That Is All

The move is now complete. I am officially (finally!) a San Franciscan. The new place, located in upper Noe Valley just off where Market Street turns into Portola, is shaping up nicely; and we were able to host friends and family this past weekend to celebrate my entry into Forty-Something Land.

The stress of being away from Brent has subsided and the anxiety over packing up and moving is nowhere to be found. Life, for the most part, is good.

Since I am no longer living on California's beautiful south coast, the South Coast Journal no longer exists. Beginning today, the random thoughts, opinions, and cyber outbursts from yours truly will come your way via the San Francisco Journal.

That is all.

The Dumbing Down of America Continues...

The war in Iraq is more mismanaged by the day; the North Koreans are ready to test long range missles; Iran is rattling their own nuclear saber...

...and MSNBC spends over 5 minutes (an eternity in broadcast news) discussing whether or not Superman is gay??

Dysfunctional Pattern

Quote of the Day:

We’re borrowing huge amounts of money from China to buy huge amounts of oil from the most unstable region on the planet to bring it here and burn it in ways that destroy the habitability of the planet.

-Former Vice-President Al Gore, June 19th, on the Charlie Rose show on PBS.

Memo to Tom Friedman: Run for President...Please!

Once again the New York Times foreign affairs columnist proves why he'd be a formidable presidential candidate...

Seeds for a Geo-Green Party
By Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times
Published: June 16, 2006

The recent focus of the Republican-led Congress on divisive diversions, like gay marriage and flag burning, coupled with the unveiling of Unity '08, an Internet-based third party that plans to select its presidential candidate through online voting, has intensified the chatter that a third party, and maybe even a fourth, will emerge in the 2008 election.

Up to now, though, most of that talk has been about how a third party might galvanize voters, using the Web, rather than what it would actually galvanize them to do. I'd like to toss out an idea in the hopes that some enterprising politician or group of citizens or Unity '08 will develop it. It's the concept I call "Geo-Green."

What might a Geo-Green third party platform look like?

Its centerpiece would be a $1 a gallon gasoline tax, called "The Patriot Tax," which would be phased in over a year. People earning less than $50,000 a year, and those with unusual driving needs, would get a reduction on their payroll taxes as an offset.

The billions of dollars raised by the Patriot Tax would go first to shore up Social Security, second to subsidize clean mass transit in and between every major American city, third to reduce the deficit, and fourth to massively increase energy research by the National Science Foundation and the Energy and Defense Departments' research arms.

Most important, though, the Patriot Tax would increase the price of gasoline to a level that would ensure that many of the most promising alternatives ethanol, biodiesel, coal gasification, solar energy, nuclear energy and wind would all be economically competitive with oil and thereby reduce both our dependence on crude and our emissions of greenhouse gases.

In short: the Geo-Green party could claim that it has a plan for shoring up America's energy security, environmental security, economic security and Social Security with one move.

It could also claim that however the Iraq war ends the Geo-Green party has a strategy for advancing political and economic reform in the Arab-Muslim world, without another war. By stimulating all these alternatives to oil, we would gradually bring down the price, possibly as low as $25 to $30 a barrel. That, better than anything else, would force regimes like those in Iran, Sudan, Egypt, Angola, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia to open up. Countries don't reform when you tell them they should. They reform when they tell themselves they must and only when the price of oil goes down will they tell themselves they must.

Moreover, by making America the leader in promoting clean power, the Geo-Greens would be offering a credible plan for recouping at lot of America's lost prestige in the world prestige it lost when the Bush team trashed Kyoto. This would put America in a much better position to galvanize allies to combat jihadism.

Last, Geo-Greenism could be the foundation of a new American patriotism and educational renaissance. Under the banner "Green is the New Red, White and Blue," the Geo-Green party would seek to inspire young Americans to study math, science and engineering to help make America not only energy independent but also the dominant player in what will be the dominant industry of the 21st century: clean power and green technology.

Frankly, I wish we did not need a third party. I wish the Democrats would adopt a Geo-Green agenda as their own. (Republicans never would.) But if not, I hope it will become the soul of a third party.

"Historically, third parties arise in America when they seize a neglected issue and demonstrate that there is a real constituency for it," said Micah Sifry, author of "Spoiling for a Fight: Third-Party Politics in America." "They win by forcing that issue into the mainstream even if the party itself is later forgotten. Conditions certainly seem ripe for such a third-party bid today."

But rather than artificially splitting the difference between the Democrats and the Republicans, Mr. Sifry added, "a successful third party has to get in front of both with an agenda that inspires hope and with leadership that inspires trust. Fear of a dark future isn't the best motivator; hope for a better one is."

That's Geo-Greenism. To be sure, Geo-Greenism is not a complete philosophy on par with liberalism or conservatism. But it can be paired with either of them to make them more relevant to the biggest challenges of our time. Even if Geo-Greenism couldn't attract enough voters to win an election, it might attract a big enough following to frighten both Democrats and Republicans into finally doing the right things.

Picture of the Day

(Via AmericaBlog)

Bush & Blair: NeoSoviets

Quote of the Day:

Today, brandishing ideologies that appeal to domestic political audiences and intimidate everyone else, American and British leaders sound like Leonid Brezhnev...

By the standards of [Ronald] Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, our neoconservatives are not conservative, they are neosoviet. In the process, George Bush and Tony Blair are losing the so-called war on terror. Their policies backfire and play into the hands of Osama Bin Laden.

-S.J. Masty, former speechwriter to President Ronald Reagan

In Limbo

The major move is now complete. Our belongings have been moved from the Santa Barbara townhouse into our new San Francisco condo. I, however, am back in Santa Barbara - in limbo - with only a big chair, an air matress, a TV, and a Boston Terrier until my final trip north on the morning of June 29th.

The President's Assault on the Constitution

fascism: n. An extreme form of nationalism that rejects individual freedom, liberal individualism, democracy, and limitations on state.

See Republican.

With the war in Iraq being run incompetently; with Iran ready to go to the mat over nukes; and with a President in the White House who feels he can pick and choose the laws he should follow and the laws he can break...the Republican-led U.S. Congress have decided the most important issue facing America today is...gay marriage (???) Important enough to...amend the Constitution (???)

Today the U.S. Senate is expected to begin debate on a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. The President will defile the White House Rose Garden by announcing from there his support for the amendment.

And so, following are comments I posted back in February 2004 - the last time ol' Georgie tried this crap. I've revised them slightly, but for the most part the main point remains: Under this man's leadership the country is headed down a dangerous path...

The long, slow crawl toward fascism in the United States has picked up tremendous speed.

With his trademark smirk, President George W. Bush will today declare war on gay Americans - and their families and friends - by proposing an amendment that would defile the Constitution of the United States - the most sacred government document in the history of the World.

This President and his party have proposed that we be deemed second-rate citizens. This President and his party have proposed that civil rights be stripped from a group of Americans that number in the tens of millions...that discrimination be written into the Constitution.

