Democratic Goddesses of America

An UnFair Wisconsin

2006-11-08T11:24:00.000-06:00

So yesterday, the gay marriage ban in Wisconsin passed. Except that it’s not just a gay marriage ban. It also bans civil unions or extending any benefit that flows from marriage to an unmarried couple. Gay or straight.

This is a problem for me, because I had decided that I wasn’t going to get married. Under Wisconsin’s marital property law, any debts that you or your spouse had prior to the marriage (or any assets) become community property that is divisible 50/50 at divorce. I don’t think I should have to be responsible for choices that someone made prior to me even meeting them, and I don’t think they should have to be responsible for my choices. Nor should I benefit off of choices that I wasn’t involved in, and I don’t think the other person should necessarily benefit off my choices. So, I decided that cohabitating was for me, because many of the protections of marriage are, oops, WERE available anyway.

Meanwhile, the same people that voted for what I like to call the Discrimination Amendment voted for reinstating the death penalty in Wisconsin. So what should Wisconsin’s youth learn from this? Apparently, it’s okay to take another human life if you think they are a bad human being, but it’s not okay to tolerate people who have a different view of marriage than you do. Nice lesson, folks.

As the campaign swings into full gear....

2006-10-13T10:21:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I did some campaigning. It felt good.

Until this week, when I have been pestered non-stop with phone calls and emails asking me to do more campaigning for more events. One particular organization contacted me 3 times by phone and twice by email in one bloody day.

I want to volunteer, but I don't have THAT much time. I also want to feel like I am volunteering for an organization/campaign that is running efficiently and won't be wasting my time. All those phone calls do not make me feel confident in their ability to be efficient and not wasteful.

2006-09-07T09:20:00.000-05:00

And so, it's "Cheerio" to Tony Blair within the year.

This saddens me. I never had any hope for George W. Bush, but there was a time when I had hope for Tony Blair. When I not only believed what he said, but also believed in it. Unfortunately, for too many, that time is gone.

2006-09-04T20:37:00.000-05:00

Stay tuned...I'll be back this week!

Adding to the last train of thought...

2006-07-19T23:03:00.000-05:00

I heard this quote on the radio the other day and loved it:

"If your house is on fire, and you have the choice between saving another human being or saving an embryo, which do you choose?"

The answer is, of course, completely obvious.

2006-07-19T22:38:00.000-05:00

"Pro-life means caring about the living, too" - Sen. Orin Hatch.

I have a lot of respect for Sen. Hatch. At least he is consistent.

I do not, however, have a lot of respect for people who frame the issue as using innocent life for research purposes. Because, if we don't use it for research purposes, we just throw it away. Now, which seems to be more respectful? Personally, I would rather have stem cells going to help cure diseases than have them lining the circular file. If people are anti-stem cell research, that's their right. But don't make saving the stem cells sound all noble. Let's call it what it is: wasting hope.

My 1,000,000 dollars

2006-07-17T21:19:00.000-05:00

A long time ago, I wrote a post about voting in America, entitled My 37 Cents. Which led to my acquantence with these two characters. **

Now, a guy in Arizona is proposing that we turn voting into a million dollar lottery. You can read an article about this here. There is a lot of talk about how this might not even be legal under federal law, because it would be the exchange of a vote for money.

You know what I say to that? Blah blah blah. Because people shouldn't need a one in a million chance of getting a million dollars to get them to the polls. It should be enough that there is a one in two chance that we'll end up with someone like Bush again. (Better that one in two chance, actually, if you admit that there is a good chance that the Democratic candidate isn't going to walk on water either). And, if you believe Newt Gingrich, there's a good chance that we are heading for World War III.

If that doesn't get people to the polls, I'm not so sure I want them there.

**Going back and reading the comments to that post made me realize how much things have changed. There was a time when this blog was energized with a level of commitment to and passion for certain issues. I know that lately, this blog hasn't had the same kind of force that I had back in November of '04. Bush is wearing me down. But you know what? I'm not putting up with that anymore. It's bad enough that he is killing the environment, civilians in Iraq, and the hope that stem cell research will lead to a cure for Parkinson's...he doesn't get to kill my spirit too.

Earth to Condi

2006-07-16T09:43:00.000-05:00

Dear Ms. Rice:

I'm sure you are busy putting that really strange flip in your hair, but perhaps your Department could update the travel warning for Israel. You see, there's a little "scuffle" going on between Israel and Lebanon on the northern border, which isn't really adequately included in your February travel warning for the West Bank and Gaza. In fact, at least six people died today in Haifa, a city that my boyfriend was really excited to go back to on this trip to Israel. I'm just thinking that maybe...just maybe...it would be a good idea to update that travel warning.

I know Bush has been all "buddy-buddy, let's not put limits on Israel" for pretty much his whole administration. So maybe you are concerned about the harm to international tourism that occurs when the State Department issues a warning. Meanwhile, though, there is talk of evacuating Americans from Lebanon. Furthermore, strangely, your travel warning for Lebanon doesn't name Israel as the other player creating the "security situation," while your travel warning for Israel seems to clearly place blame for the instability on Hamas/Palestinian militants. Let's play fair (possibly a foreign concept to you and your boss) and just make sure everyone is as safe and informed as possible, ok, Condi?

Then again, you may just be relying on Fox News to get the word out, what with them basically being part of the Bush administration and all. Or, you might have realized that most intelligent people who would take the time to read a travel warning would just ignore anything put together by the Bush administration anyway.

Sincerely,

DemGoddesses

everyone knows i'm in over my head

2006-07-14T23:37:00.000-05:00

I won't claim to be an expert on the numerous conflicts in the Middle East. This is just one person's opinion...

I do know that taking out an entire airport, not to mention everything else, seems to be a bit of an over-reaction.

On the other hand though, what is the right degree of reaction? If you comply with demands to release prisoners, you appear weak...and you open yourself up to similar attacks and demands. Until, one day, you can't take it any more and you don't give in and you take a stand...and you, presumably, end up right where we are now anyway.

If you don't comply, but don't retaliate, it appears that you don't care. And, it's hard forego military action and use diplomatic channels when the offending parties are terroristic groups.

Partly, I feel badly for the Palestinians and the Lebanese, as they are pawns in a much larger strategy, orchestrated by the powers that be in Syria and Iran. Yet, my sympathy has a hard time stretching too far, as these countries and these people have their own minds, and could opt not to stoke the fires of war.

Plus, it's instinctual to be defensive of Israel's actions when someone you care about is there while parts of Israel are being attacked.

But, my instincts also tell me that one column I read today was right. Hezbollah may have overplayed its hand this time. Although some Arabs celebrated in the streets when Hezbollah attacked and then captured Israeli soldiers, I don't know that this will turn out well at all for them in the end. Olmert is new, and he is likely wanting to prove himself as a strong leader. Israel doesn't seem likely to back down.

2006-07-06T22:02:00.000-05:00

I have an important announcement. You all may want to sit down for this.

Ready? Ok...I'm pre-pregnant. Any moment now, I could burst into full blown pregnancy. No joke. This is a SERIOUS matter.

According to the Center for Disease Control, all women between their first menstrual cycle and menopause should be treated as pre-pregnant. They should be taking folic acid. Not for them. No, no, no. For the baby that they may have.

Apparently, women should steer clear of smoking, cat feces, and alcohol as well. Because, you don't know you are pregnant right away...so you never know when these things could pose a danger to the unborn. It reminds me of a sign I saw in an airport bar once: "Consuming Alcohol During Pregnancy or Prior to Conception may cause Birth Defects" (emphasis added).

You can send your pre-baby gifts, any time now. Checks that I can put towards my college education so I can get a job, get some money, get elected, and kick some Republican arse would be ideal.

*****

In other news, today Bush turned the big 6-0 today. Suggested presents you can send to him include:

donations in his name to Planned Parenthood (so women don't have to be pre-pregnant that long)
a hunting trip with Dick Cheney
a speech coach
a dictionary, bookmarked to the word "nuclear," with the pronunciation underlined
a new bike, since he crashes his so often

I realize that for most of you, these suggestions will come too late to give Bush anything today. But, I am sure he will understand if you are a bit belated. It's the thought that counts, right?

2006-05-01T21:02:00.000-05:00

This Dem Goddess is officially on hiatus from this blog until May 20th.

Until then!

Starting the Week Off "Right"

2006-04-17T14:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the nationally beloved Easter Egg Roll...which I had never heard of until this year. For an excellent editorial on this year's event, go here.

The Bush administration is keeping tight-lipped about the participation of many gay and lesbian families at this year's event, other than to say that anyone who follows the "guidelines" is welcome. Fortunately for this week's edition of Starting the Week Off Right, the average conservative just isn't smart enough to keep mum.

"So, for them to publicly display themselves in that manner of the Easter Egg Roll, which is for children like that. It kind of brings about discouragement for me," D.C. resident Michael Jackson said. - From nbc4.com

Darn those gays and lesbians for bringing their kids to the Easter Egg Roll. The event is for kids! Don't they get it! Keep those kids away from the event for kids!

Despite the Bush administrations insistence that all families are welcome, the schedule for the day was altered at the last minute, coincidentally ensuring that Mrs. Bush would not be present at the same time as those ticket holderswho had received tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis (including the gay and lesbian families). In previous years, those families who had waited overnight in line for tickets were given first admission. This year, the change in schedule meant that those families had to wait while the Bush's special guests were entertained during the early morning portion of the event.

But, remember, it's about the kids.

Starting the Week off "Right"

2006-04-10T19:45:00.002-05:00

"Nobody likes a know-it-all woman" - Former Representative Tom DeLay discussing Hilary Clinton with Chris Matthews, prior to appearing on his show.

Gee...I bet a chauvinist criminal is pretty low on the popularity chart, as well.

you were clued in you knew just how this thing would go

2006-04-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

Today, I got to work, opened Internet Explorer and was greated with this headline:

Libby: Bush himself authorized leak on Iraq

This doesn't surprise me. What does sort of surprise me is that Bush even knew what was going on. He clearly wasn't in the loop on the Dubai port deal. He didn't seem to get any of the warnings presented to him that Al Quaeda planned to attack the U.S.

