Sick of the Two Major Parties?

Yet still not sure about the whole third party movement and whether it would be viable? Well, Unity '08 could be just the ticket. They are not building a new party, but rather seek a Prez/VP ticket comprised of folks from each party (or independents). Unity 08 believes that the two major parties no longer represent the majority of Americans, and play only to their special interest base. Perhaps this movement can provide the kick in the pants needed?

Affirmative Action for the Prez Mint Carrier

Despite completing only one year of college, Blake Gottesman has been accepted to Harvard Business School. Gottesman is a Texas native who in the past dated Jenna Bush and then went on to become Bush's personal assistant. In other words, he "resident Bush’s breath mints and makes him peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches."

This somehow qualifies Gottesman to attend HBS without even bothering to complete his sophomore, junior or senior years of college. The admissions spokesman at HBS says that they would also accept college dropouts Bill Gates and Michael Dell. Perhaps he thinks there are striking similarities between starting and running Fortune 500 companies and holding the President's hand, but I fail to see them.

Given the Right's general opposition to preferences in college admissions, I am sure they will speak out about this obvious slap in the face to their beloved meritocracy.... chirp... silence... pin drop

Another Wimpy Dem

So, the frontrunner for the Dem nomination for GA Gov turns out to be no better than the Republican she hopes to replace. Putting "good politics" above principle, Cathy Cox has turned her back on Georgia's gays and lesbians in their quest for equal marriage rights. Below is a copy of the email I sent to her campaign.

In light of recent events I would like for you to remove my email address from your database. I have also stripped the bumpersticker off my car. And neither I nor my girlfriend will support your campaign for Governor.

Your comments with respect to the recent gay marriage ruling are more than troubling, especially as they seem at odds with your position on the ballot question in 2004. While I realize the political realities of Georgia and the influence of religious conservatives, I do expect Democratic politicians to show some backbone and stand up for portions of society that are marginalized. I also assume that all decent Democrats believe in equality (perhaps growing up in Massachusetts created that delusion).

I am also troubled by your earlier support of a bill that would have mandated schools and public buldings to fly a state flag that included the Confederate battle flag. Now, I realize that you've explained that away by saying others claimed it would be a good idea (politically). That, however, is the critical problem- a politician driven more by fleeting notions of "good politics" than by real principle.

Why I Am No Longer a Democrat

This is the final straw. Yesterday, four of the seven Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee voted in favor of General Hayden's nomination to head the CIA. Not only would Hayden's ascension mean that all major US intelligence operations will be headed by a military person, but even more troubling is that Hayden was the head of the National Security Agency (NSA) when the illegal wiretapping/data collection began.

Sure, the initial furor over wiretapping had declined some prior to Hayden's nomination. However, right in the midst of hearings, USA Today published its report that the wiretapping/collection was on a much grander scale than previously believed. So, did the Democrats on the Intelligence Committee take this opportunity to grill Hayden over the program? Of course not! They are so afraid of looking weak on national security, etc.

I call bullshit. The American people are pissed off about the administration's wiretapping and data collection and the president has an anemic 30% approval rating. So what the f*ck are Dems afraid of? Their own god-damned shadow perhaps.

I cannot, in good conscience, remain a member of a Party too timid to fight for American values. Today's Democratic Party is nothing more than a collection of modern day Neros fiddling away while Rome burns.

Guilty Pleasure

So, I grabbed the covers album by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. I am enjoying it much more than I ought to. I have to remind myself that Matthew Sweet is sorta indie, so that I do not feel so dirty and corporate. Best track so far- Cinnamon Girl.

New Music Saturday

(or, my musical taste is so much more indie and cool than yours)
Here is what's newish on the musclehead iPod.

Secret Machines- Ten Silver Drops
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone- Etiquette
Gnarls Barkley- St. Elsewhere
Dresden Dolls- Yes, Virginia
Grandaddy- Just Like the Fambly Cat
Drive-By Truckers- A Blessing and a Curse
Band of Horses- Everything All the Time
A Northern Chorus- Bitter Hands Resign
Built to Spill- You in Reverse
She Wants Revenge- s/t
Margot and the Nuclear So and So's- The Dust of Retreat
The Flaming Lips- At War With the Mystics

Tell Steny Hoyer to Shove It

Minority Whip Steny Hoyer came to the defense of Bushie today, saying that Stephen Colbert's performance at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner went over the line and that "Bush deserves respect." Well, if you're so inclined you can go here and tell Steny just what you think. Of course, you'll have to dig up a Maryland zip code in order to even email the Congressman (oh, one like 20604, which is Waldorf, MD).

Here, of course, is a copy of my little missive-

Congressman Hoyer-
I find it not only sad, but outrageous that you would come to the defense of President Bush. Comedian Stephen Colbert did not "cross(ed) the line" with his remarks at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Colbert merely said what the Washington media and our supposed Democratic leaders are too gutless to say.

Imagine, if you will, that you and your colleagues in DC actually had spines and were willing to call President Bush out on his lies; were willing to state the obvious about Fox News- that it is an arm of the Republican National Committee; stand up for the Fourth Amendment, international human rights protocols, etc. Then maybe someone like Stephen Colbert (and John Stewart) would not be necessary. But, since you have FAILED to live up to your duties to this country (and this Party) others have filled that void. So, be it bloggers or political satirists, someone has to tell the American people what this administration has done, and is doing, to our country.

It is only in the smug air of Washington, DC that Colbert's biting political satire falls on deaf ears. Perhaps if those of you who ply your trade in DC spent more time with real people, instead of entertaining one another with cocktail conversation, you would understand why Colbert commands such a following.

As a side note, I have to wonder whether or not you similarly objected to Don Imus' shtick at the same gathering during President Clinton's second term. But, even if you did, there is a world of difference between making jokes about oral sex in the White House and using satire to highlight the corruption and lies of the present administration. Maybe someday you will come to understand that difference.

Who's The Boss?

By this picture it would sure seem as if the boss is NOT me.
And I am still stuck on the floor here.
But when asked, Charlie will sit down. (Doing so with a treat in my hand makes it much more likely, though.)

A Dubious Anniversary

Today is the three year anniversary of Chimpy McFlighsuit's landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln to declare "mission accomplished." Since that day, over 2,000 troops have lost their lives; nearly 16,000 more have been wounded; insurgent attacks have gone from 8 per day to about 75 per day; and, US taxpayers have ponied up another $240 billion to pay for it all.

So, one has to ask- what the f*ck have we accomplished?

Oh, and now we may be attacking Iran (just in time for the fall elections, I'm sure)? Someone needs to tell the Republicans that double or nothing is NOT a foreign policy!

Kids These Days Aren't All Bad

Ava Lowery is a fifteen year old peace activist from Alabama who blogs and makes animations for the web at Peace Takes Courage. You really should go check it out. Just like everyone else who dares question Emperor Bushie, she has received more than her fair share of death threats and nasty emails. As she says at the end of an animation that features some choice quotes from these missives, "I'm sure your President would be proud."