samual Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Away for a few days

Flying to Chicago to spend a few days with family. Will try to check in here when/if I can (not sure about wireless connections).

Up-Ended

Things in Middle East just got a whole lot more unstable.

On Alito

There is a strong argument to be made for confimring Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States:

-He is quite qualified to sit on the high bench - way more so than Harriet Miers and even John Roberts;
-While he is not someone I would have nominated, my candidate didn't win the last presidential election;
-Despite their personal disdain for President Clinton, an overwhelming number of Republicans voted to confrim his two choices for the Court (although it should be noted that in the later years of the Clinton presidency, the GOP-led Senate delayed confirmation of many his nominees to the lower federal courts).

Yet despite those arguments, I have to throw my support for the Alito nomination behind those who would vote against his confirmation.

While I came out against the nomination of Harriet Miers due to her overall lack of judicial experience and her limited grasp of Constitutional law, I was afraid I might come across as a hypocrite if I immediately criticized Judge Alito. Believe me, in my mind it's a close call.

But since 1995, when the Republicans took control of the Senate, their Congressional leaders and presidential candidates have rallied against "activist judges" who wish to "legislate" from the bench. That argument works both ways and in Judge Alito we have a radical right jurist whose previous writings and rulings lead me to believe that he would "legislate" from the high court. His backers are hopeful that he would vote to overturn precedent and the President is depending on Alito's apparent support for unchecked executive power.

Because he is an activist judge; because his radical views are dangerous to the future of the Constitution; I urge the Senate to reject Samual Alito's nomination.

Quote of the Day

"If the institution of marriage is in trouble today, it's in trouble because of heterosexuals, not gay people. We're the ones who have made a mess out of the institution of marriage. To think that somehow or other if we pass this it's going to strengthen the institution of marriage is a sham."
-Virginia State Senator Richard L. Saslaw (Democrat), shortly before the chamber voted to approve a ban on gay marriage.

Me thinks bans against marriage for the likes of Brittany Spears and Jessica Simpson are not forthcoming.

West Wing Cancelled - How It Should End

NBC announced on Sunday that "The West Wing" would not be on the 2006-2007 TV schedule. With multiple Emmys and seven strong seasons under its belt the show will come to its end in May with the swearing in of the "new president."

With the recent passing of John Spencer, who played the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, I started thinking of how the producers would tackle the election story line. This is what I came up with:

The death of Spencer's character causes a swell of sympathy for the Democratic ticket. Santos (Jimmy Smits) is able to win a slim popular vote and Electoral College victory over Vinnick (the Republican nominee played by Alan Alda). Yet despite the whisker-thin Democratic victory, the country remains divided. Following his election - without a Vice President -, Santos reaches across the aisle and asks his former opponent, Vinnick, to be his V.P. in a bipartisan White House. With a GOP-controlled congress, the choice is easily confirmed.

Just thinking out loud.

The Name is Bush...George Bush

(Hat tip, Gil.)

Swiftboating the Future

Quote of the Day: "A young American now serving in Iraq might rightly wonder whether his or her service will be deliberately misconstrued 20 years from now, in the next rendition of politically motivated spinmeisters who never had the courage to step forward and put their own lives on the line."

-James Webb, Secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan.

The Globes

There were no major surprises at the Golden Globes ceremony last night (although one has to wonder how in the world John Williams beat out Gustavo Santaolalla's masterful score for "Brokeback Mountain"), but one thing is for sure: With the major awards going to stories involving gay cowboys, a gay writer, transgender Americans, and pot-selling suburban mothers, the James Dobsons of the world are having artery-splitting fits this Tuesday morning.

Supreme Court Upholds Oregon Assisted Suicide Law; Vote was 6-3

The Supreme Court of the United States, on a 6-3 vote, ruled that the 1997 Oregon law used to end the lives of more than 200 seriously ill people trumped federal authority to regulate doctors.

The new Chief Justice, John Roberts, joined Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas in the dissent.

When all else fails...

...blame Clinton.

Another administration official joins the Desperation Express.

Wishful Thinking

News Headline (2006): Chile elects first female leader

News Item(2006): "In Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf took office as Africa's first elected woman president on Monday."

News Item (2008)??: United States elects first woman president

Sigh. Chile and Liberia (Chile and Liberia!!) have elected women to lead their countries, yet here in the good ol' U.S. of A. we still have a soft spot for middle aged white guys. Here's hoping a few good women on both sides of the aisle join Sen. Hillary Clinton in the 2008 presidential primaries.