In doing so, George W. Bush and the Republican Party not only declare war on gay people and their families & friends, they declare war on the Constitution of the United States of America.

His message is plain as day: "You don't belong here."

A uniter, not a divider? The hypocrisy slays me.

Bush takes issue with what he calls "activist judges" who have made "an aggressive attempt to redefine marriage." (Actually Mr. President, they are simply doing their job...interpreting constitutional law without regard to politics!)

No, the real issue here is with an "activist president."

Mr. Bush has revealed his true colors. He's a divider, not a uniter. There is no "compassion" in his conservatism. As a matter of fact, he's a right wing zealot and by taking this action has proven beyond a doubt that he is the most dangerous man ever to occupy the presidency.

To the 1.1 million gay citizens who voted for the President in 2000 and then voted to re-elect him in 2004, I offer this: Your president has betrayed you...AGAIN. He has announced to the world that you are his enemy and that he will fight the ultimate political war to make sure you are discriminated against. He has disassembled his Republican Party's "big tent." The mighty Republican elephant is now the definitive emblem of cruelty, division, and intolerance. By voting for his re-election in 2004 you betrayed us all.

In the February 17, 2004 issue of the Advocate, marriage rights proponent Andrew Sullivan offered an argument that essentially rips through the heart of the conservative movement to ban gay marriage. I leave you with the final paragraph from that essay:

Here's a deal for straight conservative America. You're perfectly entitled to rhapsodize about traditional marriage. If that's your reason for barring gays from marriage, fine. But until you criticize straight trashing of traditional marriage, until you support a constitutional amendment banning or restricting straight divorce, until you show even a scintilla of moral consistency, no one need take you seriously. You're not pro-marriage. You're anti-gay. And the evidence of your prejudice mounts daily.

Life In Flux...Continued

Once again life has been way too busy to post and I apologize. Major changes have been brewing for several months but I was unable to talk about them until now (I couldn't have people at work knowing until such time that I was able to tender my resignation, which I plan to do this morning).

My partner recently accepted a position with a company in the San Francisco Bay area and between now and the end of June we will be packing up the Santa Barbara townhouse and moving into the city. A very nice two bedroom, two bath apartment in the Noe Valley neighborhood awaits us.

My postings will be few between now and then; and when we get settled up there the name of the blog will probably change (I won't be on the South Coast anymore), but - for you few readers who log on and take a peek at my scattered writings - the blog will continue. Just bear with me over the next month or so.

Poseidon: Tremendous Ride, Missed Opportunity

When I first heard back in early 2004 that Wolfgang Petersen was planning a remake of "The Poseidon Adventure" I was stoked. The 1972 film, starring Gene Hackman and Shelley Winters, holds a special place on my personal favorites list because it was the very first film my parents took me to see (at the local drive-in, no less). I was 6 years-old and what a flick! Imagine, at that age, watching a ship the size of the Queen Mary get struck by a rouge wave and turn upside down. It was amazing stuff!

But while that film was considered a spectacle in its day (it was the top grossing film of 1973), the visuals have become dated and the performances are now labeled, fairly or unfairly, campy. Still, the Irwin Allen classic has become a guilty pleasure for loyal fans. Over the last several years many of those fans (myself included) have thought that, in the right hands, "The Poseidon Adventure" would benefit from a remake.

And in Mr. Petersen the producers found the perfect filmmaker. How could Warner Bros go wrong with the brilliant, visionary director of the claustrophobic classic "Das Boot" and the brilliant "The Perfect Storm?" Combine the best elements of those two films with the classic tour-de-force survival story originally told by Paul Gallico in his 1969 novel and a new movie could become a critical and box office success.

So with much anticipation I headed to see "Poseidon" this past weekend. The long awaited remake is a tremendous spectacle that will keep you on the edge of your seat for almost the entire length of the movie.

The story is well known to just about everybody. During New Years Eve celebrations aboard the S.S. Poseidon, a monster rogue wave comes out of nowhere, slams into the luxury liner, capsizing her and leaving a few survivors, led by Josh Lucas and Kurt Russell, to try and find an escape from the upside down water trap.

Petersen begins the film with one of the most stunning opening shots in the history of film: A 3-minute wrap-around of the grand luxury liner as she sails the Atlantic. What makes this scene so amazing is the fact that the ship doesn’t really exist. The Poseidon is completely computer generated, yet when you see her up on that screen you can only be in awe. She is majestic and stately - and puts a certain James Cameron luxury liner to shame.

We are then introduced to the main characters at a quick clip. Mark Protosevich’s screenplay doesn’t draw them very well, if at all. We learn very little about our travelers, and that misguided calculation bothers me. But, I’ll speak to that in a moment. Because just as I was starting to let the lack of characterization bother me, the mighty Greek God of the Sea lashes out at our New Years revelers and spins their world upside down in a heart-pounding capsize sequence that bests the original’s by a mile.

From there it’s non-stop, edge-of-your-seat, hair-raising action as our rag tag group of survivors fight their way up the dying ship to find an escape, battling water and obstacles and more water along the way. Petersen’s brilliant direction (assisted by Klaus Badelt’s nerve-racking score) on three scenes in particular will have you climbing the walls.

The first involves a scene in which Richard Dreyfuss’ character is faced with one of the most gut-wrenching decisions a human being would ever have to make. I could feel the audience collectively asking themselves "God! What would I do?" The second involves the group’s ascent through an air vent. The claustrophobia in this scene is so intense if you’re not climbing the walls then you need to have your head examined. The third involves a mother (played by Jacinda Barrett) and her son (Jimmy Bennett) and the rising waters. Mothers will be ready to pull their hair out during this segment.

All of the action sequences are well done, but those three, spaced through out the movie, will leave you feeling exhausted...in a good way...as if it the cost of the ticket was money well spent.

As with most well done disaster movies it’s the action sequences and special effects that save "Poseidon." I recommend the movie highly and think that on my list of "popcorn flicks" this will join the original near the top. That is thanks in large part to Petersen, his computer and design crews, and a cast that did the best they could with the script they got.

And it is that script where I find my sole disappointment. Why Warner Bros moved ahead with such a lackluster screenplay puzzles me. This had the chance to be a classic sea tale. Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t expecting "Moby Dick," but Paul Gallico’s "The Poseidon Adventure" is the consummate story of survival at sea. It is deep in character study; human nature complete with all of its flaws. It is dark and psychological and leaves the reader breathless.

Unfortunately none of that transferred over in the 1972 film. When I read that Wolfgang Petersen would be at the helm of this new version I had high hopes that the dramatic human stories told in the Gallico novel would finally be told on the big screen. But it doesn't happen.

Roger Ebert opined that he felt Petersen’s heart wasn’t in this film. I don’t think that was it. To me it almost seems like Warner Bros wanted "Poseidon" in the can sooner rather than later and were willing to sacrifice a strong story in order to get the film on screens by May 12. As a result the film is awkwardly edited at times – as if there had been a script there, but that it was jettisoned and then a half-assed editing job done to plug the holes. It makes me wonder whether they purposefully threw away a potentially triumphant story for yet another piece of popcorn fluff.

