As reported here, President Bush signed a new law this past Thursday "that requires convicted child molesters to be listed on a national Internet database and face a felony charge for failing to update their whereabouts."
""Our nation grieves with every family that's suffered the unbearable pain of a child whose been abducted or abused," Bush said in a bill-signing ceremony in the Rose Garden. "This law takes an important step forward in this country's efforts to protect those who cannot protect themselves.""
"It aims to help police find more than 100,000 sex offenders by creating the first national online listing available to the public and searchable by ZIP code. It also called for harsh federal punishment for sexually assaulting children, including the possibility of the death penalty when a victim is murdered."
This law has been needed since, well since "forever", and I applaud the efforts of those who backed this legislation.
Hat tip: kcwriter
Monday, July 31, 2006
Leftist Mexican candidate loses faith in vote counters
As reported here, the leftist candidate for the Presidency of Mexico says that he has lost faith in their Federal Electoral Institute, and has sent surrogates to various countries to lobby foreign governments for support for his 'cause' - which is to see him get elected. How can you lose something you never had in the first place?
"Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he had lost faith in the respected Federal Electoral Institute, also known as the IFE, and doesn't want it overseeing the national recount he demands. He said the IFE has become a tool of the ruling party.
""You can't take IFE people seriously," he said. "They don't act according to the law."
"An IFE spokesman declined to respond to Lopez Obrador's accusations, but electoral officials and most international observers have said the election was largely fair."
This guys has obviously been taking lessons from Al Gore. If the election doesn't go your way, run around and scream and shout about "Fraud!". Obrador needs to let the process work itself out, without any outside pressure or interference, let the chips fall where they may, and if he is not the winner, he should accept the outcome like a man.
All this whining and moaning like a little kid throwing a tantrum is an embarrassment to the people of Mexico.
"Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he had lost faith in the respected Federal Electoral Institute, also known as the IFE, and doesn't want it overseeing the national recount he demands. He said the IFE has become a tool of the ruling party.
""You can't take IFE people seriously," he said. "They don't act according to the law."
"An IFE spokesman declined to respond to Lopez Obrador's accusations, but electoral officials and most international observers have said the election was largely fair."
This guys has obviously been taking lessons from Al Gore. If the election doesn't go your way, run around and scream and shout about "Fraud!". Obrador needs to let the process work itself out, without any outside pressure or interference, let the chips fall where they may, and if he is not the winner, he should accept the outcome like a man.
All this whining and moaning like a little kid throwing a tantrum is an embarrassment to the people of Mexico.
U.N. panel takes U.S. to task over Katrina
As reported here, a human rights group of the UN has issued a report chastising the US government in it's response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, saying that "[t]he United States must better protect poor people and African-Americans in natural disasters to avoid problems like those after Hurricane Katrina."
You know, that takes an awful lot of gall to do something like that. I seem to remember that while the UN dilly-dallied during the aftermath of the tsunami that hit Indonesia and Thailand, the US and other nations responded immediately with aid to those who were affected. It took the UN, what, weeks, to even begin to do "something" in that region, and yet they feel fully justified in pointing fingers at the US.
Note to the UN - when you can mobilize a response within hours of a disaster, rather than weeks, then, and only then will you have any justification for criticizing anyone, ok? Until then, kindly shut up!
You know, that takes an awful lot of gall to do something like that. I seem to remember that while the UN dilly-dallied during the aftermath of the tsunami that hit Indonesia and Thailand, the US and other nations responded immediately with aid to those who were affected. It took the UN, what, weeks, to even begin to do "something" in that region, and yet they feel fully justified in pointing fingers at the US.
Note to the UN - when you can mobilize a response within hours of a disaster, rather than weeks, then, and only then will you have any justification for criticizing anyone, ok? Until then, kindly shut up!
Voters get their say on electing auditor
As reported here, voters in King County will have the opportunity to change the County charter to allow them to vote for an elections auditor. Of course, this has King County Executive Ron Sims' knickers in a knot, since he has had the power to appoint whomever he wished to run the elections department (and we all know how that turned out).
"County Executive Ron Sims, a Democrat whose appointees now manage elections, angrily slammed the plan, saying it is "full of irony, hypocrisy and inconsistency when you look at past statements, actions and inactions of council members.
""I believe this is politically motivated to create doubt about an elections system that has made a remarkable turnaround since the 2004 elections," Sims said. Those elections exposed numerous operational problems and led to months of litigation."
Democrats consistently try to derail anything that gives the voters say over how things are run, believing that voters are too stupid to know what's the right thing to do, so it is up to the Democrats to lead voters by the hand, because they "know better", and Ron Sims is no stranger to this false set of Democrat assumptions. Bob Ferguson (D - Seattle) is usually an exception to this (as he is here), and is the co-sponsor with Reagan Dunn (R - Bellevue).
