Some Info on Republican candidates

With the Novemeber elections coming up i felt it was time to resurrect this blog and make available some information on the Republican candidates for those considering voting Republican.

--AZ-Sen: Jon Kyl

--AZ-01: Rick Renzi

--AZ-05: J.D. Hayworth

--CA-04: John Doolittle

--CA-11: Richard Pombo

--CA-50: Brian Bilbray

--CO-04: Marilyn Musgrave

--CO-05: Doug Lamborn

--CO-07: Rick O'Donnell

--CT-04: Christopher Shays

--FL-13: Vernon Buchanan

--FL-16: Joe Negron

--FL-22: Clay Shaw

--ID-01: Bill Sali

--IL-06: Peter Roskam

--IL-10: Mark Kirk

--IL-14: Dennis Hastert

--IN-02: Chris Chocola

--IN-08: John Hostettler

--IA-01: Mike Whalen

--KS-02: Jim Ryun

--KY-03: Anne Northup

--KY-04: Geoff Davis

--MD-Sen: Michael Steele

--MN-01: Gil Gutknecht

--MN-06: Michele Bachmann

--MO-Sen: Jim Talent

--MT-Sen: Conrad Burns

--NV-03: Jon Porter

--NH-02: Charlie Bass

--NJ-07: Mike Ferguson

--NM-01: Heather Wilson

--NY-03: Peter King

--NY-20: John Sweeney

--NY-26: Tom Reynolds

--NY-29: Randy Kuhl

--NC-08: Robin Hayes

--NC-11: Charles Taylor

--OH-01: Steve Chabot

--OH-02: Jean Schmidt

--OH-15: Deborah Pryce

--OH-18: Joy Padgett

--PA-04: Melissa Hart

--PA-07: Curt Weldon

--PA-08: Mike Fitzpatrick

--PA-10: Don Sherwood

--RI-Sen: Lincoln Chafee

--TN-Sen: Bob Corker

--VA-Sen: George Allen

--VA-10: Frank Wolf

--WA-Sen: Mike McGavick

--WA-08: Dave Reichert

Google biased

Here's an interesting observation. When you type "failure" or "miserable failure" in Google the first thing you actually get is a Google blog entry explaining the reasons President Bush's website comes up when typing in those search terms. It's what they call a "google bomb". They explain that Google is not politically biased. However, when you type in the term "waffles" in Google you'll get John Kerry's website but no explanation as to why John Kerry's site comes up when using that search term.

This sums it up nicely

From Nancy Gregg's Journal:

I’m supposed to believe that the man who sat in a classroom reading a kids’ book for seven minutes AFTER he was told the country was under attack, who was warned repeatedly about imminent threats against the country and chose to ignore them, who has traipsed off on vacation every time there is a domestic or international disaster, is a decisive man-of-action with the fortitude to run a nation.

I am supposed to believe that God himself chooses my nation’s leaders and that, in His infinite wisdom, he chose a lying, thieving, self-absorbed, pro-torture, pro-war, lazy frat-boy jerk like George W. Bush.

I am supposed to believe that the same man who used family money and influence to duck military duty, who has failed at every business venture he ever tried, who never did an honest day’s work or accomplished anything of value in his entire life, is fit to be Commander-in-Chief.

I am supposed to believe that a man who ignores the Constitution he swore to uphold, breaks the law with abandon, repeatedly lied about the reasons for going to war, its cost, its duration, and even its goals, is honest and trustworthy.

I am supposed to believe that the escalating violence, chaos and deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are a sign of progress.

I am supposed to believe that a man who, by his own admission, does not read newspapers, who only meets with and listens to ‘yes’ men, who refuses to speak before any group that is not hand-picked from his staunchest supporters, is in touch with the realities of the world.......

Well said indeed.

Why does Joe Scarborough hate america?

From MSNBC:

SCARBOROUGH: Is George Bush an idiot? That‘s the subject of tonight‘s “Real Deal.” Now, new and old media alike are buzzing about last week‘s SCARBOROUGH COUNTRY segment on the president‘s mental prowess. In Sunday‘s “Washington Post,” Peter Baker wrote this. Quote, “Bush advisers said that the president‘s political weakness has encouraged soft supporters and quiet skeptics to speak out. Few have struck a nerve more than Scarborough.”

“Struck a nerve” is an understatement. I‘ve been blasted by Republican loyalists for asking whether Linda Ronstadt‘s description of the president as an “idiot” was out of line. That question was important not because another Hollywood liberal was blasting Bush but because conservatives have been doing the same thing privately since the Harriet Miers and Katrina debacles of last fall. Well, and because of the steady roar of Bushisms like these seen daily on late night TV.

SCARBOROUGH: Look it up! Now, I know the president. He‘s no idiot. But history‘s also proven that he doesn‘t like listening to dissent. He lacks intellectual curiosity, and he inspires fear among allies every time he gets behind a microphone doing a press conference. Now, with Iraq in flames, Iran on the rise, Afghanistan in crisis mode, Hezbollah on his scent, Israel in disarray and North Korea testing missiles, we got to have a president who projects confidence. Right now, this president is not.