But when it comes to taking down a CIA operative, he's all over it like white on rice. Nice.

Middling the Week off Right

2006-04-05T16:15:00.000-05:00

Rush Limbaugh recently said Al Sharpton was "trying to figure out how he can get involved in the deal down there at Duke where the lacrosse team ... supposedly, you know, raped some, uh, hos."

Media Matters reports that:

Prompted by another caller to apologize for his words, Limbaugh said that he had made the statement because he was "running on fumes today," and called it a "terrible slip of the tongue." But he then added that there are "some inconsistencies" in the case and rephrased his apology, telling the second caller, "I regret that you heard me say it."

Thanks for taking us back to the 1950s, Rush, when women were so OBVIOUSLY to blame for getting themselves raped. We definitely should be calling the victims names. Women are just asking for it...having breasts and vaginas. They should stop that.

Thank you, Captain Obvious...

2006-03-31T09:53:00.000-06:00

(found here: http://www.time.com/time/verbatim/20060327/)

Sandra Day O'Connor

2006-03-24T10:52:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Sandra Day O'Connor took on the growing political crisis in the United States. You can have a listen to NPR's take on it here.

The thing is, that I agree with everything the recently retired Supreme Court Justice had to say. Which is why my level of respect for her has decreased considerably since she announced her retirement.

She was the swing vote. She was the balancing act. She held the line. Then she retired, and the person who took her place is not a swing vote, not interested in holding the line. Not a check on the president's powers. And now she is out and about speaking about how the country is in danger of lacking the balance of powers, of becoming a dictatorship.

If I were Sandra Day O'Connor, I would never have retired. I would have died while still on the court rather than voluntarily give up my seat at a time when the balance of powers is shifting, with the executive attempting to take more and more while a Republican controlled Congress sits back and takes it or, scarily enough, applauds it.

When we were discussing this David said, "she has given so much of her time already, doesn't she deserve a few years with her family? What if she is ill?"

But my answer is that if you are going to become a Supreme Court Justice, if you accept that position, then you have a responsibility. A responsibility to the nation to ensure that the Constitution is respected, that the court doesn't shirk its duty to act as a check on the executive and legistlative branches. And that accepting that responsibility means that you don't abandon it when you are needed most. It would be different if she didn't realize the need, if she disagreed that we were reaching a tipping point. But her speech yesterday shows that she didn't and doesn't have that kind of faith.

I don't disagree with what O'Connor said yesterday. I just think she chose the wrong time to step down from the court if she truly believes what she said herself.

Fun Google Assignment for the Day

2006-03-08T10:29:00.000-06:00

Go to google

Type in failure. Click I Feel Lucky.

Smile, because you are not alone.

Starting the Week "Right"

2006-03-06T14:31:00.000-06:00

"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them." – South Dakota Governor Rounds, in a statement regarding his signing a South Dakota bill outlawing abortion in all cases except for when the life of the mother is at risk. Amendments to allow consideration of the mother’s health and situations of rape and incest were shot down by the South Dakota legislature.

Traditionally, we think of the Ancient Greeks as the beginning of “Western Civilization.” And, being “Western” ourselves, we generally think of ourselves as the most civilized.

Why then, does Gov. Rounds think that the true test of civilization is treatment of the unborn, when there is evidence that suggests that pregnancies were terminated through a number of methods in ancient times, including abortifacient herbs, abdominal pressure, and using sharp instruments. Soranus, a 2^nd century Greek, even wrote about ways in which to end a pregnancy in his work Gynecology.

Meanwhile, how civilized is it to outlaw a procedure so that women either have to fly halfway around the world to a place where abortion is legal or resort to back alley abortions which put both the mother and fetus at risk. How civilized is it to regulate what a woman has to do with her own body? How civilized is it to force a rape victim to carry the rapist’s child and then also allow the rapist to retain parental rights, so that the victim is constantly confronted with him? How civilized is it to tell women and their doctors that they can’t consider the woman’s own health during the pregnancy? How civilized is it to force your beliefs that abortion is wrong on to other people?

It’s South Dakota’s prerogative to pass and sign this law. But they shouldn’t couch it in terms of civilized or un-civilized. Just because you are pro-choice doesn’t mean you don’t care about the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. Further, most pro-choice advocates are liberals…liberals, who fought and continue to fight for racial equality, gender equality, workers’ rights, minimum wage increases, and universal healthcare. So, don’t talk to me about caring about the most vulnerable and most helpless. When Republicans start doing the same, then maybe we can have a real debate.

D'oh!

2006-03-01T12:43:00.000-06:00

Americans can identify more Simpsons characters and American idol judges than they can First Amendment rights, says a study discussed in this article.

This doesn't really surprise me. The thing is that Democrats, at least Democrats in my circle, are all appalled about the PATRIOT Act and the NSA spying program, and they don't understand why more Americans aren't with them. It's because most Americans are too busy watching Fox to take time to worry about their civil liberties, at least until it affects them directly.

Last night, I went to hear a speaker on "Why White Kids Like Hip Hop." One of the theories he spoke about was that white kids have nothing to lose by listening to hip hop, because they aren't affected by any of the political themes. However, black kids who listen to hip hop can't ignore the truth because they are hit upside the head with it. The speaker, like me, said he wasn't sure that this is the whole story. But I do think that there is something to the idea that people don't want to hear the scary truth unless they have to. It's easier to go about your business, eat some donuts, watch some Simpsons and yell at Simon Cowell than it is to stand up for your rights, engage in non-violent protest, and try to make a difference.

Starting the Week Off Punctually Right

2006-02-20T12:03:00.000-06:00

"I brought the gavel down at ten. I was the only one in the room though." -John Bolton, on trying to start meetings on time during his stint as Security Council president.

I have been worried for YEARS about the Security Council members not being punctual. Screw Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, what we really need to focus on is punctuality. I mean, it's just plain rude not to be punctual. They should all be there on time, even if the United States plans to ignore them in the end anyway. Peace? Nuclear weapons? Terrorism? No no no, the real issue facing us today is punctuality. Thank God for John Bolton.

R-e-s-p...what?

2006-02-15T15:04:00.000-06:00

The headline reads "Cheney takes responsibility for shooting." How is that news? If you shoot someone, you should take responsibility. Even if, say, they came up behind you and you didn't know they were there, if you have a gun it is your responsibility to know what you are shooting at. Period.

So I don't know why the media is all in a hub-bub about Cheney taking responsibility. It's something he should have done immediately, rather than let people place blame onMr. Whittington for being in the wrong place unannounced. Perhaps the headline should read "Cheney finally takes responsibility for shooting."

On the other hand, this is definitely a step forward for the administration. Despite the countless people that they are responsible for sending into harm's way, this is the first time that I know of that anyone has taken responsibility.

**and let me just say, again, that I hope Mr. Whittington recovers soon.

Starting the Week off Left...For Leah

2006-02-13T18:50:00.001-06:00

"For years, Democrats have played defense. I want to be Brett Favre and throwing long balls and win." - Joe Wineke of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin at a speech in LaCrosse

Cheney shoots man in hunt error

2006-02-12T20:24:00.000-06:00

First, let me start by saying that I hope Mr. Whittington, the victim of this accident, is okay.

Now...is anyone surprised that someone who is a major part of the Bush administration has trouble pointing a weapon in the right direction? For example, remember what happened, oh say, with our search for weapons of mass destruction? We pointed our big guns at Iraq and, oopsies, no WMDs...but Bin Laden is still out there, just like the bird at which Cheney was supposed to be aiming.

This

2006-02-10T16:15:00.000-06:00

This is why I am apathetic. This is why I don't think there is anything I can do. This is the problem.

When I am not surprised to hear that the Vice-President allegedly authorized leaks of classified information that put CIA operatives lives in danger, there is a problem. Perhaps, I have lost faith in the system. I think a lot of people have lost faith in the system. That's why voter turnout is so low. They know (or think they know) that their vote doesn't matter.

That's why we needed someone like John Edwards. Someone willing to say "So?" when faced with the threat of being pegged a sore loser. Someone willing to stand up and fight. Someone who knows that opportunity is the key, and is willing to go out there and push for it.

On the other hand...

2006-02-09T13:31:00.000-06:00

This was a woman who was never apathetic.

Apathy

2006-02-09T08:48:00.000-06:00

Apathy is not a very goddess-like feeling. Nonetheless, it's what I've been feeling lately towards national and world politics. or a while after the 2004 election, I had a lot of energy to still try to change things, to make my voice heard. Now, it all seems a bit overwhelming. When you look at all the things that have happened, and that there are still people who wholeheartedly support Bush, it is enough to make anyone start to question whether you can really make a difference.

Some people claim that the buterfly effect really works...but I feel like I have been doing a lot more than fluttering my wings, and I've yet to see a result from it. That doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying...but I may need a little encouragement. In the meantime, I hope you all will bear with this blog until I get my voice back.

Starting the Week off "Right"

2006-02-06T08:34:00.000-06:00

"Anyone with an ounce of sense would see it exactly the opposite" - Donald Rumsfeld, commenting on reports that the U.S. military is overstretched.

Given that a Pentagon report says that the U.S. forces are overextended, that would mean that either the report is right or the Pentagon doesn't have an ounce of sense. Who is in charge at the Pentagon??? Hmmm.....

Starting the Week off "Right"

2006-01-30T19:06:00.000-06:00

“Any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires -- a wiretap requires a court order...Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so.” - President Bush, during a campaign speech in Buffalo, NY in 2004...over two years after his administration begin the NSA wiretapping program without warrants.

What's worse? So-called "flip-flopping" or flat out lying?

From the forest itself comes the hand for the ax

2006-01-26T09:00:00.000-06:00

"You cannot have one foot in politics and the other in terror." - US Secretary of State Rice, on Hamas.

"The onus is now on Hamas to choose between democracy or violence. You cannot have both." - UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw

And I'd just like to say that I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. You cannot resort to violence against a nation just because you dislike them. You cannot force your agenda on to others through violence. You cannot resort to violence and maintain the respect of the international community. When threats, violence, and force become a first resort rather than a last, the true meaning of democracy cannot survive.

Oh....