"Councilmen Reagan Dunn, R-Bellevue, and Bob Ferguson, D-Seattle, announced the plan at a news conference. They said creating the elective office of auditor would stabilize a department that now has vacancies in its top two jobs: records, elections and licensing director and elections superintendent, as well as some lesser positions.
""An elected auditor will provide direct leadership to the elections department and ... increase accountability to voters," Dunn said."
Stability and accountability to the voters are both needed for this department, after the fiasco of 2004, but Sims and the Democrat Council members are opposed to this, as it would take control of the department out of Sims' hands, and give voters a chance at putting someone of their choice in charge of the department, and that takes some of the advantage the Democrats hold in each election away, and they are all in a tizzy about that.
Well, isn't that just too bad?
"County Executive Ron Sims, a Democrat whose appointees now manage elections, angrily slammed the plan, saying it is "full of irony, hypocrisy and inconsistency when you look at past statements, actions and inactions of council members.
""I believe this is politically motivated to create doubt about an elections system that has made a remarkable turnaround since the 2004 elections," Sims said. Those elections exposed numerous operational problems and led to months of litigation."
Democrats consistently try to derail anything that gives the voters say over how things are run, believing that voters are too stupid to know what's the right thing to do, so it is up to the Democrats to lead voters by the hand, because they "know better", and Ron Sims is no stranger to this false set of Democrat assumptions. Bob Ferguson (D - Seattle) is usually an exception to this (as he is here), and is the co-sponsor with Reagan Dunn (R - Bellevue).
"Councilmen Reagan Dunn, R-Bellevue, and Bob Ferguson, D-Seattle, announced the plan at a news conference. They said creating the elective office of auditor would stabilize a department that now has vacancies in its top two jobs: records, elections and licensing director and elections superintendent, as well as some lesser positions.
""An elected auditor will provide direct leadership to the elections department and ... increase accountability to voters," Dunn said."
Stability and accountability to the voters are both needed for this department, after the fiasco of 2004, but Sims and the Democrat Council members are opposed to this, as it would take control of the department out of Sims' hands, and give voters a chance at putting someone of their choice in charge of the department, and that takes some of the advantage the Democrats hold in each election away, and they are all in a tizzy about that.
Well, isn't that just too bad?
Say hello to a longer commute
As reported here, in another seemingly unending list of "studies", whenever they get around to closing the Alaskan Way Viaduct to replace it (the state DOT says the "repair" option is a no-go, and rightfully so), traffic in Seattle is going to be brutal.
Well, duh! Hello! Another study did not need to be done, for that conclusion to be arrived at, because that is something that should have been obvious, even to the most obtuse individual. But apparently it wasn't. The study does not address any type of solution to what will be done with dispersing the approximately 110,000 vehicles that currently use the viaduct at all - it merely states that 'creative solutions' need to be found to do this.
Look kids, here's the situation. Both the viaduct and the seawall that is part of the foundation for the viaduct were badly damaged by the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. Support piers for the viaduct were shifted during the earthquake, and they are still moving, albeit very slowly; meanwhile, the seawall was damaged by the earthquake, as well as by little wood boring creatures called gribbles allowing seawater to get at the concrete in the seawall, which is slowly but surely eating the concrete away.
Both of these structures need to be replaced (not just 'repaired'), and it is going to take upwards of ten years to do the work, and the powers-that-be are conducting 'study' after 'study', looking at the obvious, and have managed to waste five years in the process. Many geological scientists, in collaboration with structural engineers, have stated that the next earthquake - of even minor significance - will bring down one, or both, of the structures. Let's get past the "paralysis-by-analysis" stage, and get on with replacing both of these structures! Please?
I, for one, do not want to be driving on the existing viaduct when (not if) the next earthquake hits.
Do you?!
Well, duh! Hello! Another study did not need to be done, for that conclusion to be arrived at, because that is something that should have been obvious, even to the most obtuse individual. But apparently it wasn't. The study does not address any type of solution to what will be done with dispersing the approximately 110,000 vehicles that currently use the viaduct at all - it merely states that 'creative solutions' need to be found to do this.
Look kids, here's the situation. Both the viaduct and the seawall that is part of the foundation for the viaduct were badly damaged by the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. Support piers for the viaduct were shifted during the earthquake, and they are still moving, albeit very slowly; meanwhile, the seawall was damaged by the earthquake, as well as by little wood boring creatures called gribbles allowing seawater to get at the concrete in the seawall, which is slowly but surely eating the concrete away.
