26 ways to be a good Republican...

1. You have to be against a woman’s right to choose, but support the murder of thousands by air strike.

2. You have to believe that a shopping mall is better than a backyard, as long as it’s not YOUR backyard.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of drug dealers and gang-bangers are less of a threat than countries that have never fired a weapon at Americans here in America.

4. You have to believe that there were no airlines before Federal funding, tax breaks and kickbacks.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are more permanently affected by natural changes in the earth's climate than billions of tons of waste gasses pumped into the atmosphere by coal and natural gas power plants.

6. You have to believe that the sex of someone else’s spouse is actually your business, but your adultery isn’t anyone else’s business.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS epidemic cannot be slowed with the assistance of the Federal government.

8. You have to believe that the teacher who can't teach 4th-graders how to read is doing a great job.

9. You have to believe that hunters care about nature because the 10-point rack on the wall shows their commitment to it.

10. You have to believe that things magically happen even if you have no self-esteem.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson made The Passion Of The Christ because Christ died for our sins and not to gain notoriety.

12. You have to believe the ACLU is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, but the NRA is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too high and the deficit, trade gap and unemployment levels are too low.

14. You have to believe that Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, and Thomas Edison.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are not racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are.

16. You have to believe that George W. Bush is normal and is a smart, well-spoken person with no hidden agendas.

17. You have to believe that a representative democratic republic will work for everyone, regardless of belief, history or ideology and that it’s okay to kill a considerable percentage of them to bring it to them.

18. You have to believe that a President having consensual sex with another adult is far worse than a President who’s eager to send our children off to get killed in a war that isn’t a war to find weapons that didn’t exist.

19. You have to believe that Christmas and Easter were originally Christian holidays and not co-opted seasonal festivals of Pagans.

20. You have to believe that changing the rules of the Senate and the Ethics Committee to protect Republican Senators is somehow in the best interest to the United States.

21. You have to believe that we actually went to war in Iraq to find WMDs because they were a clear and present threat to the United States.

22. You have to believe that Republican backed special interest groups didn't finance The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, they got the idea and money on their own.

23. You have to believe Bill Clinton getting a blowjob in the Oval Office is appalling, but Newt Gingrich serving his wife with divorce papers on her deathbed is A-OK.

24. You have to believe in defending the sanctity of marriage except when it’s a husband trying to fulfill his wife’s wish in ending her life.

25. You have to feel that marriage is sacrosanct and inviolate while ignoring the fact that 61% of Catholics get divorced and another 7% get their marriages annulled.
You have to believe that what John Kerry did 30 years ago is important, but what George W. Bush didn't do 30 years ago isn't.

26. You have to believe that this message was authored by a left-wing pinko socialist bleeding heart liberal.

Moonbats?

Big Swindle On The Borderline: Valley Warming Exposed

Warning: Be careful not to nick your nuts...

Hudson's Hyper-Fanatical Conspiracy Bloggers Moving To Long Island

Former Hudson school superintendent has offered to pay for the first 157 miles of their relocation...

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. -- A failure by the state to audit school district records for nearly three decades has resulted in another scandal, this time involving the misappropriation of nearly $8 million from a suburban district, state Comptroller Alan Hevesi said Monday.

The latest accusations involve the William Floyd district in Suffolk County, where an audit uncovered $6.4 million in inappropriate spending, including instances where the superintendent increased salaries for himself and nine other administrators over several years without school board approval, Hevesi said. That's besides $1.5 million that former William Floyd administrators admitted stealing last year.

The scandal is the latest in a series involving Long Island school districts. There have been arrests in seven districts, including William Floyd, since an audit of the Roslyn school district two years ago found that more than $11 million was stolen from its treasury. Six people have pleaded guilty in that case.

Read more...

School bored apparel alert from Mr. KKK

Never circle the wagons without the appropriate disguise...



"As long as Momma keeps bringing home the bacon, I'll keep dishing out the baloney!"

KKK

Treasury Chief Tells Business Leaders That Regulations Have Had Positive Results

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Tuesday a balance must be struck between ensuring the competitiveness of financial markets and protecting investors.

