Rove should retire his strategy. It was a 'flash in the pan' rhetorical campaign.

The investigations go on, the indictments haven't even come down and if they did everyone would be receiving pardons from Bush. As a nation we can do better than 'the years of Bush.'


The strategy that placed Bush into office in 2000 was corrupt and then once there was difficult to overcome because of the trauma the nation suffered while he was in office. I don't understand how people could 'bond' with the incompetency that caused over 3000 deaths on American soil, but, they did.


Unfortunately, the Rove Dogma allowed Evangelical Chrisitans to believe they could rule the government and in turn change the world into one of their making. I am sure there is a 'ripple effect' out there that lives today, but, it won't last much longer.


The Republicans used the 'good faith' of the majority religion in the USA, the Christians, to exploit the powers of the USA treasury to float an economy facilitated by an illegal oil war in Iraq. They left the USA in shambles and the recent trends in Wall Street reveals all too well the faux economy of the USA.


The Republican candidates touting their credentials as 'born again' since they once were leadership of 'reason' rather than 'extremism' will find a country tired of rhetoric and seeking answers to profound problems. The Republicans have no answers. They have 'their base' which profits from that standing and they have 'the hope' to appear as the moralist candidate that god will bless with insight to defeat terrorists networks and hence save their lives.


There is a real world to live in and the choices that will provide a liveable world whereby 'truly' moral solutions exist aren't found in any Republican platform. They just don't. The Republicans have become extremists willing to endanger lives at all turns with very poor performance in worker safety, national health care, international relations, the venue of peace over war, the USA economy well regulated to insure food and medication safety, and any aspect of national infrastructure.


The 'thing' about national health insurance is that the 'cost' to the nation will 'be there' anyway even if nothing is done. The Baby Boomers are falling under Medicare. Hello? We need to address the issue of a single payer system, the cost to the nation will never be greater than with this aged generation of Americans. We need to manage a government system of providing competent health care to the nation through the next twenty years without causing a debt more than already has been resulted by the illegal wars of Bush and the rest of it will be a walk in the park for future generations. The best aspect is that the receipients of that care whom are Baby Boomers will be around and healthy to help with the cost through employment and investment that adds to the tax base, IF, they are healthy enough to contribute. Definately, a healthy American is a 'fiscally fit' America.

It's time to take back the country. Don't be afraid of it. We can do this, but, unfortunately The Republican Party doesn't exhibit the characteristics of leadership we need in the year 2007 looking at 2008 as a turning point for our nation.

Have a better day.

Indicted donor poses quandary for GOP lawmakers who accepted funds

HERE WE GO AGAIN !!!!!

By Alexander Bolton
August 15, 2007
Seven vulnerable House Republicans face difficult decisions about whether to return contributions from a major Republican donor who was charged last week on 23 counts of bankruptcy fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice and perjury.
The donor, Alan Fabian, is the CEO of the Centre for Management and Technology, a Baltimore-based company. Until last week, he was also a co-chairman of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s national finance committee.
A federal grand jury has indicted Fabian for allegedly making $32 million in false purchases of computer equipment to pay for his lavish spending habits. Prosecutors are seeking $32 million worth of Fabian’s assets, including beach real estate in North Carolina, property in Maryland and a yacht.
Fabian has since resigned his position with the Romney campaign.
Romney and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, both GOP presidential candidates, have decided to refund contributions Fabian made to them this year. Fabian gave $2,300 to Romney in February and $1,000 to Giuliani in June.
Giuliani’s campaign wasted little time in distancing itself from Fabian.
“We are returning the contribution Romney’s national finance co-chair gave Rudy Giuliani,” said spokeswoman Maria Comella on Tuesday.
This may put pressure on seven vulnerable House Republicans to do the same. Otherwise, they will likely face Democratic criticism in the run-up to the 2008 election.
Reps. Steve Chabot (Ohio), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Michele Bachmann (Minn.), Jon Porter (Nev.), Heather Wilson (N.M.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), and Dave Reichert (Wash.) have each accepted $1,000 or more from Fabian in the last three years, according to records on file at the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Wilson accepted the most, a $1,000 contribution in October and a $1,468 contribution in September of 2004.
Heather Wade, a political aide to Wilson, said the campaign does not plan “at this time” to return Fabian’s money.
John Sides, an assistant professor at George Washington University who specializes in political behavior, said lawmakers who accept funds from an indicted donor face problems of appearance.
“Regardless of whether Mr. Fabian is convicted or guilty, the fact that he’s indicted casts suspicion on him and casts suspicion on the candidate for taking money from him,” said Sides. “It doesn’t matter if it’s only a thousand dollars, because your opponent can say you took money from a crook. The amount of money is only a detail.”
Sides said that lawmakers in this position have few good options available to them.
“It’s a decision between two bad things,” he said. “One bad thing is you keep the money and that makes you vulnerable [to attacks] or you give the money back and then you look guilty [of having accepted illicit funds].”
While campaign finance laws have been set up to limit the financial impact of any one donor, many voters view a $1,000 contribution as a significant gift.
“Any individual donor is not really responsible for very much,” said Burns. “But I don’t think voters necessarily make that distinction because most of them don’t give money to the campaign and many cannot afford to give the FEC limit. It just looks bad.”
Nevertheless, some lawmakers who expect to find themselves in Democratic crosshairs next year say they will keep Fabian’s money.
“We have no intention of returning the contribution,” said Matt Leffingwell, spokesman for Porter, who received nearly $1,500 from Fabian in 2004. “Until the individual is convicted in a court of law, we don’t return contributions.”
An official from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was unavailable for comment.
Fabian has given generously to Republican candidates in recent years. During the first six months of 2007 he gave $25,000 to the Republican National Committee and $4,600 to Sen. Elizabeth Dole (N.C.), according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that tracks fundraising.
Fabian also gave $25,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2004 election cycle.
The charges against Fabian stem from his employment with Maximus Inc., a government consulting company located in Reston, Va. Prosecutors have alleged that Fabian made sale-leaseback transactions for computer equipment that he never purchased. They claim he created phony companies as part of the scheme.
Fabian will be arraigned at the end of September.

Card carrying Republicans are looking for a candidate. They got it tough.

Who in this picture could be president? You got it, the Old Divorced Guy.

In order to get to Rudy's 'commitment/commandment' page I had to sign up for e-mails so I guess all the propaganda will make it's way to my attention. This is the Giuliani Contract with America.

Where does a member of the Republican Party that has to 'still' pursue the man that caused the traumatic and deadly events of September 11, 2001 get the nerve to run for President on the coattails of the 'idea' that Osama bin Laden is 'still out there' and spreading terrorism?