Both of these structures need to be replaced (not just 'repaired'), and it is going to take upwards of ten years to do the work, and the powers-that-be are conducting 'study' after 'study', looking at the obvious, and have managed to waste five years in the process. Many geological scientists, in collaboration with structural engineers, have stated that the next earthquake - of even minor significance - will bring down one, or both, of the structures. Let's get past the "paralysis-by-analysis" stage, and get on with replacing both of these structures! Please?
I, for one, do not want to be driving on the existing viaduct when (not if) the next earthquake hits.
Do you?!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Six shot, one killed at Seattle Jewish Federation
Yesterday afternoon at 4:03 PM, the Seattle 911 center received a call reporting a shooting and possible hostage situation at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle administrative offices in downtown Seattle. A lone gunman, identified as Naveed Afzal Haq, an American citizen reportedly of Pakistani descent, forced his way into the offices, went up to the second floor and after stating that he was a Muslim-American and that he was upset by what was going on in Israel, opened fire with a large caliber handgun, killing one woman, and wounding five others, three of which were in critical condition Friday night. All the victims were taken to Harborview Medical Center, the regions Trauma One facility. The gunman surrendered to Seattle Police at approximately 4:15. Both the Seattle Police and the local FBI office has labeled this a hate crime, stating that they do not believe that the actions of the gunman are related to any terrorist activities.
After the initial 911 call came in, SPD officers rushed to the scene, and cordoned off several blocks of downtown Seattle as they attempted to assess the situation. Seattle Fire Department Medic One units also rushed to the scene, evacuating the victims quickly. As a result of this, a major portion of downtown Seattle came to a complete halt, stranding many commuters who were on their way home, including this writer (a minor inconvenience considering the situation - my bus route goes through downtown Seattle on the same street where the Jewish Federation building is located).
After I arrived home, I turned on the news to try to find out what had happened, and was shocked at the news that, as I was on my way home, making plans for the weekend, some deranged individual upset by what Israel was doing in Lebanon (but apparently not by what Hezbollah and Hamas were doing in Israel), decided that he would take it upon himself to "avenge the evil acts" of Israel by shooting six women (one of whom died on the scene) who work for a Jewish organization that works to improve the lives of many here in the greater Metropolitan area of Seattle. How "brave" and "righteous" of you to do that. As if your actions here in Seattle are going to affect by one iota, what is happening in the Middle East!
The immediate reaction by the various organizations representing the Muslim community here in Seattle was heartening. ""We categorically condemn this and any similar acts of violence," the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a joint statement with the Ithna-Ashari Muslim Association of the Northwest, the Muslim Association of Puget Sound, the Islamic Educational Center of Seattle, American Muslims of Puget Sound and the Arab American Community Coalition.
""We pray for the safety and health of those injured and offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of the victims of this attack. ... We refuse to see the violence in the Middle East spill over to our cities and neighborhoods. We reject and categorically condemn any attacks against the Jewish community and stand in solidarity with the Jewish Federation in this tragedy.""
I want to add my prayers and condolences for the victims and their families in this tragedy as well, and I hope that no one takes it upon themselves to "avenge" this tragedy by attacking any individual or organization - and that includes the family of the man responsible for this heinous act.
As to the motive for this heinous act? Contrary to what the clueless "talking heads" at the local TV news stations were saying, that the motive was "not known", my brother Dither has addressed that bit of obviousness.
Edit: I am remiss in, and apologize for, not adding that all law enforcement and fire department personnel acted very professionally throughout this incident, and they deserve our praise for a job well done. Kudos to the Seattle Police Department, FBI, Seattle Fire Department, and the doctors and nurses at Harborview Medical Center.
Thank you all for the job that you did.
After the initial 911 call came in, SPD officers rushed to the scene, and cordoned off several blocks of downtown Seattle as they attempted to assess the situation. Seattle Fire Department Medic One units also rushed to the scene, evacuating the victims quickly. As a result of this, a major portion of downtown Seattle came to a complete halt, stranding many commuters who were on their way home, including this writer (a minor inconvenience considering the situation - my bus route goes through downtown Seattle on the same street where the Jewish Federation building is located).
After I arrived home, I turned on the news to try to find out what had happened, and was shocked at the news that, as I was on my way home, making plans for the weekend, some deranged individual upset by what Israel was doing in Lebanon (but apparently not by what Hezbollah and Hamas were doing in Israel), decided that he would take it upon himself to "avenge the evil acts" of Israel by shooting six women (one of whom died on the scene) who work for a Jewish organization that works to improve the lives of many here in the greater Metropolitan area of Seattle. How "brave" and "righteous" of you to do that. As if your actions here in Seattle are going to affect by one iota, what is happening in the Middle East!