At this point it doesn’t really matter, because the film is popcorn fluff. Mind you, it is well done, exciting, and thrilling popcorn fluff and I highly suggest you head to the theatre and give it a look. But, I just can’t help but wonder "what if?" I’m afraid we’ll never know, because it is highly doubtful that this story will be told again.

"Poseidon" is rated PG-13 and playing in wide release.

Reckless

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

It's the reckelessness at the top of our government, not the press's exposure of it, that has truly aided the enemy, put American lives at risk and potentially sabotoged national security.

-Frank Rich, in his Sunday New York Times column, addressing the ever-continuing Nixonian ways of the Bush administration.

Poseidon's Opening Weekend

Wolfgang Petersen's "Poseidon," a re-telling of Paul Gallico's classic novel "The Poseidon Adventure" opened yesterday to mixed reviews.

On the good side:

Detroit Free-Press ("Petersen takes all the elements and polishes them to a shine...")

Rolling Stone ("This remake whups the original's ass.")

Entertainment Weekly ("A tour-de-force!")

On the bad:

Minneapolis Star-Tribune

and, the Newark Star-Leger.

I have been looking forward to this film since it was announced back in the spring of 2004. As a huge fan of Gallico's novel - and of the classic 1972 film version - I was interested to see what a director of Wolfgang Petersen's stature would bring to the story.

Overall, I am pretty impressed. My full review tomorrow.

George Walker Nixon

He's entered Nixon territory: His approval number now stands at 29%.

And more Americans prefer former President Clinton over Mr. Bush on every major issue:

On the economy, 63% to 26%
On solving the problems of ordinary Americans, 62% to 25%
On foreign affairs, 56% to 32%
On taxes, 51% to 35%
On handling natural disasters, 51% to 30%
On national security, 46% to 42%
On honesty, 46% to 41%

That last one has to sting the Republicans. Their guy is driving America off a jagged edged cliff and it seems the GOP-controlled Congress is unwilling to stop him.

Elliott Yamin

Ok, I am not an "American Idol" fanatic (nor am I fanatic of any of the reality TV shows in general), but I have been tuning in to the singing contest for the last few weeks. And I must say...Elliott Yamin...that boy can sing!

My fascination with his voice started a few weeks ago when he performed Donny Hathaway's "A Song To You" (chills!) and was cemented even more this past week when he did Elvis Presley's "I Can Dream" and "Trouble" (far and away the best performances of the night). Yamin was born to sing R&B. His voice is full-bodied, soulful, and passionate.

Whatever happens in the competition, Elliott should have no problem getting a recording contract. As a matter of fact it might be better if he lost "American Idol" so that he wouldn't be tied to what I can only assume is the really bad contract deal the winners enter into.

Really, I'm serious. Have we heard anything from Fantasia or Reuben Studdard lately? No. Bo Bice, one of last season's non-winners, is riding high with his current album; and Kelly Clarkson started getting mega-big only after her deal with "Idol" producers expired.

So I guess what I'm saying is Elliott Yamin should lose. It seems to me the "American Idol" title is almost like winning a Supporting Actress Oscar. You bask in the glory and the spotlight for a few days but then, before you know it, your career is on the skids.

14 Year-Old Killed by Iraqi Police for Being Gay

George W. Bush's brand of "freedom" is indeed on the march in Iraq.

Sean Hannity Is a Dick

He told a caller to his radio show that a vote for Hillary Clinton would be a vote for Hezbollah and Hamas.

Actually, "Dick" is being too kind.

The Fascist Agenda of the Republican Party

SusanG over at DailyKos found this disturbing blurb buried within the body of a Christian Science Monitor news piece:

GOP leaders are gearing up to bring a number of issues on the Christian conservative agenda to the floor of the House and Senate in the next few weeks, including gay marriage, broadcast decency, the 10 Commandments Act, a cloning ban, and laws protecting "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A misguided, poorly planned, poorly executed war in Iraq has killed thousands of America's finest; gas prices are soaring for the wrong reasons (filling the bank accounts of oil company executives); and the "roaring economy" is being built on the back of a massive deficit that, when the chickens come home to roost, is going to break the backs of our children.

And the Fascist wing of the Republican-led Congress chooses to deal with gay marriage and the ten commandments?

God help us.

High Crimes & Misdemeanors

Quote of the Day:

...this President's many "high crimes and misdemeanors" pose such a threat to basic freedoms, and to the system of checks and balances, that not to impeach would be irresponsible.

-Dave Lindorff and Barbara Olshansky, today in a Philadelphia Inquirer op/ed column.

Lindor and Olshansky, coauthors of "The Case for Impeachment: The Legal Argument for Removing President George W. Bush from Office," go on to list several examples of serious offenses on which the House of Representatives could file articles of impeachment.

But without a doubt, the ones with the best chance of sticking and removing this dangerous man from the White House would be the 750 acts passed by Congress (some of which were signed into law by this President) that have been willfully ignored by Mr. Bush.

I recently watched a Barney Frank documentary, filmed during the Clinton impeachment fiasco, in which Rep. Henry Hyde (Fascist-IL) continually mentioned "the rule of law." Well, George W. Bush has purposefully ignored 750 laws. If ever there was a case for impeachment and removal from office, this is it.

Some say if the Democrats regain control of the House in the November elections they would be over-reaching if they went for impeachment. I think otherwise. In the end, it would be seen as the move that saved this country from an incompetent president at a time when we need strong, intelligent, competent leadership.

Cameron's Bicycle Folly

In an attempt to win over some liberal and environmental voters, David Cameron, the leader of Britain's Conservative Party, has been riding his bicycle to the British House of Commons in Westminster from his home in Notting Hill...

With his official car in tow.

Incompetence of the Highest Order

Yesterday on Hardball (MSNBC), reporter David Shuster had the following juicy tidbit regarding the Valerie Plame affair:

Intelligence sources say Valerie Wilson [Plame] was part of an operation three years ago tracking the proliferation of nuclear weapons material into Iran. And the sources allege that when Mrs. Wilson's cover was blown, the administration's ability to track Iran's nuclear ambitions was damaged as well.

So, to sell the public their war of choice (over the real war against Islamo-Fascism) the Bush administration broke the law by revealing the name of a CIA agent who was working on what promises to be the most important issue in the Middle East - and, by extension, the war against terrorism - forcing her to retreat from that highly senstive work.

That political calculation is solid proof of incompetence of the highest order in this White House.

At the very least one has to wonder why Karl Rove still has a job?

Poor Pissy George

Apparently ol' Georgie Bush is a little P.O.'d over comments made by Stephen Colbert at the recent White House Correpondents Dinner (you can see Colbert's brilliant roast here).

Colbert put his brass cajones on full display by fearlessly going after the President (who was sitting less than 10 feet away) with a public scolding wrapped in hilarious satire. If you ask me it was the sort of slap down this Prez'dint needed.