I guess when Rudy 'takes his jacket off' to roll up his sleeves the enemies of the USA know he means business because he can do the impossible. He is running on his performance in NYCity as mayor.

I'll grant you, New York is a challenge to lead but he didn't do it alone.

He became mayor of a city highly interactive to get any and all work done for the benefit of citizens. NYCity is powered by some of the most dynamic and skillful unions in the world. The unions run New York City and they do it well. They never get credit for it either.

Like Rudy, everyone's best buddy, any mayor of NY City flashes credentials of 'ruling' NYCity with an iron fist to 'make' people perform to tough standards. I got news. The people of NY City 'want' to do their jobs because they live there, understand the dynamics of their neighborhoods and what it takes to live a lifestyle that is more than pleasant. As an example to that, if one recalls the most recent 'power grid' failure, the people made it easy to be Mayor Bloomberg. They supported each other and made sure all went well. Those are the people that work the skyscrapers and streets of New York City. Those are the people that died on September 11, 2001. Those are the people that have become pawns to the party politics of this candidate.

Rudy Giuliani could have done much, much more as an advocate for peace and the defense of the USA while attempting to keep the focus of our military 'on track' in Afghanistan. He didn't do it. He sat back and allowed the USA to be steered off course in a war for oil. Where was he then? Where did he take his 'clout' as the mayor on September 11, 2001 when the Neocons lead this country into insoluable debt in an unwinnable war? Where was he then?

Where was Rudy when the United Nations was stating there were no WMD in Iraq and Bush was riding the deaths of September 11th into a Culture of Fear that would bring Republicans to majority to exploit the powers of the USA treasury and military? Where was he then?

If Rudy Giuliani cared about the people of this country he would have stayed at the center of the focus of any military deployment to be sure 'the job got done.' He didn't do any of that.

Rudy Giuliani is looking now for a new job. He wants the USA to believe he can somehow and innovatively 'lead by greed.' He cuts taxes so the people of the USA can keep more money in their pockets while giving up nothing in the way that government can provide for them. He believes somehow he waved a magic wand over NYCity on any day of his mayoral leadership and made it work, so he can do the same for the USA.

There are serious problems the USA faces including securing the monies from Homeland Security to stop attacks on major cities and causing fiscal losses that takes years or actually decades to reverse. The 'shame' of Giuliani has to be the fact Lower Manhattan is still in shambles with so many of the citizens of that city suffering from PTSD on a 'class action' level. He never adequately dealt with the emotional issues of families of the victims. His answer to 'closure' was handing boxes of soil from 'the site' to families whom wanted nothing more than to find some remains to bury. That was an answer? That wasn't an answer, it was a brush off. It was a 'power play' to get past the pain and grief of the families of those victims.

People far more familiar with Giuliani's mayoral leadership can speak to the inadequacy he posed to the people of NYCity. He was managed well by the unions and the people that live in that city. He made the 'city pretty' and closed down taxi stands that couldn't afford to pay the fees he mandated. But, a leader? Where were the radios to the fire department that could have saved the lives of the city's employees on September 11th? Rudy Giuliani is a Republican first and a leader second. If that is the candidate your looking for to be president of the USA then he's your confrontational choice, but, if one is looking to find a candidate that can lead the USA back to it's 'status' of 'leader nation' throughout the world then keep looking.

Mission Accomplished. Tommy Thompson went home defeated and so should Tancredo.

"If it is up to me, we are going to explain that an attack on this homeland…would be followed by an attack on the holy sites in Mecca and Medina.”

Republicans are all about image, they have no substantive qualities. They chase the only vote guaranteed to them and that is the Republican Right Wing. The people who believe they should rule the world and bring it under the Kingdom of God according to Jesus Christ. To achieve that goal they give permission to every corrupt venue of ascendance to power in government. The only aspect of the USA power structure the Right Wing Republican is interested is the military. It takes lots of money to produce weapons for God and a draft to supply personnel to carry out 'the final solution.'

It's unconcionable for a 'serious' candidate for the Executive Branch of the USA to say something as stupid and inflammatory as that.

Tom Tancredo claims he is the best possible person for president because he has 'the correct' immigration policy for the nation. So when the first sensationalized event occurs in 'the news' he and others flock around to 'sell their pitch' to the public.

Newark Triple Murder Fuels Debate on Treatment of Illegal Immigrants (click on)

...And Representative Tom Tancredo, Republican of Colorado, is bringing his immigration-themed presidential campaign here on Monday for a news conference “to denounce the sanctuary city policy of Newark.”
Some of the loudest arguments have been over whether local law enforcement officials should check the immigration status of people they arrest and then report those who are here illegally to the federal authorities....

John McCain is a great American. No one can take that from him, except the underhanded politics of Bush.

I could never today vote for John McCain as at one time I could have easily. He has moved to the far right in an attempt to be president, but, in doing that he lost many that believed in him including Independants, moderate Republicans and Democrats. He longs to be involved with war in the Middle East as a political tool at home, without a strong diplomatic effort and as a result will simply be carrying Bush's follies forward.

That is the last thing the USA needs and certainly nothing the Middle East does. The process of peace in the Middle East is so lost it will take a new dedication of hope that most certainly Bush has openly destroyed with his chronic war chants. The world has come to expect violence, empty promises and irresponsible denial in response to global crisis from the USA. We need a president that will lead in a new way which exudes an openness and willingness to solve problems rather than create them.

In the picture above, Senator McCain is attending a ship lauching with Bush. The champagne bottle was handily leveled by Susan Collins. There is mention of her as a Vice Presidential candidate with McCain. It would be an interesting pair, but, it wouldn't interest me anymore than before.

Basically, McCain is like any other Republican these days; stamped out of a Bush Dye Cast and willing to carry on Bush's legacy while giving up his own identity. I just don't see it. John McCain knows better than to invest in wars without purpose and Iraq has no purpose. It is not a matter of simply clearing the way for a return of diplomacy. It's a matter of demonstrating it, through efforts like mutual nuclear disarmament with Russia as impetus to stop the ever escalating nuclear proliferation being sought by India. At one time the USA's word was good enough, but, not anymore. American under Bush has brought the world to the brink of global war. That is a reality and not a myth. It will take much more than promises and good will to win back all we have lost under this administration and quite frankly McCain was as much the problem as Bush and to that end, the 'hope' of changing direction of not only Iraq but global reputation of the USA is lost with McCain.