The immediate reaction by the various organizations representing the Muslim community here in Seattle was heartening. ""We categorically condemn this and any similar acts of violence," the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a joint statement with the Ithna-Ashari Muslim Association of the Northwest, the Muslim Association of Puget Sound, the Islamic Educational Center of Seattle, American Muslims of Puget Sound and the Arab American Community Coalition.
""We pray for the safety and health of those injured and offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of the victims of this attack. ... We refuse to see the violence in the Middle East spill over to our cities and neighborhoods. We reject and categorically condemn any attacks against the Jewish community and stand in solidarity with the Jewish Federation in this tragedy.""
I want to add my prayers and condolences for the victims and their families in this tragedy as well, and I hope that no one takes it upon themselves to "avenge" this tragedy by attacking any individual or organization - and that includes the family of the man responsible for this heinous act.
As to the motive for this heinous act? Contrary to what the clueless "talking heads" at the local TV news stations were saying, that the motive was "not known", my brother Dither has addressed that bit of obviousness.
Edit: I am remiss in, and apologize for, not adding that all law enforcement and fire department personnel acted very professionally throughout this incident, and they deserve our praise for a job well done. Kudos to the Seattle Police Department, FBI, Seattle Fire Department, and the doctors and nurses at Harborview Medical Center.
Thank you all for the job that you did.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Shooting in Seattle, any idea of Motive?
I usually don't pay too much attention to the comments made by the local "news" announcers since they don't usually write the things that they say on the air anyway, but something caught my ear tonight that really made me wonder what sorts of blather makes it to the teleprompter anyway... Even after the ethnic origens of the shooter were made known the announcer said something about the police still didn't have a motive for the shootings... Let's see here, the Jewish groups were attacked by a "Muslim American" from Pakistan because he was angry at Israel... Nope, not a motive in sight...
Grey Wolf
What can I say? My brother has carried the lion's (and then some) of the burden of this blog. I applaud you, Grey Wolf. My fingers cannot type enough to praise you for the continuation of the communication. (By the way, there is not one whit of sarcasm in the above words.) The mere time it requires to write something every week and sometimes more often is a powerful thing and something that freedom loving folks all over should be grateful to the Constitution of this great country. Even when comments about the thoughts expressed are not written, we still have a great privilege and responsibility to speak and live the truth.
Thanks for your continued efforts, my brother.
Thanks for your continued efforts, my brother.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
State Supreme Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban
As reported here, on Wednesday the Washington State Supreme Court, in a 5 - 4 ruling, upheld the ban on same-sex marriage, dealing a blow to 19 "couples", the Lambda Legal gay rights advocacy group, and the ACLU.
This decision is, quite frankly, a surprise - and a pleasant one at that - considering the usual liberal leaning of our supreme court, but it is a rational decision, regardless of what some people want to believe.
This decision also reverses lower court rulings that said our Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional, and throws the ball back into the legislatures court, which I'm sure will come up fairly quickly, as the Dems in our legislature will work to try to placate a vocal minority of their constituency. This may also (probably) get appealed to the US Supreme Court.
For now, DOMA has been upheld, and marriage is restricted to people of the opposite sex, which is as it should be.
This decision is, quite frankly, a surprise - and a pleasant one at that - considering the usual liberal leaning of our supreme court, but it is a rational decision, regardless of what some people want to believe.
This decision also reverses lower court rulings that said our Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional, and throws the ball back into the legislatures court, which I'm sure will come up fairly quickly, as the Dems in our legislature will work to try to placate a vocal minority of their constituency. This may also (probably) get appealed to the US Supreme Court.
For now, DOMA has been upheld, and marriage is restricted to people of the opposite sex, which is as it should be.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Gaza Groups Agree to Stop Firing at Israel
As reported here, terrorist groups in Gaza, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have agreed to a unilateral ceasefire at midnight tonight; the agreement was brokered by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, who are looking for a way out of the crisis.
This crisis was precipitated by repeated rocket attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, 19- year-old Cpl. Gilad Shalit. As a result of the repeated attacks and the kidnapping, Israel's military has been waging war against the terrorists, to both stop the repeated attacks and to retrieve their comrade.
Apparently, the Israeli's are being quite effective in their war against the terrorists, as evidenced by the unilateral ceasefire. But the thing is, also apparently, both Abbas and Haniyeh are clueless as to how to resolve the crisis - a crisis brought about by their own groups.
Well, here's the simple answer. Stop the repeated rocket attacks - permanently - by Hamas and Islamic Jihad against Israel, preferably through disarming - again, permanently - both Hamas and Islamic Jihad (and any other terrorist groups), and return Cpl. Shalit to his comrades.
Now, should Israel agree to abide by the ceasefire as well? I think they should, as long as certain conditions are agreed to, and met, by Abbas and Haniyeh, which I outlined above. Until those conditions are met, however, I think the Israeli's are perfectly justified if they decide to continue killing the terrorists.