One woman in particular strikes my fancy and I hope she throws her hat back in the ring. She is more than qualified (a former U.S. Senator and Ambassador to New Zealand) and in the 2004 primary contests showed class, statesmanship, and pure patriotism. Her name is Carol Moseley-Braun.

You GO, Gore!

Quote of the Day: "Where [the President and I] disagree is that we have to break the law or sacrifice our system of government to protect Americans from terrorism. In fact, doing so makes us weaker and more vulnerable."
-Former Vice-President Al Gore, in a speech today to the American Constitution Society.

Video highlights of the speech here, courtesy of Crooks and Liars.

Take a look at the highlights and then ask yourself this question: Where was this Al Gore during the 2000 presidential campaign? He's animated, passionate, and patriotic. I'd almost hazard a guess that he is mulling over another run for the White House in 2008. And I would be all for it. After eight years of the incompetent Bush administration, an elder statesman like Al Gore is exactly what this country will need to clean up the mess and put us back on track.

Warner Not Ready for Prime Time

Yesterday I watched with interest George Stephanopoulos' interview with former Gov. Mark Warner (Democrat-VA). I am unable to locate a transcript but I can say that the popular Democratic figure is not quite ready for prime time.

I think Mr. Warner would add a great deal to the debate in choosing a Democratic presidential nominee for 2008, but for now he needs to take some time off, obtain some serious coaching, finesse his answers a bit, and come back after the 2006 mid-terms elections.

During the interview, Warner fell into the John Kerry trap - using the word "alliances" time and time again in answers to foreign policy questions. While I agree that it is vitally important for the U.S. to restore alliances (ie: rebuild the bridges that Bush burned), ramming that point home in debates and interviews doesn't win over voters.

In his defense: Stephanopoulos kept trying to point out that as Governor Mr. Warner's national security credentials were minimal. While true, one only need point out that George W. Bush was a governor when he became president in 2000 and had only been in the White House for 8 months when the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 took place. And while I think the President's national security performance has been abysmal, Warner has plenty of time to get his head in that part of the game. Bush never had an interest in global affairs during his first run for the White House (he'd never been abroad and couldn't name the prime minister of India) and that early detachment has led the United States down a long dark road at a time when we needed a president with at least a minimal working knowledge of the world around him.

I am not supporting Warner in his presidential bid. At this point I am not supporting anybody. But Warner would add a great deal of substance to the party debate when the nomination contests heat up in 2007. Between now and then, the former Virginia governor should obtain some serious coaching on the issues and how to play the game with the national media.

CNN Donates Big Bucks to LGBT Scholarship

Cable news giant CNN has donated $100,000 to help support the Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.

I won't waste my time wondering if Fox-Jazeera might step up to the plate and match the CNN donation.

Swift Boating Murtha

Rep. John Murtha (Democrat-PA) has been Swift Boated. CNS News questions the validy of the purple hearts he was awarded for his service in Vietnam. The Huffington Post reports that the Karl Rove machine is behind it.

The vile Bush folks never cease to amaze me.

Shelley Winters 1920 - 2006

Academy Award winning actress Shelley Winters died early Saturday at a nursing home in Southern California. She was 85.

Readers of this blog know what I fan I am of "The Poseidon Adventure" - and of Shelley Winters by extension. After seeing her performance in that film at the age of 7, I was an instant fan and made sure to catch more of her movies whenever I could.

This past May I had the opportunity to see the Academy Award Ms. Winters won for "The Diary of Anne Frank" when touring the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam. (She donated the statuette to the museum.) Her roll in that film, and in others such as "A Place in the Sun," "The Poseidon Adventure" and, most recently "Heavy," are studies in the art of character acting.

My grandmother, who sat in her recliner and smiled in amazement as I watched "The Poseidon Adventure" when it aired on ABC in 1974 (and who loved the Paul Gallico novel), died this past Tuesday morning. I can't help but think she's up there telling Ms. Winters what a fan her grandson was.

And I can't help but think of the symmetry. The two women were alike in so many ways. I'm not religous by any stretch, but knowing that two such wonderful gals are up there makes me feel a little better about being down here.

Shelley and Sally...take good care of each other.

Sarah "Sally" McCrandall Alvarez

My mom called me six hours ago to tell me that my grandmother, who helped my mom raise me, died early this morning. She had suffered in the dark recesses of Alzheimer's disease over the last ten years and, for all intents and purposes, left life as she knew it long ago.

But knowing that her passing has returned her to her glorious and wonderful self eases the pain only so much. She was my "pal," a good woman if ever there was one, and knowing that she is no longer of this earth hurts to the core.