I can' t say that I am surprised by the Palestinian election results. Fatah has been rife with corruption, and the public will only wait for so long for a party to clean itself up before finding new hope in a new party. But I am disillusioned somewhat. To see so clearly that people are willing to put their faith in a party that has built its reputation on militancy, well, it has put a damper on my hopes for the world.

More on world opinion here.

media bias anyone?

2006-01-23T17:05:00.000-06:00

With "news" stories reported this way, it's no wonder that there are still people willing to vote Republican. I'm not going to elaborate, because the "article" speaks for itself.

Starting the Week off "Right"

2006-01-23T11:55:00.000-06:00

Bush describes his NSA spying program as "necessary to win this war and to protect the American people." He also asserts that the program is being "constantly" reviewed by the Justice Department.

Maybe he needs a remedial course in U.S. government. The whole idea of separate branches is checks and balances. When you have a spying program that doesn't get approval of the FISA court, the executive branch has no check on it. It doesn't matter if the Justice Department is constantly reviewing it, because the Justice Department is, in fact, still part of the executive branch. It's basically saying "well, I checked with myself and I still thought it was ok, so I'm giving myself the go ahead to keep on going ahead." For a party that seems to invoke our founding father's original intent, they don't seem to be paying much attention to the basic tenents set up by the founders.

Further, the White House line is currently that communications of suspected al Qaeda members is essential to national security. I agree, and I would strongly suspect that most other Democrats do as well. But if we have reason to believe that people are associated with al Qaeda, then it shouldn't be a problem to get a warrant from the FISA court. And if the FISA law doesn't meet the current needs, then ask Congress to pass a new law with new regulations. Again, checks and balances. Perhaps Bush needs a little sign for himself that reads "It's the Constitution, stupid."

you starve your heart, you starve your head

2006-01-17T15:08:00.000-06:00

I've just read an article on over-population, that claims that the welfare state is part of the core problem resulting in our inability to control our population. In the "old days," a family that overbred would not be able to adequately provide for all their children, and some would inevitably starve to death. Thinking that this seemed an unfair result for innocent children, we implemented the welfare state, which ensures that death by starvation doesn't occur, thus increasing the number of children who survive to have children of their own.

I don't know what I think about this. I see their point. They are right. Without the welfare state, many children probably would starve to death. But is that a good thing? Aren't there other ways to deal with the overpopulation crisis? For example, cutting down on overconsumption, so that there are more resources for the entire population, or education on family planning, so that people don't have more children than they can afford. Believing that the solution is to allow children to starve seems unnecessarily harsh.

Starting the Week Off "Right" - MLK Jr Day Edition

2006-01-16T08:56:00.000-06:00

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, I wanted to highlight how far we have left to go to reach his dream. Too often, people think that because they don't see outright discrimination in front of their faces, that means the problem is solved. It's not.

"Do you have blacks, too?" - President Bush, asking Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Washington, D.C., May 19, 2002

"George Bush hates black people" - Kanye West, in a benefit for Hurricane Katrina

"Fifty years ago in Montgomery, Alabama, this humble seamstress stood up to injustice by refusing a bus driver's order that she give up her seat for a white man. Her show of defiance was an act of personal courage that moved millions, including a young preacher named Martin Luther King. She will always have a special place in American history, and our nation thinks of Rosa Park and her loved ones today." - George W. Bush, eulogy for Rosa Parks, Washington, D.C., Oct. 25, 2005

"And then we'll be going to Goree Island, where I'll be giving a speech about race, race in the world, race as it relates to Africa and America. And we're in the process of writing it. I can't give you any highlights of the speech yet because I, frankly, haven't seen it.: - Bush, Washington, D.C., Jul. 3, 2003

When someone truly believes that George Bush hates black people, to the point where they say so off-script on live television, there is a problem. When the president can seriously ask another world leader if they have blacks too, as if he is asking about a thing and not people, there's a problem. When the president can't remember the proper name of someone famous for her role in the civil rights movement, there's a problem. When the president is so detached from his own policies on race that he doesn't even know what he will be saying about it in a speech, there's a problem.

I'm not saying that Bush or the Republicans are the only ones responsible for this problem. They are not. But they are our current leadership.

There's a problem. And there is one way to solve that problem. Education. Education about race issues, education about the history of discrimination, and education about how it is continuing. Until the nation recognizes that there is still a very real and very tangible problem, we'll never reach Martin Luther King Jr's dream.

"Racism isn't born, folks, it's taught. I have a two-year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list." -

Did anyone else...

2006-01-12T08:09:00.000-06:00

See Alito's wife crying behind him during the confirmation hearings yesterday? Good grief, woman, pull yourself together!

I thought it was pretty funny, actually.

trying to make a move just to stay in the game

2006-01-10T22:27:00.000-06:00

This article was too priceless not to link: Blunt and Boehner: Dumb and Dumber

In related news, my local news reports that my representative's name (Paul Ryan, R-WI) was brought up as a possible successor to DeLay. To Ryan's credit, he gave an interview saying that the majority leader position would require him to work much longer hours and that, quite frankly, his family was more important than adding extra hours to further his career. Too often the Republicans preach family values but don't really display them. Good for Paul, I say.

Starting the Week off With Republicans Eating Their Own

2006-01-09T15:43:00.000-06:00

By now, I am sure you all have heard about President Bush's domestic spying program. He defends this program as legal and based on the constitution...no matter that the Congressional Research Service has said that the legal basis for the president's program is thin. This doesn't matter to Bush because, as Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas puts it, "None of your civil liberties matter much after you're dead."

Gee, John...unless you are representing a bunch of dead people, you might want to think about what the living Americans think about their civil liberties.

Meanwhile, KnightRidder reports that conservative constitutional lawyer Bruce Fein is apparently not such a loyal Republican. Fein states "President Bush presents a clear and present danger to the rule of law. ... Congress should insist the president cease the spying unless or until a proper statute is enacted, or face possible impeachment." Fein also pointed out that President Bush has clearly broken the federal law that requires a president obtain warrants.

I don't even have to add on to that. Well done, Mr. Fein.

Starting the New Year off "Right"

2006-01-04T10:21:00.000-06:00

So I've been slacking on Starting the Week Off Right. But, really, who can blame me?? Would you want your head filled with Republican thoughts like this one during the holidays?

"So I guess you want me to be the superhero that is going to step in there and suddenly take everyone out of New Orleans" (Mike Brown, director of FEMA).

Uh, yeah, Mike...or even not so suddenly but just promptly. Because that is what the job of the director of FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT is supposed to do...manage emergencies.

"Thanks for the chance to get out of Washington" (President Bush, speaking to a crowd in Norfolk on terrorism)

Riiiight, because you haven't been out of Washington enough already. Didn't you set the record for most presidential vacation????

"We can, with the passage of this bill, become the Saudi Arabia of ethanol. (GOP Wisconsin State Rep. Steve Freese, on passage of his bill that requires consumers in Wisconsin to purchase ethanol gasoline)

I've always thought that Wisconsin was a lot like Saudi Arabia...plus, shouldn't every state want to be more like Saudia Arabia? Maybe next we can discriminate against women, violate human rights, and have the government dictate every aspect of our lives. Oh, wait....you mean the government is already dictating what kind of gas we have to buy???

I watched fun tv last night

2005-12-23T11:19:00.000-06:00

I was watching The Daily Show when my dad returned last night, and he didn't make me turn it off. Progress perhaps??

It's the most wonderful time of the year

2005-12-14T19:49:00.000-06:00

I used to think that the Christmas season was the "happiest season of all" with "everyone telling you be of good cheer." Marshmallows for toasting and chestnuts for roasting and all that jazz.

But, apparently, I am instead expected to commune with Satan. According to Bill O'Reilly, anyway. See the video here. I wonder if this means I should return the Christmas presents I bought? I am guessing Satan frowns on celebrating Christmas...

I have really had it with this war on Christmas story. The people who are really attacking Christmas are those who can't see far enough past their noses to understand that Christmas isn't about making sure we rub our religion in everyone's face whether they are Christian or not. If a store wants to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, that's their perogative. It doesn't injure your ability to celebrate your own faith at all. If you need to see big signs saying Merry Christmas everywhere in order to feel Christmas-y, then maybe you need to reexamine what Christmas was all about. There was a baby...in a manger. Under a star. No neon lights. No Christmas tree. Just some hay and a family...and a few dedicated believers, quietly celebrating a special birth.

Merry Christmas, Bill. I hope that you find a healthy dose of reality under your tree this year.

Compare and Contrast

2005-12-13T22:25:00.000-06:00

Jon Stewart summed up recent developments best. Noting that Great Britain has approved civil unions for same-sex partners and that South Africa has approved marriages for same sex partners, Stewart stated "America...is now less progressive...than South Africa."

Good for South Africa. And Great Britain. Although Stewart thinks you Brits are a bit "namby-pamby" for calling it a civil union and "hoping Jesus doesn't notice." I think, either way, it is a brilliant step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, here in Wisconsin, gays may be close to having same sex marriages barred by constitutional amendment.

Starting the Week Off Deadly Right

2005-12-12T15:15:00.000-06:00

"After studying the evidence, searching the history, listening to the arguments and wrestling with the profound consequences, I could find no justification for granting clemency." - Governor Schwarzenegger, denying clemency to Stanley Williams.

Guess they don't call him the Terminator for nothin'...

people killin' people dyin'

2005-12-09T13:43:00.000-06:00

The US media has been giving quite a bit attention to Stanley Tookie Williams. For those of you unfamiliar, Williams is one of the original founders of the Crips street gang, which has grown into one of the largest gangs in the United States. He was convicted of four murders, but has maintained his innocence throughout his 24 year imprisonment.

I was watching CNN earlier today, and they were reading viewer emails on the subject. One viewer wrote in saying that we shouldn't grant clemency just because someone has turned their life around while in prison. That will encourage people to fake redemption, she said.

You know what? If someone wants to fake redemption for 13 years, write children books, and work so hard at correcting the wrongs they have done that they are nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize several times, that's okay with me. Because whether they mean it on the inside or not, they are doing the world a service, which we shouldn't end with death. If we send Williams to death, we send the message that it doesn't matter how much good you do, you can't turn your life around. I wonder how many young people Williams has dissuaded from a life of gang-related crime? How many lives has this saved?