Domestically, all his legislation has either been defeated by piers or trashed by the Robert's court. It has added to his illegitimacy as a candidate and it's nearly impossible from this point to reverse that reality. I don't see John McCain winning the Republican nomination. I don't know if he would accept Vice Presidential. I would think not.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain said Sunday his support for immigration changes hurt his presidential candidacy because people were not convinced that it would secure the border.
"The immigration issue has caused me some difficulties with our base," the Arizona Republican said.
The failed immigration bill supported by McCain included border security measures and a guest worker program and would have legalized many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S.
McCain has since endorsed a plan that would tighten the borders, but not include a guest worker provision.
But he said his campaign, which has been weakened by multiple resignations and poor fundraising, is regaining its footing.
"We are back on town hall meetings, and enthusiasm is there. And we're going to be just fine in my campaign," he said. "Every campaign has its ups and downs."...

The Orator - He is an extremist, yet he attracts a lot of attention because he is a good speaker.

I have little respect for the guy, because he has little respect for people and especially women. I would expect a man with as much experience in helping women deliver babies as he, to also respect their right to choose for the people they are rather than the 'enforcer' of some 'idea' that every fetus is an American. He's simply has ideas as old as he is and should retire from his rhetorical dogma.

He is a 'nice man' but a 'good man' is something he cannot muster.

He wants to demolish the federal government by stating he believes in the USA Constitution while gutting it of many of it's cabinet positions. He is an amazing orator and makes these issues sound reasonable, but, in fact he is the worst person for president and quite frankly he should not be in office for his views and their adverse effect on future Americans.

He states 911 shouldn't have happened but not for the reasons I do. He claims everyone should have been armed under the 2nd Amendment and there could have been 'high noon' at the OK Corral aboard all those planes. Funny, I think just preventing the terrorists from getting on jetliners is good enough.

In the year 2007, he is outdated except for one quality. He believes in peace. I'll be darn if I can understand how he'll attain it though.

This is the ONLY Republican candidate I would ever consider voting for and he isn't even considered seriously by the Right Wingers.

The good looking Senator on the right is Senator Chuck Hagel. I am sure we have our differences, but, he is interested in the issues of the next generation of Americans. I do believe he has stood out from Bush on numerous issues and has never been much of a 'grandstander' in that difference either.

He is a man of reason, not party politics. He is from Montana, I believe and some of those ranchers lost quite a few cows to very odd snow and ice storms in the winter of 2006-07. Not only that but at one point, Senator Hagel reversed his decision on a military draft. I recall him changing his mind to exclude that possibility and he actively doesn't see the occupation of Iraq as a productive use of the American military in fighting terrorist networks that threaten the USA.

He'd have to prove himself 'tried and true' and not just manipulative before I'd pull the lever in his direction, but, he cares about Climate Change when no one else in the Republican Party sincerely does. I think he is 'workable' to realize the brevity of the issue and the 'reasonable' solutions available to that end.

I not a huge fan, but, I am interested. I think many of his ideas are good ones, with an open mindedness that would invite expertise to any subject. Chuck Hagel is not biased to 'ideologies' so much as a man in pursuit of the truth and the solutions that can bring. I think he sincerely loves this country and not just it's treasury, military and assets. In other words when it comes to writing legislation that works, he is maliable where Bush is simply stupid and corrupt. I don't believe Hagel is at all corrupt. Never recall that as an issue with him.

OOoooo, we. Imagine that in the Rose Garden. (click for a picture of the next Repuglican first lady)

That man is old and that woman is not. If I am not mistaken, Thompson might be the oldest in the pack which isn't saying much. Except for two candidates, all Republicans were born in the 1940s. Thompson here was born in 1942. That was a long time ago and he will be serving for four to eight years? Who needs it already? I think Ron Paul is the oldest in the field and his ideas are nearly as ancient as most of the field, either. Fred Thompson hasn't said one viable thing in the way of resolving problems for this country. He simply 'toes' the party line in hopes that his FORMER popularity will win him votes on the heels of Tom Cruise popularity in "Day of Thunder."

Thompson is in the running in case everyone else is excluded by one reason or another and it's looking bad for the general election. In other words, all these candidates have a 'draw' and the reason they are running is to keep that constituency and eventually endorse them over to the nominee in hopes that will carry the party's choice through the general election. That is one thing the Republicans don't give people credit for and that's having a brain in their head. They figure as Karl Rove does, 'you can lead a horse to water and make it drink, too.'

There is no substance here and any Democrat currently running will mop up the floor with him and his 'rhetorical' candidacy. I wonder if his wife is like Laura and likes one of those barbeque chefs rather than a real one.

How do you spell corruption? D-U-N-C-A-N H-U-N-T-E-R. That's how you spell it.

Despite strong objections from the Navy, House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., added $25.7 million to the fiscal 2007 defense authorization bill to upgrade an experimental high-speed vessel based in San Diego and developed by one of his biggest political donors.
Hunter, whose wife christened the ship in February 2005, has boasted that Titan Corp.'s Sea Fighter is a speedy, innovative, 262-foot catamaran with the potential to pack more combat punch than most larger battleships.
The money in the fiscal 2007 bill would pay for high-tech modifications to the ship's command and control, survivability, armament and other systems to make the vessel, also known as the X-Craft, operationally deployable.
"The committee believes that deployment of Sea Fighter can demonstrate and validate many of the Navy's operational concepts for littoral warfare," according to language in the Navy research and development section of the committee report, under "Items of Special Interest."
But the Navy, which did not request any money for the catamaran, fears the hefty add-on would squander limited ship procurement dollars on a vessel the service doesn't want. Service estimates indicate that readying the catamaran for actual warfare might cost $100 million -- four times the amount authorized in the House bill (click here)....

Hunter wants a catamaran to catch international terrorists. You know, in a way with the circle of friends he has, it almost sounds right.

You might say to yourself, "Self, that isn't such a bad pork barrel spending issue, I am sure there are others worse than that." That might even be so, but, no one can deny that Randy "Duke" Cunningham, George Walker Bush and Duncan Hunter have something in common. That something is a corporation by the name of "Wilkes Charitable Foundation." Wow, what a great name for a non-profit, huh? I wish I had a non-profit corporation as successful as that with such a 'distinguished' name, don't you?

Contractor spends big on key lawmakers (click title of entry)
By Matt Kelley and Jim Drinkard, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — A San Diego businessman under investigation in the bribery case of former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham is a well-known GOP fundraiser whose generosity to key members of Congress came at the same time his company saw large increases in its government contracts, public records show....