Certain Relations

Dick & Bush

(Courtesy, Oliver.)

The Alito Hearings

Of course I'll reserve my final judgement for after the hearings, but with all that has come out about Samuel Alito since the announcement of his nomination, I can't help but think that, should he be confirmed, America's fast fall into Fascism will accelerate.

George and George

From State of War by James Risen, p. 112-114:

As the invasion of Iraq drew closer, an attitude took hold among many senior CIA officials that war was inevitable—and so the quality of the intelligence on weapons of mass destruction didn't really matter. This attitude led CIA management to cut corners and accept shoddy intelligence, other CIA officials believe...This acceptance of weak intelligence among senior CIA officials appears to be the backstory to the famous so-called Downing Street Memo.

According to a former senior CIA official, the memo — the leaked British government document from July 2002 that provided a British assessment of the Bush administration's plans for Iraq — was written immediately after a secret conference in Washington between top officials of the CIA and British intelligence. The memo, dated July 23, 2002, reported that "there was a perceptible shift in attitude" in Washington about Iraq. The memo went on to say that "military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy."

(CIA Director George) Tenet and (Sir Richard) Dearlove (head of British intelligence) left a larger meeting (held on July 20, 2002) and went off by themselves for about an hour and a half...Dearlove's overall assessment was reflected in the Downing Street Memo: the CIA chief and other CIA officials didn't believe that the WMD intelligence mattered, because war was coming one way or another.

Further proof that just ten months after 9/11 the Bush administration was focusing their sites on Iraq while Osama bin Laden and his al-Quaida goons were roaming the mountains of Afghanastan.

Why the American people continue to let something like this slide is beyond me. Had President Clinton taken his eye off the ball to drag the country into a mismanaged war there would have been congressional cries of incompetence and impeachment hearings.

(Hat tip: Jonathan Schwarz)

"Preserve, Protect, and Defend..."

Check out the new domestic spying ad from the DNC. In all fairness, this essentially proves that the President of the United States violated the law and knew it. There is no question in my eyes...impeachment hearings should begin immediately.

(Video courtesy of Crooks and Liars.)

Skewed Values

NBC affiliates KARK-TV in Little Rock and WTWO-TV of Terre Haute have elected NOT to air NBC's religious drama "The Book of Daniel," which debuts tonight on the peacock network. Little Rock's WB station, KWBF-TV, has apparently made arrangements with NBC to carry the show.

Little Rock is the home of the American Family Association, which unsuccessfully lobbied against ABC's "NYPD Blue," which the AFA considered unacceptably risqué when it debuted in 1993.

Interestingly enough, at the time no one from the American Family Association had seen an advance copy of "NYPD Blue" before issuing its jihad to members in 1993, and no one from the American Family Association has yet seen a tape of "The Book of Daniel."

They just know it's going to be blasphemous.

Don't ask me how.

The American Family Association, which claims 3,042,191 members and openly battles homosexuality and "adult entertainment," pledges to change American "culture to reflect Biblical truth and traditional family values."

God help us.

GOP Congresswoman: "Suspend the Constitution"

I shit you not.

The God of the Sea

Principal photography on a big-screen remake of "The Poseidon Adventure", directed by Wolfgang Petersen , is finished and a teaser-trailer hit theatres a few weeks back. Petersen is a master of the sea epic, having made a name for himself in 1981 with "Das Boot" and then again in 2000 with the masterful "The Perfect Storm." Thus, I have high hopes for this version (which will be titled, simply, "Poseidon").

The God of the Sea gets royally pissed off on May 12. The teaser trailer can be seen here.

Brokeback Brilliance...

...from Andy Towle.

It's Pat

The Rev. Pat Robertson said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is being punished by God for dividing the Land of Israel.

For those interested in what an American Osama bin Laden might sound like.

Jon Stewart Will Host Oscars

This oughta be good!

The Queen of Hollywood

Actress Queen Latifah has become the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. It honored the 35-year-old, who earned a supporting actress Oscar nomination in 2003 for her performance in Chicago.

Good for her!

Barry Gibb Buys Cash Home

The house where country star Johnny Cash lived for 35 years has been bought by Barry Gibb, of the Bee Gees.

Gibb said the house would "always be the spiritual home for the Cashes" and that they plan to use the home to write songs "because of the musical inspiration."

Back in '06!

Well, I'm back. Sorry for the severe lack of posts over the last couple of months. Work has been hella-crazy and, frankly, I am not one who truly appreciates the holi-daze.