The families of the victims say that too much attention is being paid to this criminal, and there is not enough focus on his crimes. I can sympathize with that. But if it was my family member who had died, I think their memory would be better honored by allowing Williams to have his sentence commuted to life in prison while he continues to work against violence than to have Williams put to death.

I disagree with the death penalty. I think it is (aside from being inhumane) too final a result for an imperfect justice system. When you send someone to life in prison, you take away their freedom. If evidence laters shows them to be innocent, you can never give them back what they have lost. But you can give them back their freedom. You can't give someone back their life.

Starting the Week off "Right"...

2005-12-05T10:45:00.000-06:00

This week marks the first occassion that Rummy has started our week off "right." This is somewhat surprising, given his penchant for ridiculous statements.

Rumsfeld said there is a "jarring contrast between what the American people are reading and hearing about Iraq and the views of the Iraqi people."

Hmm…would that be the real views of the Iraqi people or the ones the US is paying them for?

Starting the Week Off Criminally Right

2005-11-28T17:02:00.000-06:00

“The truth is I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my office" - Representative Cunningham, who admitted to selling his home at a grossly inflated price to defense contractors, in exchange for securing contracts for them.

Perhaps DeLay could follow suit and show that he has SOME tiny degree of integrity. Oh...right.

2005-11-21T18:48:00.000-06:00

000_0032
Originally uploaded by WonderGoddess.

Your resident goddesses, this past Saturday morning. I personally think Leah bought this shirt, just so she would have something cheesy to wear in the photo to upstage her "Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky" shirt from the original goddess photo.

Starting the Week off...Right!!!!

2005-11-21T12:06:00.000-06:00

"Still, Feingold is as Wisconsin, and in some ways as admirable, as Leinenkugel's beer."
-- Conservative George F. Will, on the possibility of a Feingold presidential campaign. Read his column here.

Yay for Russ and Leinenkugel's!

Get Ready Get Ready!

2005-11-16T12:19:00.000-06:00

Your resident goddesses are planning on a girls night this Friday, perhaps complete with some dual-blogging, ala LB and Ka. On the other hand, if you don't hear from us, it will be because were perhaps are having a bit too much fun to be bothered by Bush, Frist, DeLay, Rove, Blair, Alito, or Cheney for an evening.

Starting the Week off Right

2005-11-15T12:27:00.000-06:00

"While it's perfectly legitimate to criticize my decision or the conduct of the war, it is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began." - President Bush, in his Veteran's Day speech

Hmmm...irresponsible like, say, having Colin Powell lie to the UN? Or alleging that Iraq had tried to buy yellowcake when you had already been alerted to the falsity of that statement? Or maybe irresponsible like when you politicize Veteran's Day for your own political gain rather than using it to strictly honor our veterans?

Irresponsible like that, perhaps?

Who does this guy think he is?!

2005-11-11T10:20:00.000-06:00

After the Pennsylvanian town of Dover chose to not reelect 8 schoolboard members who had tried to introduce the theory of intelligent design into the school district, this is what Pat Robertson, infamous religious broadcaster, had to say:

"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God. You just rejected him from your city." He then went on to say, "If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin. Maybe he can help them."

Who does Robertson think he is?! God himself?! And it almost sounds like he hopes a crisis befalls this town so these people suffer and are called to repent. Very Christian-like indeed.

Cheers to the people of Dover, though, for understanding the importance of church and state!

May I also add that Robertson is the man who, in October 2003, "suggested that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device" and "that feminism encourages women to 'kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.'"

Story: Pat Robertson warns town of disaster

The Torture Never Stops

2005-11-07T10:05:00.000-06:00

Cheney
Originally uploaded by Jen628.

Republicans often claim that the liberals complaining about torture, wanting to pull out of Iraq, etc. is only given fodder to the insurgency. I usually respond to this by saying that had we not gone to Iraq and were we not actually torturing prisoners and that our administration wants to legalize torture, there would be nothing to complain about, and further, it's more likely the acts than the complaints that are inciting anti-Americanism.

But no matter. I now have a brand new response, as I've just seen this photo of Cheney on Aljazeera. When you make faces like that, and then they publish it, it's no wonder that people hate you.

Starting the Week off "Right"

2005-11-07T08:28:00.001-06:00

"I got it at Nordstroms. Email McBride and make sure she kniows! Are you proud of me? Can I quit now? Can I go home?" Michael Brown in an August 29th response to an email from Cindy Taylor, telling him he looked "fabulous" during the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

I don't want to defend Michael Brown. But the recently released emails show a man who obviously knew he was in over his head. Which begs the question, why wasn't Michael Chertoff aware that his subordinates were not qualified to handle a disaster of this proportion? As the head of the department, he should have been aware. In my opinion, Brown has been turned into a scapegoat, leaving everyone else in the Department of Homeland Security to point the finger and save themselves.

Naughty Republican

2005-11-01T12:26:00.000-06:00

Boy, I should have held off one day on Starting the Week Off Right!

Quick quiz: Who wrote the following lines?

"He could feel her heart beneath his hands. He moved his hands slowly lower still and she arched her back to help him and her lower leg came against his. He held her breasts in his hands. Oddly, he thought, the lower one might be larger.... One of her breasts now hung loosely in his hand near his face and he knew not how best to touch her."

Get your answer by clicking on the quote.

Starting the Week Off "Far Right"

2005-10-31T10:41:00.000-06:00

"I want the president to look across the country and find the best man, woman, or minority that he can find." -- Senator Trent Lott

I'm sorry, man, woman, or....minority??? As though minorities wouldn't be covered by simply saying men and women? We have to throw the word "minority" in there separately?

Found It!

2005-10-26T14:18:00.000-05:00

I knew there was a Hutchinson quote from the Clinton years...

"But during the impeachment trial of President Clinton, it was Senator Hutchison who said, "The reason that I voted to remove him from office is because I think the overriding issue here is that truth will remain the standard for perjury and obstruction of justice in our criminal justice system, and it must not be gray. It must not be muddy." (Thank you MSNBC!)

Compare with my previous post...

Starting the Week off "Right"

2005-10-24T09:43:00.000-05:00

"Senator Hutchison said she hoped 'that if there is going to be an indictment that says something happened, that it is an indictment on a crime and not some perjury technicality where they couldn't indict on the crime and so they go to something just to show that their two years of investigation was not a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.'" (New York Times)

Funny how perjury has gone from a MAJOR issue during the Clinton administration to a "technicality" when it's the Bush administration.

For the record, perjury is not a technicality. It's a serious crime that shows serious disrespect for the America justice system. We depend on people meaning it when they swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Otherwise, our justice system really doesn't mean anything, as we can't trust the results. But hey, that's just a technicality.

some of them want to abuse you....

2005-10-21T20:46:00.000-05:00

I couldn't have said it better myself, so here's Molly Ivin's take on Bush's threat to veto the anti-torture amendment....

So deeply does President Bush feel our country, despite all its treaty commitments, has a right to torture that he has threatened to veto the bill if it passes. This would the first time in five years he has ever vetoed anything. Think about it: Five years of stupefying pork, ideological nonsense, dumb administrative ideas, fiscal idiocy, misbegotten energy programs -- and the first thing the man vetoes is a bill to pay our soldiers because it carries an amendment saying, once again, that this country does not torture prisoners.

This is the United States of America. It is our country, not George W. Bush's personal property. The United States of America still stands for the rights of man, for freedom, dignity and justice. We do not torture helpless prisoners. Our soldiers are not the SS, not the North Vietnamese who tortured McCain and others for years on end, not bestial Argentinean fascists, not the Khmer Rouge.

Remember, we invaded Iraq because Saddam Hussein was such a horrible brute that he tortured people. This is beyond disgusting. The House Republicans, which have no shame, will try to weaken McCain's amendment. They need to hear from decent Republicans all over this country. Don't leave this hideous stain on your party's name. This is NOT what America stands for. We've had more loathsome and more dangerous enemies than Al-Qaida and managed to defeat them without resorting to torture.

For a limited time, you can see her whole column here.

On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin, fight on....

2005-10-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

I love my university. I really really love it. And emails like the one copied below are part of the reason why....

To: Law School Community

From: Dean Kenneth B. Davis, Jr.

Re: Military Recruitment at the Law School

Date: October 21, 2005

As many of you know, the Law School's longstanding policy is that any employer utilizing the Career Services Office to recruit or employ law students or graduates must agree not to discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, handicap, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest record or conviction record. The faculty adopted this policy because we are attempting to nurture within the Law School a community of mutual respect and inclusiveness.

On Tuesday October 25, and possibly on one or two occasions during the spring semester, military recruiters will be here at the Law School to interview law students for summer and full time positions in the JAG Corps of the various branches of the military. Because the Armed Services permit gay men, lesbians and bisexuals to serve in the military only if such individuals neither disclose, nor act upon, their sexual orientation (commonly known as the "don't ask, don't tell" rule), permitting recruiters from the Armed Services to interview our law students is not consistent with our employer non-discrimination policy. This letter is intended to clarify why recruiters for the armed services are nevertheless being allowed to interview students here at the Law School.

Congress has adopted a provision, known as the Solomon Amendment, which requires schools to provide the military with full access to students for recruitment purposes or risk termination of certain federal funds. This provision has been interpreted to place at risk not simply any federal grant and contract funds of the Law School, but those of the entire University of Wisconsin. The Law School thus permits on-campus interviewing by military recruiters for pragmatic reasons.

The presence of military interviewers within the Law School should not be misunderstood to reflect a decision by the faculty to endorse the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, or to tolerate discrimination in any form. I want to reiterate the commitment of the faculty, administrators and staff to making the Law School, and the Office of Career Services, a welcoming and supportive place for all our students.

The fact that these interviews will occur does not mean that the Law School has retreated in any way from our strongly held view that our gay, lesbian and bisexual students should be able to seek any and every job for which they are qualified, and that they should be allowed to serve in those jobs with honesty, integrity and pride. Proof of this commitment is evidenced by the Law School faculty's vote last spring to join FAIR (the Forum for Academic and Institutional Rights), which is challenging the constitutionality of the Solomon Amendment in a case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court.

