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 Republican Presidential-hopeful, Mitt Romney held a fundraiser for a Democratic Senate candidate in 1992. That will be tough to explain to GOP primary voters. As readers are aware, I think Bush should face manslaughter charges for his handling of Katrina. Well, his Tuesday performance driving a Caterpillar tractor was nearly cause for more manslaughter charges - Bush recklessly used the tractor, as members of the media were watching, in harm's way. If the Suns were going to have their 18-game winning streak snapped, I am glad it was to the Timberwolves. Kevin Garnett played the best I have ever seen from him (44 and 11). Ricky Davis added 17. Mark Madsen played 26 minutes (possibly a career high), scoring 6 points and leading the Minnesota defense. It was a great game. The Suns 5 game road trip was just too much.  After a brief holdup by Republicans, the minimum wage hike has overcome a possible filibuster. It should reach a final Senate vote (and approval) soon. That said, prior to this vote, there was a non-reported Republican minimum wage proposal. Senator Allard (R-CO) basically proposed abolishing the federal minimum wage. 28 Republicans supported this absurd measure. John McCain voted for the destroying the federal minimum wage. Of course, McCain will now vote to raise the federal minimum wage - but only because it is politically popular. I cannot stand that fraudulent, ugly old man. Finally, we all know about Bush's homicidal decision to send more troops to Iraq, despite opposition of 70% of Americans and Congress. Here is probably the worst part: the American troops will be sent without adequate "vehicles, armor kits and other equipment." How does a Bush supporter sleep at night?
Where Does It Stop?
"In an executive order published last week in the Federal Register, Mr. Bush said that each agency must have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee, to supervise the development of rules and documents providing guidance to regulated industries. The White House will thus have a gatekeeper in each agency to analyze the costs and the benefits of new rules and to make sure the agencies carry out the president’s priorities."
This is a direct example of the Executive taking from the Legislative branch. What a coincidence that this happened now that the Democrats are in control! So the President signs statements claiming control over everything. Then he does his bullshit "signing statements" which attempt to override laws passed by Congress. Plus, Bush cannot be stopped despite two thirds of Americans (and Congress) opposed to Bush's plan for escalation. When one man has this much power, are we really living in a Democracy anymore?
Dick Cheney: Friend of Liberals?
 For some illogical reason, conservatives always ramble on about the "liberal media." One of the biggest targets seems to be NBC News. When NBC and all the other channel celebrated the Iraq invasion, I guess that was being liberal. Sure. Well, if you think NBC is so liberal, listen up..... The Scooter Libby trial is now in full swing. While the charge Libby faces is merely perjury, the case is by default a public hearing on how Bush & Company (especially Dick Cheney) bullied everyone, media included, so they could invade Iraq - a goal of the Bush regime since the day the Supreme Court appointed Bush to office. Well, a lot of interesting information has been coming about in regaards to the disgraceful Bush/Cheney plan to force the invasion. According to Dick Cheney's former communications director, Catherine Martin, Cheney was "obsessed" with Joe Wilson's accurate criticism of the Iraq intelligence. One of the options Martin recommended to Cheney was an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," because the program's host, Tim Russert, would allow the vice president to "control the message."And that is what Cheney did. He uses NBC's Meet the Press, the highest rated Sunday news show, and "control the message" because the "liberal" Tim Russert allows it. Way to go liberal media!
Is it 2008 yet?
 I'm taking a very time-consuming class this semester, so my posts will be limited for a few weeks. I'll try to keep up. In the meantime, here are a few ideas floating around, some we have discussed, and some we haven't. Bush's Health Care PlanPresident Bush decided to give domestic policy another crack before he's out of office. The latest brilliant proposal includes * surprise* tax cuts. Bush wants to give people a tax cut for buying their own health insurance, and a tax increase for those who receive employer-provided health insurance. Those who currently purchase their own health insurance receive no tax incentives, so this plan would help them. However, it doesn't take into account, or plan for any regulations on the rising cost of health premiums. Currently, people can be denied insurance if they are sick, and that policy would continue under Bush's incomplete plan. " Since Mr. Bush took office in 2001, the number of people without insurance has increased by more than 5 million, to 46.6 million, according to the Census Bureau." - NY TimesThe State of BushAccording to the latest Newsweek poll, Bush's approval rating is 30%, and 58% of people wish his presidency were over. The weak Congress (both this and the last) is criticized by 64% of Americans for not doing enough to stop Bush's policies. No foresight at all, eh Americans? Iraqi leaders turning to DemocratsLeaders in Iraq are establishing strong relationships with Democrats, since they are now in control of both houses of Congress. Iraqis don't want the US to abandon Iraq (and Democrats don't want to either!), so they are making their needs clear. Iraqis also seem to find some hope in the new leadership: "I see that the Democratic ideas are more related to reality," said Ammar Tuma, a lawmaker who serves in Maliki's ruling Shiite coalition. "They talk about the real problems that the Iraqis are facing every day." - LA TimesWe need to find a realistic solution to the war in Iraq, NOT escalating the war, and NOT provoking another war in Iran. Both are Bush's course of action, and both will lead only to more chaos and death.