...Brent Wilkes, the founder of defense contractor ADCS Inc., gave more than $840,000 in contributions to 32 House members or candidates, campaign-finance records show. He flew Republican lawmakers on his private jet and hired lobbyists with close ties to those lawmakers....

...Wilkes was also a "Pioneer" for President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, meaning he raised at least $100,000.

With help from two committee chairmen, ADCS got more than $90 million in government contracts since its founding in 1995, helping propel Wilkes from an obscure businessman to a millionaire prominent in Republican circles....

...Since 1994, Wilkes and ADCS gave $40,700 in campaign contributions to Rep. Duncan Hunter, a San Diego Republican who now chairs the House Armed Services Committee. Hunter has acknowledged that he joined with Cunningham in 1999 to contact Pentagon officials who reversed a decision and gave ADCS one of its first big contracts, for nearly $10 million. Hunter's spokesman, Joe Kasper, said the congressman was unavailable for comment Tuesday....

Well imagine that. Two men in love with the idea of being president of the USA. The current president and a presidential hopeful. Each got a huge wad of cash for start up campaigns and the like just for the asking. I'll be darn. There is nothing like recycled corrupt Republican 'greenbacks,' now is there?

The thing about Duncan Hunter that any Republican might want to consider voting for, is the consistency in corruption he brings to the White House that so many are willing to overlook. It would seem good ole Duke Cunningham took the fall for men that still benefitted from 'dirty dollars.' Go, figure.

When Sam Brownback was asked about Republican corruption, he stated "The American Family has to be reclaimed." Huh? Oh, yeah, Mothers are to blame.

The Senator is so desperate for momentum in this race he ran his own straw poll and guess what? He won.

This is the Senator that stood in defiance of the USA Constition when he asked Alito his position on public displays of religious holidays on government property. Alito and he just 'gushed' together as they proclaimed the 'public square' should be robust and all should particiapte leaving out those that simply don't participate. It was a bigoted moment, in sensative and self righteous for the entire world to see, but, Alito made it to the Supreme Court anyway. We don't need to propagate the mistake of that day !

"If I can do it, the nation can do it." That was his reply to a question regarding "Sicko."

A typical Neocon ideologue. He even touts himself as an ideologue when taking a position on Iraq.

When asked about the needs of health care in the USA, he believes so long as everyone goes to Weight Watchers or their weight conscious adult program of choice the nation doesn't need healthcare except for private health care. Doesn't matter American coroners not working on identifying Katrina victims have a new diagnosis, "Death by Insurance Carrier," the nationa health care problems will be solved when everyone 'bucks up' and loses weight.

Somehow, Mr. Huckabee's victory over fat consititutes a run for the Executive Branch and hsi proclaiming that cancer is on the run as well. You know the statistics for Americans that die without health insurance matches any third world country on this planet and Huckabee glibly states if the nation were in 'peak condition' there would be no issue.

That is only one aspect of healthcare in the USA which needs to be addressed from the ground up when 'physical education' is again mandated in schools across this country. I have yet heard anything from this guy except Republican rhetoric. No policies. No 'I would do it different.' Come to think of it, I don't know if anyone besides Ron Paul has anything different to say than rhetoric.

Maestro with a power point. The man that can buy the White House.

Romneys are worth up to $250m (click here)
Personal finance data are detailed
By Lisa Wangsness and Ross Kerber, Globe Staff August 14, 2007
Mitt Romney, by far the wealthiest presidential candidate, and his wife, Ann, are worth $190 million to $250 million, his advisers said yesterday after filing a personal financial disclosure statement with the Federal Election Commission....

...Malt said yesterday that Romney had no knowledge of their contents until yesterday, when they were made public. Romney also has a separate trust for his five sons and their families that is worth about $100 million, which was not required to be reported under federal disclosure requirements and is not part of the filing, his advisers said.

About half of Romney's total assets belong to trusts held by Romney, Malt said, and therefore theoretically could be liquidated for use by his presidential campaign. The other half belongs to his wife, Ann. Earlier this year, Romney said that having to help finance his own campaign would be "akin to a nightmare," but since then he has lent his campaign $9 million....

...Malt also got rid of gambling stock this year, earning Romney between $100,001 and $1,000,000 on the sale of MGM-Mirage stock, according to the report, though Malt did not comment on that holding specifically. The forms show that Romney also owns $50,000 to $100,000 worth of stock in China Petroleum & Chemical, which has become controversial in the United States because of its links with Sudan....

My first reaction is, you've got to be kidding me? What agenda does this man have because he is a chameleon that has changed every color of 'Bush' since his first trial run for office some three years ago. My second reaction is, what was Teresa Heinz-Kerry worth?

Everyone will say, "Got something against million/billionaires?" My reply is, "Do elections for president have something against paupers (click here)?" I am serious here. I want to vomit to realize the power brokering of candidates running for the Executive Branch due to their wealth and faux loyalities. The current bozos have broken the backs of many Americans while making a joke of prospective homeowners that actually took 'a second chance' seriously. I doubt those folks will vote for a Republican ever again.

Bush's economy has a been a false economy. It is completely based in Tax and Spend. The Spending wasn't even productive spending so much as pork barrel projects to 'enhance' the chances the millionaires would be re-elected to produce one slimy spending program after another.

Romney has an agenda and it's not to be the best president the USA could ever imagine. He has no moral backbone. He has fashioned himself after Bush without the endorsement of any party members. See, the Republicans actually believe their best shot is with Guilliani while he tries to ride the 911 wave.

Romney has no character strength and those that voted for him in Massachusetts don't even recognize him now for his 'change' to harvest the far right of the Republican Party.

I don't want a millionaire willing to spend his own bank roll on a campaign to insure his election in the White House. It's supposed to be 'the people' that elect a president and the vice, not a personal bank roll with ego driven desires and faux agendas for the country. Romney is not a man of the people so much as a self made candidate willing to buy his way to the White House.

I don't think so.

Pretty in Pink. I got in touch with my spiritual side and sewed it myself.

It's Saturday Night

"why did you marry a republican" by JerkyDan

i used to know you
now i don't know a thing
i used to think i'd be the one
to buy you a ring
now there's misery you with that man
did you marry a republican

you changed your wardrobe
you changed your views
now you don't recycle
you only believe the evening news
now there's misery you with that man
can't believe you married a republican

you say its great
driving a SUV
more pollution and republicans
won't help the economy
now there's misery you with that man
why did you marry a republican

Morning Papers - It's Origins

The Rooster (Video of maladjustment of new Rooster in family with dog.)