But faster than you can say "My Pet Goat," a top White House aide was denouncing Colbert's remarks. "Colbert crossed the line...[the President was] ready to blow," the aide said.

Well! Poor pissy George! If we had a dollar for every line he has crossed we'd be able to wipe out the national debt.

Life In Flux

Sorry for the tremendous gap between posts. The last few months have been pretty stressful. There is a lot going on right now and my life is in a state of flux. Big changes coming in June. More on that later.

But, for today I'm home because the stress was taking a toll. So I'll blog a little. That usually helps.

Etheridge and Michaels Expecting Twins

From Reuters: Months after doctors declared her cancer free, rock singer Melissa Etheridge is looking ahead to spending more time as a mom this fall, when her partner, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, expects to give birth to twins.

Bush Press Secretary to Resign

Breaking news over at CNN and MSNBC.

Doesn't He Mean "Deciderer?"

Quote of the Day:

I'm the decider, and I decide what's best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the Secretary of Defense

-President Bush, defending his incompetent minion yesterday at the White House.

Well, we feel OH so much better about things now. Don't we?

Don't we??

What Could Have Been

Quote of the Day:

If you are inclined to think that the unjustly awarded election of 2000 led to one of the worst presidencies of this or any other era it is not easy to look at Al Gore. He is the living reminder of all that might not have happened in the past six years (and of what might still happen in the coming two)...It is close to inconceivable that the country and the world would not be in far better shape had [Al] Gore been allowed to assume the office that a plurality of voters wished him to have. One can imagine him as an intelligent and decent President, capable of making serious decisions and explaining them in the language of a confident adult. Imagining that alternative history is hard to bear, which is why Gore always has the courtesy, in his many speeches, to deflect that discomfort with a joke: "Hello, I’m Al Gore and I used to be the next President of the United States."

-David Remnick, in the April 24 edition of the New Yorker.

Fool's Paradise

One of Andrew Sullivan's readers wrote him recently:

While I'm tempted to regret my 2004 Bush vote for many reasons, ranging from economic to civil libertarian to the way Iraq has been handled, the deteriorating Iranian situation has been a good reminder why, upon reconsideration, I am happy I voted for Bush. ...Iran's pursuit of the Bomb is THE most critical moment in this struggle. For this reason - and perhaps, for only this reason - I'm glad Bush is the decision maker instead of the spineless and pathetic John Kerry.

It seems to me the reader contradicts himself. On the one hand he says he regrets his vote for Bush because of "the way Iraq has been handled," but on the other he'd rather have him at the helm should things lead to war with Iran.

The administration thought Iraq was supposed to be easy. But from the start it was poorly planned, badly executed, and the follow through has been a complete and utter failure. As a result, several prominent retired military members are calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Yet, with things falling apart, the President stands by his man.

With Iraq and America's credibility in tatters, what on Earth would make anyone think that George W. Bush is the right man for the job when it comes to Iran?

'Poseidon' Preview

It seems the summer movie season starts earlier with every passing year. "Mission: Impossible 3" and "The DaVinci Code" are among the big-name titles arriving in theatres before Memorial Day weekend this year.

The title I'm looking forward to though is "Poseidon." With Wolfgang Petersen at the helm, this re-telling of the 1972 classic "The Poseidon Adventure" promises to be a rollercoaster ride of tension, claustrophobia, and high seas terror.

It opens in theatres and on IMAX on May 12. And if the latest preview is any indication, Mr. Petersen will have done author Paul Gallico proud. Take a look at it here.

Back this weekend

Traveling for work through the end of the week. I'll be back this weekend.

Yer doin' a heck of a job, Rummy

An internal report from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad provides a dire picture of how things are going in Iraq:

The local government is increasingly under the control of an Iranian-backed theocratic party with a vengeful private militia; assassinations are frequent and criminal activity is common; unemployment is high and infrastructure is weak; the overall situation is "serious."

And Donald Rumsfeld still has his job?

The Monday News

A round up of important news stories this Monday:

Peru's presidential election is too close to call.

France dumps their new youth job law after weeks of protest.

The second day of parlimentary elections begins in Italy.

Hair-splitting and after-the-fact rationalization by the White House over the President's declassification of Iraqi intelligence reports.

Broomsticks and Sodomy in the Republican Party

Via Crooks and Liars: After admitting that he and a co-worker punished eighteen pre-teen boys by making them lay face down on their beds and shoving a broomstick into their backsides, 19-year old camp counselor Clifton Bennett will avoid doing any prison time.

It seems his father, Arizona State Senator Ken Bennett (Republican of Prescott), wrote a letter to the Yavapai County District Attorney handling the case informing her that his son could not rightfully serve time in jail, as he is preparing to leave the country to teach the word of Christ to youth around the world.

And the D.A. for went for it. "This is hardly the work of sexual predators. Rather, it is the work of two young men repeatedly making poor decisions," she said in a written statement.

Wow. The party of family values, indeed.

Outraged? Call the Senator's district office (602-542-5584) and/or the Yavapai County Attorney's office (928-771-3344).

War with Iran? (Part 2)

The New Yorker's Seymour Hersh reports that, in an effort to save his legacy, President Bush is not only preparing to start a war with Iran, but is putting the use of tactical nukes on the table.

The Congress and the American people better pay attention to this; they better get concerned about the consequences of such an insane policy. Forget about Mr. Bush's legacy for a moment and think about the legacy for the rest of humanity. The use of tactical nuclear weapons could easily lead to a full out world war - and the end of life as we know it.

Quote of the MONTH

"What I wanted to say to you is that I — in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency, by the Senate, and I feel like despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administration, and I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself inside yourself."

-American citizen Harry Taylor to the President during a Bush P.R. event yesterday in Charlotte.

This White House plans these events down to the most minute detail. Bush-backing Republicans are the only people who are supposed to get in the door. You can bet there is an advance man somewhere in Washington this morning with an ice pack on his ass. The chewing it received from the Prez'dint had to leave marks.

Mr. Taylor, I would like to shake your hand sir. George needed to hear what you had to say. But you do know that, from this day forward, until at least January 20 2009, your phone will be tapped, don't you? And forget about arriving at the airport an hour early for any travel. You'll probably need four hours just to get through the cavity search the TSA will give you each and every time you fly.

See the video here (courtesy of Think Progress).

War with Iran?

Quote of the Day:

People have to stop thinking in terms of "surgical" strikes instead of a far messier scenario that could evolve into something more akin to war...Hostilities could potentially involve elements of Iran's air force, Iranian attempts to take pot shots at American fleet units in the Gulf, and much stepped-up — and perhaps more direct — Iranian trouble-making directed against us and our allies in Iraq.

-Wayne White, former Deputy Director at the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research, on alleged administration plans to attack Iran.

In a post-9/11 world I'm not necessarily against military action when it comes to Iran. But not under this President. And not with his current Defense Secretary leading the charge.