Paulson addressed a gathering of top business leaders and former government officials. The conference followed months of campaigning by American business for an easing of laws and regulations established after the Enron debacle.

Paulson said the laws and regulations have been, "extensive and significant, so it is quite naturally taking time for companies to understand, process and implement the new rules and requirements."

However, he said, "the principles behind them have been positive, as have many of the results."

Panelists included billionaire investor Warren Buffett, General Electric Co. Chairman Jeffrey Immelt, brokerage founder and CEO Charles Schwab, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Paulson and Christopher Cox, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, are serving as moderators.

Read more...

Congressman Obey Discusses Political War Reality

Family Values Hypocrite Enters White House Race

"Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was having an extramarital affair even as he led the charge against then-President Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair, he acknowledged in an interview with a conservative Christian group."
"Gingrich, who frequently campaigned on family values, divorced his second wife, Marianne, in 2000 after his attorneys acknowledged Gingrich's relationship with his current wife, Callista Bisek, a former congressional aide more than 20 years his junior."
Full Story:

"Gingrich argued in the interview, however, that he should not be viewed as a hypocrite for pursuing Clinton's infidelity."
Hear Interview:

Reports of the smell of sulfur linger in South America...

"That a person like (Bush), with the persecution of our migrant brothers in the United States, with the wars he has provoked, is going to walk in our sacred lands, is an offense for the Mayan people and their culture."

Tiney
Director of a Mayan nongovernmental organization with ties to Mayan religious and political leaders.



Priests To Purify Site After Bush Visit

(AP) GUATEMALA CITY Mayan priests will purify a sacred archaeological site to eliminate "bad spirits" after President Bush visits next week, an official with close ties to the group said Thursday.

"That a person like (Bush), with the persecution of our migrant brothers in the United States, with the wars he has provoked, is going to walk in our sacred lands, is an offense for the Mayan people and their culture," Juan Tiney, the director of a Mayan nongovernmental organization with close ties to Mayan religious and political leaders, said Thursday.

Bush's seven-day tour of Latin America includes a stopover beginning late Sunday in Guatemala. On Monday morning he is scheduled to visit the archaeological site Iximche on the high western plateau in a region of the Central American country populated mostly by Mayans.

Read more...



WHO IS THE REAL DEVIL?

Climate change – Spreading the environmental gospel

Surprising alliances are forming as evangelical groups join the fight to save what they consider God’s creation In January, a group of evangelical Christians and scientists announced they would work together to persuade US political, church and scientific leaders to act to curb climate change. It is an unlikely marriage between two camps diametrically opposed on the circumstances of the earth’s creation but willing to collaborate to save it from destruction.

Read more @ Ethical Corporation.

16-year old home-schooled blogger gets and gives notice

The March/April 2007 issue of Mother Jones magazine has an excellent article on an Alabama homeschooler whose antiwar videos get 30, hits a day. It's inspiring story that should be shared with your kids and students.

Read the full article: Are You There George? It's Me Ava.

Here's what Ava's critics are saying about her:

Right Wing Love Letters:



A few more automated comments from her critics.

Maybe Ann Clouter Should Enlisted?

It's always interesting to see Ann Clouter put on the spot for her the babbling stupidity that drools from the manure covered fangs in her mouth. Of course, her pay check depends on vomiting up rancid chunks of redneck conservative spew. Without the slack-jawed, Deliverance-doubles who think she lick up her spew, the calluses on her knees would be much more noticeable.

Clouter compares Iraq to California...



16-year homeschooler responds to Clouter: California Dreaming by Ava Lowery



Check out more of Ava's work at Peace Takes Courage.

Maybe Dennis Miller should enlisted?

You would think the Marines could use at least one comic who isn't funny enough to get paid to be a comic. Or maybe Miller's room-temperature IQ is needed state side to bring the intelligence level above freezing.



Meanwhile, down in Alabama, a 16-year old girl named Ava is putting together pictures that put Miller's always forgettable words on mute.

How This Must End by Ava Lowery



See more of Ava Lowery's work at Peace Takes Courage.

A peek at "big tent" politics

Ann Coulter goes down on John Edwards

Ann swallows a hard one...



