Flag Pins and KIA Bracelets
Sun Apr 20, 2008 at 03:09:08 PM PDT
The Bad News
The issue of flag pins and patriotism has once again reared its ugly and hypocritical head, especially within the last week. ABC's use of Nash McCabe's question during Wednesday's debate was only the latest smear attempt. After reading her story, I may a better understanding about why she might feel the way she does, though I still strongly disagree with her point of view and the reasoning behind this view.
The Good News
Yesterday, while reading the local newspaper, I came across a short item that just might help Ms. McCabe (and others) expand their definition of patriotism.
DOJ, the "Miami Mafia", the new Fl. US Atttorney, Abramoff and ... J.E.B.?
Mon Mar 26, 2007 at 12:35:38 PM PDT
About ten days ago, while doing a diary about the new heads of the DOJ's Public Integrity and Fraud sections, I came across several interesting articles about the Abramoff investigation, the "Miami Mafia", and the new US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Since they all concerned the DOJ in Florida, naturally I wondered what connection Jeb Bush might have with recent developments (or in Abramoff's case, non-developments) and the state of justice in Southern Florida.
Check out Dengre's dairy for more a complete review of Abramoff and the DOJ.
Florida... Hmmmm
I am deeply suspicious of any anything having to do with George, Jeb, Abramoff, the DOJ, and any recently appointed USA. Add them all together and my tinfoil gets a little tight.
As we all have discovered with the current administration, where there is smoke, there is usually a full fledged major blaze. Below is some of that smoke.
DOJ, the "Miami Mafia", the new Fl. US Atttorney, Abramoff and ... J.E.B.?
Sun Mar 25, 2007 at 04:27:43 PM PDT
About ten days ago , while doing a diary about the new heads of the DOJ's Public Integrity and Fraud sections, I came across several interesting articles about the Abramoff investigation, the "Miami Mafia", and the new US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Since they all concerned the DOJ in Florida, naturally I wondered what connection Jeb Bush might have with recent developments (or in Abramoff's case, non-developments) and the state of justice in Southern Florida.
Check out Dengre's dairy for more a complete review of Abramoff and the DOJ.
Florida... Hmmmm
I am deeply suspicious of any anything having to do with George, Jeb, Abramoff, the DOJ, and any recently appointed USA. Add them all together and my tinfoil gets a little tight.
As we all have discovered with the current administration, where there is smoke, there is usually a full fledged major blaze. Below is some of that smoke.
Gonzales quietly appoints two new section chiefs
Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 05:33:47 PM PDT
During a week when Albert Gonzales was very busy dealing with the firing of the eight US Attorneys, he managed to carve out enough time to finally appoint permanentt chiefs for the Public Integrity Section and the Fraud section. There was no public announcement.
Hmmmm...
Now, why on earth would Gonzales not want a little positive press of finally filling two posts which have been vacant for more than a year. Surely he would want to showcase his managerial acumen last week. According to Justice Department spokesman, the delay was because of interviewing multiple candidates. "It's not something that can be done overnight".
More below...
Texas Redistricting and the Voting Rights Act
Wed Jun 28, 2006 at 08:21:51 AM PDT
UPDATE: I was going to post this last Friday, but thought it had a bit too much tin foil to have merit. After today's Supreme Court ruling, I've changed my mind. It did not ocur to me they would strike down just a portion of the plan. When I saw the decision, somehow this didn't seem so crazy.
Last Wednesday, the Republicans postponed a vote on renewing the Voting Rights Act. The leadership cited the concerns of several southern lawmakers over certain provisions in the bill. According to an AP report, this was an abrupt change of plans. There is the definite possibility the renewal will not come up again this year.
No big surprise at the news. I didn't give it much more thought except to wonder why the sudden problem with the renewal that was already a "done deal"...
What the Pentagon doesn't want you to know now
Fri Apr 28, 2006 at 10:25:00 AM PDT
I don't do diaries. but I decided to bite the bullet because this concerns me.
On the same day Bush suggested "easing" EPA standards in order to build more refineries, I came across this
article in the SF Chronicle, so here goes.
The Department of Defense wants to keep even more secrets. No big surprise there. What is disturbing is what they want to keep secret and how they are going about it. The Pentagon is asking for an exemption from the FOI for any information pertaining to U.S. weapons programs. There are several questionable aspects to this request.
Tucked away in the department's $439.1 billion spending request pending before the House Armed Services Committee is a provision that would exempt all information relating to such U.S. weapons programs or threats that could cause mass casualties from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
More below..
Congressional COLA, Yes - Benefit Programs, No
Fri Nov 18, 2005 at 09:15:19 PM PDT
Lost in all the news from Washington today, was the $3,100 Cost Of Living Adjustment the members of the House and Senate gave themselves today. Their pay now rises to $165,200 a year.
The news was easy to miss because it was not mentioned on the floor of either the House or the Senate. The COLA was buried in a $140 billion bill providing funding for transportation and housing. It passed the House 392 - 31. It passed in the Senate on a voice vote.
Donald Runsfeld and "Republican Amnesia"
Tue Nov 01, 2005 at 09:56:47 PM PDT
The dreaded "Republican Amnesia" has tragically infected many Bush administration officials. This plague has spread from Cheney, Scooter and other WH officials to the Pentagon. It has now claimed yet another victim. It would seem from his press conference today (
http://www.defenselink.mil/...)
Donald Rumsfeld is suffering from the same dreaded disease.
Q Mr. Secretary, recently Larry Wilkerson, the former State Department official, has described what he said was a cabal between you and Vice President Cheney in forming public policy leading up to the war. And he described what he said was a seriously dysfunctional foreign policy. I don't think we've heard you speak on that. Can you just respond to that?
SEC. RUMSFELD: I haven't read this. I've heard about it. And I don't know the man. I've never met the man, and I don't believe he's ever been in a meeting of the NSC. So it's hard for me to understand exactly what his insights might have been.
More...
