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Sheehan receives apology
Capitol Police dropped a charge of unlawful conduct against anti-war
activist Cindy Sheehan on Wednesday and apologized for ejecting her from the
State of the Union address for wearing a t-shirt with a war message.
Sheehan's t-shirt read "2245 Dead. How many more?" She was charged with a
misdemeanor for violating the District of Columbia's code against unlawful
or disruptive conduct on any part of the Capitol grounds.
Washington Post cartoon
Cartoonist
Tom Toole’s cartoon that portrays a wounded soldier who has lost his
arms, legs and has head wounds being diagnosed by Dr. Rumsfeld as "battle
hardened." That cartoon received the unanimous ire of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff in a written letter to the Post.
Here is the letter:
We were extremely disappointed to see the Jan. 29 editorial cartoon by Tom
Toles.
Using the likeness of a service member who has lost his arms and legs in war
as the central theme of a cartoon was beyond tasteless. Editorial cartoons
are often designed to exaggerate issues, and The Post is obviously free to
address any topic, including the state of readiness of the armed forces.
However, The Post and Mr. Toles have done a disservice to readers and to The
Post's reputation by using such a callous depiction of those who volunteered
to defend this nation and, as a result, suffered traumatic and life-altering
wounds.
Those who visit wounded veterans in hospitals have found lives profoundly
changed by pain and loss. They also have found brave men and women with a
sense of purpose and selfless commitment that causes battle-hardened
warriors to pause.
While The Post and some of its readers may not agree with the war or its
conduct, these men and women and their families are owed the decency of not
having a cartoon make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.
As the joint chiefs, we rarely put our hand to one letter, but we cannot let
this reprehensible cartoon go unanswered.
Alito liberal?
Death row inmate Michael Taylor had his stay of execution upheld by the new
Associate Justice Samuel Alito. In his decision, he broke with Chief Justice
John Roberts, Anthony Scalia and Clarence Thomas who favored allowing the
state of Missouri to execute Taylor by lethal injection. Taylor’s lawyers
are arguing that execution by lethal injection is cruel and unusual
punishment.
Taylor was convicted of killing 15-year-old Ann Harrison, who was waiting
for a school bus when he and an accomplice kidnapped her in 1989.
Democrat TV
The Democrat National Committee has once again brought back their online
television network. It is good news for Republicans as it is sure to offend
and make Democrats look ….well, like Democrats.
Nothing spells Democrats more than sarcasm, and the first pilot show does
that in spades. The first spot is probably supposed to be a spoof on Fox
News and The O’Reilly Factor... it's hard to tell. Maybe it's just a spoof
on the fact middle Americans think their culture is under attack from gay
marriages, euthanasia and liberals in general.
In some way, the show spoofs Christmas and even uses sexual images of
Victoria's Secret underwear angels in a gratuitous fashion. However, the
Democrats cannot help but going to their roots and defending pot smoking and
gays and lesbians in their spoof of the War on Christmas.
I urge you to visit
Democrat TV soon before Howard Dean entirely bankrupts the Democrat
Party! This slice of Americana may not last long.
Danforth rising
The
Washington Post offers a lengthy interview with former Senator Jack
Danforth (R-MO), and his belief that the religious right in the Republican
Party has gone too far:
"It won't stand the light of day," Danforth says in one of several
conversations. "The more people think about it, the more people will resist
it. People do not want a sectarian political party, including a lot of
people who are traditional Republicans."
Danforth, the heir to the Ralston Purina fortune, is an ordained Episcopal
priest who states that it was the Republicans' approach to the Terry Schiavo
case that put him over the top – along with their opposition to Gay
marriage.
During his policital career, Danforth was often ridiculed by secularists and
nicknamed St. Jack:
When asked in 1991 to respond to critics who used "St. Jack" as a pejorative
to suggest sanctimony, he told a Post interviewer, "I think anyone who felt
that he was, you know, Mr. Wonderful, with an agenda that is the God-given
agenda for the country to be accomplished at all costs -- he would be both
sick and ineffective."