...after using the "faggot" word.

A Positive Light Shines In New Richmond

"You know the bozos I’m talking about. These Hudson bloggers have invaded your fair city a few times. Their goal is the destruction of public education. When you say “Go Tigers!” they say “Go Away Tigers!”'

Bob "Mudslinger" Muchlinski

(An excellent letter was published in the New Richmond News this week. The letter writer demonstrated that the concerned for, and dedication to, the education of our kids can reach beyond the boundaries of the local school district. It's nice to see some position encouragement from outside the New Richmond community. The New Richmond school district and members of the community have been smeared repeatedly by a group of anti-education bloggers oozing out of Hudson who specialize in misinformation and slander.)

To the Editor:

How encouraging to see Superintendent Veilleux and the New Richmond School Board take the bull by the horns, complete a thorough review of your K-12 space needs, and propose a comprehensive plan for referendum.

I’m very envious. I’ve been asking the Hudson School Board and superintendent to do the exact same thing. But they don’t have the guts. They’re afraid of a few anti-school bloggers in Hudson.

You know the bozos I’m talking about. These Hudson bloggers have invaded your fair city a few times. Their goal is the destruction of public education. When you say “Go Tigers!” they say “Go Away Tigers!”

I’m glad New Richmond citizens care more about your schools, students and teachers than you do about the vile intimidation of a few miscreants in Hudson.

And what a pleasant surprise to read in the newspaper that Mr. Bob Ziller has promised the superintendent he would put a “Vote Yes” sign in his yard! For too long, Mr. Ziller has aligned himself with the Hudson bloggers. But now he is putting New Richmond first - telling the bloggers to stay away, and vocally supporting the referendum.

Mr. Ziller will be pressured by the Hudson bloggers to change his mind, but I’m sure that Mr. Ziller will be a man of his word. He’ll put up that Vote Yes sign. He’ll tell his friends and neighbors to vote yes. And he’ll proudly vote yes in the voting booth.

When your new high school opens in 2010, I’m going to take a tour. I’ll be green with envy, knowing that Hudson desperately needs the same thing.

New Richmond has what it takes. You know the strength of your city goes hand-in-hand with the strength of your schools. You are ready to invest in what your city needs.

Go Tigers!

Robert Muchlinski

Hudson

Take your stand...

As my entire Regiment forms a part of the expedition and I am the senior officer of the regiment on duty in this department, I respectfully but most earnestly request that while not allowed to go in command of the expedition I may be permitted to serve with my regiment in the field.


I appeal to you as a soldier to spare me the humiliation of seeing my regiment march to meet the enemy and I not share its dangers.


I would be willing, yes glad, to see a battle every day during my life.


My purpose is to make my narrative as truthful as possible.


There are not enough Indians in the world to defeat the Seventh Cavalry.


You ask me if I will not be glad when the last battle is fought, so far as the country is concerned I, of course, must wish for peace, and will be glad when the war is ended, but if I answer for myself alone, I must say that I shall regret to see the war end.

George Armstrong Custer

The 10 Worst Presidents

It's too soon to judge the current one, but for past leaders, the verdict is in
By Jay Tolson
US News & World Report

George W. Bush's presidency shaping up to be one of the worst in U.S. history? You hear the question being asked more and more these days. And more and more, you hear the same answer. With Iraq a shambles and trust in the administration declining, it is probably not surprising that 54 percent of respondents in a recent USA Today/Gallup survey said that history would judge Bush a below-average or poor president, more than twice the number who gave such a rating to any of the five preceding occupants of the White House, including Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter.

Public opinion is a notoriously fickle beast, of course, which is why historians and other custodians of the long view prefer to reserve judgment until they can speak of their subjects in the past tense. But clearly something about Bush ii has inspired many historians to abandon their usual caution. Meena Bose, a Hofstra University political scientist who has written about presidential ratings, says that the scholars' rush to rank the current president comes out of an acute awareness of the long-term consequences of his policies. "Since it's hard to see how Iraq will work out for the better,'' Bose says, " it's hard not to pass judgments."

Read more about the worst Presidents.