In Rotation

Tunes currently receiving heavy play on my iPod:

What I Do - Donald Fagen

Good Hearted Man - Tift Merritt

Endless Dream - Conjure One

Kind Words (And a Real Good Heart) - Joan Armatrading

Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever - Susan Tedeschi

Yer doin' a heck of a job, Doyle

Department of Homeland Security spokesman Brian Doyle was arrested yesterday at his Maryland home and charged with with seven counts of use of a computer to seduce a 14-year old child and 16 counts of transmission of harmful material to a minor.

There are countless examples of how the current administration is top heavy with incompetent hacks, but this is the saddest and most disgusting of them all.

Gratuitous Photo of the Daughter

In the Middle of the Night

Fun fact: Early tomorrow morning, just after one o'clock, the time and date will be:

01:02:03 04/05/06.

(Via Andrew Sullivan)

John Hearts Jerry

Sen. John McCain (Republican-AZ) appeared this past Sunday on Meet the Press and further solidified his title as panderer of the year. The once independent spirit of the Republican Party - and a man who I (now, regretfully) pushed to run on a bipartisan unity ticket with John Kerry in 2004 - is falling in love with Jerry Falwell and the party's fascist contingent. Money quote:

Russert: Do you believe that Jerry Falwell is still an agent of intolerance?

McCain: No, I don't.

Somewhere Mark Bingham is rolling over in his grave.

You can see interview highlights at Crooks and Liars.

'Brokeback' out today on DVD

"Brokeback Mountain" - in my opinion the best movie of the last several years - is released today on DVD. The movie is also breaking ground on the dot-com side. It will be available to download off the web (legally).

DeLay Goes Down

Reuters is reporting that Representative Tom DeLay (Fascist-TX), the former majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives who is caught up in a widening lobbying corruption scandal, will drop out of his re-election race and will likely resign his congressional seat before summer.

More from Time's Mike Allen.

2005: Hottest Year on Record

So says the Earth Policy Institute. Yet the Republican dominated government continues to argue that global warming isn't happening.

Quote of the Day

"...as we face a President who thinks he is above the law, most Republicans are willing to cede enormous power to the executive branch. Their actions are not just short-sighted, they are a departure from one of the Republican Party’s defining goals: limiting government power."

-U.S. Senator Russell Feingold (Democrat-WI), in an op-ed piece about how the GOP-controlled Congress should join his call to censure the President.

499 to 39

That would be the landslide tally in the Electoral College if Bush stood for re-election today.

And the map would be a sea of Democratic blue instead of blood Republican red.

"Loggerheads"

How did this movie miss the theatres? Hollywood spends butt loads of money producing such light weight fare as "The Shaggy Dog," then lets something like this bypass the theatres and wind up on DVD with no P.R. to speak of.

And they wonder why box office receipts are so low?

In Rotation

Quality tunes currently burning up my iPod...

Wherever You Are - David Mead

Golddigger - Supreme Beings of Leisure

Blown Away - 54 Seconds

It Isn't Easy to Live That Well - Headlights

The Seed - The Roots and Cody Chestnutt

Lovelight - Lewis Taylor

Tired of the B.S.

The hard right turn toward Fascism in the United States continues.

A woman is cited for having an anti-Bush bumper sticker. Watch the story here.

Morons

They'll run ads for the Mormon Church but the major TV networks won't run an ad for the United Church of Christ. Why, you ask? Their philosophy is "no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here."

I guess that message is just a bit too "christian" for the religous zealots of the right.

Check out the ad here.

Spineless

Any chance that Sen. John McCain (Republican-AZ) had of getting my vote for president in 2008 - however remote - just went out the window. His pandering to President Bush and the fascist wing of the Republican Party - the very people who f*cked him over royally in the 2000 South Carolina primary - make him seem extremely spineless.

Every Child Left Behind

From yesterday's New York Times:

Thousands of schools across the nation are responding to the reading and math testing requirements laid out in No Child Left Behind, President Bush's signature education law, by reducing class time spent on other subjects and, for some low-proficiency students, eliminating it...

...with many schools that once offered rich curriculums now systematically trimming courses like [history and science].

Such a move would be detrimental to the future of the United States. While I agree that reading and math abilities need to increase drastically, to take any focus off science and history would be devestating. America's children will only be able to compete with the Bangalores of the world if they excel in science and history, as well as reading and math.

Rather than trim these courses, perhaps school districts around the country should make changes to their calendar, adding another hour or two to the school day and another month and a half to the school year. (Offering incentives to young professionals to teach for a couple of years before joining the private sector wouldn't be a bad idea either, but that's a subject for another day.)

I for Impeachment

Yesterday I went to see "V for Vendetta." The movie tells the futuristic story of a radical right-wing Britain; a totalitarian state complete with government-controlled airwaves, oppression, cruelty, and corruption. My DP, my best friend, and I left the theatre discussing the policies of the current administration and how they could lead the United States down a similar path. Then, this evening, I read this:

When President Bush signed the reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act this month, he included an addendum saying that he did not feel obliged to obey [the act's] requirements.

Holy crap.

Holy fucking crap.

A President signs a law, then says he doesn't have to follow it?? Throw censure out the window, my friends. If ever there was a reason for impeachment, this is it. And not just Bush. Remove the Vice-President from office too and let the House Speaker finish out the rest of this presidential term.

Impeachment now. Before it's too late.

Worst President Ever

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

I don't think there's much question that President Bush is the most conservative president in modern American history. But the issue is not his conservatism; it's his radicalism and destructiveness, his willingness to wreck the state. 'Worst ever' covers a lot of ground. But I think there's a good argument to be made that he is.

-Josh Marshall (who is more centrist than he is liberal), agreeing with Mark Schmitt's assessment at how history will assess George W. Bush.

$70 Million Billy

I had no idea the whole Clinton/Whitewater matter was still tangled up in the court system. But after seven years, $70 million, and minimal findings, the case came to an official close yesterday when the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear the last remaining appeal.

Example # infinity of the Republicans wasting your money.

Brokeback Box Office

"Brokeback Mountain" has broke the $80 million mark at the box office and is now the 8th highest grossing romantic drama since 1980.

Incompetent

Incompetent: (Adj.) not qualified or suited for a purpose; showing lack of skill or aptitude; not doing a good job; (noun) someone who is not competent to take effective action.

According to a new Pew Research Center poll, more Americans describe President Bush as incompetent more than any other one-word description. Idiot, liar, and arrogant also rate pretty high.

Anemia

There hasn't been one poll done in the last 2 to 3 weeks that shows the President's approval rating above 39%. But this evening a new Pew Research poll shows his approval number at 33%. That is the lowest it's been in any poll, I think.

33% is Nixon and Carter territory; and with such anemic numbers flowing into the White House you have to wonder if the administration will get a clue.

Then again, if Karl Rove goes to Mr. Bush and says, "Mr. President, your poll numbers are anemic," the President might just respond with a declaration of war against Anemia.