If - and this is a big if - those conditions are met, it would mean an end to the wanton killing of Israeli civilians (as well as members of the IDF); would remove a terrorist threat to the existence of Israel from at least one quarter; and would allow Israel then to re-deploy a certain amount of their forces from Gaza to Lebanon.
Hopefully, Israel will not make the mistake of granting concessions to the terrorists, and will make hard demands of Abbas and Haniyeh that can be verified. Israel is in a position of strength, while the terrorists are in a position of weakness, and Israel must not give up their position of strength.
This crisis was precipitated by repeated rocket attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, 19- year-old Cpl. Gilad Shalit. As a result of the repeated attacks and the kidnapping, Israel's military has been waging war against the terrorists, to both stop the repeated attacks and to retrieve their comrade.
Apparently, the Israeli's are being quite effective in their war against the terrorists, as evidenced by the unilateral ceasefire. But the thing is, also apparently, both Abbas and Haniyeh are clueless as to how to resolve the crisis - a crisis brought about by their own groups.
Well, here's the simple answer. Stop the repeated rocket attacks - permanently - by Hamas and Islamic Jihad against Israel, preferably through disarming - again, permanently - both Hamas and Islamic Jihad (and any other terrorist groups), and return Cpl. Shalit to his comrades.
Now, should Israel agree to abide by the ceasefire as well? I think they should, as long as certain conditions are agreed to, and met, by Abbas and Haniyeh, which I outlined above. Until those conditions are met, however, I think the Israeli's are perfectly justified if they decide to continue killing the terrorists.
If - and this is a big if - those conditions are met, it would mean an end to the wanton killing of Israeli civilians (as well as members of the IDF); would remove a terrorist threat to the existence of Israel from at least one quarter; and would allow Israel then to re-deploy a certain amount of their forces from Gaza to Lebanon.
Hopefully, Israel will not make the mistake of granting concessions to the terrorists, and will make hard demands of Abbas and Haniyeh that can be verified. Israel is in a position of strength, while the terrorists are in a position of weakness, and Israel must not give up their position of strength.
Iran cleric accuses UN of tyranny on atomic work
As reported here, Iranian cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani says that "the UN Security Council risks committing “a historic act of tyranny” against Iran if it passes a resolution demanding Tehran stop making nuclear fuel.".
"UN Security Council permanent members are wrangling over the text of a draft resolution that includes the threat of sanctions if Iran fails to halt making enriched uranium, which the West argues will be used in atomic warheads."
"“On our nuclear issue, we are now witnessing a cruel act,” Rafsanjani told Friday prayers worshippers in Tehran." adding, "“They are going to commit another historic act of tyranny against Iran, despite Iran announcing several times that it is ready to negotiate,”", but not until next month. Meanwhile, their enrichment program continues unabated, which will soon allow Iran to commit an historic act of tyranny when they use a nuclear weapon on, say, Israel or the United States.
"“If Iran accepts, that would mean putting our hands up and surrendering,” he continued.".
That's the whole idea.
"UN Security Council permanent members are wrangling over the text of a draft resolution that includes the threat of sanctions if Iran fails to halt making enriched uranium, which the West argues will be used in atomic warheads."
"“On our nuclear issue, we are now witnessing a cruel act,” Rafsanjani told Friday prayers worshippers in Tehran." adding, "“They are going to commit another historic act of tyranny against Iran, despite Iran announcing several times that it is ready to negotiate,”", but not until next month. Meanwhile, their enrichment program continues unabated, which will soon allow Iran to commit an historic act of tyranny when they use a nuclear weapon on, say, Israel or the United States.
"“If Iran accepts, that would mean putting our hands up and surrendering,” he continued.".
That's the whole idea.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Three plead guilty in Oregon to 6-year 'eco-terror' spree
As reported here, three members of the ELF/ALF domestic terror groups have pled guilty to charges of arson and criminal conspiracy for their parts in a six year eco-terror spree that caused about $20 million in damages.
This is very good news, in that it is very difficult for law enforcement to get a handle on these two related domestic terror groups, but what is even better is that all three have agreed to "... cooperate in the continuing investigation of 10 others who are scheduled to go on trial Oct. 31 in U.S. District Court in Eugene, Ore., for a series of firebombings around the Northwest from 1996 to 2001, according to the Justice Department."
This is a major break for law enforcement officials on the trail of these two domestic terror groups, and it's hoped here that in the next trial some, or all, of the 10 defendants will also agree to cooperate with authorities, so that they can possibly break the back of ELF/ALF once and for all.
UPDATE: More good news! As reported here, three more people have pled guilty in this on-going investigation, and have agreed to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.