"Okeydoke"

Flooding kills four in southern Minnesota

Winona, Minnesota

Photographer states :: Flash flooding in Southeastern Minnesota caused severe damage Sat. night 8-18-07.

At least four people are dead after this weekend's rains turned into flood situations in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Rain on Saturday swelled creeks and rivers throughout southern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin, and flooding was reported in several counties. The worst flooding is happening in Fillmore, Houston, Winona, Olmsted, Dodge and Wabasha counties where a flood warning remains in effect. Crawford, Richland, Vernon and southern La Crosse counties in Wisconsin are also under warnings.

Rivers were still rising and more rain was in the forecast at midday Sunday....

When I read Middle East newspapers, I read for the leanings, movement toward peace. It is not only lacking in the year 2007, but, the USA has no credibility.


In contrast, Neocons would read the articles in "The Daily Star" for reasons to war. That isn't what I call progress in the Middle East. There exists evidence the foreign policy of the USA wherever there exists speculation for 'reasons for war' in the Middle East has failed.

A country should never allows it's foreign policy to be cut to the bone so the ONLY response is to 'go to guns.' Confrontation of ANY kind is the last option any diplomat should have available to win concessions and movement toward peace and stability. Confrontation ONLY begets more of the same.


We have witnessed over six years of confrontation by Bush/Cheney with the world. As a result, countries there are practicing nothing but protectionism with escalating tensions in the Middle East. We need competent leadership dedicated to peace with plenty of elbow room to work. That does not exist today.

"The Guns" are always there, but, they don't need to be waved in everyone's face; every minute of every day.

Michael Moore Today (The people that we are.)

http://www.michaelmoore.com/


Two firefighters from ladder 5 lost in line of duty
August 19th, 2007 3:21 am
Firefighters die in blaze by ground zero
By Verena Dobnik / Associated Press
NEW YORK - A seven-alarm fire ripped through an abandoned skyscraper next to ground zero in Lower Manhattan Saturday, killing two firefighters who were responding to the blaze.
Officers at the scene were preventing nearby residents from returning to their homes, telling them that authorities were concerned the former Deutsche Bank office building, vacant since the 2001 terrorist attacks turned it into a toxic nightmare, could fall. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that fear turned out to be unfounded.
The plume of gray smoke that trailed above the site of the World Trade Center raised concerns that toxic substances in the building could be spreading.
Bloomberg sought to reassure residents that the chemicals in the building likely did not present a significant health risk, saying air-quality tests so far showed no danger.
"Having said that, we are extremely careful. We don't want to prejudge anything," the mayor added. Tests were to continue overnight, he said.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10142


A MichaelMoore.com Exclusive

The brand new music video of...

"Alone Without You"

...by The Nightwatchman, as featured in

the closing credits of 'SiCKO'

Artist on Artist: Tom Morello & Michael Moore

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8272191


One Man Revolution

http://www.nightwatchmanmusic.com/


John Edwards: "I just watched SiCKO ... It's a great movie."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDU8ZaA5BtI


Encourage John Edwards to Adopt ...

http://johnedwards.com/about/contact/form/


… Michael Moore's Health Care Proposal

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/health-care-proposal/


Every Repuglican since the beginning of time has USED 'the family' excuse as a reason to leave and return when the political tone of the country was more agreeable.


"...I've got to do this for the sake of my family."
-- Karl Rove

Bush loses Brain

August 13th, 2007 10:38 am
Karl Rove, Top Strategist, Is Leaving the White House
By Jim Rutenberg / New York Times
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 — Karl Rove, the political adviser who masterminded President George W. Bush’s two winning presidential campaigns and secured his own place in history as a political strategist with extraordinary influence within the White House, is resigning, the White House confirmed today.
In an interview published this morning in The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Rove said, “I just think it’s time,” adding, “There’s always something that can keep you here, and as much as I’d like to be here, I’ve got to do this for the sake of my family.”
Mr. Rove said he had first considered leaving a year ago but stayed after his party lost the crucial midterm elections last fall, which put Congress in Democratic hands, and as Mr. Bush’s problems mounted in Iraq and in his pursuit of a new immigration policy.

Pasted from <http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10121

Karl Rove pics

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/sm/events/pl/081307karlrove/p:1

Karl Rove to Resign
At the End of August
By JOHN D. MCKINNON
August 13, 2007 12:56 p.m.
Karl Rove, President Bush's longtime political adviser, is resigning as White House deputy chief of staff effective Aug. 31, and returning to Texas, marking a turning point for the Bush presidency.
Mr. Rove's departure removes one of the White House's most polarizing figures, and perhaps signals the effective end of the lame duck administration's role in shaping major domestic policy decisions, where the former Texas political consultant was a driving force. Mr. Rove revealed his plans in an interview with Paul Gigot, editor of The Wall Street Journal's editorial page. (See related commentary.)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118698747711695773.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news



Video Surfaces of Cheney, in 1994, Warning That An Invasion of Iraq Would Lead to 'Quagmire'
By E&P / Editor & Publisher
NEW YORK It's not the first time that citizen "investigative journalists" have uncovered some embarrassing, or telling, nugget from the past that apparently remained buried for years. But it has happened again with the posting of a now wildly popular video on YouTube that shows Dick Cheney explaining in 1994 that trying to take over Iraq would be a "bad idea" and lead to a "quagmire."
The people who put it up come from a site called Grand Theft Country, the on-screen source appears to be the conservative American Enterprise Institute, and the date on the screen is April 15, 1994. That looks right, by the look of Cheney.
Posted on Friday, it had received over 100,000 hits by this morning, after being widely-linked around the Web. The transcript of this segment is below.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10117



Five U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Five U.S. soldiers were killed south of Baghdad on Saturday in two separate incidents, the U.S. military said Sunday.
One soldier was killed by small arms fire while on patrol in southeast Baghdad. The other four soldiers were killed in an explosion during combat operations south of the capital, the military said. Four soldiers were wounded in the blast.
The military said all nine soldiers were part of Task Force Marne, which operates in Baghdad and on the southern outskirts of the capital city.
The latest deaths bring to 3,689 the number of U.S. military personnel who have died in the Iraq war since it began in 2003.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10118



Dick Cheney '94: Invading Baghdad Would Create Quagmire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BEsZMvrq-I