Maureen Stapleton

Legendary actress Maureen Stapleton died Monday at the age of 80. She was in the select club of stars who won the "triple crown" of show business - an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony award.

I remember when she won her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for 1981's "Reds." After three failed nominations (for "Lonelyhearts" in 1958, "Airport" in 1970, and "Interiors" in 1978) Stapleton got up on that stage, accepted her statuette, and said, "I expected to win because I'm old and tired and I deserved it."

Indeed she did.

Those crazy baptists

The Republican Party should really think about making this chick their new spokesperson. Watch the video. You have to hear it to believe it.

(Via Jimmy Kimmel by way of Crooks and Liars.)

Quote of the Day 2

"I recall Tim Fields, one of the vice-principals at my school, having to think for at least a minute when asked by the office lady, 'What should I put down for reason of withdrawal?' If the basis of my expulsion is so unclear to them, then surely the circumstances surrounding it are extremely questionable and the grounds on which I was removed are both unfair and unexplainable."

-Brandon Flyte, on his expulsion from West Linn High School in Oregon after presenting his assigned video project; a mini-movie that included (gasp!) a same-sex snuggle scene.

Brandon, for the record, is straight.

My friends, Fascism is alive and well in our nation's high schools.

Quote of the Day

"Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You did not place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible."

-Law professor Jamie Raskin to a right-wing Maryland state senator during a hearing on a proposed state Constitutional Amendment to prohibit gay marriage.
(Courtesy: Wayne Besen)

Morph the Cat

The new solo album from Steely Dan front-man Donald Fagen is out today and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Judging from the samples on iTunes, this could be Fagen at his best.

Wicked

That nasty sinus infection I had a couple of weeks ago has turned bronchial. Feeling pretty wicked and I am home again today. Whatever it is, it's going around. Starts off as a cold, then you start to feel better, then your chest gets congested and you're floored again. My doc said from start to finish it lasts about 3 to 4 weeks. This is my third week so hopefully I am on the upswing. Popping antibiotics and some Mucinex; keeping hydrated.

Ugh.

Smack-down!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Margaret Thatcher defined a socialist as someone who knows how to spend other people's money. That is something George W. Bush has done his entire life. It was once his family's money or that of foolish investors. Now it's yours and mine. Trillions of it.

-Andrew Sullivan, after attending a conservative forum today in New York.

At this conservative event, former Reagan aide Bruce Bartlett called President Bush "unconscionable," "irresponsible," "vindictive" and "inept."

I will let their statements speak for themselves.

Florida, Redux

Andy Towle (via Nick Starr) has the scoop on how "Crash" beat "Brokeback Mountain" at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony.

It seems Jeb Bush and the Supreme Court may have been involved.

Stars In His Eyes

Eric, a dear college friend of mine with whom I have had the fortune of reconnecting recently, has himself one hell of radio blog. This week he has outdone himself...

-"I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" - the Cherrelle original, not the Robert Palmer re-make

-The under-appreciated "Inside Love" by George Benson

-1980's "Stars In Your Eyes" from uber-keyboardist Herbie Hancock

-The Sylvers' uplifting 1978 classic "New Horizon"

-And, Stacy Lattisaw's powerhouse "Let Me Be Your Angel" (she was just 14 when she recorded the song).

I highly suggest you log on and take a listen. EJ is a DJ to be reckoned with!

Fiscal Insanity

I was all for the president having the line-item veto when Congress gave it to Bill Clinton, so it is only fair for me to come out for it under George W. Bush. (The Supreme Court struck it down the first time around.)

But, on the other hand, under the current administration, the United States is heading for a world of hurt. The Financial Times lays out the bleak picture.

The Signs of a "Crash"

Another take on the Academy Awards from the Hollywood Reporter's Martin Grove.

The Oscars

Well, the Academy Awards went pretty much the way I thought they would. While I predicted "Brokeback Mountain" would win the Best Picture prize, I was fully prepared for the "Crash" upset (see my Friday predictions essay).

A few thoughts:

-Reese Witherspoon's acceptance speech was the most genuine of the evening.

-John Stewart did the best he could. A suggestion: Let's cut the host, the monologue, the musical numbers, and the montages out of the show next year. Stick with giving out the awards and I guarantee, not only will the show come in under 3 hours, but ABC might increase their audience as well.

-It used to be that the Best Picture and Best Director prizes went to the same movie. It was a very rare occassion when the Academy would split their ballot. But over the last several years it seems Oscar voters are more than happy to spread the wealth and last night was another example of Hollywood ballot-splitting, with Ang Lee taking the much deserved Director prize and "Crash" walking away with Best Picture.

Will Oscar go for "Broke?"

Handicapping this year's Oscar race sure has been interesting. In some categories the winner can be easily predicted. But in others the guessing game is as hard as I can remember. Will Oscar go for "Broke?" Or will it come in for a "Crash" landing? My predictions...

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

For a long time this category was always considered the wild card, with the trophy being awarded to out-of-left-field winners such as Marisa Tomei and Juliette Binoche. But the last three winners (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, and Cate Blanchett) were all considered the front-runners going into the movie awards season. This year should be no different.

Rachel Weisz's win at the Golden Globes surprised me. But since then she has picked up momentum (and a SAG award) and going into the weekend she should be considered the front-runner.

Michelle Williams might win but I have a hunch the night will leave "Brokeback Mountain" without any acting trophies. If there is an out-of-left-field upset, then Amy Adams wins for "Junebug" or Catherine Keener wins for "Capote."

I say place your bets on Rachel Weisz.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

This is, without a doubt, the toughest category to predict. The toughest in a long time, by far. It really is a thorn in my side this year. The way I see it this is a three to four-way horse race, so let's dispense with the guy who will not win: William Hurt. There is absolutely no buzz with this nomination. He is out.

That leaves George Clooney, Matt Dillon, Paul Giamatti, and Jake Gyllenhaal. The Academy is going to give "Brokeback Mountain" its Oscars elsewhere on Sunday night. Therefore I believe that, unless the movie rides some unexpected tidal wave, it will go 0 for 3 in the acting categories. Scratch Gyllenhall.

That leaves three. According to press reports there is apparently a Clooney vs Giamatti contest going on within the Academy. The fight goes like this: Giamatti was snubbed last year for his performance in "Sideways" and the good folks of Hollywood will want to make up for that snub by awarding him for his performance in "Cinderella Man." Clooney has three Oscar nominations on Sunday night - for writing and directing "Good Night, and Good Luck" and here for his role in "Syriana." The writing and directing awards will go to other nominees, so conventional wisdom says the Academy will not want to send Clooney home empty-handed on Sunday night and will mark their ballots for him here.

But, should the current contest between Clooney and Giamatti result in split votes, then Matt Dillon sneaks in and takes the prize for his powerhouse performance in "Crash," a movie which happened to be riding a wave of renewed interest as Oscar ballots were being marked. Thus, I think this race has actually become a fight between Clooney and Dillon.

So, my prediction? I have no idea. My heart tells me Clooney but my gut says Dillon. Do I play it safe or go out a limb?