This is very good news, in that it is very difficult for law enforcement to get a handle on these two related domestic terror groups, but what is even better is that all three have agreed to "... cooperate in the continuing investigation of 10 others who are scheduled to go on trial Oct. 31 in U.S. District Court in Eugene, Ore., for a series of firebombings around the Northwest from 1996 to 2001, according to the Justice Department."
This is a major break for law enforcement officials on the trail of these two domestic terror groups, and it's hoped here that in the next trial some, or all, of the 10 defendants will also agree to cooperate with authorities, so that they can possibly break the back of ELF/ALF once and for all.
UPDATE: More good news! As reported here, three more people have pled guilty in this on-going investigation, and have agreed to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.
What's in a name? Part 2
In a previous post, I commented that the Association of Trial Lawyers of America was 'concerned' about the perception people had of them, and that they were considering changing their name.
Well, as reported here, they voted to change their name to - get ready - the American Association for Justice.
Folks, you're still trial lawyers, with all the 'baggage' that that implies. You still haven't addressed the rogues in your midst who are only out for as many bucks as they can stuff in their pockets, and simply changing the name of your association is not going to change the perception the vast majority of Americans have for you.
If you want peoples perception of you to really change, then get rid of the rogues. As the saying goes, "A rose is a rose.", no matter what you call it, and greedy trial lawyers are still greedy even if they can now claim to be a part of the American Association for Justice.
Well, as reported here, they voted to change their name to - get ready - the American Association for Justice.
Folks, you're still trial lawyers, with all the 'baggage' that that implies. You still haven't addressed the rogues in your midst who are only out for as many bucks as they can stuff in their pockets, and simply changing the name of your association is not going to change the perception the vast majority of Americans have for you.
If you want peoples perception of you to really change, then get rid of the rogues. As the saying goes, "A rose is a rose.", no matter what you call it, and greedy trial lawyers are still greedy even if they can now claim to be a part of the American Association for Justice.
Monday, July 17, 2006
50 Questions
Seems that a guy by the name of Robert J. Elisberg wants to confuse and dumbfound Republicans, and has come up with 50 questions that "progressives" can ask. Well, Phillip Winn has come up with 50 answers, and asks questions of his own.
I found this over at Rightwingsparkle, and I agree with her response, when she says, "The questions just REEK of the smug self righteousness of the Democrats. I was going to answer the questions myself, but this guy did a pretty good job. Plus, the questions are just stupid."
I really like what I've seen over at Rightwingsparkle. So much so, that I've added her blog to our links. Check her site out You'll be glad you did!
I found this over at Rightwingsparkle, and I agree with her response, when she says, "The questions just REEK of the smug self righteousness of the Democrats. I was going to answer the questions myself, but this guy did a pretty good job. Plus, the questions are just stupid."
I really like what I've seen over at Rightwingsparkle. So much so, that I've added her blog to our links. Check her site out You'll be glad you did!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Democrats and Republicans: An Unbridgeable Divide
Hearing by secret court opposed
As reported here, "[c]ritics of the Bush administration's program for wiretapping without warrants said Friday that they would fight a new White House agreement to let a secret court decide the constitutionality of the operation."
My, my. First the "critics" say that warrants must be issued by FISA, or it's "unconstitutional" to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists in other countries making contact with people in this country, and now that President Bush has agreed to go along with proposed legislation put forth by Senator Arlen Spector, the "critics" are screeching that this isn't constitutional.
So, on the one hand, you "critics" don't like the fact that President Bush has authorized the NSA to protect the United States from international terrorists trying to recruit people and funds here in America, and have made the demand that the President must go through FISA to do this, while on the other hand, now that he has agreed to do just that, you're saying that's wrong?
What's with you people anyway? You cannot have it both ways! It just isn't logical, but then again, blind hatred does that to people - makes them do and say illogical things.
Your blind hatred of everything "Bush" is endangering this country - including you, you idiots! - but you don't care one whit. All you care about is "getting" President Bush, no matter what the cost is, or may be.
Not only is your argument against this proposed legislation illogical in the extreme, it amounts to a pathological psychosis!
My, my. First the "critics" say that warrants must be issued by FISA, or it's "unconstitutional" to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists in other countries making contact with people in this country, and now that President Bush has agreed to go along with proposed legislation put forth by Senator Arlen Spector, the "critics" are screeching that this isn't constitutional.
So, on the one hand, you "critics" don't like the fact that President Bush has authorized the NSA to protect the United States from international terrorists trying to recruit people and funds here in America, and have made the demand that the President must go through FISA to do this, while on the other hand, now that he has agreed to do just that, you're saying that's wrong?