I was a conservative when I ran for Congress in 1994. I am a conservative now. I was against big deficits when Bill Clinton was running Washington, and I‘m against them now that Republicans are running D.C. I was attacked by sycophants and suck-ups when I dared to criticize Newt Gingrich for backing down on spending reductions and tax cuts when he was Speaker of the House. And I was attacked two years ago when I wrote a book that took on big-spending Republicans. History proved me right before, and history‘s going to prove me right again.

When in doubt, friends, always choose country over party, and time will prove you did not only what was best for your country but also did what was best for your party. And that‘s tonight‘s “Real Deal.”

I always hear the phrase "lacks intellectual curiosity" from critics of President Bush. To me it's just a nice way of calling the guy a moron. Scarborough has been critical of the president since the Hurricane Katrina debacle. He's also been highly critical of Republicans in Congress. This simply could be a result of him trying to distance himself from the likes of Bill O'reilly who has on ongoing feud with MSNBC, the network Scarborough works for. Perhaps Joe Scarborough has come to the same conclusion a majority of americans have come to which is that Bush is not competent to be President. It's a pity Joe Scarborough didn't realize this in 04.

Has the South actually won the civil war?

It's been awhile since i've posted anything at this blog as i've been busy and a little burnt out on politics. The recent controversy over Senator George Allen's use of a racial slur has got me to thinking about who actually won the civil war. Sure his remarks have gotten a fair amount of media attention but i think what is not so widely reported is that his audience actually cheered him on when he attempted to embarrass S.R. Sidarth, a 20-year-old volunteer who was videotaping Allen for Democratic challenger Jim Webb by referring to him as a "Macaca".

Should a man who at the very least has shown gross racial insensitivity and who is at worst a racist even be considered a legitimate candidate for President of the United States? Of course not. Has this country moved so far to the right under President Bush and the Republicans that it's now acceptabe to have a US Senator who's a racist? Like it or not, George Allen is representative of the Republican party. I have to chuckle when pundits wonder as to why the Republicans receive such little support from blacks and other minority's. All they have to do is have a look at Senator George Allen's record on race related issues as well as his insensitive remarks and they'll have a clear answer. The Republicans are truly taking this country backwards. Allen's biggest mistake is that he hasn't done what many of his Republican colleagues are good at, which is speaking in code to his constituency when it comes to their feelings about minorities. Instead he gave an unedited view of today's Republican conservative, particularly in the south.

The Swiftboating of Murtha

From Crosswalk.com:

A veterans' group opposed to the re-election of anti-war critic Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) Thursday denied claims that their organization is the same one that ran television advertisements attacking Sen. John Kerry's military record during the 2004 presidential election, though a spokesman replied: "Thanks for the compliment."

The exchange took place during back-to-back events held outside the Johnstown, Pa., office of the Democratic congressman who has been hammered by conservatives for urging a U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq.

The first event was a rally supporting Murtha that was co-sponsored by the Patriot Project and Veterans' Alliance for Security and Democracy (VETPAC).

"As an organization dedicated to defending and supporting the rights of Americans to debate American foreign policy, we simply cannot stand by and allow someone like Rep. Murtha, a man who has served his country with distinction and courage in Vietnam, have his patriotism questioned by partisan political groups," said Mike Lyon, executive director of the Patriot Project's board of directors.

"Larry Bailey and his 'Swift Boat' buddies represent the lowest level of personal smear politics," Lyon told the 125 people attending the rally. "They should be ashamed."

In a press release accompanying their event, the organizations defending Murtha charged that Vets for the Truth (VFTT) is "the same group, which defamed Sen. John Kerry's military record during the 2004 presidential election," and "has launched a new smear campaign against Murtha."

However, Mark Parker of nearby Waynesburg, Pa., responded to the charge during a news conference held by VFTT immediately after the pro-Murtha rally.

"We're not the Swift Boat Veterans [for Truth]," Parker said. "They are an entirely separate group, but thanks for the compliment. We're local veterans, local guys."

The Bush administration must be really scared of Congressman Murtha to bring back the swiftboat liars. The good news is Murtha is the type of guy who will fight back unlike John Kerry. There's quite a lot of Democrats and even some Republicans who've made statements similar to Murtha's. Why not go after them? I'll tell you why. It's because Murtha has tons of credibility on military issues and the Bush administration fears his criticisms are hurting the spin they're trying to put on the Iraq war. The only way to marginalize him is to make him out to be unpatriotic. Murtha is speaking out on the Iraq war because he cares about our troops, not because he hates them. Murtha's record bears out his concern for those in the military. To accuse him of hating our soldiers or of trying to smear them is dispicable and i believe this is going to backfire on the Republicans as November gets closer. The american people are fed up with the Republicans being more concerned about politics than actually governing.