The Republican Road to Perdition

Domenici Called About U.S. Attorney Four Times

At least four recently fired U.S. attorneys who've been issued subpoenas are to testify before the House and Senate judiciary committees Tuesday. The panels are probing allegations that eight federal prosecutors were dismissed by the Justice Department in December for political reasons.

Now a senior Republican senator says he regrets a phone call he made to one of the fired attorneys.

On his last day as U.S. attorney in New Mexico last week, fired federal prosecutor David Iglesias told local reporters that he had been contacted by two congressional Republicans shortly before the November elections.

Iglesias said the two lawmakers, whose names he did not reveal, wanted him to speed up a probe into alleged corruption by a prominent local Democrat.

When the Associated Press asked New Mexico Republican Sen. Pete Domenici, last week about Iglesias' allegations, Domenici was quoted as saying he had no idea what Iglesias was talking about.

But over the weekend, Domenici did an about-face. He issued a statement acknowledging having called the fired U.S. attorney late last year. Domenici said he asked Iglesias about the ongoing investigation and wanted a timeframe on it. He also said that in retrospect, he regretted making the call, and he apologized.

The Justice Department has disclosed that Domenici called U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales four times over the past year and a half to raise questions about Iglesias. A Justice Department spokesman did not respond to repeated requests for further comment.

Domenici's call concerning a case Iglesias was involved has raised ethical concerns. The Senate ethics manual says senators should not communicate with agencies involved in ongoing investigative matters.

What few know about the Patriot Act:

From Law.com

"Recent fallout from the firing of seven U.S. Attorneys revealed that senators last year -- some knowingly and others unknowingly -- waived their advise and consent power by giving the attorney general the sole authority to appoint interim U.S. Attorneys to serve indefinitely when vacancies occurred.

The change in the process came at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice and was inserted into the renewal of the USA Patriot Act that was subsequently adopted by both chambers of Congress. The proverbial "sleeping giant" awakened in the ensuing controversy surrounding the unexplained requests for the resignations of U.S. Attorneys in Arizona, Arkansas, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle."

One more step on toward more Executive Power.
One more step down the road to perdition.

A judge's thoughts on judges and the Constitution

(Note: From time-to-time we get the arm-chair Constitutionalists giving their indoctrinated observations about what the US Constitution is and isn't. My guess, like most of us, their experience with the court system is a traffic ticket, divorce proceedings or some other minor infraction. Nothing that would actually provide any fiber into the intellectual stuffing of their arm-chair conjectures. Such cardboard bantering reminds of the little kids who are all pumped up to see Santa Claus and then clam up when they meet him face-to-face. I found the quote below an interesting observation of a real judge on the workings of the highest court of our land.)

"Justice Douglas, you must remember one thing. At the constitutional level where we work, ninety percent of any decision is emotional. The rational part of us supplies the reasons for supporting our predilections."

Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes


"I thought of the law in the terms of Moses -- principles chiseled in granite. I knew judges had predilections. I knew that their moods as well as their minds were ingredients of their decisions. But I had never been willing to admit to myself that the 'gut' reaction of a judge at the level of constitutional adjudications, dealing with the vagaries of due process, freedom of speech, and the like, was the main ingredient of his decision. The admission of it destroyed in my mind some of the reverence for the immutable principles. But they were supplied the Constitutions written by people in conventions, not by judges. Judges are, after all, not creative figures; they represent ideological schools of thought that are highly competitive. No judge at the level I speak of was neutral. The Constitution is not neutral. It was designed to take the government off the backs of people, and no wiser man than Hughes ever sat on our (US Supreme) Court. I say that although his predilections, drawn from a different age, were not always mine. I never, for example, could envision (Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans) Hughes in a boxcar filled with Wobblies (IWWs) roaring across the dusty plains of Washington State at night, but it was not difficult to picture Hugo Black, Wiley Rutedge, Felix Frankfurter and Frank Murphy there. I could, however, imagine Hughes as an advocate pleading our cause or as a judge putting imperishable words the tolerance which governments show even the most lowly of us."

William O. Douglas
US Spreme Court Justice (1939-1975)
from The Court Years