There are two closing quotes in the article that are certain to stimulate
thought and discussion in political circles:
"Moderation is no more an ideology than pastel is a color. It's just a muted
version of something else," says Pitney, a politics professor at Claremont
McKenna College. "The moderates need to learn that the conservatives have
the upper hand. But the conservatives need to learn that the moderates are
there, too, and that the Republican majority is not so large that they can
do without the moderates' support."
And:
"We do believe God has a side, that he's not a moderate or relativist on
everything," says [Richard] Land, president of the Southern Baptist
Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. "I'm not a prophet.
They may convince the American people they're right. We may continue to
convince the American people we're right. I'd be happy to debate John or
Jimmy anytime, anywhere."
Iowa update
Former Senator Tom Daschle visited Iowa yesterday and immersed himself in
Iowa’s politics by endorsing Secretary of State Chet Culver in Iowa’s
Democrat primary race for governor. Chet is the son of former U.S. Senator
John Culver.
The unspoken favored candidate of current Governor Tom Vilsack is Michael
Blouin.
Daschle also told Iowans that they may decide whether the House of
Representatives goes Democrat in 2006.
Iowa has a bipartisan redistricting plan that makes its Congressional
Districts some of the most competitive in the country. Iowa’s first and
third districts are in the top of the nation’s political parties’ targets.
Iowa's 1st District in Eastern Iowa is viewed as a top Democrat target, with
Republican Rep. Jim Nussle not seeking re-election.
Iowa's 3rd District in Central Iowa is considered a top Republican target
with Democrat Leonard Boswell, a five-term incumbent, facing a challenge
from Iowa Senate President Jeff Lamberti. Boswell’s health problems and
Lamberti’s strengths have moved this race to competitive.
Lost files
NewsMax reports that there may be missing files related to the
prosecution of Scooter Libby:
The prosecutor in the criminal case against Vice President Dick Cheney's
former chief of staff said in a Jan. 23 letter that not all e-mail was
archived in 2003, the year the Bush administration exposed the identity of
undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame.
Today is the day
Today is the day for the election in the Republican Conference for a new
Majority Leader between Representatives Roy Blunt, John Boehner and John
Shadegg. Few are calling the race, but most believe that Blunt will win.
Boehner elected over Blunt!
In an unexpected turn, U.S. Rep. John Boehner of Ohio has won the position
of Majority Leader over Rep. Roy Blunt today. The vote was 122-209.
Blunt – who took over the position after Tom DeLay stepped down --
will remain in leadership as majority whip. [LINK]
Zeifman: Ted Kennedy has disgraced himself
Former Democratic Chief Counsel Jerry Zeifman has
penned an op-ed (online at
NewsMax) that claims, " has disgraced himself and our party by
misusing his position on the Senate Judiciary Committee to achieve
self-serving partisan ends."
Referencing Kennedy's embarrassing performance as a member of the Judiciary
Committee during the Samuel Alito hearings, Zeifman accuses Kennedy of "
using filibusters to polarize the Senate along party lines thus denying the
confirmation of qualified conservative judges."
It is a thoughtful and well-written piece, describing the beginnings of the
filibuster (during the Civil War) and outlines Kennedy's complete reversal
on the filibuster tactic... from abhorrence to championing its usage.
Hollywood Idiot Story of the day:
Alec Baldwin, um, speaks out
NewsMax offer this story on the latest antics of actor Alec Baldwin*:
Hollywood Democrat Alec Baldwin is blasting his party's Senators for failing
to block Samuel Alito confirmation to the Supreme Court, saying he's
appalled that Sen. Ted Kennedy and other liberals could muster only 25 of
the 41 votes needed mount a successful filibuster.
The problem is there are too many "chicken-bleep Democrats in the Senate,"
the agitated actor told the New York Daily News.
Baldwin then turns his verbal efforts on Zell Miller. Well, let's just say
that Alec doesn't like Zell, either.
* Baldwin is the actor lampooned as the head of the F.A.G. (Film Actors
Guild) in the movie "Team America."
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