Glenn Greenwald on Alan Colmes (Murtha lawsuit)

CallingAllWingnuts has the audio. This is the first time i've heard Alan Colmes on his radio show. I must say he's much better at asking the tough questions on his radio show than he is when he's with Hannity. Glenn Greenwald did an excellent job of smacking down the attorney for the marine who's suing Jack Murtha. The attorney tries to claim partisanship has nothing to do with the lawsuit but how else can you explain why he's not going after a Republican who's made statements which are very similar to Murtha's. Not only that but the facts that are coming out clearly support what Murtha was saying about civilians being murdered.

GOP Donors Funded Entire PA Green Party Drive

Courtesy of TPMmuckraker.com:

The Luzerne County Green Party raised $66,000 in the month of June in order to fund a voter signature drive. The Philly Inquirer reported yesterday that $40,000 came from supporters of Rick Santorum's campaign (or their housemates). Also yesterday, we confirmed that another $15,000 came from GOP donors and conservatives. Only three contributions, totaling $11,000, remained as possible legit donations.

Today, I confirmed that those came from GOP sources.

I love it when the immorality of the GOP is exposed. Luckily this was exposed early. I'm sure the Green Party is not very happy about this. Let's hope they do the right thing and return that money.

Leiberman campaign recruiting college Republicans

Sort of stealing from Jeff Foxworthy. You might be a Republican if you're having College Republicans campaign for you.

Mel Gibson a Liberal?

From Libertas:

I couldn’t agree more - although I’m still a little hazy on how Gibson is a figure of the political “right.” Although Gibson clearly used the conservative media to promote a product of his, Gibson’s politics remain vague. Basically Gibson appears to be an idiosyncratically devout Catholic whose agenda crossed paths with religious conservatives when his film came out, and also when Gibson lobbied against stem-cell research. Otherwise, it isn’t clear to me how the mythology of Mel Gibson as political conservative began. In fact, these days I’m sensing the opposite may be true: Gibson may be a left-wing Catholic much like … Michael Moore.

Many Catholics are left-wing, and it’s conceivable that Gibson’s been this way all along. This could explain Gibson’s otherwise odd chumminess with Michael Moore when the two met at the People’s Choice Awards last year.

Glenn Greenwald has more on this ridiculous notion that Mel Gibson is a liberal simply because he doesn't completely support President Bush and the Iraq War.

A November Rout?

From The Stakeholder:

With fewer than 100 days left before the Nov. 7 election, certain assumptions can now be made, contingent upon the absence of a cataclysmic event.

First, the political climate will be extremely hostile to Republican candidates. Second, while Republicans benefited from turnout in 2002 and 2004, this time voter turnout will benefit Democratic candidates. And third, the advantages that the GOP usually has in national party spending will be significantly less than normal.

In terms of the political climate, the facts are clear. All of the traditional diagnostic indicators in major national polls taken in the past 10 days show numbers consistent with an electoral rout.

In the latest Cook Political Report/RT Strategies poll, conducted last Friday through Sunday among 809 registered voters, only 27 percent said the country was headed in the right direction and 63 percent said it was off on the wrong track. In polling for NBC and the Wall Street Journal, conducted July 21-24 and for CBS and the New York Times, taken July 21-25, the right direction numbers were 27 and 28 percent, respectively, while wrong track results were 60 and 66 percent respectively. These numbers are about the same as they were at this point in 1994 and going into Election Day that year.

Best case scenario is that the Democrats regain control of both the Senate and the House. I'll be happy if the Democrats just regain the House which is more likely. I don't even want to contemplate the worst case scenario. One thing for sure, since the 2004 Presidential election, i'm not counting my chickens. The future of our country is at stake in the upcoming midterm elections. In my opinion these elections are even more important than the 2008 Presidential election.

52 killed in Israel strike on Qana

From Yahoo News:

QANA, Lebanon (AFP) - Fifty-two people have killed, more than half of them children, in an Israeli air blitz on the Lebanese village of Qana, triggering outrage around the world and warnings of retribution for Israel's "war crime."

The raid on Qana, which left homes in ruins and villagers trapped under the rubble, was the deadliest single attack since Israel launched its devastating war on the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah 19 days ago.

In Qana -- scene of another deadly bombardment 10 years ago -- rescue workers with only their bare hands clawed through rubble of flattened homes and an underground shelter to find survivors while mothers hugged their dead children in a final hopeless embrace.

Police put the death toll at at least 52 including 30 children.

"The bombing was so intense that no-one could move," said a distraught Ibrahim Shalhoub, 26. "I succeeded in getting out and everything collapsed. I have several members of the family inside and I do not think that there will be any other survivors."

Israel has given up any moral high ground they had with their heavy handedness and cavalier attitude towards all those innocent Lebanese women and children who have been killed. What outrages me is that those are american made bombs killing all those civilians. In the end Israel is only hurting itself. They're creating more terrorists as well as causing people to rethink their blanket support of Israel. They're also creating more hatred towards the US because of our supplying them with weapons and our President's support for Israels bombardment of Lebanon. If only Clinton were President we would have had a cease fire by now. This is like Hurricane Katrina all over again with Bush sitting on his hands while people are dying.