I'll play it safe: George Clooney wins...maybe.

BEST ACTRESS:

A relatively easy category, with Reese Witherspoon the odds-on favorite to win for playing June Carter Cash in the biopic "Walk the Line."

The only possible chance at an upset would come from Golden Globe winner Felicity Huffman for her performance in "TransAmerica." Uber-movie executive Harvey Weinstein has been working full throttle on her behalf. Unfortunately for Huffman, Mr. Weinstein's magical powers aren't what they used to be.

Keira Knightly's nomination for "Pride & Prejudice" is her prize. Charlize Theron won in this category just two years ago. Judi Dench will probably tally last in the number of votes cast for her.

Witherspoon wins.

BEST ACTOR:

I really wish I could say that Heath Ledger was going to win for his amazing performance in "Brokeback Mountain." His truly is a performance for the ages. Acting students will be studying his work in this film for decades to come. In his creation of the Ennis del Mar character Ledger never made a wrong move, and if there is any justice he will win on Sunday night.

But when it comes to the Academy, justice is blind. The writing has been on the wall here for months. Philip Seymour Hoffman will win for his portrayal of Truman Capote.

On the small chance that Ledger and Hoffman somehow fall short, then Joaquin Phoenix sneaks through and wins for his roll as Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line." None of the other nominees have a chance.

Count on Hoffman.

BEST DIRECTOR:

Ang Lee will win for his work on "Brokeback Mountain." It truly is the best film of the year and Lee's brilliant direction brought out powerful performances from his entire cast. Even in the event of an upset in the Best Picture category, count on Lee to win here.

BEST PICTURE:

When I read two weeks ago that Roger Ebert predicted "Crash" to win the Best Picture prize I thought for sure the man had cracked his crystal ball. It is a powerful, emotional, complex picture – a close second in my rankings behind "Brokeback." But it was released in early May and "Brokeback Mountain" was steamrolling through the awards season to the ultimate finale...a Best Picture Oscar.

But then I realized that I should never question Ebert's crystal ball. It seems "Crash" has indeed grown some pretty strong legs. All the elements of an upset are swirling around this category.

What could possibly keep "Brokeback Mountain" from this prize? The 6,000 member motion picture Academy still has its conservative members, many of which would never vote for that "gay cowboy" movie. Are there enough of them to keep the Ang Lee masterpiece from its assumed place at the top of the heap? And if these conservatives vote against "Brokeback" would they really then mark their ballots for "Crash?" Probably not.

Yet, "Crash" still seems poised to knock the cowboys off their perch. Could it be that "Brokeback" peaked too early? In the end, I doubt it.

I don't think there will be enough votes to carry "Crash" past "Brokeback Mountain." But it will be close.

And so there you go. Right or wrong, that is how I think things will play out at the Kodak Theatre on Sunday night.

Anemic

Five polls released this week showcase the trend: Americans are fed up with the President.

CBS News: 34% Aprroval, 59% Disapproval

CNN/USA Today/Gallup: 38% Approval, 60% Disapproval

LA Times/Bloobmerg: 38% Approval, 58% Disapproval

Quinnipiac: 36% Approval, 58% Disapproval

Even Fox Jazerra has Mr. Bush at 39% Approval, 54% Disapproval (Even when his numbers are anemic, Fox polls still have a pro-Bush slant.)

Bush: National Service not a priority

Via Paul Glastris: Example #infinity why George W. Bush has never been - and never will be - up to the task of being president. In a 9/12 world, AmeriCorps is exactly the type of government program we should be expanding, yet the Prez'dint from Crawford wants to cut their budget by 80 percent. Yes, you read that correctly. 80%!!!

In October of 2001, Sen. John McCain (Republican-AZ) explained why AmeriCorps' call for national service is vital.

Whacked

Laid up at home the last couple of days with one hell of a sinus infection. Back at work today, but only barely. More blogging this evening and my Oscar predictions tomorrow.

Sowing Seeds

This past week New York Times columnists Thomas Friedman and Nicholas Kristof weighed in on the Dubai Ports World deal. They are not joining the frenzy of opposition.

From Friedman:

As a country, we must not go down this road of global ethnic profiling - looking for Arabs under our beds the way we once looked for commies. If we do - if America, the world's beacon of pluralism and tolerance, goes down that road - we will take the rest of the world with us. We will sow the wind and we will reap the whirlwind.

If there were a real security issue here, I'd join the critics. But the security arrangement is bogus and, I would add, borderline racist. Many U.S. ports are run today by foreign companies, but the U.S. Coast Guard still controls all aspects of port security, entry, and exits; the U.S. Customs Service is still in charge of inspecting the containers...The port operator simply oversees the coming and going of ships...in the most cost effective manner.

From Kristof:

[Former] Secretary of State Cordell Hull used to say that "when goods do not cross borders, armies do." If we want to promote global markets, as an avenue to peace, we have to practice what we preach.

...It was counterproductive for Republicans to get so hysterical about national security that they justified locking up hundreds of Muslims after 9/11. And, it's just as wrong for the Democrats to get hysterical today.

Democrats have so many legitimate reasons to criticize President Bush - from ruining our nation's finances to despoiling American wilderness - that it's painful to see them scaremongering in just the way that Mr. Bush himself has.

I have to say, I agree with Friedman and Kristoff. What many people fail to take into account is that this "war on terrorism" is just as much about ideas as it is about military might. We want to encourage modernization in the Arab world. We want to encourage an environment where every Arab can experience positive, personal growth and opportunity. We want the moderates of this region to win the war of ideas over the Muslim radicals.

The United Arab Emirates is an ally in a part of the world where we need all of the allies we can muster. By letting this Dubai deal go through, we help plant the seeds of hope in a part of the world where centuries of hoplessness have taken a devestating toll.

Monday Madness

GEORGE MICHAEL ARRESTED: Pop singer George Michael has been arrested on drug charges after he was found slumped at the wheel of a car in London's West End.

RAKING IN THE RED-STATE DOUGH: Quote of the Day:

According to Variety magazine, some of the strongest audiences [for "Brokeback Mountain"] have been in Tulsa, Oklahoma, El Paso, Texas, Des Moines, Iowa and Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock is the place George W Bush calls his spiritual home and may well be the site for his presidential library. Greenwich Village it ain’t.

-Andrew Sullivan, in yesterday's Sunday Times.

THE DUMB-ING DOWN OF AMERICA CONTINUES: An Arizona State Senate committee has approved a bill that would allow college students to reject any reading assignments they find culturally offensive.

Happy Birthday, Chloe

Amerika

From the Associated Press:

Houston's police chief on Wednesday proposed placing surveillance cameras in apartment complexes, downtown streets, shopping malls and even private homes to fight crime...

(My italics.)

As the hard right turn toward Fascism in the United States continues.

Guliani/Rice in 2008??

Andrew Sullivan has been smoking some serious crack if he thinks the Republican Party would nominate a pro-choice, gay-marching, New York liberal and a single African American woman with a credibility gap as their presidential ticket in 2008.