Protesting Escalation In Iraq
 Joined by politicians and US troops, 100,000 Americans marched in DC this weekend, protesting the Iraq invasion and Bush's plan for escalation. The DC rally was the big one, but cities nationwide also held protests.
Dennis Kucinich was on of the few Congresspersons in attendance. I must laugh when I here people argue that he does not belong in Congress. If not for Kucinich, who would be speaking for the millions of Americans that want this war to stop immediately?
Dennis Kucinich Fan Club Update
 1. This is Dennis Kucinich and his wife. 2. On January 17, 2006, Kucinich was elected to chair the Domestic Policy Subcommittee of the Government Reform Committee. 3. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons on 2008: "If you could take Barack Obama's image, add Hillary Clinton's money and John Edwards' voice, that would be my candidate," says Simmons, an independent who has supported both Democrats and Republicans.
Simmons says Obama has yet to present a clear picture of where he stands.
"He's a rock star," Simmons said in a telephone interview. But he added, "I don't know what his opinions are." Simmons says that so far, the message he prefers is Edwards' - but he's also fond of Dennis Kucinich, the liberal Ohio congressman launching his second long-shot candidacy. Unrelated: The Chief Source is now on the new blogger.
Stay at Home Brad Offered A Horse
 Our friend Brad from Columbus, Ohio has a site StayAtHomeBrad.com where he is trading items. He hopes to trade off the mortgage to his house so he can stay home with his baby that is due in May. Things are going quite well. His latest trade has a person offering him a horse for a $2,000 vacation. If anyone has advice for him on this trade please visit him and leave a comment. This is the horse.
Rolling Stone + Al Gore
 The latest Rolling Stone wants Al Gore to run for president, and believes he can win! Gore opposed the war in Iraq from the start, making the case that "The chaos in the aftermath of a military victory in Iraq could easily pose a far greater danger to the United States than we presently face from Saddam." Foresight is 20/20 for Al Gore. Gore's biggest opponent would be Hillary, but she supported the war, and Gore knows her secrets. Obama is also a factor, but Rolling Stone believes that with Hillary, Obama, and Edwards duking it out, there's a nice opportunity for Gore to slip in and take the Democratic nomination. Gore also polls better or even with McCain. Again, Gore's foresight is better even than McCain's hindsight on the war. Al Gore would make the environment a priority. That is good for our national security, and our economy. An innovative environmental policy would encourage small businesses, as Jim Webb mentioned in his response to the SOTU. This is a Democratic priority, and should be an American priority. Plus, the new cars are really cool! I like Gore. He would have been a far better president that Bush has turned out to be. It will be tough to shake me from Obama. No one has inspired me like he does. But, Rolling Stone makes a good case.
What A Bastard
 During his State of the Union address, President Bush NEVER mentioned rebuilding the Gulf Coast, or anything Katrina-related. This is the same SOB that in years past has mentioned things like sending a man to Mars, steroids in baseball, and Laura Bush taking on gang violence. But this year he could not spend a few seconds to even give fake care to the still-devastated area of New Orleans.
Maybe he doesn't know that New Orleans is part of the Union. When discussing Katrina in the past, Bush has said he was going to help "people in that part of the world." THAT PART OF THE WORLD?!?!?!
It is part of America, you bastard!
Or he really doesn't know that New Orleans part of the United States. How else could the needs of the city go unmentioned when discussing the state of our Union?
Good, But Not Too Filling State of the Union
  
President Bush gave a solid speech tonight, but it was pretty light. The introduction was very gracious to Nancy Pelosi and added a touch of class. The domestic policy portion was pretty uneventful except for Vice-President Cheney's snack. First time I have seen someone eat during a State of the Union. I assume it was a mint. I love the phrase "clean coal technology." That just sounds like a lie. I also love how tan John Boehner is. He's orange.
The nation was watching the speech for some red meat on Iraq. While I disagree with the policy, I thought the speech writing was excellent and was the kind of selective rhetoric I have come to expect from the Bush Administration. The speech was completely void of any past tense statements or mention of the current situation. He focused exclusively on the future with the kind of dreamy tone that is necessary to think that a troop surge will help. Much of the Congress gave few applause lines and stayed seated during many parts of the Iraq portion. Great guests during this speech though. Dikembe Mutombo made me clap as I watched the speech by myself. The subway guy was great too.
If I were a Republican, I would be proud of this speech. The President delicately negotiated some difficult issues and gave an eloquent speech. The reality is that the events on the ground in Iraq are not making us safer and the American people know this. This speech did little to change that.
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Chuck, 
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