Giuliani, Substance Firm, Struggles to Secure Style
By Marc Santora / New York Times
The lights were low, the music soft and soothing, a lute was being plucked in the background. The next song, presumably meant to liven up the crowd, was a selection from Yo-Yo Ma.
A sign with the featured speaker’s name was bathed in blue.
A motivational guru? Or perhaps some Jerry Brown-liberal type?
Nope.
As the “Rudy” signs made clear, the room in Savannah, Ga., was packed with Republicans eager to hear Mr. Tough-on-Terror himself, Rudolph W. Giuliani.
The ideological base of Mr. Giuliani’s campaign for president has, by now, come into fairly sharp relief: terrorism and small government. But the stylistic side — the way he interacts with voters and presents himself at rallies, the music he uses to announce his entrances — seems to be a work in progress as he tries to balance his New York persona with his heartland campaign.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10119



Critics demand Giuliani apology
By Quaid / Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani said Friday that he misspoke when he said he spent as much time, if not more, at Ground Zero exposed to the same health risks as workers combing the site after the Sept. 11 attacks.
"I think I could have said it better," he told nationally syndicated radio host Mike Gallagher. "You know, what I was saying was, 'I'm there with you.' "
The former New York mayor upset some firefighters and police officers when he said Thursday in Cincinnati that he was at Ground Zero "as often, if not more, than most of the workers."
"I was there working with them. I was exposed to exactly the same things they were exposed to. So in that sense, I'm one of them," he said at a Los Angeles Dodgers-Cincinnati Reds baseball game.
Fire and police officials responded angrily, saying Giuliani did not do the same work as those involved in the rescue, recovery and cleanup from the 2001 terrorist attacks, which left many workers injured.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10112



Saturday, August 11th, 2007
September 11th first responders, family groups and WTC recovery workers suffering from serious 9/11 related health ailments demand an apology from presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani for his delusional and insulting comments
Rudy Giuliani has insulted all September 11th first responders, family groups and especially those of us who are battling life threatening illnesses with his delusional statement, "I was at Ground Zero as often, if not more than most workers. I was there working with them." Many of us operated at the site from day one until its closure in late May 2002. First, as a rescue mission and then in the recovery of the victims and we can honestly say that your claim is a bold face lie. The majority of the time that Mr. Giuliani spent at Ground Zero was for photo ops with visiting dignitaries and celebrities, not once did he do what he claimed and "work with" the construction workers, fireman, police officers and other first responders. Is this just another cheap political stunt to win votes?

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=905



Carlson: Giuliani acts like he kept ‘third tower…from falling.’
On Meet the Press this morning, Bloomberg columnist Margaret Carlson commented on former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s claim that he “was at ground zero as often, if not more, than most of the workers.” “Giuliani now believes his own rhetoric,” said Carlson. “That he practically, maybe there was a third tower he kept from falling.” Watch it:

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/12/carlson-giuliani-acts-like-he-kept-third-towerfrom-falling/



August 18th, 2007 11:36 am
For Giuliani, Ground Zero is linchpin and thorn
Ex-mayor angers rescue workers by likening his experience to theirs
By Russ Buettner / New York Times
As Rudolph W. Giuliani campaigns around the country highlighting his stewardship of New York City after the Sept. 11 attacks, he is widely hailed for bringing order to a traumatized city. But he has also raised the hackles of rescue and recovery workers by likening his experience to theirs.
On at least three occasions, in responding to accusations that the city failed to adequately protect the health of workers in the wreckage, he has boasted that he faced comparable risks himself. In one appearance he declared that he had been in the ruins “as often, if not more” than the cleanup workers who logged hundreds of hours in the smoldering pile.
Another time he brushed aside safety claims by asserting that his long hours at the site had left him susceptible to “every health consequence that people have suffered.”
So, how much time did Mayor Giuliani spend at ground zero?

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10134



Estimate: Giuliani spent 7 percent of time spent by first responders at Ground Zero
Nick Juliano
Published: Friday August 17, 2007
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has faced repeated criticism of his apparent attempts to trade on his reputation that grew out of Sept. 11 to propel his presidential campaign.
A new estimate shows Giuliani spent about 7 percent as much time at Ground Zero as did the typical first responder during a three month period after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
On Friday the GOP frontrunner faced more harsh words after the New York Times revealed that Giuliani spent only 29 hours at the smoldering pile of wreckage that was the World Trade Center from mid-September to mid-December 2001.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Records_show_Giulianis_time_at_Ground_0817.html



The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On
This absorbing documentary follows Kenzo Okuzaki--a veteran of Japan's WWII campaign in New Guinea--as he searches out those responsible for the mysterious deaths of several soldiers in his unit. Though he holds Emperor Hirahito accountable for all the suffering caused by WWII, he painstakingly tracks down former military officers and accuses them of specific war crimes, often times abusing them verbally and physically. Director Kazua Hara's subtle cinema verite not only captures the zeal of Okuzaki's lifelong mission, but also exposes the atrocities committed by the Japanese military against its own soldiers. The film created such controversy in Japan upon release that no major distributor would touch it. "The most amazing piece of filmmaking" (Michael Moore). Winner of the Caligari Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival. In Japanese with English subtitles.

http://www.facets.org/asticat?function=buyitem&catname=facets&catnum=/DV91921/



Rudy Giuliani Talks with Charlie Rose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWwxivAFt7M


Rudy Giuliani Urban Legend

http://www.rudy-urbanlegend.com/


Michael Moore Blasts Rudolph Giuliani

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzmTe2_bRY



August 14th, 2007 1:38 pm
War Protesters March on Cheney's Home in Wyoming
Hundreds Cheer 'Toppling of Vice President's Statue'
By Gil Brady / New West Politics
WILSON, Wyo. — Demonstrators gathered Saturday afternoon at the rustic crossroads of U.S. Highway 22 and the Village Road to protest the war in Iraq and local resident Vice President Dick Cheney.
Following anti-war speeches and folksy, 60s-style sing-a-longs, the crowd of about 250—ranging in age from toddlers in strollers to a 92-year-old woman—marched peacefully along the mile-plus county bike path before assembling outside the gates of the tony Teton Pines Country Club where the vice president owns a home.
Cheney, who earlier in the day attended the dedication of Grand Teton Park’s new visitor center, honoring the late Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming, did not appear at the rally or the protest outside his residence.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10123



The Residence Club at Teton Pines is a luxurious and intimate enclave of spacious, two-bedroom residences that are owned by Residence Club Members and operated exclusively for their enjoyment. In addition, Residence Club Members have Teton Pines Country Club membership privileges while in residence.