What's with you people anyway? You cannot have it both ways! It just isn't logical, but then again, blind hatred does that to people - makes them do and say illogical things.
Your blind hatred of everything "Bush" is endangering this country - including you, you idiots! - but you don't care one whit. All you care about is "getting" President Bush, no matter what the cost is, or may be.
Not only is your argument against this proposed legislation illogical in the extreme, it amounts to a pathological psychosis!
What's in a name?
As reported here, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America are " [f]ed up with being vilified as greedy attorneys only out for a buck ", and will be asking their members to approve changing their association name. (What to, however, isn't mentioned.)
"ATLA's president, Ken Suggs, recently wrote members of the group that a name change would help trial lawyers win in "the court of public opinion.""
"The new name would "help us better communicate our mission -- and help us win back the public," Suggs wrote."
"ATLA's political opponents are getting a kick out of the strategy." For good reason!
""If I renamed a shark a 'kitten fish,' would I let my goddaughter play with it?" quipped Victor Schwartz, general counsel of the American Tort Reform Association, a group that wants to crack down on frivolous suits and put limits on jury awards."
"Lisa Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform, said the name change amounts to "cosmetic surgery.""
Attorneys, especially in our litigious society, are necessary, and the vast majority of them are sincere in their desire to help people. (Boy, you just don't know how hard it was for me to write that!)
But, it is the few truly greedy attorneys out there that are only after a quick buck (or millions of them) for themselves, with no regard whatsoever to the consequences to the American people, who are the real problem.
Since, as the saying goes, perception is ninety percent of reality, changing the name of your association without changing the practices of the relative few will do nothing in the long run, to engender the trust of the American people in trial lawyers, a trust that was squandered by those seeking to strike it rich at the expense of corporations, and the American people.
Go ahead, change the name of your association, but while you're at it, at least try to rein in the rogues in your midst. Doing that will do far more at changing the perceived image the American people have of your members, than merely changing the name will ever do.
Oh, and this bit of advice was provided to you pro bono.
"ATLA's president, Ken Suggs, recently wrote members of the group that a name change would help trial lawyers win in "the court of public opinion.""
"The new name would "help us better communicate our mission -- and help us win back the public," Suggs wrote."
"ATLA's political opponents are getting a kick out of the strategy." For good reason!
""If I renamed a shark a 'kitten fish,' would I let my goddaughter play with it?" quipped Victor Schwartz, general counsel of the American Tort Reform Association, a group that wants to crack down on frivolous suits and put limits on jury awards."
"Lisa Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform, said the name change amounts to "cosmetic surgery.""
Attorneys, especially in our litigious society, are necessary, and the vast majority of them are sincere in their desire to help people. (Boy, you just don't know how hard it was for me to write that!)
But, it is the few truly greedy attorneys out there that are only after a quick buck (or millions of them) for themselves, with no regard whatsoever to the consequences to the American people, who are the real problem.
Since, as the saying goes, perception is ninety percent of reality, changing the name of your association without changing the practices of the relative few will do nothing in the long run, to engender the trust of the American people in trial lawyers, a trust that was squandered by those seeking to strike it rich at the expense of corporations, and the American people.
Go ahead, change the name of your association, but while you're at it, at least try to rein in the rogues in your midst. Doing that will do far more at changing the perceived image the American people have of your members, than merely changing the name will ever do.
Oh, and this bit of advice was provided to you pro bono.
How much does silence cost?
As reported here, about $8,000.00 a month, as Senator Cantwell's campaign manager Matt Butler finally issued a statement regarding what her former challenger, Mark Wilson, is getting paid "... to drop his Democratic primary challenge to the senator and his harsh criticism of her opposition to immediate U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq." to be the campaign outreach director.
"State Republican Party Chairwoman Diane Tebelius, in a statement Friday, called it "highly unusual to pay an outreach director almost the same amount as the top position in a Senate race. It also reveals a 'money-buys-everything' mentality for the Cantwell campaign."" Sure seems to be that way, anyway.
Wow! $96,000.00 a year to be a campaign outreach director! I wonder how they pay their office manager? I used to be an office manager, and I've been critical of the Senator, too ... nah, bad idea. I'd either wind up constantly laughing with derision at the moonbat "policies" put forward by the Senator, or keel over dead with a stroke or a heart attack over the same things. Either way, that wouldn't look good on my resume, you know?
"State Republican Party Chairwoman Diane Tebelius, in a statement Friday, called it "highly unusual to pay an outreach director almost the same amount as the top position in a Senate race. It also reveals a 'money-buys-everything' mentality for the Cantwell campaign."" Sure seems to be that way, anyway.