I want to underscore that the Law School is opposed to discrimination, not to military service. Generations of our students and alumni have served in the military; many are serving today. We are proud of them and grateful to all the men and women of the Armed Services for the sacrifices they make to defend this nation. It is because we hold the military in high regard that we believe it is especially important for all students to have equal access to the exceptional opportunities offered by the military to serve our country.

We at the Law School cannot, alone, change the hiring policies of the Armed Services. We can and will, however, make clear our own opposition to discrimination of any kind, and we will continue to do all that we can to assure our gay, lesbian and bisexual students, staff and faculty that they are welcome and valued members of our community.

Starting the Week off "Right"

2005-10-17T14:36:00.000-05:00

"Who can be critical of someone driving an American motorcycle made in Wisconsin?"
-- Republican Sen. Dave Zien answering criticism that he claims state reimbursement for vehicle mileage based on an automobile, when he drives a more fuel-efficient motorcycle. Fellow Republican Sen. Rob Cowles claimed just half his miles in travel because his hybrid Toyota Prius gets 50 miles a gallon. (from wispolitics.com)

Uh...how about people who think you are scamming taxpayers by being reimbursed for more than you are actually spending?

And is anyone else shocked to hear that a Republican is driving a hybrid? Guess he didn't want to pay taxes at the pump...

Tidbits

2005-10-16T21:43:00.000-05:00

Below are tidbits of news and random stories that I have found amusing, interesting, or obnoxious throughout the past week or so...Enjoy!

"When any government - whether federal, state, county, city or church government - denies any female access to birth control - whether the Pill, condoms, RU486, the morning-after pill or abortion - then that government is forcing that female to become a breeder. And that, my friends, is slavery." -Grace Cooper. Very well stated, I think!
"The Vatican has recently strengthened its stance against the practice of yoga. In a document written before he became pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger warned that yoga 'can degenerate into a cult of the body.'" This reminded me of Jenni's "No food, no makeup, no bubble baths, and no sex" protest! What is the point of life if you cannot enjoy it???
"Ever since he (Lenin) died in 1924, his body has been on public display at the Kremlin. In my last report, I took pity on the poor slob responsible for keeping his corpse life-like and remarked on the possibility that it might at last be buried. But Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the last Soviet president, now says the 'moment has not come yet' to bury Lenin. Not come yet? Come on, Gorby. It's been more than 80 years. How much longer do you want?" -Richard Foster, editorial writer. I've always wanted to go to Russia. It's near the top of my destination list.
"Make levees, not war" - new t-shirt slogan
Headline: "Saddam expects to prove innocence, lawyer says"
Lead paragraph to preceeding headline: "Saddam Huessein is reading the Quran and writing poetry in his 12-by-15 foot jail cell as he readies himself for his trial next week." Who would have thought that Saddam has a poetic soul?
Headline: Gore criticizes U.S. policy, has no plans to run again. I've always wondered...what has gone through Gore's mind since the 2000 election? Is he insanely bitter? Was he relieved, even the tiniest bit, after 9/11? Does he laugh every time Bush attempts to speak? I'm quite curious to these answers, and a lot more.

One is the Loneliest Number...Two Can be as Bad as One

2005-10-14T12:29:00.000-05:00

1 – the number of Iraqi battalions that the Defense Department has reported are trained

2 – the percent of Bush’s approval rating with African-Americans (The Stephanie Miller show)

4 – number of times Karl Rove has appeared before the Plame grand jury

29 – the percentage of Americans who believe Harriet Miers is qualified for the Supreme Court (MSNBC)

41 – the percent of people who think Bush’s entire presidency is unsuccessful (AP)

57 – percent of Americans who say Frist’s sale of stock right before it’s value declined does indicate potential illegal activity (MSNBC)

Tra la la la la la?

2005-10-11T12:56:00.000-05:00

I've been holding off on this post in the hopes of finding a link to the video. But, since I have been unsuccessful, here's the story:

UNICEF has put together a commercial in which our happy friends, the Smurfs, are bombed. The final frame shows baby smurf crying with presumably dead smurfs lying on the ground around him. You can see a still image on boingboing.

The commercial is part of a Belgian campaign to raise money to rehabilitate child soldiers in Burundi, and is intended to better convey the reality of war. Apparently, people have become desensitized to the images of real people being affected by war, and UNICEF is hoping that the Smurfs will have more of an impact.

Sadly, I can personally report that the news of the Smurf commercial has produced more of a reaction in me than news of the destruction caused by war itself. I think this is because I see the Smurfs as innocent and happy, where as I can find fault with humans. But you know, so often the victims of war are innocent. So while I'm not sure that I like the UNICEF commercial, I do appreciate that wake up call.

Starting the Week off Right

2005-10-10T20:24:00.000-05:00

This really needs no introduction:

"If you wanted to reduce crime you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down"
-Bill Bennet, former U.S. Secretary of Education under Ronald Reagan.

In his defense, he did go on to say that this would be ridiculous and immoral...Unfortunately,he couldn't resist again tacking on "but your crime rate would go down."

Came across this quote this evening

2005-10-09T22:46:00.000-05:00

"The path to true patriotism is confronting your government when it lies."
- Patrick Tillman Sr, father of Pat Tillman (1976-2004)

A positive story from Iraq

2005-10-08T23:26:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you guys, but reading the news can be so depressing at times. Sometimes I avoid the media for periods of time because I become so overwhelmed by it all. I feel depressed, anxious, even guilty - guilty for having so much, guilty for not doing enough to make the world better, etc, etc. So when I came across the following article in the Oct. 7 edition of USA Today, I pounced on it, thankful for an uplifting story.

The article is entitled, "Women opening up to Baghdad radio station" and here are some of the bits and pieces I found most interesting:

Launched earlier this year, al-Mahaba, which means "love" in Arabic, is the first independent women's radio station in Iraq. The format is a mixture of news, music and talk.
Ruwaida Kamal, 30, who hosts a program, said callers address a slew of personal and political issues that affect them as women, including family relationships and the wearing of head scarves. The radio station receives 70 to 100 calls a day...
"Iraqi women suffered a lot," says Kamal Jabbar, chairman of the station. "The radio station...does not belong to any political party and helps women to tell their concerns and opinions without fear."
...
It was launched with funding from UNIFEM, a UN agency that supports women's issues...It started broadcasting 4 hours daily and now is on the air for 18.
"Women are so happy to have their own radio station to tell their stories and voice their ambitions and fears," Kamal says.

Con-cussed out

2005-10-06T23:02:00.000-05:00

I am sorry to report that my presence here has been sparse this week, and will continue to be lacking for the next few days. I (no joke) hit my head on my car door and have a concussion. The headache is finally starting to subside, but since it hurts to even blink, I think I'll be leaving this blog in the able hands of Leah.

Where is the justice?

2005-10-05T13:34:00.000-05:00

My mum recently took a man to small claims court. She had done two weeks worth of work on his business website and had not been paid for several months. The judgment ruled in her favor, that he was in the wrong and had to pay my mom $1200 for this work. Well, he refuses to pay; in fact, he now claims that he is below the federal poverty level, despite the fact that he owns a business and has property and computers, etc, etc among his assets. (This, by the way, is the simplified version. This man is a rude sleazeball and has been the utmost pain-in-the-ass for my mum to deal with.) So, despite a favorable judgment, my mom still has not received a dime. What good is a favorable judgment if my mom has to go on a vigilante, Nancy Drew hunt? After hours of her wild goose chase through bureaucracy (calling this county courthouse, then the next, then the sheriff's department, etc, etc, ETC - naturally, no one knows the protocol) to try to figure out how to get her money. It makes me wonder how a less intelligent, less persistent person with fewer dollars and hours to spare would wade through this mess of a process - why is justice this bloody difficult? Finally, my mom is told she will have to request the DA to take up her plight...Because I'm sure the DA doesn't have a gazillion and one other cases on his plate. Mega-frustration indeed. And then, after chatting with her lawyer friend, my mom was able to find a LIST (literally) of judgments (which include fraud and theft among others) against this scumbucket online, with the judgments dating back through the 1990s! No joke! He still owes the Wisconsin's Department of Revenue $35,000, amongst many, many others. Many questions here...the biggest being, Why on earth is this man still allowed to own a business if he continues to screw people over? And why can't his ass be put in jail?

My mom is unfortunately not expecting to see her money returned but is hoping that his business, at the very least, can be shut down so his scamming ways are put to an end so others are not affected as well. Very, very frustrating!

For the inside scoop on the Supreme Court nominee...

2005-10-04T11:31:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Dan, here is Harriet Miers's blog: http://harrietmiers.blogspot.com/
Check it out!

Come sail away, come sail away....with your tax dollars

2005-09-28T07:41:00.000-05:00

"When the federal government would actually save millions of dollars by forgoing the status quo and actually sending evacuees on a luxurious six-month cruise it is time to rethink how we are conducting oversight. A short-term temporary solution has turned into a long-term, grossly overpriced sweetheart deal for a cruise line," said Coburn and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in a joint statement yesterday calling for a chief financial officer to oversee Katrina spending. (from an article on msnbc.com)

That's right folks, the per person weekly cost of keeping three Carnival cruise ships docked in the Gulf ($1,275/week) is more than it would have been to actually SEND PEOPLE ON A CRUISE ($599/week for a Caribbean cruise). Additionally, Carnival is seeking a waiver for taxes during the time it's ships are in the U.S. harbor. Meanwhile, the Carnival ships, remain mostly empty.

But even more astonishing is that FEMA was lacking contracts for basic hurricane relief supplies like tarps to cover damaged roofs. Waiting until the last minute to contract means that the private sector is able to drive up prices.

Hell of a job, Brownie.

Starting the Week off Right

2005-09-26T22:14:00.000-05:00

From The Washington Post's recap of the pro-war rally

"Saddam Hussein is a moron, and you're a moron!" - yelled by a pro-war protestor towards a man wearing a shirt that read "Wanted for Mass Murder: The Bush Regime."

Hmm...some might say that if having a moron for a leader is all it takes for it to be worth the world invading your country, America better watch out. And is it really compassionate to call names? Speaking of "compassionate"...

"Johns said she knew what she'd like to do with Sheehan and the antiwar protesters who descended on Washington on Saturday: "I'd like to ship them to Iran." The comment earned applause."