http://www.tetonpines.com/the-resort/residence-club.php



Protesters show up in force near Cheney home
By Whitney Royster / Casper Star-Tribune
WILSON -- Some 200 people gathered in a Wilson field Saturday afternoon for a "Peace Rally" to protest the Iraq war and send a message to Vice President Dick Cheney, who owns a home just up the road.
"We organized it because of the war in Iraq and what an injustice it has been," Walt Farmer, retired Air Force captain and registered Republican said. "The Vice President has received a pass in Jackson long enough. We want to let them know we don't approve of the war or how they play fast and loose with the Constitution."
Attending a rally first with speakers, including State Rep. Pete Jorgensen (D-Jackson), author Alexandra Fuller and musicians, the group then took to the county bike path where they marched 1.5 miles north to the entrance of the exclusive Teton Pines Country Club, where Cheney lives when he is in Wyoming.
A 10-foot tall effigy of Cheney, with a fishing pole in one hand and a spouting oil well in the other, was brought on the route. Rally-goers toppled the statute as a symbolic gesture of their disapproval of the vice president.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10124



Cheney's neighbors topple him in protest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVTuTWe75yA



Anti-war/Cheney protest draws large turnout on Saturday; video clip
Jackson Hole, Wyo.-As many as 250 people gathered Saturday afternoon at the corner of Hwy. 22 and the Village Road to protest the war in Iraq and to decry Vice President Dick Cheney’s role in the four-and-a-half-year conflict.

http://www.planetjh.com/news/A_101763.aspx



War Protesters March on Cheney’s Home in Wyoming
“Author Alexandra Fuller speaks at peace rally Saturday in Wilson, Wyo.”/photos by Gil Brady
WILSON, Wyo. — Demonstrators gathered Saturday afternoon at the rustic crossroads of U.S. Highway 22 and the Village Road to protest the war in Iraq and local resident Vice President Dick Cheney.
Following anti-war speeches and folksy, 60s-style sing-a-longs, the crowd of about 250—ranging in age from toddlers in strollers to a 92-year-old woman—marched peacefully along the mile-plus county bike path before assembling outside the gates of the tony Teton Pines Country Club where the vice president owns a home.
Cheney, who earlier in the day attended the dedication of Grand Teton Park’s new visitor center, honoring the late Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming, did not appear at the rally or the protest outside his residence.
Military veterans, friends, families, at least one politician and unaffiliated individuals carrying anti-war signs and other messages – some demanding the vice president’s impeachment and accusing the White House of lying about why America invaded Iraq — attended the event.

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/war_protestors_march_on_cheneys_home/C67/L37/




August 18th, 2007 5:12 pm
Activists decry use of funds on war
By Brad Shannon / The Olympian
A group of anti-war activists rallied at the state Capitol on Thursday, saying the U.S. occupation of Iraq has cost $1.1 billion for each of South Sound's congressional districts — money that could better be spent on health care and schools locally.
"We need to put a stop to what is going on and start paying attention to priorities at home," Vietnam veteran and activist Ken Schwilk said before the event, which drew about 30 people. Activists had signs saying "Peace Now," "Impeach Bush" and "Stop the War."
Schwilk estimated costs to Washington taxpayers at $10.35 billion in funds already spent or appropriated for the war. Schwilk used figures prepared by the left-of-center MoveOn.org political committee, and these appeared to reflect Congress' figures for overall war costs that are approaching $500 billion.
The tab includes a $1.1 billion cost to the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Southwest Washington from Olympia to the Columbia River, and $1.15 billion for the 9th district, which runs from Lacey to Federal Way. The figures were calculated by the National Priorities Project, which based its estimates on the share of funds the IRS says each state pays into the federal treasury.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10137



Karl Rove, Top Strategist, Is Leaving the White House
By Jim Rutenberg / New York Times
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 — Karl Rove, the political adviser who masterminded President George W. Bush’s two winning presidential campaigns and secured his own place in history as a political strategist with extraordinary influence within the White House, is resigning, the White House confirmed today.
In an interview published this morning in The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Rove said, “I just think it’s time,” adding, “There’s always something that can keep you here, and as much as I’d like to be here, I’ve got to do this for the sake of my family.”
Mr. Rove said he had first considered leaving a year ago but stayed after his party lost the crucial midterm elections last fall, which put Congress in Democratic hands, and as Mr. Bush’s problems mounted in Iraq and in his pursuit of a new immigration policy.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10121



Apple farmer who hosted Laura Bush and the twins helps promote 'SiCKO'
Apple Farmer's Signs Stir Up Controversy In Londonderry
Political Signs Target Of Vandalism
WMUR
LONDONDERRY, N.H. -- A Londonderry apple farmer has posted his political opinions along Route 28, but not everyone likes what he has to say, and some have taken action in the form of vandalism.
Mack's Apples owner Andy Mack is not afraid to share his opinions about President George W. Bush.
"He's an absolute total disaster for this country, for the world and for the planet," Mack said.
Mack's latest sign urges drivers to see Michael Moore's new movie, "Sicko." It replaced a sign the 71-year-old apple farmer posted last month regarding U.S. deaths in Iraq.
"It said 'Bush: 'It's worth the sacrifice,' and the bottom of the word 'sacrifice' was in dripping red paint," Mack said.
That sign was run over by a driver in a Hummer who was never caught.
"Not that I've got anything against people who drive Hummers, but there's got to be a little extra testosterone in every wheel," Mack said.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10126



Screening of
SICKO
A Documentary Film by Director Michael Moore
Last Showing in Kansas City!
Screening Sponsored by Heartland Healthcare for All and Missouri Association for Social Welfare. August 16th, Thursday, at 7:00 PM at the Screenland Theater 1656 Washington, KCMO 64108 (Map)
Discussion to follow movie with talks from Kansas City individuals who appear in the film. Tickets are a suggested donation of 5-8 dollars. No one turned away b/c they can't pay.
Download the flyer in a Word Document Here. Please distribute widely.
See the news section to read 2 new stories about Kansas City women who have had to fight their insurance companies to get coverage for their cancer treatments.

http://healthcareforall.kumc.edu/index.htm



'Collateral Damage: Bethena' ...by Cindy Sheehan from Amman, Jordan
Last month when Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Ray McGovern and I took over 300 people and a petition with over a million signatures to Congressman John Conyers (D-Mi, Chair House Judiciary Committee) demanding impeachment, we believed we were morally correct then. Despite Rep. Conyers' long record of public service to our nation and several private meetings that went absolutely nowhere, and despite the mild to severe criticism we have received, we believed then and still believe now that impeaching BushCo is a Constitutionally mandated requirement and a necessary tool to reclaim our representative republic, end the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan ("The troops aren't coming home while I'm preznit," GWB), and to hold the monsters accountable who have wreaked havoc on our planet.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=906