Administration was looking at Iraq on 9/11/01

Via OutragedModerates.org: The notes of a Department of Defense staffer, taken during a meeting with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on the afternoon of 9/11/2001, provide further proof that the administration had decided on that day that it would blame Sadaam Hussein for the attacks, despite the fact that it was quite obvious early on that Osama bin Laden had no ties to the Iraqi leader.

Let's all say it together: Impeachment.

"Brokeback" Wins Big at BAFTA

While Jake Gyllenhaal has received numerous nominations for his portrayal of Jack Twist in "Brokeback Mountain," he actually had a rare win at last night's British Academy Awards. The film is, in my opinion, still the favorite to win the Oscar, despite what Roger Ebert thinks.

Gibb Brothers Reunite

Barry and Robin Gibb reunited this past weekend for the first time since the death of their brother Maurice, performing at a charity concert in Miami.

File under "Puh-leez!"

Nick Lachey is seeking spousal support from Jessica Simpson.

Picture of the Day

Made me spit up my coffee! (Courtesy, The Huffington Post)


I suggest you read the accompanying story as well. Republican operative Mary Matlain calls NBC White House correspondent David Gregory a jihadist for going after the very legitimate news story of the Cheney hunting accident. Reason #infinity why the Republican government is so wrong for America.

Update- Josh Marshall calls the Vice-President and his staff on their shit:

Mr. Cheney is a man of deep moral cowardice. Makes a mistake and shoots his friend; blames the friend. Only he won't do it directly. So he gets underlings to do it for him...He's afraid of accountability. That's why he's such a fan of self-protecting secrecy...It's the same reason why he's such a notorious prevaricator -- lies to avoid accountability...These are all the hallmarks of a moral coward.

Happy Presidents Day

Busy, busy, busy

Sorry for the lack of posts, folks. I was called to San Diego last minute for a work project and then called back to the office last night for an "all hands on deck" type situation. Postings will be minimal through next week.

That's ironical

Quote of the Day: "Meeting with victims of Saddam Hussein's torture chambers in recent weeks, Bush declared, 'the tyrant was a law unto himself.' Apparently, the irony was lost on our president."

-Rep. Jane Harman (Democrat-CA), in an op/ed piece in Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle.

The right wing pops a clot

As predicted, the right wing is popping a clot over the upcoming "Will and Grace" episode in which Britney Spears is to play the host of a cooking show called "Cruci-fixin'"

The amateurs at KEYT

The shooting this week at the Santa Barbara postal facility in Goleta is the biggest news story in this area since last year's mudslides in La Conchita. Yet our ABC affiliate, KEYT-Channel 3, fell flat on their face during last night's 6:00pm newscast.

Anchor Debby Davidson read off the wrong telepromtper. Videotape for reporter Martha Bull's lead story didn't work, causing Bull to stumble into a babbling ad-lib that made me want to change the channel.

But I didn't...and boy, was I sorry.

For the next several minutes the Channel 3 news team showed how amateurs cover a major news story. Bad writing, piss poor on-camera performances (from both reporters AND anchors), and then - to add insult to injury - while anchor C.J. Ward was listing the names of the dead, the on-screen graphics changed from pictures of the deceased to an over-the-shoulder picture of another story.

I realize this is market #119, but please! A major story like this breaks only once in a while and the folks at KEYT couldn't rise to the challenge. Pitiful.

Cruci-Fixin'

Mrs. Federline (aka Britney Spears) has signed on to guest star in an upcoming episode of "Will and Grace." She will play the right-wing host of a cooking segment on Jack's cable access show. The segment's name? "Cruci-fixin'."

If you listen real carefully you will hear James Dobson's blood pressure crashing through the roof.

For wearing a t-shirt

That is why Cindy Sheehan was arrested in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives last night.

The Philadelphia Daily News has this little tidbit:

Did you know that in 1971, the Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional to arrest a man who wore a "F--- the Draft" T-shirt into the courthouse? (Cohen v. California, you can look it up.) So now Alito's on the court for 45 minutes and your civil liberties are already going down the toilet. You were warned.

Cindy's arrest was unconstitutional and the charges against her should be dropped immediately.

The rapid turn toward Fascism continues.

UPDATE: Capital Police have dropped the charges against Ms. Sheehan saying they were "mistaken." The thing of it is she shouldn't have been arrested in the first place.

Bush & "Brokeback"

Carol Marin has a superb essay this morning on how "Brokeback Mountain" may be too steep for President Bush. Money quote:

Before it's too late, it would be wonderful if President Bush could discover some sense of curiosity about the people he serves, how they live, what they really fear, and why their support of him has been dropping like a rock.

It might not be such a bad idea to go see "Brokeback Mountain" before the only thing left to say is "Goodnight and Good Luck."

SOTU

A few quick thoughts on the President's State of the Union speech:

On Iran: Mr. Bush didn't really address what is bound to be the most important foreign policy issue of the next several years, relegating it to a few sentences in the middle of his speech. I have argued time and time again - since the 2000 campaign - that Bush isn't up to the job of president and his response to Iran's current regime and their quest for nukes is yet another piece of proof that my arguement was valid.

On Iraq: "Second guessing is not a strategy," he said. Perhaps not, Mr. President. But refusing to admit mistakes and alter policy accordingly isn't second guessing. It's a failed strategy. At the very least one has to wonder how Donald Rumseld is still Secretary of Defense.

On wire-tapping: Bush went for the jugular with the line "We will not sit back and wait to be hit again." (I couldn't believe it. Isn't that exactly what he did in August 2001 when he was given a Presidential memo titled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in the United States?") This administration thinks it is above the law. The FISA courts? FuhGetAboutIt! Geneva Conventions? Never heard of 'em! If the President of the United States is able to break the laws without fear of impeachment, then the terrorists have succeeded in their quest to ruin America. Shame on Mr. Bush and his administration and shame on the Republican-led Congress.

On energy: "America is addicted to oil," said the oilman from Texas. The President's call to be more energy independent is way too little, way too late and I can't help but think that Mr. Bush's heart really isn't in the proposed policy. If he's serious, then good for him. But bigger steps need to be taken. Our energy policies should have been gutted and reformed on 9/12/01. They weren't. And this "half policy" proposal doesn't give me confidence that the adminstration is serious.

On education: His initiative to increase successful math and science students in the United States is a step in the right direction, but like energy it is too little too late. This sort of policy should have been put into place on 9/12/01. We've lost precious time, but what's done is done. This a good place to start but we need to focus like a laser beam on this issue.

Finally, when President Bush boasted that "the state of our union is strong," I couldn't help but compare it to when President Clinton said it. Back then it was true. We were safe, at peace, with an economy that held promise for everybody. Today, the illusion of a strong union is based on back breaking deficits, a faulty war policy, and with the terrorist responsible for 3,000 murders on America's homeland still at large.

Seems to me the state of union could be stronger.

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.