Oh, look, there's that "compassionate" conservatism we are always hearing about. Which makes me think, I'm really glad that they try to be compassionate, as it's scary to think where they would want to send people exercising their First Amendment rights if they weren't being "compassionate."

And to wrap things up...a war supporter's message to anti-war protesters that appears in the Chicago Tribune

"Don't be a group of unthinking lemmings"

Right. Because WE'RE the group of unthinking...lemmings....for...disagreeing with...what...we're told by the administration?

Vietnam literature

2005-09-23T23:05:00.000-05:00

Last week I mentioned Vietnam in a blog, which reminded me of a class I took my last semester of university. It was a class solely dedicated to the War, a period in history that, although not long ago, I knew very little about. From middle school on up, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and particularly World Wars I and II are covered over and over...but then classes end, summer begins, and the Vietnam War is never sufficiently covered in the classroom. I love history in general, but because I knew so little on the subject, I was particularly excited to get into this class. And what a class it was, wow! Although I despised my professor, it still is one of the best classes I have ever taken. We read and discussed literature and movies; spoke with veterans themselves; and everyday we discussed how this costly war and its effects are still within society every single day. It was a very moving, emotionally gut-wrenching class; I honestly left class almost everyday feeling naseous. The issues and experiences discussed were incredibly intense. I thought I would share a few of the books I read on the subject, just in case anyone is interested or is in need of a good, thought-provoking read.

Each broaches Vietnam (and war and those it effects) from differing perspectives.

The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien
"They carried malaria tablets, love letters, 28 pound mine detectors, dope, illustrated Bibles, each other. And, if they made it home alive, they carried unrelenting images of a nightmarish war that history is only beginning to absorb." O'Brien is a veteran himself, but this book is a fictional account of several soldiers' stories. This was my favorite piece - words can't even describe. And O'Brien's writing is top-notch. Every word feels perfectly chosen.

The Quiet American - Grahm Greene
"Graham Greene wrote this novel in 1955. It's set in the early fifties when Vietnam was still Indo-China and there was a war raging between the French and the Vietnamese (for independence). It's obvious he's worried about the future and American involvement, and this theme resonates throughout the book as well as gives an eerie foreshadowing of what we all know happened later. At only 188 pages, it's a seemingly simple story of mystery, adventure and love. But it's also a story of a people, a place and a time as well as a warning about the future.
Thomas Fowler, the narrator, is a hardened British war correspondent. He in a relationship young Vietnamese woman named Phuong, enjoys his opium pipes, and manages to get along with his fellow correspondents. Suddenly, a young naïve American, named Alden Pyle, arrives in Vietnam, supposedly as an aid worker. When he declares his love for Phuong, the plot thickens. But this is just one facet of the story as both men are thrust into the war, viewing the meaningless deaths around them and coming very close to death themselves. Pyle's mission to Indo-China becomes increasingly suspect, and as Fowler discovers one clue after another, the conclusion is inevitable.
I was immediately drawn into the story, which sets up a mystery and keeps the reader wondering until the very end. At the same time, the three main characters are deeply developed, not only as to their individualisms, but also as to their national character. The British correspondent takes a caustic view of the world; the American is effusive and idealistic, and the Vietnamese woman is stoic. They move around in a Vietnam where the French are fast losing their hold, and everyone knows that change is going to happen." (amazon.com summary/review)

I never knew about the French occupation until this class, so I found this book and its pre-war outlook to be particularly interesting. Great, in-depth symbolism as well. I have not seen the movie (released 2003-ish) but have heard good reviews.

A Rumor of War - Philip Caputo
This is Caputo's firsthand account of his tour of duty in Vietnam. Another must-read, like All Quiet on the Western Front.

In the Lake of the Woods - Tim O'Brien
I read this novel out of class because The Things They Carried had left me in awe. This is a story of a man post-Vietnam and the dark effects a veteran and his wife confront.

Maybe she was buying galoshes?

2005-09-22T12:43:00.000-05:00

I like shoe shopping. In fact, I probably love it. And, I can totally understand that Condi needs some rocking shoes to distract from her hair. But is there really a need to go shoe-shopping while the administration of which you are a part is responding to a natural disaster? As Secretary of State, couldn't she have been playing nice with the foreign countries that offered aid? Apparently, a fellow shopper thought so...

A fellow shopper shouted, "How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!" - presumably referring to Louisiana and Mississippi.

The woman expressing her First Amendment rights was promptly removed from the store. A Ferragamo store manager confirmed to us that Rice did shop there yesterday, but refused to answer questions about whether the protester was removed, and whether by his own security or the Secret Service.

I'm told that many people think that this is a joke. I wish it was.

Starting the Week off Right...

2005-09-19T21:57:00.000-05:00

Two lovely rightwing quotes for you this week...

They are a lot like prostitutes in a way. It's not a pretty picture up there (Madison).
--State Sen. Tom Reynolds, R-West Allis, in response to a radio talk show host characterizing state legislators as "whores" beholden to special interests.

Thanks Tom, we needed you, a breath of fresh air.
--Bob Dohnal, publisher of the Wisconsin Conservative Digest, commenting on Reynolds

Ah yes, because everyone loves a legislator who refers to his colleagues as prostitutes. We really needed that.

This week's quotes were found at: Wisopinion.com

Note to the Right...Logic is Good.

2005-09-18T20:43:00.000-05:00

I saw this lovely statement today at Dagney's Rant. If you want to go read her blog, google it. I refuse to link to it from here.

"With 1.5 million more registered to vote in Afghanistan, the fact that their ballot sounds nearly impossible to navigate is irrelevant. Can you take a look at those photos, and argue that President Bush will go down in more history books than just those in America, as being a visionary?"

I'm sorry, but what? It's irrelevant that their ballot sounds impossible to navigate? Isn't the democratic process significantly impeded if voters can't figure out how to use their right to vote properly? Didn't we learn that in the United States in the 2000 election?

I agree, it's great that some measure of democracy is being spread throughout the world. But the fact that it isn't being successfully implemented is definitely relevant.

A mind-boggling number

2005-09-17T21:08:00.000-05:00

"The U.S. defense budget, for example, has increased considerably in recent years. In 2004, for example, it hit $437 billion, or roughly half of all military spending around the world." (China's Search for Stability with America)

After trying to comprehend all those 0's tacked onto the 437, my mind immediately flashbacked to a sign I saw in a Washington, D.C. homeless shelter 5 years ago, which read: Billions for bombs, but only pennies for the poor.

437 billion! Can you imagine? In comparison, I believe Bush sought to deliver a $5 billion aid package to Africa during his first term (although last I heard, and granted this was a while ago, much of the deliverance was still pending).

Additional note: Almost ironic, isn't it, that 437 billion dollars still does not prevent a car bomb from exploding in Iraq, that the world's supreme military continues to play duck-duck-goose with insurgents from one Iraqi city to the next. Did we not learn anything from the tragedy that was Vietnam? That military might should not assume "victory" (whatever that means) is ours for the taking, whenever, wherever?

Oh yeah...that's right, some shirked their tour of duty of Vietnam and "spent quality time" with the National Guard...silly me.

Presidential Address...In New Orleans????

2005-09-15T19:58:00.000-05:00

Wonkette asks:
"If the President is addressing the flood victims, why is he in New Orleans? I thought we finally succeeded in getting most of the people out of the city. If he wants to talk to people who lost everything, shouldn't he be at the Astrodome or something?"

Your goddesses answer:
"No, silly Wonkette...that would make sense. You are confusing logical reasoning with the Bush administration approach. For example, a logical administration would have had a proactive response so that the relief effort went as smoothly as possible in a catastrophe of this nature. Instead, they waited, giving us wonderful opportunties like this to listen to Bush on tv. Plus, if Bush talked to the people in the Astrodome, they probably wouldn't all be pre-approved Bush-lovers."

Highs and Lows

2005-09-14T15:41:00.000-05:00

Jenni & I used to IM or email our High and Low points of our day while we were in university. I loved that tradition...sometimes that's all you really need to know about a day, and it's a great way to keep in touch and get to know someone better! I thought of it today and decided it could become a regular installment on our blogs. I know my fellow goddess is a wee bit busy with law school, so what better way for her to keep us informed of her triumphs and tribulations despite her time-crunched schedule? Mine will be here at DemGoddesses or at leahserendipity.blogspot.com. And feel free to add your own Highs and Lows - what's better than to share the highs and lows of life with others? (Sorry, I didn't mean for this to go all Hallmark-ish!)

Intelligent Design....

2005-09-14T08:21:00.000-05:00

I couldn't have said it better than Pesky' Apostrophe did in this post (Penguins are Christians, too!). So wander on over there and find out the latest craziness (and amusing ability to overlook reality) to come from the rightwing "values" crowd...

**I was going to write a post about how great it is that Bush is taking responsibility for the federal government's slow response to Katrina. However, I decided he shouldn't get props for something that he should have taken responsibility for much earlier than now. If he was really intelligently designed, he would be smart enough to see he has a lot more than that to take responsibility for. In any case, I'm glad to see he has finally taken responsibility for something.

Starting the Week off Right...

2005-09-12T17:34:00.000-05:00

"I don't do housekeeping..."
-Part of Donald Rumsfeld's response to a reporter when asked for a written timeline of what decisions were made when in regards to the response to Hurricane Katrina. In case you couldn't guess, the other part of his response didn't include agreeing to give a timeline.

So Long, Farewell...

2005-09-09T15:51:00.000-05:00

Okay...so Michael Brown is no longer heading the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. [Insert huge HURRAH! here.]

In the announcement, head of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff [aka, the man who blamed New Orleans itself for this crisis] said "Michael Brown has done everything he possibly could to coordinate the federal response to this unprecedented challenge." Which amounted to...not even noticing that there was a football stadium full of starving, thirsting refugees? Wow, I'd hate to see him on a bad day!

But he still has his job. It doesn't make sense. If the director of FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT is not competent to manage a federal emergency, should he really be the director of FEMA??? Hello? Mr. Bush? This doesn't take a rocket scientist....