Wow! $96,000.00 a year to be a campaign outreach director! I wonder how they pay their office manager? I used to be an office manager, and I've been critical of the Senator, too ... nah, bad idea. I'd either wind up constantly laughing with derision at the moonbat "policies" put forward by the Senator, or keel over dead with a stroke or a heart attack over the same things. Either way, that wouldn't look good on my resume, you know?
Council offers lower-cost option
As reported here, the City Council has made a counter proposal to the Mayors $1.8 billion, 20 year tax package, that would supposedly shave 23% off of what the Mayor has proposed "... in hopes that the slimmed-down proposal will be more acceptable to voters. ".
"The council on Monday will discuss the counterproposal, which would trim the mayor's 20-year spending plan for major road projects and street and sidewalk repairs by more than $15 million annually." Oh, goody! They "only" want to spend roughly $75 million dollars a year, rather than the $90 million the Mayor wants to spend. How responsible of them.
"The changes reflect discomfort among council members with the original size of the mayor's proposal and a strong lobbying effort by the parking industry against the parking tax Nickels proposed."
""Our concern was voter fatigue," said Councilman Richard McIver, who said he supports almost all of the revised package. "I think (the change) gets it down to a cost I think is reasonable to the taxpayer.""
I'm glad that the City Council felt 'discomfort' over the size of the Mayor's proposal, and that they are 'concerned' about 'voter fatigue'. Let's see now. Ron Sims wants to increase the sales tax in King County; the State Legislature voted to increase the state gas tax 9.5 cents per gallon (on top of the 38 cents they already had assessed in previous years) - to fix roads by the way, plus other and sundry taxes they passed both last year and this year; the Mayor then dumps a whopping $1.8 billion tax package on the citizens of Seattle, with the City Council making a counter proposal that still comes in at a whopping $1.5 billion dollars, and Councilman McIver thinks this is 'reasonable'?
Guess again. The only real changes in the Councils counterproposal are to cut the parking lot space tax from 10% to 8%, and to cut the property tax by 26% (which still needs voter approval to implement anyway), while retaining the $25.00 per employee tax. Not a whole lot of changes or reductions, really, when you look at the overall numbers.
I'm hoping that the City Council does put the property tax request on the November ballot, so that the voters in the city of Seattle can demonstrate just how 'fatigued' we really are. I for one, am really 'tired' of having politicians dipping into my wallet at the drop of a hat.
"The council on Monday will discuss the counterproposal, which would trim the mayor's 20-year spending plan for major road projects and street and sidewalk repairs by more than $15 million annually." Oh, goody! They "only" want to spend roughly $75 million dollars a year, rather than the $90 million the Mayor wants to spend. How responsible of them.
"The changes reflect discomfort among council members with the original size of the mayor's proposal and a strong lobbying effort by the parking industry against the parking tax Nickels proposed."
""Our concern was voter fatigue," said Councilman Richard McIver, who said he supports almost all of the revised package. "I think (the change) gets it down to a cost I think is reasonable to the taxpayer.""
I'm glad that the City Council felt 'discomfort' over the size of the Mayor's proposal, and that they are 'concerned' about 'voter fatigue'. Let's see now. Ron Sims wants to increase the sales tax in King County; the State Legislature voted to increase the state gas tax 9.5 cents per gallon (on top of the 38 cents they already had assessed in previous years) - to fix roads by the way, plus other and sundry taxes they passed both last year and this year; the Mayor then dumps a whopping $1.8 billion tax package on the citizens of Seattle, with the City Council making a counter proposal that still comes in at a whopping $1.5 billion dollars, and Councilman McIver thinks this is 'reasonable'?
Guess again. The only real changes in the Councils counterproposal are to cut the parking lot space tax from 10% to 8%, and to cut the property tax by 26% (which still needs voter approval to implement anyway), while retaining the $25.00 per employee tax. Not a whole lot of changes or reductions, really, when you look at the overall numbers.
I'm hoping that the City Council does put the property tax request on the November ballot, so that the voters in the city of Seattle can demonstrate just how 'fatigued' we really are. I for one, am really 'tired' of having politicians dipping into my wallet at the drop of a hat.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Plame sues White House figures over CIA leak
Breaking news - as reported here, Valerie Plame and her husband Joe Wilson have filed suit against Vice President Dick Cheney, former aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and Karl Rove, alleging that they "conspired" to ruin her career by revealing her identity to columnist Robert Novak.
You know something, folks? This whole "Plamegate" thing just keeps getting weirder and weirder.
Update: John Podhoretz has this take over at The Corner, and HotAir has the Novak interview mentioned, plus more links.
You know something, folks? This whole "Plamegate" thing just keeps getting weirder and weirder.
Update: John Podhoretz has this take over at The Corner, and HotAir has the Novak interview mentioned, plus more links.
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