Hungry for end to war, activists seek impeachment of Bush, Cheney
By Meredith May / San Francisco Chronicle
Marghi Dutton is 90 and losing her eyesight, but nothing was going to stop her from trekking to midspan of the Golden Gate Bridge on Sunday with the anti-war group Code Pink: Women for Peace.
She joined a crowd of about 100 demonstrators dressed in hot pink hats, shirts and scarves and fought the wind to raise her sign: "Impeach Bush and Cheney!"
"My arms are aching, but I'm getting energy from the drivers - so many are honking in support," she said.
Code Pink, a national grassroots peace movement inspired by Bay Area women, organized the protest to call for an immediate end to the war in Iraq and immediate impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10130



August 18th, 2007 1:31 pm
County: Impeach Bush, Cheney
By Ben Hopper / Capital Times
At the end of a marathon seven-hour session, the Dane County Board early today became the second county government in the nation to endorse the impeachment of President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
About a third of the board members left the meeting before the impeachment vote was taken shortly before 2 a.m. The measure passed with 24 in favor, three against, two abstaining and the remaining 12 absent.
The issue of impeachment -- a symbolic resolution to be sent to Wisconsin's congressional representatives -- wasn't taken up until after the board endorsed a regional transportation authority plan.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10135



August 18th, 2007 6:10 pm
Man's 'Impeach Bush' Sign Leads To Littering Charge
NewsNet5
KENT, Ohio -- A Kent resident who was ticketed last week for putting up an "Impeach Bush" sign on what was considered city land is facing different charges.
The initial charge against Kevin Egler was a violation of an advertising ordinance. That charge was dropped, but he is now being charged with littering.
The offense falls under Kent ordinance 521.08, which in part reads that no person shall place litter on any public property.
But Egler and his lawyer claim that the sign is like any political sign that you would see during election time.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10139



August 18th, 2007 6:30 pm
Charges against 'highway blogger' will change
By Adam Behsudi / Asheville Citizen-Times
ASHEVILLE — Police said Thursday that it would change charges against a man who held an “impeach Bush, Cheney” sign from a bridge over Interstate 240.
Jonas Phillips, a 35-year-old West Asheville resident, said he had recently taken up “highway blogging,” a protest practice of displaying signs of political discontent from highway overpasses.
Police cited him Wednesday for obstructing the sidewalk but said Thursday a N.C. Department of Transportation violation would be more fitting.
Phillips said he had the signed propped on the Haywood Road bridge railing over I-240.
He had not been charged with the new violation, a class 1 misdemeanor, by late Thursday night.
“The intent was public safety and the banner being a hazard,” Asheville police Capt. Wade Wood said. “That’s basically to the benefit of the motoring public.”
Wood said there was a possibility of the sign falling on motorists below. The sign had not been returned pending court proceedings, he said.
Phillips said he was not blocking the sidewalk while holding his 5-by-1 foot sign. He said he was aware of that ordinance and not trying to break it.
Police gave him no warning to move before putting him under arrest, Phillips said.
“I don’t want people in Asheville to be scared of protesting,” he said. “I wasn’t asking for trouble.”

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10140



How I Got Arrested for Holding an IMPEACH Sign
Submitted by davidswanson on Fri, 2007-08-17 19:14. Activism
By Jonas Phillips
I am writing to tell you about an abuse of power in Asheville, NC by a police sergeant.
I occasionally stand on an interstate overpass near my place of work in the mornings and hold a sign that says 'IMPEACH BUSH / CHENEY'.
On Wednesday August 15, I was standing alone with my sign for about 10 minutes, when I was approached by Police Officer Russell Crisp. He asked me how long I was planning to stay there and I told him just a few more minutes because I had to go to work at 8:00. He asked for my ID and I obliged. I asked him if I was doing something wrong, and he said that his Sergeant was on the way and he was going to wait for him. SO, I went back to my sign holding over the interstate.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/25922



August 18th, 2007 11:05 am
Financial pressures force Snow departure
By Terence Hunt / Associated Press
WASHINGTON - White House press secretary Tony Snow said Friday he'll leave before the end of the Bush presidency because he needs to make more money.
"I'm going to stay as long as I can," he said without elaborating on a departure date.
Snow's comment caught White House colleagues by surprise, and they said they could not hazard a guess about when he might leave.
The 52-year-old Snow, the father of three children, earns $168,000 as an assistant to the president but made considerably more as a conservative pundit and syndicated talk-show host on Fox News Radio. He was named press secretary on April 26, 2006.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10133http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10133



August 18th, 2007 5:51 pm
After Loss of Majority, Several Republicans Head for Exits
By David D. Kirkpatrick / New York Times
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 — A rash of retirements among House Republicans is adding to the party’s electoral challenges and raising questions about a rush for the exits.
Four House Republicans — Representatives J. Dennis Hastert and Ray LaHood, both of Illinois; Deborah Pryce of Ohio; and Charles W. Pickering Jr. of Mississippi — have all announced in recent days that they will not seek re-election next year, worrying Republican leaders anxious to hold back a potential wave of retirements after the loss of their majority in 2006. Mr. Hastert, the former speaker, Mr. LaHood and Ms. Pryce were all well-liked leaders within their party.
“I think our party’s chances for winning the majority back next time are pretty bleak at the moment,” Mr. LaHood said in an interview, “and I will admit to you that being in the minority is less fun.”

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10138



American Troop Deaths in Iraq to date :: 3706


US Military Wounded (Iraq) :: 27,409


Iraqi Civilian Deaths (minimum) :: 69,907


'Excess' Iraqi Deaths :: 655,000

continued ...

South Korea to send flood aid to North next week

10:01 16/08/2007
Floods cripple North Korea. Video (click here)
North Korean authorities have indicated flooding may have left up to 300,000 people homeless.

Second Korean summit could be postponed over flooding (click here)

MOSCOW, August 18 (RIA Novosti) - North Korean authorities have suggested postponing a high-level summit with South Korea, scheduled for August 28-30 in Pyongyang, to October 2-4 due to devastating floods in the north, the South Korean presidential press service said Saturday.
The intergovernmental summit, only the second in the history of North-South relations, was to have discussed the creation of a single economic zone for the Korean Peninsula.
Hundreds have died in floods caused by the worst torrential rains ever recorded in parts of North Korea, and a significant portion of the country's cropland has been destroyed.
On Friday, South Korea's unification minister said Seoul would provide $7.5 million in flood relief to North Korea....