And what do you plan to do, Mr. Brown, now that you've f-ed up the relief effort? "I’m going to go home and walk my dog and hug my wife and, maybe get a good Mexican meal and a stiff margarita and a full night’s sleep. And then I’m going to go right back to FEMA and continue to do all I can to help these victims." Good to see he has his priorities in order....

*Quotes in this article are taken from the linked msnbc.com report.

A Goddess Returns

2005-09-08T09:49:00.000-05:00

Hello all! After a 9 month absence from the Goddess blog, I have returned! It's certainly been awhile...First I was trying to survive law firm & Smoothie King hell, then I cruised around the world for an amazing 4 months, and currently I am in Wisconsin, woefully unemployed, but job searching like mad. Now that I am back in Conservative Country with my ultra-conservative (brainwashed?) parents, Jesus-lovin' Grandma, and other conservative-minded family members, I need to rant now & then. I have been nothing but a model of self-restraint at home this summer - very few liberal arguments have escaped these lips - as my parents are so kindly allowing me to live here rent-free...hence the need to maintain a peace. (Arguing with my mother resorts to shouting matches, her calling names and me in tears - it's never pretty!) Needless to say, there's been several near explosions here on the homestead! So hopefully I can vent my frustrations now & again. I must say I'm pretty unconfident in my blogging abilities, but I'll give it a whirl! Cheers to my fellow goddess for doing such a fantastic job! I look forward to the upcoming chats and discussions and to further checking out the blogging world. I also hope to create my own blog of random thoughts in the near future...but as I have done nothing this morning other than write this entry & attempt to choose a template for my new blog, I should really attempt to find employment! Damn the blogging addiction...like moth to a flame...

Starting the (Middle of the ) Week off Right

2005-09-08T08:48:00.000-05:00

This was just too appalling to wait...

"They are so poor and so black..." (Wolf Blitzer, commenting on the victims of the disaster in New Orleans)

Apparently, that's opposed to being just "sorta" black? Of course, race really isn't an issue...right? That's why no one is talking about it...

Starting the Week off Right

2005-09-05T21:05:00.000-05:00

This week we bring you a Republican who in words seems to have his, er..."head" on somewhat straight. His actions are another story. Maybe he is getting confused by his competing "heads"?

"I'm a single guy. To say I am against birth control is to say I am against water."
-- Republican state Rep. Robin Vos, after Planned Parenthood began running online ads criticizing Vos for his sponsorship of a bill the group says could limit access to birth control.

Planned Parenthood's ads refer to the pharmacists conscience clause bill, which would allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions they feel are contrary to their personal beliefs.

I'm with the Journal Times on this one...

"The health and safety of the patient is of primary importance in this transaction. If a pharmacist's personal or religious beliefs do not square with that obligation then he or she may be in the wrong profession.

And legislators who sponsor bills they don't fully understand might be, too."

Celebrating Free Speech...

2005-09-03T23:15:00.000-05:00

See a video clip of Kanye West's off-script remarks about the response to Hurricane Katrina here.

I don't know that I completely agree with everything Kanye West has to say, but I am glad he said it. At least it will get people talking about issues that need to be dealt with in our attempts to help the victims of Katrina. Even before hearing Kanye's comment, I myself had noticed that the looters in medio clips always seemed to be minorities, while the victims searching for food were white....

Who Needs Science?

2005-08-31T20:19:00.000-05:00

Apparently not the FDA, which recently decided to postpone approving Plan B emergency contraception for over-the-counter use. In it's statement, the FDA cited concern that the application presented FDA "'with many difficult and novel policy and regulatory issues,' including how to keep girls 16 and younger from obtaining the drug." Last week I had to show my ID to purchase Sudafed cold medicine last week. It's obvious that this wouldn't work because...? Don't most people over the age of 16 have a driver's license with their date of birth on it? And if you don't have a license, you just don't get to buy Plan B. Seems simple enough to me.

But that's because I actually beleive that scientists know more than me about prescriptions and that people should be allowed to make their own decisions about what they safely put into their body, not have the government involved in morality decisions. The FDA decision so outraged one scientist, (Susan F. Wood, Ph.D., Assistant Commissioner for Women's Health and Director, Office of Women's Health at the FDA) that she has resigned. So now not only is the FDA eschewing scientific proof of the safety of Plan B for women over the age of 17, but they are also losing scientists. In her letter of resignation, Ms. Wood stated:

I have spent the last 15 years working to ensure that science informs good health policy decisions. I can no longer serve as staff when scientific and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by the professional staff here, has been overruled. I therefore have submitted myresignation effective today.

The rest of Ms. Wood's letter can be found here. Ms. Wood is much more eloquent than I would have been. Had I been in her position, it is entirely possible that expletives would have been involved.

Also of interest is the way the whole situation was handled by the FDA's Crawford, who was confirmed by the Senate only after a promise was made that a decision on Plan B would come before Sept 1st. Does a decision not to decide count as a decision?

Starting the Week off Right

2005-08-29T16:46:00.000-05:00

Hello, all! I am back and blogging to you from the beautiful liberal bastion that is Madison, WI! After such a long hiatus, I have a bit of blogger block. So, in trying to come up with something, I decided this blog needs a regular weekly focus for a post, just as my other blog has Sunday Laziness. But what stays the same in politics every week (other than my longing for the end of Bush's term)?

What I've come up with is "Starting the Week Off Right," in which I'll share some of the crazy things that come out of the mouths on the right.

Kay O'Connor (Kansas Senate Republican)
"I'm an old-fashioned woman. Men should take care of women, and if men were taking care of women today, we wouldn't have to vote."

Umm....okay, then Kay. Why don't you head on back to the kitchen and let a Democrat have your seat? I'd be a-okay with that.

Changing roles

2005-08-14T21:41:00.000-05:00

Normally, I tell you my opinion here on this blog. But today, I'd like to swap rolls with you. Instead of touting my opinion, I am asking for yours on an issue that I just am not quite sure what to think of. As some of you may know, I'm Lutheran. My boyfriend, on the other hand, is Jewish. This has created a number of interesting situations and converations, some humorous and some frustrating.

So, this week, when my church's national convention decided to condemn the security border being put up in the West Bank by Israel, I immediately began to wonder when this was going to come up. And being that I don't really have a strong opinion one way or the other, I decided I would ask you all for your thoughts on the matter. A tall order, I know...

You can find an article from the Chicago Sun-Times about the ELCA statement regarding Israel here.

President Smirky

2005-08-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

Right now, there is a mother who has lost her son camped out in front of President Bush's ranch. She wants to know what the noble cause is in Iraq. She wants a straight answer, not the changing rationales that have been handed out willy-nilly by the Bush administration. But while Cindy Sheehan waits, President Bush continues his normal schedule. And he throws in a little smirking to boot, as captured in this Washington Post photo:

President Bush smiles as he is applauded on arriving at Caterpillar's Aurora facility in Montgomery, Ill., to sign the $286.4 billion highway and mass transit legislation that Congress voted overwhelmingly to pass just before the summer break, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005. The 1,000 page bill includes funding for some 6,000 pet projects for lawmakers in their home districts and took nearly two years for Congress to reach a compromise the White House would accept. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Now, I have never been president, so I can't say for sure...But nonethless, I would like to think that if I was responsible for a war and for people dying, that it would weigh a little more heavily on my shoulders than it seems to be weighing on Bush. I don't think you would see me smirking like this. I might even do something to show my remorse for the loss of life, even if I was bullheadedly committed to continuing the fight. But what do I know...I'm a Democrat and it's the conservatives who are supposed to be compassionate...

Working together day to day...together?

2005-07-18T21:08:00.000-05:00

Last week I received four emails from the Democrats. One quoted a bunch of Republicans. Another (from Howard Dean) was titled "I agree with George Bush." I thought these emails were annoying before they started including lots of stupid quotes from Republicans. Sure, it's nice to see people crossing over partisan lines, but I don't need to see it in my inbox.

However, I did appreciate John Kerry's SECOND email in as many days. I didn't even read it. The subject "Rove: Packing or Stacking?" sent me into fits of laughter so hard that I couldn't even open the email. (I know...I'm mature). But what I don't et is why can't the DNC work together with John Kerry, or vice versa. It's silly and annoying to be getting duplicated emails while they put forth duplicated efforts. So as great as it is to read comments like the following, maybe we need to focus on inner cohesion before we worry about recruiting support from the other side of the aisle...

Your Responses

"I switched to Republican over 30 years ago, but now feel increasingly betrayed by and ashamed of the power-crazy dishonesty and the distorted values of the current leadership of the GOP. Tom DeLay does not speak or stand for most American Republicans. Neither does Karl Rove, who should be fired and severely punished if indications are correct. Can we trust you, Mr. President? Please give us the real, open truth." Jeb E., Palo Alto, CA

"I am a registered and disappointed Republican. Don't make this situation worse - 'fess up and fix the problem." Karen H., Fort Collins, CO

"I am a registered Republican and want this current administration to admit the fault and fire Rove now! Decent Americans lose their jobs over less." Alice C., Wilmington, DE

"I vote for whoever I think will do the best job -- Democrat, Republican, Independent -- and this is the time for elected officials to do their best job: honor their word, honor their country, and honor those they govern by upholding not only the law but what is moral and right. In this case, it is to remove whoever is responsible for leaking the CIA agent's identity." Nancy O., Van Buren, AR

"As a registered Republican, I join with those that say enough is enough! Time to clean house!" Tim M., Milan, OH

"I am registered Republican. However, the behavior of this administration isn't part of my Republican Party. Start by taking responsibility for both the good and the bad decisions of the administration. ... Mr. Rove has now stepped over the line. President Bush, like his father, needs to request Mr. Rove's resignation." Ed S., Newport Beach, CA

"As a registered Republican, the recent revelations regarding Karl Rove's role in the leak of a CIA operative's identity has me greatly concerned. I am sure that a great majority of Americans would agree that now is not the time for silence and evasive actions on the part of the administration. Please address this issue immediately so that our country can move forward, united in the truth, and so that we can move on to focusing on the many challenges and opportunities of our times. Thank you." Diane W., Ephrata, CA

"I was a good Republican for all my life, but can no longer stomach the people that excuse the behavior of those who squelch any and all who question and think for themselves. Please stand up and do what is right." Lana H., Fort Worth. TX

"Truth is an awesome thing. As an American whose husband and son have served in our military I wonder if you could possibly condone a leak of information which jeopardizes our national security. I would like to see the Republican Party speak honestly as they used to speak when I was a registered Republican. We seem to be emulating the Nixon era ... I can no longer support the Republican party." MaryKay D., Columbus, OH

"As a registered Republican I am concerned about the failure of the Bush administration to follow through with its promise with anyone who comprises the security of a CIA agent and our country. Karl Rove has gone too far and must resign or be dismissed." Jan O., Yorba Linda, CA

"As a Republican ... I have to insist that the president and my party affiliates in Washington tend to the accountability of Karl Rove or face yourselves the possibility of being called part of a cover-up conspiracy. You are ELECTED officials entrusted to the security of all Americans. For God's sake get responsible." Marilynne R., Glendale, AZ

"As a lifelong Republican, who has been voting and supporting this great country for close to 50 years, I am outraged that a member of your administration would damage this nation's interests for petty, partisan, political reasons. Mr. Rove and anyone else involved in this despicable act should be fired ..." Donald E., Pittsfield, MA

"As a registered Republican, I'm shocked that Karl Rove would sink so low as to reveal our CIA agents. It is really time to ask Karl Rove to resign to spare this president further embarrassment." Charles B., Sarasota, FL

"I have been a Republican almost from birth. No more, no more!!! This latest group of Republicans have disgraced the memory of all noble Republicans that preceded them. I am a city trustee in Illinois and speak loudly and regularly at counsel meetings regarding the Bush ethics and to date have thoroughly convinced several other members to take a closer and more focused look at the way the Bush administration has controlled the rhetoric regarding most issues." Dave B., Mount Olive, IL

2005-07-13T06:33:00.000-05:00

The sidebar has FINALLY been updated. Thank SwissToni for giving me the final motivation to get up early and get it up to date before I went to work this morning.

2005-07-12T22:43:00.000-05:00

I was going to post something new today. But sadly, I ran out of time. And even more sadly, my last post is still relevant, as nothing has been done yet regarding the evil that is Karl Rove.

As for one commenters question as to where my fellow goddess is, I'll try to lure her back for you all...

Whose Got Your Moral Values Now?

2005-07-06T19:27:00.000-05:00

America never fails to amaze me. Although today's ruling that Judith Miller, the NYT reporter who has refused to reveal her source in the Plame CIA scandal, should be sent to federal prison was sadly not surprising, her conviction in the principles of the First Amendment are to be admired.

When I taught a high school social studies class for a semester, I don't remember teaching that the First Amendment meant freedom of the press (unless a court decides to override this). It was freedom of the press. Freedom of the press. Infringing on the confidentiality of sources puts an unnecessary and dangerous chill on freedom of the press. PERIOD.

Today, Judith Miller stood up for freedom of the press. at the expense of her own personal freedom. So thank you, Judith Miller. No matter how your fight turns out, you are a true American hero. She gave her word, as did Matt Cooper, and both of you were prepared to stand by it, even if that meant jail time. In my mind, that shows some serious moral character and a high level of dedication to the values of American political culture.

Meanwhile, Karl Rove is still speaking through his lawyer instead of directly addressing his role in the Plame scandal. Karl Rove refuses to directly address the American public. And at this point it seems most likey that he had a hand in outting an undercover CIA operative. How's that for moral fiber and dedication to America?

When are they going to turn it off?

2005-07-05T21:25:00.000-05:00

This article makes me sad. I know that attacks and death are a part of war, and certainly a part of most terrorist acts...but it still makes me sad to read the reality of people so filled with hate that they are willing to attack their fellow man. It also leaves me a bit in awe of a people who are so dedicated to their religion thatit supercedes all else, even basic human rights and basic kindness.

What troubled me most about this article though, was how civilian and military deaths are now just sidenotes, "other" news that deserves minimal space at the bottom of the page.

"In other violence, four Iraqi women were killed on their way to work at Baghdad's airport. Gunmen in the Amiriyah neighborhood fired on a private minibus transporting several airport workers. One of the slain women had reported that "they were tailing us," said Alaa Sadiq, 39, who works in the airport's administrative office.
Also Tuesday, a U.S. soldier was killed and two were wounded in a roadside bombing northeast of Baghdad, the Associated Press reported, citing the U.S. military."

About once a week my five-year-old cousin asks my aunt if that war is still going on. Last week he asked me "When are they going to turn it off?"

When are they going to turn it off indeed...

2005-06-30T21:59:00.000-05:00

Tonight (until now) I took the whole night off from the phone and computer. This is because today at work, I literally sat in front of my Inbox for 8 hours and then I also sat on hold with Sallie Mae for 2 hours today regarding my student loan consolidation (the rates go up tomorrow). So, you get this pathetic excuse for a post instead of some meaningful commentary. Sorry!

"There isn't much better in this life than finding a way to spend a few hours in conversation with people you respect and love. You have to carve this time out of your life because you aren't really living without it." (Anonymous)

Oy Vey

2005-06-27T21:23:00.000-05:00

Maybe it's just because my boyfriend is Jewish, but this post at Wonkette first amused me and then scared me...

Amusing: "He complained that Jewish leaders criticized Gibson but ignored Jews such as Howard Stern and the producers of "Meet the Fockers" who were "debasing the culture."

Scary: "He then quoted a section of "Mein Kampf" in which Hitler denounces the "horrible trash" produced by Jewish entertainers in Weimar Germany. Hitler was an "evil megalomaniac," Lapin writes, but what he was saying was "obvious and inescapable."

Let me get this straight...when liberals compare the administration to Hitler, that's bad. But when a rabbi uses Hitler's actual logic, that's okay with the Republicans?

My Mom always told me "Remember what Thumper's Mother said...."

2005-06-23T21:50:00.000-05:00

I had intended to do a Sesame Street inspired post today entitled "Which of These Things is not Like the Other?" and then list quotes reacting to 9/11, including Rove's latest blast at liberals. However, when I started reading the latest article on this at washingtonpost.com, I just couldn't bring myself to quote anyone on either side of the aisle. The maturity level is probably just as high in the viewers of Sesame Street as it is in the major players in our two party system recently. The Republicans call us names. And then we run off to mom and say "Hey, Rove is calling me names and saying things that aren't true about me and he's not playing nice. You make him say he's sorry!"

So, if you care to read about how liberals are not only soft on terror, we also sympathized with the 9/11 attackers and about how Republicans are defending Rove for saying this, even though plenty of liberals lost their lives in the atacks, lost loved ones, and wholeheartedly supported the war on terrorand the hunt for bin Laden in Afghanistan, please visit The Washington Post. Otherwise, you can join me in repeating what Thumper's mother said in Bambi: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

So accusing, their eyes....

2005-06-20T09:36:00.000-05:00

Here at Democratic Goddesses, we like to take the time to point out people on the opposite side of the aisle who step out of the party box and try to make what we would deem a positive impact. This week, we salute Jeff Wood....

I do not generally like Wisconsin State Representative Jeffrey Wood. He is adamantly pro-life. He wants to write limits on government spending into our state constitution. He is Republican.

But when the UW birth control ban bill came to the Assembly floor last week, Representative Wood spoke against the bill. In his speech, he said that if Roe v. Wade had happened a few years earlier, his birth mother probably would have aborted him instead of putting him up for adoption, as she had an abortion later on in life. He said this makes him more pro-life than most people, and while I still don't agree with him, I can understand where he is coming from.

But the thing that really made me respect Rep. Wood was that he chastised his fellow party members for supporting a ban on the morning after pill that was too vague and could be construed to ban all birth control on UW campuses. He said that he was offended that Republicans opposing this bill were being labeled as not truly anti-abortion. He spoke out publicly and forcefully in opposition to the Republican leadership. And that’s something we don’t see very often in Wisconsin politics. So, thanks Representative Wood, for giving us a brief respite from straight party line politics and adding some reasoned passion to the debate.

The bad news…In the end, only 3 other Republicans joined with Wood and the Democrats to oppose the bill, and it passed the Assembly 49-41.
The good news…Governor Doyle has promised to veto the bill, though, and at 49-41, there’s no chance of an override.

Anne Applebaum takes the words out of my mouth

2005-06-15T22:47:00.000-05:00

If you've been reading this blog over the past few months, you will have caught some of my feelings regarding airport security and the TSA. I don't really like the TSA, and that's not just because a Republican once said that he hopes I got felt up on my next trip....

This week, Anne Applebaum does a much better job than I have of explaining the problems, inefficiences, and just plain stupidity of some of our airport security measures here in the US. So if you have time, go check out her column.

Best quote, in my opinion, is when Anne discusses the new TSA screeners....

"This is not to say that the uniformed screeners aren't more professional than they were in the past or that their presence doesn't create a degree of psychological comfort, both for government officials, who can claim to be doing something to keep us all safer, as well as for those passengers who continue to believe that engaging in ritualistic shoe-removal gives them mysterious, magical protection against terrorism"

Jenni, I got your number....

2005-06-14T21:59:00.000-05:00

The Democratic Party has my number (and no, it's not 867-5309). But they definitely have it, because they call me at least once a week. Which is why I started laughing when today I got an email that says I could get a phone call from Howard Dean if I donate to the Democratic Party. The point of the email was supposed to be that Dean is going to be calling average Americans who make small $25 donations, rather than focusing on huge donors like the Republicans (particularly McCain).

However, the Democratic party already calls me incessantly asking for more money. So trying to get me to donate by enticing me with the chance of getting yet another phone call doesn't quite do it for me.

On the other hand, if what all the emails say is even half true, it's really amazing to hear about how many small donations the Democratic party is getting. It makes me feel like it really is the party of the people, and that there are peolpe who really are committed. And in case you are wondering, I haven't donated...I have to save up my money for law school so that the next Bush v. Gore scenario goes our way ;)

2005-06-07T21:38:00.000-05:00

You know, it is really hard to maintain a political blog when your electric company doesn't cooperate. That's right, the electricity in my entire neighborhood went out. That means no cable Internet access, no computer, nothing. So this is all you are getting from me tonight. I am a bad bad blogging goddess.